as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2016/0238796 Al
`(43) Pub. Date: Aug. 18, 2016
`
`Nguyen etal.
`
`
`
` 4
`
`8796A1
`
`US 201602
`
`(54) SPRING PUSH AND PUSH-PULL TAB FOR
`TIGHTLY SPACED FIBER OPTIC
`CONNECTORS
`
`(71) Applicant: US Conee, Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Fort Mill, SC (US);
`Joseph P. Howard, Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/047,501
`——
`°
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Feb. 18, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 62/117,490,filed on Feb.
`18, 2015.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G02B 6/38
`(52) U.S. CL
`CPC veces G02B 6/389 (2013.01); G02B 6/381
`(2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A spring pushfor a fiber optic connector includes an engage-
`ment member having a slot to receive a handle that also
`engages a distal portion of the engagement number. The
`spring push, along with the handle, allows for fiber optic
`connectors to be installed and removed from adapters in high
`density applications. The spring push can beinstalled into a
`connector housing and, along with other components, be a
`fiber optic connector. The engagement member may also
`originate from otherparts of the fiber optic connector.
`
`
`
`US Conec EX1009
`
`IPR2024-001 16
`U.S. Patent No. 11,307,369
`
`US Conec EX1009
`IPR2024-00116
`U.S. Patent No. 11,307,369
`
`

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`Patent Application Publication
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`Fig.1(PriorArt)
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`Fig.2
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Aug. 18, 2016 Sheet 11 of 12
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2016/0238796 Al
`
`Aug. 18, 2016
`
`SPRING PUSH AND PUSH-PULL TAB FOR
`TIGHTLY SPACED FIBER OPTIC
`CONNECTORS
`
`
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE
`
`[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
`§119 (e) to provisional application No. 62/117,490 filed on
`Feb. 18, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated
`byreference in their entirety.
`
`
`
`BACKGROUNDOFTHE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] Tiber optic connectors, and the locations where they
`are installed, are becoming smaller and smaller. This is espe-
`cially true in high density applications. The fiber optic con-
`nectors are now smaller than a person’s finger and they are
`spaced suchthat a person can noteasily grasp individualfiber
`optic connectors mounted in an adapter in the high density
`areas. Thus, it can be very difficult to install a fiber optic
`comnectorin, and uninstall from, its respective adapter. Adja-
`cent fiber optic connectors are generally located too close to
`allow manual insertion and removal of a single fiber optic
`connector using the connector’s outer housing as intended,
`particularly, when used in higher density applications. To
`facilitate these processes, a component wasdesired that pos-
`sessed a smaller cross section that could be graspedto install
`and uninstall a fiber optic connector whenin a high density
`application.
`
`
`
`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0003] The present invention is directed to a spring push for
`use with a fiber optic connector that includes a main body
`having a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface,
`and at least one side portion, two generally parallel extensions
`extending from the forward facing surface of the main body
`away from the rearward facing surface; the two generally
`parallel extensions configured to engage an elastic member
`therebetween and each of the parallel extensions having a
`projection to engage a connector housing of the fiber optic
`connector, a crimp portion extending from the rearward fac-
`ing, surface of the main body and away from the forward
`facing surtace, the crimp portion having a central opening to
`allow optical fibers to pass therethrough and between the two
`generally parallel extensions, and an engagement member
`having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion
`extending from the at least one side portion away from the
`main body and orthogonal to the central opening,the first
`portion having a slot, and the secondportion extending from
`a distal end ofthe first portion and away from the rearward
`facing surface.
`[0004]
`In some embodiments, the second portion is sub-
`stantially parallel to the two generally parallel extensions.
`[0005]
`In some embodiments,
`the spring push further
`includes a handle, the handle having an insert portion config-
`ured to be inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
`[0006]
`Inother embodiments, the engagement member and
`one of the two generally parallel extensions form an opening
`therebetween,the opening configured for receiving a portion
`of a connector housing and a portion of a handle that can be
`inserted into the slot.
