Patent Publication Number: US-2023146684-A1

Title: Fiber optic connector having improved cable termination along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/277823 filed on Nov. 10, 2021, the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure is directed to fiber optic connectors having improved cable termination for attaching the strength members of a fiber optic cable to a crimp body along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Optical fiber is increasingly being used for a variety of applications, including but not limited to broadband voice, video, and data transmission in a variety of new and expanding applications. As bandwidth demands increase optical fiber is migrating deeper into these new communication networks such as fiber to the premises applications, 5G applications and the like. As optical fiber extends deeper into these communication networks there exist a need for quickly and easily making optical connections in a quick and easy manner for the demands of these new application spaces. 
     Optical fiber connectors are an essential part of optical fiber communication systems, and are used for terminating an optical transmission component such as an optical fiber of a fiber optic cable. Fiber optic connectors were developed for making one or more plug and play optical connections using a suitable fiber optic connector for the given application. Fiber optic connectors provide a node for mating and demating to the optical network and provide the flexibility of locating the connection points in convenient locations for efficient network assembly, design and/or deployment. Optical fiber connectors are widely used for providing a mating/unmating connection point in an optical network, connecting different optical fibers, and terminating optical fibers for optical connection with other devices, such as closures, multiports, optical transmitters, receivers, isolators, attenuators, amplifiers, power meters, and detectors. When terminating a fiber optic cable with a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic cable should be secured to the fiber optic connector in a suitable manner to withstand pulling and side-load forces that may be experienced during installation and use. Moreover, the termination process should be relatively quick, easy and cost-effective. 
     Fiber optic connectors may be designed for terminating one specific fiber optic cable design and consequently may have difficultly being adapted for terminating other fiber optic cable designs. For instance, fiber optic cable designs may have different properties such as a jacket materials, strength members, cross-sectional shapes, and/or cross-sectional dimensions. Typically, fiber optic connectors are designed for a specific fiber optic cable design may have difficultly being adapted for other fiber optic cable designs due to the different properties for different fiber optic cables. Further, even the same fiber optic cable design may have manufacturing variations in the outer dimensions that can make terminating the fiber optic cable with a fiber optic connector challenging. 
     Additionally, different network operators may have a desire to use a specific fiber optic connector for their network, but want to use a fiber optic cable design different from the fiber optic cable that the connector was initially designed to use. Thus, there is an unresolved need for fiber optic connectors or assemblies used for terminating a fiber optic cable with a fiber optic connector while maintaining suitable mechanical performance properties for the cable assembly such as pull-out force, side-pull and the like while maintaining suitable optical performance. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure is directed to fiber optic connectors (hereinafter “connectors”) that allow termination of the connector using several different cable types along with improved mechanical retention of the fiber optic cable to the connector. The disclosure is also directed to cable assemblies having a connector terminated to a fiber optic cable along with methods of making the same. 
     The fiber optic connectors disclosed provides improved termination along with supporting termination of multiple types of fiber optic cables. The fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods of making the same are also beneficial for terminating fiber optic cables using a mechanical retention without the need for adhesives if desired, thereby making the assembly process easier, quicker and inhibiting the expense and mess of using adhesives. 
     One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly having a connector housing and a ferrule, a crimp body, a crimp band sized for fitting about an outer barrel of the crimp body, and a shroud sized for receiving a portion of the crimp body. The crimp body comprises a first shell and a second shell along with a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end of the crimp body for receiving an optical fiber therethrough. The first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the first shell, and the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the second shell. The front portion of the crimp body comprises a connector assembly securing portion for securing the connector assembly. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a fiber optic connector comprising a connector assembly having a connector housing and a ferrule, a crimp body, a crimp band sized for fitting about a barrel of the crimp body, and a shroud sized for receiving a portion of the crimp body. The crimp body comprises a first shell and a second shell along with a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end of the crimp body for receiving an optical fiber therethrough. The first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the first shell and comprises wall portions of the first shell formed on four sides of the first window, and the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the second shell and comprises wall portions of the second shell formed on four sides of the second window. The front portion of the crimp body comprises a connector assembly securing portion for securing the connector assembly. The fiber optic connector provides improved termination along with supporting termination of multiple types of fiber optic cables. 
     Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a cable assembly comprising a fiber optic connector terminating a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector comprises a connector assembly having a connector housing and a ferrule, a crimp body, a crimp band sized for fitting about an outer barrel of the crimp body, and a shroud sized for receiving a portion of the crimp body. The crimp body comprises a first shell and a second shell along with a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end of the crimp body for receiving an optical fiber therethrough. The first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the first shell, and the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the second shell. The front portion of the crimp body comprises a connector assembly securing portion for securing the connector assembly. The fiber optic cable comprises an optical fiber attached to the ferrule, a plurality of strength members, and a cable jacket. The plurality of strength members enter a longitudinal passageway of the crimp body, and a first portion of the plurality of strength members extend from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a first window of disposed on the first shell and are secured between an outer barrel of the crimp body and the crimp band. A second portion of the plurality of strength members extend from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a second window disposed on the second shell and are secured between an outer barrel of the crimp body and the crimp band. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of making a cable assembly comprising a fiber optic connector terminating a fiber optic cable. The method includes the steps of preparing an end portion of a fiber optic cable by exposing an optical fiber and a plurality of strength members from a cable jacket at an end portion of the fiber optic cable. Placing a plurality of strength members within a longitudinal passageway of a crimp body comprising a first shell and a second shell of the fiber optic connector. Routing a first portion of the plurality of strength members from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a first window of disposed on the first shell, and routing a second portion of the plurality of strength members from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a second window disposed on the second shell. The method secures the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of strength members between an outer barrel of the crimp body and the crimp band, and attaches the optical fiber to a ferrule of a connector assembly. The connector assembly is secured to a connector assembly securing portion of the crimp body. The method may also include other steps and/or structure as discussed herein. 
     Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the same as described herein, including the detailed description that follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments that are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claims. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a cable assembly having a fiber optic connector as disclosed herein terminated to a representative fiber optic connector; 
         FIGS.  2 - 4    depict representative fiber optic cables that may be terminated to the fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    shows a partially exploded view of an explanatory cable assembly showing the fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    with the coupling nut omitted for clarity of the illustration; 
         FIG.  6    shows a perspective view of the crimp body of the fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    comprising a first shell and a second shell with each shell having a window that comprises wall portions of the respective shell formed on four sides of the respective window; 
         FIG.  7    is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    taken along line  7 - 7  with the coupling nut and fiber optic cable removed for clarity; 
         FIG.  8    is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    taken orthogonal plane from  FIG.  7    with the coupling nut removed for clarity; 
         FIGS.  9 - 17    depict the preparation of an explanatory fiber optic cable along with the mechanical attachment of the strength members of the fiber optic cable to the crimp body by routing portions of the strength members through respective windows of the shells of the crimp body and attaching the crimp band for assembling the fiber optic connector; and 
         FIGS.  18 - 20    are schematic sectional views showing different explanatory fiber optic cables terminated using the crimp body of the fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts. 
     The concepts disclosed are related to fiber optic connectors having an improved cable termination along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same. The fiber optic connectors (hereinafter “connectors”) disclosed comprise a crimp body comprising a first shell and a second shell that define a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end for receiving an optical fiber therethrough. The first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the first shell. Likewise, the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the second shell at a rear portion of the second shell. The crimp body of the connector allows a mechanical attachment of the strength members of a fiber optic cable to the crimp body by routing first and second portions of the strength members through the respective windows of the first and second shells. Specifically, one or more strength members of the fiber optic cable are routed from a portion of the longitudinal passageway (extending from the rear end to the front end) of the crimp body through the respective windows of the first and second shells so that the strength members may be secured between and outer barrel of the crimp body and a crimp band for transferring tensile forces acting on the fiber optic cable to the strength members secured to the connector. 
