CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.201220254953.7 filed on May 31, 2012 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adapter for a connector applied in a data communication and telecommunication field, more particularly, relates to an adapter for a plug connector, and relates to a connector assembly having the adapter.

Description of the Related Art

In various fiber communication systems, a fiber optic connector is generally used to couple fibers of different fiber optic cables.

Fig.20 is an illustrative perspective view of two conventional fiber optic connectors 400. Fig.21 and Fig.22 show a conventional adapter 200 used with the conventional fiber optic connector 400.

As shown in Figs.20-22, each of the fiber optic connector 400 comprises a connector body 401. A fiber optic cable 300 is inserted from an end of the connector body 401. A ferrule 301 for the fiber of the fiber optic cable 300 is exposed outside from the other end of the connector body 401. The adapter 200 comprises four interfaces 201 and two splicing portions 202. The four interfaces 201 are formed in both ends of the adapter 200 in pairs and configured to receiving the inserted connectors 400, respectively. Each of the splicing portions 202 is disposed between a pair of interfaces 201 for splicing the ferrules 301 of the fiber optic connectors 400 inserted into the pair of interfaces 201. When the fiber optic connector 400 is inserted into the adapter 200, the connector body 401 is received in the interface 201, and the fiber ferrule 301 is inserted into the splicing portion 202 to be spliced with another ferrule 301. Furthermore, the above adapter may be used to receive an electrical connector for electrically connecting two electrical cables in some cases.

As for the above conventional adapter for a plug connector, a flange feature may be formed on the adapter, and the adapter may be fixed on a mounting panel by an installation hole formed in the flange feature. Also, an elastic metal clamp may be provided on the adapter, and the adapter may be fixed on the mounting panel by the elastic metal clamp. However, the adapters must be individually and respectively mounted on the mounting panel by the flange feature or the elastic metal clamp. If it needs to mount a plurality of adapters on the mounting panel, a certain distance must be kept between two adjacent adapters. Accordingly, the plurality of adapters cannot be arranged on the mounting panel in a high density, decreasing the space utilization efficiency of the mounting panel and wasting the installation space of the mounting panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to overcome or alleviate at least one aspect of the above mentioned disadvantages.

