Abstract: An optical fiber cable assembly includes an optical fiber cable, an optical fiber connector and a strain relief member. The optical fiber connector has a housing supporting a plurality of optical fibers of the cable. The strain relief member has a flexible conduit, a first section and a second section spaced from the first section. The first section is connected to a rear end of the optical fiber connector and the second section is connected to a portion of the optical fiber cable.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus for improving bandwidth of a transceiver system e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) micro-B connector. The apparatus comprises a first pair of lens units, each lens unit of the pair positioned on either side of an input-output (I/O) bus interface, the pair of lens units to send and receive optical signals respectively; a first housing to shield the first pair of lens units and for physically coupling the I/O bus interface and the first pair of lens units to a receptacle; and a key to grasp the first housing and to lock the first housing with the receptacle.

Abstract: A cable guide boot assembly for attachment to a connector and guiding a cable is provided, including a boot portion and a connector portion. The connector portion is configured to be non-rotary fixed to the connector and to extend from the connector in a first direction relative to a mating direction of the connector, and includes a first connection portion having a non-circular circumferential shape relative to the first direction. The boot portion a second connection portion mated to the first connection portion. The second connection portion is configured to receive the first connection portion, such that the boot portion is attachable to the connector portion in a discrete number of twisting angles with respect to the first relative direction.

Abstract: A shuttered adapter is described that includes a shuttered housing, a shutter sub-assembly frame contained within the housing, a pair of shutter doors hingedly secured to the shutter sub-assembly frame, and a door spring configured to push the shutter doors outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame and away from each other. In addition, a shuttered adapter is described that includes a housing and a spring-like shutter attached to the front of the center wall of the housing. The shutter has a pair a door flaps extending into the ports of the adapter at a rearward angle.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems related to optical connector assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the connector assemblies may include an optical assembly, having an optical interconnect and an optical module, to be coupled with a host electrical connector. The connector assembly may further include springs, disposed on the optical interconnect or the host electrical connector, to facilitate a coupling of the optical interconnect with the optical module. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A multicore fiber has a plurality of cores formed at predetermined distances and surrounded by a cladding. A bundle structure includes optical fibers joined in a close-packed arrangement. Specifically, one optical fiber is arranged at a center, and six optical fibers are arranged around the optical fiber arranged at the center. Accordingly, cores of the optical fibers are arranged at equal distances. The optical fibers are bonded together with an adhesive. Accordingly, claddings of adjacent optical fibers are in contact with each other either directly or via the adhesive. The adhesive also fills spaces between the optical fibers.

Abstract: A connector, which can protect a photoelectric conversion device from noise and has high durability includes a plug provided at one end of an optical fiber and a receptacle to which the plug is mounted from above. The plug includes a photoelectric conversion device composed of a semiconductor device that is not covered with a metal case and a metal member provided so as to cover an upper side of the photoelectric conversion device. The receptacle includes a metal housing to which the plug is fixed. The plug and the receptacle are fixed to each other only by engagement between the metal member and the metal housing.

Abstract: An optical connector has guide pins with stepped profiles. The connector includes a connector body, two or more optical ports, and two or more cylindrical guide pins. Each guide pin has a first portion with a first length, a second portion with a second length, and a transitional portion between the first and second portions. The first portion has a first diameter. The second portion has a second diameter. The second diameter is less than the first diameter.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed in the detailed description include stacked fiber optic modules and fiber optic equipment supporting stacked fiber optic modules. In one embodiment, a stacked fiber optic module is provided. This embodiment of the stacked fiber optic module comprises a body having a first sub-body and a second sub-body where the second sub-body can translate relative to the first sub-body. The stacked fiber optic module further comprises a first plurality of fiber optic components disposed in a first longitudinal axis in the at least one front side. The stacked fiber optic module also further comprises a second plurality of fiber optic components disposed adjacent the first plurality of fiber optic components in a second longitudinal axis parallel or substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis in the at least one front side.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical connector comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector includes: a first space to accommodate a first fiber joint and a part of a first optical transmission line; a first front opening to expose a first signal transmission interface of the first fiber joint; a first rear opening through which the first optical transmission line connects with the first fiber joint; and a first fastening. The second connector includes: a second space to accommodate a second fiber joint and a part of a second optical transmission line; a second front opening to expose a second signal transmission interface of the second fiber joint; a second rear opening through which the second optical transmission line connects with the second fiber joint; and a second fastening to be fixed to the first fastening in a nondestructive detachable way.