     Thus, the improved cable termination for connectors disclosed herein provide a robust cable termination so that the fiber optic jacket of the fiber optic cable is inhibited from slipping relative to the connector when tensile forces are applied to the terminated fiber optic cable. The concepts are especially helpful for fiber optic cables having cable jackets with relatively a low-coefficient of friction for the cable jacket material. The concepts disclosed herein are shown with an explanatory OptiTap® connector available from Corning Optical Communications, LLC of Charlotte, N.C. However, the concepts disclosed may be used with other fiber optic connectors having a suitable footprint or construction. Additionally, the connector concepts disclosed are advantageous since they allow the termination of several different fiber optic cables as discussed herein. Various designs, constructions, or features for fiber optic connectors or cable assemblies are disclosed in more detail with respect to explanatory embodiments as discussed herein and may be modified or varied as desired. 
       FIG.  1    shows a perspective view of a cable assembly  200  having a connector  100  terminating a fiber optic cable  90 . As depicted, the connector  100  is shown with an explanatory OptiTap® connector to illustrate the concepts of the present disclosure, but other connectors may use the concepts disclosed herein. The OptiTap® connector is a well-known connector that is widely deployed by major network operators on a global basis. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of cable assembly  200  showing fiber optic cable  90  terminated with connector  100 . Connector  100  may terminate any suitable fiber optic cable  90 . As depicted in  FIG.  1   , cable  90  is a flat dielectric cable having an optional toning portion that is configured as a toning lobe  91  connected by a web portion, but other fiber optic cables  90  may omit the toning portion as desired. As shown, a portion of toning lobe  91  is separated and coiled before the fiber optic cable  90  enters the connector  100 , thereby keeping it out of way. Connector  100  uses a connector assembly  52  of the SC-type, but the concepts may be used with connectors  100  having other types of connector assemblies such as LC, FC, ST, MT, and MT-RJ by using a suitable crimp body. 
     As depicted, connector  100  comprises a shroud  60  for protecting the connector assembly and keying the connector  100  with a suitable device such as an adapter or other suitable device. Connector  100  may also comprise a coupling nut  64  disposed about a portion of the shroud  60 . The coupling nut  64  may rotate about the shroud  60  and has a threaded portion for securing connector  100  engaging complementary threads of a suitable device for optical mating. Connector  100  may also comprise a dust cap  68  for protecting the connector assembly and ferrule end face from dirt, dust, debris or the like. Dust cap  68  may have a threaded portion for engaging the threads of the coupling nut  64  for securing the same. Connector  100  may use other components as desired such as heat shrink sleeves, connector boots and the like. 
       FIGS.  2 - 4    depict representative fiber optic cables  90  that may be terminated by connector  100 . The connector concepts disclosed may advantageously terminate a variety of fiber optic cable having different cable constructions and/or cable component properties. As shown, fiber optic cables  90  of  FIGS.  2 - 4    comprise at least one optical fiber  92 , a plurality of strength members  94  and a cable jacket  98 . By way of example, suitable cables may have a round or non-round cross-section, may use different strength member such as metal wires or tensile yarns such as aramid yarns, or have cable jackets having different material properties such as cable jackets having a low-coefficient of friction that may not work well with conventional adhesives for strain-relieving or securing the fiber optic cable to the connector. Further, the optical fiber  92  may have a buffer layer disposed about the optical fiber coating(s) and/or be disposed within a buffer tube depending on the fiber optic cable construction. 
       FIG.  2    depicts a non-round cable (e.g., flat cable) having strength members  94  disposed on either side of the optical fiber  92  as shown. In this fiber optic cable, strength members  94  are two metal wires such as steel wires disposed on opposite sides of the optical fiber  92  and embedded within the cable jacket  98 . This fiber optic cable  90  has a low-friction material for the cable jacket that makes it challenging to strain-relieve the cable without movement of the cable jacket  98  relative to the connector  100  during tensile pulling events on the fiber optic cable  90 . The connector concepts disclosed route one or more strength members  94  from the longitudinal passageway A-A of the crimp body  55  and through a window of a respective shell  55   a  of the crimp body so that a portion of the strength members may be captured and secured between an outer barrel  55   o  of the crimp body  55  and a crimp band  54 . The longitudinal passageway A-A of the crimp body  55  extends from a rear end  51  to a front end  59  of the crimp body  55  for receiving an optical fiber  92  of the fiber optic cable  90  therethough so it may be terminated by the connector assembly  52 . 
