WO2003067297A1

WO2003067297A1 - Cantilevered shutter for optical adapter

Info

Publication number: WO2003067297A1
Application number: PCT/US2003/003445
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jaime Duran
Original assignee: Amphenol Corporation
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2003-02-06
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: US20030147597A1; US6688780B2

Abstract

A light-blocking safety shutter (250) is mounted in a fiber-optic adapter (200) housing that mates with a standard fiber-optic male connector of the type with a fiber-containing ferrule protruding from a forward end. The shutter is mounted in the insertion passage (206) of the adapter and is held in the light-blocking position by the cantilever manner in which the shutter is attached. The shutter may have several different shapes depending on the type of adapter in which it is mounted, including a shutter with a flat bumper plate (e.g. 402) or a shutter with raised dimple on the bumper plate. The bumper plate contacts the body of the inserted connector and takes the force that opens the shutter so that the ferrule is protected from contacting the shutter. The fiber-optic adapter may include two housings connected (202, 204) to each other for receiving two fiber-optic male connectors, one on each end of the adapter, such that each housing includes a shutter mounted in a cantilevered manner.

Description

CANTILEVERED SHUTTER FOR OPTICAL ADAPTER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light-blocking shutter in a fiber-optic connector or adapter that prevents light emissions from the fiber-optics of the connector when the adapter is open (i.e., when no mating connector is inserted). This prevents eye damage if a person should look into the open end of the connector that is carrying an optical signal. More specifically, the invention relates to light-blocking shutters that automatically block the opening through which the light signal is transmitted when a mating connector is removed and automatically open when the mating connector is inserted.

Description of the Prior Art

FIG. 1, labeled "Prior Art," shows a typical connector tip with a ferrule F, having centrally- located optical fiber (or fibers) O terminating at its surface, extending from the end of a connector body Bl . Outer body B2 slides over connector body Bl . It is well known that damage to the end of the optical fiber O itself (dirt or scratches) can also cause severe scattering of the light beam and insertion loss, potentially rendering the connector inoperative. A number of patents disclose fiber-optic connectors with spring-loaded shutters that are pushed inward by the insertion of a male connector to prevent light emissions from the adapter. U.S. Patent No. 6,004,043 to Abendschein et al., for example, discloses a spring- loaded shutter door that is disposed at an angle θ inwardly into the receptacle and is pushed out of the way by the inserted male connector (Col. 3, lines 50-54). The inserted male connector contacts the shutter near the spring-loaded hinge, which requires a greater force than if the connector contacted the shutter at a distance from the spring- loaded hinge.

U.S. Patent No. 6,142,676 to Lu discloses an internal beam stop door. The door is biased by a spring and limited by stop posts (Col. 4, lines 6-21). The door is angled at about 20° off the transverse. As seen in FIGS. 23-27, the door is first pushed inward by a cover and then by a prong (FIG. 24). Once the door is held up out of the way, continued insertion operates a cam mechanism that raises the cover (FIG. 26) so that it comes to rest against the raised door (FIG. 27). It is noted in Lu that slanting the shutter does not actually increase the leverage and does nothing to solve the leverage problem discussed above, as long as the engagement is laterally near to the hinge. This is because the torque required to open the shutter is the product of the force and the distance from the line of the force to the hinge. The line of force extends parallel to the motion of the male connector.

U.S. Patent No. 6,108,482 to Roth discloses as one of its objects the prevention of damage to the tip of a male optical-fiber connector (Col. 1, line 61, to Col. 2, line 6). Roth shows a spring- loaded shutter in which the shutter surface is divided into a recessed area and a surrounding ledge having a raised surface (Col. 3, lines 47-49 and lines 59-61). The male connector that pushes open the shutter has a projecting optic fiber ferrule with a "front mating face" that "engages outer surface of shutter and automatically opens the shutter" (Col. 4, lines 11-14). The shutter's recess is intended to protect the central area of the mating face, where the fiber termination is located: "Recessed area has a depth such that the polished ends of the optical fibers are protected" (Col. 4, line 17). The fiber termination, but not the ferrule itself, is protected.

