Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Fiber optic connectors are known for connecting fiber optic cables to other fiber optic cables or fiber optic equipment. In many situations, a fiber optic adapter is used to align two fiber optic connectors to allow signal transmission between two optical fibers of the cables terminated by the fiber optic connectors. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In one implementation, a fiber optic connector is mounted to a fiber optic connector holder. The holder can be a separate piece mountable to other devices, such as trays, panels, modules, cassettes, and chassis. Alternatively, the holder can be integrally formed with the device. In some implementations, multiple holders can be provided as separate elements, or as an integral element. 
         [0003]    The fiber optic connector holder holds the fiber optic connector in position ready for connection to another fiber optic connector at a desired time. The holder receives a fiber optic adapter, and a second fiber optic connector. The adapter aligns the two connectors for fiber optic signal transmission. 
         [0004]    In one example, the fiber optic connector holder includes a clip for clipping to the connector. In some implementations, the clip is releasable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a fiber optic connector mounted to a fiber optic connector holder; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a further perspective view of the fiber optic connector and the fiber connector holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the fiber optic connector and the fiber optic connector holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector holder; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the fiber optic connector holder; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a fiber optic adapter being mounted to the fiber optic connector held by the fiber optic connector holder of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a further view of the fiber optic adapter being mounted to the fiber optic connector; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the fiber optic adapter being mounted to the fiber optic connector; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional side view of the view of  FIG. 9 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the fiber optic adapter fully mounted to the fiber optic connector; 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a further perspective view of the fiber optic adapter mounted to the fiber optic connector; 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a second fiber optic connector mounted to the fiber optic adapter for optical signal transmission between two fiber optic cables; 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a further perspective view of the view of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the view of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 16  is a top view of the view of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view showing two fiber optic connectors separated from a mating fiber optic adapter; 
           [0022]      FIG. 18  shows a plurality of fiber optic connector holders mounted in a mounting arrangement for holding a plurality of first fiber optic connectors, mating fiber optic adapters, and second fiber optic connectors; 
           [0023]      FIG. 19  is a further perspective view of the fiber optic connector holder mounting arrangement of  FIG. 18 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the fiber optic connector holder mounting arrangement without the connectors or adapters shown; 
           [0025]      FIG. 21  is an example implementation of a connector holder system utilizing the connector holder implementations of  FIGS. 1-20 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 22  is another example implementation of a connector holder system utilizing the connector holder implementations of  FIGS. 1-20 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 23  is a further example implementation of a connector holder system utilizing the connector holder implementations of  FIGS. 1-20 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 24  is a further example implementation of a connector holder system utilizing the connector holder implementations of  FIGS. 1-20 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-6 , a connector holder system  10  is shown. System  10  includes a fiber optic connector holder  14  which holds a first fiber optic connector  12 . System  10  maintains first connector  12  in a protected and organized manner for later connection to a second fiber optic connector. System  10  also does not require a fiber optic adapter for holding the first connector  12  before connection to the second connector. With system  10 , a connector only approach is provided wherein only the one or more first connectors  12  are held and maintained ready for connection to an adapter and one or more second connector as desired by the user. 
         [0030]    Holder  14  includes a base  16  and a housing  18 . Housing  18  defines a pocket  20  for receipt of a distal end  22  of first connector  12 . Pocket  20  also receives an adapter as will be described below. Holder  14  includes a clip  26  which clips to first connector  12  to hold first connector  12  to holder  14 . As shown, clip  26  clips to a rear  24  of first connector  12 . Clip  26  is located at end  30  of holder  14 . Clip  26  is u-shaped and includes two clip arms  48 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 7-12 , an adapter  36  is inserted into an opposite end  32  of holder  14  for mating connection with first connector  12 . Adapter  36  is inserted along a longitudinal axis  40  into pocket  20  and latches to first connector  12 . Adapter  36  is not latched to holder  14  wherein movement in the axially direction would be prevented. Instead, axial movement is controlled by clip  26  mounted to first connector  12 . 
         [0032]    Adapter  36  includes posts  46  which slide along slots  28  of holder  14  to provide proper alignment with first connector  12 . Pocket  20  does provide some support to adapter  36 . The main fixation of the mating connectors and adapter is between first connector  12  and holder  14 . 
         [0033]    Once adapter  36  is mated with first connector  12 , a second connector  50  is mated with adapter  36 . See  FIGS. 13-16 . Once second connector  50  is mated with adapter  36 , fiber optic signals can be transmitted between a first cable  54  and a second cable  56 . Once both connectors are mated to adapter  36 , the fiber optical fibers within each of the first and second connectors  12 ,  50  and cables  54 ,  56  are in optical alignment. 
         [0034]    If desired, second connector  50  can be pre-mated with adapter  36 , and then the combined adapter  36  and second connector  50  can be inserted into holder  14  for mating with first connector  12 . 
         [0035]    First connector  12  includes a shutter  34  for protecting the user and others before connection to the second connector  50 . Second connector  50  also preferably includes a shutter. 
         [0036]    Holder  14  includes an RFID tag location  42  for holding an RFID tag, if desired. Holder  14  can be provided with holes  44  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) to allow for RFID tags on the connectors to be read while positioned in holder  14 . RFID tags allow for identification of specific connectors and adapters. 
         [0037]    Holder  14  is shown with a closed housing  18  defining pocket  20 . Housing  18  is optional if desired. An open topped base  16  can be provided. 
