Device for providing enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity

Abstract

A device for providing enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity. The device may include a cassette portion, a plurality of connector portions that may be configured to extend from an end wall portion of the cassette portion, and an unlatching portion configured to be coupled with a side wall portion of the cassette portion and to move relative to the cassette portion between a stowed position and a deployed position. Each of the plurality of connector portions may include a latching portion that may be configured to couple the plurality of connector portions with a plurality of port portions. In the deployed position, the unlatching portion may be configured to engage each of the plurality of connector portions such that a force applied to the unlatching portion is applied to the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions to concurrently unlatch each of the plurality of connector portions from the plurality of port portions so as to provide enhanced dis-connectivity of the fiber optic cassette from the plurality of port portions during operation.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED FIBER OPTIC CASSETTE, CONNECTOR,AND / OR ADAPTER CONNECTIVITYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 740,575, filed December 31, 2024, currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a device for providing enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity, and, more particularly, to a fiber optic device configured to concurrently disconnect a plurality of connector portions from an adapter to enhance cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity.BACKGROUND

[0003] Over time, distributed networks have expanded and evolved to provide greater capabilities and performance. The use of wired signal pathways has become more prolific in modem distributed networks, particularly fiber optic cabling that provides relatively high signal transmission speed and low latency. However, the installation and use of wired aspects of a distributed networks may have physical challenges, such as areal density and space manual selection.

[0004] With a continued goal of increasing the capabilities of distributed networks, providing structures that allow greater areal density of wired cables is a focal point.

[0005] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide a fiber optic cassette configured with an unlatching portion configured to concurrently disconnect a plurality of connector portions from an adapter to enhance disconnection of the cassette from the adapter.SUMMARY

[0006] In accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, a device may provide enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity with a housing portion, a plurality of connector portions, and an unlatching portion. The housing portion may define an inner cavity for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables. The plurality of connector portions may extend from an end wall portion of the housing portion with each of the plurality of connector portions terminating a fiber optic cable. The unlatching portion may couple with a side wall portion of the housing portion and move relative to the housing portion between a stowed position and a deployed position. Each of the plurality of connector portions may have a latching portion that may couple the plurality of connector portions with a plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter. The unlatching portion may have a locating portion and an urging portion. The side wall portion of the housing portion may have a receiving portion that may receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is selectively configured to move relative to the housing portion and allow the unlatching portion to move between the stowed position, where the unlatching portion may prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions from being actuated and prevent each of the plurality of connector portions from being inadvertently disconnected from the plurality of port portions, and the deployed position, where the unlatching portion may engage each of the plurality of connector portions so as to apply a force toward the urging portion and the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions so to provide enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity by selectively allowing each of the plurality of connector portions to be concurrently unlatched from the plurality of port portions. The enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity may have selective disconnection of the fiber optic cassette from the fiber optic adapter during operation.

[0007] In other aspects of the disclosure, a device may provide enhanced fiber optic connectivity with a selective unlatching portion and a plurality of connector cassette portions. The selective unlatching portion may be configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position. The plurality of connector cassette portions that each may have a latching portion that may be configured to be coupled to an associated port portion of a plurality of port portions. When the selective unlatching portion is in the stowed position, the selective unlatching portion may prevent each of the plurality of connector cassette portions from being concurrentlyunlatched from each associated port portion of the plurality of port portions during operation. When the selective unlatching portion is in the deployed position, the selective unlatching portion may provide enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity by allowing each of the plurality of connector cassette portions to be concurrently unlatched from each associated port portion of the plurality of port portions so as to enhance dis-connectivity of a fiber optic cassette from the plurality of port portions during operation.