The structure disclosed in Roth has several disadvantages. When the ferrule hits the shutter it is subjected to forces that would better be taken by the shoulder of the connector body surrounding it. Roth actually teaches against opening the shutter by pushing it with anything except for the ferrule, stating that the recess "should be designed with a depth slightly less than the distance the ferrule projects from the fiber optic connector" (Col. 3, lines 53-55; Col. 2, lines 32-34).

The above-cited hinged or spring-loaded shutters also have the disadvantage that they require additional manufacturing steps to insert both the shutter and the hinges and/or springs associated with the shutter. In addition, if the hinges or springs fail, the shutter will become inoperative within the adapter because the shutter will fail to automatically return to the light blocking position. Non-spring loaded shutters, like those mounted in a cantilevered manner, would potentially eliminate this problem.

U.S. Patent No. 5,104,242 to Ishikawa, for example, discloses a flexible, light- impermeable leaf spring panel that covers the optical path of light from a fiber optic source by blocking a portion of the insertion passage inside the adapter. It is connected near the opening of the passage in a cantilevered manner as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Although the spring is curved so that the sensitive tip of the ferrule does not contact the spring, the ferrule housing contacts the spring during insertion of the connector, as shown in FIG. 3. In Ishikawa, the spring is located interiorly of the ferrule insertion hole (FIG. 1).

U.S. Patent No. 5,570,445 to Chou et al. discloses a hinged (FIG. 1 A) or optionally "resilient tongue" (Col. 8, lines 1-5) light-blocking shutter disposed within a fiber optic adapter. The shutter is attached to the inner surface of the housing of the adapter. Given the configuration of the connecter, the ferrule tip (FIG. 2C) contacts the shutter directly when the connecter is inserted into the adapter.

U.S. Patent No. 5,708,745 to Yamaji et al. discloses a pair of mating optical shields formed over the opening of an adaptor insertion passage (FIG. 1) and connected to the opening of the adapter in a cantilevered manner with a spring bias that disposes the shields in a closed position to prevent optical emissions.

U.S. Patent No. 6,302,592 to Zύllig discloses as the prior art, an interiorly disposed, hinged shutter for use with fiber optic adapters for preventing emissions of light (citing U.S. Patent No. 5,363,460 to Marazzi et al.). Specifically, Zύllig shows a spring-loaded, hinged "radiation protection" shutter attached to the housing of the adaptor and forming a cantilever (FIG. 1). A leaf-spring is attached to the lower portion of the shutter to hold the shutter in a light-blocking position when there is no male connector situated in the insertion passage of the adapter (FIG. 1).

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there still exists a need for an apparatus for blocking light emissions from a fiber optic connector in an open adapter using a cantilevered shutter that does not require a hinge or spring, that is designed to swing open by a force exerted far from the hinge line, and that uses a simple, inexpensive, and foolproof shape that ensures that the delicate tip of the inserted connector does not contact the shutter, risking damage.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a fiber optic adapter that has a light-blocking shutter inside the insertion passage of the adapter that prevents light emissions from a fiber optic cable connected to one end of the adapter from causing eye injury. It is another object of the invention to provide a fiber optic adapter that has a shutter that is attached to the adapter in a cantilevered manner. It is still another object of the invention to provide a fiber optic adapter that has a shutter made of a material that automatically returns the shutter into a light-blocking position inside the adapter when a male connector is removed from the adapter.

It is another object of the invention to provide a fiber optic adapter that has a light- blocking shutter that does not require a hinge or spring to operate the shutter so as to simplify the manufacturing process and enhance the reliability of the shutter.

Briefly described, these and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordance with its apparatus aspects by providing a female or receptacle connector or adapter with a passage having a light-blocking shutter that is connected to the adapter in a cantilevered manner. The adapter passage may accept mating male connector or plug, such as for example the "SC" connector shown in FIG. 1, in such a way that the fiber optic end O is aligned with and juxtaposed to another fiber end very precisely, so that light is transferred into (or from) the fiber end O. The adapter holds the other fiber. When that other fiber is active, light is emitted from its terminus and will shine out of the passage when the male connector is not inserted in the adapter passage. Since the light used in fiber optic communications is generated by lasers, the light can potentially cause damage to the eyes. The recent trend toward more powerful signal lasers has made fiber optics more dangerous than they were previously.

