US 11,988,875 B2
Multi-ferrule angled polished connector with simplified polarity reversal
Jeff Hendrick, Hickory, NC (US)
Assigned to US Conec, Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed by US Conec, Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed on Dec. 15, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/541,073.
Application 18/541,073 is a continuation of application No. 17/692,577, filed on Mar. 11, 2022.
Application 17/692,577 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2020/050463, filed on Sep. 11, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/899,900, filed on Sep. 13, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0111099 A1, Apr. 4, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 6/40 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3822 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3831 (2013.01); G02B 6/406 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A duplex fiber optic connector comprising:
a housing having a length along a longitudinal axis, a width along a lateral axis and a height along a transverse axis, the height being larger than the width,
wherein the housing has a top side, a bottom side, and a pair of opposing sides joining the top side to the bottom side, the housing further defining a central opening at a terminal end of the opposing sides, the terminal end of the opposing sides defining an end face of the housing that extends around a continuous circumference thereof, a first ferrule supporting a first optical fiber, the first ferrule having an end face at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis;
a second ferrule supporting a second optical fiber, the second ferrule also having an end face at another angle relative to the longitudinal axis, wherein, the first and the second ferrules are positioned for mating the duplex fiber optic connector with the another duplex fiber optic connector, wherein the angle of the first ferrule is offset from the angle of the second ferrule in a mating position of the first and the second ferrules with corresponding ferrules of the another duplex fiber optic connector, the first ferrule and the second ferrule being at least partially surrounded by the housing; and
a key located on the top side of the housing,
wherein the key is configured to orient the duplex fiber optic connector relative to a receptacle or another duplex fiber optic connector;
wherein the key protrudes outwardly of the housing,
wherein the first ferrule and the second ferrule each begin at a position within the housing and rearwardly of the central opening of the housing,
wherein the respective end faces of the first ferrule and the second ferrule are exposed at a front end of the housing by protruding beyond the front end of the housing,
wherein the duplex fiber optic connector has a first polarity in which the angle of the end face of the first ferrule and the angle of the end face of the second ferrule are positioned relative to the key, and a second polarity in which the angle of the end face of the first ferrule and the angle of the end face of the second ferrule are positioned relative to the key the same as in the first polarity,
wherein the first ferrule and the second ferrule are at a same fixed orientation relative to the housing in both the first polarity and the second polarity of the duplex fiber optic connector.