Patent ID: 7824109
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. An optical connector which has an optical connector body incorporating a holding member for holding at least an optical fiber, and which is to be coupled to a connecting member, such as an optical adapter or an optical receptacle, opposing the optical connector, the optical connector comprising: first and second movable members held on the optical connector body to be axially movable in a longitudinal direction; locking means for locking the first movable member and the second movable member when the first movable member is located at a predetermined locking position in a tip part of the optical connector body, and integrally moving the first movable member and the second movable member; and unlocking means formed in the optical connector body, and including a locking acting portion which acts on the locking means when the first movable member is located rearwardly of a predetermined unlocking position in a rear part of the optical connector body, to unlock the first movable member and the second movable member, and which locks the first movable member and the second movable member when the first movable member is located forwardly of the unlocking position, and a second movable member hooking portion for inhibiting rearward movement of the second movable member after the first movable member and the second movable member are unlocked, wherein the second movable member has a functional portion having a predetermined function, and when the second movable member is located at a predetermined position in the optical connector body, the function acts on the holding member or the optical fiber to fulfill the function, the first movable member has a contact portion to be brought into contact with the connecting member, the first movable member is of a structure such that the first movable member is moved with respect to the optical connector body when the optical connector body is coupled to the connecting member, and that a positional relationship between the contact portion and the connecting member is maintained until coupling between the optical connector body and the connecting member is released, the locking means has a locking part provided in the first movable member, and a locked part which is to be locked to the locking part and is provided in the second movable member, the locking acting portion is composed of a first unlocking ride-on portion provided in the first movable member, and a second unlocking ride-on portion provided in the optical connector body, and the first unlocking ride-on portion and the second unlocking ride-on portion are disposed such that when the first unlocking ride-on portion rides on the second unlocking ride-on portion, locking between the locking part and the locked part is released, when the first movable member is located at the predetermined locking position, the first unlocking ride-on portion does not ride on the second unlocking ride-on portion, and when the first movable member is located at the unlocking position, the first unlocking ride-on portion rides on the second unlocking ride-on portion.