Optical connector assembly with a low profile

Abstract

An optical connector assembly ( 2 ) has two optical connectors ( 3 ) and a combiner ( 5 ). Each optical connector has a connector body ( 30 ) with an angled latching arm ( 4 ) formed on the connector body. The latching arm has a fixed end ( 41 ) on the connector body and a free distal end. A groove ( 430 ) is defined on the distal end. The combiner has a combiner body ( 6 ) holding the optical connectors and a cantilevered trigger arm ( 7 ). The trigger arm has a fixed end on the combiner body and a free distal end. A rod ( 72 ) is formed on the distal end of the trigger arm, and is received in the grooves of the optical connectors.

1. An optical connector assembly comprising:
 two optical connectors, wherein each of the optical connectors comprises a connector body with an angled latching arm formed on the connector body, the latching arm further comprising a fixed end on the connector body and a free distal end, a groove being defined through the distal end; and  
 a combiner comprising a combiner body holding the optical connectors and a cantilevered trigger arm, the trigger arm further comprising a fixed end on the combiner body and a free distal end, a rod being formed on the distal end of the trigger arm;  
 wherein the rod is received in the grooves of the latching arms.  
 
     
     
       2. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein each of the optical connectors further comprises a ferrule extending outwardly from a first end of the connector body and a boot being attachable on a second end of the connector body. 
     
     
       3. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein each latching arm further comprises a first portion extending slantways  at a selected angle from the fixed end and a second portion substantially parallel to the corresponding connector body, and the first and second portions are joined at an obtuse angle. 
     
     
       4. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein the latching arm extends slantways  at a shallow angle from an outer surface of the corresponding connector body. 
     
     
       5. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 2 , wherein the connector body is elongated in shape. 
     
     
       6. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 5 , wherein the connector body further comprises a protrusion extending from an outer surface of the connector body. 
     
     
       7. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion and the boot of the optical connector cooperate to position the combiner therebetween. 
     
     
       8. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein the groove of each optical connector comprises an entrance aperture and a receiving slot in communication with the entrance aperture, wherein the entrance aperture allows entrance of the rod into the receiving slot, and wherein the entrance aperture is constricted so as to prevent the rod from coming out of the groove accidentally, and the rod is slideably received in the receiving slot. 
     
     
       9. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein the combiner body defines two openings therein, each for receiving one of the optical connectors therein. 
     
     
       10. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 9 , wherein the openings of the combiner body are rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       11. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 10 , wherein two slots are defined through two respective side walls of the combiner body. 
     
     
       12. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 11 , wherein each slot is in communication with a corresponding opening. 
     
     
       13. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 1 , wherein the trigger arm extends slantways from the combiner body. 
     
     
       14. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 13 , wherein the trigger arm further comprises a serrated outer surface for manual pressing. 
     
     
       15. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 14 , wherein the trigger arm is T-shaped. 
     
     
       16. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 15 , wherein the rod extends laterally on the distal end of the trigger arm. 
     
     
       17. A connector assembly with latching, comprising:
 at least one connector having a connector body with a deflectable, integrally formed latching arm integrally  extending rearwardly from a front edge region thereof and terminated  terminating with a first distal end; and  
 a fastener located at a rear portion of said connector body with a deflectable, integrally formed cantilever trigger arm integrally  extending forwardly from a rear edge region thereof  of the fastener and terminated  terminating with a second distal end; , each of the trigger arm and latching arm having an uppermost surface, wherein said  the first distal end and said  the second distal end are pivotally assembled  releasably secured with each other and the uppermost surfaces of the trigger arm and latching arm extend an equal distance from an upper surface of the connector body.  
 
     
     
       18. The connector assembly as described in  claim 17 , wherein said  the fastener is discrete from said  the connector body. 
     
     
       19. The connector assembly as described in  claim 18 , wherein there are two said  connectors, and said  the two connectors are commonly pivotally assembled  releasably secured to said  the fastener. 
     
     
       20. The connector assembly as described in  claim 19 , wherein the rear portion of the connector body of each of said  the two connectors are enclosed by said  the fastener so that said fastener functions as a combiner. 
     
     
       21. An optical connector assembly comprising:
   a pair of optical connectors, each of the optical connectors having a connector body and a resilient latching arm secured to an upper surface of the connector body, the latching arm having a distal end and an uppermost surface;        a combiner securing together the optical connectors;        a resilient trigger arm carried by the combiner and having a free end and an uppermost surface; and        a linking member coupling each of the free ends of the latching arms with the free end of the trigger arm, wherein the uppermost surfaces of the trigger and latching arms extend an equal distance from the upper surface of the connector body and depression of the trigger arm causes depression of each of the latching arms.      
     
     
       22. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein each of the optical connectors further comprises:
   a ferrule extending outwardly from a first end of the connector body and a boot being attachable on a second end of the connector body.      
     
     
       23. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein each latching arm further comprises:
   a first portion extending at an angle from the connector body; and        a second portion extending from the first portion substantially parallel to the corresponding connector body, wherein the first and second portions are joined at an obtuse angle.      
     
     
       24. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the latching arm extends at a shallow angle from the upper surface of the corresponding connector body.  
     