[0008] A device may provide enhanced fiber optic connectivity, in some aspects of the disclosure, with a first connector cassette portion configured to be latched to a first port portion and a second connector cassette portion configured to be latched to a second port portion. The selective concurrent unlatching portion may move between a stowed position, where the first connector cassette portion may be latched to the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion may be latched to the second port portion and a deployed position. When the selective concurrent unlatching portion is in the deployed position, the selective concurrent unlatching portion may provide enhanced fiber optic connectivity by concurrently allowing both the first connector cassette portion to be unlatched from the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion to be unlatched from the second port portion so as to enhance dis-connectivity of a fiber optic cassette from the first port portion and the second port portion.

[0009] Other aspects of the locating portion may be configured to slide and pivot relative to the side wall portion. The locating portion, in some aspects, may be configured as a curved groove in the side wall portion. Aspects of the locating portion may be configured to extend through the side wall portion. The locating portion may have a first end corresponding with the deployed position and a second end corresponding with the stowed position.

[0010] In some aspects, the housing portion may define an inner cavity for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables.

[0011] Each of the plurality of connector portions may terminate a fiber optic cable, in other aspects.

[0012] Aspects of the latching portion may couple the plurality of connector portions with the plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter.

[0013] In the stowed position, in accordance with some aspects, the unlatching portion may prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions from being actuated so as to prevent each of the plurality of connector portions from being disconnected from the plurality of port portions.

[0014] The cassette portion, in other aspects, may have a housing portion that may define an inner cavity for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables.

[0015] Aspects of each of the plurality of connector portions may terminate a fiber optic cable.

[0016] In other aspects, the latching portion may couple the plurality of connector portions with the plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter.

[0017] The unlatching portion, in some aspects, may have a locating portion and an urging portion.

[0018] In aspects of the disclosure, the side wall portion of the cassette portion may have a receiving portion that may receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is permitted to move relative to the cassette portion so as to move the unlatching portion between the stowed position and the deployed position.

[0019] In the stowed position, aspects of the unlatching portion may prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions from being actuated so as to prevent each of the plurality of connector portions from being disconnected from the plurality of port portions.

[0020] In the deployed position, aspects of the unlatching portion may engage each of the plurality of connector portions such that a force applied to the urging portion is applied to the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions.

[0021] Some aspects of the unlatching portion may have a locating portion that may slide and pivot relative to the side wall portion. The locating portion may be a curved groove in the side wall portion, in other aspects.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, to which reference is made.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a line representation of aspects of a distributed network environment in which assorted embodiments can be practiced.

[0024] FIG. 2 displays a line representation of portions of a wired interconnection that may be part of the environment of FIG. 1 in various embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of a wired cable interconnection arranged in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a side view of a network component structurally configured in accordance with assorted embodiments of this disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 5 conveys a perspective view of aspects of a network component arranged in accordance with various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of portions of a network component structurally configured in accordance with some embodiments of this disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to a cable interconnect cassette configured for use in a distributed network with an unlatching portion structurally configured to disconnect multiple cassette connectors concurrently to provide for efficient disconnection of the cable interconnect cassette.

[0030] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0031] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0032] As distributed networks continue to evolve to provide greater capabilities and performance, network components have become limitations to further advancement. For instance, the physical articulation, installation, and selection of a cable connector may correspond with space that could, otherwise, be employed to position additional connectors. Accordingly, various embodiments are directed to increased cable connector selection efficiency for a network component that allows for greater connector density and enhanced network component capabilities and performance.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates a line representation of aspects of a distributed network 100 in which various embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced. The distributed network 100 may have any number, and type, of signal sources 110connected to any number, and type, of signal destinations 120 via one or more signal pathways 130. It is contemplated that the distributed network 100 employs any number, and type, of signal pathway 130 to supply one-way or two-way signal transmission between the respective sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0034] The distributed network 100 is not limited to a particular configuration of signal pathways 130 and may utilize wireless signal pathways 132 independently, or concurrently, with wired signal pathways 134. A wired signal pathway 134 is not limited to a particular type, size, or signal carrying speed, but may be arranged to transfer signals with fiber optic aspects packaged in an environmentally protected jacket. In contrast to the wireless signal pathway 132, which converts signals into a form that may be distributed without physical aspects of wired signal pathway 134, transmitting data via a wired cable may provide greater performance and / or capabilities, such as signal integrity, reliability, speed, and cost.

