Senko EX1019
`PGR2024-00037
`PCT Publication No. WO2019/126337
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337 AJ IMUMITUMNTITIMINTTUTETA EAN
`
`EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU,IE,IS, IT, LT, LU,LV,
`MC, MK,MT, NL, NO,PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM,
`TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW,
`KM,ML, MR,NE,SN, TD, TG).
`
`Declarations under Rule 4.17:
`
`— as to the applicant's entitlement to claim the priority of the
`earlier application (Rule 4.17(iii))
`Published:
`
`— with international search report (Art. 21(3))
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`MINI DUPLEX CONNECTOR WITH PUSH-PULL POLARITY MECHANISM AND CARRIER
`
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application serial number
`
`62/607,555, filed on December 19, 2017 and Provisional Patent Application serial number
`
`62/634,271, filed on February 23, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`Inthe small form-factor pluggable (SFP and QSFP) industry, there are a numberof
`
`different ferrules and designs that are used. In someapplications, an MTferrule 1s used,
`
`while in others it is the LC form that 1s used. The LC connectorusesa single optical fiber
`
`and fiber optic ferrule per housing. In higher density applications, the LC connector may not
`
`be used becausethe space that each of the LC connectors use. Thus, it would beneficial to
`
`reduce the footprint of the LC connector by reducing the pitch between thefiber optic
`
`ferrules.
`
`[0003] Applicant has a new designfor a fiber optic connector using the LC fiber optic
`
`ferrule to reduce the overall footprint of the fiber optic connector. In addition, an insertion/
`
`removaltool has been included to allow for the reduced footprint, allowing a user to more
`
`easily insert and remove the new fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic connector and the
`
`insertion/removal tool may also provide a way to ensurethe correct polarity of the fiber optic
`
`connector and to even changethe polarity in the field.
`
`[0004]
`
`Finally, the insertion/removal tool may include a way forit to be self-returning
`
`after a user inserts/removesthe fiber optic connector.
`
`SUMMARYOFTHE INVENTION
`
`[0005]
`
`The present invention is directed to a push-pull mechanism for use with a fiber
`
`optic connector having a housing with a top housing surface and a bottom housing surface
`
`that includes a main body having a front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion, a latch
`
`body connected to the front portion of the main body, the front portion having at least one
`
`windowto receive at least one latch therethrough from the latch body, the at least one latch
`
`for engaging a fiber optic connector adapter, and a rail portion extending along side portions
`
`{
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`of the latch body and main body to slidably engagethe fiber optic connector housing on one
`
`of the top housing surface and the bottom housing surface.
`
`[0006]
`
`In some embodiments, the push-pull mechanism includes a flexure member
`
`connected to the latch body to bias the main body toward a front end ofthe fiber optic
`
`connector housing.
`
`[0007]
`
`In some embodiments, the at least one window comprises two windowsand the at
`
`least one latch comprises two latches, the second latch extending through the second window
`
`and to engage a carrier.
`
`[0008]
`
`In some embodiments, wherein the location ofthe rail portion in the fiber optic
`
`connector housing thereby determinesa polarity of the fiber optic connector.
`
`[0009]
`
`In another aspect, the invention is directed to a push-pull mechanism for use with a
`
`fiber optic connector having a housing with a top housing surface and a bottom housing
`
`surface that includes a main body havinga front portion, a middle portion and a rear portion,
`
`two latches extending outward from the front portion, the first latch for engaging a fiber
`
`optic connector adapter and the second latch for engaging a carrier, a rail portion extending
`
`along side portions of the main bodyto slidably engage the fiber optic connector housing on
`
`one of the top housing surface and a bottom housing surface, and a grasping portion on the
`
`rear portion to allow a user to push and pull the push-pull mechanism to engage and
`
`disengagethe fiber optic connector from the carrier and the adapter.
`
`[0010]
`
`In some embodiments, the push-pull mechanism further includes a flexure member
`
`connected to the latch body to bias the main body toward a front end ofthe fiber optic
`
`connector housing.