     The termination of connector  100  to fiber optic cable  90  routes portions of one or more strength members  94  from a portion of the longitudinal passageway A-A of the crimp body  55  through a respective window  53  of the first and shells  55   a,   55   b  so they may be secured using the crimp band  54 , thereby mechanically securing and strain-relieving the fiber optic cable  90  to the connector  100  while inhibiting movement or slipping of the cable jacket during cable pulling events. Thus, the concepts disclosed offered improved connector-cable termination compared with conventional connector-cable terminations. 
     The connector-cable termination concepts disclosed do not requires adhesive due to the mechanical routing and retention of the strength members  94 ; however, the use of an adhesive is possible if desired or not. 
     Other fiber optic cables  90  may be terminated using connector  100  as well. By way of example,  FIG.  3    and  FIG.  4    depict round fiber optic cables  90  that may be terminated using connector  100 .  FIG.  3    depicts a round cable having optical fiber  92  disposed within a buffer tube, thereby forming a larger major cross-sectional dimension or diameter for the fiber optic cable  90 . On the other hand, the fiber optic cable of  FIG.  4    depicts a round cable that does not have the optical fiber  92  disposed within a buffer tube, thereby forming a smaller major cross-sectional dimension or diameter for the fiber optic cable  90 . Strength members  94  of the fiber optic cables  90  of  FIG.  4    are disposed radially about the optical fiber  92 . The strength members  94  for the fiber optic cable  90  of  FIGS.  3  and  4    are tensile yarns such as aramid yarns such as Kevlar® or the like, but other tensile yarns are possible. The fiber optic cables  90  may include other cable components such as ripcords, water-blocking gels, water-swellable materials or the like as desired. 
     The fiber optic cables terminated by connector  100  may have any suitable size, thereby making the connector  100  useful for a variety of cables. For instance, the fiber optic cables  90  of may have a major cross-sectional dimension of 5 millimeters or less. However, the use of other sizes of fiber optic cables are possible as well. For instance, a flat fiber optic drop may have a major cross-sectional dimension of 10 millimeters or less. Of course, other still other suitable fiber optic cables may be used with the connector concepts disclosed. Moreover, suitable connectors may be used with suitable cables according to the concepts disclosed, thereby resulting in numerous cable/connector combinations for the claimed cable assemblies. 
       FIG.  5    shows a partially exploded view of an explanatory cable assembly  200  showing the fiber optic connector  100  of  FIG.  1    with the coupling nut  64  omitted for clarity of the illustration.  FIG.  6    shows a perspective view of the crimp body  55  comprising a first shell  55   a  and a second shell  55   b  with each shell  55   a , 55   b  having a window  53 . As shown, window  53  is a through opening in a sidewall of the respective shell  55   a , 55   b.  As shown, window  53  comprises wall portions of the respective shell formed on four sides of the respective window  53  for the first shell  55   a  and the second shell  55   b.    FIG.  7    is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    taken along line  7 - 7  with the coupling nut and fiber optic cable removed for clarity, and  FIG.  8    is a longitudinal sectional view of the assembled fiber optic connector of  FIG.  1    taken orthogonal plane from  FIG.  7    with the coupling nut removed for clarity. 
