Optical plug having a removable and replaceable nosepiece and a complimentary receptacle

Abstract

Disclosed are optical plugs and optical connectors for making optical connections. The optical plugs and optical connectors disclosed have a nosepiece that is easily removed and replaced for allowing access to the optical interface for cleaning and the nosepiece may also protect the optical interface when installed. The nosepiece may be a single component or an assembly as desired. The devices disclosed may be hybrid devices providing both optical and electrical connectivity or they may solely have optical connectivity if desired.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An optical plug connector, comprising:
 an optical portion having an inner body and an optical body having an optical interface, the inner body having a passageway for receiving the optical body; and   a nosepiece that fits about part of the optical portion, wherein the nosepiece is removable and replaceable from the optical portion for accessing the optical interface.   
     
     
         2 . The optical plug connector of  claim 1 , the optical portion further including a housing. 
     
     
         3 . The optical plug connector of  claim 2 , the inner body being formed with the housing. 
     
     
         4 . An optical receptacle, comprising:
 a shell;   a lens body having an optical interface with one or more optical channels, wherein the lens body attaches to the shell.   
     
     
         5 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , the lens body having one or more attachment flanges for securing the lens body to the shell. 
     
     
         6 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , further including a receptacle circuit board assembly attached to the lens body. 
     
     
         7 . The optical receptacle of  claim 6 , the receptacle circuit board assembly further including one or more active components. 
     
     
         8 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , wherein the lens body has a portion with a U-shape. 
     
     
         9 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , further including a cover. 
     
     
         10 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , the lens body including one or more rails formed therein. 
     
     
         11 . The optical receptacle of  claim 10 , the lens body including one or more electrical contacts on the one or more rails. 
     
     
         12 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4 , the lens body having at least one alignment feature adjacent to the optical interface. 
     
     
         13 . The optical receptacle of claim,  4 , the shell having an open side. 
     
     
         14 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4  being attached to a circuit board. 
     
     
         15 . The optical receptacle of  claim 4  being a portion of an electronic device.