[0035] While wired signal pathways 134 may provide some operational advantages over wireless signal pathways 132, the presence of a physical cable to house, guide, and protect signal carrying aspects may present challenges during installation. For instance, a wired cable may not be long enough, or physically compatible with, some installation sites, such as multi-residence complexes, that present small, tight, hidden, or otherwise hard to reach locations for distribution of numerous wired pathways 134. In some embodiments, an installation site may accommodate an interconnect 140 that connects separate wired cables 142 to allow signal transmission between sources 110 and destinations 120.

[0036] The incorporation of an interconnect 140, such as a server, switch, cassette, or splitter, into the distributed network environment 100 allows multiple cables 142 to form stable signal pathways 134. The use of an interconnect 140 may further provide an ability to employ different wired cables to customize the physical delivery, and electrical capabilities, provided to a destination 120. However, employing separate cables 142 to form a signal pathway 134 may involve additional physical connections that may present installation steps that occupy time and introduce susceptibility to applications of force.

[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a line representation of a wired interconnect 200 that may be employed in the distributed network 100. The wired interconnect 200 may physically and electrically join any number, and type, of signal carrying cables 210 to facilitate the formation of stable signal pathways. The interconnect 200 may have a unitary housing 210 that provides a number of front ports 212 and a rear port 214 that are each structurally configured to receive, engage, and support cable connectors 220 to allow signal carrying aspects, such as copper conductors and / or fiber optic cores, to enter the housing 210 and operationally join to another cable.

[0038] For instance, the interconnect housing 230 may allow a number of input cables 222 to be joined to a number of output cables 224 that occupy one or more housing ports 212 / 214. The non-limiting instance shown in FIG. 2 conveys how a single, multi-fiber input cable 222 may be distributed to a number of separate output cables 224 that exit the housing 230 from the front portion, rear portion, or both. It is noted that some embodiments of the interconnect housing 230 utilize multiple separate input cables 222 that operationally join with an equal, or less, number of output cables 224. The ability to selectively utilize the assorted ports 212 / 214 of the interconnect housing 210 to receive, or distribute, any number of input 222 and output 224 cables with common, or dissimilar, connectors, such as standard connector (SC), Lucent connector (LC), single pair ethernet (SPE), ferrule connector (FC), straight tip (ST), or multi-fiber push-on (MPO) connectors in single, duplex, or quad arrangements, allows for a diverse variety of interconnections facilitated by the housing 230.

[0039] While the interconnect housing 230 may simply be arranged with an open inner cavity where separate signal carrying aspects are operationally joined, various embodiments secure one or more transition portions within the housing 210, which may, or may not, be enclosed with a cover or door. A transition portion may include an adapter 232, splice 234, or mating connectors 236 that create a stable signal pathway from previously separate signal carrying cables. It is contemplated that the interconnect housing 230 has a connection density corresponding with how many separate cables 222 / 224, and stable signal pathways, that may be facilitated by the transition portion of the inner cavity.

[0040] In some embodiments of the interconnect housing 230, a limiting factor to the possible connection density is the physical size of respective cable connectors 220. That is, providing sufficient physical space for installation, removal, and manual selection of connector 220 may inhibit the ability of the interconnect housing 210 from handling greater volumes of connectors 220. Hence, various embodiments are directed to an interconnect housing 230 that is structurally configured to reduce the space afforded to the respective connectors 220, which may be characterized as areal connector density, while allowing efficient and accurate selection of one or more connectors 220.

