Abstract: A plurality of connectors (12, 14) of the type that has a primary latch with a handle (50) that can be depressed so the connector can be pulled out of a receiver passage (20, 22), and a secondary latch with a sleeve (60, 62) that can be slid forward to wedge a part under the handle so it cannot be depressed. The same slidable sleeve is used to normally connect a pair of connectors, while allowing a connector-to-be-serviced of the pair to be disconnected from the other one while said other one continues to lie in a receiver passage and carry signals. The sleeves are identical and each has a tongue and groove (74, 76) at its opposite sides, and also has engaged detents at its opposite sides. The groove is open at its front and rear ends.

Abstract: A secondary latch (50) is provided for an electrical or optic fiber connector (12) that has a housing (22) with a housing body (24) and with a primary latch (26) with a front end (30) merging with the housing body and a rear end forming a handle (42) that can be depressed to release the latch and allow the connector to be withdrawn from a terminus coupling (16), the secondary latch preventing unintentional unlatching of the primary latch. The secondary latch includes a sleeve (60) that extends around the housing body and that can slide forward and rearward thereon, and a wedge part (52) that is wedged between a lower surface (56) of the handle and a top surface (54) of the housing body.

Abstract: An optic fiber connector includes a self-contained optical fiber cartridge (12), that can be easily inserted into a passageway (16) of a connector housing (14), and easily removed and replaced, without exposing the coil spring (52) that urges the terminus forwardly. The cartridge includes a frame (20) that completely encircles the spring in all terminus positions and that also surrounds much of the terminus.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector system includes a rear connector (16) comprising a main rear shell (50) with a plurality of ports (52) and a plurality of rear module bodies (54) each lying in one of the ports. A plurality of backshells (84) extend rearwardly from the rear of the module bodies, with the jackets of multiple fiber cables stripped at a location within each backshell to leave free individual optical fiber devices that extend into passages of the module. Each backshell has a pair of backshell passages (162) that each holds a backshell fastener (172) that fastens the backshell to a module body, each backshell fastener having a wrench-receiving passage (192). Jackscrews (150) fasten each module body to the shell, and each backshell has a wrench-receiving passage (192) extending along its length for passing a wrench to screw in and unscrew a jackscrew.

Abstract: Front and rear optical fiber connectors (12, 14) can be mated and unmated from the front, while the rear connector and the rear portion (54) of the front connector can be removed for cleaning and replacement from the rear. A jackscrew (30) with a handle (32) at the front, extends through the connectors and has a threaded rear end (34) for engaging a nut (36) on the rear connector. The jackscrew also can be operated from the rear to remove the rear connector for maintenance. A spring (182) urges the jackscrew forwardly, to allow a person to sense when the jackscrew has not engaged the nut. A front connector frame (50) has a vertical divider (200) forming a pair of cavities (62, 63) that receive shaped body elements (54, 55). U-shaped brackets (164, 166) hold a back plate (52) to each connector. Alignment pins (144, 146) are coupled through springs (320) to the rear connector.

Abstract: Front and rear optical fiber connectors (12, 14) can be mated and unmated from the front, while the rear connector and the rear portion (54) of the front connector can be removed for cleaning and replacement from the rear. A jackscrew (30) with a handle (32) at the front, extends through the connectors and has a threaded rear end (34) for engaging a nut (36) on the rear connector. The jackscrew also can be operated from the rear to remove the rear connector for maintenance. A spring (182) urges the jackscrew forwardly, to allow a person to sense when the jackscrew has not engaged the nut. A front connector frame (50) has a vertical divider (200) forming a pair of cavities (62, 63) that receive shaped body elements (54, 55). U-shaped brackets (164, 166) hold a back plate (52) to each connector. Alignment pins (144, 146) are coupled through springs (320) to the rear connector.

Abstract: A grounding clip (130, 132) is provided which mounts on a rear end cap (60) of a PC card, and which connects a rear connector shell (44) of the PC card to a top 5 sheet metal cover portion (90). The clip has a pair of top spring fingers (140, 142) that lie in recesses (150) in the top surface of the top flange (62) of the rear end cap, and has a bottom finger (144) lying against the lower surface of the top flange and against a tine (104) formed in the shell of the rear connector. The clip lies close to an extreme side (124,126) of the PC card, to remain engaged with the top cover portion despite bending of the cover rear portion that results in its middle (126) being raised above its opposite sides.