Patent Publication Number: US-2023134340-A1

Title: Connectors for micro-duct terminations of fiber optic cable

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/190,247, filed Mar. 2, 2021, pending, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/519,871, filed Jul. 23, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,935,734, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/949,466, filed Apr. 10, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,359,580, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/054,121, filed Feb. 25, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,946,036, which claims benefit of both U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/120,823, filed Feb. 25, 2015 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/241,134, filed Oct. 13, 2015. The disclosure of the prior applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Optical fiber systems are increasingly used in a variety of communications applications, including voice, video, and data transmissions, because they offer a high bandwidth for signal transmission, low noise operation, and inherent immunity to electromagnetic interference. Such systems typically require connections of optical fibers at various points in the network. For example, connection points are commonly needed to (i) connect individual optical fiber cable lengths to create a longer continuous optical fiber, (ii) create branching points that reroute fibers in the same cable in different directions as needed to provide fibers at desired locations, and (iii) connect active and passive components of the system. 
     Optical fibers used for voice, data, and video transmission typically include a glass core, where the majority of the light signal travels, and a surrounding glass cladding, which serves as a waveguide to keep the light traveling axially in the core. The glass core and cladding are surrounded by one or more protective coatings, for example, polymeric coatings, which offer mechanical protection to the underlying glass cladding and glass core. The inner coating is typically a softer, relatively low modulus polymeric material selected to buffer the glass cladding and core from mechanical stresses. The outer coating is typically a higher modulus material that provides mechanical protection while facilitating handling of the optical fiber over the cabling, installation, and operating life of the optical fiber. Additional intermediate coatings may be included as desired. The overall cross-section of the optical fiber will thus be significantly bigger than the glass core and glass cladding. 
     Conventionally, optical fiber connections are made by (i) fusion splicing where two ends of the optical fibers are welded together at glass contact points (and a protective sleeve placed over the weld point); (ii) mechanical splices where the two ends of fibers being joined are coupled together with a mechanical apparatus; or (iii) mechanical connectors where the two ends of fibers are coupled together with a mechanical connector. Fusion splicing and mechanical splicing are designed to be performed once, while a mechanical connector is designed to be connected, disconnected, and reconnected multiple times over the useful life of a connector while providing a high-quality, low-added-loss, low-optical-reflection joint between the connected optical fibers. 
     The continued surge in the market for high-bandwidth communication services/content to the home (e.g., high speed Internet access, cable television, high-definition television (HDTV), and video-on-demand) has created the need to reduce the costs and complexity of installing Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks. In order to expedite deployment and improve cost efficiencies of fiber optic system installations, plug-and-play items such as connectors, adaptors, converters, terminals, and pre-connectorized cables have been developed to accomplish lower cost and less complex FTTH networks. These plug-and-play items give service providers the ability to turn up service quickly, often without the need of a highly skilled splice technician. The cost of FTTH network deployment can be reduced by initially installing the feeder and distribution cables of the network and subsequently making connections from the distribution cable to the home with pre-connectorized drop cables. This also allows the cost of the last connection to be realized at the time the customer purchases the service (Internet access, cable television, HDTV, and video-on-demand) 
     A “drop cable” is typically designed for connecting one or more optical fibers from a larger network, outside a home or business, to a local network of a home or business. Each end of the drop cable requires an optical fiber connection, which is selected to mate with another connector. The mating ends of connectors may be installed onto the fiber ends either in the field (e.g., at the network location) or “pre-connectorized” in a factory prior to installation into the network. The advantage of installing the mating ends of the connectors in a factory is that the connector installation process can be made faster, less expensively, and with a higher quality in a manufacturing environment than in a field environment. For example, polishing and tuning procedures may be incorporated into optical connector manufacturing of connectors that are generally assembled onto optical fiber in a supplier&#39;s manufacturing facility. 
     Pre-terminated fiber cable assemblies can be provided with durable cable and hardened/weatherized connector ends that make it easy for an installer with little or no formal training to provision a customer drop. Examples of a hardened/weatherized connector include the OPTITAP™ brand connector, commercially available from Corning Cable Systems, and the DLX fiber optic connector system, commercially available from TE Connectivity. However pre-terminated drop cable assemblies require the selection and stocking of fiber optic cable product that exceeds the distance between the fiber tap and customer demarcation, therefore requiring the storage of slack cable length somewhere within the drop run. 