[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view line representation of aspects of a wired interconnect 300 arranged in accordance with various embodiments to provide greater areal density. The interconnect 300 has a housing, such as a housing portion 310, that may define a cavity occupied by one or more signal carrying transitions, such as adapters, splices, and mating connectors. The housing 310 may have any number of ports that allow for any number, and type, of signal carrying cable to be provided for operational union. It is contemplated that the assorted housing ports may be configured as male, or female, to receive a connector portion 320, or present a connector portion 320, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0042] The connector portion 320 may have a ferrule portion 322 that is physically supported and presented by a body portion 324 that continuously extends from the housing 310. Each connector portion 320 may be selected via physical articulation of an unlatching portion 330. That is, movement of a coupling portion 326 may allow the connector body portion 324 to physically engage, or disengage, an external port, such as a server, switch, or other network component. By positioning a number of connector portions 320 in the interconnect housing 310, the interconnect 300 may concurrently engage and connect to a plurality of external ports. However, selection of a single coupling portion 326 from the multitude of separate connectors 320 may be challenging, particularly with a relatively high areal connector density for the housing 310.

[0043] Accordingly, the wired interconnect 300 is structurally configured with an unlatching portion 330 that may be selected to move between an unlatching position and an stored position to physically engage one or more coupling portions 326 ofvarious connector portions 320. As shown by the unlatching position conveyed by solid lines in FIG. 3, the unlatching portion 330 may extend above a top plane 312 of the housing 310 to physically contact a portion of a coupling portion 326 with an actuating portion 332. The position of an actuating portion 332 in the unlatching position may allow for efficient manual articulation of one or more coupling portions 326 presented by the housing 310 by applying force upon a manual region 334 of the actuating portion 332. That is, the actuating portion 332 may extend from a housing recessed portion 336 to a position that allows manual force to efficiently articulate, and select, at least one connector portion 320 for engagement, or disengagement, with external ports of a network component.

[0044] The size, shape, and position of the housing recessed portion 336 further allows for efficient manipulation of the position of the actuating portion 332 between the unlatching position and the stored position, as illustrated by segmented lines. In accordance with various embodiments, the housing recessed portion 336 is arranged to provide locations where the actuating portion 332 may be physically stable for storage, in the stored position, or for manual articulation of connector coupling portions 326. With the stored position, as defined by the structural configuration of the housing recessed portion 336 and the actuating portion 332, the actuating portion 332 may reside wholly below the housing top plane 312, below the coupling portion 326, which mitigates risk of inadvertent selection of a coupling portion 326 or an increase in the effective size of the wired interconnect along the vertical plane (X-Y plane).

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view line representation of aspects of a wired interconnect 400 arranged in accordance with assorted embodiments to provide increased connector portion 320 density and enhanced selection efficiency. The stored position of the actuating portion 332 below the housing top plane 312 and connector coupling portions 326 presents a relatively small physical size for the wired interconnect 400 that is conducive to high density port arrangements of external network components, which may increase the capacity and / or performance of a distributed network employing the wired interconnect 400.

[0046] Various embodiments of the interconnect housing 310 provide secondary access to the inner cavity of the housing 310 from a rear region, as shown in FIG. 4. An interconnect housing 310 may have any number of connector access regions tofacilitate the engagement of any number, and type, of connector portion 320 in a front region and an access portion 410 in a rear region. The access portion 410 may be filled by a sub-assembly portion 412 that allows for engagement with a connector portion or a cap portion 414. The ability to interchange the cap portion 414 with a cable connector, such as connector portion 320, allows for a diverse variety of cable ingress and egress that may be conducive to different external network component arrangements.

[0047] It is noted that the stored position of the actuating portion 332 in FIG. 4 conveys how the housing recessed portion 336 may be structurally configured to provide multiple positions for the actuating portion 332 to be physically stable over time. While effective to increase the accuracy of selecting a single coupling portion 326, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and effective for unobstructive storage over time, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the structural configuration of the actuating portion 332 and housing recessed portion 336 may be particularly efficient in the articulation of numerous coupling portions 326 of separate connector portions 320 presented by a single housing 310.

[0048] FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively convey perspective views of aspects of a wired interconnect 500 that may be employed in a distributed network in accordance with various embodiments. In FIG. 5, the interconnect housing 310 is arranged to define an inner cavity portion 510 where assorted signal carrying transitions may be located to join separate cables and form one or more stable signal carrying pathways. The inner cavity portion 510, in some embodiments, is occupied by one or more transition portions, such as adapters, splice trays, or mating connectors.