Abstract: A boot for an optical fiber adapter according to the present disclosure is provided. The boot includes an elastic hollow cylinder and a shape-maintainable member. The hollow cylinder defines an axial direction and the shape-maintainable member is formed on inner surfaces of the hollow cylinder. According to the present disclosure, the boot may be bent to a desired shape in subjection to an external mechanical force. When the boot is bent, the shape-maintainable member will also be bent accordingly. The boot may still be kept in the desired shape even though when the external mechanical force is removed. The boot may be bent to an original shape with an appropriate mechanical force.

Abstract: Optical fiber guide apparatuses for splice connector installation tools, and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. The optical fiber guide apparatus may include at least one alignment member to align an optical fiber guide with a splice connector installation tool. The optical fiber guide is configured to guide an optical fiber to a fiber entry of a fiber optic connector installed in the splice connection installation tool. In this manner, when the alignment member is alignably interfaced with the splice connector installation tool, the optical fiber guide apparatus is also aligned with the splice connector installation tool to accurately guide the optical fiber to the fiber optic connector installed in the splice connector installation tool.

Abstract: A connector 100 comprises an optical module which has an optical element which is mounted on a mounting surface of a circuit board, said mounting surface being vertical to a connection direction of said connector and an optical waveguide member 140 which has a clad part 142 and a core part 143 which is formed inside of the clad part 142, the optical waveguide member 140 being provided with a first end face 144 which is arranged facing the mounting surface of the circuit board 131 and a second end face 145 at an opposite side to the first end face 144, the core part 143 being formed so as to propagate light between an optical fiber 241 which is supported by another connector 200 which is arranged facing the second end face 145 and the optical element 132.

Abstract: A back post for an optical fiber connector according to the present disclosure is made from a main material mixed with an additive material. The main material is selected from the group consisting of poly ether ether ketone (PEEK), polyimide (PI), polyether imide (PEI) and polyether sulfone (PES) and the additive material is carbon fiber or glass fiber, wherein the content of the main material in the back post is from 50% to 95% by weight.

Abstract: A fiber optic adapter block is disclosed. The fiber optic adapter block includes at least three fiber optic adapters provided in a stacked arrangement extending widthwise in a longitudinal direction, wherein every other adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters is staggered in a front to back direction with respect to an adjacent adapter such that front ends of the every other adapter of the at least three fiber optic adapters are aligned at a first depth and a front end of the adjacent adapter is at a second depth that is different than the first depth.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a new modular SLC (Surface Laminar Circuit) interconnect system for replacing the traditional ceramic substrate implanted with 56 Duece modules, the interconnect system includes an organizer for accurately positioning the connector assemblies, and a plurality of fully populated connector housings defining a pitch same as that defined by the Duece modules. Each connector housing defines two receiving slots to receive two SLC modules which are further commonly held by a heat sink above. Each SLC module is equipped with a plurality of micro-controllers, a plurality of OE glass lenses, a plurality of IC chips, and a molded lens and fiber able assembly.

