Patent Publication Number: US-10324263-B2

Title: Telecommunication enclosure and coupling with insertion orientation features

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to telecommunication enclosure configured for external connectivity. Specifically, the exemplary telecommunication enclosure includes an optical coupling mounted directly in the port of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Telecommunication cables are ubiquitous and used for distributing all manner of data across vast networks. The majority of cables are electrically conductive cables (typically copper), although the use of optical fiber cables is growing rapidly in telecommunication systems as larger and larger amounts of data are transmitted. Additionally, as data transmissions increase, the fiber optic network is being extended closer to the end user which can be a premises, business, or a private residence. 
     As telecommunication cables are routed across data networks, it is necessary to periodically open the cable so that one or more telecommunication lines therein may be spliced or otherwise connected to other cables or “branches” and to be distributed across the telecommunication network. At each point where a telecommunication cable is opened, it is necessary to provide a telecommunication enclosure to protect the exposed interior of the cable. The cable branches may be further distributed until the network reaches individual homes, businesses, offices, and so on. These networks are often referred to as fiber to the X (FTTX) networks which can include fiber to the premise (FTTP), fiber to the home (FTTH) and fiber to the antenna (FTTA) networks. 
     Fiber terminals are one type of telecommunication enclosure that is typically located near an end user in a FTTP network to distribute the final service to the end user. Typical fiber terminals are designed to drop services (to provide service connections) to a small number of premises having typically between four to twelve end users. The last service connection from the fiber terminal is made to an optical network terminal (ONT), located at the end user, using a drop cable. Typically, an optical connector attached to the terminal end of an optical fiber of the cable is preferred to allow quick, reliable field installation. 
     There are two basic methods of introducing an optical fiber into a telecommunication or enclosure. In the first method, the cable passes through an inlet device fitted into a port of the telecommunication enclosure. The optical connection interface is made within the enclosure by either an optical connector or an optical splice. Conventional watertight optical inlet devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,487,344 and 8,313,250, which can be inserted into a port so that a telecommunication cable can pass through the wall and into the interior of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     The second method is to provide a weatherproof optical connection interface in or near a wall of the telecommunication enclosure using a sealed hardened connector that is factory mounted on the terminal end of an optical fiber cable and mating receptacle mounted within a port or in the wall of the telecommunication enclosure, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,648,520; 7,090,406; and 6,579,014. Generally, the receptacle in this conventional connector/receptacle system is attached directly to the wall of the enclosure so that the external connection point extends from the port and is exposed to the outdoor environment. In addition, this connector/receptacle system requires environmental sealing between the receptacle and the port of a telecommunication enclosure and between the connector and the receptacle. 
     A field mountable sealed connector having a connection interface disposed within an interior portion of a telecommunication enclosure is described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Publication No. WO 2013/106183. 
     Due to the rugged handling of drop cables which utilize these hardened connectors, a need exists for enhanced pull strength without having to rely on a threaded connection between the hardened connector and its mating receptacle. The size of the mating receptacle limits the port density that can be achieved with conventional ruggedized optical fiber connectors. Thus, there is an increased desire for a higher port density in a telecommunication enclosure than can be achieved with conventional ruggedized connectors. In addition, there is a need to provide a ruggedized field mountable fiber optic connector that allows the craftsman to customize the length of the drop cable for a particular network installation while maintaining the environmental protection of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A telecommunication enclosure is described herein wherein the telecommunications enclosure is configured for making an external optical connection. The enclosure includes a base having at least one port having an integral exterior section disposed around the port outside of the enclosure and an optical coupling disposed at least partially within the port. The optical coupling has a first connector housing disposed within the exterior section of the port and a second connector housing disposed within the interior of the telecommunication enclosure, wherein the port further includes a notch formed along an edge of the port, wherein the notch is configured to receive a keying nub disposed on the optical coupling to enable insertion of the optical coupling into the port in a known orientation. In an exemplary aspect, the optical coupling is secured directly within the port of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     In contrast, conventional ruggedized receptacles are most frequently mounted with the exterior portion of the receptacle accessible for connection of a conventional ruggedized connector via a threaded collar. The port structure (i.e. the exterior section of the port) of the exemplary enclosure protects the point of connection between the optical coupling and the exemplary connector described herein. 
     In addition, the optical couplings described herein provide a simpler structure than the conventional ruggedized receptacles and allow for a higher port density in the enclosure due to the compact size of the exemplary optical couplings. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, an optical coupling is disclosed that is configured to be inserted into a port of a telecommunication enclosure. The optical coupling includes a first connector housing configured to accept a first optical fiber connector, a second connector housing configured to accept a second optical fiber connector, and an alignment sleeve extending between the first and second housings along a central axis of the optical coupling. The first connector housing has two windows formed on opposite sides of the first connector housing that are configured to mate with engagement features of the first optical connector when the first optical connector is inserted into the optical coupling. 
     In an alternative embodiment, an optical coupling is disclosed that has enhanced retention characteristics. The optical coupling has a first connector housing configured to accept a first optical fiber connector, a second connector housing configured to accept a second optical fiber connector; and an alignment sleeve extending between the first and second housings along a central axis of the optical coupling. At least one of the first connector housing and the second connector housing provides four interconnection points with at least one of the first optical fiber connector and the second optical fiber connector. The exemplary modified optical coupling is configured to be placed in the port of a telecommunications enclosure. 
     The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. The figures and the detailed description that follows more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1A-1C  show three views of a first embodiment of an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  show three detail views of an exemplary assembly base of the optical connector of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  show three detail views of an exemplary strain relief assembly of the optical connector of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
         FIG. 4A  shows the exemplary optical fiber connector of  FIGS. 1A-1C  installed in the port of a telecommunication enclosure; 
         FIGS. 4B-4C  illustrate a release mechanism of the exemplary optical fiber connector of  FIGS. 1A-1C  from the port of a telecommunication enclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5C  show three views of a modified coupling usable with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  show three views of a second embodiment of an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7A-7C  show three detail views of the assembly base of the optical connector of  FIGS. 6A-6C ; 
         FIG. 8  is a sectional isometric view of the release portion of the optical connector of  FIGS. 6A-6C ; 
         FIGS. 9A-9B  show two views of an exemplary outer housing of the optical connector of  FIGS. 6A-6C ; 
         FIG. 10A  shows the exemplary optical fiber connector of  FIGS. 6A-6C  installed in the port of a telecommunication enclosure; 
         FIGS. 10B-10C  illustrate a release mechanism of the exemplary optical fiber connector of  FIGS. 6A-6C  from the port of a telecommunication enclosure; 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  show three views of a third embodiment of an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 12A-12B  show two views of another modified coupling usable with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 13A-13B  show two views of the modified coupling of  FIGS. 12A-12B  disposed within a port of a telecommunication enclosure; 
         FIGS. 14A-14C  show three views of a fourth embodiment of an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 15A-15B  show two views of an alternative strain relief assembly usable with the exemplary optical fiber connectors in accordance with an aspect of the invention; 
         FIGS. 16A-6C  show three views of another modified coupling usable with an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17A-17C  show three views of a second embodiment of an exemplary optical fiber connector according to an aspect of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  is an isometric end view of the release portion of the optical connector of  FIGS. 17A-17C . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. 
     Exemplary embodiments herein provide an optical fiber connector for use in telecommunication enclosures. Specifically, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be plugged into an optical connector adapter through a port of the telecommunication enclosure. Particular advantages of the design of the present optical fiber connector include a lower cost than conventional hardened connectors which require a specialized mating receptacle. In addition, the exemplary optical fiber connector, as described herein, can be either field installable or factory installable. The small size of the exemplary optical fiber connector allows more connections to be made in a similarly sized telecommunication enclosure as a result of a higher port density when compared to conventional ruggedized connector systems. In addition, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be easier to handle and faster to install into a telecommunication enclosure than some conventional ruggedized connectors which require that the connector be screwed into a specialized receptacle in the port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     The exemplary fiber optic connector can be used in FTTx optical fiber networks. In one exemplary aspect, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be used to connect an end user to a remote fiber terminal in a fiber to the premise network. In another aspect of the invention, the exemplary fiber optic connector can be used to connect an antenna on a cellular tower or other installation to equipment in a base station located at the foot of the tower or an equipment cabinet, enclosure or closet. 
     In one embodiment, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be inserted from outside of the telecommunication enclosure to provide an optical connection interface proximate to the wall of the enclosure or within the port of the enclosure. Depending on the communication network architecture, the telecommunication enclosure may be a buried closure, an aerial closure or terminal, a fiber distribution hub or an optical network terminal in the outside plant or a wall mount communication box, a fiber distribution hub, a wall mount patch panel, or an optical network terminal in premise applications. The exemplary fiber optic connector can provide an environmental seal when installed in a port of a telecommunications enclosure. By providing an environmental seal, the inlet device can be designed to provide a watertight or water resistant seal and/or to prevent dust, bugs or any other foreign substance from entering the enclosure. 
     In one exemplary embodiment (see e.g.  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), the telecommunication cable can be a fiber optic cable  50 . The fiber optic cable can include a semi-rigid outer sheath or jacket  52  surrounding at least one optical fiber  54  and can include one or more strength members (not shown). Each optical fiber has a polymeric coating  55  that surrounds and protects the glass fiber  56 . Examples of exemplary optical fiber cables include ResiLink ADF™ All-Dielectric Flat Drop Cable available from Pirelli Cables and Systems (Columbia, N.C.) or EZ DROP cable from Draka (Claremont, N.C.), fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) optical cable available from Shenzhen SDG Information Company, Ltd. (Shenzhen, China), SE*-LW* FTTH All Purpose Optical Drop Cables and SE-8 PureAccess™ Single Mode Optical Fiber each of which is available from Sumitomo Electric (Research Triangle Park, N.C.), Mini DP Flat Drop Cable available from OFS (Northcross, Ga.). The strength members may be either semi-rigid rods or a collection of loose fibers or floss, e.g. made of aramid fibers or glass. 
