Patent ID: 9291780
Filing Date: 2016-03-22
CPC Classification: G02B

Claim Text:
1. A dust cap for use with a fiber optic connector comprising: a proximal end; a distal end; a main body that defines a central dust cap axis that extends between the proximal and distal ends of the dust cap, the main body of the dust cap including inner and outer sleeves that extend around the central dust cap axis; and a distal projection located at the distal end of the dust cap, wherein the distal projection projects distally outwardly from the main body and is aligned along the central dust cap axis, wherein the distal projection has a plurality of wrench flats for allowing a wrench to be used to tighten the threaded connection between the dust cap and the distal end of a protective housing by turning the dust cap relative to the protective housing about the central dust cap axis, wherein the distal projection defines an opening that forms a pulling eye for allowing a pulling member to be connected to the dust cap and used to pull a fiber optic connector and cable assembly through a conduit, wherein the opening extends through two flats of the distal projection, and wherein the opening extends along an opening axis that is perpendicular to the central dust cap axis; wherein an annular receptacle is defined between the inner and outer sleeves, the annular receptacle having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, wherein the closed end of the annular receptacle has a stepped configuration, the stepped configuration including first and second radial steps separated by an offset surface that extends distally from the first radial step to the second radial step, wherein the first radial step extends radially outwardly from the inner sleeve to the offset surface, and the second radial step extends radially outwardly from the offset surface to the outer sleeve; wherein the distal end of the protective housing is received within the annular receptacle through the open end of the annular receptacle, and the open end faces in a proximal direction; and wherein the inner sleeve includes first threads positioned within the annular receptacle that face radially outwardly from the central dust cap axis and that retain a sealing member on the inner sleeve, the sealing member forming an environmental seal between the dust cap and the protective housing for preventing contaminants from entering the protective housing.