EP-4735939-A2 - FIBER OPTIC EXTENDER PORTS HAVING AN ENDCAP ALONG WITH ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

EP4735939A2EP 4735939 A2EP4735939 A2EP 4735939A2EP-4735939-A2

Abstract

Extender ports comprising one or more connection ports having associated securing features for engaging external fiber optic connectors along with methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the shell defines a cavity and comprises a barrel and at least one endcap having an opening that is configured to receive an external fiber optic connector. The extender port comprises a shell defining a cavity and having a barrel, a first endcap and a second endcap with respective openings on the endcaps configured to receive respective external fiber optic connectors for optical connection. Extender ports may have the first and second connection ports aligned for making an optical connection between external fiber optic connectors inserted into respective connection ports. Securing features are associated with the respective connection port passageways and are suitable for retaining and releasing the external fiber optic connectors from devices.

Inventors

ISENHOUR, MICAH COLEN
THOMPSON, ZACHARY MICHAEL

Assignees

Corning Research & Development Corporation

Dates

Publication Date: 20260506
Application Date: 20240619

Claims (1)

Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 We claim: 1. An extender port for making an optical connection with an external fiber optic connector, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel and at least one endcap having an opening, wherein the shell defines a passageway having a cavity; a first connection port disposed on the extender port with the at least one connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from the opening of the at least one endcap into the cavity of the extender port and defining a first connection port passageway; at least one securing feature associated with the first connection port passageway; and at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature. 2. The extender port of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing feature guide formed as a portion of the barrel, wherein a portion of the at least one securing feature is disposed within a portion of the at least one securing feature guide. 3. The extender port of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a tether cable having at least one optical fiber, the tether cable is attached to the extender port so that the at least one optical fiber is aligned with the at least one connection port. 4. The extender port of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one endcap comprises a keying feature disposed within the opening. 5. An extender port of any one of claims 1-4, further comprising a second end cap having a second opening, and a second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from the opening of the second end cap into the cavity of the extender port and defining a second connection port passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway. Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 6. The extender port of any one of claims 1-5, further comprising a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell. 7. The extender ports of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within the shell for securing and releasing an external fiber optic connector from the first connection port. 8. The extender port of any one of claims 1-7, wherein of the at least one securing feature is biased to a retain position. 9. An extender port for making an optical connection between external fiber optic connectors, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel, a first endcap having a first opening and a second endcap having a second opening, wherein the shell defines a passageway having a cavity; a first connection port disposed on the extender port with the first connection port comprising a first optical connector opening extending from the opening of first endcap into the cavity and defining a first connection port passageway; a second connection port disposed on the extender port with the second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from the opening of the second endcap into the cavity and defining a second connection port passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway; and at least one securing feature associated with the first connection port passageway, wherein a portion of the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the shell. 10. The extender port of claim 9, wherein the first endcap comprises a keying feature disposed within the first opening. 11. The extender port of claims 9 or 10, wherein the at least one securing feature comprise a locking member and an actuator. Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 12. The extender port of any one of claims 9-11, wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a bore that is aligned with the first connection port passageway. 13. An extender port for making optical connection between external fiber optic connectors, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel, a first endcap having a first opening and a second endcap having a second opening, wherein the shell defines a cavity; a first connection port disposed on the extender port with the first connection port comprising a first optical connector opening extending from the opening of first endcap into the cavity and defining a first connection port passageway; a second connection port disposed on the extender port with the second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from the opening of the second endcap into the cavity and defining a second connection port passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway; a first seal disposed between the first endcap and the barrel; a second seal disposed between the second endcap and the barrel; and at least one securing feature associated with the first connection port passageway. 14. The extender port of claim 13, wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port. 15. The extender port of claims 13 or 14, wherein the at least one securing feature is capable of releasing an external fiber optic connector when translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature guide. Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 16. The extender port of any one of claims 13-15, wherein the at least one securing feature is capable of moving to a retain position automatically when a suitable external fiber optic connector is fully-inserted into the first connector port passageway. 17. The extender port of any one of claims 13-16, wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a locking feature. 18. The extender port of any one of claims 13-17, wherein the at least one securing feature comprises a locking feature, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge. 19. The extender port of any one of claims 13-18, further comprising a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell. 20. The extender port of any one of claims 13-19, wherein the first endcap comprises a snap-fit assembly with the barrel. 21. The extender port of any one of claims 13-20, wherein the first endcap comprises a keying feature disposed in the opening. 22. An extender port for making optical connection between external fiber optic connectors, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel, a first endcap having a first opening and a second endcap having a second opening, wherein the shell defines a cavity comprising a passageway between the first opening and the second opening; a first connection port disposed on the extender port with the first connection port comprising a first optical connector opening extending from the opening of first endcap into the cavity and defining a first connection port passageway; a second connection port disposed on the extender port with the second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from the opening of the second endcap into the cavity and defining a second connection port Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway; and at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature comprises a bore, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of the shell wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port. 23. The extender port of claim 22, wherein the bore is sized for receiving a suitable external fiber optic connector therethrough. 24. The extender port of claim 23, wherein the bore comprises a locking feature. 25. The extender port of any one of claims 22-24, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge. 26. The extender port of any one of claims 22-25, further comprising at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature. 