`
`[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed
`
`description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from
`
`that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the
`
`detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
`
`[0012]
`
` Itis to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following
`
`detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide
`
`an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the inventionasit 1s
`
`claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the
`
`invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to
`
`explain the principles and operations of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0013]
`
`FIG. 1 isa side elevational view of one embodimentofa fiber optic connector with
`
`a push-pull mechanism, crimp body, and boot according to the present invention;
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 2 1s an exploded perspective view ofthe fiber optic connectorin FIG.1;
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view ofa portion of the fiber optic connector in FIG.1,
`
`whichincludes the housing with two ferrule assemblies and a spring push;
`
`[0016]
`
`FIG. 3A1s an exploded perspective view of the ferrule assembly and spring in FIG.
`
`3;
`
`
`
`[0017] FIG. 41sapartial cross section of the housing with two assembled ferrule
`
`assemblies and the spring push in FIG.3;
`
`[0018]
`
`FIG. 5 isa perspective view of the housing ofthe fiber optic connector in FIG. 1
`
`and FIG.3;
`
`[0019]
`
`FIG. 61s arear elevational view of the housing in FIG.5;
`
`[0020]
`
`FIG. 7 isa perspective view of spring pushin FIG.3;
`
`
`
`[0021] FIG. 81safront elevational view of the crimp body in FIG.1;
`
`
`
`[0022] FIG. 91sapartial cut away perspective view of the crimp body in FIG.8;
`
`[0023]
`
`FIG. 10 isa perspective view of the push-pull mechanism ofFIG.1;
`
`[0024]
`
`FIG. 10A1sa perspective view of the underside of the push-pull mechanism of
`
`FIG. 10:
`
`[0025]
`
`FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a latch body used with the push-pull mechanism in
`
`FIG. 10:
`
`[0026]
`
`FIG. 12 isa front elevational view of the latch body in FIG.11;
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG. 13 isa side elevational view ofthe latch body in FIG. 11;
`
`
`
`[0028] FIG. 141saperspective view of the push-pull mechanism andlatch body
`
`illustrating how the latch body attaches to the push-pull mechanism;
`
`[0029]
`
`FIG. 15 isa partial, perspective view of the push-pull mechanism and latch body in
`
`FIG. 14;
`
`[0030]
`
`FIG. 16 isa top view of the push-pull mechanism in FIG. 14 attached to the fiber
`
`optic connector in FIG.1;
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`[0031]
`
`FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the connection of the push-pull mechanism and
`
`housing in FIG. 16;
`
`[0032]
`
`FIG. 18 isa front perspective view of a plurality of fiber optic connectors and push-
`
`pull mechanisms mounted in a carrier according to one embodimentof the present invention;
`
`[0033]
`
`FIG. 19 isa front view ofthe plurality of fiber optic connectors and push-pull
`
`mechanisms mountedin the carrier 1n Fig 18;
`
`[0034]
`
`FIG. 20 is arear perspective view of the plurality of fiber optic connectors and
`
`push-pull mechanisms mountedin the carrier in Fig 18 in preparation to be inserted into one
`
`embodimentof a fiber optic connector adapter according to the present invention;
`
`[0035]
`
`FIG. 21 is across section of the assembly of the push-pull mechanism and latch
`
`body and the fiber optic connector, all mounted in the carrier and inserted into the adapter;
`
`[0036]
`
`FIG. 22 is across section of a smaller portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 21
`
`illustrating push-pull mechanism andlatch body mountedin the carrier and the fiber optic
`
`connector adapter;
`
`[0037]
`
`FIG. 23 is an elevational view of a second embodimentofa fiber optic connector
`
`with a push-pull mechanism, crimp body, and boot according to the present invention;
`
`[0038]
`
