IP Library Granted Patent US 12,265,264
Granted Patent B2
US 12,265,264 · App. 17/630,412 · Granted Apr 1, 2025

Fiber optic adapters convertible between different polarity types

Inventors: Gary Federico Gibbs (Wylie, TX); Guilibaldo Ruiz (McKinney, TX); Bradley Scott Billman (Sachse, TX); Ronald L Mudd (Sachse, TX); Yang (Sunny) Xu (Frisco, TX)
Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
G02B6/3825G02B6/3849
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,265,264
App. No.
17/630,412
Granted
Apr 1, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure relates to fiber optic adapters that are convertible between different configurations corresponding to different polarity schemes. The present disclosure also relates to fiber optic adapters having internal shutters integrated within end caps.

Claims (16)

1. A fiber optic adapter for coupling together two fiber optic connectors, the fiber optic adapter comprising:

an adapter body including first and second ends, the first end defining a first connector port and the second end defining a second connector port, the first and second connector ports being aligned along an axis that extends between the first and second ends of the adapter body and through the first and second connector ports, the adapter body defining a central axis that extends through the first and second connector ports, the first and second connector ports each defining an oblong shape having perpendicular major and minor axes;

connector retention latches integrated with the adapter body at the first and second connector ports, the connector retention latches of each of the first and second connector ports being located on opposite sides of their respective first or second connector port and being aligned along the major axis of their respective first or second connector port;

an end cap having an end cap body that mounts at the first end of the adapter body, the end cap also including internal shutters pivotally connected to the end cap body, the internal shutters being configured to pivot relative to the end cap body between a closed position in which the shutters block the first connector port and an open position in which the shutters are pivoted inside the end cap body to allow a fiber optic connector to be received within the first connector port; and

wherein the fiber optic adapter is convertible between a type A polarity configuration and a type B polarity configuration, and wherein the internal shutters are secured to the end cap body by a pivotal, snap-fit connection.

2. The fiber optic adapter of claim 1 , wherein the internal shutters are spring biased toward the closed position, and are configured to pivot from the closed position to the open position via contact with the fiber optic connector as the fiber optic connector is inserted into the first connector port.

3. The fiber optic adapter of claim 1 , wherein the shutters are obliquely angled relative to the central axis when in the closed position.

4. The fiber optic adapter of claim 2 , wherein leaf springs mounted within the end cap body biases the internal shutters to the closed position.

5. A fiber optic adapter for coupling together two fiber optic connectors, the fiber optic adapter comprising:

an adapter body including first and second ends, the first end defining a first connector port and the second end defining a second connector port, the first and second connector ports being aligned along an axis that extends between the first and second ends of the adapter body and through the first and second connector ports, the adapter body defining a central axis that extends through the first and second connector ports, the first and second connector ports each defining an oblong shape having perpendicular major and minor axes;

connector retention latches integrated with the adapter body at the first and second connector ports, the connector retention latches of each of the first and second connector ports being located on opposite sides of their respective first or second connector port and being aligned along the major axis of their respective first or second connector port;

an end cap having an end cap body that mounts at the first end of the adapter body, the end cap also including internal shutters pivotally connected to the end cap body, the internal shutters being configured to pivot relative to the end cap body between a closed position in which the shutters block the first connector port and an open position in which the shutters are pivoted inside the end cap body to allow a fiber optic connector to be received within the first connector port; and

wherein the fiber optic adapter is convertible between a type A polarity configuration and a type B polarity configuration; and

wherein the shutters are obliquely angled relative to the central axis when in the closed position.

6. The fiber optic adapter of claim 5 , wherein the internal shutters are spring biased toward the closed position and are configured to pivot from the closed position to the open position via contact with the fiber optic connector as the fiber optic connector is inserted into the first connector port.

7. The fiber optic adapter of claim 6 , wherein leaf springs mounted within the end cap body biases the internal shutters to the closed position.

Assignments (6)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 067252/0657 Recorded Jan 12, 2026
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE NORTH CAROLINA, LLC (F/K/A COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA)
Reel/Frame 074593/0348 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 067259/0697 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 069790/0575 →
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 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded Apr 29, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067259/0697 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Apr 29, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067252/0657 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2022
From: GIBBS, GARY FEDERICO; RUIZ, GUILIBALDO; BILLMAN, BRADLEY SCOTT; MUDD, RONALD L.; XU, YANG (SUNNY)
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 058781/0148 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62879232 · Jul 26, 2019
Related Publication 20220283381A1 · Sep 8, 2022
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