Latching connector with remote release

Abstract

In one aspect the present disclosure provides a latching connector. The latching connector comprises a housing that is configured to engage with a mating connector along a coupling axis. The housing includes a lever connected to the housing. The lever is configured to selectively disengage the latching connector from the mating connector. The housing further includes an extending member connected to the lever.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cable assembly comprising:
 a latching connector comprising a housing configured to engage with a mating connector in a coupling direction along a coupling axis and an extender, the housing including: 
 a lever configured to engage with the mating connector to engage and selectively disengage the latching connector with the mating connector, the housing having a length along the coupling axis; and 
 anthe extender removably connected with the housing and comprising a portion for contactingin direct contact with the lever to disengage the lever from the mating connector to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector, the extender having a length along the coupling axis greater than a length of the housing; 
 wherein the lever has a first end and a second end and the first end is spaced apart from the second end in the coupling direction, wherein the first end of the lever is joined directly to the housing, the second end of the lever is spaced apart above a remainder of the housing, and the lever is configured to be compressed when the extender disengages the lever from the mating connector; 
 wherein the portion in direct contact with the lever comprises a loop engaging the lever. 
 
     
     
       2. The latching connector of  claim 1 , wherein the portion for contacting the lever comprises a hook for engaging the lever. 
     
     
       3. The latching connector of  claim 1 , wherein the portion for contacting the lever comprises a loop for engaging the lever. 
     
     
       4. The latching connector cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latching connector comprises a multi-port connector comprising and the housing comprises at least two housings configured to engage the mating connector, wherein the lever comprises a lever for each of the at least two housingscomprises a lever, and wherein the portion for contacting in direct contact with the lever is in direct contact with the lever for each of the at least two housings and is configured to disengage each lever for each of the levers at least two housings from the mating connector. 
     
     
       5. The latching connector cable assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the latching connector is an a LC connector. 
     
     
       6. An adaptive release member for selectively actuating disengagement of a latching connector from a mating connector,
 the latching connector comprising a housing configured to engage with a mating connector along the coupling direction, the housing including a lever connected to the housing, the lever configured to selectively disengage the latching connector from the mating connector, and the adaptive release member comprising:
 a connection portion for removably attaching the adaptive release member to the latching connector housing; and 
 a release configured to receive a first force opposite to the latching connector coupling direction and transmit a component of the first force to a lever to actuate the lever and disengage the latching connector from the mating connector. 
   
     
     
       7. The adaptive release member of  claim 6 , wherein the latching connector is a multi-port latching connector comprising at least two housings, wherein each of the at least two housings comprises a lever, and the release is configured to transmit the component of the first force to each of the levers to actuate each of the levers. 
     
     
       8. An extender for selectively disengaging a latching connector from a mating connector, the latching connector comprising a housing configured to engage with the mating connector along a coupling direction, and the housing comprising a lever configured to engage with the mating connector to engage and selectively disengage the latching connector and the mating connector, the extender comprising:
 a connection for removably attaching the extender to the housing; and   an actuator configured to receive a first force opposite to the latching connector coupling direction, and to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector by transmitting a component of the first force to the lever to disengage the lever from the mating connector to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector.   
     
     
       9. The extender of  claim 8 , wherein the lever comprises one of a hook and a loop. 
     
     
       10. The extender of  claim 9 , wherein the actuator comprises the other of a hook and a loop for engaging with the lever to transmit the component of the first force from the actuator to the lever. 
     
     
       11. The extender of  claim 10 , wherein the extender further includes a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a length of the extender. 
     
     
       12. The extender of  claim 10 , further including a dust cover attached to the extender and configured to protect a transmission medium. 
     
     
       13. The extender of  claim 10 , further including a jacket clamp attached to the extender. 
     
     
       14. The extender of  claim 10 , wherein at least one link is connected to the actuator to adjust a length of the extender. 
     
     
       15. The extender of  claim 10 , further including an identification tag connected to the extender. 
     
     
       16. An extender comprising:
 an actuator configured to receive a first force, the first force opposite to a latching connector coupling direction, and to transmit a component of the first force to an adaptive release member, the adaptive release member including:
 a release configured to receive a component of the first force and to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector by transmitting a second force to the latching connector, the latching connector comprising: 
 a housing configured to engage with a mating connector along the coupling direction, the housing including:
 a lever connected to the housing, the lever configured to selectively disengage the latching connector from the mating connector, and 
 an extending member connected to the lever and configured to cooperate with the release to actuate the lever; and 
 
 a guide connected to the release and configured to cooperate with the latching connector to restrict the release range of motion. 
   
     
     
       17. The extender of  claim 16 , wherein the extender further includes a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a length of the extender. 
     
     
       18. The extender of  claim 16 , wherein a link is connected to the actuator, the link configured to adjust a length of the extender. 
     
