Patent ID: 8374478
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A dust cap and an optical fiber connector, the dust cap adapted to cover an end of the optical fiber connector, the dust cap and the optical fiber connector comprising: a sleeve of the dust cap, the sleeve having a central axis and defining a cavity for receiving the end of the optical fiber connector, the cavity extending along the central axis of the sleeve and having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end; at least one resilient latch of the dust cap adjacent the open end of the sleeve; at least one connector stop of the dust cap positioned within the sleeve, the at least one connector stop including a shoulder facing toward the open end of the sleeve; a connector body of the optical fiber connector, the connector body extending from a first end to a second end, the connector body defining an interior passage extending between the first and the second ends of the connector body, the interior passage adapted to receive optical fibers through the second end of the connector body, the connector body including an exterior portion that defines a slide guide, and the connector body defining a slide stop; a ferrule of the optical fiber connector, the ferrule adapted to receive and terminate at least one optical fiber; the ferrule positioned at least partially within the interior passage of the connector body; and the ferrule including a terminal end extending beyond the first end of the connector body; and a release sleeve of the optical fiber connector positioned over a portion of the connector body, the release sleeve extending from a first end to a second end, the first end of the release sleeve positioned nearer the first end of the connector body, the second end of the release sleeve positioned nearer the second end of the connector body, the release sleeve being slidingly mounted over the slide guide of the connector body; and the release sleeve including a sleeve stop adapted to engage the slide stop of the connector body to prevent the release sleeve from sliding beyond a predetermined location on the connector body; wherein the shoulder of the at least one connector stop of the dust cap abuts the first end of the connector body when the dust cap is fully installed on the optical fiber connector; and wherein the at least one resilient latch of the dust cap latches to the second end of the release sleeve when the dust cap is fully installed on the optical fiber connector.