     In an alternative aspect, the telecommunication cable can be an electrical cable in which case the connection portion of the exemplary connector will be an appropriate style of electrical connector such as an RJ-style plug connector, a USB connector or a coaxial connector, for example. While in another aspect, the telecommunication cable can be a hybrid cable having both electrical and optical conductors in which case the connection portion of the exemplary connector will be an appropriate hybrid connector. 
       FIGS. 1A-1C  show three views of an exemplary optical fiber connector  100 . Optical fiber connector  100  includes an assembly base  110  having a first end  111  and a second end  112 , a strain relief assembly  150  attachable to the second end of the assembly base and an optical connection portion  160  having a ferrule  166  disposed therein that defines an optical connection interface attachable to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief assembly anchors an internal sealing member  170  between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the assembly base to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector  100  and the telecommunications cable  50  to which it is connected. Optical fiber connector also includes at least one engagement feature to secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. Optical fiber connector  100  may be formed of plastic by conventional methods, for example by injection molding. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , assembly base  110  includes a body portion  120  having a first end  121  and a second end  122 , a release portion  130  disposed near the first end of the body portion and an activation portion  140  disposed near the second end of the body portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage at least one engagement feature of the optical fiber connector when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure.  FIG. 2A  shows an exploded view of assembly base  110 .  FIG. 2B  is a partially assembled view of assembly base  110 , and  FIG. 2C  is a fully assembled view of assembly base  110 . 
     The body portion  120  may be generally cylindrical in shape and includes an interior passageway  123  that extends along the length of the body portion from the first end  121  to the second end  122  of the body portion. The body portion includes a passage entry at the first end of the interior passageway and a passage exit  125  at the second end of the interior passageway  123  that may be configured to accommodate certain categories of telecommunication cables including single fiber drop cables and/or multi-fiber cables. 
     The passage entry at the first end  121  of the interior passageway  123  is configured to accept and secure optical connection portion  160  to/in the first end  121  of the body portion  120 . As such, the passage entry can be shaped to closely conform to an outer perimeter portion of the optical connection portion. In one aspect, the optical connection portion can be secured to the first end of the assembly base such that at least a portion of the optical connection portion is disposed within the interior passageway of the body portion. 
     The body portion  120  can have a groove  127  formed in the external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate sealing member  173 . In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 2A , groove  127  is formed near the first end  121  of body portion and configured to receive an intermediate sealing member, such as an o-ring. This intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the body portion and release portion  130  of assembly base  110 . 
     The body portion  120  can have an external connection portion  128  adjacent to the second end  122  of the body portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 2A , external connection portion  128  includes at least one bayonet channel  128   a  that cooperates with at least one internal peg  151   e  (shown in  FIG. 3C ) disposed within a first opening  151   c  at the first end  151   a  of strain relief assembly  150 . In the exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector  100 , the body portion can include two bayonet channels disposed on opposite sides of the body portion and strain relief assembly  150  can have two internal pegs that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels formed in the body portion. Thus, the strain relief assembly (having the internal sealing member  170  disposed therein) can be slid over the second end of the body portion and rotated to secure the strain relief assembly to the body portion as the internal pegs in the strain relief assembly ride in the bayonet channels formed in the body portion. The internal sealing member is compressed longitudinally between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the body portion as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     Utilizing a bayonet style securing mechanism to attach the strain relief assembly to the assembly base can be advantageous in reducing torsional stresses applied to the telecommunication cable when the strain relief assembly is secured to the body portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector. In addition, the bayonet style securing mechanism offers the advantage of having a defined stop at the end of the engaging motion (i.e. the ends of bayonet channel  128   a ) as opposed to a threaded connection which does not have a defined stop and can be over or under tightened resulting potential inferior environmental protection between the cable and optical fiber connector  100 . 
     In an alternative aspect, the external connection can comprise an external thread that engages with an internal thread in the strain relief assembly or can comprise mechanical interlocking structure that engage with corresponding features within the strain relief assembly such that the strain relief assembly is secured to the second end of the assembly base by an interference fit. In the case of a threaded connection mechanism it can be advantageous to add a stop so that the strain relief device cannot be over tightened onto the assembly base. 
     Body portion  120  can include a shoulder  120   a  formed in its external surface. The shoulder serves as a transition point from a first diameter at the first end  121  of the body portion to a second diameter at the second end  122  of the body portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the first diameter at the first end is larger than the second diameter at the second end. The body portion having the smaller second diameter defines a reduced diameter section  120   b  between the second end and shoulder  120   a . The activation portion  140  can be slid over the second end of body portion  120  such that the activation portion is disposed over reduced diameter section  120   b  as shown in  FIG. 2B  such that the outer surface of the activation portion and the body portion between the shoulder and the first end are substantially coplanar. The reduced diameter section can be slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the bore  143  through the activation portion such that the activation portion is free to move (i.e. rotate) relative to the reduced diameter section and shoulder  120   a  serves as a stop to limit the travel range of the activation portion. The external surface of reduced diameter section and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be smooth so that the activation portion can slip over the reduced diameter section of the body portion to actuate the release portion  130 . In an alternative aspect, the external surface of reduced diameter section and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be threaded so that the activation portion can be rotated in a helical manner to actuate the release portion. While in another exemplary aspect, the external surface of reduced diameter section and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be textured to provide an audible clicking as the activation portion is turned during activation of the release portion. 
     Body portion  120  can further include one or more engagement features  129  formed on and extending from the outer surface of the body portion between groove  127  and connection portion  128 . The engagement features can help ensure the proper positioning of the body portion within the release portion while allowing the release portion a degree of movement, for example linear movement, relative to the body portion. The engagement features can also be used to secure optical fiber connector  100  within the port of a telecommunication enclosure. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , the engagement features  129  are in the form of cantilevered arms  129   a  that have a barb or projection  129   b  adjacent to the free ends of the cantilevered arms and a deflection tab  129   c  extending from a side of the cantilevered arm. The cantilevered arms can be deflected toward the body portion as the body portion is inserted into the release portion  130  to allow the projection on the end of the cantilevered arm to slide through the internal bore  133 . The arm will return to its original configuration when projection  129   b  engages with window  139  in the release portion and when the deflection tab clears internal cam  133   a  ( FIG. 4B ) formed on the interior surface of the internal bore through the release portion. In an exemplary aspect, window  139  can be slightly wider than the width of the cantilevered arm and the projection on the end of the arm so that a portion of the cantilevered arm can extend through the window beyond the surface of the release portion to engage with an exterior section  421  of a telecommunication port  420  ( FIG. 4B ). Moving the body portion of the assembly base with respect to the release portion can change the distance that the cantilevered arm extends beyond the surface of the release portion and can thus be used to disengage optical connector  100  from a port of a telecommunication enclosure as is described in additional detail with respect to  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
     As previously mentioned, release portion  130  includes an internal bore  133  that extends from a front edge  131  to a rear edge  132  of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary connector  100  will be inserted. The release portion  130  can have a groove  137  formed in the external surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing member  175 . In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 2A , groove  137  is formed near the front edge  131  of release portion to receive an external sealing member  175 , such as an o-ring. This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary connector is inserted. Specifically, the external sealing member forms an environmental seal between the interior wall of the exterior section  221  of the port  220  of a telecommunication enclosure ( FIGS. 4A-4B ). Thus, the environmental sealing of the port is simplified over the conventional connector/receptacle system due to the elimination of one environmental seals (i.e. the seal between the receptacle and the port of the telecommunication enclosure) required by the conventional system. 
     The release portion  130  can have a connection portion  138  adjacent to the rear edge  132  of the release portion. The connection portion  138  can include at least one bayonet channel  138   a  that cooperates with at least one external peg  148  disposed on an external surface of the activation portion  140 . In the exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector  100 , the release portion can include two bayonet channels  138   a  disposed on opposite sides of the release portion and the activation portion can have two external pegs  148  that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels. Thus, the activation portion can be slid into the second end  132  of the release portion so that the external pegs are disposed in the two bayonet channels  138   a.    
     When the exemplary optical fiber connector needs to be removed from the port of the telecommunication in which the connector is installed, activation portion  140  can be rotated such that the external pins slide in bayonet channels  138   a  causing the release portion to move back within the exterior section  221  of the port  220 . The removal of exemplary connector  100  from the port of a telecommunication enclosure will be discussed in additional detail in reference to  FIGS. 4B-4C . 
     A dust sleeve  135  can be fitted over the second end of release portion  130  to cover bayonet channels  138   a  as shown in  FIG. 2C . The dust sleeve can prevent dust and grit from collecting in the bayonet channels that might prevent actuation of the release portion. 