     
       25. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 22 , wherein the connector body is elongated in shape.  
     
     
       26. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 25 , wherein the connector body includes a protrusion extending from its outer surface.  
     
     
       27. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 26 , wherein the protrusion and the boot of the optical connector cooperate to position the optical connectors within the combiner.  
     
     
       28. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the linking member further comprises:
   a rod having each end extending from each side of the free end of the trigger arm; and        a groove formed in each free end of each latching member, wherein the groove releasably receives one end of the rod.      
     
     
       29. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 28 , wherein the groove further comprises:
   an entrance aperture and a receiving slot in communication with the entrance aperture, wherein the entrance aperture allows entrance of the rod into the receiving slot, and wherein the entrance aperture is constricted so as to prevent the rod from coming out of the groove accidentally, and the rod is slideably received in the receiving slot.      
     
     
       30. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the combiner defines two openings, each for receiving one of the optical connectors therein.  
     
     
       31. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 30 , wherein the openings of the combiner body are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
       32. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 31 , wherein two slots are defined through two respective side walls of the combiner body.  
     
     
       33. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 32 , wherein each slot is in communication with a corresponding opening.  
     
     
       34. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 21 , wherein the trigger arm extends at an angle from the combiner body.  
     
     
       35. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 34 , wherein the trigger arm includes a serrated outer surface for manual pressing.  
     
     
       36. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 35 , wherein a rod extends laterally on either side of the free end of the trigger arm.  
     
     
       37. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 34 , wherein the free ends of the trigger and latching arms extend an equal distance from the upper surface of the connector body.  
     
     
       38. An optical connector assembly for securing together a pair of optical connectors, each of the optical connectors having a connector body and a resilient latching arm secured to an upper surface of the connector body, the latching arm having a free end and an uppermost surface, the connector assembly comprising:
   a combiner securing together the optical connectors;        a resilient trigger arm carried by the combiner and having a free end and an uppermost surface; and        a linking member coupling each of the free ends of the latching arms with the free end of the trigger arm, wherein the uppermost surfaces of the trigger and latching arms extend an equal distance from the upper surface of the connector body and depression of the trigger arm causes depression of each of the latching arms.      
     
     
       39. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein the combiner defines two openings, each for receiving one of the optical connectors therein.  
     
     
       40. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein each latching arm further comprises:
   a first portion extending at an angle from the connector body; and        a second portion extending from the first portion substantially parallel to the corresponding connector body, wherein the first and second portions are joined at an obtuse angle.      
     
     
       41. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein each latching arm extends at a shallow angle from the upper surface of the corresponding connector body.  
     
     
       42. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , further comprising:
   a protrusion formed on the exterior of the connector body, wherein the protrusion assists in        positioning the combiner on the connector body.      
     
     
       43. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein the linking member further comprises:
   a rod having an end extending from each side of the free end of the trigger arm; and        a groove formed in each free end of each latching member, wherein the groove releasably receives one end of the rod.      
     
     
       44. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 43 , wherein the groove further comprises:
   an entrance aperture and a receiving slot in communication with the entrance aperture, wherein the entrance aperture allows entrance of the rod into the receiving slot, and wherein the entrance aperture is constricted so as to prevent the rod from coming out of the groove accidentally, and the rod is slideably received in the receiving slot.      
     
     
       45. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 39 , wherein the openings of the combiner are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
       46. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 39 , wherein two slots are defined through two respective side walls of the combiner.  
     
     
       47. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 46 , wherein each slot is in communication with a corresponding opening.  
     
     
       48. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein the trigger arm extends at an angle from the combiner.  
     
     
       49. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein the trigger arm includes a serrated outer surface for manual pressing.  
     
     
       50. The optical connector assembly as described in  claim 38 , wherein the rod extends laterally on either side of the free end of the trigger arm.  
     
     
       51. A cable connector assembly comprising:
   at least one cable connector having a body and a resilient latching arm extending from an upper surface of the body, the latching arm having a distal end and an uppermost surface;        a combiner dimensioned to engage the body;        a resilient trigger arm extending from the combiner and having a distal end and an uppermost surface; and        a linking member coupling together the distal end of the latching arm and the distal end of the trigger arm, wherein the uppermost surfaces of the trigger and latching arms extend an equal distance from the upper surface of the body and depression of the trigger arm causes depression of the latching arm.      
     
     
       52. The cable connector assembly of  claim 51 , wherein the at least one cable connector comprises a pair of cable connectors and the combiner has a pair of openings dimensioned to receive and engage the bodies of the pair of cable connectors.  
     
     
       53. The cable connector of  claim 51 , wherein the linking member further comprises:
   a rod having an end extending from each side of the distal end of the trigger arm; and        a groove formed in each distal end of each latching member, wherein the groove releasably receives one end of the rod.      
     
     
       54. The optical connector of  claim 53 , wherein the groove further comprises:
   an entrance aperture and a receiving slot in communication with the entrance aperture, wherein the entrance aperture allows entrance of the rod into the receiving slot, and wherein the entrance aperture is constricted so as to prevent the rod from coming out of the groove accidentally, and the rod is slideably received in the receiving slot.