Abstract: A plug part for a plug-in connection, in particular of optical conductors, includes a plug housing, in which a plug insert having at least one plug pin for receiving a conductor is arranged. The plug part can be inserted into a correspondingly designed socket part in an insertion direction (A), and includes a locking means for releasably locking the plug part in the socket part. The plug part further has an unlocking means, by means of which the locking of the locking means to the socket part can be released. The plug part includes a protective apparatus for protecting the end face of the plug pin and for moving from a closed position with a covered end face to an open position with an exposed end face by inserting the plug part into the socket part by interacting with the socket part.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a first optical-electric coupling element, a second optical-electric coupling element and an elastic location cap. The first optical-electric coupling element includes a location post. The second optical-electric coupling element defines a location hole. The elastic location cap defines a receiving hole. A length of the location post is greater than a length of the location hole. The location post is inserted into the location post to assemble the first optical-electric coupling element to the second optical-electric coupling element, with an exposed portion of the location post exposing out of the location hole. The elastic location cap caps the location post with the exposed portion received in the receiving hole.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector in which: an optical fiber guide member includes a fiber guide side substrate portion forming part of a substrate, a fiber guide pattern, and a lid member; and an optical waveguide includes an optical waveguide side substrate portion adjacent to the fiber guide side substrate portion, an optical waveguide side first lower clad layer, an optical signal transmission core pattern, and an optical waveguide side upper clad layer. The fiber guide pattern is formed of a plurality of guide members aligned parallel to one another at intervals. A space defined by every two adjacent guide members, the fiber guide side substrate portion, and a fiber guide side lid member portion forms a fiber guide groove. The fiber guide groove is present on an extension of the optical signal transmission core pattern in an optical path direction.

Abstract: A connector includes: an electric transmission section; an optical transmission section; and a partition section provided between the electric transmission section and the optical transmission section.

Abstract: An optical connector includes a ferrule connected to an optical fiber cable, a housing for containing the ferrule, a ferrule holding member attached in the housing, and a spring member that urges the ferrule toward the housing. The ferrule holding member includes a support portion which restricts movement of the ferrule toward the tip side of the housing, a fiber insertion groove formed on the ferrule holding member for containing the optical fiber, a crimped portion which is provided on a rear portion of the ferrule holding member. A crimping member is attached to the crimped portion for fixing at least one of a high-tensile-strength wire and an outer sheath of the optical fiber cable. The spring member is attached to the ferrule holding member.

Abstract: Gradient index (GRIN) lens assemblies employing lens alignment channels, as well as fiber optic connectors and fiber optic cable assemblies employing such GRIN lens assemblies, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a GRIN lens assembly includes a lens holder body having a mating face, a surface extending from the mating face, and a lens alignment channel. The lens alignment channel is defined by a narrow portion extending from the surface to a first depth and at least partially along a length of the surface, and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion to a second depth. A lens opening defined by the wide portion of the lens alignment channel at the mating face is disposed in the mating face. The wide portion of the lens alignment channel is configured to support a GRIN lens disposed in the lens alignment channel.

Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver module, connected to an optical signal interface which has an elastic plate having an aperture, includes a connector, a first cover, a second cover, a first fastening member, and a second fastening member. The connector includes a fixing block. The fixing block further has first and second fastening holes inwardly formed from the first and second surfaces of the fixing block, respectively. The first cover abuts against the first surface and has a first through hole communicated with the first fastening hole. The second cover abuts against the second surface and has a second through hole communicated with the second fastening hole. The second cover includes a first engaging block engaged in the aperture. The first and second fastening members are respectively fastened to the first and second fastening holes respectively via the first and second through holes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical connection module, including a housing, at least one printed circuit board provided in the housing, an optical engine provided on the printed circuit board, the optical engine including at least one of a receiver device configured to transform optical signals received into electrical signals and a transmitter device configured to transform electrical signals received into optical signals, an optical engine port, and an electrical engine port, a pluggable optical port, an optical patch cable assembly connecting the optical engine port and the pluggable optical port for optical signal transmission, and a pluggable electrical port connected to the electrical engine port for electrical signal transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber that has optical connectors on opposing ends of the optical fiber and is used for optical wiring in an apparatus. The two optical connectors are connected in parallel directions and disposed in parallel with each other. The optical fiber between the two optical connectors includes a linear portion and two bent portions positioned between the ends of the linear portion and the optical connectors. The bent portions are formed by application and curing of resin to obtain a circular shape having a central angle of 90°, which provides a curvature radius not smaller than the allowable curvature radius of the optical fiber. This optical fiber with optical connectors makes it possible to considerably reduce the space required for optical wiring as compared with the prior art.