     As previously mentioned, an internal sealing member  170  can be disposed between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the assembly base  110  to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector  100  and the jacket of a telecommunications cable  50  installed therein. In one exemplary aspect, internal sealing member  170  can include an elastomeric ring portion  170   a  and a segmented rigid portion  170   b  as shown in  FIG. 1C . The elastomeric ring portion provides the sealing and cable gripping capability to the optical fiber connector to a telecommunication cable passing through the sealing member, and the segmented rigid portion serves as skids to allow the strain relief assembly to rotate freely when the strain relief assembly is being secured to the second end of the body portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector  100 . In an alternative aspect, the internal sealing member can be in the form of a conventional elastomeric grommet. Optionally, the internal sealing member can have a radial slit (not shown) to allow the telecommunication cable to be slipped into the internal sealing member from the edge of the sealing member. The internal sealing member can be formed by a two step molding process when the segmented rigid portion is formed of a rigid plastic material such as poly carbonate or polybutylene terephthalate, for example, or by an insert molding process when the rigid portion is formed of a rigid plastic material or metal. 
     In an exemplary aspect, the elastomeric portion of the internal sealing member can be formed from one of an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, a silicone rubber, a polyurethane elastomers or rubbers, natural rubber, a fluoroelastomer or other suitably soft resilient materials. 
     In an alternative aspect, the segmented rigid portion can be replaced by a slit ring made of either plastic or metal that can either be integrally formed with the internal sealing member or can be a separate piece which is positioned between the internal sealing member and the strain relief assembly during assembly of the exemplary connector. 
     Strain relief assembly  150  can be seen in  FIGS. 1A-1C  in relation to the rest of the components of optical fiber connector  100  and in detail in  FIGS. 3A-3C . Strain relief assembly  150  includes a connection portion  151  having a first opening  151   c  at a first end  151   a  thereof to accept the second end  122  of body portion  120  of the assembly base  110  and a smaller second opening  151   d  at the second end  151   b  of the connection portion to accommodate the passage of a telecommunication cable  50  therethrough. The strain relief assembly can further include at least one internal peg  151   e  ( FIG. 3C ) disposed within the connection portion that cooperates with the corresponding bayonet channel  128   a  on the body portion  120  ( FIG. 2A ) of the optical fiber connector to secure the strain relief assembly to the body portion and compress the internal sealing member therebetween. 
     Strain relief assembly  150  also includes a cable clamping portion  153  configured to clamp onto the jacket  52  of a telecommunication cable passing therethrough when the clamping collar  159  is secured over the clamping portion. The clamping portion includes one or more clamping elements  154  that can be actuated to grip the cable jacket  52  of a telecommunication cable when the clamping collar is disposed over the one or more clamping elements. In an exemplary aspect, the clamping elements  154  can be a pair of wedge shaped collet fingers  154   a  that are attached to the cable clamping portion  153  at the thin end of their wedge shape as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . The cable clamping portion  153  can further include an external thread  153   a  that is configured to mate with an internal thread  159   a  in the clamping collar  159 . As the clamping collar is screwed onto the clamping portion in a direction indicated by directional arrow  192 , the clamping collar squeezes the wedge shaped collet fingers inward (as indicated by directional arrow  193 ) to grip the jacket of the telecommunication cable between opposing collet fingers. In an exemplary aspect, the clamping elements can include one or more ridges or teeth to bite into the cable jacket when the clamping collar actuates the clamping elements. 
     Strain relief assembly  150  can further include an integral bend control boot  155  attached to the clamping portion of the strain relief assembly. The bend control boot prevents the telecommunication cable from exceeding its minimum bend radius which could result in degradation of the signal being carried by the telecommunication cable. The bend control boot can have a segmented form having a plurality of gaps  156  disposed along its length to improve the flexibility of the bend control boot. The size (i.e. the width and length) of the gaps can be modified to tailor the flexibility of the bend control boot. In one exemplary aspect, a plurality of uniform gaps can be dispersed uniformly along the length of the bend control boot. In an alternative aspect, thinner gaps can be disposed near clamping portion where minimal bending may be desirable and can gradually widen along the length of the bend control boot such that the flexibility of the bend control boot increases the further it gets from clamping portion. The gaps can be disposed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bend control boot. In an alternative aspect the gaps are disposed at a skewed angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical fiber connector such that the bend control boot has the appearance of a segmented coil. In an exemplary aspect, the connection portion  151 , clamping portion  153  with clamping elements  154  and the bend control boot  155  of the strain relief assembly can be molded as a single integral part as shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
     In an alternative embodiment of an exemplary strain relief assembly  950  shown in  FIGS. 15A-15B , the connection portion  951  can be molded as a separate part from the clamping portion  953  and the bend control boot  955  which can be molded as a single unit.  FIG. 15A  is an exploded view of strain relief assembly  950 , while  FIG. 15B  shows the exemplary strain relief assembly as part of optical connector  900 . The advantage of strain relief assembly  950  is that the connection portion can be free to rotate with respect to the clamping portion, which can allow the connection portion to be tightened or loosened without exerting undue torsion on the telecommunication cable passing therethrough. In this embodiment (best illustrated in  FIG. 15A ), the clamping portion  953  can include a lip  953   c  on its first end  953   b  wherein the outer circumference of the lip is larger than the circumference of the opening  951   c  at the second end  951   b  of the connection portion  951  such that the clamping portion is anchored to the connection portion when the first end of the clamping portion is installed in the connection portion. Another variation in the strain relief assembly is shown in  FIG. 15A  where the clamping elements can also be molded as separate parts which can be fitted into retention slots  953   d  in the cable clamping portion  953 . The cable clamping portion  953  can further include an external thread  953   a  that is configured to mate with an internal thread  959   a  in the clamping collar  959 . As the clamping collar is screwed onto the clamping portion, the clamping collar will push the clamping elements inward to grip the jacket of the telecommunication cable between opposing clamping elements. 
     While in another exemplary aspect, the bend control portion can be connected directly to the second end of the connection portion in installations where additional strain relief is unnecessary or the bend control portion can have a lip having a circumference greater than the circumference of opening  951   c  at the second end  951   b  of the connection portion  951 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , clamping collar  159  can be slid over the bend control boot  155  in a direction indicated by arrow  191  until the internal threads of the clamping collar engage with the external threads  153   a  of clamping portion  153 . The clamping collar is then turned onto the clamping portion via the mating threads in a direction indicated by arrow  192  shown in  FIG. 3C . As the collar is turned onto the threaded portion the clamping elements are pushed inward as indicated by directional arrow  193  ( FIG. 3C ) to grip the jacket  52  of the telecommunication cable  50  passing there through. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1A-1C , optical connection portion  160  can include an outer housing  161  having an external connection portion with an external thread  162  adjacent to the second end  161   b  that is configured to attach the optical connection portion to assembly base  110 . The outer housing is configured to hold the internal components of a standard optical fiber connector (e.g. the backbone  165 , collar body  164 , ferrule  166  and boot  167  as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ) within the outer housing. The internal optical fiber connector components can be similar to the internal components of the field mountable fiber optic connector described in commonly owned U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0044588, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, the internal optical fiber connector components can be similar to 3M™ No Polish Connectors, 3M™ Crimplok™ Fiber Optic Connectors available from 3M Company or other field mountable connector styles for field termination applications or conventional epoxy connectors for a factory termination applications. 
     The external thread  162  of outer housing  161  is configured to engage with an internal thread (not shown) disposed in the interior passageway  123  ( FIG. 2A ) that extends through the body portion  120  of assembly base  110  of optical connector  100 . In the exemplary aspect shown, external thread  162  can be a course pitch thread that corresponds with the internal thread in the assembly base. After mounting the internal connector components onto the terminal end of an optical connector, the backbone is inserted into the outer housing until it snaps into place. Connection portion  160  is then inserted into the first end of the assembly base and secured in place via the course pitch threads which securely attaches the optical connection portion to the assembly base while minimizing the torsional effects on the cable within the exemplary optical fiber connector resulting from the attachment of the connection portion to the assembly base. In an exemplary aspect, the optical connection portion can be attached to the main body by engaging the threads and rotating the optical connection portion 120° with respect to the main body, although other degrees of rotation are a matter of design choice. In an alternative aspect, the connector portion can be attached to the assembly base by an adhesive, snap-fit or other mechanical connection mechanism. 
     In one aspect, optical connection portion  160  is configured with an SC format outer housing  161 . However, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present description, the optical connection portion and the outer housings could be configured to have other standard formats, such as MT, MPO, ST, FC, and LC connector formats as well as utilizing other connector styles such as factory mounted connectors. 
     Exemplary optical fiber connector  100  is assembled by first sliding the strain relief assembly  150  including clamping collar  159 , the internal sealing member  170  and an optional boot  167  of the optical connection portion over the telecommunication cable  50  for later use. 
     For field termination, an optical connection portion having a mechanical gripping/splice element  169  can be used. The optical connection portion can be a remote grip connector such as 3M&#39;s Crimplok+ Optical Connector or can be a fiber stub connector such as 3M&#39;s No-Polish Connectors. Telecommunication cable  50  is prepared by cutting away a portion of the cable jacket  52  and stripping off a coated portion of the optical fiber  54  near the terminal end of the optical fiber leaving a bare glass fiber portion. The exposed bare glass portion is cleaved (flat or angled) to the desired length. 
     The prepared end of the telecommunication cable  50  is inserted through the rear end of the backbone  165  of a partially pre-assembled optical connector that includes the collar body  164  holding the mechanical gripping/splice element and ferrule secured within the backbone. In this manner, the prepared fiber end can be fed through the ferrule or spliced to the fiber stub with the mechanical gripping/splice element  169  within the collar body disposed in backbone  165 . The boot  167 , if present, is then pushed axially toward the backbone  165  and screwed onto the backbone mounting section to secure the boot in place completing the mounting of the partially pre-assemble optical connection portion onto optical fiber cable  50 . The partially pre-assembled optical connection portion is then snapped into outer housing  161  to complete the assembly of connection portion  160 . 