`FIG. 24 isa partial cross sectional view of the housing with the woferrule
`
`assemblies and a spring push ofthe fiber optic connector in FIG. 23;
`
`[0039]
`
`FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the housing of the fiber optic connector in FIG. 23;
`
`[0040]
`
`FIG. 26 is a rear elevational view of the housing in FIG. 25;
`
`[0041]
`
`FIG. 27 is partial cross section of a second embodimentof a crimp body according
`
`to the present invention and shownin FIG.23;
`
`[0042]
`
`FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the second embodimentof a push-pull mechanism
`
`according to the present invention and shownin FIG. 23;
`
`[0043]
`
`FIG. 29 is across section view of the push-pull mechanism in FIG. 27;
`
`[0044]
`
`FIG. 301s cross section of the fiber optic connector with a push-pull mechanism
`
`and crimp body of FIG. 23;
`
`[0045]
`
`FIG. 31 is a perspective view ofa fiber optic connector and push-pull mechanisms
`
`of FIG. 23 mounted in a carrier;
`
`[0046]
`
`FIG. 32 is across section view ofthe carrier of FIG. 30 without the fiber optic
`
`connector;
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`[0047]
`
`FIG. 33 is across section view ofthe fiber optic connector with a push-pull
`
`mechanism and crimp body of FIG. 23 in an embodimentofa carrier;
`
`[0048]
`
`FIG. 34 is across section view offiber optic connector with a push-pull mechanism
`
`and crimp body in a carrier being inserted into an adapter;
`
`[0049]
`
`FIG. 35 across section view offiber optic connector with a push-pull mechanism
`
`and crimp body in a carrier being removed from the adapter;
`
`[0050]
`
`FIG. 36 is across section view offiber optic connector with a push-pull mechanism
`
`and crimp body being removedfromacarrier;
`
`[0051]
`
`FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a spring push according
`
`to the present invention;
`
`[0051]
`
`FIG. 38 isa perspective view of a second embodimentof a crimp body according
`
`to the present invention;
`
`[0052]
`
`FIG. 39 is an elevational view of another embodimentof a fiber optic connector
`
`with a push-pull mechanism, crimp body, and boot according to the present invention;
`
`[0053]
`
`FIG. 40 is aright top perspective view of the push-pull mechanism of FIG. 39;
`
`[0054]
`
`FIG. 41 is a bottom perspective view of the push-pull mechanism of FIG.39;
`
`[0055]
`
`FIG. 42 is aright perspective view ofthe latch body with a flexure mechanism of
`
`FIG. 39;
`
`[0056]
`
`FIG. 43 is aright bottom perspective view of the latch body and flexure mechanism
`
`of FIG. 39
`
`[0057]
`
`FIG. 44 is aright perspective view of the push-pull mechanism with latch body and
`
`flexure mechanism;
`
`[0058]
`
`FIG. 45 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the push-pull
`
`mechanism, latch body, and fiber optic connector of FIG. 39;
`
`[0059]
`
`FIG. 46 is enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the push-pull mechanism,
`
`latch body, and fiber optic connector of FIG. 41 at a different location from FIG. 47;
`
`[0060]
`
`FIG. 47 is across sectional view of the push-pull mechanism, latch body, and
`
`housing; and
`
`[0061]
`
`FIG. 48 is a top perspective view of the push-pull mechanism,latch body, and
`
`housing.
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0062]
`
`Reference will now be madein detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the
`
`invention, examples of whichareillustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever
`
`possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawingsto refer to the
`
`sameorlike parts.
`
`[0063] Applicant notes that the term “front” or “forward” meansthat direction where the
`
`fiber optic connector would meet with another fiber optic connector or device, while the term
`
`“rear” or “rearward” is used to meanthe direction from whichthe optical fibers enter into the
`
`fiber-optic ferrule or fiber optic connector. Thus, “front” is that part of the housing 102 on
`
`the left side of FIG. 1 and “forward”is out and to the left. “Rear” is that part of the housing
`
`102 that is on the right side of the page and “rearward” is toward the right.