Abstract: A fiber optic assembly includes a connector and a cover bonded to an end face of the connector. The connector includes a ferrule, where an optical fiber extends through the ferrule and to the end face of the connector. An end of the optical fiber is polished proximate to the end face. The cover is bonded directly to the end face of the connector, and overlays the polished end of the optical fiber such that the cover protects the optical fiber, limits access of dust to the end face of the connector, and draws loose particulates from the end face upon removal of the cover.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes a housing and a clamping element. The housing defines a receiving space including an inner bottom surface. The inner bottom surface defines first grooves and first receiving grooves aligned with the first grooves, and includes two clamping holes. The clamping element is received in the receiving space and includes a cantilever beam and two hooks extending from the cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a bottom surface defining a second receiving grooves. The two hooks are received into the two clamping holes to fix the clamping element to the housing. The first receiving grooves and the second receiving grooves cooperatively define receiving holes to receive optical fibers.

Abstract: A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly includes a loose tube fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The cable has a termination end and includes: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers; at least one strength member; and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the at least one strength member. The connector assembly includes a rigid portion and defines a fiber passage. The connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the fiber passage. The plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly and a loose, non-ribbonized configuration outside the rigid portion. The plurality of optical fibers undergo a transition from the ribbonized configuration to the loose, non-ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly.

Abstract: An optical module package is provided, the optical module package including a housing main body, a cover body, first and second holding members, and a fiber unit. The first and second holding members may form, inside thereof, a unit accommodating part according to the outer size of a fiber unit in a direct opposing state. The housing main body has locking projections set an arrangement interval between two opposing surfaces of outer surface of the first and second holding members arranged to oppose each other, and a space sandwiched between locking projections is set as an accommodating space for the first and second holding members.

Abstract: A tool set for terminating an optical fiber with a fiber optic connector includes a crimping tool and a polishing tool. The crimping tool includes a locating feature for locating a housing of the fiber optic connector, a stop for locating an end of an optical fiber relative to the housing, and at least one anvil for crimping a crimp of the fiber optic connector to secure a position of the optical fiber relative to the housing. The polishing tool includes a locating feature for locating the housing and thereby locating the end of the optical fiber and a seat for activating a compression member of the fiber optic connector thereby securing the end of the optical fiber to the polishing tool.

Abstract: A method for preparing a ferrule assembly avoids polishing while providing adequate control over fiber end protrusion and co-planarity. A distal end of the fiber is prepared before securing the fiber in a ferrule, and before or after inserting the fiber into the ferrule. The prepared fiber is manipulated to provide a desired spatial relationship between the fiber end and the ferrule's end face, and then secured to maintain the desired spatial relationship. Preferably, the fiber end is prepared using a laser cleaving technique to provide a suitable end without abrasive polishing. An interferometer may be used to obtain measurements, during manipulation of the prepared fiber within the ferrule, that indicate whether the prepared fiber is satisfactorily positioned. In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a ferrule assembly prepared in accordance with the method, and a connector or other optical package including such a ferrule assembly are provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic network architecture that uses outside plant fan-out devices to distribute optical signals between fiber distribution hubs and multi-service terminals. The network architecture can also include collector boxes positioned at selected locations of the network architecture. Additionally, patching systems can be used in facilitating upgrading the capacity of the fiber optic network.

Abstract: An optical connector has a pair of coil springs (30) which are disposed so as to sandwich an optical fiber (50) led out of the rear of a ferrule (20) in substantially the axial direction (A) and which extend in the axial direction (A).

Abstract: An optical connector is an optical connector for converting optical paths of an MCF arranged in a first arrangement into a second arrangement. A plurality of cores are arranged in three stages in the first arrangement and one stage in the second arrangement. The optical connector comprises a first end 10, placed on the MCF side, for arranging respective one ends of optical fibers in the first arrangement. The optical connector also comprises a second end for arranging the respective other ends or middle parts of the plurality of optical fibers in the second arrangement. A plurality of optical fibers arranged at the n-th stage in the first end do not intersect each other in a space as seen in a second direction.