[0049] The non-limiting embodiment shown in FIG. 5 illustrates how the inner cavity 510 has a hub portion 512 that allows signal carrying portions of assorted cables to form a curvilinear shape within the cavity 510 without concern for physical stresses degrading the capabilities or performance of the assorted signal carrying aspects. The hub portion 512 may have any number of retention portions 514 that are structurally configured with a size and shape to aid in the physical stability of signal carrying aspects within the inner cavity portion 510. With the non-limiting cantilevered protrusions that make up the retention portions 514 in FIG. 5, signal carrying aspectsmay freely move, adjust, and relocate within the inner cavity portion 510 without concern for inadvertent removal from the interconnect housing 310.

[0050] While the use of the retention portion 514 may be effective at physically restraining movement of signal carrying aspects joined in the inner cavity portion 510, a cover 520 may also be employed. It is noted that a unitary cover 520, as shown in FIG. 6, may be utilized alone, or in conjunction with one or more retention portions 514. The ability to partially, or completely enclose the inner cavity portion 510 may allow for varying degrees of physical, and environmental, protections for the assorted aspects contained by the interconnect housing 310. Returning to FIG. 5 without a cavity cover 520, a secondary entry portion 516 to the inner cavity portion 510 is illustrated, which provides selective access and may be structurally configured with a sub-assembly portion 412 to provide terminated cable access.

[0051] In a configuration similar to that displayed in the side view profile of FIG. 4, the actuating portion 332 in FIG. 5 is in an stored position corresponding with a location even with, or below, the top plane 312 of the interconnect housing 310. However, the perspective view of FIG. 5 conveys how the actuating portion 332 may continuously extend across an entire width, along the X axis, of the interconnect housing 310 between housing recessed portions 336. It is contemplated that the respective housing recessed portions 336 have matching structural configurations, but such arrangement is not required or limiting as differently configured recess shapes, sizes, and / or positions may be employed to provide different actuating portion 332 movement, engagement with the assorted connector coupling portions 326, and amount of manual force needed to select one or more connector portions 320 for insertion, or removal, with respect to an external network component.

[0052] The unlatching position of the actuating portion 332 illustrated in FIG. 6 most clearly conveys how engagement portions 338 may contour the latch bar portion 332 to promote efficient, and accurate, selection of the connector portions 320 in response to the application of manual force. For instance, the actuating portion 332 may be structurally configured with recesses that are sized to partially surround the respective coupling portions 326 of the connector portions 320 to aid is the transfer of force from the actuating portion 332 to the coupling portions 326 with minimal slippage,improper vectors, or vibration that could jeopardize the selection of one or more connector portions 320.

[0053] Through the structural configuration of the interconnect housing 310 to present the latch bar portion 332 for efficient concurrent selection of multiple connector portions 320, a single application of manual force on the actuating portion 332 may depress the respective coupling portions 326 and allow the entirety of the wired interconnect 300 / 400 / 500 to be installed, or removed, from an external network component without manual contact and articulation of individual coupling portions 326, which allows for greater connector portion 320 density. The ability to selectively move the actuating portion 332 between an unlatching position and a stored position relative to the housing 310 and connector coupling portions 326 prevents inadvertent selection of one or more connector portions 320 while minimizing the size of the wired interconnect along the Y axis.

[0054] It is noted that the actuating portion 332, in some embodiments, may be located beneath the coupling portions 326 of the connector portions 320, in the stored position, to prevent the articulation of the coupling portions 326 and the selection of a connector portion 320. In some embodiments, the actuating portion 332 may move between the unlatched position and the latching position automatically in response to manual selection of a button, lever, tab, cover, latch, which may be aided by one or more mechanical aspects, such as springs, pistons, or weights.

