Abstract:
An illustrative optical connector is disclosed having a first component having a first channel therein and a first screw thread; a second component having a second channel therein and a second screw thread complementary to and engaged with the first screw thread, wherein the first component is at least partially disposed within the second channel; and an optical fiber partially disposed within the first and second channels. Also disclosed is an illustrative kit having connector components and an illustrative method for combining connector components.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Optical connectors are well known and are available in a variety of configurations. For example, a popular type of optical connector is the SC-type of connector. Other common types of optical connectors are the LC, ST, and FC types. However, most optical connectors require sophisticated equipment to properly and accurately assemble the connectors. Moreover, where optical fiber tips are often angled to reduce reflection at the connection point, rotational alignment is an additional factor that makes the assembling of optical connectors a difficult, delicate, and time-consuming process. Because of this, nearly all optical connectors are pre-assembled at the manufacturer&#39;s factory and include a short optical fiber pigtail. The consumer, upon receiving the pre-manufactured connector with pigtail, splices the pigtail to the consumer&#39;s own optical fiber, such as by fusion splicing. 
         [0002]    There have been several problems with this connectorized pigtail approach. For example, proper splicing of optical fibers requires training and extensive practice. Even after proper training, the splicing process itself is slow, which becomes especially important where a large number of connectors need to be added to an optical system. Additionally, a splice inevitably adds some degree of signal loss, and so with every connector there exists at least two sources of signal loss—at the connector and at the splice. Even with proper training by the person creating the splice, splices (especially mechanical splices, which use an index matching gel that degrades after only a year or two) have proven to be unreliable. Still another problem is that the equipment for creating a relatively good quality splice (i.e., the splicer) is expensive. This expense is magnified where multiple workers operate simultaneously such that each worker requires his or her own splicer. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In view of the above, an improved optical connector and process for making an optical connection is needed. 
         [0004]    The following presents a simplified summary of illustrative aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of various aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents various concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. 
         [0005]    For example, aspects provide an optical connector having a first component having a first channel therein and a first screw thread; a second component having a second channel therein and a second screw thread complementary to and engaged with the first screw thread, wherein the first component is at least partially disposed within the second channel; and an optical fiber partially disposed within the first and second channels. 
         [0006]    Further aspects provide, for example, a kit containing various ones of the components that make up the connector, as well as a method for combining the components to create the completed connector. 
         [0007]    These and other aspects of the disclosure will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative aspects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    A more complete understanding of the present disclosure may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a simplified functional representation of a complementary pair of connectors configured to optically mate with each other. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a functional representation of the connectors of  FIG. 1  in a mated configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of various components of an illustrative connector, including an illustrative tube, spring, ferrule holder, spring holder, lock unit, and connector cover. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a detail top view of the tube of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a detail side view of the tube of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a detail top view of the spring holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a detail top view of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a detail first side view of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a detail bottom view of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a detail second opposing side view of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a detail of view  11 - 11  of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a detail of view  12 - 12  of the ferrule holder of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a detail top view of the lock unit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a detail side view of the lock unit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a detail top view of the connector cover of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a detail side view of the connector cover of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a top cross-sectional view of the combined tube and spring of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a top cross-sectional view of the combined tube, spring, and ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 , which together form an illustrative spring assembly. 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a top cross-sectional view of the spring assembly of  FIG. 18  and the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a top cross-sectional view of the spring assembly of  FIG. 18 , and the ferrule holder and lock unit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a top cross-sectional view of the spring assembly of  FIG. 18 , and the ferrule holder, lock unit, and connector cover of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a side cross-sectional view of an illustrative ferrule and ferrule tube. 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a top view of the combined ferrule and ferrule tube of  FIG. 22 , which together form an illustrative ferrule assembly. 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a rear cross-sectional view of the ferrule tube of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a rear cross-sectional view of the combined ferrule and ferrule tube of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the ferrule assembly of  FIG. 22 , the spring assembly of  FIG. 18 , and an illustrative boot. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 27-29  are each a perspective view of the ferrule assembly of  FIG. 22  and the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 30  is an alternative configuration of the assembly of  FIG. 29 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the ferrule assembly of  FIG. 22 , the ferrule holder of  FIG. 3 , and the spring assembly of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 31  and further having the lock unit of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 32  and further having the connector cover of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 34  is a flow chart showing illustrative steps that may be performed to assemble the assembly shown in  FIGS. 21 and 33 . 