     It may be desirable to provide a drop cable assembly that minimizes the amount of slack to be stored within the drop run, while still providing an assembly that allows quick, easy, and secure attachment of a connector or fitting to either end of a drop cable so that the drop cable can be terminated to a device or housing. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to various aspects of the disclosure, a connector for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connection point includes a cable connector and a connector housing. The cable connector has a first longitudinal conduit configured to receive a duct, and the duct is configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. The cable connector includes a connector body having a first end and a second end in a longitudinal direction, and a compression fitting configured to be received about the first end of the connector body and slidable relative to the connector body in the longitudinal direction to radially compress the first end of the connector body to grip the duct. The connector housing has a second longitudinal conduit substantially aligned with the first longitudinal conduit in the longitudinal direction. The connector housing includes a first end configured to be coupled with the second end of the connector body, and a second end having a connection portion configured to couple the fiber optic cable to the connection point. The first longitudinal conduit and the second longitudinal conduit are configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. 
     In some embodiments, the cable connector further includes a threaded nut rotatably coupled to the second end of the connector body, and the first end of the connector housing includes a threaded port configured to threadably receive the threaded nut. In some aspects, the cable connector and the connector housing are formed as a single piece of monolithic construction. 
     According to various aspects, an assembly includes the aforementioned connector, a fiber optic cable slidable relative to the cable connector and the connector housing, and a fiber optic connector terminating the fiber optic cable. 
     In another embodiment, a connector for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connection point includes a connector body at a first end of the connector and extending in a longitudinal direction and a connector housing at a second end of the connector. The connector body defines a first longitudinal conduit configured to receive a duct, and the duct is configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. A compression fitting is configured to be received about a first end of the connector body and slidable relative to the connector body in the longitudinal direction to radially compress the first end of the connector body to grip the duct. The connector housing includes a second longitudinal conduit substantially aligned with the first longitudinal conduit in the longitudinal direction and a connection portion configured to couple the fiber optic cable to the connection point. The first longitudinal conduit and the second longitudinal conduit are configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. 
     According to various aspects of the connector, the connector body and the connector housing are formed as a single piece of monolithic construction. In some aspects, the connector, a fiber optic connector is configured to terminate a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector is configured to be coupled with the connector housing in some aspects. 
     In some aspects, an assembly includes the aforementioned connector, a fiber optic cable slidable relative to the cable connector and the connector housing, and a fiber optic connector terminating the fiber optic cable. The assembly may comprise a bulkhead configured to receive the connector housing and to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. 
     According to another embodiment, a connector for coupling a fiber optic cable with a connection point includes a connector body, a compression fitting, a connector housing, and a fiber optic coupling. The connector body is disposed at a first end of the connector and extends in a longitudinal direction. The connector body defines a first longitudinal conduit configured to receive a duct, and the duct is configured to receive the fiber optic cable. The compression fitting is configured to be received about a first end of the connector body and is slidable relative to the connector body in the longitudinal direction to radially compress the first end of the connector body to grip the duct. The connector housing is disposed at a second end of the connector and includes a second longitudinal conduit substantially aligned with the first longitudinal conduit in the longitudinal direction. The connector housing includes a connection portion configured to couple the fiber optic cable to the connection point. The first longitudinal conduit and the second longitudinal conduit are configured to slidably receive the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic coupling is at least partially received by the connector housing. 
     According to some aspects, the fiber optic coupling is coupled with the connector housing. The connector may include a fiber optic connector configured to terminate a fiber optic cable, wherein the fiber optic connector is received by the fiber optic coupling. In some aspects, the connector body and the connector housing are formed as a single piece of monolithic construction. 
     In various aspects, an assembly includes the aforementioned connector and a fiber optic cable terminated by the fiber optic connector. According to some aspects, the assembly may include a bulkhead configured to receive the connector portion of the connection housing. The bulkhead may be configured to receive a portion of the fiber optic coupling. 
     According to various aspects of the assembly, the fiber optic coupling may be configured to mate the fiber optic cable, which is disposed at a first side of the bulkhead, with a second fiber optic cable disposed at a second side of the bulkhead. 
     In some aspects of the assembly, a second fiber optic coupling may be configured to mate the fiber optic cable, which is terminated by the fiber optic connector, with a second fiber optic cable terminated by a second fiber optic connector. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a partially-exploded isometric view of an exemplary feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cable connector of the connector of  FIG.  1    in a first configuration. 