         [0038]    Holder  14  can be used as a system demarcation location. In some implementations, first connectors  12  cannot be removed, if desired. Only adapters  36  and second connectors  50  would be accessible in that case. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIG. 17 , adapter  36  is shown separated from first connector  12  and second connector  50 . In use, connectors  12 ,  50  mount to adapter  36  with latches  60 . During insertion of connectors  12 ,  50  into adapter  36 , shutters  34  lift up exposing the optical fiber inside of connectors  12 ,  50 . Further descriptions of the functions and structures of first connector  12  and second connector  50  and the mating adapter  36  are shown in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/758,021, entitled Optical Fiber Connection System Including Optical Fiber Alignment Device, filed Jan. 29, 2013, and WO 2013/117598, Published Aug. 15, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. The first and second connectors  12 ,  50  and mating adapter  36  are shown in the drawings as one example implementation. It is to be appreciated that other connectors and adapters could be used as desired wherein the connector (for example, LC, SC, MPO) is mounted to a holder configured to mount to the connector, instead of the adapter. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 18-20 , a mounting arrangement  70  is shown with a plurality of holders  14 . Holders  14  can be separate elements held together with a mounting structure, or mounting arrangement  70  can be made with integrally formed holders  14 . 
         [0041]    A single holder  14  or a plurality of holders  14 , such as mounting arrangement  70 , can be mounted to a tray, a panel, a module, a cassette, a chassis, or other telecommunications equipment, as desired. In the example implementation, clip  26  is releasable for removing first connector  12 . Other mounting structures can be used instead of clip  26  to mount first connector  12  to holder  14 . 
         [0042]      FIGS. 21-24  show various implementations of mounting arrangements  70  including a plurality of holders  14 , either separately mounted, or integrally formed therewith for holding a plurality of connectors prior to connections with an adapter and a second connector. The mounting arrangements  70  can be movably mounted for improved user access too, as desired. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 21 , a first tray  100  is shown including a mounting arrangement  70  in the form of a single row of fiber optic connector holders  14 . First tray  100  can include other cable management structures  102  such as a cable pass through  104  and a cable storage area  106 . 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 22 , a second tray  200  is shown with a mounting arrangement  70  in the form of a single row of fiber optic connector holders  14 . Second tray  200  includes a tray base  202  and a pivotable cover  204 . Posts  46  on adapters  36  are held in slots  206  when cover  204  is closed. Fixation is by the first connectors  12  (not shown) within the interior second tray  200 . Slots  206  provide an additional load bearing structure in situations where an extra load may be placed on second connectors  50  and cables  56 . However, the engagement of posts  46  and slots  206  does not interfere with the fiber optic signal pathway alignment between the first and second connectors  12 ,  50 , since the primary fixation is by tray  200 , holders  14  and first connectors  12  inside of tray  200 . Posts  46  allow for rotation of adapter  36  to help avoid stress on the fiber to fiber alignment. Adapters  36  can be removed from the interiorly located first connectors  12  by engagement with buttons  210 . Button  210  engages the connector latch  60  on first connector  12  disposed within the closed interior of a rear portion  212  of second tray  200 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 23 , a panel  300  is shown including a plurality of rows  302  of holders  14 . Holders  14  are provided in mounting arrangements  70  which are pivotable up and down relative to one another to allow for connector access. Such pivoting will also allow for improved access to individual RFID tags associated with the adapters  36 , and the related connectors  12 ,  50 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 24 , a mounting block  400  is shown with a plurality of rows  402  of holders  14 . As with panel  300 , mounting block  400  also includes a dense arrangement of the adapters  36  and the first and second connectors  12 ,  50  in mounting arrangement  70 . Rows  402  pivot about an axis which is parallel to the connector axis for each of the connectors for improved access to the adapters  36  and connectors  12 ,  50 . 
         [0047]    Connector holder system  10  and the various implementations noted above holds the connector of one of the mated connector pairs, instead of the mating adapter  36 . In general, it is not desirable to precisely fix to a holder, tray, or other device both of the mating connectors and the mating adapter. Tolerance offsets, and misalignments may interfere with proper fiber alignment and signal transmission. In the present implementations, the connector  12  is the primary fixation of the system  10 . If there is additional fixation provided, such as for load bearing situations, it does not interfere with the connector  12  to holder  14  fixation, or the fiber to fiber alignment. 
         [0048]    One result of providing a connector holder system  10  as described herein is that the adapters  36  can be added at a later date, when desired. In the implementations shown above, the connector  12  is protected without the need for an adapter. 
         [0049]    The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
     10  Connector holder system     12  First fiber optic connector     14  Fiber optic connector holder     16  Base     18  Housing     20  Pocket     22  Distal end of first connector     24  Rear of first connector     26  Clip     28  Slots     30  End of holder     32  Opposite end of holder     34  Shutter     36  Adapter     40  Longitudinal axis     42  RFID tag location     44  Holes     46  Posts     48  Clip arms     50  Second fiber optic connector     54  First cable     56  Second cable     60  Latch     70  Mounting arrangement     100  First tray     102  Structures     104  Cable pass through     106  Cable storage area     200  Second tray     202  Base     204  Cover     206  Slots     210  Buttons     212  Rear Portion     300  Panel     302  Rows     400  Mounting block     402  Rows

Technology Category: g