     Assembly base  110  is moved forward over the back end of the optical connection portion  160 . The optical connection portion is rotated to secure of the optical connection portion  160  to the body portion  120  of the optical connector via threads  162  on outer housing  161 . 
     The internal sealing member is pushed along telecommunication cable  50  and until it contacts with the second end  112  of the base assembly  110 . Strain relief assembly  150  is slid forward and secured to the body portion by engaging the strain relief assembly with the second end  112  of the body portion  120 . The tightening of the strain relief assembly  150  to the body portion compresses the internal sealing member. In an alternative embodiment, the internal sealing member can be fitted over the cable just prior to securing the strain relief assembly to the body portion by inserting the cable into the sealing member by through the radial slit in the internal sealing member. 
     Finally, the clamping collar  159  is slid over the bend control boot  155  of strain relief assembly  150  in a direction indicated by arrow  191  in  FIG. 3A  until the internal threads of the clamping collar engage with the external threads  153   a  of clamping portion  153 . The clamping collar is then turned onto the clamping portion via the mating threads in a direction indicated by arrow  192  shown in  FIG. 3B  causing clamping element  154  to tighten against the jacket of the telecommunication cable, thus, completing the assembly of connector  100 . 
       FIG. 4A  shows the exemplary optical fiber connector  100  installed into a standard optical connector coupling  250  within a portion of a telecommunication enclosure  200  when the optical connector is inserted through a port of the enclosure. The telecommunication enclosure can be a terminal enclosure such as a BPEO S1 16 S7 (Stock number N501714A) available from 3M Company (St. Paul, Minn.). 
     The exemplary telecommunication enclosure  200  of  FIG. 4A  includes a base  210  and a cover or main body (not shown) removably securable to the base. The base of the telecommunication enclosure shown in the figures includes a bottom wall  212  and a plurality of side walls  214  extending approximately perpendicularly from the bottom wall and adjoined to one another at the corners of the enclosure. At least one of the side walls can include at least one port  220  for receiving an optical fiber connector of the present invention. The exemplary port can be a hexagonal port having an exterior section  221  disposed outside of the enclosure. The exemplary port can have other geometric configurations such as a generally cylindrical or tubular shape, a rectangular shape or other polygonal shape. The exterior section  221  of port  220  includes a pair of openings  222  disposed on opposing side of the exterior section that are configured to accept projections  129   b  ( FIG. 1A ) of optical fiber connector  100  when the optical fiber connector is fully engaged in the port of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
     When optical fiber connector  100  is fully inserted into the port  220 , the engagement features  129  of optical fiber connector  100  engages with the opening  222  in the exterior section  221  of the port to secure the optical fiber connector in place. When the optical fiber connector is properly seated in the port of the telecommunication enclosure, the external sealing member  175  of the optical fiber connector provides a water tight seal between the internal circumference of the exterior section  221  of the port and the optical fiber connector. 
     A standard format optical coupling  250  can be inserted into openings in a patch panel  240  that can be anchored within the telecommunication enclosure  200  parallel to the sidewall having the ports  220  disposed therein and can be secured to the base of the telecommunication enclosure by mechanical fasteners (not shown) or other anchoring mechanism. The patch panel is disposed proximate to the side wall  214  with the ports  220 . The standard format optical couplings are mounted in the patch panel such that they align with the ports of the enclosure allowing an optical connection to be made when optical fiber connector  100  is fully inserted into the port. 
     In order to extract optical fiber connector  100  from the port  220 , the activation portion  140  is turned in the direction indicated by arrow  194  in  FIG. 4B . The pegs  148  on the surface of the activation portion ride in the bayonet channels  138   a  formed in release portion  130  causing the body portion  120  with attached connection portion  160  of the optical fiber connector to be moved in the direction indicated by arrow  195  in  FIG. 4B . As the release portion moves away from the sidewall  214  of the base  210  of the telecommunication enclosure  200 , the engagement features  129  formed on the body portion  120  of the optical fiber connector  100  contact the cam  133   a  formed within the release portion and are deflected toward the outer surface of the body portion until the projections  129   b  on the free end of the engagement features disengage from the openings  222  in the exterior section  221  of telecommunication closure port  220 , as shown in  FIG. 4C , allowing optical fiber connector  100  to be removed from the port by the application of an extraction force that is sufficient to overcome the holding force of the outer housing  161  of the optical fiber connector by optical connector coupling  250 . Thus, connector  100  utilizes a twist-to-pull release mechanism to disengage the connector from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     In alternative embodiments, an exemplary optical fiber connector can be mated with an optical coupling disposed at least partially within the port of a telecommunication enclosure, such that the optical interface between the two optical fiber connectors being mated by the optical coupling is located near the plane created by the sidewall of the telecommunication enclosure. The desire for higher pull-out strength as well as the desire for a high density of connections has resulted in modified optical coupling designs that are configured to accept the external (i.e. outside of the telecommunication enclosure) exemplary optical fiber connector of the present disclosure and a conventional format optical fiber connector on the interior of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     While the exemplary telecommunication enclosure described above includes a base and a separate cover, the telecommunication enclosure can be an in-line closure having a base and a cover that are attached together by a hinge, a dome style enclosure, a wall mount enclosure, an optical network terminal or other style of telecommunication enclosure so long as it has the port structure describe above (i.e. a port having an exterior section or sleeve extending outside of and around the port). 
       FIGS. 5A-5C  show an exemplary modified optical coupling  450  that can be partially inserted into the port  420  of a telecommunication enclosure from the interior of the enclosure. Optical coupling  450  has been modified for higher density applications than can be satisfied by the more conventional box shaped optical couplings, such as optical coupling  250  shown in  FIG. 4A-4C . In addition, optical coupling  450  has two additional attachment points than are present in a conventional optical coupling designs, thus enabling a higher pull out strength of the exemplary optical fiber connectors described herein and improving the reliability of the optical connection interface when forces are exerted on the telecommunication cable on which the exemplary optical fiber connector is mounted. 
     Optical coupling  450  can have a first side  450   a  and a second side  450   b  disposed on either side of a flange  460  and includes first optical fiber connector housing  455  disposed on a first side of the flange, a second connector housing  465  on a second side of the flange  460  and a ferrule alignment sleeve  462  disposed along the central axis  452  of the optical coupling and extending through the flange into each of the first and second connector housings. Flange  460  is configured to abut against the interior surface sidewall of the telecommunication enclosure adjacent to the port in which the optical coupling is inserted and to retain the optical coupling within the port when an external force is exerted on the telecommunication cable or the optical fiber connector mounted on the telecommunication cable that is inserted to the optical coupling from outside of the telecommunication enclosure. In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  450  can be at least partially disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector housing can disposed within the exterior section  421  of the port  420  and the second connector housing disposed within the interior of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in  FIGS. 5B-5C ). Thus, the connection point between the optical coupling and an optical connector installed therein is protected by the external section of the port. 
     Each of the connector housings  455 ,  465  includes a connector port  456 ,  466  respectively, that is configured to receive a corresponding optical fiber connector and align the connector ferrules to one another. 
     In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing  455  can be configured to accept exemplary optical fiber connector  300  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C  or a conventional standard format connector such as an SC-format connector. This feature can allow the connection of test equipment that includes a conventional optical fiber connector to be inserted and secured into the coupling, which is not possible with receptacles that mate with conventional ruggedized connectors. 
     The second connector housing  465  can be configured to accept a mating connector disposed in the interior of the telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any standard connector format, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, or LC connector format. The second connector housing  465  will have a corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second connector housing can include catch mechanism (not shown) similar to that found in conventional optical couplings to secure the mating connector to optical coupling  450 . 
     First connector housing  455  can be configured to accept the outer housing  361  of the connection portion  360  of exemplary optical fiber connector  300 . The first connector housing includes a pair of latches  457  and a pair of latch arms that mate with engagement features in the outer housing of the optical connection portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector. Latches  457  have a hooked portion  457   a  on the free end thereof, the hooked portions are configured to be received by receiving windows  361   c  ( FIGS. 9A-9B ) formed in the outer housing of optical fiber connector  300  and constitute the first two connection points between optical fiber connector  300  and optical coupling  450 . In addition, the first connector housing also includes a pair of latch arms  458  that enable two additional connection points between optical fiber connector  300  and optical coupling  450  that are not available in conventional optical couplings. 
     In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIGS. 5A-5B , each latch arm  458  can have a base portion  458   a  adjacent to flange  460 , a terminal portion  458   c , and a waist portion  458   b  disposed between the terminal portion and the base portion. The terminal portion is wider than the waist portion such that the terminal portion can be retained in C-shaped catch  364   a  ( FIG. 9B ) of the optical fiber connector&#39;s optical connection portion which will be described in additional detail below. In addition, the terminal portion of at least one of latch arms  458  can include a rib  458   d  formed on its outer surface. Rib  458   d  can be inserted in a slot  333   e  ( FIG. 7C ) to ensure proper alignment of optical fiber connector with optical coupling  450  when the connector is inserted into the coupling. An optional alignment slot  458   e  can be formed on the inside surface of terminal portion  458   c  to provide keying when a standard format optical connector is inserted into first housing  455  of optical coupling  450 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the base portions  458   a  of the latch arms  458  have a recessed channel  459  formed adjacent to the flange  460  which is configured to closely fit the opening through the side wall  414  that defines the port in the telecommunication enclosure. When installed in the port, the side wall of the enclosure resides between the walls on either side of the recessed channel  459  to ensure proper positioning of the optical coupling and securely fix the optical coupling in the port. Latch arms  458  can flex inward to allow the first end of the optical coupling to pass through the opening in the side wall of the telecommunication enclosure until the sidewall is positioned in the recessed channel adjacent to flange  460  releasing the pressure on the latch arms and allowing them to return to their original position, thus locking optical coupling  450  in the port of the telecommunication enclosure. When an optical connector is inserted into the first housing  455  of optical  450 , the optical connector advantageously pushes latch arms  458  apart to ensure that the coupling cannot be removed from the port when an optical coupling is inserted into the first side of the optical coupling. 