       
    
    
       [0041]    It is noted that the various drawings are not necessarily to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    The various aspects summarized previously may be embodied in various forms. The following description shows by way of illustration various examples in which the aspects may be practiced. It is understood that other examples may be utilized, and that structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a functional diagram shows an illustrative mating pair of optical connectors  101 ,  103 . Each connector  101 ,  103  has its respective optical pathway for transferring information as modulated light. In the present example, these optical pathways are optical fibers  102 ,  104 . When mated together via an adapter  105  as shown in  FIG. 2 , the optical pathways are optically coupled together so as to transfer the modulated light from one of the pathways to the other. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when connectors  101  and  103  are properly mated, optical fibers  102  and  104  are brought into contact with each other without an air gap, so as to allow light from one of the optical fibers  102 ,  104  to transfer into the other one of the optical fibers  102 ,  104 . 
         [0044]    The following illustrative embodiments of an optical connector will now be discussed. The connector may be configured so as to be relatively for the end user to easily, quickly, and/or inexpensively add the optical connector to an optical fiber. For instance, the end user may not need a splicer to make the connection, since the connector does not need a pigtail. Thus, the connection may have the potential for contributing less signal loss than do connectorized pigtails, since a splice is no longer needed for each connector. Moreover, the connector may provide for appropriate axial, lateral, and/or rotational alignment of the optical fiber with the optical pathway of the opposing mating connector. Although there exist optical fiber connectors that can be field assembled, these connectors still require fusion splicing or mechanical splicing (with an index-matching gel). In contrast, examples of an optical connector suitable for field assembly will be described in which splicing is unnecessary for creation of the optical connection. Thus, the optical fiber remains intact and may allow for a more reliable and less lossy optical connection. Reliability over a long period of time is important for many applications, especially where the connection may be in a location that is difficult to access after installation, such as within a building wall or underground. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a top plan view of a variety of individual components of such an illustrative connector are shown. In this example, connector  101  includes a connector cover  301 , a lock unit  302 , a ferrule holder  303 , a spring holder  304 , a spring  305 , and a tube  306 . When spring holder  304 , spring  305 , and tube  306  are combined, the resulting combination will be referred to herein as a spring assembly  307 . The components are shown in the arrangement in which they are combined in this example. Namely, connector cover  301  is placed over lock unit  302 , which in turn is placed over ferrule holder  303  and spring assembly  307 . To form spring assembly  307 , spring  305  is inserted into tube  306 , and spring holder  304  is inserted into spring  305  and tube  306 . In addition, ferrule holder  303  is screwed into or otherwise affixed to spring holder  304 . The various components  301 - 307  may be made of any material or combination of materials, such as metal, plastic, and/or ceramic materials. 
