Patent Publication Number: US-2021191060-A1

Title: Flexible boot with replaceable repositioning device therein

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/388,150 filed Apr. 18, 2019 which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/666,392 filed May 3, 2018, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic connectors specifically a boot assembly that contains fibers used to carry light representing information. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The prevalence of the Internet has led to unprecedented growth in communication networks. Consumer demand for service and increased competition has caused network providers to continuously find ways to improve quality of service while reducing cost. 
     Certain solutions have included deployment of high-density interconnect panels. High-density interconnect panels may be designed to consolidate the increasing volume of interconnections necessary to support the fast-growing networks into a compacted form factor, thereby increasing quality of service and decreasing costs such as floor space and support overhead. However, room for improvement in the area of data centers, specifically as it relates to fiber optic connects, still exists. For example, manufacturers of connectors and adapters are always looking to reduce the size of the devices, while increasing ease of deployment, robustness, and modifiability after deployment. In particular, more optical connectors may need to be accommodated in the same footprint previously used for a smaller number of connectors in order to provide backward compatibility with existing data center equipment. For example, one current footprint is known as the small form-factor pluggable transceiver footprint (STE)). This footprint currently accommodates two LC-type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to accommodate four optical connections (two duplex connections of transmit/receive) within the same footprint. Another current footprint is the quad small form-factor pluggable (QSFP) transceiver footprint. This footprint currently accommodates four LC-type ferrule optical connections. However, it may be desirable to accommodate eight optical connections of LC-type ferrules (four duplex connections of transmit/receive) within the same footprint. 
     In communication networks, such as data centers and switching networks, numerous interconnections between mating connectors may be compacted into high-density panels. Panel and connector producers may optimize for such high densities by shrinking the connector size and/or the spacing between adjacent connectors on the panel. While both approaches may be effective to increase the panel connector density, shrinking the connector size and/or spacing may also increase the support cost and diminish the quality of service. 
     In a high-density panel configuration, adjacent connectors and cable assemblies may obstruct access to the individual release mechanisms. Such physical obstructions may impede the ability of an operator to minimize the stresses applied to the cables and the connectors. For example, these stresses may be applied when the user reaches into a dense group of connectors and pushes aside surrounding optical fibers and connectors to access an individual connector release mechanism with his/her thumb and forefinger. Overstressing the cables and connectors may produce latent defects, compromise the integrity and/or reliability of the terminations, and potentially cause serious disruptions to network performance. 
     The purpose of this invention is allowing the operator or user to move and reposition a boot. This is important because the boot typically extends the length of a connector, and repeatably reposition the boot without breaking internal fibers reduces the overall space for a group of connectors. Also, a boot may be repositioned to access a portion of a connector that would be otherwise blocked by a conventional, rigid boot. Prior art boots tried to solve the access and space problem by making the boot shorter or reduce its diameter, but only so much reduction can be accomplished before the boot loses structural integrity that can lead to failure, such as fiber cable breaking. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a prior art boot with an embedded repositioning device molded as part of the boot; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a boot with a with an embedded repositioning device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective side view of the repositioning device partially inserted into a boot body; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective side view of the boot with the repositioning device inserted therein; 
         FIG. 5B  is a perspective end view of the repositioning device inserted within the boot body prior to rotating into a securing recess; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective side view of the boot with the repositioning device inserted in its final position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective end view of the repositioning device with its distal end rotated into a securing recess in direction of arrow “A”; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-section view along A-A′ of the boot with a fully inserted repositioning device therein; 
         FIG. 8A  is perspective view of a repositioning device according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is perspective view of a repositioning device according to the first embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a zoomed view of a distal of the boot with repositioning device locked therein; 
         FIG. 10  is a distal end view of a boot without a repositioning device; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of a fiber optic connector prior to insertion of a flexible boot assembly; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the flexible boot assembly partially inserted at a distal end of the fiber optic connector of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the flexible boot in a second position from a first position as depicted in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross section view along the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic connector with the flexible boot assembly installed thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION: 
     This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope. 
     As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.” 
     The following terms shall have, for the purposes of this application, the respective meanings set forth below. 
     A boot, as used herein, refers to a device and/or components thereof that enclosed and protects fiber optic or electric cables that transmit information signals and/or power. The boot is molded as one piece and made of a flexible, waterproof material. The boot may be used on a connector, such as, for example, a ferrule connector (FC), a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) connector, an LC connector, a mechanical transfer (MT) connector, a square connector (SC) connector, an SC duplex connector, or a straight tip (ST) connector. The connector may generally be defined by a connector housing body. In some embodiments, the housing body may incorporate any or all of the components described herein. 
     “fiber optic cable” or an “optical cable” refers to a cable containing one or more optical fibers for conducting optical signals in beams of light. The optical fibers can be constructed from any suitable transparent material, including glass, fiberglass, and plastic. The cable can include a jacket or sheathing material surrounding the optical fibers. In addition, the cable can be connected to a connector on one end or on both ends of the cable. 
