Spring push and push-pull tab for tightly spaced fiber optic connectors
A spring push for a fiber optic connector includes an engagement member having a slot to receive a handle that also engages a distal portion of the engagement number. The spring push, along with the handle, allows for fiber optic connectors to be installed and removed from adapters in high density applications. The spring push can be installed into a connector housing and, along with other components, be a fiber optic connector. The engagement member may also originate from other parts of the fiber optic connector.
1. A spring push for use with a fiber optic connector comprising:
a main body having a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and at least one side portion;
two generally parallel extensions extending from the forward facing surface of the main body away from the rearward facing surface; the two generally parallel extensions configured to engage an elastic member therebetween and each of the parallel extensions having a projection to engage a connector housing of the fiber optic connector;
a crimp portion extending from the rearward facing surface of the main body and away from the forward facing surface, the crimp portion having a central opening to allow optical fibers to pass therethrough and between the two generally parallel extensions; and
an engagement member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion extending from the at least one side portion away from the main body and orthogonal to the central opening, the first portion having a slot, and the second portion extending from a distal end of the first portion and away from the rearward facing surface.
2. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein the second portion is substantially parallel to the two generally parallel extensions.
3. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein the slot has a rounded opening to receive a portion of a handle.
4. The spring push according to claim 1 , further comprising a handle, the handle having an insert portion configured to be inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
5. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the second portion has a terminal surface that faces the two generally parallel extensions.
6. The spring push according to claim 5 , wherein the terminal surface engages a portion of a handle inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
7. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein the slot opens from a side other than the side portion on which the engagement member is disposed.
8. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement member and one of the two generally parallel extensions form an opening therebetween, the opening configured for receiving a portion of a connector housing and a portion of a handle that can be inserted into the slot.
9. The spring push according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the engagement member is flush with the rearward facing surface of the main body.
10. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a connector housing, the connector housing further comprising a ferrule holder and a spring push, the spring push inserted into an opening from a back end of the ferrule holder and the connector housing having a latch disposed on a side surface;
a ferrule disposed within the opening of the connector housing;
an engagement member having a first portion extending away from the connector housing, the first portion having a slot, and a second portion extending from the first portion in a direction away from the back end of the ferrule holder; and
a handle, the handle having an insert portion configured to be inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
11. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the handle engages the latch.
12. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the handle extends between a proximal end and a distal end and having a middle portion, the middle portion having an expanded portion extending radially outward from the middle portion proximally from the insert portion, the distal end having a flat surface to engage the latch.
13. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis and the distal end of the handle curves away from the longitudinal axis to engage the second portion of the engagement member and the latch.
14. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein pulling the proximal end of the handle away from the connector housing causes the distal end of the handle to flex after engaging a forward facing surface of the engagement member thereby causing the distal end to push on the latch.
15. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the slot has a rounded opening to receive the insert portion of the handle.
16. The fiber optic connector according to claim 15 , wherein the rounded opening of the engagement member has a first diameter and the expanded portion of the handle has a second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the second diameter.
17. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10 , wherein the engagement member extends from a portion of the spring push.