         FIG.  3    is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary cable connector of the connector of  FIG.  1    in a second configuration 
         FIG.  4    is a partially-exploded isometric view of another exemplary feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged partially-exploded isometric view of the exemplary feed-through connector of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a partially-exploded isometric view of an exemplary connection enclosure including a feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is an enlarged partially-exploded isometric view of another exemplary feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is an exploded isometric view of an exemplary fiber optic cable connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  10    is an exploded isometric view of a portion of the exemplary fiber optic cable connector of  FIG.  9   . 
         FIG.  11    is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary fiber optic cable connector of  FIG.  9    assembled to an exemplary bulkhead. 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded isometric view of another exemplary feed-through connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary cable connector of the connector of  FIG.  1   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 3   , a feed-through connector  100  in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated. The connector  100  includes a connector housing  102  and a cable connector  104 . The cable connector  104  may be, for example, a conventional coaxial cable “F-type” compression connector or any other conventional cable connector having a compression fitting  128 . The compression fitting  128  of the cable connector  104  is sized to slidably receive a duct  106 , for example, a micro-duct. The compression fitting  128  is configured to couple the cable connector  104  with the duct  106 . The duct  106  may be sized such that the cable connector  104  can be installed on a free end  108  of the duct  106 . For example, the duct  106  can be sized such that a conventional coaxial cable “F-type” compression connector can be installed on the free end  108  using existing field compression tooling. Such connectors and tools are presumed to be available to a typical communications systems installer and the procedures for installing the connector  104  on the end  108  are presumed to be familiar to the typical communications systems installer. 
     For example, referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , in one exemplary embodiment, the connector  104  has a first body member that includes a connector body or cylindrical body member  24 , a coupling  26 , and the compression fitting  128 . The coupling  26  may be a tubular member having a first opening at a first end  30  and a second opening at a second end  32 . Coupling  26  defines a first inner cavity or passageway  34 . The inner surface of connector body  24  defines an outer cavity  36  accessible via an opening  38  at one end of the connector body  24 . The outer cavity  36  is disposed radially outward of the first inner cavity  34 . The outer cavity  36  is open at a first end of the connector body  24  and is closed at the other end or second end of connector body  24  together with coupler  26 . 
     In some embodiments, the connector body  24  and the coupling  26  may be separate components wherein the connector body  24  is press fitted onto the outer surface of the coupling  26 . According to various aspects, the connector body  24  can be formed of a metal or a plastic composition. In other embodiments, the connector body  24  and coupling  26  may be formed integrally as a single piece of monolithic construction. 
     In some embodiments, the inner surface or inner wall of the connector body  24  may have annular serrations  40 . It should be appreciated that the annular serrations  40  of the connector body  24  may provide for a continuous environmental seal and grip on the duct when the compression fitting  128  is assembled to the duct. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , the cable connector  104  includes a nut  44  that is internally threaded as at  46  and is provided with a shoulder  48  at a first end seated in a groove  50  formed by the outer surface of the base of coupler  26  and a groove  52  of the connector body  24 . The nut  44  and/or coupler  26  is rotatable relative to the connector body  24 . An O-ring seal  70  can be seated in groove  52  at a first end of connector body  24  to serve as a moisture barrier. 
     Compression fitting  128  is shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3    as being of a tubular configuration. The compression fitting  128  may be formed of metal and has a first opening  56  and a second opening  58  which define a second cavity or a central passageway  35  between the first and second ends of the compression fitting  128 . 
     The compression fitting  128  includes a first inner bore or first end  62  having a first diameter, and a second inner bore or second end  64  having a second or reduced diameter which is less than the diameter of the first bore. A ramped surface or inwardly tapered annular wall  66  is provided between the first  62  and second  64  bores. 
     Although the compression fitting  128  can be coupled to the connector body  24  such that the compression fitting  128  can be removed by hand, in the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the compression fitting  128  is dimensioned and configured relative to the dimensions of the connector body  24  so that the compression fitting  128  is securely attached to the connector body  24 . Such attachment can be obtained by a press fit assembly. In some aspects, as described in more detail below, the compression fitting  128  may include a latching member directed radially inward and configured to cooperate with a latching structure extending outward from an outer surface of the connector body  24 . As described herein, the compression fitting  128  is movably coupled to the connector body  24  so as to be capable of being moved on the connector body  24  from a first preassembled configuration ( FIG.  2   ) to a second assembled configuration ( FIG.  3   ). Both the first inner bore  62  and the second inner bore  64  have diameters that are less than an outer diameter d of the portion of the connector body that accepts the compression fitting  128 . 