     
       19. The extender of  claim 16 , further including a dust cover attached to the extender and configured to protect a transmission medium. 
     
     
       20. The extender of  claim 16 , further including a jacket clamp attached to the extender. 
     
     
       21. The extender of  claim 16 , further comprising an identification tag connected to the extender. 
     
     
       22. A cable assembly comprising:
 a jacket; 
 an extender; and  
 a latching connector, the latching connector comprising:
 a housing configured to engage with a mating connector along a coupling direction, the housing comprising a lever connected to the housing, the lever configured to selectively disengage the latching connector from the mating connector; and 
 
 anthe extender removably attached to the housing and extending a distance from the housing such that the extender protrudes beyond the housing in a direction opposite the coupling direction, the extender comprising an actuating portion in direct contact with the lever, the actuating portion being configured to receive a first force opposite to the coupling direction and transmit a component of the first force to the lever to actuate the lever and disengage the latching connector from the mating connector; and 
 a transmission medium disposed within the jacket and the housing; 
 wherein the lever has a first end and a second end and the first end is spaced apart from the second end in the coupling direction, wherein the first end of the lever is in direct contact with the housing, the second end of the lever is spaced apart above a remainder of the housing and is spaced apart above the first end of the lever at a furthest point of the second end of the lever from the first end of the lever, and the lever is configured to be compressed when the extender disengages the lever from the mating connector; 
 wherein the cable assembly further comprises a guide configured to restrict a range of motion of the extender to a coupling axis; 
 the actuating portion of the extender extending in the coupling direction from the guide and curving upward as the actuating portion of the extender extends in the coupling direction from the guide to a point of direct contact with the lever, and another portion of the extender extending from the guide in the direction opposite the coupling direction along the coupling axis. 
 
     
     
       23. The cable assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the latching connector further comprises a guide positioned on the latching connector, the guide configured to restrict the extender range of motion. 
     
     
       24. The cable assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the actuating portion comprises an adaptive release member including:
 a release configured to receive the first force and transmit the component of the first force to the extending lever; and   a guide connected to the release and configured to cooperate with the housing to restrict the release range of motion.   
     
     
       25. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the lever comprises a hook and the actuating portion comprises a loop for engaging with the hook. 
     
     
       26. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the transmission medium comprises an optical fiber. 
     
     
       27. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the transmission medium comprises an electrical conductor. 
     
     
       28. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the latching connector comprises an LC connector, and the mating connector is configured to engage with the LC connector. 
     
     
       29. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the extender further includes a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a length of the extender. 
     
     
       30. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , further including a dust cover attached to the extender and configured to protect the transmission medium. 
     
     
       31. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , further including a jacket clamp attached to the extender. 
     
     
       32. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein a link is connected to the actuator, the link configured to adjust a length of the extender. 
     
     
       33. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , further including an identification tag connected to the extender. 
     
     
       34. The cable assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the guide comprises a boot including a strain relief configured to protect the transmission medium. 
     
     
       35. The cable assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the extender includes an extending member interconnected with the adaptive release member, the extending member being configured to receive the first force and transmit the first force to the release. 
     
     
       36. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the extending member further includes a plurality of ridges and grooves disposed along a length of the extending member. 
     
     
       37. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , further including a dust cover attached to the extending member and configured to protect the transmission medium. 
     
     
       38. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , further including a jacket clamp attached to the extending member. 
     
     
       39. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the extending member comprises at least one link is connected to the actuator to adjust a length of the extending member. 
     
     
       40. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , wherein the lever comprises a loop and the release comprises a hook for engaging the loop. 
     
     
       41. The cable assembly of  claim 35 , further including an identification tag connected to the extending member. 
     
     
       42. The cable assembly of  claim 34 , further including:
 a restoring member connected to the boot; and   a stop connected to the extender and configured to cooperate with the restoring member to restore the position of the lever to a natural position.   
     
     
       43. A high-density panel assembly comprising:
 a panel including a mounting surface;   a first mating connector disposed on the mounting surface and having a first edge;   a second mating connector disposed on the mounting surface and having a second edge;   wherein the distance between the first edge and the second edge is less than 1.25 millimeters; and   latching connectors for mating with the mating connectors, the latching connectors each comprising a housing configured to engage with a mating connector along a coupling axis, each housing including:
 a lever configured to engage with the mating connector to engage and selectively disengage the latching connector with the mating connector; and 
 an extender removably connected with the housing and comprising a portion for contacting the lever to disengage the lever from the mating connector to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector. 
   
     
     
       44. The high-density panel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the distance between the first edge and the second edge is greater than or equal to 0 millimeters. 
     
     
       45. The high-density panel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the first edge abuts the second edge. 
     
     
       46. The high-density panel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the panel comprises a printed circuit board. 
     