`
`[0064]
`
`One embodimentof a fiber optic connector 100 according to the present invention
`
`is illustrated in FIGS 1-22. Thefiber optic connector 100, in FIGS. 1 and 2, may include a
`
`housing 102, a latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104, a crimp body 106, a crimp ring
`
`and heat shrink tube 108, and a strain relief boot 110. As discussed in more detail below, the
`
`housing 102 and its components, the latch component 104, and the crimp body 106 are the
`
`focus of this application. The crimp ring and heat shrink tube 108 anda strain relief boot 110
`
`are generally known components.
`
`[0065] Turning to FIGS. 3 and 3A,inside the housing 102 are two ferrule assemblies 120,
`
`two springs 122, and a spring push 124. The two ferrule assemblies 120 each include a fiber
`
`optic ferrule 130 (generally a 1.25 mm LCfiber optic ferrule), a ferrule holder 132, and a
`
`lead-in tube 134. The spring 122 1s added later. The ferrule assemblies 120 are preferably
`
`preassembled and are inserted into the housing 102 without needing any further processing.
`
`[0066]
`
`The housing 102 has a main body 140 extending between a front end 142 and a rear
`
`end 144, and has an opening 146 extending therebetween. The opening 146 of the housing
`
`102 mayalso have structures 148 that orient and retain the ferrule assemblies 120 in the
`
`housing 102. In this case, there are flat surfaces 150 that engage correspondingflat surfaces
`
`152 on the ferrule holder 132, to keep the ferrule assemblies 120 from rotating within the
`
`housing 102.
`
`[0067] Once the ferrule assemblies 120 are disposed within the housing 102, the springs
`
`122 are placed around the lead-in tube 134 and against a back end 138 of the ferrule holder
`
`132. The spring push 124 1s then inserted into the opening 146 of the housing 102. The
`
`6
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`spring push 124 hasa pair of latches 154 that engage corresponding openings 156 in the
`
`opposite sides of the main body 140 of the housing 102 to retain the spring push 124 in the
`
`opening 146. The spring push 124 has a forward facing surface 158 to engage the rear ends
`
`of the springs 122. The forward facing surface 158 generally correspondsto the two springs
`
`122 to ensure that that the spring push 124 stays engaged with the springs 122. This
`
`configuration biases the ferrule assemblies 120 toward the front end 142 of the housing 102.
`
`While not shown, two optical fibers enter into the ferrule assemblies 120 through the spring
`
`push 124 andinto the lead-in tubes 134.
`
`[0068]
`
`The lead-in tubes 134 are connected to and extend from the ferrule holder 132.
`
`Preferably, the lead-in tubes 134 are securedto the ferrule holder 132, e.g. by adhesives,
`
`press-fit. The lead-in tubes 134 also extend beyond the rear end of the ferrule holder 132.
`
`See FIG. 4. This allows for injection of epoxy or other adhesives into the ferrule assemblies
`
`120 through the lead-in tubes 134 to secure the optical fibers therein. With the lead-in tubes
`
`134 extending so far rearwardly, there is no concern that the epoxy or adhesives will interfere
`
`with the springs 134, the spring push 124, or other structures in the fiber optic connector 100.
`
`Typically, the adhesive is cured with the lead-in tubes 134 exposedin prior to adding any
`
`additional components.
`
`[0069]
`
`The housing 102 may also have an indicia 136 of the polarity of the fiber optic
`
`connector 100. See FIG. 5. Depending on the application, one of the ferrule assemblies 120
`
`may be a receiving or a transmitting side with the other of the ferrule assemblies 120 being
`
`the other. It is important for the user or technician to know whichof the ferrule assemblies
`
`120 is which. The indicia 136, an indentation in this case, makes the orientation or the
`
`polarity of the fiber optic connector 100 clearly visible. Other types of indicia may be used
`
`and still fall within the scope of the present invention.
