US 11,892,686 B2
Female hardened optical connectors for use with male plug connectors
Robert Elvin Barnette, Jr., Hickory, NC (US); and Hieu Vinh Tran, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS, LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Corning Optical Communications LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on May 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/749,847.
Application 17/749,847 is a continuation of application No. 17/346,596, filed on Jun. 14, 2021, granted, now 11,402,588, issued on Aug. 2, 2022.
Application 17/346,596 is a continuation of application No. 15/954,007, filed on Apr. 16, 2018, granted, now 11,036,010, issued on Jun. 15, 2021.
Application 15/954,007 is a continuation of application No. 15/369,933, filed on Dec. 6, 2016, granted, now 9,964,713, issued on May 8, 2018.
Application 15/369,933 is a continuation of application No. 13/833,176, filed on Mar. 15, 2013, granted, now 9,513,444, issued on Dec. 6, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/769,251, filed on Feb. 26, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2022/0276449 A1, Sep. 1, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/387 (2013.01) [G02B 6/389 (2013.01); G02B 6/3871 (2013.01); G02B 6/3887 (2013.01); G02B 6/3888 (2021.05); G02B 6/38875 (2021.05); G02B 6/3889 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49908 (2015.01)] 56 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A female hardened fiber optic connector, comprising:
a connector assembly;
a connector sleeve comprising a passageway between a first end and a second end; and
a female coupling housing comprising a first portion having a front end comprising an opening with an internal attachment feature, wherein the female coupling housing receives a portion of the connector sleeve using one or more pockets in the first portion, and the opening is sized for receiving a male connector within the opening for optical mating.