Abstract: A fiber optic receptacle and plug assembly comprising a fiber optic receptacle adapted to be mounted within a connector port of a network connection terminal and a fiber optic plug mounted upon an end of a fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic receptacle and the fiber optic plug comprise complimentary alignment and keying features that allow the fiber optic receptacle to receive only a fiber optic plug of like ferrule configuration. The fiber optic plug comprises an alignment sleeve operable for receiving and optically connecting at least one plug ferrule and at least one receptacle ferrule. The receptacle is suitable for use in enclosures requiring a minimal receptacle penetration depth, wherein the fiber optic receptacle comprises a shoulder that is secured against an inner wall of the enclosure to provide strain relief against cable pulling forces of up to about 600 lbs.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable having at least one mid-span access location includes a plurality of optical connection nodes for providing access to preterminated optical fibers of the distribution cable. Preferably, the optical connection nodes are articulated and linked together to form a low-profile linear chain of connection nodes that is sufficiently flexible to be deployed through small diameter conduit and aerial lashing equipment. Each connection node includes a housing that surrounds the distribution cable, a connecting link for receiving and routing one or more of the preterminated optical fibers, and an adapter for interconnecting a preterminated and connectorized optical fiber of the distribution cable with a connectorized optical fiber of a branch cable or drop cable. The distribution cable may also include a tether attached to the distribution cable such that the linear chain of connection nodes is slidably or removably attached to the distribution cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic distribution cable assembly includes a distribution cable having at least one predetermined mid-span access location and a tether for mitigating cable length errors at the mid-span access location in a pre-engineered fiber optic communications network. At least one optical fiber of the distribution cable is accessed at the mid-span access location and optically connected to an optical fiber disposed within the tether. Preferably, the first end of the tether is attached to the distribution cable by overmolding the mid-span access location with a flexible encapsulant material. The end of the optical fiber of the tether may be splice-ready or connectorized at the second end of the tether and protected within a crush resistant tube. Alternatively, the second end of the tether may terminate in an optical connection terminal defining at least one optical connection node, or may terminate in a linear chain of articulated optical connection nodes.

Abstract: A method of laying an at least partially buried fiber optic cable includes placing a fiber optic cable with at least one associated alternating electromagnetic field emitting locating transponder (AEFELT) underground such that at least one AEFELT is buried underground.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a multifiber ferrule and at least one force centering element for applying a biasing force to the ferrule in the longitudinal direction without introducing a moment about a lateral axis. The connector further includes a coil spring for exerting the biasing force and a spring seat disposed between the coil spring and the ferrule. The rearward portion or the forward portion of the spring seat may be provided with a pair of outwardly extending protrusions that are laterally spaced apart to transfer the biasing force to the ferrule. Alternatively, the forward portion of the spring seat or the rear face of the ferrule may define a convex surface. Alternatively, the ferrule defines a convex surface in the direction of a first lateral axis and the spring seat defines a convex surface in the direction of a second lateral axis perpendicular to the first lateral axis.

Abstract: A pin retainer for a fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a front face defining a hole for receiving a guide pin. The pin retainer permits the guide pin to be inserted in the field following assembly of the connector and polishing the front face of the ferrule. The pin retainer includes a frame and at least one retaining tab for engaging the guide pin when the guide pin is inserted into the hole from the front face. The frame may have an open side for permitting the pin retainer to be fabricated using a highly efficient wire EDM process. The pin retainer provides a pin retention force of at least about 8 lbs and may include a plurality of retaining tabs for engaging the guide pin in more than one location. The ferrule may be provided with an external feature to position the pin retainer on the ferrule.

Abstract: Eccentricity of a optical fiber installed in a passageway of a ferrule is minimized by imposing a force on the end of the optical fiber projecting from the passageway at the ferrule end face to push the optical fiber to a desired position in the passageway, prior to curing an adhesive used for fixing the optical fiber in the passageway, so as to compensate for eccentricity of the passageway. In one embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by hanging a weight on the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by using a pressurized jet of fluid. The point of application of the force, the magnitude of the force, and the viscosity of the adhesive are selected such that minimal optical fiber bending occurs, thereby assuring that the optical fiber is positioned at the desired position in the passageway for an appreciable distance from the ferrule end face along the passageway.