Abstract: A locking connector having a body with a receiving section and a mating section. The locking connector includes a cantilevered lock arm with a pivoting end integrally formed with a midpoint of the receiving section and extending along an axial direction towards a mating end of the mating section. The locking connector also includes a locking projection disposed on an outer surface of a mating end of the cantilevered lock arm. A lock release arm is integrally formed with the mating end of the cantilevered lock arm and separately extends along the axial direction from the mating end of the cantilevered lock arm towards the receiving section. The lock release arm projects from a terminal end of the receiving section.

Abstract: A connector for a composite communications cable includes a connector body, a contact post mounted within the connector body, a compression sleeve that is received within a rear end of the connector body and an optical fiber passage at a front end of the connector.

Abstract: A clip device includes a clip detachably holding an outer housing of a fiber optic connector and having a front engaging portion that is detachably sleeved on the outer housing and that abuts against a protrusion member of the outer housing, and a rear abutting portion that abuts against lateral shoulder faces of the outer housing. A gripping handle extends from the rear abutting portion of the clip. A rearward removal force applied to the gripping handle is transmitted to the protrusion member of the outer housing to facilitate removal of the fiber optic connector. A frontward insertion force applied to the gripping handle is transmitted to the lateral shoulder faces of the outer housing to facilitate insertion of the fiber optic connector.

Abstract: Dust caps, fiber optic connectors, fiber optic splitter modules and fiber optic connector systems including interlocking aligning features for fiber optic connector parking in fiber distribution hub networks are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a dust cap for mounting upon a ferrule of a fiber optic connector includes a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends. The sleeve defines a lengthwise extending bore that opens through the first end for receiving at least a portion of the ferrule. The dust cap further includes an aligning feature at the second end of the sleeve. The aligning feature includes a neck portion and an interlocking portion such that the interlocking portion has a width that is greater than a width of the neck portion. The aligning feature is configured to slidably engage with a slot of a parking clip.

Abstract: A method for terminating a first optical fiber within a proximal portion of a guidewire tubing. The guidewire tubing has an outside diameter defined as having a tolerance of ±0.001? or less. The method comprises the step of centering the first optical fiber within the guidewire tubing. A female optical receiving device used to receive an optical guidewire and connect guidewire internal optical fiber to an external relaying optical cable is also provided.

Abstract: A device, system, and method of attaching fiber optics to a transceiver are provided. Specifically, a connector module may include a fiber input angled relative to a lens groove or set of grooves such that the inherent stiffness of the fiber can be used to provide a positive pressure of the fiber when attaching the fiber to the groove or set of grooves.

Abstract: A plug including main optical connector bodies, a housing for securing and holding the main optical connector bodies on the connecting end side thereof, a cylindrical inner shell surrounding the housing and attached to the housing by screwing a threaded hole formed in a rear wall portion thereof onto a thread formed in the outer periphery of the housing, and a cylindrical outer shell surrounding the inner shell and having a thread formed in the inner periphery thereof on the connecting end side and a step portion formed in the inner periphery on the rear end side thereof, the thread being screwed onto the thread of an enclosure shell. When the plug is coupled to a receptacle, the inner shell is rotated with respect to the housing and the connecting end of the inner shell hits the abutment surface of the enclosure shell and, when the outer shell is screwed onto the enclosure shell, the step portion hits the rear wall portion.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector includes front and back fasteners, and an end socket. The front fastener includes a front body and a pressing part. A first lateral wall of the front body has a first engaging hole and a second opposite lateral wall thereof has a second engaging hole. The back fastener includes a back body and an assembling part. The front portion of the back body is coupled with a back portion of the front body and the back body has first and second engaging blocks. The first and second engaging blocks are coupled respectively with the first and second engaging holes. The first engaging hole is sized differently from the second engaging hole. The assembling part is disposed on a back portion of the back body. An end socket has a front portion secured to the assembling part, and a back portion that has a terminal.

