IP Library Granted Patent US 11,681,108
Granted Patent B2
US 11,681,108 · App. 17/479,419 · Granted Jun 20, 2023

Dustcap with built-in cleaner

Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek (Minnetonka, MN); John P. Hill (Oak Grove, MN); William J. Cruzen (Monticello, MN); James John Henschel (Chula Vista, CA)
Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
G02B6/3866G02B6/3849G02B6/3882
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,681,108
App. No.
17/479,419
Granted
Jun 20, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner and an alignment portion disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion and below a bottom surface of the alignment portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner and alignment portion are disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner.

Claims (25)

1. A dustcap comprising:

a body comprising a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion, wherein the end portion includes a receptacle;

a cleaner disposed within the receptacle;

an alignment portion disposed within the receptacle, the alignment portion comprising a toroidal shape and having an aperture therethrough sized to receive and align the ferrule within the receptacle; and

a cover configured to couple to the end portion of the body.

2. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the cover is removable from the end portion of the body.

3. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of tabs configured to snap on the end portion of the body.

4. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises a divider between the cylindrical portion and the end portion of the body.

5. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the end portion has a tapered portion.

6. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical portion has a first diameter and the end portion has a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

7. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the cover is a sealing film.

8. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the alignment portion is configured to align the ferrule perpendicularly to a surface of the cleaner.

9. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the cleaner is located between a bottom surface of the alignment portion and a bottom surface of the receptacle.

10. The dustcap of claim 1 , wherein the receptacle includes one or more recesses and the alignment portion includes one or more protrusions, each of the one or more recesses being configured to receive and retain a corresponding one of the one or more protrusions.

11. A dustcap comprising:

a cover having a receptacle;

a cleaner disposed within the receptacle;

an alignment portion disposed within the receptacle, the alignment portion comprising a toroidal shape and having an aperture therethrough sized to receive and align a ferrule of an optical fiber connector within the receptacle; and

a body comprising a cylindrical portion configured to receive the ferrule of the optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion, wherein the end portion is configured to receive at least a portion of the cover.

12. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the cover is removable from the end portion of the body.

13. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of tabs configured to snap into the end portion of the body.

14. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the body further comprises a divider between the cylindrical portion and the end portion of the body.

15. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the end portion has a tapered portion.

16. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the cylindrical portion has a first diameter and the end portion has a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

17. The dustcap of claim 11 , wherein the body is configured as an integral piece.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 19, 2021
From: BERANEK, CHERYL JOHNSON; HILL, JOHN P.; CRUZEN, WILLIAM J.; HENSCHEL, JAMES JOHN
To: CLEARFIELD, INC.
Reel/Frame 057835/0196 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 17028083 · Sep 22, 2020
Related Publication 20220091348A1 · Mar 24, 2022