`
`[0007] According to another aspect of the present inven-
`tion, there is a fiber optic connectorthat includes a connector
`
`housing, the connector housing further comprising a ferrule
`holder and a spring push, the spring pushinserted into an
`opening from a back end of the ferrule holder and the con-
`nector housing having a latch disposed ona side surface, a
`ferrule disposed within the opening ofthe connector housing,
`an engagement memberhavinga first portion extending away
`trom the connector housing,the first portion having a slot, and
`asecond portion extending from thefirst portionin a direction
`away fromthe back end ofthe ferrule holder, and a handle, the
`handle havinganinsert portion configured to be inserted into
`the slot of the engagement member.
`[0008]
`[tis to be understoodthat both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description of the
`present embodimentsofthe inventionare intended to provide
`an overviewor framework for understanding the nature and
`characterof 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 embodi-
`ments of the invention and, together with the description,
`serve to explain the principles and operations ofthe invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 isa priorart sleeve used to insert and remove
`[0009]
`fiber optic connectors in high density applications;
`[0010]
`FIG. 2 isa perspective view of one embodiment ofa
`spring push and handle according the present invention;
`[0011]
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spring push of
`FIG. 2 from the opposite side;
`[0012]
`FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the spring push of
`FIG.2;
`FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the spring push of
`[0013]
`FIG.2 installed in a connector housing to make one embodi-
`ment ofafiber optic connector accordingto the present inven-
`tion:
`
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofthe fiber optic con-
`[0014]
`nector of FIG. 5 with a handle inserted into the engagement
`memberof the spring push;
`[0015]
`FIG. 7 is a perspective view ofthe fiber optic con-
`nector of FIG. 6 fromthe opposite side;
`[0016]
`FIG. 8 ts a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic
`connector of FIG. 5;
`[0017]
`FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the fiber optic con-
`nector of FIG. 5 in cross-section;
`[0018]
`FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic
`connector of FIG. 5 installed in an adapter;
`[0019]
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic
`connector of FIG. 9 with the handle disposed within the
`spring push; and
`[0020]
`FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view ofthe fiber optic
`connector of FIG. 9 with the handle being pulled rearwardly.
`
`
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`
`
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0021] Reference will now be madein detail to the present
`preferred embodiment(s) ofthe invention, examples ofwhich
`are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever pos-
`sible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout
`the drawingsto refer to the sameorlike parts.
`[0022]
`FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art push-pull sleeve that
`also assists in inserting and removingfiber optic connectors.
`Theillustrated sleeve is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Pat.
`No. 8,559,781 and is assigned to the same applicant as the
`
`

`

`US 2016/0238796 Al
`
`Aug. 18, 2016
`
`present application. The sleeve, having an integral handle, is
`disposed over the inner and outer connector housings of the
`fiber optic connector. As described in detail below, the present
`invention is more integral with a fiber optic connector.
`[0023] One embodimentof a spring push 100 according to
`the present inventionis illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The spring
`push 100 can be usedas a part of a fiber optic connector 200,
`illustratedin the later figures. The spring push 100 has a main
`body 102, the main bodyhaving a forward facing surface 104,
`a rearward facing surface 106, and side portions 108 (gener-
`ally there are four side portions, but there could be more or
`fewer depending on the configuration of the connector hous-
`ing). Extending from the forward facing surface 104 of the
`main body 102 are two generally parallel extensions 110,112.
`The two generally parallel extensions 110,112 are spaced to
`allow for an elastic member, preferably a coil spring, to bias
`a fiber optic ferrule (see, e.g., FIG. 8) toward the front (away
`from the spring push 100) ofthe fiber optic connector 200.
`Each of the two generally parallel extensions 110,112 have a
`front end 114. A forward facing surface 116 is disposed on
`each of the two generally parallel extensions 110,112 to
`engagetheelastic member disposed therebetween. See FIGS.
