Patent ID: 6695489
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
A fiber optic connector comprising:a ferrule having a front end and an opposite rear end; a hub retainably engaging the ferrule; an inner housing having a first part and a second part, wherein the hub is rotationally retained by the first part, and the second part is rotatable relative to the first part between selectable discrete positions, the first part including an external surface including a plurality of teeth extending from the external surface around a circumference of the first part, and the second part including two recesses on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the second part, each recess being defined by a first tooth and a second tooth extending from an internal surface of the second part, wherein the first part is rotatable within the second part, wherein rotation of the first part within the second part sequentially engages each of the plurality of teeth within at least one of the recesses, the engagement of each of the plurality of teeth within at least one of the recesses defining a selectable discrete position, wherein the second part includes resilient extensions that are deflected outwardly with respect to the ferrule as the first part is inserted into the second part, and wherein as the first part is fully seated within the second part, the resilient extensions return to their natural positions, thereby securing the first part to the second part, and wherein the inner housing has a front end and a rear end, the front end of the ferrule being positioned adjacent the front end of the inner housing and the hub being longitudinally movable relative to the inner housing; a spring biasing the hub toward the front end of the inner housing; and an outer housing engageable with the inner housing, wherein, prior to placement of the outer housing, the second part is configured to be twisted relative to the first part with sufficient rotational pressure so that the resilient extensions deflect outwardly slightly, allowing the second part to be rotated within the first part to another selectable discrete position, and wherein, when the inner housing is positioned within the outer housing, the outer housing locks the second part to the first part at one of the selectable discrete positions such that the second part can no longer be rotated with respect to the first part by preventing the resilient extensions from deflecting outwardly, thereby maintaining rotational alignment between the first and second parts.