Ferrule-to-ferrule adapter and ferrule adapter assembly

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to an adapter for mechanically and optically connecting two fiber optic ferrules, and particularly to an adapter for mating two multi-fiber ferrules to one another without any connector parts.

[0003] 2. Technical Background

[0004] Fiber optic ribbons are widely used today to transmit a large mount of data rapidly and efficiently. Systems using fiber-optic ribbons typically have multiple connection points, or interfaces, where the light signals must be transmitted from one set of optical fibers to another set of optical fibers. These connection points or interfaces usually involve two optical ferrules that are mechanically and optically aligned to allow the light to traverse the connection points. This is especially true when an optical module or other component of an optical system is provided with a fiber optic pig-tail or multi-fiber ferrule for connecting the optical module to other optical module components in the optical system.

[0005] The pig-tails or multi-fiber ferrules must be connected in a secure fashion to other pig-tails or multi-fiber ferrules. However, this connection is difficult, if not impossible to make, without complicated connector components to hold the multi-fiber ferrules or an extensive reworking of the pig-tails and/or multi-fiber ferrules. The ferrules may also be clipped together with a simple resilient clip, but the clips are not real sturdy and do not allow the clipped ferrules to be secured or mounted to appropriate structures.

[0006] It would be desirable therefore to provide an adapter that is easily installed, reliable, allows for an easier connection of the system, and is more cost-effective by allowing a ferrule-to-ferrule configuration.

[0007] Disclosed herein is ferrule-to-ferrule adapter that includes a main body having an outside surface, an opening extending through the main body between a first side of the main body and a second side of the main body, the opening configured to receive and to optically and mechanically mate two multi-fiber ferrules to one another, and two ferrule engagement members connected to the main body and disposed adjacent the opening on each side of the main body to engage and retain the multi-fiber ferrules in the ferrule-to-ferrule adapter in mechanical and optical engagement.

[0008] In some embodiments, the engagement members are rotatably connected to the main body and rotate about an axis orthogonal to the opening.

[0009] In some embodiments, the engagement member is fixed spring latch.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fixed spring is disposed on two sides of the opening on the first and second sides of the main body.

[0011] In another aspect, a ferrule-to-ferrule adapter and fiber optic assembly that includes two multi-fiber ferrules, each multi-fiber ferrule having at least one optical fiber that terminates at an end face of the multi-fiber ferrule, an adapter main body having an outside surface, an opening extending through the main body between a first side of the main body and a second side of the main body, the opening configured to receive and to optically and mechanically mate the two multi-fiber ferrules to one another, and two ferrule engagement members connected to the main body and disposed adjacent the opening on each side of the main body to engage and retain the multi-fiber ferrules in the ferrule-to-ferrule adapter in mechanical and optical engagement.

[0012] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

[0013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

[0022] Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, adapter 10 has a main body 12 with a main portion 14, an outside surface 16, and flanges 18 extending outward from the main portion 14. Each of the flanges 18 preferably has a mounting hole 20 to mount the adapter 10 to a PCB board, box, or other structure. The flanges 18 are preferably integral with the main portion 14, but may be separate from and connected to the main portion 14. Screws 22 are used to mount the adapter 10 to the appropriate structure. It is also possible for projections or legs to extend downward, rather than holes and screws, to secure the adapter 10 to the appropriate structures.

[0024] Main portion 14 also has an opening 26 that extends through the main portion 14 between a first side 28 and a second side 30 and into which multi-fiber ferrules 32 are inserted. The multi-fiber ferrules have optical fibers 34 that are secured therein as is known in the art. The opening 26 optically and mechanically aligns and connects the multi-fiber ferrules 32 with one another. Adjacent to opening 26, and preferably in communication therewith, is a recessed portion 36 that receives and frictionally engages a portion of each of ferrule engagement members 38, discussed in more detail below. As best seen in FIG. 3, the recessed portion 36 may also extend between first side 28 and second side 30, although there may be two separate recessed portions on each side of the adapter 10.