     In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  450  can include a keying nub  454  to allow insertion of optical coupling into the port having a corresponding notch formed in the port opening, so that the optical coupling is inserted into the port in a known orientation, which can be advantageous when the first housing of the optical coupling resides within an exterior sleeve or section  421  of the port  420  which can limit visual verification that the optical coupling was properly installed in the port. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6C , optical fiber connector  300  includes an assembly base  310  having a first end  311  and a second end  312 , a strain relief assembly  350  attachable to the second end of the assembly base and an optical connection portion  360  having a ferrule  366  disposed therein that defines an optical connection interface, wherein the optical connection interface can be attached to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief assembly applies a radial force to the second end of the assembly base compressing an internal sealing member  370  to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector  300  and the telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition, optical connector  300  includes at least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     Assembly base  310  includes a body portion  320  having a first end  321  and a second end  322 , a release portion  330  around and near the first end of the body portion and an activation portion  340  disposed over the body portion and in contact with the release portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure.  FIG. 7A  is an exploded view of the assembly base.  FIG. 7B  is a detail view of the second end  322  of body portion  320  and  FIG. 7C  is a detail view of the first end  321  of the body portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector. 
     The body portion  320  can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior passageway  323  that extends along the length of the body portion from the first end  321  to the second end  322  of the body portion. The body portion includes a passage entry (not shown) at the first end  321  of the interior passageway and a passage exit  325  at the second end  322  of the interior passageway  323  that can be configured to accommodate the internal sealing member  370  disposed around certain categories of telecommunication cables including single fiber drop cables and/or multi-fiber cables. 
     The passage entry of the interior passageway  323  is configured to accept and secure optical connection portion  360  to/in the first end  321  of the body portion  320 . As such, the passage entry can be shaped to closely conform to an outer perimeter portion of the optical connection portion or can provide a connection means for securing the optical connection portion such a thread, mechanical catches, bayonet connections, etc. 
     The body portion  320  can have a groove  327  formed in the external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate sealing member  373 . In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 7A , a groove is formed near the first end  321  of body portion  320  to receive an intermediate sealing member  373  such as an o-ring. This intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the body portion and release portion  330  of assembly base  310 . 
     Body portion  320  can include a shoulder  320   a  formed in its external surface. The shoulder serves to properly position activation portion  340 . The activation portion  340  can be slid over the second end of body portion  320  such that the activation portion is disposed against the shoulder. In one aspect, at least a portion of the external surface of body portion  320  and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be smooth so that the activation portion can turn relative to the body portion to actuate the release portion  330  to enable release of optical fiber connector from the latches and latch arms of the modified optical coupling, while in another aspect, the external surface of body portion and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be textured to provide a degree of resistance to the motion of the activation portion or to provide an audible confirmatory sound when the activation portion is turned. In an alternative aspect, at least a portion of the external surface of the body portion and the internal surface of the bore through the activation portion can be threaded so that the activation portion can be rotated in a helical manner to actuate the release portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , body portion  320  can have an external connection portion  328  adjacent to the second end  322  of the body portion. The external connection portion  328  includes external thread that cooperates with an internal thread disposed within a first end  351  of strain relief assembly  350  to cause a compressible portion  326  formed at the second end of the body portion to conform to an outer surface of the telecommunication cable or an internal sealing member  370  fitted within the optical fiber connector. The compressible portion  322  may be reduced in size (diameter) when an external radial force is exerted on it by the tightening of the strain relief assembly. The compressible portion can have a plurality of spaced apart fingers  326   a  extending from the main body near the second end thereof to facilitate compression of the compressible portion around the internal sealing member disposed within the body portion. In an exemplary aspect, the compressible portion can gave a generally truncated conical shape with the interior of the connection portion of the strain relief assembly having a corresponding shape to cause the spaced apart fingers to be squeezed together such that they exert a compressive force around the cable and/or internal sealing member seated in the interior passageway of the compression portion of body portion  320  when the strain relief assembly is secured on to the second end of the body portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6B, 7A-7C, and 8 , release portion  330  includes a tubular shell having an internal bore  333  that extends from a front edge  331  to a rear edge  332  of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted. The release portion  330  can have a groove  337  formed in the external surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing member  375 . In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 8 , groove  337  is formed near the front edge  331  of release portion  330  and is configured to receive an external sealing member  375  such as an o-ring. This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector is inserted. Specifically, the external sealing member forms an environmental seal between the interior wall of the exterior section  221  of the port  220  of a telecommunication enclosure ( FIGS. 4A-4B ). 
     Release portion  330  can include one or more alignment channels and/or release cams disposed within the interior passageway  333  shown in  FIGS. 7C and 8 . The alignment channels can guide any latches  457  and/or latch arms  458  of the mating optical coupling  450  ( FIG. 5A ) into proper position when the exemplary optical fiber connector  300  is inserted into the optical coupling. For example, alignment channels  333   a  can be configured to accept latches  457  of the optical coupling while alignment channels  333   b  can be configured to accept latch arms  458 . 
     Release cams  333   c ,  333   d  can aid in disengaging the engagement features of the exemplary optical fiber connector from the latches and/or latch arms of the optical coupling when the release portion is activated as will be described in additional detail below. In an exemplary aspect, the one or more alignment channels and/or release cams can be integrally formed with the release portion by an injection molding process. 
     The release portion  330  includes a fastening ring  336  configured to movably join the release portion to the activation portion. The fastening ring includes a pair of bayonet pegs  336   a  attached on opposite sides of the fastening ring configured to mate with the bayonet channel(s)  346  formed adjacent to the first end  341  of the activation portion  340  ( FIG. 7A ). The fastening ring fits into a channel  334  formed in the outer surface of the release portion which includes two peg openings  334   a  for insertion of the bayonet pegs that are mounted on the fastening ring. In the assembled connector, the bayonet pegs fit into the bayonet channel(s)  346  of the activation portion  340 . When the activation portion is rotated, the bayonet pegs travel in the bayonet channel and cause the release portion to move in a longitudinal direction. Thus, when the activation portion is rotated, the release portion is pushed toward the optical coupling to release the latches of the modified optical coupling from the engagement features of the optical connector, thus allowing the removal of optical fiber connector  300  from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. The removal of exemplary optical fiber connector  300  from the port of a telecommunication enclosure will be discussed in additional detail in reference to  FIGS. 10B and 10C . 
     In one exemplary aspect, internal sealing member  370  can be an elastomeric grommet. Additionally, internal sealing member  370  may have a radial slit  371  to allow the telecommunication cable to be slipped into the internal sealing member from the edge of the sealing member. In an exemplary aspect, the elastomeric portion of the internal sealing member can be formed from one of an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, a silicone rubber, a polyurethane elastomers or rubbers, natural rubber, a fluoroelastomer or other suitably soft resilient materials. 
     Strain relief assembly  350  can be similar to strain relief member  150  or  950  with the exception of the truncated conical shape of the interior cavity in connection portion as mentioned above. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6B, 9A and 9B , optical connection portion  360  can include an outer housing  361  configured to mate with the backbone a standard optical fiber connector and the engagement features configured to secure exemplary connector  300  within the port of a telecommunication enclosure. Specifically, the engagement features engage with the latches and latch arms of optical coupling  450  which are disposed at least partially within the port of the telecommunication enclosure as described above. The outer housing includes a retention clip  362  having two engagement features which configured to provide two points of connection with a novel optical coupling, for example optical coupling  450  shown in  FIG. 5A . The outer housing includes also includes a two additional engagement features in the form of a pair of windows  361   c  disposed on two opposite sidewalls of the outer housing that are configured to mate with a first pair of latches  457  in an exemplary optical fiber connector adapter  450  and provide two additional connection points with optical coupling  450 . The four connection points between optical connector  300  and optical coupling provide a stronger connection that the two connection points available in conventional optical couplings. 
     In an exemplary aspect, the outer housing can include a groove  361   d  adjacent to the second end of the outer housing that is configured to accept and hold one or more retention clips  362 . 
     Each retention clip  362  includes a base portion  363  that is configured to fit within groove  361   d  in the outer housing  361  and an extension portion  364  that are configured to extend along the two other opposing sides of the outer housing that do not have windows  361   c  formed therein. In an exemplary aspect, the base portion can be generally crescent shaped and can have a hook  363   a  on each end. The hooks are configured to snap into depressions or openings  361   e  within groove  361   d  to secure the clip to the outer housing of the connection portion. Alternatively, the structure of the retention clips can be molded into the outer surface of the outer housing to reduce the number of parts that need to be handled in the field. Alternatively, clips  362  can be preassembled onto the outer housing at the factory also reducing the number of separate parts that need to be handled in the field. 
