Patent Publication Number: US-2022229241-A1

Title: Push-pull boot connector for fiber optic cables

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/613,266, filed Jan. 3, 2018 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/640,914, filed Mar. 9, 2018 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to connectors for fiber optic cables. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A datacenter may include a large number, e.g., several dozen or even hundreds, of cables, e.g., fiber optic cables or other data cables, connected to a hub such as a headend, a server, or a main distribution frame (MDF). The space within datacenters is at a premium, and the density (amount of connections in a defined space) often limits which type or types of connectors can be used for connecting the fiber optic cables to the hub. One common connector design is referred to as LC connectors. However, such connectors are limited to a count of 144 fibers per panel, e.g., a standard 19″ wide panel with a standard height of 1RU (rack unit), due to the physical size of the connector and the space envelope available. Access to install or remove this type of connector is difficult at high densities. 
     Some LC connector designs include an extended pulling latch to facilitate removal. However, such extended latches can increase the amount of precious space within the datacenter taken up by each connection. Moreover, the latch mechanisms must be manipulated directly, e.g., by a user&#39;s hand or fingers, and therefore accessibility is still an issue. 
     Improved latching features, e.g., improved accessibility to release the latching mechanism, for various connector types are thus desired. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, a push-pull connection is provided. The push-pull connection includes a push-pull boot connector extending along a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end. The push-pull boot connector includes a connector housing defining the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector at a first end of the housing. A second end of the connector housing is connected to a first end of a strain relief boot. A second end of the strain relief boot defines the distal end of the push-pull connector. A latch release ramp is provided on one of the connector housing and the strain relief boot. The push-pull connection also includes an adapter having a channel configured to receive the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector. The adapter also includes a latch positioned in the channel of the adapter to engage the push-pull boot connector when the push-pull boot connector moves relative to the adapter in a first direction along the longitudinal direction. The latch retains the push-pull boot connector in the channel of the adapter when the latch engages the push-pull boot connector. The latch release ramp of the push-pull boot connector is configured to disengage the latch of the adapter from the push-pull boot connector when the push-pull boot connector moves relative to the adapter in a second direction opposing the first direction. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, a push-pull boot connector is provided. The push-pull boot connector extends along a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal end. The proximal end of the push-pull boot connector is configured to be retained in a channel of an adapter by a latch of the adapter. The push-pull boot connector includes a connector housing defining the proximal end of the push-pull boot connector at a first end of the housing. A second end of the connector housing is connected to a first end of a strain relief boot. A second end of the strain relief boot defines the distal end of the push-pull connector. A latch release ramp is provided on one of the connector housing and the strain relief boot. The push-pull boot connector is configured to engage the latch of the adapter when the push-pull boot connector is pushed into the adapter in a first direction along the longitudinal direction. The latch release ramp is configured to disengage the latch of the adapter from the push-pull boot connector when the push-pull boot connector is pulled out of the adapter in a second direction opposing the first direction. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connector according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull boot connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a section view of a push-pull connection according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  provides an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connector according to one or more additional embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 6  provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull boot connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  provides a section view of a push-pull connection according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 8  provides an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 7  with a connector release arm of the push-pull connection in a latched position. 
         FIG. 9  provides an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 7  with a connector release arm of the push-pull connection in a release position. 
