公开(公告)号：US12032212B2

公开(公告)日：2024-07-09

申请号：US17466303

申请日：2021-09-03

Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY

Inventor： Alexander A. Mathews ,  Terry L Smith ,  Michael A. Haase

IPC: G02B6/38 ,  G02B6/30 ,  G02B6/36 ,  G02B6/40

CPC classification number: G02B6/383 ,  G02B6/30 ,  G02B6/3636 ,  G02B6/3825 ,  G02B6/3882 ,  G02B6/403 ,  G02B6/3817 ,  G02B6/3826 ,  G02B6/3885

Abstract: Ferrules, alignment frames and connectors having at least one flexing element are provided. A ferrule or an alignment frame may include a body and first and second flexible arms, and a connector may include the ferrule or the alignment frame. A ferrule may have a first flexible arm that has a first fixed end attached to a first side of the body of the ferrule and an opposite first free end, and may have a second flexible arm having a second fixed end attached to a second side of the body, opposite the first side, and an opposite second free end. When the ferrule is mated with a mating ferrule, the first and second flexible arms are flexed away from the respective first and second sides of the body, and the first and second free ends contact the mating ferrule.