Fiber optic guide pin changer and field tool with adapter

A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

There are some fiber optic connectors that are designed to use fiber optic guide pins to align with other fiber optic connectors. One type of fiber optic connector is the MTP® brand fiber optic connector that is sold by the Applicant of this application. Other similar fiber optic connectors offered by other companies also require that fiber optic guide pins are used to align the fiber optic connectors, and the fiber optic ferrules in particular, when two connectors are mated. However, there are times in the field when a technician is installing fiber optic connectors and is faced with the prospect of two female connectors (without guide pins) or two male connectors (with the guide pins). There are a number of fiber optic connectors that allow for guide pins to be added to or removed from the fiber optic connector. One such connector has a unique guide pin clamp that allows for the addition or removal of guide pins and has been filed as Ser. No. 15/383,356 to the same applicant. However, the handling of the guide pins in the field is difficult at best and impossible at worst given the size of the guide pins, the size of the guide pin openings in the fiber optic ferrule, and the conditions under which the pins are to be removed or added. Additionally, it is usually better to insert both guide pins at the same time, making it even more difficult unless there is a tool to allow for the simultaneous insertion/removal of both guide pins and aligning the guide pins with the guide pin openings.

Thus, a fiber optic guide pin changer that has the ability to hold guide pins for use whenever needed (storage) and also is configured to either insert or remove the guide pins is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pin exchanger for an fiber optic connector that included a first gripping element, a second gripping element disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first gripping element thereby defining a space therebetween, a guide beam attached to each side of the first and second gripping elements, each of the guide beams having a first leg extending from the first gripping element and a second leg extending from the second gripping element, the first and second legs being connected to one another at an end thereof opposite the gripping elements, a first protrusion extending from the first gripping element and extending toward the second gripping element in the space, and a second protrusion extending from the second gripping element and extending toward and aligned with the first protrusion in the space, the first and second protrusion forming a junction disposed between the first and second gripping elements to engage a portion of at least one guide pin.

In some embodiments, the at least one guide pin extends beyond the junction a first predetermined distance and each of the pair of guide beams extend a second predetermined distance away from the first and second gripping elements, the second predetermined distance being greater the first predetermined distance.

In some embodiments, flexure elements are provided between the gripping elements and include a stop surface disposed adjacent to and rearwardly from the first and second protrusions thereby preventing the at least one guide pin from moving rearwardly in the pin exchanger.

In some other embodiments, the each of the guide beams align with a guide beam opening in an adapter, the adapter being disposed in a field tool and having a fiber optic connector opening between the two guide beam openings.

In another embodiment, an adapter is included that includes a main body having a front end and a back end opposite to the front end, a first opening extending between the front end and the back end to receive the fiber optic connector through the back end, a pair of projections extending into the opening to engage the fiber optic connector, and a first guide beam opening and a second guide beam opening to receive guide beams from the pin exchanger from the front end, the first and second guide beam openings being on opposite sides of the first opening, the first and second guide beam openings disposed relative to the first opening such that the pin exchanger, when inserted into the guide beams openings, is positioned relative to a fiber optic connector so as to remove or insert guide pins therein.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of removing at least one guide pin from a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector having a connector housing and being inserted into an adapter, the method including the steps of aligning a pin exchanging tool with the adapter and the connector housing, the pin exchanging tool having a first gripping element and a second gripping element disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from each other, pushing the pin exchanging tool into the adapter and towards a front end of the fiber optic connector so that the pin exchanging tool engages the at least one guide pin in a ferrule of the fiber optic connector between the first and second gripping elements, and pulling the pin exchanging tool away from the front end of the fiber optic connector and out of the adapter while exerting force on the first and second gripping elements to remove the at least one guide pin.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is a method of inserting at least one guide pin into a fiber optic connector, the method including the steps of aligning a pin exchanging tool with the connector housing and the adapter, the pin exchanging tool having a first gripping element and a second gripping element disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from each other, at least one guide pin disposed between the first and second gripping elements, pushing the pin exchanging tool into the adapter and towards a front end of the fiber optic connector so that the pin exchanging tool inserts the at least one guide pin into a ferrule of the fiber optic connector while exerting force on the first and second gripping elements, and pulling the pin exchanging tool away from the front end of the fiber optic connector and the adapter after releasing force on the first and second gripping elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Applicant notes that the term “front” or “forward” means that direction where the fiber optic connector would meet with another fiber-optic connector or device, while the term “rear” or “rearward” is used to mean the direction from which the optical fibers enter into the fiber-optic ferrule or fiber optic connector. Thus, “front” with respect to the pin exchanger is illustrated inFIG. 1—as being where the guide beams terminate opposite the gripping elements—to the left in the figure. The rear or rearward direction would be the opposite direction. For a fiber optic connector, front is the end where the optical fibers are terminated at a front face and the rear is where the optical fibers enter the connector or fiber optic ferrule. Further, the lengths, distances, and sizes of various components may be predetermined or may vary during operation, as the context dictates.