         FIG. 10  provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connector according to one or more additional embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 11  provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull boot connector of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  provides a section view of a push-pull connection according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 13  provides an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  provides a perspective view of a push-pull boot connector according to one or more additional embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 15  provides an exploded view of the exemplary push-pull boot connector of  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  provides a section view of a push-pull connection according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 17  provides an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 16 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     As used herein, terms of approximation such as “generally,” “about,” or “approximately” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., “generally vertical” includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a push-pull boot connector  100  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of the push-pull connector  100  of  FIG. 1 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the push-pull boot connector  100  is a duplex uniboot connector, e.g., the push-pull boot connector  100  includes two ferrules  208  and a single strain relief boot  300 . The push-pull boot connector  100  extends along a longitudinal direction L from a proximal end  102  to a distal end  104 . The push-pull boot connector  100  includes a connector housing  200  defining the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100  at a first end  202  of the housing  200 . A second end  204  of the connector housing  200  is connected to a first end  302  of the strain relief boot  300  and a second end  304  of the strain relief boot  300  defines the distal end  104  of the push-pull connector  100 . As will be described in more detail herein, pulling on the boot  300  allows the release of the connector  100  from the adapter  400  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3 and 4 ). Thus, the connector  100  may be a remote release connector and accessibility to release the connector  100  may thereby be improved. 
     The strain relief boot  300  may include features to promote ease of manipulating the strain relief boot  300 , e.g., for assisting a user in gripping the strain relief boot  300  to push the push-pull boot connector  100  into a connection and/or to pull the push-pull boot connector  100  out of a connection such as when installing or removing the connector in a hub such as a main distribution frame. For example, such features may include one or more ridges  308  at or proximate to the second end  304  of the strain relief boot  300  which provide a profiled edge to assist in gripping the push-pull boot connector  100 , e.g., with a user&#39;s fingers, at the second end  304  of the strain relief boot  300 , which, as noted above, defines the distal end  104  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . Accordingly, the push-pull boot connector  100  may be a remote release push-pull boot connector, e.g., in that the user does not need access to the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . Rather, the remote release connector  100  can be released by manipulating the strain relief boot  300 , which is remote, e.g., distal, from the point of connection at the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . 
     As may be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the push-pull connector  100  includes a ferrule holder  206  which fits within the connector housing  200 . One or more ferrules  208  may be positioned in the ferrule holder  206  of the connector housing  200 . As is generally understood in the art, the ferrules  208  are each configured for supporting and aligning an optical fiber (not shown) in order to promote an optical connection of the optical fibers in the ferrules  206  with, e.g., a receptacle in a main distribution frame. The ferrules  208  may be biased forward, e.g., towards the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100 , by a pair of springs  210 , each spring  210  of the pair of springs  210  corresponding to one of the ferrules  208 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the connector housing  200  may further include various internal components for supporting and/or aligning the ferrules  208  and any optical fibers therein, as well as for mounting the push-pull boot connector  100  on a cable containing the optical fibers. For example, such internal components may include a bracket  212 , a first collar  214  and a second collar  216 . The bracket  212  may be positioned immediately distal of the ferrules  208  and/or the springs  210 , e.g., when the internal components are installed within the connector housing  200 , such that the springs  210  may bias against the bracket  212  at one end of the springs  210  and against a flange on each respective ferrule  208  at the other end of the springs  210 . The collars  214  and  216  may be configured to receive an open end of a cable containing the optical fibers which are received in the ferrules  208  and secure the open end of the cable within the push-pull boot connector  100 . 
     As mentioned above, the connector housing  200  is connected to the strain relief boot  300 . Such connection may be a clip-in connection, where the connector housing  200  is connected to the strain relief boot  300  by a clip on one of the strain relief boot  300  and the connector housing  200 , and the clip is engaged with a clip mating face on the other of the strain relief boot  300  and the connector housing  200 . For example, the strain relief boot  300  may include one or more mating clips  306  ( FIG. 2 ) which are engageable with corresponding clip mating face(s)  218  ( FIG. 1 ) of the connector housing  200 . When connected by such a clip-in connection, the connector housing  200  and the strain relief boot  300  may thereby be free to move together along the longitudinal direction L. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an example push-pull connection  10  includes the push-pull boot connector  100  and an adapter  400 . In various embodiments, the push-pull boot connector  100  also includes a latch release ramp  106  on one of the connector housing  200  and the strain relief boot  300 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the latch release ramp  106  is positioned on the connector housing  200 . 
