US 12,379,549 B2
Miniature multi-fiber ferrule
Daniel D. Kurtz, Huntersville, NC (US); Jason Higley, Hickory, NC (US); Darrell R. Childers, Hickory, NC (US); Sherri Reed, Stanley, NC (US); Craig M. Conrad, Hickory, NC (US); and Jillcha F. Wakjira, Hickory, NC (US)
Assigned to US Conec Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed by US Conec Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed on Apr. 21, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/641,400.
Application 18/641,400 is a continuation of application No. 17/908,430, granted, now 12,019,278, previously published as PCT/US2021/028919, filed on Apr. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/047,657, filed on Jul. 2, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/014,491, filed on Apr. 23, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0264383 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3821 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3831 (2013.01); G02B 6/3857 (2013.01); G02B 6/3869 (2013.01); G02B 6/387 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-fiber ferrule comprising:
a main body having a top portion and a bottom portion, a first side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion and a second side portion extending between the top portion and the bottom portion on opposites sides of the main body, an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body;
a rear central opening extending into the main body from the rear face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers;
the top portion having a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to orient the multi-fiber ferrule for mating, the top cut-out extending rearwardly from the end face, wherein the top portion between the top cut-out and the rear face lies in a single plane; and
the bottom portion also having a bottom cut-out therein to form a second forward facing surface also to orient the multi-fiber ferrule for mating, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the end face, wherein the top portion between the top cut-out and the rear face lies in a single plane.