     Each extension portion  364  includes an engagement feature (i.e. C-shaped catch  364   a ) at the end the clip opposite base portion  363  and disengaging knob  364   b  extending from at least one edge of the extension portion. Each of the C-shaped catches is configured to mate with the terminal portion  458   c  of a latch arm  458  of optical coupling  450 . In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9   b , extension portion  364  has two disengaging knobs  364   b  extending from the edges of the extension portion near the base of the C-shaped catch. The disengaging knobs interact with release cams  333   d  within the interior passageway of the release portion  330  to lift the free end of the extension portion freeing the terminal portion of a latch arm  458  from the C-shaped catch to allow removal of exemplary connector from optical coupling  450  disposed in the port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     Optical fiber connector  300  can be assembled by a process that is analogous to that described previously for connector  100 . 
       FIG. 10A  shows a sectional view of exemplary optical fiber connector  300  installed into a modified optical coupling  450  inserted partially into a port  420  of a telecommunication enclosure  400 . Telecommunication enclosure  400  includes a base  410  and a cover or main body (not shown) removably securable to the base. The base includes a bottom wall  412  and a plurality of side walls  414  (only a portion of one side wall is shown in the figure) extending approximately perpendicularly from the bottom wall and adjoined to one another at the corners (not shown) of the enclosure. At least one of the side walls can include at least one port  420  for receiving a fiber optic connector of the present invention. The exemplary port can be a hexagonal port having an exterior section  421  disposed outside of the enclosure. When optical fiber connector  300  is fully inserted into the port  420 , the external sealing member  375  of the optical fiber connector provides a water tight seal between the internal circumference of the exterior section  421  of the port and the optical fiber connector. 
       FIGS. 10B and 10C  illustrate the disengagement of optical fiber connector  300  from the modified optical coupling  450 . Note that the telecommunication enclosure as well as a portion of the connector (i.e. a section of the wall of the release portion) has been removed from  FIGS. 10A and 10B  to show how the cams within the release portion of the exemplary optical fiber connector disengage the latches and latch arms of optical coupling  450  so that optical connector  300  can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. 
       FIG. 10B  shows optical fiber connector  300  secured in optical coupling  450 . The terminal portion  458   c  of latch arm  458  is secured in the C-shaped catch  364   a  of retention clip  362  and latch  457  is engaged with the window (not shown) formed in the outer housing of the connection portion of exemplary optical fiber connector  300 . To disengage the connector from optical coupling  450 , activation portion is rotated in a direction indicated by arrow  391 . The bayonet pegs disposed through the release portion  330  slide in the bayonet channel(s)  346  of the activation portion causing the release portion to move forward toward the optical coupling and the connection interface as indicated by arrow  392 . 
     As release portion slides forward, latches  457  of the optical coupling engage with cams  333   c  inside of the release portion to disengage the projection on the latches from the windows in the outer housing of the connection portion and simultaneously, disengaging knobs  364   b  on the sides of the extension portion of the clips  362  that ride up the side of cams  333   d  within the release portion and lift the extension portion  364  to disengage the terminal portion  458   c  of latch arm  458  as shown in  FIG. 10C . Once both the latches and latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber connector  300  can be removed from optical coupling  450  (and the port of the telecommunication enclosure) by the application of a moderate removal force applied in a direction indicated by arrow  393 . Thus, connector  300  utilizes a twist-to-push release mechanism to disengage the exemplary connector from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. Advantageously, no torsional forces are applied to the optical fiber cable during this removal process. 
     While the description above described the simultaneous opening of the latches and latch arms, the sequential opening of the latches and latch arms is also contemplated and should be considered to fall within the scope of the current disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11A-11C , optical fiber connector  500  is similar in many respects to optical fiber connector  300  shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C  except with regards to the mechanism for disengaging the optical fiber connector from the optical coupling. Where the rotation of activation portion was responsible for pushing the release portion forward in optical fiber connector  300 , optical fiber connector  500  allows the craftsman to move the release portion forward directly (as indicated by directional arrow  591  in  FIG. 11C ) to disengage exemplary optical fiber connector. Thus, optical fiber connector  500  has fewer parts than the optical fiber connector  300 . 
     Optical fiber connector  500  includes an assembly base  510 , a strain relief assembly  550  attachable to the second end of the assembly base and an optical connection portion  560  having a ferrule  566  disposed therein that defines an optical connection interface, wherein the optical connection portion is attachable to the first end of the assembly base. An internal sealing member is compressed between the second end of the assembly base and the strain relief assembly when the strain relief assembly is secured to the assembly base to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector and the telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition, optical connector  500  includes at least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     Optical fiber connector  500  is configured to mate with optical coupling  450  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5C  and as such includes similar engagement features as described with respect to optical fiber connector  300 . Specifically, optical fiber connector includes windows  561   c  formed in the outer housing of the optical connection portion as well as C-shaped catches  564   a  that are configured to mate with latch arm  458  of optical coupling  450 . 
     Assembly base  510  includes a body portion  520  having a first end  521  and a second end  522  and a release portion  530  disposed around and near the first end of the body portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. The body portion  520  can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior passageway  523  that extends along the length of the body portion. The first end of the interior passageway is configured to accept and secure optical connection portion  560  to/in the first end of the body portion via a thread connection, an interference fit, a bayonet connection, etc. 
     The body portion  520  can have a groove formed in the external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate sealing member  573 . The intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the body portion and release portion  530  of assembly base  510 . 
     In addition, body portion  520  can have an external connection portion  528  adjacent to the second end  522  of the body portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 11B , external connection portion  528  includes at least one bayonet channel  528   a  that cooperates with at least one internal peg (not shown) disposed within the first end  551  of strain relief assembly  550 . In the exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector  500 , the body portion can include two bayonet channels disposed on opposite sides of the body portion and the strain relief assembly can have two corresponding internal pegs that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels. Thus, the strain relief assembly can be slid over the second end of the body portion and rotated to secure the strain relief assembly to the body portion as the internal pegs in the strain relief assembly ride in the bayonet channels in the body portion. The internal sealing member is compressed longitudinally between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the body portion as shown in  FIG. 11C . Utilizing a bayonet style securing mechanism as described above may be advantageous. The bayonet connection mechanism has the advantage that it has two well defined end stops where the internal grommet is either compressed or not compressed. The end stops can remove a degree of uncertainty as to what is the proper amount of tightening needed to compress the internal grommet in order to achieve the desired degree of environmental protection. 
     Release portion  530  includes a tubular shell having an internal bore  533  that extends from a front edge  531  to a rear edge  532  of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted. The release portion can have a groove formed in the external surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing member  575 , such as an o-ring. This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector is inserted. 
     Release portion  530  can include one or more alignment channels and/or release cams which are analogous to those described with respect to release portion  330  ( FIG. 6B ) in optical fiber connector  300 . The alignment channels can guide any latches  457  and/or latch arms  458  of the mating optical coupling  450  ( FIG. 5A ) into proper position when the exemplary optical fiber connector  500  is inserted into the optical coupling. The release cams aid in removal of the exemplary optical fiber connector from the latches and/or latch arms of the optical coupling when the release portion is moved toward optical coupling  450 . 
     Strain relief assembly  550  is analogous to strain relief member  150  as described previously. 
     Similarly, optical connection portion  560  is analogous to optical connection portion  360  described previously except that the features of clip  362  of optical connector  300  are integrally molded with the outer housing  561  in optical connector  500 . The disengaging mechanism is also the same as described other than for the means of moving the release portion toward the coupling. In exemplary optical fiber connector  500 , the craftsman can simply push the release portion forward as indicated by directional arrow  591  causing latches  457  of optical coupling  450  to engage with cams inside the release portion to disengage the projection on the latches from the windows in the outer housing of the connection portion  560 . Simultaneously, disengaging knobs on the retention clips  562  of the outer housing  561  can ride up the side of a second set of cams disposed within the release portion to lift the extension portion of the retentions clip in order to disengage latch arms  458  of optical coupling  450 . Once both the latches and latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber connector  500  can be removed from optical coupling  450  by the application of a moderate removal force. Thus, a push to release mechanism is used to disengage optical fiber connector  500  from optical coupling  450  and from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
       FIGS. 12A-12B and 13A-13B  show another modified optical coupling  850  configured for use with an exemplary optical fiber connector  700  shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C . Optical coupling  850  includes first and second connector housings  855 ,  865  disposed on opposing sides of an adapter flange  860  and a ferrule alignment sleeve  862  disposed along the central axis of the optical coupling between and extending into the first and second connector housings. Each of the connector housings includes a connector port  856 ,  866 , respectively, that is configured to receive a corresponding optical fiber connector and align the connector ferrules to one another. Each connector port can provide a smooth, snug fit for the incoming connector. 
     Optical coupling  850  can be disposed in a port  820  of a telecommunication enclosure  800  as shown in  FIGS. 13A-13B . Port  820  includes a hexagonal port structure having an exterior section  821  surrounding port opening through the external wall. Alternatively, the exterior section of the port structure can have other geometric configurations such as a cylinder, a rectangular prism or other polygonal prism. Optical coupling  850  can be inserted through the exterior section of the port  820  until the flange abuts the exterior wall of the closure such that the first connector housing is disposed within the exterior section and the second connector housing extends into the interior of the telecommunication enclosure. The optical coupling can be locked in the place by a spring clip  864  disposed in a groove  868  in the second connector housing such that the connector adapter cannot be removed from port  820 . 