Further to the above discussion, illustrated inFIGS. 1-6is one embodiment of a pin exchanger10according to the present invention. The pin exchanger10is to be used with MTP® brand fiber optic connectors, as well as other connectors that have fiber optic guide pins to align the fiber optic connectors. See, e.g,FIG. 6. As discussed below in more detail, the pin exchanger10is used with a field tool and adapter that assist in orienting a pin keeper to allow for the insertion and removal of guide pins. Returning toFIGS. 1-6, the pin exchanger10has a first gripping element12and a second gripping element14disposed substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the first gripping element12. The two gripping elements12,14thus define a space16therebetween. The pin exchanger10has two guide beams18,20, one guide beam attached to each side of the first and second gripping elements12,14and defining a guide pin area22therebetween. Each of the guide beams18,20have a first leg30extending from the first gripping element12and a second leg32extending from the second gripping element14. The first leg30and second leg32are connected to one another at a distal end34(a front end) that is opposite from the gripping elements12,14, at a connection area36. The configuration of the legs30,32extending from the gripping elements12,14and terminating at the connection area34causes there to an opening38between the legs30,32on each side of the pin exchanger10. The area and/or length of connection36at the end of the legs30,32may be larger or small than that illustrated in the figures as compared to the overall length L of the legs30,32. The opening38between the legs30,32allows for flexure of the pin exchanger10when an external force is applied, as discussed below.

The first gripping element12and the second gripping element14are used to grasp and hold fiber optic guide pins40. The pin exchanger10has structures that assist in grasping and holding the fiber optic guide pins40. Extending from the first gripping element12is a first protrusion50that extends toward the second gripping element14and into the space16. Similarly, there is a second protrusion52that extends from the second gripping element14toward the first gripping element12and into the space16. The two protrusions50,52are aligned with one another and form a junction54(see, e.g.,FIG. 5) to engage a portion of at least one guide pin40. The junction54may simply be a space to allow for the fiber optic guide pin40to be retained between the first protrusion50and the second protrusion52. Alternatively, if the material used to make the pin exchanger10is flexible, then there may not need to be space between the first protrusion50and the second protrusion52at all. As is illustrated, inFIG. 5among others, there may be a portion of a v-groove56in each of the first protrusion50and the second protrusion52to assist with the holding and orientation of fiber optic guide pins40while being held. Additionally, there may only be a v-groove in one of the protrusions or other structure or groove therein and still fall within the scope of the invention. The area of the protrusions that include v-grooves56may also extend farther into the space16than the remainder of the protrusions52,54. See, e.g.,FIG. 3. Since there are typically two fiber optic guide pins40that are needed in a fiber optic connector, the pin exchanger10is preferably designed and manufactured to hold two fiber optic guide pins40using four v-grooves56—two in each of the protrusions. Naturally, if there is a hermaphroditic connector, then only fiber optic guide pin40may be disposed within the pin exchanger10. The protrusions50,52are illustrated as extending across the width of the gripping elements, but each of the protrusions50,52may not extend as far or be divided into two separate parts on each of the gripping elements.

On the outer surfaces60of the first gripping element12and the second gripping element14are structures62that may be used with a vice-like tool to apply additional pressure and force on the fiber optic guide pins40through the protrusions50,52. These additional structures62may include indentations and extensions to receive and maintain the position of the vice-like tool. The first gripping element12and the second gripping element14have inside surfaces64from which flexure elements emanate and extend into the space16.FIG. 5illustrates that one forward flexure element66extends from first gripping element12and the second gripping element14to intersect at a middle flexure element68. A forward portion of the middle flexure element68terminates behind protrusions50,52at a stop surface70. The stop surface70prevents the fiber optic guide pins40from moving rearwardly in the pin exchanger during use or storage. It should be noted that front end of the fiber optic guide pins40(those that extend beyond the front face of the fiber optic ferrule) are secured within the pin exchanger10. The pin exchanger10also includes a pin exchanger stop58that is positioned between the guide beams18,20. The pin exchanger10is inserted into the adapter100and a fiber optic connector90(see, e.g.,FIG. 6) until the pin exchanger10engages the inner housing of the fiber optic connector90. The dimensions of the pin exchanger10and the adapter100are such that when the pin exchanger stop58engages the inner housing of the fiber optic connector90, the guide pins40are disposed in the correct location relative to the fiber optic connector90. When the guide pins are to be removed, the pin exchanger stop58locates the pin exchanger10so that the guide pins40are in the correct location to be secured by the pin exchanger10for removal.