     The adapter  400  includes a channel  406  configured to receive the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100  and a latch  408  positioned in the channel  406  of the adapter  400  to engage the push-pull boot connector  100  when the push-pull boot connector  100  moves relative to the adapter  400  in a first direction  1000  along the longitudinal direction L, e.g., into the channel  406  of the adapter  400 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , the adapter  400  is a dual latch adapter with a pair of opposing latches  408 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the pair of latches  408  are disposed at opposite sides of the channel  406 , e.g., a first latch  408  is disposed at the top of the channel  406  and a second latch  408  is disposed at the bottom of the channel  406 , e.g., when the push-pull connection  10  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 3 . The latches  408  may be mirror images of one another, e.g., each latch  408  may extend into the channel  406  from one of the opposing sides towards the other latch  408 . The latches  408  may each engage with a recess or notch  220  in the connector housing  200  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Through engagement of the latches  408  with the push-pull boot connector  100 , the latches  408  retain the push-pull boot connector  100  in the channel  406  of the adapter  400  when the push-pull boot connector  100  is inserted, e.g., pushed, into the channel  406  of the adapter  400 . In embodiments where the latch  408  is a dual latch comprising a pair of opposing latches  408 , the push-pull boot connector  100  may include a pair of latch release ramps  106  corresponding to the pair of opposing latches  408 . In such embodiments, each latch release ramp  106  of the pair of latch release ramps  106  may be configured to disengage a corresponding latch  408  of the pair of opposing latches  408  from the push-pull boot connector  100  when the push-pull boot connector  100  moves in the second direction  2000  relative to the adapter  400 , e.g., when the push-pull boot connector  100  is pulled out of the adapter  400 . 
     The latch release ramp  106  of the push-pull boot connector  100  may be configured to disengage the latch  408  of the adapter  400  from the push-pull boot connector  100  when the push-pull boot connector  100  moves relative to the adapter  400  in the second direction  2000 . For example, as best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the latch release ramp  106  may be oblique to the longitudinal direction L and may slope towards the distal end  104  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . The latch release ramp  106  may extend from a high point at a proximal end of the latch release ramp  106 , the proximal end of the latch release ramp  106  being, e.g., an end of the latch release ramp  106  which is closer to or oriented towards the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100 , to a low point at a distal end of the latch release ramp  106 , the distal end of the latch release ramp  106  being, e.g., an end of the latch release ramp  106  which is closer to or oriented towards the distal end  104  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . The latch release ramp  106  may be generally oriented or sloped opposite the latch  408 , in order to disengage the latch  408  of the adapter  400  from the push-pull boot connector  100  when the push-pull boot connector  100  moves relative to the adapter  400  in the second direction  2000 , e.g., when the push-pull boot connector  100  is pulled out of the adapter  400 . 