The invention provides a shutter on one side of the adapter passage. It is pushed out of the way by the male connector (e.g., that of FIG. 1) when the male connector is inserted. The shutter is cantilevered so as to remain in a closed position until pushed open, and to automatically spring back when the male connector is withdrawn due to the material used to make the shutter. Preferably, the shutter is made by die cutting and stamping a stainless steel sheet. It may also be made by other common metal working processes. The shutter may also be made of plastic or a metallic-coated plastic as long as there is zero-percent light transmission (i.e., 100-percent opacity) through the shutter. Any suitable materials and manufactures are within the scope of the invention.

The shutter includes a light-blocking panel portion, a shoulder portion and a connection portion. In the first embodiment, the shoulder portion is the first part to contact the male connector when the male connector is inserted in the insertion passage, and is placed so that only the shoulder of the body of the male connector, and not the ferrule or optical end, touches it. By taking all of the insertion force, the shoulder protects the delicate extending tip of the male connector (e.g., the ferrule F of FIG. 1). The connection portion includes two C- shaped ends on either side of the shutter for snap-fitting onto a cylindrically-shaped pin.

In the second embodiment, the shoulder portion includes a dimple protruding above the surface of the shoulder portion. The dimple I s the first part to contact the male connector in the same manner as described above. The connection portion of the second embodiment includes a circular hole through the connection portion for receiving a rivet, pin, screw or other device for attaching the shutter to the adapter.

The shoulder height in the longitudinal direction (the direction that is parallel to the run of the optical fiber) is greater than the distance the ferrule projects from the shoulder of the connector in the same longitudinal direction (distance d in FIG. 1). This ensures that the ferrule tip never touches the shoulder portion of the shutter.

To further protect the ferrule, the leading edge of the shoulder (the edge foremost in the longitudinal direction, that first contacts the inserted connector body) is preferably set back from the front surface of the adapter body by a longitudinal-depth distance greater than the shoulder height (and therefore also greater than the longitudinal ferrule extension d).

When this set-back is greater than d, the tip of the ferrule F will not touch the leading edge of the shoulder if the connector is inserted off-center. The setback or longitudinal-depth distance not only helps to prevent ferrule contact, it also makes it more difficult to open the shutter with a finger, pencil, or the like because the shoulder is recessed into the adapter body.

It is also preferred that in the transverse direction (the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction), the separation between the side of the ferrule and the adjacent outside of the connector body exceeds the transverse distance from the side of the adapter body aperture to the top of the shoulder; that is, the ferrule is "above" the shoulder. Such a relationship ensures that when the outside of the male connector body is against the inside of the passage aperture, the ferrule does not touch the shoulder.

The connector housing includes a space into which the shutter is substantially recessed when the male connector is fully inserted, thus eliminating any interference with light transmission that the shutter may cause. The shoulder portion increases the mechanical advantage of the male connector in swinging the shutter out of the way. Besides extending along the insertion axis to protect the connector tip, the shoulder portion also extends away from the hinge line in a direction that is transverse to the insertion direction, i.e., toward the middle of the insertion passage. This increases the torque acting on the shutter relative to the hinge line, and makes for faster and easier shutter opening and decreased force on the shutter hinges as the male connector is advanced into the insertion passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1, labeled "Prior Art", is a perspective view of a male connector; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled adapter according to one embodiment of the invention with the shutter in the light-blocking position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shutter shown in FIGS. 2 and 3; FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 before completion of the assembly showing the male connector before and after insertion; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembled adapter according to another embodiment of the invention with the shutter in the light-blocking position; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter shown in FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a side view of the front half of the adapter shown in FIG. 6 showing the position of the male connector before and during insertion in the adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Two preferred embodiments of the invention are described below for illustrative purposes, it being understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms not specifically shown in the drawings. Thus, while the invention is described with reference to a particular type of adapter, such as an SC, MPT, or MPO® adapter, other adapters are also fully contemplated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary male connector C, in this case an SC fiber-optic connector. The connector C mates with the adapter of the invention by fitting into a passage the adapter housing, as discussed below. The connector C includes a ferrule F holding the optical fiber O, an inner body Bl holding the ferrule F, and an outer body B2 which slides longitudinally over the inner body Bl as part of the latch mechanism, which is conventional and shall not be discussed. The ferrule F protrudes a distance d from the extreme end of the body Bl, in the longitudinal direction. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled adapter 200 according to one embodiment of the invention with the shutter 250 in the light-blocking position. The assembled adapter 200 includes two housing sections 202, 204 mated together. An assembled adapter with a single housing and one with three or more housing sections is also contemplated. The housing sections 202, 204 may be made of any suitable material, but preferably they are made from metal and/or plastic. One method of connecting the two housing sections 202, 204 is to ultrasonically welded them together. The result is a bidirectional adapter in which two male connectors can be inserted, one in the front housing section 204, and another in the back housing section 202. The housing sections 202, 204 have a outwardly-extending surfaces forming a flange 216. The flange may have many different industry-standard and non-standard configurations (e.g., EMI, standard, reduced profile, etc.), and may be located in various positions. In FIG. 2, the flanges are located on the top and bottom of the adapter 200.