         [0046]    Each of these components  301 - 307  will be discussed both individually and in conjunction with one another to form an operational connector.  FIGS. 4-16  illustrate each component of  FIG. 3  in additional detail, with the exception of spring  305 . Spring  305  may be a conventional spring. In the shown example, spring  305  is a coiled compression spring, and so a further detailed drawing of spring  305  is unnecessary. However, spring  305  may be another type of spring such as a coiled tension spring or a leaf spring. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show additional detail of tube  306 .  FIG. 4  is a top plan view and  FIG. 5  is a side view. A purpose of tube  306  is to hold spring  305  and spring holder  304 . As shown, tube  306  is generally an elongated hollow cylinder with a hollow enclosed channel  1702  ( FIG. 17 ) extending from end to end along its elongated axis through which optical fiber  102  may be threaded. In addition, tube  306  has a pair of opposed slots  402  and a pair of opposed protruding ears  401 . As will be described later, ears  401  are used to affix lock unit  302  to spring assembly  307 . In  FIG. 5 , a portion of the sidewall of tube  306  has been cut away for illustration purposes to expose a portion of the interior of tube  306 . As shown, a lip  501  in the form of a step is provided as a stopper against which spring  305  will rest, as will be discussed later. In the present example, lip  501  extends completely around in a circle within an interior portion of tube  306 . However, lip  501  may extend only partially around a circle. Also, lip  501  may be embodied as a protruding tab instead of as a step. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a side view of spring holder  304 , with a cut-away of a portion showing the interior thereof. As shown, spring holder  304  includes a head portion  603  having a helical interior screw thread  602  for mating with a complementary helical exterior screw thread of ferrule holder  303 . Head portion  603  has a larger outer diameter than a remaining portion of spring holder  304 . Spring holder  304  has a hollow enclosed channel  2602  ( FIG. 26 ) extending from end to end along its elongated axis through which optical fiber  102  may be threaded. In addition, the exterior of spring holder  304  includes a circular groove  601  thereon for receiving a retaining clip, as will be described later. In the shown embodiment, spring holder  304  is symmetrical about its elongated axis. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 7-12  show various views of ferrule holder  303 . In particular,  FIG. 7  is a top plan view,  FIGS. 8 and 10  are opposing side views,  FIG. 9  is a bottom view,  FIG. 11  is an end view as indicated by  11 - 11  in  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 12  is an opposite end view as indicated by  12 - 12  in  FIG. 7 . As shown, ferrule holder  303  is formed as an elongated cylinder having a hollow U-shaped channel  701  that is exposed on one side (in this example, exposed at the top side as shown in  FIG. 7 ). Channel  701  is exposed so that optical fiber  102  may be placed into channel  701  through the exposed side without the need for threading optical fiber  102  lengthwise through channel  701 . This is because at least a portion of channel  701  is sufficiently narrow to prevent a ferrule (discussed below) at the end of optical fiber  102  from sliding lengthwise completely through channel  701 . 
         [0050]    Ferrule holder  303  also has an exterior screw thread  703  that is complementary with and mates to interior screw thread  602  of spring holder  304  by rotating ferrule holder  303  to screw into spring holder  304 , in the same manner that a conventional screw is rotated into a nut. Ferrule holder  303  also has a head portion that is made up of an inner flange  704  and an outer flange  705  separated from each other by a circular groove  702 . As will be discussed below, groove  702  is configured to receive a retaining clip that affixes the ferrule assembly of optical fiber  102  in all degrees of freedom of motion (e.g., a fixed rotational orientation and longitudinal, i.e., lengthwise, position) relative to ferrule holder  303 . 
         [0051]    Ferrule holder  303  further includes an opposing pair of notches  801 ,  1001  in flanges  704  and  705 . Notches  801  and  1001  are used to maintain a predetermined rotational alignment of ferrule holder  303  relative to lock unit  302  while still allowing ferrule holder  303  to slide longitudinally in and out of spring assembly  307  against spring  305 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 13 and 14  show a top plan view and a side view, respectively, of lock unit  302 . As shown, lock unit  302  has a first pair of opposing protruding tabs  1301  and a second pair of opposing protruding tabs  1302 . As will be described, tabs  1301  and  1302  are used to affix lock unit  302  to connector cover  301 . Lock unit  302  also has a pair of notches  1401  on opposing sides of lock unit  302 . These notches  1401  receive ears  401  of tube  306  so as to affix and/or align tube  306  (and thus spring assembly  307 ) to lock unit  302 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show a top plan view and a side view, respectively, of connector cover  301 . As shown, connector cover  301  has a pair of apertures  1601  on opposing sides of lock unit  302 . These apertures receive tabs  1301  and  1302  of lock unit  302  so as to affix and/or align lock unit  302  to connector cover  301 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 17-21  are top plan views showing various stages of combining the components of connector  101 , with selected cut-away details of how certain of the various components fit together.  FIG. 17  is a top plan view with a cut-away showing how spring  305  fits within channel  1702  of tube  306 . Spring  305  is inserted from the left side aperture of channel  1702  and pushed toward the right until spring  305  rests against lip  501 . 
