BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fiber optic connectors are designed to be mated with other fiber optic connectors. The mating of the fiber optic connectors on a panel is typically done with two fiber optic connectors and an adapter inserted into the panel. The two fiber optic connectors are inserted from opposing ends of the adapter. Usually, this involves two SC-type fiber optic connectors, but other forms are also used. With the increase in the need for mating fiber optic connectors, more fiber optic connectors are being installed in the same space as before. Therefore, there is a premium placed on the space where the connections occur. Fiber optic connectors are becoming smaller and the spacing between them is also getting smaller. Indeed, the adapters that are inserted into the panels are becoming smaller and have less space between them.

There are a number of different adapters that are available to an engineer designing the space. Some of the adapters have shutters to prevent dust, dirt and debris from entering the system. These shutters are typically spring loaded to keep them closed when no fiber optic connector is inserted into that adapter. Closed shutters prevent the dust from entering the system and prevent any accidental exposure to laser beams from other fiber optic connectors, among other issues. However, they may also require a bit of force to open them, they take up the valuable space, and they increase the cost and the complexity of the system.

Thus, there is a need for a shutter that is low cost, easy to operate, seals off the opening in the adapter, and does not take up a lot of room when there is a fiber optic connector installed in the adapter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a fiber optic connector adapter that includes a main body having an opening for receiving a fiber optic connector, a shutter for sealing the opening in the main body when a fiber optic connector is not inserted into the opening, the shutter having a pin on opposing side edges, a pair of slots on the main body, each of the pair of slots to receive one of the pins, and a groove in a top surface of the main body to receive a projection on an inside surface of the shutter.

In some embodiments, the main body has two side walls and a top wall and a rail extending along at least a portion of each of the side walls.

In some embodiments, each of the pins is disposed on an extension of a side arm that extends from a side edge of the shutter.

In other embodiments, the shutter is capable of rotation and translation relative to the main body of the adapter.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is 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 illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