     Further details of the explanatory connector  100  are described below. In this embodiment, connector  100  includes an industry standard SC-type connector assembly  52  having a connector body  52   a,  a ferrule  52   b  in a ferrule holder (not numbered), a spring  52   c,  and a spring push  52   d.  As discussed, connector  100  uses a crimp assembly (not numbered) that includes crimp body  55  having first shell  55   a  and second shell  55   b  each comprising a respective window  53  and a crimp band  54 . Connector  100  may further comprise a shroud  60 , a coupling nut  64 , a cable boot  66 , a heat shrink tube  67 , a protective cap  68  secured to the connector  100  by a lanyard  69  and/or end piece  85  as desired. Further, the shroud  60  may comprise one or more grooves for receiving respective O-ring  59  for aiding in making a robust connector suitable for outdoor applications. 
     Generally speaking, most of the components of connector  100  may be formed from a suitable polymer. Preferably, the polymer is a UV stabilized polymer such as ULTEM 2210 available from GE Plastics; however, other suitable materials are possible. For instance, stainless steel or any other suitable metal may be used for various components. 
     As best shown in  FIG.  6   , the crimp assembly includes crimp body  55  and crimp band  54 . Crimp body  55  has two shells  55   a,    55   b  that are held together by crimp band  54  when assembled, thereby securing the strength members  94  of the terminated fiber optic cable  90 . Although, the shells are shown as identical, it is to be understood that other suitable shells are possible using the disclosed concepts. For instance, one shell may have two alignment pins  55 P, rather than each shell having a single alignment pin  55 P that cooperates with an opposing hole  55   h  on the other shell. Thus, the alignment of the two shells  55   a,   55   b  is accomplished by inserting pins  55 P into complementary holes  55   h  of the two shells. Additionally, shells  55   a,    55   b  may include one or more bores that lead to the longitudinal passageways for inserting an adhesive or epoxy into the crimp body if desired. 
     Crimp band  54  is preferably made from brass, but other suitable crimpable materials may be used such as aluminum or the like. Crimp body  55  is configured for securing connector assembly  52  as well as providing strain relief to fiber optic cable  90 . This advantageously results in a relatively compact connector arrangement using fewer components. Moreover, the crimp assembly allows quick and easy assembly. Of course, other embodiments are possible according to the present invention. For instance, connector body  52   a  may be integrally molded into crimp housing  55  in a ST type configuration so that a twisting motion of the crimp housing secures the ST-type connector with a complementary mating receptacle. 
       FIG.  6    shows the inner surface of one shell  55   b.  In this case, the shells  55   a,   55   b  are illustrated as two similar shells are used as each half of crimp body  55 , thereby simplifying the design by using fewer number of different parts. In other embodiments there may be a first shell and a second shell that are different. As shown in  FIG.  6   , shell  55   a  includes front end  59  for securing connector assembly  52  and rear end  51  used for cable strain-relief. A longitudinal axis A-A is formed between rear end  51  and the front end  59  near the center of crimp body  55 . When assembled, optical fiber  92  passes through the longitudinal passage and is held in a bore of ferrule  52   b.  The shells  55   a,   55   b  may also have cable alignment or clamping portions configured as a central neck-down or rib potions that are generally disposed along longitudinal axis A-A. Also shown are bores  56   d  allow for inserting an adhesive or epoxy into the crimp body  55  if desired or not. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7   , when fully assembled the crimp body  55  fits into shroud  60 . Additionally, crimp body  55  is keyed to direct the insertion of the crimp assembly into shroud  60 . In this case, shells  55   a,   55   b  may include planar surfaces on opposites sides of crimp body  55  to inhibit relative rotation between crimp body  55  and shroud  60 . In other embodiments, the crimp assembly may be keyed to the shroud using other configurations such as a complementary protrusion/groove or the like. 
     As best shown in  FIG.  5   , shroud  60  has a generally cylindrical shape with a first end  60   a  and a second end  60   b.  Shroud generally protects connector assembly  52 . Shroud ( 60 ) may be configured for keying connector  100  with the respective mating device such as a receptacle or the like. Shroud ( 60 ) can be configured for keying connector  100  by having an asymmetrical front end such that only allows mating of the connector  100  in one orientation. By way of example, shroud ( 60 ) may have a first alignment finger with a first shape (e.g., cross-section or the like) and a second alignment finger with a second shape that is different than the first shape. Moreover, shroud  60  includes a through passageway between first and second ends  60   a  and  60   b.  As discussed, the passageway of shroud  60  is keyed so that crimp body  55  is inhibited from rotating when connector  100  is assembled. Additionally, the passageway has an internal shoulder (not numbered) that inhibits the crimp assembly from being inserted beyond a predetermined position as depicted in  FIG.  7   . 