An object of the present invention is to provide an adapter assembly and a connector assembly having the adapter assembly, in which a plurality of adapters are connected together in order in a manner of side by side in a horizontal direction and/or stacked in a vertical direction, so that the space above a mounting panel for mounting the plurality of adapters can be utilized optimally.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an adapter assembly for coupling with a plurality of connectors, comprising: a plurality of adapters each including a housing, and at least one connection device. The housing is formed with at least one interfaces each for coupling with one of the connectors. Adjacent walls of the interfaces of two adjacent adapters of the plurality of adapters are connected with each other by the at least one connection device in a snap-fit manner, so that the plurality of adapters are connected together.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the housing of each of the adapters exhibits a substantively cuboid shape and comprises a first vertical wall, a second vertical wall opposite to the first vertical wall, a top wall and a bottom wall for defining the interface; and the connection device is configured to connect the adjacent first and second vertical walls and/or the adjacent top and bottom walls of two adjacent adapters of the plurality of adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the connection device is an elastic clamping member configured to clamp the adjacent first and second vertical walls and/or the adjacent top and bottom walls of two adjacent adapters of the plurality of adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, the top wall and the bottom wall is formed with a recess in an inner side thereof; and the clamping member comprises a pair of clamping arms each constructed to substantively match with that of the recess to be received in the respective recess.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the clamping members comprises a pair of holding portions protruding toward each other at free ends of the pair of clamping arms; and a distal end of each of the recesses is formed with a through hole running through the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, the top wall and the bottom wall for receiving the respective holding portion therein.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the clamping arms exhibits a substantively triangle shape.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the adapter assembly further comprises at least one pair of installation members. One of the pair of installation members is mounted on the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall at the outmost side of a row of adapters. Each of the installation members comprises a body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the length of the body from the first end to the second end being equal to about an half of a longitudinal length of the adapter; an installation lug perpendicularly extending from the first end of the body; and an auxiliary clamping component formed by bending inward from the second end of the body by about 180 degrees and engaged in the recess of the vertical wall at the outmost side of the row of adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, an installation hole is provided in the installation lug; and an elastic clamping protrusion is formed on a free end of the auxiliary clamping component.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the connection devices comprises: at least one first horizontal connection member formed by extending from an outer side of the first vertical wall in a horizontal direction; and at least one second horizontal connection member formed on an outer side of the second vertical wall. The first and second horizontal connection members are configured to be engaged with each other in a snap-fit manner so as to connect the plurality of adapters side by side.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the first horizontal connection member comprising: a connection portion formed by extending from the outer side of the first vertical wall in the horizontal direction ; and an engagement portion formed by extending from an end of the connection portion in at least one direction parallel to the first vertical wall; The second horizontal connection member comprising: a receiving groove formed in the second vertical wall and configured to receive the engagement portion of the first horizontal connection member of another adapter; and a first opening communicated with the receiving groove to permit the engagement portion of the another adapter to be inserted into the receiving groove through the first opening.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the second horizontal connection member further comprises a second opening communicated with the receiving groove and configured to be fitted with the connection portion of the another adapter, so that the connection portion of the another adapter is allowed to pass through the second opening during inserting the engagement portion of the another adapter into the receiving groove.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the engagement portion has a substantively U-shape and comprises two elastic arms and a base connected between ends of the two elastic arms; and the connection portion is connected between the base and the first vertical wall.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, a projection is formed on an end of each of the elastic arms; and when the engagement portion of the another adapter acted as an insertion end is inserted into the receiving groove, the projection of the another adapter is exposed outside the first opening to block the engagement portion from being further inserted.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the adapters further comprises: two positioning portions formed by protruding from the second vertical wall and separate from the first opening by a predetermined distance to locate the projection of the another adapter between the second horizontal connection member and the positioning portions when the engagement portion of the another adapter is inserted into the receiving groove.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the second horizontal connection member further comprises a third opening communicated with the receiving groove and opposite to the first opening. A projection is formed on an end of each of the elastic arms. When the engagement portion of the another adapter acted as an insertion end is inserted into the receiving groove, the projection of the another adapter is exposed outside the third opening to block the engagement portion of the another adapter from being retreated from the receiving groove.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the first horizontal connection member is disposed in a notch formed in the first vertical wall; and the second horizontal connection member is protruded from the second vertical wall.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the adapter assembly further comprises a first installation member and a second installation member. The first installation member comprises a first plate body; and a first auxiliary connection member formed on a first side of the first plate body and configured the same as the first horizontal connection member so as to engage with the second horizontal connection member of one adapter at the outmost side of a row of adapters. The second installation member comprises a second plate body; and a second auxiliary connection member formed on a first side of the second plate body and configured the same as the second horizontal connection member so as to engage with the first horizontal connection member of another adapter at the outmost side of the row of adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, the first installation member further comprises a first installation lug formed on a second side of the first plate body; and the second installation member further comprises a second installation lug formed on a second side of the second plate body.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the connection devices comprises: first vertical connection members formed by extending from outer sides of the first and second vertical walls proximate to the top wall or the bottom wall; and second horizontal connection members formed on outer sides of the first and second vertical walls proximate to the bottom wall or the top wall and configured to be inserted into and fixed in a slot in the first vertical connection member of another adapter. The plurality of adapters are stacked and engaged with each other in a vertical direction by engaging the first vertical connection members of one adapter and the second vertical connection members of the other adapter.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the first vertical connection members has a substantively U- shape, and comprises: a first arm formed by protruding outward from an upper end or a lower end of the outside of the first or second vertical wall; a second arm located above the top wall or the bottom wall and extending in a direction parallel to the first arm; and a base connected between the first and second arms to form the slot between the first and second arms. Each of the second vertical connection members comprises an elongated protrusion formed by protruding outward from the lower end or the upper end of the outside of the first or second vertical wall. The elongated protrusion is configured to be received in the slot between the first and second arms of the another adapter to stack and engage two adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, a free end of the second arm is formed with a block portion extending inward to prevent the elongated portion from being disengaged from the slot between the first and second arms.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the connection devices comprises a vertical connection member having a substantively L-shape and a receiving groove. The vertical connection member comprises a base vertically extending outward from the top wall or the bottom wall; and a arm extending from an end of the base in a direction parallel to an outer surface of the top wall or the bottom wall. The receiving groove is formed in the bottom wall or the top wall and configured to receive the arm of another adapter to stack and engage two adapters.