         [0055]    Next, referring to  FIG. 18 , spring holder  304  is inserted from the left side aperture of channel  1702  and pushed toward the right until head portion  603  rests against the left side of spring  305 . Thus, spring  305  now encircles the shaft of spring holder  304  between head portion  603  and lip  501 . Then, spring holder  304  is pushed further into tube  306  such that spring  305  is under compressive stress, and at that time a retaining clip  1801  is affixed into groove  601  in order to prevent spring holder  304  from slipping out of tube  306  and to maintain the compressive stress. Alternatively, the device could be configured such that when retaining clip  1801  is affixed into groove  601 , spring  305  is not under any tension. As shown in the illustrative inset taken from a right-hand point of view in  FIG. 18 , retaining clip  1801  may be a C-shaped clip that can be slightly stretched open like a spring, which will then snap back to approximately its original shape to fit and remain within groove  601 . Alternatively, retaining clip  1801  may hold its current shape such that retaining clip  1801  may be squeezed to fit more tightly within groove  601 . In either case, retaining clip  1801  may have an interior radius that is approximately the same as, or slightly larger than, the exterior surface radius of groove  601 . Retaining clip  1801  may be made of metal or any other reasonably strong and/or resilient material. The result of connecting these components together results in spring assembly  307 , previously referenced. 
         [0056]    Next, referring to  FIG. 19 , ferrule holder  303  is screwed into head portion  603  of spring holder  304 . In doing so, exterior screw thread  703  engages with a compatible helical interior screw thread  1902  disposed at the interior surface of head portion  603 . As will be discussed later with regard to  FIG. 28 , another retaining clip  1901  is affixed into groove  702  of ferrule holder  303  to help retain the ferrule assembly of optical fiber  102 . Like retaining clip  1801 , retaining clip  1901  may be generally C-shaped and made of a material that can be slightly stretched open like a spring, which will then snap back to approximately its original shape to fit and remain within groove  1901 . Alternatively, retaining clip  1901  may retain its current shape and may be squeezed to as to fit more tightly within groove  1901 . In either case, retaining clip  1901  may have an interior radius that is approximately the same as, or slightly larger than, the exterior surface radius of groove  701 . In addition, as will be discussed further with regard to  FIG. 28 , retaining clip  1901  may have a tab  1903  or other protrusion that couples with a complementary depression in the ferrule assembly of optical fiber  102 , to help retain rotational orientation of the ferrule assembly. 
         [0057]    Next, referring to  FIG. 20 , spring assembly  307  plus ferrule holder  303  is inserted into lock unit  302 . As previously described, each of ears  401  of tube  306  fit into respective opposing notches  1401  of lock unit  302  to affix lock unit  302  and spring assembly  307  together. In addition, lock unit  302  includes a pair of opposing tabs  2001  on its interior surface that fit into notches  801  and  1001 , respectively, of ferrule holder  303 . This helps to ensure a fixed rotational orientation of ferrule holder  303  with respect to lock unit  302 . 
         [0058]    Next, referring to  FIG. 21 , the entire assembly of  FIG. 20  is inserted into connector cover  301 . As previously described, tabs  1301  and  1302  of lock unit  302  fit into respective opposing apertures  1601  to help affix lock unit  302  to connector cover  301 . Thus,  FIG. 21  shows illustrative completed connector  101 , except for optical fiber  102  and its ferrule assembly. 
         [0059]      FIG. 22  shows a side cross-sectional view of an illustrative ferrule  2201  and ferrule tube  2202  that together make up the ferrule assembly of optical fiber  102 . Ferrule  2201  has a generally elongated shape and has a hollow channel  2203  extending completely through ferrule  2201  along its lengthwise axis from a first aperture  2206  to a second opposite aperture  2207 . Channel  2203  is configured such that optical fiber  102  may be threaded through channel  2203  (albeit it may be a stripped version of optical fiber  102 , i.e., stripped of its protective covering, that passes through channel  2203 ). In passing optical fiber  102  through channel  2203 , a glue or other adhesive may be added to the interior surface of channel  2203  and/or the exterior surface of optical fiber  102  to affix optical fiber  102  to ferrule  2201 . 
