阅读说明：本技术 通信系统连接器 (Communication system connector ) 是由 张任兴 K·雷特瑙尔 于 2019-05-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：根据示例实施例,公开了一种装置。该装置包括适配器、耦合器和套筒。耦合器被构造为连接到适配器。耦合器包括杠杆。套筒连接到耦合器。杠杆被构造为当耦合器相对于套筒旋转时偏转。(According to an example embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to connect to an adapter. The coupler includes a lever. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve.)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an adapter;

a coupler configured to connect to the adapter, wherein the coupler comprises a lever; and

a sleeve connected to the coupler;

wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes a ramp feature, and wherein lever is configured to deflect when the lever is rotated on the ramp feature.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lever extends from the coupler in a conventional cantilevered manner.

4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever and the coupler comprise a unitary member.

5. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a generally tubular shape.

6. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lever is configured to deflect in a radial direction.

7. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the lever is between the first end and the opposing second end.

8. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter, the coupler, and the ferrule are configured to receive an LC connector.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

an adapter;

a coupler configured to connect to the adapter; and

a sleeve connected to the coupler, wherein the sleeve includes a ramp feature, and wherein a portion of the coupler is configured to deflect when the portion of the coupler rotates on the ramp feature.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the coupler comprises a lever, and wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the lever is rotated on the ramp feature.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the coupler receives a first end of the sleeve.

12. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ramp feature and the sleeve comprise a unitary member.

13. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a generally tubular shape.

14. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve includes a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposing second end.

15. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposing second end.

16. The apparatus of any of the preceding claims, wherein the adapter, the coupler, and the ferrule are configured to receive an LC connector.

17. An apparatus, comprising:

an adapter;

a coupler configured to connect to the adapter;

a sleeve connected to the coupler; and

means for locking the coupler to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the sleeve.

Technical Field

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments relate to a communication system connector and, more particularly, to a locking feature for a communication system connector.

Background

Telecommunication networks require high quality connections between cable segments, network equipment, devices, etc. in order to provide the efficiency and reliability required by network users. In harsh environments, conventional communication system connectors often become accidentally disconnected due to vibration, shock, temperature variations, and exposure to other harsh conditions.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved communication system connector that provides a robust and reliable product configuration.

Disclosure of Invention

Various examples are set forth in the claims.

According to one example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to connect to an adapter. The coupler includes a lever. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve.

According to another example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to connect to an adapter. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The sleeve includes a ramp feature. A portion of the coupler is configured to deflect when the portion of the coupler rotates on the ramp feature.

According to another example, an apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes an adapter, a coupler, and a sleeve. The coupler is configured to connect to an adapter. The sleeve is connected to the coupler. The apparatus also includes means for locking the coupler to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the sleeve.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a communication system connector in which an exemplary embodiment may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the communication system connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the communication system connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the communication system connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is another end view of the communication system connector shown in FIG. 1; and

fig. 7 is another end view of the communication system connector shown in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to fig. 1, a perspective view of a communication system connector 10 incorporating features of various example embodiments is shown. Although various example embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that various example embodiments may be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used.

Referring now also to fig. 2, the communication system connector 10 includes a connector housing 12 having an adapter 14, a sleeve 16, and a coupler 18. The adapter 14 includes a body portion 20, a first flange portion 22, a second flange portion 24, a first receiving portion 26, a second receiving portion 28, and an opening 30 extending through the body portion 20. The first receiving portion 26 includes a recess 32. The second receiving portion 28 includes a recess 34.

Coupler 18 includes a first end 36, an opposite second end 38, and an opening 40 extending therethrough. The coupler also includes a pin feature 42 located on the coupler inner diameter near the first end. The pin feature 42 is sized and shaped to be received by the groove 32.

The sleeve 16 includes a generally tubular shape and has a first end 44 and an opposite second end 46. First end 44 is received by coupler 18 and second end 46 extends away from second end 38 of coupler 18. The second end 46 of the sleeve 16 is configured to connect to a cable fitting 48 and allow a cable 50 to extend therethrough.

The connector housing 12 is configured to receive the LC connector 52 within the opening 30 of the adapter 14 when the coupler 18 is attached to the first receiving portion 26 of the adapter 14. It should be noted that although described in connection with an LC (lucent connector) connector 52, alternative embodiments may be provided with other suitable types of connectors.

Referring now also to fig. 3 and 4, the first end 44 of the sleeve 16 also includes a ramp feature 54 along the outer diameter of the sleeve 16. The ramp features 54 are oriented such that the "height" of the ramp features 54 increases in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis 56 of the connector 10 (in a radial direction, and thus increases in distance from the central axis 56 of the connector 10).