In the above mentioned adapter assembly, each of the adapters further comprises installation members formed by protruding from the first and second vertical walls to mount the adapter assembly on a mounting panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly, comprising: the adapter assembly according to the above various embodiments; and a plurality of connectors each coupled into one of the interfaces of the respective adapter.

In the above mentioned connector assembly, the connector is a fiber optic connector.

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of adapters may be connected together in order in a manner of side by side in a horizontal direction and/or stacked in a vertical direction, for example, two adjacent adapters may be removably connected together in a snap-fit manner, so that the space above a mounting panel for mounting the plurality of adapters can be utilized optimally. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.1 is an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.2 is an illustrative perspective view of a row of adapters arranged in the middle of the adapter assembly shown in Fig. l ;

Fig.3 is an exploded view of a portion of parts of the row of adapters of Fig.2 before being assembled;

Fig.4 is an illustrative perspective view of two rows of adapters arranged at the lower of the adapter assembly shown in Fig. l ;

Fig.5 is an illustrative perspective view of one adapter of the adapter assembly shown in Fig. l ;

Fig.6 is an illustrative perspective view of a connection device of the adapter assembly shown in Fig. l ;

Fig.7 is an illustrative perspective view of an installation member of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.1 ;

Fig.8 is an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.9 is an illustrative perspective view of one adapter of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8 when viewing from a first side in a first orientation;

Fig.10 is another illustrative perspective view of the adapter of Fig.9 when viewing from the first side in a second orientation;

Fig.1 1 is an illustrative perspective view of the adapter of Fig.9 when viewing from a second side;

Fig.12 is a local enlarged cross section view of two adjacent connected adapters of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8 along a line A- A of Fig.10 (or a line B-B of Fig. l 1), which shows an exemplary embodiment of a first connection form of a first connection member and a second connection member;

Fig.13 is an enlarged cross section view of an exemplary embodiment of another connection form of a first connection member and a second connection member;

Fig.14 is an illustrative perspective view of a first installation member of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8, as viewed from an inner side;

Fig.15 is another illustrative perspective view of the first installation member of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8, as viewed from an outer side;

Fig.16 is an illustrative perspective view of a second installation member of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8, as viewed from an outer side;

Fig.17 is another illustrative perspective view of the second installation member of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.8, as viewed from an outer side;

Fig.18 is an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

Fig.19 is an illustrative perspective view of one adapter of the adapter assembly shown in Fig.18;

Fig.20 is an illustrative perspective view of two conventional fiber optic connectors; Fig.21 is an illustrative perspective view of a conventional adapter coupled with the conventional fiber optic connectors shown in Fig.20; and

Fig.22 is a cross section view of the adapter of Fig.21 taken along a line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE IVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein the like reference numerals refer to the like elements. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The adapter of the present invention may be used with the conventional fiber optic connectors (for example, a LC fiber optic connector) 400 shown in Fig.20 or a fiber optic connector (for example, for splicing, distributing or abutting two fibers of two fiber optic cables) disclosed in Chinese Patent Application No.201210037495.6 filed by the applicant of the present invention. The adapter assembly for coupling with, for example, a plurality of connectors of Fig.20 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of adapters 10 each including a housing 1 made of, for example, plastic material ; and at least one connection device. The housing 1 may be formed with at least one interfaces 2 each for coupling with one of the connectors. Adjacent walls of the interfaces 2 of two adjacent adapters 10 of the plurality of adapters 10 are connected with each other by the at least one connection device 3 in a snap-fit manner, so that the plurality of adapters 10 are connected together. For example, the plurality of adapters 10 may be connected together in order in a manner of side by side in a horizontal direction and/or stacked in a vertical direction.

Figs.1-7 show an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly 100 according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs.1-7, the adapter assembly 100 may comprise nine adapters 10 arranged in an array of 3 rows and 3 columns. The housing 1 of each of the adapters 10 may exhibit a substantively cuboid shape and comprise a first vertical wall 11, a second vertical wall 12 opposite to the first vertical wall, a top wall 13 and a bottom wall 14 for defining the interface 2. The connection device is configured to connect the adjacent first and second vertical walls 11, 12 and/or the adjacent top and bottom walls 13, 14 of two adjacent adapters of the plurality of adapters 10. Furthermore, the connection device may be an elastic clamping member 3 configured to clamp the adjacent first and second vertical walls

