DUST CAP FOR FIBER OPTIC ADAPTERS

Abstract

A dust cap adapted to fit within a fiber optic adapter. The dust cap includes a dust cap body having a back adapter end and a front knob end. The dust cap body is shaped such that the back adapter end has a press fit with a fiber optic adapter. An opening accommodates an adapter ferrule and a flange is secured in an adapter by a stabilizer and projection. The dust cap also transmits laser light along a longitudinal axis of the solid mass of the dust cap body from just beyond the back adapter end to just beyond the front knob end.

Claims

1. A dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adapters, comprising: a) an opaque or translucent elongate body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; the elongate body comprising a flange disposed between the first and second ends of the body; a knob portion at the first end extending outward from the flange; an adaptor portion at the second end extending outward from the flange in a direction opposite the knob portion.

2. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having a red color.

3. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having an orange color.

4. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having a yellow color.

5. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having a green color.

6. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having a blue color.

7. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body is made of a material having a violet color.

8. The dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adaptors of claim 1, wherein the elongate body has a cylindrical opening therein extending into the adaptor portion for receiving a fiber optic cable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one side and the front of the dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adapters according to one embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view thereof;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a center section view taken from FIG. 4 thereof; and

[0029] FIG. 9 is a center section view taken from FIG. 6 thereof.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one side and the front of the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0032] FIG. 12 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0033] FIG. 13 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0034] FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view thereof;

[0035] FIG. 15 is a top plan view thereof;

[0036] FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0037] FIG. 17 is a center section view taken from FIG. 13 thereof; and

[0038] FIG. 18 is a center section view taken from FIG. 15 thereof.

[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of one side and the front of the invention according to a third embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 20 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0041] FIG. 21 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0042] FIG. 22 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0043] FIG. 23 is a right side elevation view thereof;

[0044] FIG. 24 is a top plan view thereof;

[0045] FIG. 25 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0046] FIG. 26 is a center section view taken from FIG. 22 thereof; and

[0047] FIG. 27 is a center section view taken from FIG. 24 thereof.

[0048] FIG. 28 is a perspective view of one side and the front of the invention according to a forth embodiment;

[0049] FIG. 29 is a front elevation view thereof;

[0050] FIG. 30 is a back elevation view thereof;

[0051] FIG. 31 is a left side elevation view thereof;

[0052] FIG. 32 is a right side elevation view thereof;

[0053] FIG. 33 is a top plan view thereof;

[0054] FIG. 34 is a bottom plan view thereof;

[0055] FIG. 35 is a center section view taken from FIG. 31 thereof; and

[0056] FIG. 36 is a center section view taken from FIG. 33 thereof.

[0057] FIG. 37 is a dimensioned top plan view like FIG. 6.

[0058] FIG. 38 is a dimensioned front elevation view like FIG. 2.

[0059] FIG. 39 is a dimensioned back elevation view like FIG. 3.

[0060] FIG. 40 is a dimensioned left side elevation view like FIG. 4.

[0061] FIG. 41 is a dimensioned right side elevation view like FIG. 5.

[0062] FIG. 42 is a dimensioned center section view taken from FIG. 37.

[0063] FIG. 43 is a dimensioned center section view taken from FIG. 40.

[0064] While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described but rather to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] A. Overview

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43 a dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adapters generally comprises the elongate dust and port identification cap body 50, the solid mass 60 extends along the central axis of a dust and port identification cap body 50 from the front end of the opening 66 through the front knob 52. The flange 56 has the flange projection 58 and the flange stabilizer 62 that connects the adapter end 54 with the front knob 52 and serves to orient a dust and port identification cap body 50 in the fiber optic adapter. The notch 64 further serves to orient dust and port identification cap body 50 in an adapter and snap fits with a pair of the fiber optic adapter dust cap connectors.

[0067] A dust and port identification cap body 50 can be made of any type of material or in at least one embodiment thermoplastic elastomer or thermoplastic material. Such polymers are easily injection molded. Suitable plastic polymers can comprise, for example, polyethylene (low-density, high density, or low linear), polypropylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, or any of a variety of combinations.

[0068] In various embodiments, a dust and port identification cap body 50 can be made of varying colors, densities, translucent material, opaque material and various combinations of translucent and opaque material combined together, according to the desired application, and to enhance the brilliance of the visible laser light coming through a dust and port identification cap body 50. Accordingly a dust and port identification cap body 50 can be molded of opaque material and or translucent material, in particular in at least one embodiment translucent material of the primary and tertiary spectral colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet also known as monochromatic light colors of the following wavelength and frequency.

TABLE-US-00001 color wavelength frequency red 620 750 nm 400-484 THz orange 590-620 nm 484-508 THz yellow 570-590 nm 508-526 THz green 495-570 nm 526-606 THz blue 450-495 nm 606-668 THz violet 380-450 nm 668-789 THz

[0069] The spectral colors actually comprise a spectrum of continuous color with no clear boundaries between one color and the next, between the wavelengths 380 and 750 nm and frequencies of 668 and 484 THz and can be used to form part of or a whole dust and port identification cap body 50.

[0070] In telecommunications and other technology fields there are of course lasers with wavelengths in the infrared, masers that emit coherent microwaves and even x-ray lasers. In another embodiment a dust and port identification cap body 50 can be made of a material that makes these lasers visible as their light passes through a dust and port identification cap body 50.

[0071] B. Front Knob

[0072] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43. A front knob 52 is preferably comprised of a cylindrical solid shaft measuring about 5 mm wide by about 6.84 mm long that has an outwardly flared back end that inter connects with the front side of flange 56 and an outwardly flared front end that inter connects with a back side of a hemisphere like solid measuring about 4 mm radius or about 7.78 mm in diameter by about 4 mm in depth. The purpose of a front knob 52 is to serve as a means for a technician to grip a dust and port identification cap body 50 and insert it into a fiber optic adapter. A solid mass 60 comprises a part of front knob 52.

