US2024019642A1PendingUtilityA1

Multiports and other devices having keyed connection ports and securing features and methods of making the same

90
Assignee: CORNING RES & DEV CORPPriority: Jun 28, 2017Filed: Sep 26, 2023Published: Jan 18, 2024
Est. expiryJun 28, 2037(~10.9 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Thierry Luc Alain DannouxRobert Bruce Elkins, IiJoel Christopher RossonDayne WilcoxMichael WimmerShane WoodyZhlye Zhang
G02B 6/3885G02B 6/3895G02B 6/3851G02B 6/3871G02B 6/3893G02B 6/3831G02B 6/3897G02B 6/3837G02B 6/3879G02B 6/4477G02B 6/4446G02B 6/44515G02B 6/4401G02B 6/4471G02B 6/3826G02B 6/3873G02B 6/3825G02B 6/3869G02B 6/387G02B 6/3841G02B 6/3843G02B 6/3849G02B 6/3887G02B 6/389G02B 6/381G02B 6/4472G02B 6/3821G02B 6/4479G02B 6/3889G02B 6/4262
90
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Claims

Abstract

Devices such as multiports comprising connection ports with associated securing features and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device comprises a shell, at least one connection port, at least one securing feature passageway, and at least one securing feature. The at least one connection port is disposed on the multiport with the at least one connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport to a cavity of the multiport and defining a connection port passageway. The connection port passageway defines a keying portion. The at least one securing feature is associated with the connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim: 
     
         1 . A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   at least one securing feature passageway; and   a securing feature associated with one of the respective connection port passageways, wherein the securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway and capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port.   
     
     
         2 . The multiport of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature. 
     
     
         3 . A multiport for making an optical connection, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   at least one securing feature passageway;   at least one securing feature associated with one respective connection port passageway, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway and capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port; and   at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature.   
     
     
         4 . The multiport of  claim 3 , wherein of the at least one securing feature is biased to a retain position. 
     
     
         5 . A multiport for making optical connections, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   at least one securing feature passageway; and   at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the securing feature passageway, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.   
     
     
         6 . The multiport of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one connection port and is a portion of the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The multiport of  claim 6 , further comprising the at least one securing feature passageway being a portion of the shell. 
     
     
         8 . The multiport of  claim 5 , the shell comprises at least a first portion and a second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one adapter disposed within the cavity and aligned with the at least one connection port. 
     
     
         10 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising a sealing feature disposed on the at least one securing feature. 
     
     
         11 . The multiport  claim 5 , further comprising a retainer for securing the at least one adapter within the cavity of the shell. 
     
     
         12 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising at least one rear connector comprising a rear connector ferrule disposed within the cavity of the shell. 
     
     
         13 . The multiport of  claim 11 , the at least one rear connector further comprising a resilient member for biasing the rear connector ferrule. 
     
     
         14 . The multiport of  claim 5 , wherein the multiport is weatherproof. 
     
     
         15 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising an optical splitter disposed within the cavity. 
     
     
         16 . The multiport of  claim 5 , the multiport comprising at least one pass-through port. 
     
     
         17 . The multiport of  claim 5 , the input further comprising an input connection port configured as a single-fiber input connection or a multi-fiber input connection. 
     
     
         18 . The multiport of  claim 5 , the input further comprising an input tether. 
     
     
         19 . The multiport of  claim 5 , wherein the shell defines a volume of 800 cubic centimeters or less. 
     
     
         20 . The multiport of  claim 5 , wherein the multiport has a port width density of at least one connection port per each 20 millimeters of width. 
     
     
         21 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising a sealing element that cooperates with the shell. 
     
     
         22 . The multiport of  claim 5 , further comprising a dust plug sized for cooperating with the at least one optical connector opening. 
     
     
         23 . The multiport of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a bore that is aligned with the at least one connection port passageway. 
     
     
         24 . A multiport for making optical connections, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   at least one securing feature passageway; and   at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature comprises a bore, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the securing feature passageway, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway.   
     
     
         25 . The multiport of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port. 
     
     
         26 . The multiport of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one securing feature is capable of releasing a fiber optic connector when translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway. 
     
     
         27 . The multiport of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one securing feature is capable of moving to a retain position automatically when a suitable fiber optic connector is fully-inserted into the at least one connector port passageway. 
     
     
         28 . The multiport of  claim 24 , wherein the at least one securing feature comprise a locking feature for securing an external fiber optic connector in the at least one connector port passageway. 
     
     
         29 . The multiport of  claim 24 , wherein the securing feature comprise a locking member and an actuator. 
     
     
         30 . A multiport for making optical connections, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   a securing feature passageway; and   at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature comprises a bore, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the securing feature passageway, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port.   
     
     
         31 . The multiport of  claim 30 , wherein the bore is sized for receiving a suitable fiber optic connector therethrough. 
     
     
         32 . The multiport of  claim 30 , wherein the bore comprises a locking feature disposed therein. 
     
     
         33 . The multiport of  claim 30 , further comprising at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature. 
     
     
         34 . A multiport for making optical connections, comprising:
 a shell comprising a cavity;   at least one connection port disposed on the multiport with the respective connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the multiport into the cavity of the multiport and defining a respective connection port passageway, and the at least one connection port passageway comprising a keying portion;   one or more optical fibers disposed within the cavity of the shell and routed from the at least one connection port toward an input for optical communication;   a securing feature passageway; and   at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature comprises a bore and a locking feature, wherein the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the securing feature passageway, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature passageway wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port.   
     
     
         35 . The multiport of  claim 34 , wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge. 
     
     
         36 . The multiport of  claim 35 , wherein the locking feature compromises a rentention surface.

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