I I, 12 and/or the adjacent top and bottom walls 13, 14 of two adjacent adapters of the p lurality o f adapters 10.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig.5, each of the first vertical wall 11, the second vertical wall 12, the top wall 13 and the bottom wall 14 is formed with a recess

I I I, 121, 131 or 141 in an inner side thereof, respectively. The recesses 111, 121 , 131, 141 may have a substantively same shape. The clamping member 3 comprises a pair of clamping arms 30 each having a shape substantively matched with that of a respective recess 11 1, 121, 131 or 141, so that the pair of clamping arms 30are received in two respective recess 111, 121, 131, 141. For example, as shown in Figs.2-3, two clamping arms 30 of the clamping member 3 may be received in the recess 121 of the second vertical wall 12 of a first adapter and the recess 111 of the first vertical wall 11 of a second adapter in a same row of adapters 10. In this way, the plurality of adapters 10 can be connected and fixed together in order in a manner of side by side in a horizontal direction. Furthermore, as shown in Fig.4, two clamping arms 30 of the clamping member 3 may be received in the recess 141 of the bottom wall 14 of an upper adapter and the recess 131 of the top wall 13 of a lower adapter in a same column of adapters 10. In this way, the plurality of adapters 10 can be stacked and fixed together in a vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 4, each of the clamping arms 30 may exhibit a substantively triangle shape to facilitate the insertion of the clamping member 3 into the respective recesses. In an exemplary embodiment, the recess 131 in the top wall 13 may be formed in a receiving groove for receiving, for example, a locking member of the connector 400 shown in Fig.20.

Since each of the first vertical wall 11, the second vertical wall 12, the top wall 13 and the bottom wall 14 is formed with a recess 111, 121, 131 or 141 in the inner side thereof, when two adapters 10 are placed together either by arranging them side by side in a direction or by stacking them in the vertical direction, there are always two walls abutting against each other, for example, the second vertical wall 12 of an adapter and the first vertical wall 1 1 of another adapter abut against each other, or the bottom wall 14 of an adapter and the top wall 13 of another adapter abut against each other. Furthermore, the recesses 121, 111 or the recesses 141, 131 formed in inner surfaces of the walls are juxtaposed relative to each other, so that the clamping arms 30 of the clamping member 3 may be received in the recesses to connect two adjacent adapters 10 together.

Thus, the adapters of the first exemplary embodiment of can be arranged side by side and/or stacked with one over the other by means of the clamping member 3, saving the space for mounting the adapters 10. In a case where the adapters 10 of the adapter assembly 100 of the present invention are stacked with one over the other in the vertical direction, it is especially adapted to the connectors disclosed in Chinese Patent Application No.201210037495.6 by the applicant of the present invention.

In a further exemplary embodiment, each of the clamping members 3 comprises a pair of holding portions 301 protruding toward each other at free ends of the pair of clamping arms 30. At a distal end of each of recesses is formed with a through hole 15 running through the first vertical wall 11, the second vertical wall 12, the top wall 13 and the bottom wall 14, and each of the holding portions 301 can be received in the respective through hole 15. In this way, the protruding holding portion 301 can enter into the through hole 15 during pushing the clamping member 3 into the recesses, so that the clamping member 3 can be firmly engaged in the recesses. Alternatively, the through hole 15 may be replaced with a notch running through a part of the wall thickness of the housing 1 (or not running through the wall thickness of the housing 1) as long as the notch is deeper than the other parts of the recess.

The adapter assembly according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further comprise at least one pair of installation members 4. One of the pair of installation members 4 is mounted on the first vertical wall 11 or the second vertical wall 12 at the outmost side of a row of adapters 10. As shown in Fig.7, each of the installation members 4 comprises an elongated body 41 made of, for example, a plate material, an installation lug 42 and an auxiliary clamping component 43. The body 41 has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, and the length of the body 41 from the first end to the second end is equal to about an half of a longitudinal length of the adapter 10. The installation lug 42 perpendicularly extends from the first end of the body 41. The auxiliary clamping component 43 is formed by bending inward from the second end of the body 41 by about 180 degrees. With this configuration, the auxiliary clamping component 43 is engaged in the recess 111 or 121 of the first vertical wall 11 or the second vertical wall 12 at the outmost side of the row of adapters 10. Also, an installation hole 421 is formed in the installation lug 42. An elastic clamping protrusion 431 for fitting in the through hole 15 is formed on a free end of the auxiliary clamping component 43. Since the length of the body 41 is equal to about an half of the longitudinal length of the adapter 10, two installation members 4 can be mounted on the first vertical wall 11 or the second vertical wall 12 from both ends thereof, respectively, and the installation lugs 42 of two installation members 4 mounted on a same outermost vertical wall abut against each other, so that the entire adapter assembly 100 can be easily mounted on a mounting frame with the installation members 4 as well as connection pieces, for example, bolts or the like which pass through the through holes 15.