`3 & 4. The term “front” and/or “forward” as used herein
`meansthat direction where the fiber optic connector would
`mate with anotherfiber optic connector or device, while the
`term rear is used to mean the direction from whichthe optical
`fibers come. So turning to FIGS. 2 & 4, frontis the direction
`shownbythe arrow and “back”or “rearward”is the opposite
`direction.
`
`[0024] Each of the two generally parallel extensions 110,
`112 also have a projection 118 on an outside surface 120 to
`engage a corresponding opening in the fiber optic connector
`200 to engage recesses or openings 202 to retain the spring
`push 100 within the connector housing 204 ofthefiber optic
`connector 200. See FIGS. 5, 8, and 10-11. The projections
`118 mayalso have a chamfered leading edge 122 that allows
`for the front end 114 of the two generally parallel extensions
`110,112 to more easily enter into the central opening 206 of
`the connector housing 204.
`[0025] Extending from the rearward facing surtace 106 is a
`crimp portion 130. The crimp portion 130 allows for the
`Kevlar cords and cablejacket (or other structural members) to
`be secured to the spring push 100 andthefiber optic connector
`200 as is knownin theart. As illustrated in the figures, the
`crimp portion 130 has an outer surface 132 that is preferably
`round anda round central opening 134. However,the shape of
`the outer surface 132 and the central opening 134 may take
`other shapes, including oval, hexagonal, rectangular, etc. and
`still fall within the scope of the present invention.
`[0026] An engagement member 140 extends from one of
`the side portions 108 of the main body 102 of the spring push
`100. The engagement member 140 hasa first portion 142
`generally extends upward (or outward and away from the
`main body 102) between the crimp portion 130 and the two
`generally parallel extensions 110,112 to a distal portion 144.
`See FIG. 3. The engagement member 140 also includes a
`second portion 146, with a proximal portion 148 that extends
`from the distal portion 144 of the first portion 142 toward the
`front end 114 of the two generally parallel extensions 110,
`112.
`
`Thefirst portion 142 of engagement member 140
`[0027]
`has a slot 150 that extends into the engagement member 140.
`The slot 150 receives a handle 300, which is described in
`more detail below, both in structure and function. The slot 150
`
`preferably makes an opening on anotherside ofthe main body
`102—inthis case about 90 degrees from side portion 108
`from which the engagement memberextends. See FIG. 5. For
`obviousreasons, the slot 150 can not comein fromthe bottom
`because of the main body 102, and coming in from the top
`presents other issues, including the presence of the second
`portion 146 and its function, described in detail below. As
`would be obviousto oneofskill in the art, the slot 150 could
`also come in from the side opposite to that shown in the
`figures. The slot 150 has a portion 152 with a generally
`rectangular configuration that begins at the edge ofthefirst
`portion 142 and then transitions into a circular portion 154,
`which correspondsto the configuration ofthe handle 300. See
`FIG. 2. If the handle 300 had a different configuration, the
`portion 154 could have a corresponding configuration.
`[0028]
`‘Lhe first portion 142 of engagement member 140 is
`illustrated as having a rear surface 156 that is flush with the
`rearward facing surface 106. See, e.g., FIG. 9. While this
`allows for the spring push 100 to be clean and streamlined,it
`is not necessary and there could be a step between the engage-
`ment member 140 and the rearward facing surface 106, or
`even a smoothtransition between the two.
`
`Atthedistal portion 144 of the first portion 142, the
`[0029]
`engagement member makes a turn of about 90 degrees to
`begin the second portion 146. ‘he second portion extends
`forward, in the direction of the front ends 114 of the two
`generally parallel extensions 110,112. Preferably the second
`portion 146 is parallel to the two generally parallel extensions
`110,112, but could be oriented somewhat differently if
`desired. The secondportion 146 terminates at a distal end 160
`and a terminal surface 162, which faces downwards toward
`the the two generally parallel extensions 110,112. See FIGS.
`8 and 10-12. As can be seen in FIGS. 5 & 6, there is a space
`164 between the second portion 146 and the extension 112.