[0055] Various embodiments may be directed to a pre-terminated cassette that contains a fiber optic assembly routed to be enclosed inside its case. A cassette may be sealed by overmolding a top with LC connectors found at the front of the cassette, in order to disconnect the connectors from an LC adapter all at once in a quick and efficient manner, an unlatching mechanism may be implemented into the assembly. Embodiments may increase the amount of connections per tray, such as in DCX patch panels and fiber optics housings.

[0056] In that context, it may be important to come up with concepts that are narrow enough to accommodate the desired amount of connections in one tray, which may lead to a concept with the LC connectors protruding from the cassette. Hence, an unlatching mechanism may be employed that disconnects all connectors at once.Some embodiments may configure a cassette with a single routing wheel meant to receive loops of fiber optics assemblies that will be terminated with LC connectors. The connectors' housing may be placed outside of the pre-terminated cassette in order to be inserted directly into an adapter that is now detached from the overall assembly. The unlatching mechanism, once finished, may have a single feature (button or lever) allowing to disconnect all LC connectors at once.

[0057] Embodiments may be characterized as a DCX preterm cassette, which may employ LC connectors enclosed inside its housing and has LC adapters that may receive external fiber optic patch cords. The LC adapters may be excluded from the cassette, which may provide an efficient way to unlatch a fiber optics assembly.

[0058] In accordance with some embodiments, a fiber optic cassette, such as interconnect 500, may enhance disconnection of a plurality of connectors, such as connection portion 320, from an adapter, such as adapter 232. A housing portion, such as housing portion 310, may define an inner cavity, such as cavity portion 510, for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables, such as cables 210. A plurality of connector portions, such as connector portion 320, may extend from an end wall portion of the housing portion, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, with each of the plurality of connector portions terminating a fiber optic cable, such as connectors 220.

[0059] An unlatching portion, such as unlatching portion 330, that may couple with a side wall portion of the housing portion and may move relative to the housing portion between a stowed position and a deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the plurality of connector portions may have a latching portion, such as coupling portion 326, that may couple the plurality of connector portions with a plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The unlatching portion may have a locating portion, such as actuating portion 332, and an urging portion, such as manual region 334.

[0060] Embodiments the side wall portion of the housing portion may have a receiving portion, such as receiving portion 336, that may receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is permitted to move relative to the housing portion so as to move the unlatching portion between the stowed position and the deployed position, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0061] In the stowed position, embodiments of the unlatching portion may prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions from being actuated so as to prevent each of the plurality of connector portions from being disconnected from the plurality of port portions, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the deployed position, embodiments of the unlatching portion may engage each of the plurality of connector portions such that a force applied to the urging portion is applied to the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions to concurrently unlatch each of the plurality of connector portions from the plurality of port portions so as to enhance disconnection of the fiber optic cassette from the fiber optic adapter, as shown in FIG.3.

[0062] Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

[0063] Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for providing enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity comprising:a housing portion configured to define a cavity for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables;a plurality of connector portions configured to extend from an end wall portion of the housing portion, wherein each of the plurality of connector portions is configured to terminate a fiber optic cable;an unlatching portion configured to couple with a side wall portion of the housing portion and to move relative to the housing portion between a stowed position and a deployed position;wherein each of the plurality of connector portions includes a latching portion that is configured to couple the plurality of connector portions with a plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter;wherein the unlatching portion is configured to include a locating portion and an urging portion;wherein the side wall portion of the housing portion includes a receiving portion configured to receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is selectively configured to move relative to the housing portion and allow the unlatching portion to move between the stowed position, where the unlatching portion is configured to prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions from being actuated and prevent each of the plurality of connector portions from being inadvertently disconnected from the plurality of port portions, and the deployed position, where the unlatching portion is configured to engage each of the plurality of connector portions so as to apply a force toward the urging portion and the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector portions so to provide enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity by selectively allowing each of the plurality of connector portions to be concurrently unlatched from the plurality of port portions; andwherein the enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity comprises selective disconnection of the fiber optic cassette from the fiber optic adapter during operation.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the locating portion is configured to slide and pivot relative to the side wall portion.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locating portion is configured as a curved groove in the side wall portion.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the locating portion is configured to extend through the side wall portion.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the locating portion comprises a first end corresponding with the deployed position and a second end corresponding with the stowed position.

