Patent Publication Number: US-2022239036-A1

Title: Communication System Connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The example and non-limiting embodiments relate to a communication system connector and, more particularly, to a locking feature for a communication system connector. 
     Brief Description of Prior Developments 
     Telecommunication networks require quality connections between cable segments, network equipment, devices, etc., in order to provide the efficiency and reliability demanded by the users of the networks. In harsh environments, conventional communication system connectors often become unintentionally disconnected due to vibration, impact, temperature changes, and exposure to other harsh conditions. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide improved communication system connectors having robust and reliable product configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various examples are set out in the claims. 
     According to one example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to be connected to the adapter. The coupler includes a lever. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve. 
     According to another example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to be connected to the adapter. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The sleeve includes a ramp feature. A portion of the coupler is configured to deflect when the portion of the coupler is rotated over the ramp feature. 
     According to another example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to be connected to the adapter. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The apparatus further includes means for locking the coupler to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the sleeve. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of communication system connector in which the exemplary embodiments may be practiced; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the communication system connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the communication system connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a portion of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of the communication system connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another end view of the communication system connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is another end view of the communication system connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of a communication system connector  10  incorporating features of various example embodiments. Although various example embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that various example embodiments can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. 
     Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , the communication system connector  10  comprises a connector housing  12  having an adapter  14 , a sleeve  16 , and a coupler  18 . The adapter  14  comprises a body section  20 , a first flange section  22 , a second flange section  24 , a first receiving section  26 , a second receiving section  28 , and an opening extending through the body section  20 . The first receiving section  26  comprises grooves  32 . The second receiving section  28  comprises grooves  34 . 
     The coupler  18  comprises a first end  36 , an opposite second end  38 , and an opening  40  extending therethrough. The coupler further comprises pin features  42  located on an inside diameter of the coupler proximate the first end. The pin features  42  are sized and shaped to be received by the grooves  32 . 
     The sleeve  16  comprises a general tube shape and has a first end  44  and an opposite second end  46 . The first end  44  is received by the coupler  18  and the second end  46  extends away from the second end  38  of the coupler  18 . The second end  46  of the sleeve  16  is configured to connect to a cable fitting  48  and allows a cable  50  to extend therethrough. 
     The connector housing  12  is configured to house an LC connector  52  within the opening  30  of the adapter  14  when the coupler  18  is attached to the first receiving section  26  of the adapter  14 . It should be noted that although various exemplary embodiments have been described in connection with the LC (Lucent Connector) connector  52 , alternate embodiments may be provided with other suitable types of connectors. 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first end  44  of the sleeve  16  further comprises a ramp feature  54  along an outer diameter of the sleeve  16 . The ramp feature  54  is oriented such that that ramp feature  54  increases in ‘height’ (in a radial direction so as to increase in distance from a central axis  56  of the connector  10 ) in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis  56  of the connector  10 . 
     The coupler  18  further comprises a first slotted hole  58  extending through a thickness of the coupler  18  (and having an open end  64  at the second end of the coupler  18 ) and a second slotted hole  60  extending through a thickness of the coupler  18  (and having an open end  66  at the second end  38  of the coupler  18 ). The first and second slotted holes  58 ,  60  form a lever  62  proximate the second end  38  of the coupler  18 . The lever  62  extends from the wall section (proximate closed ends  68 ,  70  of the slotted holes  58 ,  60 ) of the coupler  18  in a general cantilever fashion. According to various exemplary embodiments, the lever  62  is integrally formed with the coupler  18  such that the lever  62  and the coupler  18  form a one-piece member. 
     The lever  62  comprises a deflection portion  72  and a ramp contact portion  74 . The ramp contact portion extends (in a radial direction relative to the central axis  56 ) from the deflection portion  72  towards the sleeve  16 . 
     Referring now also to  FIGS. 5-7 , when the coupler  18  is assembled to the adapter  14 , the lever deflection portion  72  deflects as the ramp contact portion  74  passes over the ramp feature  54  (and snaps in place over the ramp feature  54 ) when coupler is turned clockwise (see arrow  76 ). When the ramp contact portion  74  snaps in place over the ramp feature  54  (see  FIGS. 3, 4, 7 ) this then prevents the coupler  18  from turning on its own. To then disconnect the coupler  18  from the adapter  14 , the lever  62  may be lifted up slightly over height of ramp feature  54 , which then allows the coupler  18  to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction (i.e. direction opposite of  76 ). 
     It should be noted that although various exemplary embodiments have been described in connection with the coupler having only one lever ( 74 ) and the sleeve having only one corresponding ramp feature ( 54 ), other alternate embodiments may be provided where the coupler has more than one lever ( 74 ) [spaced along a circumference of the coupler] and the sleeve has a corresponding number of ramp features ( 54 ) [spaced along a circumference of the sleeve). 
     Technical effects of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments provide improvements when compared to other configurations. For example, one technical effect is providing an improved LC connector housing (at a reduced cost) that will mate with the conventional connectors (i.e. such that interfaces match those already deployed in the field). Another technical effect of the various exemplary embodiments is providing a connector with a locking feature which helps to prevent the connector from becoming detached by vibration, impact, or improper installation. Another technical effect of the various exemplary embodiments is provision for an anti-rotation feature by making use of a cantilever snap feature consisting of a lever and ramp. 
     It should be understood that components of the one or more various exemplary embodiments can be operationally coupled or connected and that any number or combination of intervening elements can exist (including no intervening elements). The connections can be direct or indirect and additionally there can merely be a functional relationship between components. 
     Below are provided further descriptions of various non-limiting, exemplary embodiments. The below-described exemplary embodiments may be practiced in conjunction with one or more other aspects or exemplary embodiments. That is, the one or more various exemplary embodiments, such as those described immediately below, may be implemented, practiced or utilized in any combination (e.g., any combination that is suitable, practicable and/or feasible) and are not limited only to those combinations described herein and/or included in the appended claims. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprising: an adapter; a coupler configured to be connected to the adapter, wherein the coupler comprises a lever; and a sleeve connected to the coupler; wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a ramp feature, and wherein lever is configured to deflect when the lever is rotated over the ramp feature. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the lever extends from the coupler in a general cantilever fashion. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the lever and the coupler comprise a one-piece member. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a general tubular shape. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the lever is configured to deflect in a radial direction. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein the lever is between the first end and the opposite second end. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the adapter, coupler, and sleeve are configured to house an LC connector. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprising: an adapter; a coupler configured to be connected to the adapter; and a sleeve connected to the coupler, wherein the sleeve comprises a ramp feature, and wherein a portion of the coupler is configured to deflect when the portion of the coupler is rotated over the ramp feature. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler comprises a lever, and wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the lever is rotated over the ramp feature. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler receives a first end of the sleeve. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the ramp feature and the sleeve comprise a one-piece member. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a general tubular shape. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposite second end. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposite second end. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the adapter, coupler, and sleeve are configured to house an LC connector. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprising: an adapter; a coupler configured to be connected to the adapter; a sleeve connected to the coupler; and means for locking the coupler to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the sleeve. 
     An apparatus as above, wherein the means for locking the coupler to the sleeve includes a lever feature of the coupler and a ramp feature of the sleeve. 
     If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the one or more various exemplary embodiments. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the one or more various exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the one or more various exemplary embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.