     As shown, the first end  60   a  of shroud  60  includes at least one opening (not numbered) defined by shroud  60 . The at least one opening extends from a medial portion of shroud  60  to first end  60   a.  In this case, shroud  60  includes a pair of openings on opposite sides of first end  60   a,  thereby defining alignment portions or fingers  61   a,   61   b.  In addition to aligning shroud  60  with receptacle or other device during mating, alignment fingers  61   a,   61   b  may extend slightly beyond connector assembly  52 , thereby protecting the same. However, the concepts may be practiced without the shroud extending beyond the connector assembly  52 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , alignment fingers  61   a,   61   b  have different shapes so the connector  100  only mates in one orientation. In preferred embodiments, this orientation is marked on shroud  60  using alignment indicia so that the user can quickly and easily mate the connector  100  with receptacle. For instance, alignment indicia may be an arrow molded into the top alignment finger of shroud  60  as shown in  FIG.  1   , however, other suitable indicia may be used. The arrow may be aligned with complimentary alignment indicia disposed on a receptacle or the like, thereby allowing the user to quickly and easily align the connector with the different sized alignment fingers. Thereafter, the user may engages the external threads of coupling nut  64  with the complimentary internal threads of receptacle or other device for making the optical connection. 
     A medial portion of shroud  60  may have a groove  62  for seating an O-ring. The O-ring provides a weatherproof seal between connector  100  and the receptacle or protective cap  68 . The medial portion also includes a shoulder that provides a stop for coupling nut  64 . Coupling nut  64  has a passageway sized so that it fits over the second end  60   b  of shroud  60  and easily rotates about the medial portion of shroud  60 . In other words, coupling nut  64  cannot move beyond shoulder, but coupling nut  64  is able to rotate with respect to shroud  60 . The second end  60 B may also be sized for receiving end piece  85  into the passageway as depicted in  FIG.  7   . The end piece  85  may aid in cable bend performance at the interface between the fiber optic cable  90  and connector  100 . The end piece  85  may also be tailored for the specific fiber optic cable  90  that is terminated by the connector  100 , by easily using a different shaped end piece  85  designed for the particular cable. 
     Second end  60   b  of shroud  60  includes a stepped down portion having a relatively wide groove (not numbered). This stepped down portion and groove are used for securing heat shrink tubing. Heat shrink tubing  67  is used for weatherproofing the transition between the connector  100  and fiber optic cable  90  when assembled. Specifically, the stepped down portion and groove allow for the attachment of heat shrink tubing to the second end  60   b  of shroud  60 . The other end of heat shrink tubing is formed about the cable jacket  98 , thereby inhibiting water from entering connector  100 . 
     After the heat shrink tubing is attached, the boot  66  is slid over heat shrink tubing and a portion of shroud  60 . Boot  66  is preferably formed from a flexible material such as KRAYTON. Heat shrink tubing and boot  66  generally inhibit kinking and provide bending strain relief to the cable near connector  100 . Boot  66  has a longitudinal passageway (not visible) with a stepped profile therethrough. The first end of the boot passageway is sized to fit over the second end of shroud  60  and heat shrink tubing. 
       FIGS.  9 - 17    depict the preparation of an explanatory fiber optic cable  90  for termination along with the mechanical attachment of the strength members  94  of the fiber optic cable  90  to the crimp body  55  using the crimp band  54 . This example shows the preparation of the fiber optic cable of  FIG.  4    for termination and attachment of the crimp assembly to the fiber optic cable  90 . 
