Abstract: An optical connector assembly comprising (a) a plurality of identical connectors, each connector being connected to a jacketed optical cable, each connector comprising a generally rectangular housing having a top, a bottom and two sides, and having a plug end for insertion into a mating receptacle and a cable end for receiving an optical cable, the housing having a recess along each of the two sides; and (b) a clip holding the plurality of connectors together in a side-by-side relationship, the clip having a bottom portion, first and second end walls extending perpendicularly from the bottom portion, and one or more intermediate portions extending perpendicularly from the bottom portion between the first and second end walls, each of the one or more intermediate portions having a first face facing the first end wall and a second face facing the second end wall, wherein the first end wall and a first face of one of the one or more intermediate portions are received in the recess of one of the connectors and th

Abstract: An optical network comprising: (a) a plurality of different optical fiber receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different optical fiber receptacle optically coupled to one and only one different information network, each optical fiber receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of optical fiber receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different optical fiber plugs for optically coupling with the different optical fiber receptacles, each optical fiber plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of optical fiber plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the optic

Abstract: A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

Abstract: A small form factor, field-installable optical connector comprising: (a) a small form factor connector housing having a front and back orientation; (b) a ferrule disposed in the connector housing; (c) a clamping assembly disposed in the connector housing rearward of the ferrule and adapted to receive and retain a terminating fiber; (d) a resilient member disposed in the connector housing; and (e) a rear body disposed at the rear end of the connector housing and configured to provide a backstop against which the resilient member can press to bias the ferrule and the clamping assembly forward.

Abstract: A connector system that provides discriminating mating between plugs and receptacles by using a system of geometrically matched connector components which allow certain pairs of connectors to mate but which prevent all other combinations of connectors to mate. In a preferred embodiment, the connector system comprises (a) a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry; (b) a plurality of plugs, each plug having a second geometry; (c) wherein the second geometry of a plug cooperates with at least one first geometry of a receptacle to allow the plug and the at least one receptacle to mate, while the second geometry of the plug physically interfering with all other second geometries of all of the other receptacles of the plurality of receptacles to prevent mating therewith.

Abstract: A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an electrical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

Abstract: A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating a connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle optically or electrically coupled to one and only one different information network, each different receptacle having an inner surface with a unique first geometry; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for optically or electrically coupling with the different receptacles, each different plug having a unique second geometry, each unique first geometry corresponds to one, and only one, unique second geometry of a plug such that plugs and receptacles having corresponding unique first and second geometries are mating pairs.

Abstract: An adapter comprising: (a) a housing having a front and a rear orientation and walls to define a port configured for receiving a mating plug assembly and an opening through the rear of the port, the walls comprising at least two opposing walls; and (b) two shutters, each shutter having a proximate end and a distal end, each shutter being attached at its proximate end to one of the opposing walls with its distal end extending rearwardly, the shutters being biased inwardly toward the interior of the port such that, when the adapter is unmated, the shutters meet at an angle &agr; to at least partially shield the opening and, when the adapter is mated with a plug, the plug contacts the shutters and pivots them outwardly.

Abstract: A connector system that provides discriminating mating between plugs and receptacles by using a system of geometrically matched connector components which allow certain pairs of connectors to mate but which prevent all other combinations of connectors to mate.

Abstract: An adapter comprising: (a) a housing having a front and a rear orientation and walls to define a port configured for receiving a mating plug assembly and an opening through the rear of the port, the walls comprising at least two opposing walls; and (b) two shutters, each shutter having a proximate end and a distal end, each shutter being attached at its proximate end to one of the opposing walls with its distal end extending rearwardly, the shutters being biased inwardly toward the interior of the port such that, when the adapter is unmated, the shutters meet at an angle a to at least partially shield the opening and, when the adapter is mated with a plug, the plug contacts the shutters and pivots them outwardly.