The shutter 250 shown in FIG. 2 extends inwardly away from the opening of the insertion passage 206 at an angle . The lower portion of the shutter 250 extends through a recess 208 located in the bottom of a coupling 210 and connects to the coupling 210 through clip openings 214. The coupling 210 preferably includes a slot 212 (also seen in FIG. 3) that mates with a guide G on the outer body B2 of the male connector C, seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the assembled adapter 200 shown in FIG. 2. The front and back housing sections 202, 204 each include a coupling 210, 210', respectively. The couplings 210, 210' each include recesses 208, 208' through which the shutters 250, 250' (only one shown) are inserted. The shutters 250, 250' are then clipped to the couplings using clip openings 214, 214'. Both shutters 250, 250' block light emissions from either end of the adapter 200. In the embodiment illustrated, the two couplings 210, 210' are identical, although this is not a requirement of the invention. The couplings 210, 210' are designed to accommodate a specific shaped connector C. However, different couplings with different shapes may be substituted. Thus, various combinations of housings (one piece or multiple pieces) and various The couplings may be eliminated from the housing without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the shutter 250 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The shutter 250 includes a bumper portion 402 that is used to make contact with the inner body Bl or outer body B2 of the connector C. A transition portion 404 connects the bumper 402 with the light-blocking panel portion 406. Although described separately, the three portions 402, 404, 406 can be made from a single piece of material that is formed into the shape shown in FIG. 4. Also, the shape of the individual portions may vary from those illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, the bumper 402, which is shown as a generally flat, rectangular piece in FIG. 4, could be a cylindrical rod or other shape, and it could be curved instead of flat, as long as it makes contact with the connector C in such a way as to prevent the optical end O and the ferrule F from hitting the shutter 250.

The base portion 408 includes a pair of connection clips 410. The clips 410 extend through the clip openings 214 on the coupling 210. After being inserted through the clip openings 214, they may be folded down as best seen in FIG. 3 and ultrasonically welded to the coupling 210 or attached in some other manner. The base 408 and connection clips 410 are connected to the bumper 402 by fulcrum 412. In this preferred configuration, the bumper 402, transition 404 and light-blocking panel 406 form a cantilever that rotates about the axis of the fulcrum 412. The shutter 250 is preferably made of a material that is 0% transmissive (i.e., 100% opaque), although a material that allows some light emissions to be visible through the shutter 250 is also contemplated without deviating from the nature and scope of the invention. The material selected should have some shape memory characteristics so that the shutter returns to the position shown in FIG. 4 even after repeated rotation of the shutter 250 about the fulcrum 412. To prevent light from scattering, the light-blocking panel 406 it may be slightly angled from the vertical orientation. Alternatively, the material selected for the shutter 250 should not be highly reflective. One such preferred light-blocking material is stainless steel about one millimeter thick. The shutter 250 may be formed by die cutting and stamping, chemical etching or other methods commonly used in the art. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 before completion of the assembled adapter 200 showing the male connector C before and after insertion. The inserted male connector C first contacts the shutter 250, causing the shutter 250 to rotate down into recess opening 206 (FIGS. 2 and 3). The shutter 250 rotates through an angle of about 20°, and ends up nested in the space below the insertion passage 206 and below the coupling 210.

