Patent ID: 8807843
Filing Date: 2014-08-19
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A connector system comprising: a first optical plug of a set of optical plugs, said optical plugs being substantially the same size, said first optical plug having a first plug housing and a first ferrule, said first plug housing having a front face defining an opening, said first ferrule being disposed within said opening, said first plug housing having a first geometry incorporating a first keying feature; a first receptacle of a set of optical receptacles having a first receptacle housing defining a front opening and a second keying feature within said first receptacle housing spaced inwardly from said front opening, said first receptacle housing and second keying feature configured to mate with said first geometry of said first optical plug, wherein the first receptacle includes a ferrule alignment portion positioned to at least partially guide the first ferrule as the first plug is inserted into the first receptacle, wherein the second keying feature is part of the ferrule alignment portion in the first receptacle; a second optical plug of said set of optical plugs having a second plug housing and a second ferrule, said second plug housing having a front face defining an opening, said second ferrule being disposed within said opening, said second plug housing having a second geometry incorporating a third keying feature; a second receptacle of said set of optical receptacles having a second receptacle housing defining a front opening and a fourth keying feature within said second receptacle housing spaced inwardly from said front opening, said second receptacle housing and said fourth keying feature configured to mate with said second geometry of said second optical plug, wherein the second receptacle includes a ferrule alignment portion positioned to at least partially guide the second ferrule as the second plug is inserted into the second receptacle, wherein the fourth keying feature is part of the ferrule alignment portion in the second receptacle; wherein said first geometry is different than said second geometry so that said first optical plug cannot mate with said second receptacle and said second optical plug cannot mate with said first receptacle; wherein said first optical plug and said first receptacle are a first mating pair having a first visual identification; wherein said second optical plug and said second receptacle are a second mating pair having a second visual identification; wherein said first visual identification is different than said second visual identification.