Patent ID: 7744288
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
1. A ruggedized fiber optic connector that is compatible with a non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter each including at least one retention latch, the ruggedized fiber optic connector comprising: a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis; a connector housing including a plug portion having an interface end sized to fit within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and the ruggedized fiber optic adapter, the ferrule being positioned at the interface end of the plug portion, the plug portion having a first catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter and a second catch structure for engaging the retention latch of the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; a ruggedized retention member mounted on the connector housing, the ruggedized retention member engaging the ruggedized fiber optic adapter to retain the plug portion within the ruggedized fiber optic adapter; wherein the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter includes a pair of the retention latches and wherein the first catch structure includes first and second catches for engaging the pair of the retention latches to retain the plug portion within the non-ruggedized fiber optic adapter; and wherein the plug portion has a first side and an opposite second side, wherein the plug portion also has a third side and an opposite fourth side, the third and fourth sides extending between the first and second sides, the central longitudinal axis being positioned between the first and second sides and the central longitudinal axis also being positioned between the third and fourth sides, the first catch of the first catch structure being provided at the first side, the second catch of the first catch structure being provided at the second side, and the second catch structure being provided at the third side.