Figs.8-17 show an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly 100' according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the adapter assembly 100' of the second exemplary embodiment, the housing 1 ' of each of the adapters 10' may exhibit a substantively cuboid shape and comprise a first vertical wall 1 Γ, a second vertical wall 12' opposite to the first vertical wall, a top wall 13' and a bottom wall 14' for defining the interface 2'. The connection device is configured to connect the adjacent first and second vertical walls 11 ', 12' of two adjacent adapters 10' of the plurality of adapters 10'. In this way, a plurality of adapters 10' can be fixed together side by side in the horizontal direction.

Furthermore, each of the connection devices comprises at least one first horizontal connection member 31 (please refer to Figs.9- 10) and at least one second horizontal connection member 32 (please refer to Fig.11). The first horizontal connection member 31 is formed by extending from an outer side of the first vertical wall 11 ' in a horizontal direction. The second horizontal connection member 32' is formed on an outer side of the second vertical wall 12'. The first horizontal connection members 31 of one adapter and the second horizontal connection members 32 of the other adapter are configured to be capable of being engaged with each other in a snap-fit manner so as to connect the plurality of adapters 10' side by side in the horizontal direction.

Referring to Figs.9-10, 12, each of the first horizontal connection members 31 comprises a connection portion 31 1 (please refer to Fig.12) and an engagement portion 312. The connection portion 31 1 is formed by extending from the outer side of the first vertical wall 11 ' in the horizontal direction. The engagement portion 312 is formed by extending from an end of the connection portion 311 in at least one direction (for example, as shown in Figs.9, 12, a forward direction, a rearward direction and an upward direction) parallel to the first vertical wall 1 1 ' .

Referring to Figs.1 1-12, each of the second horizontal connection members 32 comprises a receiving groove 321 and a first opening 322 located at an upper end of the receiving groove 321. The receiving groove 321 is formed in the second vertical wall 12' and configured to receive the engagement portion 312 of the first horizontal connection member 31 of another adapter. The first opening 322 is communicated with the receiving groove 321 to permit the engagement portion 312 of the another adapter to be downwardly inserted into the receiving groove 321 through the first opening 322.

Furthermore, the second horizontal connection member 32 may further comprise a second opening 323 extending in the vertical direction. As shown in Figs.11-12, the second opening 323 is communicated with the receiving groove 321 and configured to be fitted with the connection portion 311 of the another adapter to allow the connection portion 311 of the another adapter to pass through the second opening 323 during inserting the engagement portion 312 of the another adapter into the receiving groove 321. In the cross section view of Fig.12, the receiving groove 321 is formed by two substantially L-shaped structures. Two walls of the two L-shaped structures are formed by extending from the second vertical wall 12', the other two walls of the two L-shaped structures extend toward each other to form the second opening 323. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9, the engagement portion 312 has a substantively U- shape and comprises two elastic arms 313 and a base 314 connected between ends of the two elastic arms 313. The connection portion 311 is connected between the base 314 and the first vertical wall 11 ', as shown in Fig. 13.

Furthermore, a projection 315 is formed on an end of each of the elastic arms 313. When the engagement portion 312 of the another adapter acted as an insertion end is downwardly inserted into the receiving groove 321 through the first opening 322, the projection 315 of the another adapter is exposed outside the first opening 322 to block the engagement portion 312 from being further inserted.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, each of the adapters 10' may further comprises two positioning portions 5. The two positioning portions 5 are formed by protruding from the second vertical wall 12' and separate from the first opening 322 by a predetermined distance to locate the projection 315 of the another adapter between the second horizontal connection member 32 and the positioning portions 5 when the engagement portion 312 of the another adapter is inserted into the receiving groove 321. More specifically, during engaging the engagement portion 312 of the another adapter is inserted into the receiving groove 321, the base 314 and the elastic arms 313 firstly pass through between the two positioning portions 5. After passing through between the two positioning portions 5, the projection 315 is located between the upper end of the second horizontal connection member 32 and the positioning portions 5. In this way, the projection 315 can block the engagement portion 312 from being further downward inserted or being upwardly disengaged from the receiving groove 321. The upper and lower surfaces of the projection 315 may be configured to be sloped guide surfaces, so that the projection 315 can overcome the block of the second horizontal connection member 32 or the positioning portions 5 through the sloped guide surfaces under a relatively larger force.