The coupler 18 also includes a first slot 58 extending through the thickness of the coupler 18 (and having an open end 64 at the second end 38 of the coupler 18) and a second slot 60 extending through the thickness of the coupler 18 (and having an open end 66 at the second end 38 of the coupler 18). The first and second slots 58, 60 form a lever 62 proximate the second end 38 of the coupler 18. The lever 62 extends in a conventional cantilevered manner from a wall portion of the coupler 18 adjacent the closed ends 68, 70 of the slots 58, 60. According to various exemplary embodiments, the lever 62 is integrally formed with the coupler 18 such that the lever 62 and the coupler 18 form a one-piece member.

The lever 62 includes a deflection portion 72 and a ramp contact portion 74. The ramp contact portion extends from the deflection portion 72 toward the sleeve 16 (in a radial direction relative to the central axis 56).

Referring now also to fig. 5-7, when the coupler 18 is assembled to the adapter 14, the lever deflecting portion 72 deflects (see arrow 76) as the ramp contact portion 74 passes over the ramp feature 54 (and snaps into place on the ramp feature 54) as the coupler is rotated clockwise. This then prevents coupler 18 from rotating on its own when ramp contact portion 74 snaps into place on ramp feature 54 (see fig. 3, 4, 7). To then disconnect the coupler 18 from the adapter 14, the lever 62 may be raised slightly above the height of the ramp feature 54, which then allows the coupler 18 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (i.e., opposite direction 76).

It should be noted that while various exemplary embodiments have been described in connection with a coupler having only one lever (74) and a sleeve having only one corresponding ramp feature (54), other alternative embodiments may be provided in which the coupler has more than one lever (74) [ spaced apart along the circumference of the coupler ] and the sleeve has a corresponding number of ramp features (54) [ spaced apart along the circumference of the sleeve ].

The technical effect of any one or more of the example embodiments provides an improvement when compared to other configurations. For example, one technical effect is to provide an improved LC connector housing (at low cost) that will mate with conventional connectors (i.e., to make the interface match an interface that has been deployed in the field). Another technical effect of the various exemplary embodiments is to provide a connector with a locking feature that helps prevent the connector from disengaging due to vibration, shock, or improper installation. Another technical effect of the various exemplary embodiments is to provide an anti-rotation feature by utilizing a cantilevered snap feature comprised of a lever and a ramp.

It should be appreciated that the components of one or more of the various exemplary embodiments may be operatively coupled or connected and that any number or combination of intermediate elements may be present (including no intermediate elements). The connections may be direct or indirect and, further, there may be only a functional relationship between the components.

Further description of various non-limiting exemplary embodiments is provided below. The exemplary embodiments described below may be practiced in conjunction with one or more other aspects or exemplary embodiments. That is, one or more of the various exemplary embodiments, such as those described immediately below, may be implemented, practiced or utilized in any combination (e.g., any suitable, practicable and/or feasible combination) and is not limited to only those combinations described herein and/or included in the appended claims.

In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises: an adapter; a coupler configured to connect to an adapter, wherein the coupler includes a lever; and a sleeve connected to the coupler; wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the coupler is rotated relative to the sleeve.

A device as above, wherein the sleeve includes a ramp feature, and wherein the lever is configured to deflect when the lever is rotated on the ramp feature.

An apparatus as above wherein the lever extends from the coupler in a conventional cantilevered fashion.

A device as above wherein the lever and coupler comprise a unitary member.

A device as above wherein the sleeve comprises a generally tubular shape.

A device as above, wherein the lever is configured to deflect in a radial direction.

An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the lever is between the first end and the opposing second end.

An apparatus as above wherein the adapter, coupler and ferrule are configured to receive the LC connector.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises: an adapter; a coupler configured to be connected to an adapter; and a sleeve connected to the coupler, wherein the sleeve includes a ramp feature, and wherein a portion of the coupler is configured to deflect when the portion of the coupler rotates on the ramp feature.

A device as above, wherein the coupler comprises a lever, and wherein the lever is configured to deflect as the lever rotates on the ramp feature.

An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler receives the first end of the sleeve.

A device as above, wherein the ramp feature and the sleeve comprise a unitary member.

A device as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a substantially tubular shape.

A device as above, wherein the sleeve comprises a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposing second end.

An apparatus as above, wherein the coupler comprises a first end and an opposing second end, and wherein the ramp feature is between the first end and the opposing second end.

An apparatus as above wherein the adapter, coupler and ferrule are configured to receive the LC connector.

In another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus comprises: an adapter; a coupler configured to be connected to an adapter; a sleeve connected to the coupler; and means for locking the coupler to the sleeve to prevent rotation of the coupler relative to the sleeve.

An apparatus as above, wherein the means for locking the coupler to the sleeve comprises a lever feature of the coupler and a ramp feature of the sleeve.

If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Further, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of one or more of various exemplary embodiments. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from one or more of the various exemplary embodiments. Accordingly, the various exemplary embodiments are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.