Abstract: A strain relief boot that attaches to and can be removed from a pre-assembled fiber optic cable and connector, as well as, related strain relief boot designs and methods of assembly are disclosed. The strain relief boot may be overmolded, formed of a unitary unit, include two components, or even a coil element. The strain relief boot may be used during original assembly or as a replacement part. A variety of strain relief boot design alternatives and fiber optic assemblies that include the strain relief boot are disclosed.

Abstract: Eccentricity of a optical fiber installed in a passageway of a ferrule is minimized by imposing a force on the end of the optical fiber projecting from the passageway at the ferrule end face to push the optical fiber to a desired position in the passageway, prior to curing an adhesive used for fixing the optical fiber in the passageway, so as to compensate for eccentricity of the passageway. In one embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by hanging a weight on the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by using a pressurized jet of fluid. The point of application of the force, the magnitude of the force, and the viscosity of the adhesive are selected such that minimal optical fiber bending occurs, thereby assuring that the optical fiber is positioned at the desired position in the passageway for an appreciable distance from the ferrule end face along the passageway.

Abstract: A snag-reducing member is disclosed for an optical fiber cable connector having a housing for insertion into a receptacle and a latch pivotably extending from the housing for securing the housing to the receptacle. The snag-reducing member includes a body configured to radially receive the optical fiber cable and to be axially slid along the optical fiber cable into engagement with the housing, and a trigger having a proximal end attached to the body and a distal end extending from the body. The distal end is movable toward and away from the body for engaging and pivoting the latch to selectably release the connector from the receptacle when the body is engaged with the housing. The distal end extends in a direction so as to reduce snagging of the latch when the optical fiber cable and connector are moved in a direction away from the receptacle. Duplex embodiments and related methods of assembling connectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: Eccentricity of a optical fiber installed in a passageway of a ferrule is minimized by imposing a force on the end of the optical fiber projecting from the passageway at the ferrule end face to push the optical fiber to a desired position in the passageway, prior to curing an adhesive used for fixing the optical fiber in the passageway, so as to compensate for eccentricity of the passageway. In one embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by hanging a weight on the optical fiber. In another embodiment, the force is imposed on the optical fiber by using a pressurized jet of fluid. The point of application of the force, the magnitude of the force, and the viscosity of the adhesive are selected such that minimal optical fiber bending occurs, thereby assuring that the optical fiber is positioned at the desired position in the passageway for an appreciable distance from the ferrule end face along the passageway.

Abstract: A connector subassembly and related connector that are configured to floatingly align and tune mated ferrules are disclosed. The connector subassembly includes a ferrule holder and a plug housing having an inner surface with slanted or sloped alignment features, such as, for example, a radially extending key. In an embodiment, the ferrule holder assembly is configured to hold the ferrule and has an outer surface defining a groove extending axially. The key is slidably disposed in the groove. The connector includes the ferrule holder, the plug housing, a spring element disposed within the plug housing and urging the ferrule holder in a direction axially toward the rearward opening, a crimp body attached to the plug housing so as to compress the spring element, a boot attached to the plug housing via the crimp body and disposed about a portion of an optical fiber, and a tube disposed about a section of the optical fiber and secured to the ferrule holder.

Abstract: A connector subassembly and related connector that are configured to floatingly align and tune mated ferrules are disclosed. The connector subassembly includes a ferrule holder and a plug housing having an inner surface with slanted or sloped alignment features, such as, for example, a radially extending key. In an embodiment, the ferrule holder assembly is configured to hold the ferrule and has an outer surface defining a groove extending axially. The key is slidably disposed in the groove. The connector includes the ferrule holder, the plug housing, a spring element disposed within the plug housing and urging the ferrule holder in a direction axially toward the rearward opening, a crimp body attached to the plug housing so as to compress the spring element, a boot attached to the plug housing via the crimp body and disposed about a portion of an optical fiber, and a tube disposed about a section of the optical fiber and secured to the ferrule holder.

Abstract: A preassembled multifiber connector is provided that includes a connector housing and a windowless multifiber ferrule that is substantially rectangular in lateral cross-section. The windowless multifiber ferrule can be at least partially disposed within an internal cavity defined by the connector housing to thereby form a multifiber connector that is free of optical fibers. Thus, the multifiber connector is capable of being preassembled prior to inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the optical fiber bores defined by the windowless multifiber ferrule. A corresponding method of preassembling a multifiber connector is therefore also provided according to the present invention. A ferrule is also provided that is capable of being selectively converted from a windowless configuration to a windowed configuration. The ferrule of this embodiment includes a ferrule body that not only defines at least one optical fiber bore, but that also defines a well extending through a side surface of the ferrule body.