27. The extender port of any one of claims 22-26, further comprising a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell. 28. An extender port for making an optical connection between external fiber optic connectors, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel, a first endcap having a first opening and a second endcap having a second opening, wherein the shell defines a cavity; a first connection port disposed on the extender port with the first connection port comprising a first optical connector opening extending from the opening of first endcap into the cavity and defining a first connection port passageway; Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 a second connection port disposed on the extender port with the second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from the opening of the second endcap into the cavity and defining a second connection port passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway; a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell; and at least one securing feature associated with the at least one connection port passageway, and the at least one securing feature comprises a bore and a locking feature, and the at least one securing feature is capable of translating within a portion of shell, and wherein the at least one securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable external fiber optic connector is inserted into the at least one connection port. 29. The extender port of claim 28, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge. 30. The extender port of claims 28 or 29, wherein the locking feature comprises a retention surface. 31. The extender port of any one of claims 28-30, further comprising a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell. 32. An extender port for making an optical connection between external fiber optic connectors, the extender port comprising: a shell comprising a barrel, a first endcap having a first opening and a second endcap having a second opening, wherein the shell defines a cavity; a first connection port comprising an optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the extender port into the cavity and defining a connection port passageway; a second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from an outer surface of the extender port into the cavity and defining a second Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 port passageway, the second connection port passageway being aligned with the first connection port passageway; and a first securing feature associated with the first connection port passageway, and the first securing feature comprising a locking member and an actuator, and the first securing feature is capable of translating relative to the shell, wherein the first securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable external fiber optic connector is inserted into the first connection port. 33. The extender port of claim 32, further comprising at least one securing feature guide formed as a portion of the barrel, wherein a portion of the at least one securing feature translates along the at least one securing feature guide. 34. The extender port of claims 32 or 33, wherein the first connection port and the second connection ports are portions of the shell. 35. The extender port of any one of claims 32-34, further comprising further comprising a ferrule alignment sleeve disposed within the cavity of the shell. 36. The extender port of any one of claims 32-35, wherein the first endcap comprises a keying portion disposed in the first opening. 37. The extender port of any one of claims 32-36, further comprising a sealing feature disposed on the at least one securing feature. 38. The extender port of any one of claims 32-37, the extender port comprises at least one O-ring disposed between the first endcap and the barrel. 39. The extender port of any one of claims 32-38, further comprising at least one securing feature guide formed as a portion of the barrel, at least a portion of one securing feature guide is arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the first connector port passageway. Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 40. The extender port of any one of claims 32-39, further comprising at least one securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the at least one securing feature to a retain position. 41. The extender port of any one of claims 32-40, wherein the barrel comprises a mounting feature. 42. The extender port of any one of claims 32-41, further comprising a sealing feature disposed on the actuator of the securing feature. 43. The extender port of claim 42, wherein the sealing feature is an O-ring disposed between the actuator and a portion of the shell. 44. The extender port of any one of claims 32-43, wherein the extender port is weatherproof. 45. The extender port of any one of claims 32-44, wherein the first connection port retains a suitable external fiber optic connector when the external fiber optic connector is fully-seated within the first connection port. 46. A method of making an extender port for making an optical connection with an external fiber optic connector, the extender port comprising: providing a shell comprising a barrel and a first endcap having an opening, wherein the shell defines a cavity and a first connection port, and the first connection port comprising a first optical connector opening extending from the opening of the first endcap into the cavity and defining a first connection port passageway; assembling a first securing feature into the cavity so it is associated with a first connection port passageway of the shell; installing a first securing feature resilient member for biasing a portion of the first securing feature; and attaching the first endcap to the barrel. Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 47. The method of claim 46, wherein the first securing feature translates from a retain position to an open position as a suitable external optic connector is inserted into the first connection port. 48. The method of claims 46 or 47, wherein the first securing feature is capable of releasing an external fiber optic connector when translating within a portion of the at least one securing feature guide formed by the shell. 49. The method of any one of claims 46-48, wherein the first securing feature is capable of moving to a retain position automatically when a suitable external fiber optic connector is fully-inserted into the first connector port passageway. 50. The method of any one of claims 46-49, wherein the first securing feature comprises a locking feature. 51. The method of any one of claims 46-50, wherein the first securing feature comprises a locking feature, wherein the locking feature comprises a ramp with a ledge. 52. The method of any one of claims 46-51, further comprising a second connection port disposed on the extender port with the second connection port comprising a second optical connector opening extending from an end of the second endcap into the cavity of the extender port and defining a second connection port passageway, and a second securing feature associated with the second connection port passageway for securing a suitable second external fiber optic connector. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein the second securing feature comprises a locking feature having a ramp with a ledge. 54. An actuator configured as a push-button used for releasing an optical connector mating with a suitable device, the actuator comprising: a body comprising a top side, a bottom side and a circumferential groove disposed between the top side and the bottom side, wherein the bottom side comprises a plurality Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 of arcuate cantilevered arms with each arcuate cantilevered arm having a latch for securing the actuator when assembled. 55. The actuator of claim 54, wherein the plurality of arcuate cantilevered arms are configured to flex in two directions relative to the insertion direction of the actuator during assembly. 56. The actuator of claims 54 or 55, wherein the plurality of arcuate cantilevered arms are connected to the body using an extension for creating a gap between the body and the plurality of arcuate cantilevered arms. 57. The actuator of any one of claims 54-56, the plurality of arcuate cantilevered arms comprising at least three arcuate cantilevered arms. 58. The actuator of any one of claims 54-57, wherein the actuator is a portion of terminal or extender port used for making an optical connection.

Description

Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 FIBER OPTIC EXTENDER PORTS HAVING AN ENDCAP ALONG WITH ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/511,218, filed on June 30, 2023, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Field [0002] The disclosure is directed to fiber optic extender port devices providing at least one optical connection port for receiving an external fiber optic connector along with methods for making the same. More specifically, the disclosure is directed to fiber optic extender ports comprising a shell having a barrel and an endcap for providing one or more connection ports with a securing feature associated with the connection port(s) for securing external fiber optic connector(s) for optical mating. BACKGROUND [0003] Optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission. As bandwidth demands increase optical fiber is migrating deeper into communication networks such as in fiber to the premises applications such as FTTx, 5G and the like. As optical fiber extended deeper into communication networks the need for making robust optical connections in outdoor applications in a quick and easy manner was apparent. To address this need for making quick, reliable, and robust optical connections in communication networks hardened fiber optic connectors such as the OptiTap® plug connector were developed. [0004] Multiports were also developed for making multiple optical connections with hardened connectors. Prior art multiports have a plurality of receptacles mounted through a wall of the housing for protecting an indoor connector inside the housing that makes an optical connection to the external hardened connector of the branch or drop cable. The multiports provide a location where multiple connections may be made at a common terminal location. [0005] The different branch or drop cables connected to the multiport may require different lengths to reach the desired connection locations at the other end. With factory- Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 terminated solutions there are typically several lengths of drop cables that are offered, and the user can use the length of connectorized drop cable that best fits the link length required. However, this can require the craft to stock several different length drop cables and may result in excess lengths of cable that require slack storage of cable if the lengths are not well-matched to the link length required. Moreover, any excess cable length that requires storage may be difficult to accommodate where limited space is available, and the slack storage may be unsightly as well. [0006] Consequently, there exists an unresolved need for new devices that allow flexibility for the network operators to quickly and easily make optical connections with custom lengths for extending or tailoring the reach of a link in an optical network while also addressing concerns related to limited space, organization, or aesthetics. The concepts disclosed herein provide a rugged and reliable extender port for making optical connections with external fiber optic connectors that is also quick and easy to assemble for manufacturing. SUMMARY [0007] The disclosure is directed to extender ports comprising at least one connection port configured for receiving an external fiber optic connector for optical connection. The extender port comprises a shell defining a cavity, and the shell comprises a barrel and at least one endcap that cooperates with the barrel. The extender port also comprises a respective securing feature(s) associated with the connection port(s) that may translate for securing or releasing the external fiber optic connector. Generally speaking, the extender ports comprise at least one connection port defined by an optical connector opening extending into a cavity of the shell of the extender port along with a securing feature 310 associated with the respective connection port. [0008] The extender ports disclosed may have any suitable construction disclosed herein for providing one or more connection ports. For instance, the shell can define the necessary structure for making an optical connection when receiving the external fiber optic connectors, but using further components or features may be beneficial if desired. By way of example, the extender port may be weatherproof or not as desired. Likewise, Attorney Docket No.: HI23-073 extender port may also other features or components such as keying features for inhibiting a non-compliant connector from being inserted and potentially causing damage to the device or not as desired. [0009] The disclosure is directed to extender port for making an optical connection with an external fiber optic connector. The extender port comprises a shell comprising a barrel