Abstract:
A fiber optic connector has an opening for receiving a fiber optic cable, a pair of locating pins positioned adjacent to a front end ferrule and a housing for providing a covering between the opening and the locating pins. The locating pins are configured to be moveable between a first forward position where the locating pins extend out of the front ferrule and the housing and a second retracted position where the locating pins are retracted within the front ferrule and the housing. The locating pins are moveable from the first forward position and the second retracted position by a user via a mechanism accessible outside of the housing and without opening the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present arrangement relates to fiber optic connectors. More particularly, the present arrangement relates to fiber optic connectors with multiple pin options. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Fiber optic connectors used for high-speed fiber optic systems often house multiple fiber optic members within the same connector body. In such cases, precise alignment of the fibers from one cable to another is accomplished within the connector bodies via locator pins. This arrangement requires that one connector on a first fiber optic cable have pins (a “male” connector) and the other connector for the other cable to have holes to accept such pins (a “female” connector). See for example prior art  FIG. 1 , showing a typical male and female connector arrangement with a typical adapter. 
         [0005]    This prior art arrangement often results in cable configurations, particularly in larger multi-cable installations, with cables and cords with pre-attached connectors installed such that they cannot be mated together due to an incorrect male/female alignment. For example, if an installer has a set of fiber optic cables with a male connector on one end and a female connector on the other, and then uses such cables at an installation having male connector ports (requiring the female connector), the free end of the cables will have a male connector. If later, the open male connector end needs to be attached to a male connector port on other devices, the installer would either have to manually change the open end connector to a female connector or replace the cable with a compatible arrangement. Consequently, installers and end users must carry a large inventory of pre-terminated cables/connectors or must take extra time manipulating the available cables, with particular male or female connectors. This increases the amount of cables they must carry as well as the time it takes to complete an installation. 
         [0006]    In other prior art arrangements, connectors may be configured to allow for pins to be added or removed as necessary. However, the adding and removing of pins requires significant manual effort including opening of the connector housing, and is thus time consuming and if not done carefully, results in damage to the fiber optic members within the connector. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present arrangement overcomes the drawbacks associated with the prior art and provides for a universal fiber connector that has both male and female connection ability. In a male configuration, the universal connector has pins in a forward extended position. In a female configuration, the same universal connector has the pins withdrawn within the housing leaving openings for accepting male pins from another connector. 
         [0008]    To this end the present arrangement is directed to a fiber optic connector having an opening for receiving a fiber optic cable, a pair of locating pins positioned adjacent to a front end ferrule and a housing for providing a covering between the opening and the locating pins. 
         [0009]    The locating pins are configured to be moveable between a first forward position where the locating pins extend out of the front ferrule and the housing and a second retracted position where the locating pins are retracted within the front ferrule and the housing. The locating pins are moveable from the first forward position and the second retracted position by a user via a mechanism accessible outside of the housing and without opening the housing. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The present invention can be best understood through the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a prior art fiber optic connector; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   d  are schematic showing two universal connectors attached to two fiber optic cables, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a universal connector, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a universal connector in cut-away, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show expanded perspective views of the cut-away view of the connector in  FIG. 3B , in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a universal connector in a forward male configuration, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a universal connector in a retracted female configuration, in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a universal connector in cut-away, in accordance with another embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a universal connector in cut-away, in accordance with another embodiment; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7C-7E  are additional view of the universal connector of  FIG. 7A and 73 , in accordance with another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    In one embodiment of the present arrangement as shown in schematic  FIGS. 2   a - 2   d,  two universal fiber optic connectors  10   a  and  10   b  are shown, each connected to respective fiber optic cables  12 , and to each other via a typical adapter, The illustrated connectors  10   a  may be arranged in a male configuration, locating pins forward, with the opposing connector  10   b  arranged in a female configuration, locating pins retracted, as explained in more detail below. As shown, connectors  10   a  and  10   b  are very similar in shape and size to the prior art connectors as shown in  FIG. 1  as reverse compatibility with existing non-convertible connectors is intended, such as those constructed according to IEC 61754 and TIA 604-5 type MPO. Never the less, a retractable locating pins mechanism can be seen on the top of connectors  10   a  and  10   b  of  FIG. 2 , with such feature being described in more detail below 
         [0022]    It is noted that in  FIG. 2A  right connector  10   a  is the same as left connector  10   b , but because the manner in which such connectors couple via the center adapter left connector  10   b  is inverted and thus the tab (explained in more detail below) on the housing is not visible.  FIG. 2   b - 2   d  show various additional views of  FIG. 2A , including left connector  10   b  with a transparent housing ( FIG. 2B ), left connector  10   b  with the housing removed ( FIG. 2C ), and left connector  10   b  inverted to show retraction tab prior to being flipped for insertion into the adapter ( FIG. 2D ). 
