Abstract: A universal panel mount system is provided for mounting any one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic adapters in a singularly configured common opening in a panel. A universal receptacle housing is mounted in the opening in the panel. A set of differently configured fiber optic adapters each is mountable in the universal receptacle housing. Each adapter includes coupling means for mating with one of a plurality of differently configured fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: A fiber management system is provided for a plurality of optical fibers which project beyond an end of a dielectric of a fiber optic cable. The system includes a support secured to the dielectric of the cable. A plurality of tubes are fixed to the support and extend away from the end of the dielectric, with the fibers positioned within the tubes.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a body for mating with a complementary connecting device. An alignment pin subassembly is mounted in the body. The subassembly includes a pair of alignment pins having distal ends for projecting from the body into a pair of appropriate alignment holes in the complementary connecting device. A pin holding plate engages proximal ends of the alignment pins to hold the pins with the plate in the subassembly for mounting in the body.

Abstract: A receptacle for receiving a fiber optic connector along an optic axis. The receptacle includes a housing having an open end for receiving the fiber optic connector inserted thereinto on the optic axis, along with an opening remote from the open end. A shutter member is fitted through the opening and is mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from the optic axis to close and open the open end of the housing.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnection system is provided, including a method of fabricating the system. A flat fiber optic circuit is provided with a flat substrate having a peripheral edge and a plurality of first optical fibers mounted on the flat substrate, with ends of the first fibers extending beyond the substrate. A fiber optic connector is terminated to a plurality of second optical fibers, with ends of the second fibers extending from the connector to a connecting point for connection to the ends of the first fibers from the flat fiber optic circuit. A protective shroud is installed over the connecting point between the ends of the first and second fibers. The protective shroud is fixed to the projecting tail portion of the substrate of the flat fiber optic circuit.

Abstract: A system is provided for mounting a connecting device to a substrate with relative floating movement therebetween. The system includes a connector housing adapted for mounting on the substrate and including at least one elongated channel in a side of the housing. The channel extends generally perpendicular to the substrate and has an elongated restricted mouth opening at a side thereof. An elongated fastening post is snap-fit into the channel past the restricted mouth thereof to a preload position. A cross-dimension of the channel is larger than a cross-dimension of the fastening post so that the post can float relative to the housing. A fastener engages with the substrate and is operatively associated with the fastening post for tightening the post against the substrate, leaving the connector housing with floating movement relative to the substrate in a direction generally parallel to the substrate.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnection apparatus includes a flat flexible body member defined by a peripheral edge void of any projections. A plurality of optical fibers are mounted to the body member so that their ends extend beyond the peripheral edge and the ends of a plurality of the fibers extend to different locations of the edge. A method of fabricating the interconnection apparatus includes providing a flat release substrate onto which the flat flexible body member is adhered. After the optical fibers are mounted to the body member, the assembly of the body member and fibers are peeled off of the release substrate.

Abstract: A cable management system is provided for a fiber optic connector assembly. The system includes a receptacle and a plurality of fiber optic connector modules received by the receptacle. The modules terminate a plurality of fiber optic cables with lengths of the cables extending away from the rear ends of the modules. A cable management member has an angled cavity within which the cables extend angularly from the rear ends of the modules. Latches are provided between the cable management member and each of the plurality of modules for holding the cable management member in position at the rear ends of the modules.

Abstract: A fanout connector assembly is provided for fiber optic cables each including a plurality of optical fibers. The assembly includes at least two fanout connectors each having a housing with a passage for receiving a fiber optic cable along an axis. A fanout member in the housing spreads the individual optical fibers of the cable transversely of the axis. Complementary interengaging stacking members on the housings of the two connectors align and hold the connectors in stacked relationship with one connector on top of the other connector. An individual connector includes a base housing and a cover with complementary interengaging strain relief members and complementary interengaging latch members therebetween. The strain relief members and the latch members are respectively interengaged automatically in response to mounting the cover on the base housing, but the strain relief members are at least partially interengaged prior to interengagement of the latch members.

Abstract: A connector is provided for a fiber optic cable which includes a plurality of optical fibers. The connector includes a base housing having a through passage for receiving the cable and fibers along an axis. A receptacle in the housing communicates with the passage and is open-sided transversely of the axis. A fanout insert is positionable into the receptacle and receives and spreads the individual fibers of the cable transversely of the axis. A cover is slidably mounted on the base housing in a direction generally parallel to the axis. Guide ribs and guide rails are provided between the base housing and the cover to guide the cover to a closed position. Complementary interengaging strain relief members are provided on the base housing and cover for embracing the fiber optic cable automatically in response to slidably mounting the cover onto the base housing.