       FIGS. 5-9  illustrate an additional embodiment of the present subject matter, where the push-pull boot connector  100  is a duplex uniboot connector. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the push-pull boot connector  100  may include a collar  214  which serves as a crimp for a jacket or strength member of a fiber optic cable. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-9 , the latch  408  may be a single latch. As shown, the latch  408  also may be provided as a leaf spring within the channel  406 . The leaf spring latch  408  of  FIGS. 7-9  may be provided as a single latch  408 , as shown, or may be provided as a dual latch in other embodiments, e.g., one or more of the dual latches  408  shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, 12, 13, 16 , and/or  17  may also be provided as leaf spring latches  408 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated by  FIGS. 5-9 , the latch release ramp  106  is positioned on the strain relief boot  300 . As shown, the latch release ramp  106  is positioned on a connector release arm  310  of the strain relief boot  300 . In such embodiments, the push-pull boot connector  100  may include a spring  210  positioned generally between the connector housing  200  and the strain relief boot  300 , such as between the connector release arm  310  of the strain relief boot  300  and a shoulder  222  on the connector housing  200 , e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 7-9 . The spring  210  may be configured to bias the connector release arm  310  in the first direction  1000 . As most easily seen in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the connector release arm  310  may be configured to move a fixed distance relative to the connector housing  200  in the second direction  2000 . For example, the connector release arm  310  may be biased to or towards a latched position, as shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 5 and 8 , by the spring  210 . The connector release arm  310  may move the fixed distance from the latched position of  FIG. 8  to a release position, which is shown in  FIG. 9 . The fixed distance may be defined by the shoulder  222  on the connector housing  200 , where the connector release arm  310  abuts the shoulder  222  when in the release position, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Once the connector release arm  310  has reached the release position, the connector housing  200  and the strain relief boot  300  may move together in the second direction  2000 , e.g., as the push-pull boot connector  100  is pulled out of the adapter  400 . Once the pulling force is removed, the spring  210  may be configured to return the connector release arm  310  in the first direction  1000  to the latched position from the release position. As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the connector release arm  310  is in the release position while the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100  is received within the channel  406  of the adapter  400 , the latch release ramp  106  biases the latch  408  outward, e.g., away from the push-pull boot connector  100 , to disengage the latch  408  from the push-pull boot connector  100 . 
     In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-13 , the push-pull boot connector  100  may be a SC duplex uniboot connector. In such embodiments, e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the latch release ramp  106  may be provided on the connector housing  200  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . In some embodiments, the latch release ramp  106  may be provided proximate the first end  202  of the connector housing  200  and close to the portion of the connector housing  200  in which the ferrule holders  206  are received. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the push-pull boot connector  100  may include two ferrules  208  and two corresponding ferrule holders  206 , with the ferrules  208  biased forward, e.g., to or towards the proximal end  102  of the push-pull boot connector  100 , by springs  210  positioned between a flange on each ferrule  208  and a first collar  214 . The push-pull boot connector  100  may further include a bracket  212  distal of the first collar  214  and a second collar  216  distal of the bracket  212 . One or both of the collars  214  and  216  may be configured to engage and support an end of a fiber optic cable containing the optical fibers which are routed through the ferrules  208 . As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , when the push-pull boot connector  100  moves relative to the adapter  400  in the second direction  2000 , e.g., from the installed position shown in  FIG. 12  to the release position shown in  FIG. 13 , the latch release ramp  106  biases the latch  408  outward, e.g., away from the push-pull boot connector  100  along a third direction  3000  which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, to disengage the latch  408  from the push-pull boot connector  100 . 
     As another example, the push-pull boot connector  100  may also be a SC simplex connector, e.g., including a single ferrule  208  for a single optical fiber, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14-17 . In such embodiments, e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 14-17 , the latch release ramp  106  may be provided on the connector housing  200  of the push-pull boot connector  100 . In some embodiments, the latch release ramp  106  may be provided proximate the first end  202  of the connector housing  200  and close to the portion of the connector housing  200  in which the ferrule holders  206  are received. 
     The present subject matter provides numerous advantages over the prior art, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill. For example, utilization of an industry standard recognized connector design that has a dual latching feature that does not protrude beyond the body of the connector, therefore minimizing the space required for the connection to occur. This in turn allows a greater density to be mounted within a standard footprint of one rack unit (1RU). The density of a 1RU panel can be increased, e.g., up to 288 fibers. As another example, the combination of a connector variant with a uniboot design minimizes cable volume as compared to a design including more than one boot. Ease of access to install or remove the push-pull boot connector  100  is increased, e.g., in that the installation or removal can be performed by pushing or pulling on the connector boot  300  instead of needing access to the connector housing  200 . No remote pulling latch to hinder cable routing or finger access is included. The foregoing are merely examples of potential benefits and advantages the present subject matter may provide and are in no way limiting, the present subject matters may provide additional advantages, and embodiments of the present subject matter may not necessarily include any or all of the specific example advantages described in this paragraph. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.