6. A device for providing enhanced fiber optic connectivity comprising:a selective unlatching portion configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position;a plurality of connector cassette portions that each include a latching portion that is configured to be coupled to an associated port portion of a plurality of port portions;wherein when the selective unlatching portion is in the stowed position, the selective unlatching portion is configured to prevent each of the plurality of connector cassette portions from being concurrently unlatched from each associated port portion of the plurality of port portions during operation; and wherein when the selective unlatching portion is in the deployed position, the selective unlatching portion is configured to provide enhanced fiber optic cassette, connector, and / or adapter connectivity by allowing each of the plurality of connector cassette portions to be concurrently unlatched from each associated port portion of the plurality of port portions so as to enhance dis- connectivity of a fiber optic cassette from the plurality of port portions during operation.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the selective unlatching portion is configured to couple with a side wall portion of a housing portion.

8. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the selective unlatching portion is configured to move relative to the housing portion.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein the side wall portion of the housing portion includes a receiving portion configured to receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is permitted to move relative to the housing portion so as to move the unlatching portion between the stowed position and the deployed position.

10. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the selective unlatching portion is configured to include a locating portion and an urging portion.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the selective unlatching portion, in the deployed position, is configured to engage each of the plurality of connector cassette portions such that a force applied to the urging portion is applied to the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector cassette portions.

12. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the housing portion is configured to define a cavity for receiving a plurality of fiber optic cables.

13. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the latching portion is configured to couple the plurality of connector cassette portions with the plurality of port portions of a fiber optic adapter.

14. The device of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein, in the stowed position, the selective unlatching portion is configured to prevent the latching portion of each of the plurality of connector cassette portions from being actuated so as to prevent each of the plurality of connector cassette portions from being disconnected from the plurality of port portions.

15. A device for providing enhanced fiber optic connectivity comprising:a first connector cassette portion configured to be latched to a first port portion;a second connector cassette portion configured to be latched to a second port portion;a selective concurrent unlatching portion configured to move between a stowed position, where the first connector cassette portion is latched to the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion is latched to the second port portion and a deployed position; andwherein when the selective concurrent unlatching portion is in the deployed position, the selective concurrent unlatching portion is configured to provide enhanced fiber optic connectivity by concurrently allowing both the first connector cassette portion to be unlatched from the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion to be unlatched from the second port portion so as to enhance dis-connectivity of a fiber optic cassette from the first port portion and the second port portion.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the selective concurrent unlatching portion is configured to couple with a side wall portion of a cassette portion.

17. The device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the selective concurrent unlatching portion is configured to move relative to the cassette portion.

18. The device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion each include a latching portion that is configured to couple the first connector cassette portion to the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion to the second port portion.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the selective concurrent unlatching portion, in the deployed position, is configured to engage the first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion such that a force applied to the selective concurrent unlatching portion is applied to the latching portion ofthe first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion to concurrently unlatch the first connector cassette portion from the first port portion and the second connector cassette portion from the second port portion.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein the unlatching portion comprises a locating portion configured to slide and pivot relative to the side wall portion.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the locating portion is configured as a curved groove in the side wall portion.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the side wall portion of the cassette portion includes a receiving portion configured to receive the locating portion such that the locating portion is permitted to move relative to the cassette portion so as to move the selective concurrent unlatching portion between the stowed position and the deployed position.

23. The device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein, in the stowed position, the selective concurrent unlatching portion is configured to prevent the latching portion of the first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion from being actuated so as to prevent disconnection from the first port portion and the second port portion.

24. The device of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein, in the deployed position, the selective concurrent unlatching portion is configured to engage each of the first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion such that a force applied to the urging portion is applied to the latching portion of each of the first connector cassette portion and the second connector cassette portion.

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