Abstract: A strain relief boot that can be easily attached to and removed from an assembled fiber optic assembly, as well as, related strain relief boot designs and methods of assembly are disclosed. The strain relief boot may be used during original assembly or as a replacement part. Numerous strain relief boot design alternatives and fiber optic assemblies that include the strain relief boot are disclosed.

Abstract: A ferrule boot for attachment to an optical fiber ribbon has a channel extending therethrough. The channel has at its distal end a first tapered lead-in section sized and dimensioned such that the optical fiber ribbon with the internal optical fibers stripped and exposed is insertable through the ferrule boot. The first tapered lead-in section is connected to a second tapered section, and the second tapered section prevents adhesives used to affix the optical fiber ribbon to a ferrule from wicking to the outside of the ferrule boot. The channel has a substantially straight section fitting intimately over the outside of the optical fiber ribbon to center and guide the exposed optical fibers to the center of the proximal end of the channel. In an embodiment, the ferrule boot also has a lip member disposed proximate to the proximal end of the channel to help seal the adhesive and ease insertion. Additionally, the lip may also prevent withdrawal of the optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: A ferrule boot for attachment to an optical fiber ribbon has a channel extending therethrough. The channel has at its distal end a first tapered lead-in section sized and dimensioned such that the optical fiber ribbon with the internal optical fibers stripped and exposed is insertable through the ferrule boot. The first tapered lead-in section is connected to a second tapered section, and the second tapered section prevents adhesives used to affix the optical fiber ribbon to a ferrule from wicking to the outside of the ferrule boot. The channel has a substantially straight section fitting intimately over the outside of the optical fiber ribbon to center and guide the exposed optical fibers to the center of the proximal end of the channel. In an embodiment, the ferrule boot also has a lip member disposed proximate to the proximal end of the channel to help seal the adhesive and ease insertion. Additionally, the lip may also prevent withdrawal of the optical fiber ribbon.

Abstract: A preassembled multifiber connector is provided that includes a connector housing and a windowless multifiber ferrule that is substantially rectangular in lateral cross-section. The windowless multifiber ferrule can be at least partially disposed within an internal cavity defined by the connector housing to thereby form a multifiber connector that is free of optical fibers. Thus, the multifiber connector is capable of being preassembled prior to inserting the plurality of optical fibers into the optical fiber bores defined by the windowless multifiber ferrule. A corresponding method of preassembling a multifiber connector is therefore also provided according to the present invention. A ferrule is also provided that is capable of being selectively converted from a windowless configuration to a windowed configuration. The ferrule of this embodiment includes a ferrule body that not only defines at least one optical fiber bore, but that also defines a well extending through a side surface of the ferrule body.

Abstract: A ferrule is provided that defines a shoulder having curved corners. In this regard, the ferrule includes a lengthwise extending shaft and an enlarged rear portion proximate the shaft. The rear portion is larger in lateral cross-section than the shaft to thereby define a shoulder. In addition, that portion of the shaft proximate the enlarged rear portion includes curved corners such that the shoulder has corresponding curved inner corners. A fiber optic connector housing is also provided that defines an inwardly projecting shoulder having curved corners. The fiber optic connector housing includes a forward segment defining a lengthwise extending passage and a rearward segment also defining a lengthwise extending passage. The lengthwise extending passage defined by the rearward segment is larger in lateral cross-section than the lengthwise extending passage defined by the forward segment such that a shoulder is defined at the intersection of the forward and rearward segments.

Abstract: A ferrule is provided that defines a shoulder having curved corners. In this regard, the ferrule includes a lengthwise extending shaft and an enlarged rear portion proximate the shaft. The rear portion is larger in lateral cross-section than the shaft to thereby define a shoulder. In addition, that portion of the shaft proximate the enlarged rear portion includes curved corners such that the shoulder has corresponding curved inner corners. A fiber optic connector housing is also provided that defines an inwardly projecting shoulder having curved corners. The fiber optic connector housing includes a forward segment defining a lengthwise extending passage and a rearward segment also defining a lengthwise extending passage. The lengthwise extending passage defined by the rearward segment is larger in lateral cross-section than the lengthwise extending passage defined by the forward segment such that a shoulder is defined at the intersection of the forward and rearward segments.