`
`[0070]
`
`The outside of the housing 102 has many features that are integral to its use. See
`
`FIGS. 5 and 6. First are the top surface 160 and the bottom surface 162. The top and bottom
`
`surfaces 160,162 are preferably the same, with the exception of the indicia 1136, as one of
`
`the two surfaces 160,162 would not have it. Extending from the rear end 144 towards the
`
`front 142 of the housing 140 on both the top surface 160 and the bottom surface 162 1s a rail
`
`receiving portion 164. As will be discussed in more detail below,the rail receiving portion
`
`164 will stop just before the front end 142 asit will therefore create a stop surface 166. The
`
`

`

`WO2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`latch component(push-pull mechanism) 104 will make use of the stop surface 166 to insert
`
`the fiber optic connector 100 into variousstructures.
`
`[0071]
`
`The rail receiving portion 164 has a central portion 168 and then two lobe sections
`
`170, one lobe on eachside of the central portion 168. As best seen in FIG.6,the rail
`
`receiving portion 164 lookslike part of a profile of a dog bone. This configuration matches
`
`that of the bottom surface of the latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 to form a
`
`sliding dove-tail configuration. Other configurations are possible, such as, for example, the
`
`second version illustrated below - a cap with undercuts (essentially an umbrella or a T-shape
`
`configuration). See FIG. 26.
`
`[0072] The next feature of the housing 102 and main body 140 are the two side surfaces
`
`180. The twoside surfaces 180 are those opposite to one another and separated by the top
`
`surface 160 and the bottom surface 162. Referring to FIG. 6 in particular, each of the sides
`
`180 are divided into three portions. Thefirst portion is a longitudinal central portion 182
`
`extending in a first plane A. The second portionis a longitudinal top portion 184 extending in
`
`a secondplane B,the first plane A is parallel to and offset from the second plane B. The third
`
`portion is a longitudinal bottom portion 186 extending in the second plane B. The longitudinal
`
`top portion 184 preferably is divided from the longitudinal central portion 182 by a shoulder
`
`188. The shoulder 188 preferably has a surface that is in plane C and 1s perpendicular to both
`
`planes A and B. Similarly, the longitudinal bottom portion 186 preferably is divided from the
`
`longitudinal central portion 182 by a shoulder 190. The shoulder 190 preferably has a surface
`
`that 1s in plane D and is perpendicular to both planes A and B.
`
`[0073]
`
`The two longitudinal top portions 184 and the two longitudinal bottom portions 186
`
`function to align the fiber optic connector 100 in a horizontal direction in variousstructures, e.g.,
`
`a carrier and an adapter. On the other hand, it is the shoulders 188,190 that align the fiber optic
`
`connector 100 in a vertical direction. These will be discussed in more detail below. See also
`
`FIGS. 19 and 20.
`
`[0074]
`
`Referring to FIG.5, there are also two indentations 192 in the longitudinal top portion
`
`184 on both sides of the main body and adjacent the rear end 144. The indentations 192 form a
`
`forward facing surfaces 194 that are used by two housinglatches in the latch component(push-
`
`pull mechanism) 104. As described morelater, the latch component(push-pull mechanism)
`
`104 engagesthe forward facing surfaces 194 when removingthe fiber optic connector 100.
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`[0075]
`
`Returning to the crimp body 106, it is illustrated in FIG. 1 and also in FIGS. 8 and 9.
`
`The crimp body 106 hasa front portion 200 that is designed to interact and connect with the
`
`spring push 124 andalsois disposed within the opening 146 of the housing 102 wheninstalled.