     In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  850  can be at least partially disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector housing can disposed within the exterior section  821  of the port  820  and the second connector housing disposed within the interior of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in  FIGS. 13A-13B ). Thus, the connection point between the optical coupling and an optical connector installed therein is protected by the external section of the port. 
     In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing  855  can be configured to accept exemplary connector  700  in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, the first connector housing can be configured to accept the outer housing  761  of the connection portion  760 . In particular, first connector housing  855  can include two windows  857  formed on opposite sides of the first connector housing that can be engaged by forward facing latches  763  to the connector in the first connector housing of optical coupling  850 . 
     Second connector housing  865  can be configured to accept a mating connector (not shown) disposed in the interior of the telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any standard connector formats, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, and LC connector formats and the second connector housing will have a corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second connector housing can include catch mechanism (not shown) similar to that found in conventional connector adapters to secure the mating connector in optical coupling  850 . 
     Ferrule alignment sleeve  862  of optical coupling  850  receives the ferrule  766  of connector portion  760  of exemplary connector  700  in a first side thereof (as shown in  FIG. 14C ) and the ferrule of the mating connector (not shown) in a second side thereof. In one aspect, the ferrule alignment sleeve can be a split ceramic sleeve retained in a bore formed in the first and second connector housings that provides for smooth passage and alignment of the ferrules. 
     In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  850  can include a keying nub  632  to allow insertion of optical coupling into the port in a known orientation and to ensure proper seating of the optical coupling when the optical coupling is inserted into the port of the telecommunication enclosure through the exterior section. 
     In the exemplary aspects shown herein, optical fiber connector coupling  850  is configured to couple two SC format connector interfaces. However, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art given the present description, the optical fiber connector coupling  850 , and components thereof, can be modified to receive optical fiber connectors having other standard formats, such as ST, FC, and LC connector formats. In a further alternative aspect, the couplings described herein can be configured to accept two different connector formats. For example, the first connector housing of the coupling can be configured to receive an ST connector, while the second connector housing of the coupling can be configured to receive an SC connector. Other combinations of connector formats can be utilized, as would be apparent to one of skill in the art given the present description. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C , optical fiber connector  700  includes an assembly base  710  having a first end  711  and a second end  712 , a strain relief assembly  750  attachable to the second end of the assembly base and an optical connection portion  760  having a ferrule disposed therein that defines an optical connection interface, wherein the optical connection portion is attachable to the first end of the assembly base. Securing the strain relief assembly to the second end of the assembly base compresses an internal sealing member  770  between the strain relief assembly and the assembly base to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector and the telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition, optical connector  700  includes at least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     Assembly base  710  includes a body portion  720  having a first end  721  and a second end  722 , and a release portion  730  around and near the first end of the body portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. The body portion  720  can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior passageway  723  that extends along the length of the body portion from the first end  721  to the second end  722  of the body portion. The first end of the interior passageway  723  is configured to accept and secure optical connection portion  760 . As such, the optical connection portion can include connection means for securing the optical connection portion to the assembly base wherein the connection means can be one of a threaded connection, mechanical catches, a bayonet connection, etc. 
     The body portion  720  can have a groove formed in its external surface to receive an intermediate sealing member  773 . This intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the body portion and release portion  730  of assembly base  710 . 
     Body portion  720  includes an external connection portion  728  adjacent to the second end  722  of the body portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIG. 14B , external connection portion  728  includes at least one bayonet channel  728   a  that cooperates with at least one internal peg (not shown) disposed within the first end  751  of strain relief assembly  750 . In the exemplary embodiment of optical fiber connector  700 , the body portion can include two bayonet channels disposed on opposite sides of the body portion and the strain relief assembly can have two corresponding internal pegs that are configured to engage with the bayonet channels. Thus, the strain relief assembly can be slid over the second end of the body portion and rotated to secure the strain relief assembly to the body portion as the internal pegs in the strain relief assembly ride in the bayonet channels in the body portion. The internal sealing member is compressed longitudinally between the strain relief assembly and the second end of the body portion as shown in  FIG. 14C . 
     Optical connection portion  760  can include an outer housing  761  configured to mate with the backbone of a standard optical fiber connector, such as a 3M™ No Polish Connector and a 3M™ Crimplok™ Fiber Optic Connector available from 3M Company for field termination or a conventional epoxy connector for a factory termination, and a pair of engagement features. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 14A-14C , the engagement features at in the form of a pair of forward facing latches  763  extending from the outer housing  761  that are configured to provide connection with an optical coupling  850  ( FIG. 12B ). The forward facing latch arms can include a barb to ensure reliable attachment of optical fiber connector  700  to the optical coupling. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14A-14C , release portion  730  includes a tubular shell having an internal bore  733  that extends from a front edge  731  to a rear edge  732  of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted. The release portion  730  can have a groove formed in the external surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing member  775 . This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector is inserted. 
     Release portion  730  can include one or more release cams  733   a  disposed within the interior passageway  733  as shown in  FIG. 14C . The release cams aide in disengaging exemplary optical fiber connector  700  from optical coupling  850  by disengaging the forward facing latch arms disposed on the outer shell of the connection portion from the windows  857  formed on opposite sides of the first connector housing of the optical coupling when the release portion is activated by exerting a longitudinal removal force on the release portion (represented by directional arrow  791  in  FIG. 14C ). Thus, optical fiber connector  700  incorporates a pull to release mechanism to disengage the connector from the port of a telecommunication enclosure. The first portion of the movement of the release portion will disengage forward facing latch arms from the windows in the optical coupling while continued application of the longitudinal removal force will allow optical fiber connector  700  to be completely removed from the coupling. In an exemplary aspect, the release cams can be integrally formed with the release portion by an injection molding process. 
     The release portion  730  includes a fastening ring  736  configured to movably join the release portion to the body portion. The fastening ring includes a pair of protrusions  736   a  attached on opposite sides of the fastening ring configured to engage with depressions  726  formed in the outer surface of body portion  720 . The fastening ring fits into a channel  734  formed in the outer surface of the release portion which includes openings  734   a  for insertion of protrusions  736   a  therethrough. The protrusions are free to slide within the depressions in the body portion when a removal force is applied to the release portion of optical fiber connector  700 . In addition, the sliding of the protrusions within the depressions controls the degree of movement of the release portion relative to the body portion to enable releasing forward facing latches on the outer housing prior to removing the optical fiber connector from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. This release mechanism has the advantage, that the connector can only be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure by selective application of the removal force to the release portion. An application of a force to the optical fiber cable, the strain relief assembly or the body portion of optical fiber connector will not dislodge the exemplary connector from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     Strain relief assembly  750  can be similar to strain relief member  150  or  950  with the exception of the truncated conical shape of the interior cavity in connection portion as mentioned above. 
       FIGS. 16A-16C  show another modified optical coupling  1050  that can be partially inserted into the port  1020  of a telecommunication enclosure from the interior of the enclosure. Optical coupling  1050  has been modified for higher port density enclosures than can be satisfied by the more conventional box shaped optical couplings, such as optical coupling  250  shown in  FIG. 4A-4C . Optical coupling  1050  has two additional attachment points than are present in a conventional optical coupling designs, thus enabling a higher pull out strength of the optical fiber connector and improving the reliability of the optical connection interface when forces are exerted onto the optical fiber cable on which the exemplary optical fiber connector is mounted. 
     Optical coupling  1050  can have a first side  1050   a  and a second side  1050   b  disposed on either side of a flange  1060  and includes first optical fiber connector housing  1055  disposed on a first side of the flange, a second connector housing  1065  on a second side of the flange  1060  and a ferrule alignment sleeve  1062  disposed along the central axis of the optical coupling and extending through the flange into each of the first and second connector housings. Each of the connector housings  1055 ,  1065  includes a connector port  1056 ,  1066  respectively, that is configured to receive a corresponding optical fiber connector and align the connector ferrules of the optical fiber connectors to one another within the ferrule alignment sleeve. 
     In an exemplary aspect, first connector housing  1055  can be configured to accept exemplary optical fiber connector  1100  shown in  FIGS. 17A-17C . The second connector housing  1065  can be configured to accept a mating connector disposed in the interior of the telecommunication enclosure. The mating connector can have any standard connector formats, such as MT, MPO, SC, ST, FC, and LC connector formats and the second connector housing  1065  will have a corresponding format, for example an SC-format. The second connector housing can include catch mechanism  1067 , shown in  FIG. 16B , similar to that found in conventional connector adapters to secure the mating connector in optical coupling  1050 . 
     In one exemplary aspect, ferrule alignment sleeve can be a split ceramic sleeve retained in a bore formed in the first and second connector housings or in a bore formed when two retention portions  1055   b ,  1065   b  are joined together such as by ultrasonic welding or an adhesive. Each retention portion can include a base portion having a cylindrical sleeve and a pair of clamping elements (e.g. catches  1067  and latches  1057 ) extending therefrom. Once the retention portions have been joined together, the housing portion of connector housings  1055 ,  1065 , respectively, can be slipped over the clamping elements and the cylindrical sleeve until they abut against each other. The housing portions can then be joined together by ultrasonic welding or an adhesive to form optical coupling  1050 . In an alternative embodiment, housing portions  1055 ,  1065  can be overmolded around the joined together retention portions to form the exemplary optical coupling. 