As long as the depth D and D ' are greater than the distance d (FIG. 1), the ferrule F does not touch any part of the shutter 250. With the type of connector shown in FIG. 1, the outer body B2 is slidable on the inner body Bl along the axis of the ferrule F, and during insertion of the connector C in the adapter insertion passage 206 (FIG. 2) it may be pushed forward so that the outer body B2 is what makes contact with the shutter 250 to rotate the shutter 250 down. In that event, the distance d from the tip of the ferrule F to the end of the inner body Bl is the same as the distance from the tip of the ferrule F to the end of the outer body B2. (The outer body B2 slides backward on withdrawal, which operates an unlatching mechanism, not shown in detail in the drawing). To ensure that the ferrule F does not touch any part of the shutter 250 during any stage of the insertion, the shutter 250 should not only incorporate the depth D but should also include geometry that does not allow the ferrule F and the shutter 250 to make contact at any time, for a given connector construction (in particular, a standard construction).

Another transverse distance relationship is that between the initial impact point of the connector body B2 on the shutter 250 and the center line of the fulcrum 412. This fulcrum- impact distance should be sufficient that the shearing force exerted on the fulcrum 412, is not too great and so that the initial rotation of the shutter 250 is rapid, without undue wear or damage.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an assembled adapter 600 according to another embodiment of the invention with a shutter 650 in the light-blocking position. The assembled adapter 600 includes two housing sections 602, 604 mated together, similar to the assembled adapter 200 shown in FIG. 2. One method of connecting the two housing sections 602, 604 is to ultrasonically welded them together. The result is a bi-directional adapter in which two male connectors can be inserted, one in the front housing section 604, and another in the back housing section 602. The shutter 650 extends inwardly away from the opening of the insertion passage 606 at an angle. The lower portion of the shutter 650 extends through a recess 608 located in the bottom of the housing 604 and connects to the housing 604 as best seen in FIG. 8. The housing sections 602, 604 preferably include slots 610, 610' that mates with a guide G on the outer body B2 of the male connector C, seen in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter 650 shown in FIG. 6. The shutter 650 includes a bumper portion 702 that supports a dimple 704 which is used to make contact with the inner body Bl or outer body B2 of the connector C. A transition portion 706 connects the bumper 702 with the light-blocking panel portion 708. Although described separately, the four portions 702, 704, 706 and 708 can be made from a single piece of material that is formed into the shape shown in FIG. 7. Also, the shape of the individual portions may vary from those illustrated in FIG. 7. For example, the bumper 702, which is shown as a generally flat, rectangular piece in FIG. 4, could be a cylindrical rod or other shape, and it could be curved instead of flat, as long as it supports the dimple 704 such that the dimple 704 and the bumper 702 make contact with the connector C to prevent the optical end O and the ferrule F from hitting the shutter 650. The base portion 710 includes a opening 712 for receiving a rivet, screw, pin or other connecting device 802 (FIG. 8). Preferably, a rivet is used and the base 710 is ultrasonically welded to the housing 604. The base 710 is connected to the bumper 702 by fulcrum 714. In this preferred configuration, the bumper 702, transition 706 and light-blocking panel 708 form a cantilever that rotates about the axis of the fulcrum 714. The shutter 750 is also preferably made of a material that is 0% transmissive (i.e.,

100% opaque), although a material that allows some light emissions to be visible through the shutter 250 is also contemplated without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. The material selected should have some shape memory characteristics so that the shutter returns to the position shown in FIG. 7 even after repeated rotation of the shutter 750 about the fulcrum 714. To prevent light from scattering, the light-blocking panel 708 may be slightly angled from the vertical orientation. Alternatively, the material selected for the shutter 250 should not be highly reflective. Stainless steel about one millimeter thick is a preferred material for the shutter 750. The shutter 750 may be formed by die cutting and stamping, chemical etching or other methods commonly used in the art. FIG. 8 is a side view of the front half of the adapter 600 of FIG. 6 showing the position of the male connector C first contacting the shutter 650 inside the insertion passage 606 (FIG. 6) of the housing 604. The inserted male connector C first contacts the shutter 650, causing the shutter 650 to rotate down into recess opening 608 (FIG. 6). The shutter 650 rotates through an angle of about 45°, in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. 8, such that the plane of the bumper 702 is essentially parallel to the insertion direction of the connector C and lies flat inside the insertion passage 606.