[0025] Extending from the outside surface 16 of the main portion 14 are two projections 40 to which ferrule engagement members 38 are rotatably connected. The engagement members 38 have a central prong 42 that is used to move the engagement members 38 from an open position (illustrated on the left side of FIG. 3) so that the multi-fiber ferrules 32 can be inserted into the opening 26 to a closed position (illustrated on the right side of FIG. 3) so that the engagement members 38 block the multi-fiber ferrules 32 and prevent them from exiting the adapter 10. The engagement members 38 have two elongated members 44 that in the closed position engage a rear face 46 of the multi-fiber ferrules 32, holding the multi-fiber ferrules 32 in the adapter 10. In the closed position, a curved portion 48 of the central prong 42 frictionally engages the recessed portion 36, holding the engagement members 38 in the closed position. Adjacent the recessed portion 36 is a protrusion 50 that provides a larger surface of engagement by the curved portion 48 of the central prong 42 and, thus, better retention of the engagement members 38. The engagement members 38 are also resilient enough to accommodate a pin plate (not shown) that may be used with each of the multi-fiber ferrules 32. A pin plate and similar engagement members are illustrated in a co-pending application Ser. No. 11/673,152, entitled “Ferrule Adapter And Ferrule Adapter Assembly” and having attorney reference number USCO-020, filed on the same date, the contents of which are expressly incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

[0026] Both engagement members 38 preferably rotate about the same two projections 40. The two projections 40 lie on the axis of rotation A of the engagement members 38, which is orthogonal to the opening 26. It should be noted that each of the engagement members 38 may each have a set of projections so that they do not rotate about the same axis of rotation. However, in the case of two different axes of rotation, they should be parallel to one another.

[0027] An alternative embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The adapter 100 has a main body 102 with a main portion 104, an outside surface 106, and flanges 108 extending outward from the main portion 104. Each of the flanges 108 preferably has a mounting hole used to mount the adapter 100 to a PCB board, box, or other structure. It is also possible for projections or legs to extend downward, rather than holes and screws, to secure the adapter 100 to the appropriate structures. The flanges 108 are preferably integral with the main portion 104, but may be separate from but connected to the main portion 104. Screws 112 are used to mount the adapter 100 to the appropriate structure. Main portion 104 also has an opening 116 that extends through the main portion 104 between a first side 118 and a second side 120 and into which multi-fiber ferrules 122 are inserted. The multi-fiber ferrules have optical fibers 124 that are secured therein as is known in the art. The opening 116 optically and mechanically aligns and connects the multi-fiber ferrules 122 with one another.

[0028] Extending from the main body 102 on both sides thereof is an engagement member that is preferably a fixed spring latch that includes two elastic members 132,134 that extend out of the main body 102 adjacent the opening 116. The two elastic members 132,134 forcibly push inward on the rear face of the multi-fiber ferrule 122 (preferably with a force of about 2 lbs.) to keep multi-fiber ferrule 122 in the adapter 100. The two elastic members 132,134 can be pushed upward away from the opening 116 to allow the multi-fiber ferrule 122 to be inserted into the opening 116 and then released to hold the multi-fiber ferrule 122 therein. The elastic members 132,134 can also accommodate a pin plate as necessary.

[0029] An alternative embodiment of an adapter according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. The adapter 200 as a main body 202 with a main portion 204, an outside surface 206, and flanges 208 extending outward from the main portion 204. Each of the flanges 208 preferably has a mounting hole to mount the adapter 200 to a PCB board, box, or other structure. It is also possible for projections or legs to extend downward, rather than holes and screws, to secure the adapter 200 to the appropriate structures. The flanges 208 are preferably integral with the main portion 204, but may be separate from but connected to the main portion 204. Screws 212 are used to mount the adapter 200 to the appropriate structure. Main portion 204 also has an opening 216 that extends through the main portion 204 between a first side 218 and a second side 220 and into which multi-fiber ferrules 222 are inserted. The multi-fiber ferrules have optical fibers 224 that are secured therein as is known in the art. The opening 216 optically and mechanically aligns and connects the multi-fiber ferrules 222 with one another.

[0030] Engagement member 230 is preferably a one piece (although it could be any number of pieces) fixed spring latch that is disposed on at least two sides of opening 216 and is at least partially embedded into the main portion 204. Engagement member 230 has a first spring portion 232 on a first side of opening 216 that extends upward from the main portion 204 and towards opening 216 and then continues to extend upward but away from opening 216. Engagement member 230 has a second spring portion 234 on an opposite side of opening 216 that extends upward from the main portion 204 and towards opening 216 and first spring portion 232 and then continues to extend upward but away from opening 216. As illustrated best in FIG. 6B, the spring two portions 232 and 234 of the engagement member 230 provide a funnel-like opening therein to receive the multi-fiber ferrule 222 and, because of the elastic characteristics of the spring portions 232,234 of engagement member 230, will move away from one another to allow the multi-fiber ferrule 222 to be inserted into opening 216. Once the multi-fiber ferrule 222 is inserted completely into opening 216, the two spring portions 232, 234 of the engagement member 230 will return to engage a rear portion of the multi-fiber ferrule 222 to keep multi-fiber ferrule 222 in the adapter 200. The engagement member 230 can also accommodate a pin plate as necessary.

[0031] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.