Keyed fibre optic connector

Abstract

A keyed connector system for providing selective interconnection between a receptacle socket and a connector plug terminating an optic fibre, the connector plug adapted for insertion into the receptacle socket. The keying system comprises a raised boss configured to one of a plurality of predefined boss keying geometries and a cavity configured to one of a plurality of predefined cavity keying geometries. The boss is either in one of the receptacle socket or on a forward end of the connector plug and the cavity is formed in the other of the receptacle socket or the forward end of the connector plug. At least one of the predefined boss keying geometries matches at least one of the predefined cavity keying geometries. When the boss keying geometry matches the cavity keying geometry, the boss can be inserted into the cavity thereby interconnecting the connector plug with the receptacle socket.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 779,335 entitled “Back-To-Back Receptacle” filed on Jul. 18, 2007, which is a divisional of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 945,935 entitled “Keyed Fibre Optic Connector,” filed on Sep. 22, 2004 and now U.S. Pat. No. 7,258,493, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 504,189, entitled “Keyed Fibre Optic Connector,” filed on Sep. 22, 2003, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of Invention[0003]The present invention relates to a keyed fibre optic connector. In particular, the present invention relates to an interlocking connector and receptacle pair for fibre optic cables with a geometric keying system moulded into the interface thereby preventing connectors with a first key from being in...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent text describes a keying system for connecting optic fibre cables to connectors. The system includes a receptacle with a raised boss and a cavity in the connector plug that can be interconnected with a cavity in the receptacle socket. The keying system uses predefined boss and cavity geometries that match when the boss is inserted into the cavity, allowing for easy connection between the cables. The system also includes a connector plug with a cavity and a receptacle socket with a raised boss, which can be interconnected to bring the cables into axial alignment. The technical effect of the system is to provide a reliable and efficient way to connect optic fibre cables to connectors."

Problems solved by technology

One drawback of these prior art designs is that that the tab, being typically moulded into the plastic connector plug housing, can be easily removed by filing or using a sharp blade or the like.

Another drawback is that such prior art designs only allow two types of connector plugs to be differentiated between: connector plugs with a tab and connector plugs without a tab.

These systems, however, are generally impractical in many fibre optic systems given the relatively small size of the connector plug and the receptacle socket.

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