The above described engagement portion 312 is a U-shaped member with an opening upwardly as shown in the embodiment of Figs.9- 10. But the present invention is not limited to this, in another embodiment, the engagement portion 312 may be a U-shaped member with an opening downwardly and a connection portion connected to the uppermost end of a base. In this case, the second opening may be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second horizontal connection member 32 may further comprise a third opening (not shown) communicated with the receiving groove 321 and opposite to the first opening 322. A projection is formed on an end of each of the elastic arms. When the end of the elastic arm of the another adapter as an insertion end is downwardly inserted into the receiving groove 321, the projection of the another adapter is exposed outside the third opening to block the engagement portion of the another adapter from being retreated from the receiving groove 321.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first horizontal connection member 31 is disposed in a notch 112 formed in the first vertical wall 11 ', and the second horizontal connection member 32 is protruded from the second vertical wall 12'. In this way, when the first and second horizontal connection members 31, 32 are connected together, the first and second vertical walls 11 ', 12' of two adjacent adapters 10' abut against each other, saving the mounting space.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Fig.13, both the connection portion 311 ' and the engagement portion 312' of the first horizontal connection member are provided beyond the outer surface of the first vertical wall 11 A. The receiving groove 321 ' of the second horizontal connection member is formed in the second vertical wall 12A, that is, the entire second horizontal connection member is provided not beyond the outer surface of the second vertical wall 12 A. In this way, when the first and second horizontal connection members are connected together, the first and second vertical walls 11 A, 12B of two adjacent adapters 10' also can abut against each other, thereby saving the mounting space of the adapters.

As shown in Figs.14-17, the adapter assembly 100' according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further comprise a first installation member 6 and a second installation member 7. The first installation member 6 comprises a first plate body 61 and a first auxiliary connection member 62. The first auxiliary connection member 62 is formed on a first side of the first plate body 61 and configured the same as the first horizontal connection member 31 so as to engage with the second horizontal connection member 32 of one adapter at the outmost side of a row of adapters. In this way, the first installation member 6 can be mounted on the adapter at the outmost side of the row of adapters. The second installation member 7 comprises a second plate body 71 and a second auxiliary connection member 72. The second auxiliary connection member 72 is formed on a first side of the second plate body 71 and configured the same as the second horizontal connection member 32 so as to engage with the first horizontal connection member 31 of another adapter at the outmost side of the row of adapters. In this way, the second installation member 7 can be mounted on the another adapter at the outmost side of the row of adapters.

Furthermore, the first installation member 6 may further comprise a first installation lug 63 formed on a second side of the first plate body 61, and the second installation member may further comprise a second installation lug 73 formed on a second side of the second plate body 71. Each of the first and second installation lugs 63, 73 is provided with at least one installation hole 64, 74, so that the entire adapter assembly 100' can be mounted on the mounting panel (not shown, please refer to Fig.11) by means of connection pieces, for example, bolts or the like.

Figs.18- 19 show an illustrative perspective view of an adapter assembly 100" according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figs.18- 19, the adapter assembly 100" comprises a plurality of adapters

10". Each of the adapters 10" comprises two first vertical connection members 31 ' and two second vertical connection members 32'. The two first vertical connection members 31 ' are provided on upper ends outside the first vertical wall 11 " and the second vertical wall, respectively, and the two second vertical connection members 32' are provided on lower ends outside the first vertical wall 11 " and the second vertical wall, respectively. The two first vertical connection members 31 ' and the two second vertical connection members 32' can be engaged together, respectively, so that the plurality of adapters 10" can be stacked one over the other in the vertical direction.