     Various embodiments described herein generally provide a replaceable or insertable repositioning device that allows a user to move and position a boot and the boot will stay in the new position. The repositioning will not damage the cabling. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of a prior art boot with an inaccessible piece of wire and molded as one piece as disclosed in US2009/0196555A1 to Lin. Lin suffers from a molded one-piece device making manufacture difficult. Also, the bin device does not allow for replacing its member to change boot stiffness to repositioning. This is important as cable may have multiple fibers or electrical wires that impart an opposing force resisting a new position. Another prior art reference is a two-piece that uses a clip-on portion like US2004/0121646A1 to Iamartino et al. The clip-on suffers from a number of drawbacks such as strength because it is a two-piece, and can fail after repeatable uses at the joint. Also, the two-piece results in a larger boot, which is contrary to the benefits of the present invention. Other prior art provides a guide or channel for a fiber cable as disclosed in US2003/0007744A1 to Ngo. Ngo does not disclose the feature to move a boot with a cable therein to a new position, and then reposition into another position. Ngo teaches the orientation is fixed.  FIG. 1  depicts a boot assembly  100  with a boot that covers one or more cables that may be a fiber optic or electric conductor. The boot  110  contains an embedded flexible member  101  along a length of the boot. The member is to hold the boot in a new, changed position. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of the present invention called a flexible boot assembly  200 , with repositioning device  105  inserted along longitudinal axis L-L′ from proximal end  102   a  to distal end  102   b.  Device  105  nearer the distal end has bend  105   b  that when rotated into recess  109  further secures replaceable device  105 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts the invention with an embodiment of repositioning device  105  (refer to  FIG. 8B ) removed from passageway  113  molded within boot  110 . Device  105  has shaft  105   a  with bend  105   b  at one end.  FIG. 4  depicts cable assembly  100  with boot  110  having repositioning device  105  embedded therein. Device  105  is partially inserted in the boot  110  and just prior to rotating bend  105   b  into recess  109  as shown by face of bend  105   c.  The repositioning device  105  or  106  ( FIG. 8A ) is made of a malleable yet strong material such as metal. 
       FIG. 5A  depicts boot  110  with repositioning device fully inserted just prior to rotating bend  105   b  into recess  109  as shown by bend face  105   c  projecting outward.  FIG. 5B  depicts an end view of boot  110  showing boot wall  110   a  with bend  105   b  prior to rotating into recess  109 . The device was inserted into passageway  116  at distal end  105   b  of boot. Cabling is positioned within the channel shown at distal end  105   b.    
       FIG. 6A  depicts repositioning device  105  fully inserted and secured in passageway of boot  110 . Bend  105   b  is positioned within recess  109  to secure repositioning device.  FIG. 6B  depicts rotation in direction of arrow “A” for bend  105   b  to secure device within boot  110  in-line with passageway  116 .  FIG. 7  depicts a cross-section review along A-A′ of  FIG. 6A . Repositioning device  105  comprises shaft  105   a  that extends along A-A′ with bend  105   b  to secure device within passageway  116  of boot. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the repositioning device is prevented from moving forward or rearward within passageway  116 , as bend  105   b  prevents longitudinal movement within passageway. 
       FIG. 8A  depicts a second embodiment of repositioning device  106 . The distal end has hook  106   b  configured to engage and secure device via corresponding recess  109  in boot  110  at distal end  102   b.    FIG. 8B  is an embodiment of repositioning device  105  with bend  105   b  configured to engage and secure device via corresponding recess  109  in boot  110 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts boot  110  with safety catch  120 . Catch  120  is deformable, and bend  105   b  is rotated, as described in  FIG. 6B , bend depress catch  120  along a chamfered edge as shown, and once bend  105   b  or hook  106   b  is beyond edge  120   a,  catch  120  restores to original positioning locking bend  105   b  behind catch  120 . Catch  120  is made from a resilient, spring-like material such as plastic.  FIG. 9  further comprises chamfered surface  112  at the entrance of passageway  116 . Surface  112  guides a proximal end of repositioning device  105  or repositioning device  106  into passageway  116 . Furthermore, passageway  116  with diameter  116   d  is substantially equal to an outer diameter of repositioning device ( 105 ,  106 ). The repositioning device is secured within the passageway under a frictional force exerted by the smaller passageway diameter. The boot made out of a flexible material will expand under the large diameter of the repositioning device and then contract around the repositioning device shaft further securing the repositioning device within the passageway of the flexible boot. As proximal end of device ( 105 ,  106 ) is inserted into passageway and is fully inserted, inner diameter  116   a  is restored as it was previously compressed by larger shaft  105   a  outer diameter. This further restraints device ( 105 ,  106 ) within boot  110 .  FIG. 10  depicts an end view of boot  110  illustrating passageway  116  and recess size  117 . 
       FIG. 11  depicts flexible boot assembly  200  prior to securing to a distal end of fiber optic connector  150 .  FIG. 12  depicts flexible boot assembly  200  partially inserted onto the distal end of fiber optic connector  150 ,  FIG. 13  depicts flexible boot assembly  200  rotated up from first position in  FIG. 14  to a second position.  FIG. 14  depicts repositioning device  105  with in passageway  106  of boot  110 .