US 11,719,894 B2
Ferrule-based fiber optic connectors with ferrule retraction balancing
Micah Colen Isenhour, Lincolnton, NC (US); and Thomas Theuerkorn, Hickory, NC (US)
Assigned to CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS LLC, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/237,369.
Application 17/237,369 is a continuation of application No. 16/117,336, filed on Aug. 30, 2018, granted, now 11,009,667.
Application 16/117,336 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/021768, filed on Mar. 10, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/306,377, filed on Mar. 10, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2021/0239913 A1, Aug. 5, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 6/44 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3894 (2013.01) [G02B 6/387 (2013.01); G02B 6/3821 (2013.01); G02B 6/3825 (2013.01); G02B 6/3869 (2013.01); G02B 6/3874 (2013.01); G02B 6/3877 (2013.01); G02B 6/3893 (2013.01); G02B 6/4432 (2013.01); G02B 6/4477 (2013.01); G02B 6/3831 (2013.01); G02B 6/3849 (2013.01); G02B 6/3855 (2013.01); G02B 6/3887 (2013.01); G02B 6/3888 (2021.05); G02B 6/38875 (2021.05)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a connector assembly comprising a ferrule and a resilient member for biasing the ferrule forward;
a connector sleeve assembly comprising a housing with one or more features configured for attaching to the connector assembly and a passageway between a first end and a second end and a ferrule sleeve, wherein the ferrule is at least partially disposed in the ferrule sleeve when assembled;
a balancing resilient member for biasing the connector sleeve assembly to a forward position, the balancing resilient member comprising a predetermined resilient force that is 5 Newton or greater; and
a female coupling housing comprising an opening for receiving a complimentary connector, wherein the connector sleeve assembly fits within the female coupling housing.