     First connector housing  1055  can be configured to accept the outer housing  1161  of the connection portion  1160  of exemplary optical fiber connector  1100  shown in  FIGS. 17A-17C . The first connector housing includes a first pair of latches  1057  having a hooked portion  1057   a  on the free end thereof, the hooked portions are configured to be received by receiving windows  1161   c  ( FIG. 17B ) formed in the outer housing of optical fiber connector  1100  and constitute the first two connection points between optical fiber connector and optical coupling  1050 . In addition, first connector housing also includes a pair of latch arms  1058  that enable two additional connection points between optical fiber connector  1100  and optical coupling  1050  that are not available in conventional optical couplings. Latch arms  1058  have a central extension member  1058   a  that extends from the base of housing portion  1055   a  and a pair of flexible cantilevered arms  1058   b  that are attached to the sides of the free end of the central extension member and extend back toward the base of the housing portion. Each of the flexible cantilevered arms  1058   b  has a protrusion  1058   c  extending from its inward facing surface as shown in  FIG. 16B . Each protrusion  1058   c  is received in a depression  1161   d  formed in the outer housing  1161  of connection portion  1160  shown in  FIG. 17B . 
     Each of the latch arms  1058  have a recessed channel formed adjacent to the flange  1060  which is configured to closely fit the opening through the side wall  1014  of the telecommunication enclosure that defines port  1020 . When installed in the port, the side wall of the enclosure is securely held within recessed channel  1059 . During insertion into the port of the telecommunication enclosure, latch arms  1058  can flex inward to allow the first end  1050   a  of the optical coupling to pass through the opening in the side wall of the telecommunication enclosure until flange  1060  abuts against the side wall of the enclosure releasing the pressure on the latch arms and allowing them to return to their original position, thus locking optical coupling  1050  in the port of the telecommunication enclosure. 
     In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  1050  can be at least partially disposed within the port (i.e. the first connector housing can disposed within the exterior section  1021  of the port  1020  and the second connector housing disposed within the interior of the telecommunication enclosure as shown in  FIG. 16C ). Thus, the connection point between the optical coupling and an optical connector installed therein is protected by the external section of the port. 
     In an exemplary aspect, optical coupling  1050  can include a keying nub (not shown) to allow insertion of optical coupling into the port in a known orientation, which can be advantageous when the first housing of the optical coupling resides within an exterior sleeve or section  1021  the port  1020  which can limit visual verification that the optical coupling was properly installed in the port. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 17A-17C , optical fiber connector  1100  is similar in many respects to optical fiber connector  500  shown in  FIGS. 11A-11C  in that connector  1100  utilizes a push to release mechanism for disengaging the optical fiber connector from optical coupling  1050  shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C . Optical fiber connector  1100  is configured to mate with optical coupling  1050  shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C . Optical fiber connector  1100  includes an assembly base  1110 , a strain relief assembly  1150  attachable to the second end of the assembly base and an optical connection portion  1160  is attachable to the first end of the assembly base. The strain relief assembly applies a radial force to the second end of the assembly base compressing an internal sealing member  1170  to provide an environmental seal between the optical fiber connector  1100  and the telecommunications cable to which it is connected. In addition, optical connector  1100  includes at least one engagement feature that is configured to secure the optical fiber connector within a port of a telecommunication enclosure. 
     Strain relief assembly  1150  includes a connection portion  1151  and a combined clamping portion  1153  and bend control boot  1155  that are molded as a single unit, best shown in  FIG. 17B . One advantage of strain relief assembly  1150  (and also strain relief assembly  950  shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C ) is that the connection portion is free to rotate with respect to the clamping portion allowing the connection portion to be tightened or loosened without exerting and undue torsion on an optical fiber cable passing therethrough. In addition, using a strain relied device where the connection portion is free to rotate with respect to the clamping portion may be useful when working with oval cables or cables having at least one flat portion because the clamping portion can be aligned with the appropriate side of the cable prior to tightening the connection portion onto the body portion of the connector. In this embodiment (best illustrated in  FIGS. 17B and 17C ), the clamping portion  1153  can include a lip  1153   c  on its first end  1153   b  wherein the outer circumference of the lip is larger than the circumference of the opening  1151   c  at the second end  1151   b  of the connection portion  1151 . The cable clamping portion  1153  can further include an external thread  1153   a  that is configured to mate with an internal thread  1159   a  in the clamping collar  1159 . As the clamping collar is screwed onto the clamping portion, the clamping collar will push the clamping elements  1154  inward to grip the jacket of the telecommunication cable between the opposing clamping elements. 
     Assembly base  1110  includes a body portion  1120  having a first end  1121  and a second end  1122  and a release portion  1130  disposed around and near the first end of the body portion. The release portion defines a release mechanism which moves the release portion relative to the body portion to disengage the at least one engagement feature when the release portion moves with respect to the body portion so that the optical fiber connector can be removed from the port of the telecommunication enclosure. The body portion  1120  can have a generally tubular shape and includes an interior passageway  1123  that extends along the length of the body portion. The first end of the interior passageway is configured to accept and secure optical connection portion  1160  to/in the first end of the body portion via a thread connection, an interference fit, a bayonet connection, etc. 
     The body portion  1120  can have a groove formed in the external surface of the body portion to receive an intermediate sealing member  1173 . The intermediate sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the body portion and release portion  1130  of assembly base  1110 . 
     In addition, body portion  1120  can have an external connection portion  1128  adjacent to the second end  1122  of the body portion. In the exemplary aspect shown in  FIGS. 17A-17C , external connection portion  1128  includes an external thread that cooperates with an internal thread (not shown) disposed within the connection portion  1151  of strain relief assembly  1150 . Tightening of the strain relief assembly onto the second end of the body portion causes a compressible portion  1126  of the body portion to conform to an outer surface of the telecommunication cable or an internal sealing member  1170  fitted in the optical fiber connector. The compressible portion is formed at the second end of the body portion. The compressible portion can be reduced in size (diameter) when an external radial force is exerted on it such as by application of strain relief assembly. The compressible portion can have a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending from the main body near the second end thereof. In an exemplary aspect, the compressible portion can gave a generally truncated conical shape with the interior of the connection portion of the strain relief assembly having a corresponding shape to cause the spaced apart fingers to be squeezed together such that they exert a compressive force around the cable and/or internal sealing member seated in the interior passageway of the compression portion of body portion. 
     In addition, the body portion  1120  includes at least one stop  1129  configured to control the degree of movement of the release portion  1130  during the disengaging of optical fiber connector from optical coupling  1050 . Specifically, stop  1129  is configured to ride in a slot  1139  within the interior passageway of release portion  1130  to limit the degree of longitudinal travel of the release portion relative to the body portion of optical connector  1100 . 
     Release portion  1130  includes a tubular shell having an internal bore  1133  that extends from a front edge  1131  to a rear end  1132  of the release portion. The release portion is configured to be close fitting with the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector will be inserted. The release portion can have a groove formed in the external surface of the release portion to receive an external sealing member  1175 , such as an o-ring. This external sealing member can provide an environmental seal between the assembly base of the exemplary optical fiber connector and the port of a telecommunication enclosure into which the exemplary optical fiber connector is inserted. 
     Release portion  1130  can include one or more alignment channels  1133   a ,  1133   b  and/or release cams  1133   c ,  1133   d  as shown in  FIG. 18 . The alignment channels can guide any latches  1057  and/or latch arms  1058  of the mating optical coupling  1050  ( FIG. 16A ) into proper position when the exemplary optical fiber connector  1100  is inserted into the optical coupling. The release cams aid in removal of the exemplary optical fiber connector from the latches and/or latch arms of the optical coupling when the release portion is moved toward optical coupling  1050 . 
     Optical connection portion  1160  includes an outer housing configured to mate with the backbone of a standard optical fiber connector. The outer housing includes a plurality of engagement features formed therein, such as windows  1161   c  and depression  1161   d  that are configured to engage with latches  1057  and latch arms  1058  of optical coupling  1050 , respectively. 
     In exemplary optical fiber connector  1100 , the craftsman can simply push the release portion forward by hand or using a tool such as a screwdriver inserted into notch  1138  formed in the second end of the release portion. As the release portion moves forward as indicated by directional arrow  1191  causing latches  1057  of optical coupling  1050  to engage with cams  1133   c  inside the release portion to disengage the projection on the latches from the windows  1161   c  in the outer housing  161  of the connection portion  1160 . Simultaneously, flexible cantilevered arms  1058   b  of latch arms  1058  engage with cams  1133   d  to disengage the projections on the ends of the cantilevered arms from the detent or depression  1161   d  formed in the outer housing  1161  of connection portion  1160  in order to disengage the latch of optical coupling  1050 . Once both the latches and latch arms have been disengaged, optical fiber connector  1100  can be removed from optical coupling  1050  by the application of a moderate removal force. 
     The exemplary fiber optic connectors, described herein, illustrate several advantages over conventional hardened connectors. In each of the embodiments described above, the optical fiber/cable is securely held within the body portion and/or by the strain relief assembly and is not disturbed by activation of any of the release mechanisms described herein. So even though there is relative motion between the body portion and the release portion of the assemble base to initiate disengaging the optical fiber connector from the port of a telecommunication cable, the fiber/cable does not move relative to the body portion of the connector. In one aspect the exemplary optical fiber connector can be field terminated by utilizing a suitable field mountable optical connection portion. In another aspect, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be factory mounted utilizing a factory mounted connection portion. In addition, the exemplary optical fiber connector can be assembled on the end of a pre-terminated cable by incorporating the pre-terminated optical connection structure into the exemplary optical fiber connector disclosed herein. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein for purposes of description of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a wide variety of alternate or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. Those with skill in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in a very wide variety of embodiments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein.