Abstract:
The invention relates to an alignment socket supporting system for connectors, such as optical connectors, comprising: the assembly of parts, allowing more than one alignment socket to be secured in a pre-determined manner and the extraction and insertion of all of the alignment sockets simultaneously without dismantling the assembly, and locking means for locking the system once inserted.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of connectors, notably optical connectors. 
         [0002]    More precisely, the present invention relates to alignment sockets used in the contacts of these connectors. 
         [0003]    A typical example of a contact/connector of this kind is given in U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,929. 
         [0004]    Other examples of these contacts/connectors are marketed by the Glenair® and Souriau® corporations, and are described in the web pages at the following addresses: 
         [0000]    http://www.glenair.com/contacts/pdf/fiber optic 181 043.pdf
 
http://www.glenair.com/contacts/pdf/fiber optic 181 050.pdf
 
http://www.glenair.com/contacts/qpl_and_commercial_high_performance_fiber_optic_termini.htm
 
http://www.souriau.com/fileadmin/Souriau/product_pdf/ELIO-Fiber-Optic-Contact.pdf
 
         [0005]    Commonly used elements in these contacts are alignment sockets which allow the ferrules to be aligned precisely when the connector is connected. This precise alignment is necessary to ensure correct transmission of the information, for example optical information in the case of optical fiber connectors. 
         [0006]    In addition to individual socket mounting systems, there are systems available in the field of optical fiber connections for securing alignment sockets, which are fixed to one of the contact blocks or are secured individually by screwing to the ferrules. 
         [0007]    Only Hirose offers, in its HE2 series of connectors, the possibility of removing the protection which holds the alignment sockets in a one-piece arrangement (with the aid of a screw). 
         [0008]    In this system, however, the alignment sockets remain on the ferrules when the protection has been removed. In fact, accessing said ferrules (in the Hirose connector) requires a second operation, using a special tool for withdrawing the sockets one by one. 
         [0009]    This operation is inconvenient, notably if there is a large number of sockets and/or if the sockets are small. Moreover, it should be possible to carry out this dismounting in a simple way for the purpose of cleaning or changing said sockets. 
         [0010]    A connector made by the Glenair® corporation, marketed under the name of “Glenair Next Generation (NGCON) Fiber Optic Connection System”, apparently includes a socket holder which is attached to the connector by a screw. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    One object of the invention is, therefore, to improve the known contacts and connectors. 
         [0012]    More precisely, one object of the invention is to propose a contact, for example a contact for an optical connector, having simple and effective means for dismounting the alignment sockets and accessing the ferrules, in order to clean the ferrules for example. 
         [0013]    The desire to provide easier access to the ferrules of the two components (the plug and the base socket) has resulted, in one embodiment of the invention, in a one-piece alignment socket holder which is easily dismounted in a single operation without the use of an additional part as proposed in the Glenair® product described above. Thus all the sockets are withdrawn at the same time while still remaining aligned, which facilitates their (re)mounting, also in a single operation. 
         [0014]    The socket holder according to the invention is simple and inexpensive, and can therefore be exchanged if necessary. 
         [0015]    One of the ideas behind the present invention is that of designing parts for the formation of a block incorporating the alignment sockets; this block may be mounted in a connector or withdrawn by means of a locking system integrated in said block. 
         [0016]    This locking allows very simple insertion and withdrawal of the alignment sockets. 
         [0017]    In a preferred embodiment, a locking system of the push-pull type is integrated into the alignment socket holder according to the invention to ensure that it cannot be removed in an uncontrolled way, for example during disconnection. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the system comprises an assembly of three parts which allows, on the one hand, the securing of more than one alignment socket in a predetermined manner and, on the other hand, the simultaneous extraction and insertion of all the alignment sockets in a connector without the dismounting of said assembly. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the assembly is of the push-pull type, allowing the mounting and dismounting of an alignment socket while allowing the position of said socket to be maintained during the plugging-in and unplugging of the complete connector. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the number of ferrule alignment sockets is greater than one. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the assembly is of the clipper type. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, the assembly is of the bayonet type. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]    The invention will be more readily understood from the description of a number of embodiments and the figures relating thereto, in which: 
           [0024]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  shows a view in axial section of an embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention in a first position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  shows a view in axial section of an embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention in a second position; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 4A to 4F  show views of another embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 5A to 5F  show views of another embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 6A to 6E  show views of another embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 7A to 7E  show views of another embodiment of the socket holder according to the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a socket holder mounted in a connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    The invention will now be described with reference to the figures which show a number of embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0033]    A first embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a first part  1  forming a male socket holder, a second part  2  forming a female socket holder, a third part  3  forming a locking pin, and alignment sockets  4  (typically available on the market) which fit into parts  1  and  2 , for example into carriers or retainers  1 ′,  2 ′. 
         [0034]    In this embodiment, four sockets are shown, but it would be feasible to have variants with fewer than four sockets or more than four sockets while following the principle of the present invention. 
         [0035]    The assembly of these parts  1 - 4  produces a sub-unit called a one-piece push-pull alignment socket holder according to the present invention. 
         [0036]    To ensure that the socket holder system does not become dismounted after its assembly, the pin  3  comprises a collar  32 ′ with a shoulder  32  which prevents the female part  2  from becoming dismounted, for example by means of a corresponding ledge  10  located in the passage hole of the pin  3  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). 
         [0037]    Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , which show the device of  FIG. 1  in the mounted state, in two different positions. 
         [0038]    According to the invention, a “push-pull” locking function is provided by resilient tabs  21  which, in the unstressed basic position, form a shoulder  22  allowing engagement with a configuration  41  (a corresponding shoulder, for example) formed on the counter-part  4  (for example, belonging to the contact or to the connector in which the system is mounted). 
         [0039]    The operation of these push-pull modes is described in greater detail below. 
       The Push Function 
       [0040]    For locking the system (the push function), a pressure must be exerted on the second part  2  so that it can be inserted into the configuration as a result of the flexing of the strips  21  whose displacement is caused by the friction of the chamfer  23  at the end of the strip  21  against the entry area  42  of the configuration  4 . When fitted in position, the system is locked by the action of the strips  21  which are raised again in the configuration  4  at the position of the shoulder  41 . Retention in position is ensured by the fact that there is no possible angle allowing the flexion of the strips  21  between the shoulder of the configuration  41  and the shoulder  22  of the female alignment socket holder  2 . 
         [0041]    This position is shown in  FIG. 2 , where the socket holder is locked in the entry area  42 , which belongs to a connector, for example. 
         [0042]    To ensure that the socket holder system does not become dismounted after its assembly, the pin  3  comprises a collar  32 ′ with a shoulder  32  which prevents the female part  2  from becoming dismounted, for example by means of a corresponding ledge  10  located in the passage hole of the pin  3 . 
       The Pull Function 
       [0043]    For unlocking the system (the pull function), the strips  21  must be displaced toward the pin  3  in order to terminate the engagement of their shoulder  22  against the configuration  41 . For this purpose, provision is made to exert a mechanical pulling action on the locking pin  3  forming the actuating means. The force generated by this pulling action is transmitted to the male socket holder  1 , which is displaced axially against the female socket holder  2  by the action of said pulling force. 
         [0044]    To facilitate the application of this pulling force, the pin  3  may have a mushroom-shaped head with a shoulder  33  which can be gripped, for example by means of a tool such as a pair of pliers. 
         [0045]    During this displacement, the chamfers  11  of the male part  1  come into contact with the ends of the strips  23  and exert a stress on said strips toward the inside of the one-piece alignment socket holder, that is to say toward the pin  3 , by means of the inclined plane  11 ′ of the chamfer  11  which interacts with the inclined plane  23 ′ of the end  23  of the strip  21 . 
         [0046]    This stress enables the strips  23  to be displaced toward said stress, that is to say toward the pin  3 , thus allowing the shoulder  22  to pass under the configuration  41  which retains it as a result of the contraction of the strips  21  caused in this way, thus allowing the one-piece alignment socket holder to be extracted by a single operation of pulling on the pin. 
         [0047]    In this way, a system is obtained which is very easy to manipulate, and the dismounting and remounting of all the sockets is carried out in a very rapid and simple manner. 
         [0048]    The parts  1  and  2  are preferably made of synthetic materials (plastics or the like). 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4A to 4F  show an embodiment in which the push-pull securing system is replaced by a bayonet system. 
         [0050]    More precisely,  FIG. 4A  is a rear view of the support  100 ,  FIG. 4B  is a sectional view taken along the axis A-A,  FIG. 4C  is a sectional view taken along the axis B-B,  FIG. 4D  is a front view of the support  100 ,  FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of the support  100  in the mounted state, and  FIG. 4F  is an exploded perspective view of the support  100 . 
         [0051]    More precisely, the support  100  is mounted in a ring  101  forming part of the connector (not shown) and attached by means which are described below. The support  100  comprises, notably, retainers  102  in which the sockets  103  are located. Said sockets  103  may, for example, be forced into the retainers  102 , or the support  100  may be made in two parts as in the first embodiment, to allow the sockets  103  to be mounted in the retainers  102 . 
         [0052]    To enable the support  100  to be secured in the ring  101 , a bayonet system is provided, this system being constructed as described below. The support comprises a groove  104  (a part with a reduced diameter) and passages  105  on the rear diameter  106  of the support  100 . These passages  105  are intended to interact with projecting elements  107  which are located in the ring  101  at the time of mounting to enable the support  100  to be locked in the ring by an effect of the bayonet type: when the support  100  is mounted, it undergoes a rotation, and the elements  107  are then locked in the groove  104 , resulting in the connection of the parts  100  and  101  by a simple rotation. It is possible, for example, to provide a stop system (not shown) to limit the relative rotation of the support  100  and the ring  101 . 
         [0053]    When the support  100  has been mounted in the ring and rotated with respect to it by 45°, for example, it is no longer possible to extract the support  100  axially from the ring  101 , and axial locking is thus provided. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 5A to 5F  show another bayonet-type locking system using a central pin with carriers. More precisely,  FIG. 5A  is a rear view of the support  200 ,  FIG. 5B  is a sectional view taken along the axis A-A,  FIG. 5C  is a sectional view taken along the axis B-B,  FIG. 5D  is a front view of the support  200 ,  FIG. 5E  is a perspective view of the support  200  in the mounted state, and  FIG. 5F  is an exploded perspective view of the support  200 . 
         [0055]    The support  200  comprises, notably, retainers  202  in which the sockets  203  are located. Said sockets  203  may, for example, be forced into the retainers  202 , or the support  200  may be made in two parts as in the first embodiment, to allow the sockets  203  to be mounted in the retainers  202 . 
         [0056]    In this mode, the bayonet-type locking means used is a pin  204  having carriers  205  extending perpendicularly to the axis of the pin (see  FIG. 5F , notably). When the support  200  has been mounted, the pin is introduced into an axial hole  206  in the support  200 , this hole having grooves  207  corresponding to the carriers  205  to allow this introduction, and the pin  204  and its carriers  205  are then used to lock the mounting of the support  200  in the connector (not shown) by corresponding suitable means, for example transverse grooves receiving the carriers  205 . 
         [0057]    Preferably, in the bayonet embodiments, resilient means of the spring type, for example (not shown), are used to ensure that the connector can withstand vibrations and that the system will not become dismounted in an untimely manner during use. Any equivalent means of achieving this result may be used. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 6A-6E  and  7 A- 7 D show embodiments using a clipping system for mounting the support in the connector. 
         [0059]    More precisely,  FIG. 6A  is a rear view of the support  300 ,  FIG. 6B  is a sectional view taken along the axis A-A,  FIG. 6C  is a sectional view taken along the axis B-B,  FIG. 6D  is a perspective view of the support  300  in the mounted state, and  FIG. 6E  is an exploded perspective view of the support  300 . 
         [0060]    The support  300  comprises a first part  301 , a second part  302  and a pin  303 . The two parts  301 - 302  are fitted into one another by means of half-retainers  304 ,  305  to form retainers in which the sockets  306  are located. It should be noted that the two-part system shown here may be applied in a corresponding manner to the embodiments of  FIGS. 4A-4F ,  5 A- 5 F. 
         [0061]    Additionally, the first part includes a plurality of bosses  307  (for example, four bosses distributed over the circumference of the support) enabling the support  300  to be clipped into the connector (into corresponding housings of the connector) for its mounting and axial locking according to the principles of the present invention. In this embodiment, the pin  303  serves to facilitate the extraction of the mounted support, for example by pulling on its proximal end  308  by means of an appropriate tool (as in the first “push-pull” embodiment described above). A “push-pull” action may or may not be added, using inclined planes at the sides of the bosses  307  and on the inside of the part  302 , if desired. 
         [0062]    Clearly, the number of bosses is not limited to four, and their positions may be other than those shown by way of example. 
         [0063]      FIGS. 7A-7E  show an embodiment derived from that of  FIGS. 6A-6E . More precisely,  FIG. 7A  is a rear view of the support  400 ,  FIG. 7B  is a sectional view taken along the axis A-A,  FIG. 7C  is a sectional view taken along the axis B-B,  FIG. 7D  is a perspective view of the support  400  in the mounted state, and  FIG. 7E  is an exploded perspective view of the support  400 . 
         [0064]    This support  400  comprises only one part  401  (in place of the two parts  301 - 302  of the preceding embodiment), and the pin  405  corresponds to the pin  303 , but is integrated in the part  401 , with a function equivalent to that of the pin  303  for the extraction of the support (see above). 
         [0065]    The support  401  comprises retainers  402  (four in number, for example) in which the sockets  403  are located according to the principles disclosed above in relation to the other embodiments. The part  401  comprises a plurality of bosses  404  (four in number, for example) for clipping the part onto the connector (into corresponding housings, for example) in order to lock the support in the connector. To extract the support  401 , the proximal end  406  of the pin  405  can be pulled on as disclosed above, by using an appropriate tool, for example. 
         [0066]    By way of illustration,  FIG. 8  shows a connector  500  in which a socket holder support  501  according to the invention is mounted. The socket holder  501  corresponds, for example, to that of the first embodiment described (push-pull), with parts  1  and  2  and the pin  3  for extraction (see  FIG. 2 , for example). 
         [0067]    Clearly, all the various embodiments of socket holder supports described in the present application may be mounted in the connector  500 , with the appropriate adaptations and modifications of the connector to suit the locking means (push-pull, bayonet, clips or bosses). 
         [0068]    The embodiments described are provided by way of illustrative examples and are not to be considered as limiting. Variations are entirely possible within the context of the present invention and the claimed protection. The number of sockets may be varied from that mentioned in the given examples (by being more or fewer than four), and the same applies to the bosses, etc. 
         [0069]    As mentioned above, the various parts forming the support may be manufactured from any appropriate material, for example synthetic material. 
         [0070]    The different embodiments and variants illustrated may also be combined with one another, according to circumstances and the choices made.