Patent ID: 11880074
Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Field: Optics (Instruments)
Classification: CPC G  A  Y | IPC A  G

Claim 0:
1. A method of installing an optical fiber in a duct or other small conduit, the optical fiber having ferrule supporting a polished end of the optical fiber, the method comprising:
routing the ferrule and at least a portion of the optical fiber along one or more routing paths that extends through at least one of a duct, riser or plenum;
inserting least a portion of the optical fiber into an open channel positioned on a side of a mounting block, wherein the portion of the optical fiber is inserted into the open channel from the side in a direction substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the optical fiber;
interlocking the mounting block with a strain relief sleeve surrounding the optical fiber to inhibit relative axial movement between the mounting block and the strain relief sleeve; and
latching a main connector housing to the mounting block along the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber by a snap-fit connection, such that the front end face of the ferrule is accessible at a front end of the main connector housing.