         [0023]    It is understood, that although the specification may show certain situations where two universal connectors  10   a  and  10   b,  herein after collectively referred to as connector  10 , are connected to one another, it is equally contemplated that such a universal connector  10  may be set to either male or female configuration to attach to an existing male or female standard type connector (i.e. with a fixed male or female configuration). 
         [0024]    As illustrated throughout, connector  10  is a multi-fiber arrangement and connector  10  is shown as an MPO (multi-fiber push on/pull off) for illustration purposes. However, it is contemplated that a similar convertible connector may be applied to other connector arrangements designs such as single fiber SC (Standard Connector), LC (Lucent Connector) or FC (Ferrule Connector), if applicable with appropriate structural changes for such designs as necessary. 
         [0025]    Turning to the structure of universal connector  10 ,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate connector  10  in a complete ( 3 A) and partial cut away ( 36 ) view. As shown in  FIG. 3A , connector  10  has a housing  20 , two locating pins  22  and a strain relief  24  for fiber cable  12 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , locating pins  22  are in the forward male position. As shown in cut-away  FIG. 3B , locating pins  22  are located inside a front end ferrule  26  of connector  10 . Housing  20  is fitted with a quick disconnect  28  which is designed to be slid back away from the front of the connector during disconnection procedures. Housing  20  also has a fiber opening  30  near strain relief  24  for protecting fiber element  12 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A-4C  show perspective dose up views of the partial cut away view of  FIG. 3B  and illustrate various components of connector  10  in more visual detail. As shown in  FIG. 4C , a retraction tab  34  is provided which connects to the back of pins  22  at a connection point (denoted by point  32 ). Retraction tab  34  extends through housing  20 . The sliding movement of retraction tab  34  allows pins  22  to extend and retract out of and into ferrule  26  respectively.  FIGS. 4A-4C  show how such retraction tab  34  couples with pins  22 , such that the top user accessible portion of tab  34  is visible in all views of connector  10 , such as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 3A  etc... In one embodiment, pins  22  travel within ferrule  26  via hollow cylindrical cavities, however, other accommodating arrangements for movable pins  22  may be employed. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  provides a close up view illustrating retraction tab  34  on the outside of housing  20 . Tab  34  may be configured to be nested into guide slot  36  on the surface of housing  20  to allow for the forward and backward movement of tab  34 . As shown,  FIG. 5  illustrates connector  10  with alignment pins  22  and corresponding tab  34  in the forward male position. In one exemplary embodiment, to ensure that pins remain in the forward (male) or retracted (female) position, tab  34  may snap into place via a snap-fit locking mechanism  38  either forward, pins extended, or backward, pins retracted. Snap fit locking mechanism  38 , in one exemplary embodiment, is simply two deformable plastic projections near the ends of guide slot  36  that slightly deform to allow tab  34  to move past but retain tab  34  in position (retracted or forward) until a user applies pressure against tab  34  to move past locking mechanism  38  to switch the configuration. 
         [0028]      FIG. 6 , is the same as  FIG. 5 , but with pins  22  and tab  34  in the retracted female position. In one embodiment, an optional dust cap or cover (not shown) may be placed over guide slot  36 . Such an arrangement provides a connector  10  that allows for locating pins  22  to be extended ( FIG. 5 ) or retracted ( FIG. 6 ) as required without disassembling the connector housing  20 . When connector  10  is attached to an existing female connector, locating pins  22  are in a fixed outward male position ( FIG. 5 ) or if the same connector  10  is attached to an existing male connector, locating pins  22  are alternatively retracted ( FIG. 6 ) back inside housing  20  using tab  34 . 
         [0029]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , rather than using a slide tab  34 , locating pins  22  are retracted and pressed forward using a spring/bias mechanism  50  located at the back of each of locating pins  22 . Pin lock  52  is arranged near pin springs  50  and allows locating pins  22  to be retained in a retracted female position retained in an extended male position. 
         [0030]    For example, in a default position, springs  50  may act to bias locating pins  22  in a forward male position. When connector  10  is needed to be configured in a female retracted position, locating pins  22  are pushed inward against springs  50  and held in the retracted position by lock  52 . Pins  22  may be released from lock  52  and again biased forward to the male position, by releasing lock  52  by pressing gently inward on locating pins  22 , similar to a spring mechanism in a pen. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment as shown  FIGS. 7C-7E , regarding moving pins  22  forward and backward, optional access holes  54  may be placed in housing  20  to access pin lock  52 . For example, pins  22 , engaged in a forward male position from a first connector and locked via pin lock  52  may be used to press pins  22  in another connector  10  back into the female retracted position against spring  50 , until locked by pin lock  52 . In order to release pins  22  from lock  52 , another pin  22  or tool may be inserted into opening  54  to disengage lock  52  allowing spring  50  to bias pins  22  back out to the male forward configuration. 
         [0032]    While only certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore, to be understood that this application is intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fail within the true spirit of the invention.