Abstract: An enclosure system for receiving a cable includes an enclosure having an inner chamber and an open position exposing the inner chamber and a closed position covering the inner chamber. A cable receiving port in a wall of the enclosure extends along a longitudinal axis from outside of the enclosure into the inner chamber. The cable receiving port is configured to receive a cable therein when the cable is advanced axially into the port without rotation of the cable when the enclosure is in the closed position. A mating member is associated with the cable receiving port that limits rotation of the cable when the cable is advanced axially into the port. An axial retention member is associated with the cable receiving port that limits axial movement of the cable out of the port when the cable is advanced axially into the port to a lock position.

Abstract: A pluggable bi-directional optical transceiver may include: a transmitting laser diode, for transmitting an optical signal according to a received electronic signal; an optical sensor, for receiving the optical signal and for generating the electronic signal according to the received optical signal; a fiber adapter, having a ceramic ferrule with two 8-degree end-face corners; a coupling portion, having three different openings for respectively receiving the transmitting laser diode, the optical sensor, and one end of the ceramic ferrule so an optical axis of a transmitting light of the transmitting laser diode is configured to deflect about 3.8 degrees with an optical axis of the ceramic ferrule; and an engaging portion, having a hollow shell for receiving another end of the ceramic ferrule and an engaging piece surrounding outside the shell for pluggably connecting an external fiber piece.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fiber optic connector and methods of assembly thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector of the present invention is designed to help decrease the stress placed on an optical fiber during the mating of a connector with a receptacle. In another embodiment, the connector of the present invention terminates onto a polymer coated optical fiber. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide means for simplifying termination of an optical fiber connector onto a fiber and for simplifying disengagement of a fiber optic connector from a corresponding receptacle.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector has a connector outer housing and a connector inner housing. The connector inner housing has a projection to interact with a latch on an adapter into which the connector is inserted. The force required to move the connector outer housing relative to the connector inner housing is less than the force to remove the connector inner housing from the latch. A groove or opening may also be formed in the connector outer housing to effectively shorten the connector outer housing and prevent interaction of the latch with the outer housing, reducing debris.

Abstract: The invention provides a plug (100) which is adapted to be connected to a cable, such as an Ethernet cable, the plug (100) having a generally rectangular cross section and being dimensioned and arranged to be received by an aperture in a socket. On opposite lateral faces of the plug a region, or layer, of conductive material (24, 26) is provided for the transmission of electrical current to/from the cable. Use of the invention therefore permits cabling that has conventionally been used to supply data to also supply power, typically in excess of 200 Watts or so. Such amounts of power are sufficient for operating most equipment that also requires a data connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for identifying at least one object, wherein the object has a connection unit that can be connected to a receptacle unit of a receptacle arrangement, wherein contactless information transfer takes place between the connection unit and the receptacle unit if the connection unit is connected to the receptacle unit, wherein the contactless information transfer is realized as optical information transfer, wherein an optical signal having predetermined optical properties is generated and transmitted by at least one transmitting unit, is transferred via at least one optical transfer path and is received by at least one receiving unit, wherein an evaluation and control unit (14) connected to the receiving unit evaluates the optical properties and/or propagation time properties of the received optical signal and carries out an identification of the object by means of a comparison with stored optical properties and/or by means of a comparison with stored propagation

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an optical fiber made of a silica-based material. A proximal end portion of the optical fiber has an outer-layer portion. The proximal end portion can be included in at least a portion of a launch connector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus also includes a component that has a bore therethrough and can be made of a doped silica material. The bore can have an inner-layer portion heat-fused to the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber. The component can also have an index of refraction lower than an index of refraction associated with the outer-layer portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A receptacle connector including a receptacle housing having a housing cavity that is configured to receive a plug connector. The housing cavity is defined by an interior sidewall that extends along the mating axis and has a guide track thereon. The receptacle connector also includes a communication component that is disposed within the housing cavity and configured to communicatively engage the plug connector. The receptacle connector also includes a coupling member that is disposed within the housing cavity and is configured to engage the plug connector. The coupling member is movable bi-directionally along a mating axis and has a latch element that is slidably engaged to the guide track of the sidewall. The guide track forces the latch element toward the plug connector as the coupling member moves along the mating axis. The latch element capturing the plug connector in a locked position.