IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,852,875
Granted Patent B2
US 11,852,875 · App. 17/822,457 · Granted Dec 26, 2023

Flexible optical fiber connectors and assemblies

Inventors: John P. Hill (Oak Grove, MN); Brian Larson (Andover, MN); Jeffrey Gniadek (Otisfield, ME); David J. Johnsen (Plymouth, MN); James John Henschel (Chula Vista, CA); Matthew John Brigham (Charlton, MA)
Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
G02B6/3893G02B6/3825G02B6/3831G02B6/3897
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,852,875
App. No.
17/822,457
Granted
Dec 26, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A flexible optical fiber connector comprises a first housing component configured to couple to a terminating connector, and a second housing component configured to receive an optical fiber for termination in the terminating connector. The first housing component and the second housing component are further configured to receive a pushable connector therethrough. A flexible optical fiber connector assembly comprises a flexible connector and a terminating connector coupled thereto. The flexible connector assembly is configured to couple to an adapter held by a holder coupled to a port.

Claims (14)

1. A flexible optical fiber connector comprising:

a first housing component configured to receive an optical fiber and to couple to a terminating connector; and

a second housing component configured to receive the optical fiber for termination in the terminating connector;

wherein the first housing component comprises a first prong and a second prong separated by a slit, each of the first prong and the second prong having a double-D hole and a flat configured to accommodate coupling the first housing component to the terminating connector.

2. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the terminating connector comprises a back post, the back post being configured to receive a spring and a ferrule.

3. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the terminating connector is an SC connector.

4. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , further comprising a key configured to prevent rotation of the flexible optical fiber connector within a port.

5. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein at least the first housing component is configured to couple to a flexible port.

6. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the first housing component and the second housing component have different diameters.

7. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 6 , wherein the first housing component is characterized by a smaller diameter than a diameter of the second housing component.

8. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the terminating connector comprises a back post configured to snap fit into the double-D hole.

9. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 8 , wherein the back post of the terminating connector is configured to receive a spring and a ferrule.

10. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 9 , wherein the ferrule is configured to receive an optical fiber.

11. The flexible optical fiber connector of claim 10 , wherein the optical fiber is secured to the ferrule by epoxy.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 21, 2022
From: HILL, JOHN P.; LARSON, BRIAN; GNIADEK, JEFFREY; JOHNSEN, DAVID J.; HENSCHEL, JAMES JOHN; BRIGHAM, MATTHEW JOHN
To: CLEARFIELD, INC.
Reel/Frame 061842/0740 →
Continuity (3)
Division 16897587 · Jun 10, 2020
Provisional Application 62859828 · Jun 11, 2019
Related Publication 20220404560A1 · Dec 22, 2022
Cited By (1)
US 12,625,326