Furthermore, in the adapter assembly 100", each of the first vertical connection members 31 ' has a substantively U- shape and comprises a first arm 313', a second arm 314' and a base 315'. The first arm 313' is formed by protruding outward from the upper end of the outside of the first vertical wall 11 " or the second vertical wall. The second arm 314' is located above the top wall 13 " and extends in a direction parallel to the first arm 313 '. The base 315 ' is connected between the first and second arms 313 ' , 314 ' , so that a slot is formed between the first and second arms 313', 314'. Each of the second vertical connection members 32' comprises an elongated protrusion formed by protruding outward from the lower end of the outside of the first vertical wall 11 " or the second vertical wall. The elongated protrusion is configured to be received in the slot between the first and second arms 313', 314' of the another adapter to stack and engage two adapters in the vertical direction. Also, an inner side of the first arm 313' is flush with the upper surface of the top wall 13", and the lower side of the elongated protrusion is flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall. In this way, when two adjacent adapters are stacked and engaged in the vertical direction, the bottom wall of the upper adapter can abut against the top wall of the lower adapter, thereby saving the mounting space of the entire adapter assembly.

In a further embodiment, a free end of the second arm 314' is formed with a block portion 316' extending inward to prevent the elongated portion from being disengaged from the slot between the first and second arms 313', 314'. Also, each of the adapters 10" further comprises an installation members 8 protruding from the first vertical wall 11 " and the second vertical wall to mount the entire adapter assembly on a mounting panel 101, as shown in Fig. 19.

In an alternative embodiment, each of the first vertical connection members has a substantively U-shape and comprises: a first arm formed by protruding outward from the lower end of the outside of the first vertical wall 11 " or the second vertical wall; a second arm located below the bottom wall and extending in a direction parallel to the first arm; and a base connected between the first and second arms to form a slot between the first and second arms. Each of the second vertical connection members comprises an elongated protrusion formed by protruding outward from the upper end of the outside of the first vertical wall or the second vertical wall. The elongated protrusion is configured to be received in the slot between the first and second arms of the another adapter to stack and engage two adapters in the vertical direction. Also, an inner side of the first arm is flush with the lower surface of the bottom wall, and the upper side of the elongated protrusion is flush with the upper surface of the top wall.

In another alternative embodiment, each of the connection devices comprises a vertical connection member and a receiving groove. The vertical connection member has a substantively L-shape and comprises: a base vertically extending outward from the top wall or the bottom wall; and a arm extending from an end of the base in a direction parallel to an outer surface of the top wall or the bottom wall. The receiving groove is formed in the bottom wall or the top wall and configured to receive the arm of another adapter to stack and engage two adapters together in the vertical direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment of another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector assembly comprising: an adapter assembly according to the above mentioned embodiments; and a plurality of connectors each coupled into one of the interfaces of the respective adapter. Furthermore, the connector may be a fiber optic connector, for example, a LC fiber optic connector.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of adapters may be connected together in order in a manner of side by side in a horizontal direction and/or stacked with one on the other in a vertical direction, for example, two adjacent adapters may be removably connected together in a snap-fit manner, so that the space above a mounting panel for mounting the plurality of adapters can be utilized optimally. The entire adapter assembly may be mounted on the mounting panel by means of the installation members. The outer connection features on the adapters may be same with each other, and the inner features of the adapter may be same as those of the conventional adapter, so that the adapters of the present invention may be adapted to couple with the standard LC fiber optic connectors in a high density to optimally utilize the space above a mounting panel. At the same time, the adapters can be assembled in a modularization manner to ensure that an appreciate number of adapters can be quickly assembled together according to various requirements from customers.

Although it has been described the connector of the present invention by using the optical cable as an object to be spliced in the above mentioned embodiments, it should be appreciated for those skilled in this arts that the connector of the present invention may be used to couple two electric cables in some other embodiments. More particularly, for example, in various network communication terminations, such as computer, router, server, digital switch, and so on, having a plug connector and a receptacle connector, the plug connector may be provided with the locking mechanism having a slope arm, a driving arm and a locking protrusion according to the present invention.

It should be appreciated for those skilled in this art that the above embodiments are intended to be illustrated, and not restrictive. For example, many modifications may be made to the above embodiments by those skilled in this art, and various features described in different embodiments may be freely used in combination with each other without conflict in configuration or principle of the present invention, so that more kinds of connector and adapter assemblies can be achieved with overcoming the technical problem of the present invention. Although several exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.