`
`The crimp body 106 hasa rear portion 202 that extends behind the housing 102 and provides an
`
`outer surface 204 to receive a crimp band(e.g., crimp ring and heat shrink tube 108)
`
`therearound. Extending from a front end 206 to the rear end 208 is an opening 210. The
`
`opening 210 at the front portion 200 receives at least a portion of each of the lead-in tubes
`
`134. The spring push 124 has twotabs 212 on opposites sides thereof and extend in a rear
`
`ward direction in the opening 210 to engage an opening 214 in side walls 216 of the crimp
`
`body 106. The front end 206 also has a forward facing surface 218 that complements the
`
`rear of the spring push and, together with the tabs 212 keeps the crimp body 106 securely
`
`fixed to fiber optic connector 100. Although the crimp body 106 1s illustrated as being
`
`attached to the spring push 124, alternatively the crimp body 106 could be attached to the
`
`housing 102.
`
`[0076]
`
`The opening 210 in the crimp body 106 rearwardly of the lead-in tubes provides a
`
`transition area 220 for the optical fibers that are secured in the fiber optic ferrules 130. Since
`
`the crimp body 106 has a singular opening 222 at the rear end thereof, the optical fibers need
`
`to be able to exit that singular opening 222 1n a smooth fashion so they are not bent beyond
`
`their bend radius, thereby damagingor breaking the optical fibers. The transition area 220
`
`provides for this function.
`
`[0077]
`
`The crimp body 106 also has a top surface 230 and the bottom surface 232. The top
`
`surface 230 and the bottom surface 232 may be configured with a central portion 234 thatis
`
`similar to the central portion 168 ofthe rail receiving portion 164 above. However, the
`
`crimp body 106 has two outer trough portions 236 that are open to the space above the crimp
`
`body 106. The central portion 234 and the two outer trough portions 236 function as an
`
`alignment feature of the rail receiving portion 164. As discussed morebelow,the latch
`
`component (push-pull mechanism) 104 can be better aligned with the rail receiving portion
`
`164 by using the central portion 234 and the two outer trough portions 236 on the crimp
`
`body 106.
`
`[0078] While the crimp body 1061s illustrated as a single, unitary body (1.e., molded at
`
`one time with one material), it could also be molded as two pieces and then later the two
`
`pieces secured to one another.
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`[0079]
`
`The latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 is illustrated in more detail in
`
`FIGS. 10-17. The latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 has a main body 250 and a
`
`latch body 252 that attaches to the main body 250. See FIGS. 10 and 11-13. The main body
`
`250 hasa front portion 254, a middle portion 256, and a rear portion 258. Generally, the
`
`front portion 254 1s where the latch body 252 attaches to the main body 250 and provides for
`
`the latching of the fiber optic connector 100 to the adapter and carrier. The middle portion
`
`256 provides for latching of latch component(push-pull mechanism) 104 to the housing 102.
`
`The rear portion 258 has a grasping portion 260 to allow a user to push andpull the latch
`
`component (push-pull mechanism) 104 to engage and disengagethe fiber optic connector
`
`100 and the latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 from the adapter and/or carrier.
`
`[0080]
`
`The front portion 254 is divided into a first front portion 262 and a second front
`
`portion 264. Thefirst front portion 262 and the second front portion 264 both have a window
`
`266, 268, respectively to receive a latch from the latch body 252 therethrough. An underside
`
`of the first portion 262 has a groove 270 on either side to receive attachment members 272,
`
`274 from the latch body 252 (see FIGS. 10A and 11) to secure the latch body 252 to the main
`
`body 250. The attachment members 272, 274 (and thus the latch body 252) are able to slide
`
`within the grooves 270 to allow for the latching and unlatching the fiber optic connector 100.
`
`The grooves 270 should extend the length of the first portion 254.