[0073] C. Adapter End

[0074] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43. An adapter end 54 is preferably comprised of at least solid mass 60, notch 64 and opening 66. An adapter end 54 is inter connected to the back side of flange 56 and is capable of being fully inserted into a fiber optic adapter. The purpose of an adapter end 54 is to act as a preventative to dust contamination in a fiber optic system and serve as a laser light entering end and conduit transmitting laser light through the rest of a dust and port identification cap body 50.

[0075] D. Flange

[0076] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43. A flange 56 is preferably comprised of a rectangular solid measuring about 9 mm wide by about 12 mm long by about 1.5 mm in depth. A solid mass 60 comprises the central part of flange 56. The purpose of a flange 56 is to inter connect the back end of front knob 52 with the front end of adapter end 54 and the front end of flange projection 58. A flange 56 serves to close off the front end of a fiber optic adapter when it is inserted into a fiber optic adapter.

[0077] E. Flange Projection

[0078] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1, FIG. 3 through FIG. 6, FIG. 9, FIG. 19, FIG. 21 through FIG. 24, FIG. 27, FIG. 37 and FIG. 39 through FIG. 42. A flange projection 58 is preferably comprised of a rectangular solid measuring about 1.9 mm wide by about 7.45 mm long by about 1.2 mm in depth. Flange projection 58 inter connects with the top of adapter end 54 at the bottom of flange projection 58 and inter connects with flange 56 at its front end. Flange projection 58 has about a 0.95 mm radius at its back end. The purpose of a flange projection 58 is to serve as an alignment and stabilizing means to engage a slot located on the top of a fiber optic adapter. A flange projection 58 may or may not be present in the composition of a dust and port identification cap body 50. As is shown as an example in FIG. 10 through FIG. 18.

[0079] F. Solid Mass

[0080] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43. A solid mass 60 extends along the central axis of a dust and port identification cap body 50 from the front end of the opening 66 through the front knob 52 and is preferably comprised of a solid core of material measuring by about 5 mm wide by about 5 mm long by about 16 mm in depth from the front end of front knob 52 to the front end of opening 66. The purpose of a solid mass 60 is to provide a core of material to maximize the transmission of laser light from the opening 66 through and from the front knob 52.

[0081] G. Flange Stabilizer

[0082] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1 through FIG. 43. A flange stabilizer 62 is preferably comprised of a rectangular solid measuring about 0.75 mm wide by about 12.10 mm long by about 1.30 mm in depth. At least two or more flange stabilizers 62 are present in a dust and port identification cap body 50. Flange stabilizers 62 are located in any position on the left and right sides of adapter end 54 not obstructing notch 64 and project from those sides. In the flange stabilizer 62 embodiment shown in FIG. 28 through FIG. 36 the length of the rectangular solid can be about 2 mm or less. Material is removed in this embodiment for efficiency in manufacturing. The purpose of a flange stabilizer 62 is to correctly align and fix a dust and port identification cap body 50 when it is inserted into a fiber optic adapter.

[0083] H. Notch

[0084] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 17, FIG. 19, FIG. 22, FIG. 23, FIG. 26, FIG. 28, FIG. 31, FIG. 32, FIG. 35, FIG. 40, FIG. 41 and FIG. 43. A notch 64 is preferably comprised of an open void measuring about 1.6 mm wide by about 4 mm long by about 0.38 mm in depth and is contained within an adapter end 54 of a dust and port identification cap body 50. Notch 64 is further comprised of about ninety degree angles and is located in a vertical fashion about 5.55 mm from the back of flange 56 and about 4.95 mm from the back of adapter end 54. The purpose of a pair of notches 64 is to snap fit connect a dust and port identification cap body 50 with a pair of fiber optic adapter dust cap connectors positioned within a fiber optic adaptor.

[0085] I. Opening

[0086] Referring, in particular, to FIG. 3, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 12, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 21, FIG. 26, FIG. 27, FIG. 30, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 39, FIG. 42 and FIG. 43. An opening 66 is preferably comprised of a cylindrical void measuring about 5 mm in diameter by about 8.5 mm in length and is contained within an adapter end 54 of a dust and port identification cap body 50 who's purpose is to fit over a fiber optic adapter ferrule contained within a fiber optic adaptor.

[0087] In one embodiment an opening 66 is provided that accommodates an air gap of about at least 3 mm from the end of the fiber optic adapter ferrule and the front end of opening 66 no matter what the over all length of the opening 66 is.

[0088] The dimensions, preferably described above for components A through J, could vary within a range as much as twenty percent plus or minus in other embodiments.

[0089] J. In Use

[0090] A technician wishing to identify a particular length of fiber optic cable or particular optical fiber port along a run of fiber where a dust and port identification cap for fiber optic adapters is installed uses a VFL to emit a bright beam of laser light into the terminus of the first cable. By operation of the interconnectivity of the first cable with connected cables throughout any number of multiple crossings, light is transmitted throughout the first cable and any subsequently connected cable. The transmitted light is reflected out of the cable attached to the optical fiber adapter with a dust and port identification cap body 50 installed and diffused through the air gap created by opening 66. The diffused light is received by adapter end 54 and transmits through solid mass 60 illuminating dust and port identification cap body 50 inclusive of flange 56 and front knob 52 in a safe, yet piercingly bright manner. The two technicians can then clearly and appropriately identify which fiber optic cables are connected to which other cables, and at which ports, without removing individual dust caps.

[0091] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the invention may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the invention may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the invention can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

[0092] While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.