Abstract: An optical connector includes a connector sub-assembly, an inner housing that receives a rear portion of the connector sub-assembly, a boot extending from the inner housing, and an outer housing coupled to the boot. The outer housing and the boot are configured to allow relative rotation about a longitudinal axis of the optical connector but can move together along the longitudinal axis. The boot can be rotated relative to the inner housing between a locked position in which the outer housing is prevented from moving axially and depressing the end portion of a latch arm of the connector sub-assembly, and an unlocked position in which the outer housing can move axially to depress the end portion of the latch arm.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fusion splice matched pair detachable connector for high fiber count applications where optical fiber alignment is maintained during processing of the detachable connector.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for connecting one or more optical fibers to a fiber optic component includes: a ferrule configured to receive the one or more optical fibers; a ferrule holder configured to be coupled to the ferrule, wherein the ferrule and ferrule holder forms a ferrule support assembly when coupled together; and a shroud configured to be positioned about the ferrule support assembly and connectable to the fiber optic component. The ferrule support assembly and the shroud are configured so that the ferrule support assembly is movable relative to the shroud to positions outside the shroud when the shroud is disconnected from the fiber optic component, and the ferrule support assembly is confined within the shroud when the shroud is connected to the fiber optic component. A method of forming a fiber optic assembly using such a fiber optic connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector for connecting one or more optical fibers to a fiber optic component includes: a ferrule configured to receive the one or more optical fibers; a ferrule holder configured to be coupled to the ferrule, wherein the ferrule and ferrule holder forms a ferrule support assembly when coupled together; and a shroud configured to be positioned about the ferrule support assembly and connectable to the fiber optic component. The ferrule support assembly and the shroud are configured so that the ferrule support assembly is movable relative to the shroud to positions outside the shroud when the shroud is disconnected from the fiber optic component, and the ferrule support assembly is confined within the shroud when the shroud is connected to the fiber optic component. A method of forming a fiber optic assembly using such a fiber optic connector is also disclosed.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector inner housing employing a front-loading retention feature for receiving and retaining a ferrule holder, and related fiber optic connectors, cables, and methods are disclosed. In one example, the inner housing has an opening extending therethrough and at least one bayonet locking mechanism that includes an insertion slot, a rotation slot, and a retention slot disposed in an interior surface of the opening. A ferrule holder having a key portion is inserted into the opening such that the key portion is received by the insertion slot. The ferrule holder is next rotated in the rotation slot and released such that a bias member within the inner housing moves the key portion of the ferrule holder into the retention slot, thereby retaining the ferrule holder in the inner housing and preventing accidental removal of the ferrule holder from the inner housing.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic cable crimp assemblies employing integrally connected cable strain relief boots to provide a single component crimp assembly. Related fiber optic connectors, cables, and methods are also disclosed. A fiber optic cable crimp assembly is employed for securing a fiber optic connector assembly to a fiber optic cable to form a terminated fiber optic connector. The fiber optic cable crimp assembly includes a cable strain relief boot configured to receive an end portion of a fiber optic cable to provide bend and strain relief for the end portion of the fiber optic cable. A fiber optic cable crimp band is integrally connected to the cable strain relief boot. The fiber optic crimp assembly is further configured to secure the end portion of the fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector assembly.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule extending along a longitudinal axis, a ferrule holder having a body in which the ferrule is received and at least one arm extending from the body, and a housing having a passage in which the ferrule holder is received. The passage is shaped to accommodate insertion of the ferrule holder from a front end of the housing, and the housing further includes at least one retention member that cooperates with the at least one arm to retain the ferrule holder in the housing. The at least one arm is configured to flex toward and away from an outer surface of the body to provide a snap-fit coupling between the ferrule holder and housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector inner housing employing a front-loading retention feature for receiving and retaining a ferrule holder, and related fiber optic connectors, cables, and methods are disclosed. In one example, the inner housing has an opening extending therethrough and at least one bayonet locking mechanism that includes an insertion slot, a rotation slot, and a retention slot disposed in an interior surface of the opening. A ferrule holder having a key portion is inserted into the opening such that the key portion is received by the insertion slot. The ferrule holder is next rotated in the rotation slot and released such that a bias member within the inner housing moves the key portion of the ferrule holder into the retention slot, thereby retaining the ferrule holder in the inner housing and preventing accidental removal of the ferrule holder from the inner housing.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include fiber optic cable crimp assemblies employing integrally connected cable strain relief boots to provide a single component crimp assembly. Related fiber optic connectors, cables, and methods are also disclosed. A fiber optic cable crimp assembly is employed for securing a fiber optic connector assembly to a fiber optic cable to form a terminated fiber optic connector. The fiber optic cable crimp assembly includes a cable strain relief boot configured to receive an end portion of a fiber optic cable to provide bend and strain relief for the end portion of the fiber optic cable. A fiber optic cable crimp band is integrally connected to the cable strain relief boot. The fiber optic crimp assembly is further configured to secure the end portion of the fiber optic cable to a fiber optic connector assembly.

Abstract: Fiber optic connectors and components for fiber optic connectors with improved side-loading performance are disclosed along with methods for making the same. The fiber optic connector includes a ferrule and a ferrule holder where the ferrule holder may be disposed within a housing. The ferrule holder has a forward portion with a spherical feature that includes a first portion with a compound surface for cooperating with the housing, thereby allowing relative movement therebetween. Specifically, the spherical feature of the ferrule holder permits rotational translation of the ferrule holder in two degrees of freedom relative to the housing and inhibits the longitudinal translation of the ferrule holder in same two degrees of freedom relative to the housing, thereby providing improved side-loading performance.

Abstract: An adapter dust cap comprising a dust cap body defining a clearance extending at least partially therethrough, a resilient member attached to the connector body, and a latching feature attached to the resilient member and configured to engage within internal geometry defined by a connector adapter. The adapter dust cap is translucent so that visible light from a connector may diffuse therethrough, and may include a material or coating thereon for converting light in the invisible spectrum to visible light so that the light can be detected through the dust cap without removing the dust cap from an adapter to which it is engaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fiber optic connectors and adapters, and more specifically to a simplified fiber optic adapter assembly and integrated shutter mechanism. In various embodiments, the simplified fiber optic adapter assembly includes a one-piece outer housing, a one or two-piece inner housing, and several different clip arrangements, reducing the number of parts associated with conventional fiber optic adapter assemblies and eliminating the need for ultrasonic welding or the like. In various embodiments, the integrated shutter mechanism includes one or more shutter doors that are opened internally via the motion required for connector installation.

Abstract: An adapter dust cap comprising a dust cap body defining a clearance extending at least partially therethrough, a resilient member attached to the connector body, and a latching feature attached to the resilient member and configured to engage within internal geometry defined by a connector adapter. The adapter dust cap is translucent so that visible light from a connector may diffuse therethrough, and may include a material or coating thereon for converting light in the invisible spectrum to visible light so that the light can be detected through the dust cap without removing the dust cap from an adapter to which it is engaged.