`
`[0081]
`
`The second front portion 264 has an upper surface 276 that is higher than an upper
`
`surface 278 of the first front portion 262. This allowsfor the latching of a carrier and an
`
`adapter with the samedevice, as noted in more detail below. On the bottom side 280 of the
`
`second front portion 264 1s a rail portion 282 that includes two extensions 284, 286 that are
`
`joined by a central portion 288, all having a complementary configuration of the rail
`
`receiving portion 164 of the housing 102. See FIG. 10A. The latch body 252 also has the
`
`same rail portion configuration (central portion 290 and two extensions 292, 294) on the
`
`bottom thereof. This allows the main body 250 and the latch body 252 to beslidingly
`
`attached to the rail recetving portion 164 of housing 102. Whenthe latch body 252 is
`
`inserted into the first front portion 262, a front surface 296 of the rail portion 282 provides a
`
`pushing surface by which the main body 250 can pushthe latch body 252 intherail
`
`receiving portion 164 of the housing 102. See also FIG. 21. The front surface 300 of the
`
`latch body 252 also provides a pushing surface to be used against the stop surface 166 of the
`
`housing 102. This allows for the user to exert a force on the latch component(push-pull
`
`10
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`mechanism) 104 whichis transferred through the main body 250 to the latch body 252 and to
`
`the housing 102 to insert the fiber optic connector 100 into a carrier and/or adapter.
`
`[0082]
`
`Returning to FIGS. 11-13, the latch body 252 has two latches, an adapter latch 310
`
`and a carrier latch 312. The latch body may only haveoneofthe latches, depending uponits
`
`uses and the needsof the user. The adapter latch 310 extends from a forward portion of the
`
`latch body 252 and protrudes through window 266 of the main body 250. The carrier latch
`
`312 also extends from the latch body 252, from a rear portion thereof, and protrudes through
`
`the window 268 of the main body 250. Asis recognized from FIG. 13, the adapter latch 310
`
`does notrise as high as the carrier latch 312 (plane E versus plane F) so that whenthe fiber
`
`optic connector 100 is inserted into or removed fromacarrier, the adapter latch 310 will not
`
`engagethe carrier.
`
`[0083]
`
`Each of the latches, adapter latch 310 and a carrier latch 312, each have a proximal
`
`end 314, 316, to engage an adapter and a carrier, respectively. Each of the proximal ends,
`
`314, 316, have a rearward facing surface 314a, 316a and an upward facing surface, 314b,
`
`316b. The proximal ends 314, 316 will engage an openingin an adapter or a carrier. See,
`
`e.g., FIG. 21.
`
`[0084]
`
`The latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 is removably connectedto the rail
`
`receiving portion 164 of the housing 102 as described above. However, the connections so
`
`far described do not prevent the latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 from being
`
`removed toward the rear of the housing 102 when, for example, the grasping portion 260 is
`
`pulled rearwardly. However, in the middle portion 256, there are two latches 320 that extend
`
`from the latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104 inward and will move along rear
`
`portions of the longitudinal top portions 184 on each side of the housing 102. See FIGS. 1,
`
`18, and 20. In particular, the housing 102 has indentations 192 for the latches 320 and will
`
`engage the forward facing surfaces 194 when the latch component (push-pull mechanism) 104
`
`is pulled rearwardly. This will allow for the user to removethe fiber optic connector 100
`
`from a carrier and/or adapter as will now be described. It should be noted that the latches 320
`
`are cantilevered latches and thus pushing on area 322 (see FIGS. 16 and 17) will cause the
`
`latches to move away from the housing 102, and will release the housing 102 from the latch
`
`component (push-pull mechanism) 104.
`
`[0085]
`
`Turning to FIGS. 1, 14, 15, and 18, the latch component (push-pull mechanism)
`
`104 is connected to the fiber optic connector 100. The fiber optic connector 100 can be
`
`11
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`inserted into a carrier 350 (FIG. 18) and/or an adapter 400 (FIG. 20). The carrier 350
`
`provides the user with a convenient way to insert into and remove4 fiber optic connectors
`
`100 (could also have more or fewer connectors, but usually in groups of two) from an
`
`adapter (or other telecommunicationsstructure) rather than one at a time. It provides a cost
`
`savings time wise andalso assists in preventing the stubbing of or breaking fiber optic
`
`connectors.