As long as the depth D shown in FIG. 8 is greater than the distance d (FIG. 1), the ferrule F does not touch any part of the shutter 650. The dimple 704 (FIG. 7) is shaped such that the shutter 650 is moved from its light-blocking position more rapidly. This may be required in some adapters where space considerations limit the distance that the connector C travels in the insertion passage 606. Without the dimple 704 in the present example, the shutter 650 would not swing completely out of the way of the optical path inside the adapter 600. It will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that the dimple 704 can have any appropriate shape and size that satisfies the requirements of the specific adapter.

Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains that variations and modifications of the various embodiments shown and described herein may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.

Claims

What Is Claimed is:

1. A fiber-optic adapter intended to mate with a fiber-optic connector, the fiber-optic connector having a connector body and a fiber-containing ferrule protruding a distance d from a forward end of the connector body; the adapter comprising: a first housing forming a first passage for accepting the connector body therein during an insertion of the connector in a longitudinal direction into the first passage; a first shutter rotatably mounted in the first passage; wherein the first shutter is supported in a cantilevered manner such that a light- blocking end is inside the first passage and the other end is connected to the first housing and having a depth D in the longitudinal direction measured from the light-blocking end inside the first passage and the point where the connector body contacts the first shutter so that

D > d; and

whereby the ferrule does not touch the first shutter.

2. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a standard connector.

3. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the shutter comprises a shape that prevents any contact of the ferrule and the shutter during a latter stage of the insertion.

4. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the light-blocking end inside the passage comprises a back plate and wherein in the light-blocking position the back plate extends into the passage substantially peφendicular to the direction of the insertion of the connector.

5. The adapter according to claim 1 , wherein the end connected to the housing comprises a base plate attached to the bottom of the housing.

6. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is connected to the housing by a screw, pin, rivet, or bolt.

7. The adapter according to claim 1, wherein the shutter automatically returns to its light-blocking position when the connector is removed from the adapter.

8. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising: a second housing connected to the first housing forming a second passage axially aligned with the first housing for accepting a second connector body therein during an insertion of a second connector in a longitudinal direction into the second passage; a second shutter rotatably mounted in the second passage; wherein the second shutter is supported in a cantilevered manner such that a light- blocking end is inside the second passage and the other end is connected to the second housing and having a depth D ' in the longitudinal direction measured from the light-blocking end inside the second passage and the point where the connector body contacts the second shutter so that

D ' > d; and

whereby the ferrule does not touch the second shutter.

9. The adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a flange extending peφendicular to the outer surface of the housing.

10. A light-blocking shutter to be mounted in a connector-receiving passage of a fiberoptic adapter, the shutter comprising a unitary sheet bent into portions, the portions including a back plate, a bumper plate and a base plate, and wherein a fulcrum is formed along a line between the bumper plate and the base plate parallel to the bumper plate.

11. The shutter according to claim 10, wherein the base plate includes a connection means for connecting the base plate to the adapter.

12. The shutter according to claim 11, wherein the connection means includes a pair of clips located on opposite ends of the base plate and extending peφendicular to the base plate.

13. The shutter according to claim 11, wherein the connection means includes a circular opening having a diameter smaller that the smallest dimension of the base plate.

14. The shutter according to claim 10, wherein the bumper plate is substantially flat.

15. The shutter according to claim 10, wherein the bumper plate comprises a raised dimple protruding in the direction parallel to the connector-receiving passage of the fiberoptic adapter.

16. The shutter according to claim 10, wherein the unitary sheet is made of a material such that the fulcrum automatically moves the bumper plate to its original position after a force applied to the bumper plate has been reduced to zero.