`This space 164 is sufficient to accommodate the handle 300
`and the connector housing 204.
`[0030] Theengagement member 140, whenthe spring push
`100 is inserted into the connector housing 204, extends par-
`tially over the connector housing 204 and the terminal surface
`162 is near the latch 208 on the connector housing 204,
`reasons for which will be clear below. As is knowninthe art,
`the latch 208 secures the connector housing 204 into an
`adapter, such asthe adapter 350 illustrated in FIG. 10, to keep
`the fiber optic connector 200 from being inadvertently
`removedfrom the adapter 350.
`[0031] A handle 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6-7, and
`10-12. A majority of the handle 300 lies along an axis A-A. A
`grasping portion 302 is at a first or proximal end 304. The
`handle then has middle portion 306 that is substantially cir-
`cular in cross section and has a expandedportion (or hub) 308
`extending radially outward from the middle portion 306.
`Between the expandedportion (or hub) 308 andthe distal end
`310 is an insert portion 312 that is configured to be inserted
`into the slot 150. As illustrated, the insert portion 312 is
`circular in cross section and matches the configuration of the
`circular portion 154. Whenthe insert portion 312 is inserted
`into the slot 150 (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 & 10-11), the expanded
`portion (or hub) 308 engages the rear surface 156 offirst
`portion 142 of engagement member 140. Thus, an operator
`can push on the handle 300 and the force is translated to the
`engagement member 140 and the fiber optic connector
`throughthe rear surface 156 of first portion 142.
`[0032] Thedistal end 310 ofthe handle 300 extends upward
`(in the figures, but away from the two generally parallel
`
`

`

`US 2016/0238796 Al
`
`Aug. 18, 2016
`
`extensions 110,112 and out of the axis A-A) so that it extends
`beyond the terminal surface 162 of the distal end 160 of
`second portion 146 andrests on the latch 208 when the handle
`300 is disposed withinthe slot 150. The top surface 320 of the
`distal end 310 engagesor touchesthe terminal surface 162 of
`the distal end 160 of second portion 146 while a bottom
`surtace 322 engages or touchesthe latch 208. See FIGS. 6-7
`and 10-12. When an operator wants to removea fiber optic
`connector withthe spring push 100 and handle 300,the opera-
`tor grasps the grasping portion 302 ofthe handle 300 ata first
`or proximal end 304 and pulls rearwardly (to the left in FIG.
`9), and the handle 300 movesslightly rearwardly relative to
`the spring push 100 and engagement number140. Asa result,
`the top surface 320 engages the terminal surface 162 of the
`distal end 160 of second portion 146, which forces the distal
`end 320 of the handle 300 to move downward toward the
`
`spring push 100 and simultaneously on the latch 208. See
`FIG. 12. The movementofthe latch 208 from the distal end
`320 is sufficientto allowthe fiber optic connector 200 to be
`removed from the adapter with the handle 300. Thedistal end
`310 is configured so that it cannot flex enough so that the top
`surface 320 disengages from the terminal surface 162 of the
`second portion 146. Thus, the distal end 310 engages the
`second portion 146 with enough forceto allow the operatorto
`removethe fiber optic connector fromthe adapter.
`[0033] As referenced to above andillustrated in FIGS. 5-6
`& 8-9, one embodimentofa fiber optic connector 200 that can
`be used with the inventive spring push 100 includes the con-
`nector housing 204, a ferrule 210, a spring 212, the spring
`push 100, anda boot 214. A crimp ring 216, disposed between
`the crimp portion 130 and the boot 214 is also illustrated in
`FIGS. 8 and 10 for completeness. Additionalfiber optic con-
`nector elements may also be included but are notillustrated
`herein, such as guide pins, a pin keeper, etc. Thesefiber optic
`connector elements may also have other configuration and
`still come within the scope of the present invention and the
`appended claims. For example, the spring could have a con-
`figuration other than the rectangular shape illustrated herein.