     
       47. The high-density panel assembly of  claim 43 , wherein the latching connector is a LC connector. 
     
     
       48. A method of connecting a latching cable assembly to a panel and extracting the latching cable assembly from the panel, the latching cable assembly comprising a housing, and the housing comprising a lever configured to engage with a mating connector of the panel to engage and disengage the latching assembly and the mating connector, and the method comprising:
 removably attaching an extender to the housing, the extender comprising an actuator portion for engaging the lever and configured to transmit a force to the lever;   inserting the latching assembly into the mating connector along a first coupling direction of movement to engage the lever with the mating connector and retain the latching assembly in the panel;   applying a force to the extender along a direction opposite to the coupling direction of the latching assembly; and   transmitting a component of the force to the lever via the actuator portion to disengage the lever from the mating connector and disengage the latching assembly from the mating connector; and   extracting the latching assembly from the panel.   
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 48 , further comprising replacing the extender of an extracted latching cable assembly by detaching the extender from the housing, and removably attaching a different extender to the housing. 
     
     
       50. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the lever has an extending member at the second end, the extending member defining a recess receiving a portion of the extender therein.  
     
     
       51. The cable assembly of claim 1 further comprising a guide defining an aperture, the extender being received in the aperture.  
     
     
       52. The cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the extender is connected to the housing for translational movement parallel to the coupling axis to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector.  
     
     
       53. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein a fulcrum of the lever is at the first end of the lever.  
     
     
       54. The cable assembly of claim 53, wherein the lever comprises an extending member comprising a hook at the second end of the lever.  
     
     
       55. The cable assembly of claim 54, wherein the loop directly contacts the lever at the hook.  
     
     
       56. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever is configured to be compressed such that the second end of the lever moves downward in relation to the remainder of the housing when the extender disengages the lever from the mating connector.  
     
     
       57. The cable assembly of claim 1, wherein the extender is entirely above the housing of the latching connector.  
     
     
       58. The cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a guide defining an aperture, the extender extending along the coupling axis across the guide such that a range of motion of the extender is restricted to the coupling axis.  
     
     
       59. The cable assembly of claim 58, wherein the loop defines a first end of the extender, the extender having a second end spaced apart from the first end, the first end of the extender being spaced apart from the guide along the coupling axis in the coupling direction, the second end of the extender being spaced apart from the guide along the coupling axis in a direction opposite the coupling direction.  
     
     
       60. The cable assembly as set forth in claim 58, wherein the extender is configured to move along the range of motion relative to the guide to compress the lever.  
     
     
       61. The cable assembly as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a boot connected to the housing, the extender being configured to move along the coupling axis relative to the boot to compress the lever.  
     
     
       62. The cable assembly of claim 22, wherein the transmission medium comprises an optical fiber.  
     
     
       63. The cable assembly of claim 22, wherein the lever comprises a hook and the actuating portion comprises a loop for engaging with the hook.  
     
     
       64. The cable assembly of claim 22, wherein the latching connector comprises an LC connector, and the mating connector is configured to engage with the LC connector.  
     
     
       65. The cable assembly of claim 22, further including a dust cover attached to the extender and configured to protect the transmission medium.  
     
     
       66. The cable assembly of claim 22, further including a jacket clamp attached to the extender.  
     
     
       67. The cable assembly of claim 22, wherein a fulcrum of the lever is at the first end of the lever.  
     
     
       68. The cable assembly of claim 67, wherein the lever is configured to be compressed such that the second end of the lever moves downward in relation to the fulcrum at the first end of the lever.  
     
     
       69. The cable assembly as set forth in claim 22, wherein the lever is configured to be compressed such that the second end of the lever moves downward in relation to the first end of the lever.  
     
     
       70. The cable assembly as set forth in claim 22, wherein the guide defines an aperture, the second end of the lever being spaced apart above the aperture.  
     
     
       71. The cable assembly as set forth in claim 22, wherein the extender is configured to move along the range of motion relative to the guide.  
     
     
       72. A cable assembly comprising:
 a latching connector comprising a housing configured to engage with a mating connector in a coupling direction along a coupling axis and an extender, the housing including:   a lever configured to engage with the mating connector to engage and selectively disengage the latching connector with the mating connector, the housing having a length along the coupling axis; and   the extender removably connected with the housing and comprising a portion in direct contact with the lever to disengage the lever from the mating connector to disengage the latching connector from the mating connector, the extender having a length along the coupling axis greater than a length of the housing;   wherein the lever has a first end and a second end and the first end is spaced apart from the second end in the coupling direction, wherein the first end of the lever is joined directly to the housing, the second end of the lever is spaced apart above a remainder of the housing, and the lever is configured to be compressed when the extender disengages the lever from the mating connector;   wherein the portion in direct contact with the lever comprises a loop engaging the lever;   wherein the portion in direct contact with the lever moves downward toward the housing when the lever is compressed.