       FIGS.  9 - 11    depict the preparation of an end portion of fiber optic cable  90  for termination with connector  100  so that the crimp assembly may be secured to the fiber optic cable  90 .  FIG.  9    illustrates fiber optic cable  90  having an end prepared for termination with a portion of cable jacket  98  cut and stripped from the cable, thereby exposing optical fiber  92  and the strength members  94 . As needed or not, a portion of the strength members  94  may be cut flush with the stripped back jacket  98  if the fiber optic cable has excess strength members for termination to the crimp assembly.  FIG.  10    depicts the trimming of a portion of the binder thread along with the removal of a portion of a polymer tight-buffer layer from the optical fiber  92 .  FIG.  11    depicts the removal of one or more protective coating(s) from the optical fiber  92  along with the separation of the plurality of strength members  94  into a first portion  94 FP of strength members and a second portion  94 SP of strength members. 
       FIG.  12    shows the routing of the first portion  94 FP portion of the strength members  94  from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body  55  through the first window  53  of the first shell  55   a  of the crimp body  55 . Likewise,  FIG.  12    shows the routing of the second portion  94 FP portion of the strength members  94  from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body  55  through the second window  53  of the second shell  55   a  of the crimp body  55 .  FIG.  13    depicts the first and second shells  55   a,    55   b  aligned and pushed together so that respective the pins and holes  55 P, 55   h  of the shells  55   a,   55   b  engage along with the optical fiber  92  passing through the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body  55  past the front end  59  of the crimp body  55 . Thereafter, the crimp band  54  previously threaded onto the fiber optic cable  90  may be slid-forward from the fiber optic cable  90  onto a portion of the first and second shells  55   a,   55   b  of the crimp body  55  as depicted in  FIG.  14    until it is in the proper position on the crimp body  55  as shown in  FIG.  15   . Consequently, the first portion  94 FP of the plurality of strength members  94  and the second portion  94 SP of the plurality of strength members that exit the respective windows  53  are disposed between an outer barrel  55   o  of the crimp body  55  and the crimp band  54  as shown. 
     Next, the crimp band  54  is deformed about the crimp body  55  using a suitable tool, thereby securing the first portion  94 FP and second portion  94 SP of the plurality of strength members  94  between an outer barrel  55   o  of the crimp body  55  and the crimp band  54 . Thus, the first portion  94 FP and second portion  94 SP of strength members are secured to the crimp assembly using a mechanical retention without the use of adhesive. This termination of the connector  100  onto fiber optic cable inhibits a cable jacket  98  with a low-friction cable jacket material from moving during tensile pulling events.  FIG.  16    shows the excess length of the first portion  94 FP and second portion  94 SP trimmed from the assembly. 
       FIG.  17    depicts connector assembly  52  attached to the optical fiber  92 . Specifically, the optical fiber is attached to ferrule  52   b  of connector assembly  52  and the connector body  52   a  is secured to the crimp body ( 55 ). More specifically, connector assembly  52  is attached to crimp body  55  by snap-fitting with the interlocking fingers  77  disposed on the front portion the crimp body  55  on opposite sides of crimp body  55 . Interlocking fingers  77  are configured for cooperating with the latching recesses (not numbered) formed on the opposite side of the connector housing  52   a  of the connector assembly  52 . As depicted, each respective shell  55   a,   55   b  has an interlocking finger  77  for engaging a respective latching recess of the connector housing  52   a.  The end face of the ferrule  52   b  of connector assembly  52  may be polished as known in the art. The remainder of connector  100  may be assembled as discussed and shown herein such as sliding the shroud  60  and end piece  85  forward on the fiber optic cable for assembly. 
       FIGS.  18 - 20    are schematic sectional views showing different explanatory fiber optic cables  90  of  FIGS.  2 - 4    secured to the crimp body  55  having windows  53  for routing the strength members  94  as described herein and securing the same using crimp band  54  for the fiber optic connector  100 . Of course, the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body  55  may have the passageway tailor-made for a specific cable design if desired. 
     Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described herein with reference to explanatory embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and are intended to be covered by the appended claims. It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the concepts disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the same. Thus, it is intended that the present application cover the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.