`[0034]
`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.‘husit is intended that the present invention
`cover the modifications and variations ofthis invention pro-
`vided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
`their equivalents.
`Weclaim:
`
`1. A spring pushfor use with a fiber optic connector com-
`prising:
`a main body having a forward facing surface, a rearward
`facing surface, and at least one side portion;
`two generally parallel extensions extending from the for-
`ward facing surface of the main body away from the
`rearward facing surface;
`the twa generally parallel
`extensions configured to engage an elastic memberther-
`ebetween and each of the parallel extensions having a
`projection to engage a connector housing of the fiber
`optic connector;
`acrimp portion extending from the rearward facing surface
`of the main body and away from the forward facing
`surface, the crimp portion having a central opening to
`allow oplical fibers to pass therethrough and between the
`two generally parallel extensions; and
`an engagement memberhavinga first portion and a second
`portion,the first portion extending from theat least one
`
`side portion awayfrom the main body and orthogonal to
`the central opening, the first portion having a slot, and
`the secondportion extending from a distal end ofthefirst
`portion and away fromthe rearward facing surface.
`2. Lhe spring push according to claim 1, wherein the sec-
`ondportion is substantially parallel to the two generallypar-
`allel extensions.
`
`3. The spring push according to claim 1, wherein the slot
`has a rounded opening to receive a portion of a handle.
`4. The spring push accordingto claim 1, further comprising,
`a handle, the handle having an insert portion configured to be
`inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
`5. The spring push according to claim 1, wherein a distal
`end ofthe second portion has a terminal surfacethat faces the
`two generallyparallel extensions.
`6. The spring push according to claim 5, whereinthe ter-
`minal surface engagesa portion of a handle inserted into the
`slot of the engagement member.
`7. The spring push according to claim 1, wherein the slot
`opens froma side other than the side portion on whichthe
`engagement memberis disposed.
`8. The spring push according to claim 1, wherein the
`engagement member and one of the two generally parallel
`extensions form an opening therebetween, the opening con-
`figured for receiving a portion of a connector housing and a
`portion ofa handle that can be inserted into the slot.
`9. The spring, push according to claim 1, whereinat least a
`portion of the engagement memberis flush with the rearward
`facing surface of the main body.
`10. A fiber optic connector comprising:
`a connector housing, the connector housing further com-
`prising a ferrule holder and a spring push, the spring
`push inserted into an opening from a back end of the
`ferrule holder and the connector housing having a latch
`disposed on a side surface;
`a ferrule disposed within the opening of the connector
`housing;
`an engagement member havinga first portion extending
`away from the connector housing,thefirst portion hav-
`ing a slot, and a second portion extending from thefirst
`portion in a direction away fromthe back end of the
`ferrule holder; and
`a handle, the handle having an insert portion configured to
`be inserted into the slot of the engagement member.
`11. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`wherein the handle engagesthe latch.
`12. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`wherein the handle extends between a proximal end and a
`distal end and having a middle portion, the middle portion
`having an expanded portion extending radially outward from
`the middle portion proximally from the insert portion, the
`distal end havinga flat surface to engagethe latch.
`13. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`wherein the handle has a longitudinal axis and the distal end
`of the handle curves away from the longitudinal axis to
`engagethe secondportion ofthe engagement memberand the
`latch.
`
`14. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`wherein pulling the proximal end ofthe handle away from the
`connector housing causesthe distal end of the handle to flex
`after engaging a forward facing surface of the engagement
`member thereby causing the distal end to push on the latch.
`
`

`

`US 2016/0238796 Al
`
`Aug. 18, 2016
`
`15. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`whereinthe slot has a rounded openingto receive the insert
`portion of the handle.
`16. The fiber optic connector according to claim 15,
`whereinthe rounded opening ofthe engagement memberhas
`a first diameter and the expandedportion ofthe handle has a
`second diameter, the first diameter being smaller than the
`second diameter.
`17. The fiber optic connector according to claim 10,
`wherein the engagement memberextends from a portion of
`the spring push.
`
`