`
`[0086]
`
`The carrier 350 has a few features that enable the use of the carrier 350 to correctly
`
`orient the fiber optic connectors 100 (polarity) and also to align the fiber optic connectors
`
`100 to one another for insertion into the adapter. The carrier 350 has a top 352 and a bottom
`
`354 and the top 352 has a cut out 356 for each of the fiber optic connectors 100, or the latch
`
`component (push-pull mechanism) 104. If the fiber optic connector 100 is inserted into the
`
`carrier 350 incorrectly (wrong polarity) then the fiber optic connector 100 will not seat in the
`
`carrier 350 correctly. The cut out 356 also has a rearward facing surface 358 that is used to
`
`removeall of the fiber optic connectors 100 from an adapter as discussed in moredetail
`
`below.
`
`[0087]
`
`The carrier 350 has an opening 360 extending between the front end 362 and the
`
`rear end 364. Inside the opening 360 are projections to accurately orient the fiber optic
`
`connectors 100 in the carrier 350. Extending from the top 352 into the opening 360 are the
`
`top extensions 366a. Along the corner of the top andthe sides of the carrier 350 are partial
`
`top extensions 366b, which perform the same function as top extensions 366a. Similarly,
`
`there are bottom extensions 368a and partial bottom extensions 368b. As best seen in FIG.
`
`19, the top extensions 366a are longer and extend downinto the opening 360 farther than the
`
`bottom extensions 368a extend upward into the opening 360. The distance between
`
`corresponding top and bottom extensions 366a, 368a provide the vertical alignment of the
`
`fiber optic connector 100 within the carrier 350. Referring back to FIG. 6, the shoulders 188
`
`and 190 and, more particularly, the distance between them andtheir vertical location along
`
`the sides 180 of the housing 102 orients the fiber optic connectors 100 vertically within the
`
`carrier 350. As can be gleamed from FIG. 19, if one of the fiber optic connectors 100 is
`
`oriented incorrectly, the longitudinal top portions 184 and the two longitudinal bottom portions
`
`186 will be in the incorrect location and the latch component(push-pull mechanism) 104 will
`
`hit the carrier and prevent the fiber optic connector 100 from being fully inserted.
`
`12
`
`

`

`WO 2019/126337
`
`PCT/US2018/066523
`
`[0088]
`
`The horizontal alignment of the fiber optic connectors 100 is also controlled by the
`
`top extensions 366a and the bottom extensions 370. However,it is the longitudinal top
`
`portions 184 and the two longitudinal bottom portions 186 (the distance therebetween) engaging
`
`the top extensions 366a and the bottom extensions 370 that controls. FIG. 19 also showsthat
`
`there is very limited space betweenthe fiber optic connectors 100 and allowsfor a higher
`
`density of fiber optic connectors 100.
`
`[0089]
`
`Oncethe fiber optic connectors 100 with the latch component(push-pull
`
`mechanism) 104 are correctly inserted into the carrier 350, a latch stop 380 on the latch
`
`component (push-pull mechanism) 104 will engage the rearward facing surface 358 of the
`
`carrier 350. The carrier 350 1s captured between the latch stop 380 and rearward facing
`
`surface 316a of carrier latch 312. This will expose enoughof the latch component (push-
`
`pull mechanism) 104 and,in particular, the first front portion 262. At the same time, the top
`
`352 of the carrier 350 has windows370 to receive the carrier latch 312 from each latch body
`
`252, and in particular the proximal end 316. See FIGS. 21 and 22. However, as the fiber
`
`optic connector 100 passes into the and through carrier 350, the adapter latch 310 1s too short
`
`to engage the carrier 350.
`
`[0090] With the carrier latch 312 now in the window 370 and engaging surface 372 created
`
`by the window 370, the carrier 350 or the latch component(push-pull mechanism) 104 can
`
`be usedto insert the fiber optic connectors 100 into the adapter 400. As clear from FIGS. 21
`
`and 22, if the carrier 350 is used to insert the ganged fiber optic