         [0060]    Ferrule  2201  further has a narrower portion  2210  for receiving ferrule tube  2202 . This narrower portion  2210  is configured such that when put together, ferrule  2201  and ferrule tube  2202  form a single approximately flush exterior cylindrical surface, as shown in  FIG. 23 . Together, ferrule  2201  and ferrule tube  2202  form a ferrule assembly  2301 . As further shown in  FIGS. 22 ,  24  and  25 , ferrule tube  2202  has a hollow aperture  2205  for receiving narrower portion  2210  of ferrule  2201 . In addition, ferrule tube  2202  has a notch, hole, or other depression  2204  for receiving tab  1903  of retaining clip  1901 . A glue or other adhesive may be applied on the surface of narrower portion  2210  and/or the interior surface of channel  2205  to affix ferrule  2201  and ferrule  2202  together. 
         [0061]    After optical fiber  102  is affixed to ferrule assembly  2301 , the tip  2209  of optical fiber  102  is cut and polished as in conventional ferrule assemblies. In addition, tip  2209  may be cut at an angle to the lengthwise axis of optical fiber  102  and ferrule assembly  2301 , so as to reduce potential signal reflection. Such angular tips are known in the art. The rotational orientation of the angled surface of tip  2209  about the longitudinal axis of optical fiber  102  may be set at a particular orientation depending upon the rotational position of depression  2204 . Put another way, depression  2204  may be used as a point of reference for cutting the angled surface of tip  2209 . 
         [0062]    Ferrule tube  2202  and ferrule  2201  may be made of the same materials or of different materials than each other. For instance, ferrule  2201  may be made of a ceramic or plastic, while ferrule tube  2202  may be made of a metal. Where ferrule  2201  is made of ceramic, it may be easier to control precise dimensions, such as concentricity, than where ferrule  2201  is made of metal or other materials. It is expected, for instance, that manufacturing a ceramic ferrule  2201  versus a metal ferrule  2201  may result in as much as a ten-fold reduction in fiber-to-ferrule concentricity errors. Such a reduction in concentricity errors, in turn, is expected to reduce connection losses considerably, especially where connector  101  is connected to a standard SC-type connector or other connector where optical fiber  102  must precisely align with optical fiber  104 . 
         [0063]    As previously mentioned, when depression  2204  receives tab  1903 , this allows ferrule assembly  2301  (and thus optical fiber  201 ) to be fixed in a particular rotational orientation relative to ferrule holder  303  (and indeed to the entire connector  101 , since ferrule holder  303  is rotationally fixed relative to spring assembly  307 , lock unit  302 , and connector cover  301 ). 
         [0064]    In practice, spring assembly  307  may already be pre-assembled by the time it reaches the end user. Thus, the end user may need only to attach ferrule holder  303 , retaining clip  1901 , lock unit  302 , connector cover  301 , optical fiber  102 , and ferrule assembly  2301  together to form connector  101 . In such a case, a kit may be sold or otherwise provided that includes at least one of each of the following components: spring assembly  307 , ferrule holder  303 , retaining clip  1901 , lock unit  302 , and connector cover  301 , ferrule  2201 , and ferrule tube  2202 . However, other kits may provide any sub-combination of these items (i.e., leave out one or more of these listed items). The kit may also include written instructions for assembling connector  101  from the included components. 
         [0065]    An illustrative method for assembling connector  101  from provided spring assembly  307  is now described in connection with the perspective views of  FIGS. 26-33  and the flow chart of  FIG. 34 . This method may also be described, in whole or in part, by the written instructions in the above-mentioned kit. 
         [0066]    First, ferrule assembly  2301  is created and added to optical fiber  102  as previously described in connection with  FIGS. 22-25 . Next, optical fiber  102  with ferrule assembly  2301  may be blown with an air gun and/or pushed through a duct, such as a narrow conduit (step  3401 ). Examples of how a ferruled optical fiber may be blown in this manner are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/551,098, filed Oct. 19, 2006, which is incorporated by reference herein as to its entirety. Alternatively, ferrule assembly  2301  may be created and added to optical fiber  102  after placement of optical fiber  102  in a duct, cable tray, or other desired location. 