On the other side of the forward flexure element66, the middle flexure element68extends rearwardly to intersect with rear flexure element72that extends from first gripping element12and the second gripping element14at a proximal or rear end74. While the flexure elements66,68,72are disposed only within a portion of the space16(seeFIG. 4), the flexure elements66,68,72could extend to be disposed in more or less of the space16and still fall within the scope of the present invention.58

The legs30,32must extend farther than the fiber optic guide pins40for at least the following reasons. First, the legs30,32protect the fiber optic guide pins40from being dislodged or moved during insertion or removal of the guide pins. Second, since the legs30,32extend farther than the fiber optic guide pins40, the legs30,32act as a guide to properly align and position the pin exchanger10as it enters the adapter100. Additionally, the pin exchanger10can act as a storage tool to safely store the guide pins40for a technician in the field. The technician may have a number of loaded pin exchangers (as well as empty ones to be used to convert the connectors from male to female) on hand for occasional uses. When the technician goes to use one of the pin exchangers10, the fiber optic guide pins40should not be missing, loose, or out of orientation. Thus, the front end of the guide pins40are a distance L2behind the distal end34of the guide beams18,20. The distance L2is preferably about 3.4 mm, but could be any positive distance that allows for the guide beams18,20to be used as guides for inserting/removing the guide pins40.

Also as explained below, the guide beams18,20are used in conjunction with an adapter to align the pin exchanger10and fiber optic guide pins40with a fiber optic connector and, in particular, with the guide pin holes in the fiber optic ferrule of the fiber optic connector.

The pin exchanger10is used with a fiber optic connector90and an adapter100to insert or remove the guide pins40. SeeFIG. 6. The adapter100holds the fiber optic connector90in a manner that typical adapters hold an MTP® brand connector—with two latch beams that engage the latch lock on the fiber optic connector90as discussed in more detail below. WhileFIG. 6illustrates the pin exchanger10, a fiber optic connector90, adapter100, and guide pins40, there is also a field tool200in which the adapter100is inserted. SeeFIGS. 7-9. The field tool200has a main body202with an opening204to hold the adapter100. The field tool200also has a second opening206to hold a polarity changing insert208. The polarity changing insert208and method of changing the polarity of an MTP® brand connector is disclosed and claimed in Applicant's copending application Ser. No. 15/383,881, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. While the adapter100is on the left side of the field tool200, the adapter100could also be on the right side (inFIG. 7) and the polarity changing insert208on the left side.

The field tool200also has two handles210that engage plungers212(see, e.g,FIG. 8) when the handles210are squeezed together. The plungers212have pins214that are inserted into the opening204and the fiber optic connector90to engage a pin keeper that is inside the fiber optic connector90. One such pin keeper and method of use is disclosed and claimed in Applicant's copending application Ser. No. 15/383,356, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. When the pins214are inserted into the fiber optic connector90, then the guide pins40can be inserted or removed. As illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, there is an opening92in the fiber optic connector90into which the pins214can be inserted to release the guide pins40.

Also provided is a gripper300. The gripper300is the means by which the external force is applied to the pin exchanger10. The gripper's jaws302are disposed to engage the structures62on the pin exchanger10. When the gripper's handles304are squeezed together, the jaws302are forced closer to one another, pushing the first gripping element12and the second gripping element14together, thereby exerting more force through the first protrusion50and the second protrusion52to the guide pins40in the pin exchanger10. Thus, when inserting the guide pins40into the fiber optic connector90, the technician can use the gripper300to insert the pin exchanger10into the adapter100and the fiber optic connector90so that the guide pins40are less likely to move relative to the adapter100, the fiber optic connector90, and pin exchanger10. When removing the fiber optic guide pins40, the pin exchanger10can be inserted into the adapter100and engage the guide pins40before the gripper300is applied to the pin exchanger10and an external force is applied through the first protrusion50and the second protrusion52to the guide pins40to ensure that the guide pins40are captured in the pin exchanger10before the pin exchanger10is removed from the adapter100and the fiber optic connector90.

Turning now to the adapter100andFIGS. 11-14, the adapter100has a main body102with a front end104and a back end106opposite to the front end104. The adapter100has a first opening108extending between the front end104and the back end106to receive the fiber optic connector90through the back end106. See alsoFIG. 10(the field tool200being removed to allow for a clearer view). Extending into the first opening108from the sides110that help define the opening108is a pair of projections or latches112to engage the fiber optic connector90. As is known in the art, the latches112engage latch locks on the fiber optic connector90to hold the fiber optic connector90stationary relative to the adapter100. On either side of the first opening108are two guide beam openings—a first guide beam opening114and a second first guide beam opening116to receive the guide beams18,20from the front end104. The two guide beam openings114and116are positioned exactly relative to the fiber optic connector90fixed in the opening108. The v-grooves56are positioned exactly relative to the guide beams18,20. Thus, when the guide beams18,20are disposed within the guide beam openings114,116, the guide pins40in the pin exchanger10will align with the guide pin openings in the fiber optic connector90.

The adapter100may also have secondary latches120extending outwardly from a wall portion of each of the guide beam openings114,116to secure the adapter100within the field tool200. Also extending from a top portion130and a bottom portion132of the main body102are connector springs134. As the fiber optic connector90is inserted into the adapter100, the connector springs134push the outer housing or the push-pull housing94of the fiber optic connector90rearwardly to expose the opening92. SeeFIG. 10.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.