Abstract: A fiber management system is provided for a plurality of optical fibers which project beyond an end of a dielectric of a fiber optic cable. The system includes a support secured to the dielectric of the cable. A plurality of tubes are fixed to the support and extend away from the end of the dielectric, with the fibers positioned within the tubes.

Abstract: A receptacle is provided for receiving a fiber optic connector along an optic axis. The receptacle includes a housing having a forward open end for receiving the fiber optic connector inserted thereinto on the optic axis. An outside wall extends rearwardly from the open end of the housing. A shutter member is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent the open end thereof and is pivotally movable to close and open the open end. The shutter member extends across the optic axis when the shutter member is closed. The shutter member is pivotable away from the optic axis to a position juxtaposed against the rearwardly extending outside wall.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector module is provided for terminating a fiber optic cable which includes at least one inner optical fiber surrounded by an outer jacket. A ferrule is terminated to an end of the optical fiber stripped of the jacket. A fixing body is fixed to the jacket rearwardly of the ferrule. A housing includes a front portion within which the ferrule is mounted and a rear portion within which the fixing body is mounted. The front portion has an open front end through which a mating end of the ferrule is exposed. The rear portion has an open rear end through which the fiber optic cable extends.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly includes a ferrule terminated to at least one optical fiber. A pusher member is spaced behind the ferrule. A spring is provided for biasing the ferrule forwardly. The spring is fixed to the pusher member to provide a self-contained subassembly comprising the spring and pusher member.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for mounting a connecting device to a substrate with relative floating movement therebetween. The system includes a connector housing. A fastening nut is captured by the housing with relative floating movement therebetween. The nut includes a shank portion extending toward the substrate through an opening in a wall portion of the housing. The shank portion of the nut is longer than the thickness of the wall portion of the housing. A fastener is engaged with the substrate and is operatively associated with the fastening nut for tightening the nut against the substrate, leaving the connector housing with floating movement relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A dual-function dust cover is provided for a fiber optic connector having a mating end. The dust includes a securing portion for facilitating securing the dust cover to the fiber optic connector to protecting at least a portion of the mating end thereof. The dust cover also includes a pulling portion for attachment thereto of a pulling device to facilitate pulling the connector through an appropriate structure.

Abstract: An apparatus routes an optical fiber from a supply thereof onto a surface of a substrate which may have an adhesive thereon. A routing head is movable over the surface of the substrate in a given circuit pattern. Drive rollers feed the optical fiber from the supply to the routing head. A feed needle on the routing head receives the optical fiber from the drive rollers and lays the fiber onto the surface of the substrate at an angle thereto as the routing head moves thereover. The inherent stiffness of the angled optical fiber biases the fiber against the adhesive on the surface of the substrate as the fiber is layed onto the surface in the given circuit pattern.

Abstract: An optical fiber interconnection apparatus includes a flat flexible body member having a peripheral edge. A plurality of optical fibers are mounted to the body member so that their ends extend beyond the peripheral edge. The ends of a plurality of the fibers extend to different locations of the edge. A tube member surrounds the ends of at least a selected plurality of the fibers extending beyond said peripheral edge from at least one of said locations.

Abstract: An alignment system is provided between a pair of connectors mateable in a given mating direction. A first connector includes a housing having an alignment projection on one side thereof. A second connector includes a housing having an alignment flange projecting forwardly thereof generally in said mating direction. The alignment flange is flared outwardly for engaging the housing of the first connector during mating and allowing a degree of misalignment between the connectors in an “X” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction. The alignment flange includes a slot for receiving the alignment projection of the first connector. The slot has a flared mouth allowing a degree of misaligned between the connectors in a “Y” direction generally perpendicular to the mating direction and generally perpendicular to the “X” direction.

Abstract: A floating connector assembly is provided for mounting through an aperture in a panel, the aperture defining an axis. The assembly includes an adapter mountable in the aperture in the panel. A two-part connector includes a fixed part fixed to a substrate and a movable part relatively movable axially in the fixed part. A first latch is provided between the two parts of the connector to prevent the relative axial movement therebetween. A second latch is provided between the adapter and the movable part of the connector when the movable part is mated with the adapter. A release is provided on the adapter for releasing the first latch between the two relatively movable parts of the connector to allow the fixed part of the connector and the substrate to float relative to the adapter and the panel.