         [0067]    Next, referring to  FIGS. 26 and 34 , ferrule assembly  2301  is threaded through a flexible boot  2601  (step  3402 ). Boot  2601  may be made of any material, such as rubber or plastic, and helps to spread out bending stresses imposed on optical fiber  102  to avoid damage to optical fiber  102 . Next, ferrule assembly  2301  is threaded through spring assembly  307  (step  3403 ).  FIG. 26  thus shows the state of assembly after steps  3402  and  3403  have been performed. 
         [0068]    Next, ferrule assembly  2301  is inserted into ferrule holder  303  (step  3404 ), as shown in  FIG. 27 . To do this, optical fiber  102  is slid laterally into channel  701  in the direction of the broken arrows in  FIG. 27 . Then, optical fiber  102  is pulled in a backward direction (as indicated by the broken arrows in  FIG. 28 ), and/or ferrule assembly  2301  is pushed in that direction, such that ferrule assembly  2301  seats into ferrule holder  303  as shown in  FIG. 28 . At this point, depression  2204  of ferrule assembly  2301  should face toward the aperture of channel  701  to receive tab  1903  of retaining clip  1901 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 29 , retaining clip  1901  is stretched to fit around groove  702  of ferrule holder  303  and to insert tab  1903  into depression  2204 . The fitting of tab  1903  into depression  2204  helps to affix ferrule assembly  2301  to ferrule holder  303  (step  3405 ), by substantially reducing or even preventing forward/backward motion and rotational motion of ferrule assembly  2301  relative to ferrule holder  303 . 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIGS. 27-29 , depression  2204  and tab  1903  are both rotationally aligned with the open side of channel  701  of ferrule holder  303 . However, alternatively depression  2204  and tab  1901  may be rotationally aligned at a point that is 180 degrees opposite the open side of channel  701 , such as shown in  FIG. 30 . This may allow optical fiber  102  to be slid laterally into channel  701  after retainer clip  1901  is already placed around groove  702 , since the open end of C-shaped retainer clip  1901  may be aligned with the open end of channel  701 . Thus, optical fiber  102  may be slid laterally into channel  701  while passing through the open end of retainer clip  1901 . This may further allow ferrule holder  303  to already have retainer clip  1901  loosely disposed in groove  702  when it is provided to the end user, thereby reducing the number of steps needed to be taken by the end user. In such a case, the end user need only squeeze retainer clip  1901  more tightly into groove  702  in order to engage tab  1903  with depression  2204 . 
         [0070]    Regardless of whether the assembly of  FIG. 29  or  FIG. 30  is produced, ferrule holder  303  and spring assembly  307  are next screwed together using complementary screw threads  602  and  703 , as shown in  FIGS. 31 and 34  (step  3406 ). In addition, ferrule holder  303  and spring holder  304  are rotated together within tube  306  such that the open side of channel  701  faces orthogonally from ears  401 , as shown in  FIG. 31 . This will allow for ears  401  of tube  306  to properly fit within respective notches  1401  of lock unit  302 , while also allowing for tabs  2001  of lock unit  302  to fit within respective notches  801 ,  1001  of ferrule holder  303  (step  3407 ), as shown in  FIGS. 20 and 32 . 
         [0071]    Next, the lock unit assembly of  FIG. 32  is inserted into connector cover  301 , as shown in  FIG. 33  (step  3408 ). When properly fitted in this example, tabs  1301  and  1302  of lock unit  302  fit in respective opposing apertures  1601  of connector cover  301 . Upon completion of this step, illustrative connector  101  has successfully been created and is ready for plugging in to another connector. 
         [0072]    Thus, illustrative embodiments of a connector have been described that are practical for assembly in the field, such as by the end user. The described connector may be easier, faster, and cheaper to assemble than creating a conventional fusion splice, and/or more reliable than a conventional mechanical splice. Although the embodiments shown in the drawings are illustratively directed to a SC-P type optical connector that optically connects to another SC-P type optical connector such as connector  103 , aspects of the invention as described herein apply to other types of optical connectors, with minor modifications for doing so being readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art after having the benefit of reading the present disclosure.