IP Library Granted Patent US 9,448,370
Granted Patent B2
US 9,448,370 · App. 14/379,909 · Granted Sep 20, 2016

Connector and connector assembly

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,448,370
App. No.
14/379,909
Granted
Sep 20, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connector for coupling with an adapter, comprising: at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter; at least one locking mechanism; and a boot movably engaged with the connector body. Each of the at least one locking mechanism comprising: a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body; at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter; and a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm. Wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction. When an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked.

Claims (61)

1. A connector for coupling with an adapter, comprising:

at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;

at least one locking mechanism each comprising:

a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;

at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter;

a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and

a boot movably engaged with the connector body,

wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction,

when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked; and further comprising:

an automatic restoration mechanism configured to restore the boot to an initial position, approaching the connector body, after an external force exerted on the boot for moving it relative to the connector body disappears; and

an engagement device movably inserted into the boot, wherein a second end of the connector body opposite to the first end is inserted into the engagement device, and wherein the automatic restoration mechanism is mounted on the engagement device and generates elastic deform with a movement of the boot relative to the engagement device.

2. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the automatic restoration mechanism comprises a spring configured to elastically deform with a movement of the boot relative to the connector body so as to produce a resilience force for restoring the boot to the initial position when the external force disappears.

3. The connector according to claim 2 , wherein an elongated groove for receiving the spring therein is formed in an outside portion of the engagement device.

4. The connector according to claim 3 , wherein the second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot in a snap-in manner.

5. The connector according to claim 4 , wherein a first protuberance is provided on the second end of the driving arm, and

wherein a fixation portion for receiving the second end of the driving arm is provided on an outer portion of the boot and formed with a first elastic piece for fitting with the first protuberance.

6. The connector according to claim 5 , wherein a detachable cover is provided on the fixation portion and has a block arm extending downward and inserted into a front end of the spring received in the elongated groove of the engagement device so that the spring is abutted against the block arm.

7. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector body comprises a connection portion extending from the second end of the connector body and inserted into the engagement device in a snap-in manner to prevent the connector body from being disengaged from the engagement device.

8. The connector according to claim 7 , wherein the connection portion is provided with a second protuberance radially extending outward,

wherein the engagement device is formed with a second elastic piece for fitting with the second protuberance, and

wherein the connector body and the engagement device are fixed together by a snap-in manner of the second protuberance and the second elastic piece.

9. The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a holding ring provided in the boot, a cable introduced in the boot passing through the holding ring,

wherein the engagement device comprises an extension portion, and the holding ring can be slid to the extension portion over the cable.

10. The connector according to claim 9 , wherein a receiving groove for receiving a bared fiber of the cable is formed in the extension portion.

11. The connector according to claim 10 , wherein a secondary ring is provided between the extension portion and the holding ring.

12. The connector according to claim 7 , wherein the connector comprises two connector bodies, and a holding bracket is provided to hold the two connector bodies side by side.

13. The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the connector is a fiber optic connector.

14. The connector according to claim 13 , wherein the connector is a LC type of fiber optic connector.

15. A connector assembly comprising:

a connector, comprising:

at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;

at least one locking mechanism each comprising:

a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;

at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter;

a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and

a boot movably engaged with the connector body;

wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction;

when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked; and further comprising:

an automatic restoration mechanism configured to restore the boot to an initial position, approaching the connector body, after an external force exerted on the boot for moving it relative to the connector body disappears; and

an engagement device movably inserted into the boot, wherein a second end of the connector body opposite to the first end is inserted into the engagement device, and wherein the automatic restoration mechanism is mounted on the engagement device and generates elastic deform with a movement of the boot relative to the engagement device; and

an adapter, comprising:

at least two chambers in pairs formed in both ends of the adapter, respectively, and configured to receive the inserted connector bodies therein, respectively;

at least two locking grooves formed in inner walls of the chambers, respectively, and configured to fit with the locking protrusions of the connector; and

at least one splicing portion each disposed between a pair of chambers for coupling with an ferrule of the connector body inserted into the chambers.

16. A connector assembly comprising:

a connector, comprising:

at least one connector body each having a first end capable of being inserted into the adapter;

at least one locking mechanism each comprising:

a slanting arm extending slantingly and upwardly from the respective connector body;

at least one locking protrusion configured to extend from sides of the slanting arm to lock the connector body into locking grooves of the adapter,

a driving arm having a first end connected to the slanting arm; and

a boot movably engaged with the connector body;

wherein a second end of the driving arm is connected to the boot and is movable together with the boot to drive the slanting arm connected with the first end of the driving arm to approach a horizontal direction;

when an angle between the slanting arm and the horizontal direction becomes smaller than a predetermined angle, the locking protrusion starts to be separated from the locking groove of the adapter, so that an interlock between the connector body and the adapter is unlocked; and

further comprising:

an automatic restoration mechanism configured to restore the boot to an initial position, approaching the connector body, after an external force exerted on the boot for moving it relative to the connector body disappears; and

an engagement device movably inserted into the boot, wherein a second end of the connector body opposite to the first end is inserted into the engagement device, and wherein the automatic restoration mechanism is mounted on the engagement device and generates elastic deform with a movement of the boot relative to the engagement device; and

an adapter, comprising:

at least one chamber formed in one end of the adapter and configured to receive the respective inserted connector body therein;

at least one locking groove formed in an inner wall of the chamber and configured to fit with the locking protrusion of the connector; and

at least one splicing portion each disposed in the respective chamber and provided with a fixation ferrule for coupling with an ferrule of the connector body inserted into the chamber.

Assignments (19)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 049905/0504 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; RUCKUS WIRELESS, LLC (F/K/A RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.)
Reel/Frame 071477/0255 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE INC., OF NORTH CAROLINA; OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC; RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 069889/0114 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2022
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD.
To: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS (SHANGHAI) DISTRIBUTION CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 060022/0879 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 20, 2022
From: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS (SHANGHAI) DISTRIBUTION CO., LTD.
To: COMMSCOPE TELECOMMUNICATIONS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 060133/0441 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST
Reel/Frame 060752/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049892/0051 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049905/0504 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049892/0396 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: REDWOOD SYSTEMS, INC.; ALLEN TELECOM LLC; ANDREW LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 049260/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2019
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: REDWOOD SYSTEMS, INC.; ALLEN TELECOM LLC; ANDREW LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 048840/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 27, 2016
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD.
To: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS (SHANGHAI) DISTRIBUTION CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 039267/0462 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037514/0196 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded Jan 13, 2016
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 037513/0709 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2015
From: COMMSCOPE EMEA LIMITED
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 037012/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS SERVICES GMBH
To: COMMSCOPE EMEA LIMITED
Reel/Frame 036956/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2015
From: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.; TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS SERVICES GMBH
Reel/Frame 036908/0443 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
To: ADC TELECOMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Reel/Frame 036907/0571 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 6, 2015
From: XUE, HAWK; TONG, ZHAOYANG; LIU, LILY
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 036064/0548 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2014
From: GRINDERSLEV, SOREN
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033695/0700 →