     The second configuration, shown in  FIG.  3   , is achieved after the compression fitting  128  is axially moved along the connector body  24  to a second location on the connector body  24  such that the second inner bore  64  of the compression fitting  128  engages the outer surface of the connector body  24 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , flange  76  on the connector body  24  is provided to engage the compression fitting  128  at its second configuration. In this preferred embodiment, flange  76  may be a tubular ring or a portion thereof as shown. Alternatively, however, flange  76  can be formed of one or more protrusions extending from the outer surface of the connector body  24  at one or more locations. 
     To assemble the cable connector  104  to a duct  106 , the end  108  is inserted into the second end  64  of the compression fitting  128  and into the outer cavity of the connector body  24 . Once the duct  106  is positioned, for example, to abut the coupler  26 , the compression fitting  128  is then advanced or moved axially from its pre-installed first configuration to its second configuration, for example, by a conventional tool. As discussed above, in the preferred embodiment, the compression fitting  128  engages flange  76  of the connector body  24  in its second configuration. Since the diameter of the second inner bore  64  of compression fitting  128  is smaller than the diameter d, shown in  FIG.  2   , of the portion of the connector body  24  accepting the compression fitting  128 , the connector body  24  is concentrically compressed so that the volume of the outer first cavity  36  is further decreased. That is, the connector body  24  is further displaced or moved radially inwardly. As a result, the outer portion of the duct  106  is firmly gripped or clamped by connector body  24 . In this manner, the annular serrations  40  of the connector body  24  may provide a generally continuous, 360° seal and grip on the outer portion of the duct. This construction may eliminate the need for an O-ring or other seal between the connector body  24  and the compression fitting  128 , and can accommodate a wide range of cable types and sizes. Thus, the need for connectors of various sizes can be avoided with a universal connector of the present invention. 
     Although  FIGS.  2  and  3    illustrate a “post-less” cable connector  104 , it should be appreciated that the cable connector  104  may be a conventional cable connector having a post  27 , as illustrated in  FIG.  13   . One example of a conventional “F-type” compression connector is the EX® Series Universal Compression Connector, commercially available from PPC Broadband, Inc. It should be appreciated that an unmodified EX® Series coaxial connector can be installed on the end  108  of a conventional 8 mm duct  106  using typical installer tools. The end  108  of the duct  106  can be inserted in the outer cavity  36  between the post  27  and the connector body  24  such that when the compression fitting  128  is moved axially from the first configuration to the second configuration, the duct  106  is gripped between the connector body  24  and the post  27  by the radial compression of the compression fitting  128 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  1   , the connector housing  102  may include a male-threaded first end  112  proximate the female-threaded nut  44 . The cable connector  104  and the connector housing  102  are relatively rotatable such that the female-threaded nut  44  of the cable connector  104  and the male-threaded first end  112  can couple the cable connector  104  with the connector housing  102 . It should be appreciated that the threaded arrangements can be reversed such that the cable connector  104  has a male-threaded first end and the connector housing  102  has a female-threaded first end. 
     The duct  106 , the first longitudinal conduit  105 , and the second longitudinal conduit  107  are sized to slidably receive an optical fiber cable  114 . For example, the duct  106  may be a conventional 8 mm micro-duct having a 5.5 mm inside diameter, while the optical fiber cable  114  may be a commercially available fiber having a diameter of 3 mm This allows the optical fiber cable  114  to be pushed through the duct  106  and/or pulled back through the duct  106 . After being fed through, an end  116  of the optical fiber cable  114  can be terminated with an optical fiber connector  118 . The optical fiber connector  118  may be an SC connector, an LC connector, an ST connector, or the like, which is selected depending on the connection to be made. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG.  1   , the optical fiber connector  118  is an SC connector. 
     The connector housing  102  may include a weatherized, or “ruggedized,” shell  120  and a second end  122  opposite to the first end  112 . The connector housing  102  may also include an O-ring  124  to provide a sealed connection with a connection point of a structure (not shown). The shell  120  and the second end  122  of the connector housing  102  may be designed to connect with a connection point of any commercially available connector system. For example, the connector housing  102  can be designed to connect with the OPTITAP™ brand connector system, the DLX fiber optic connector system, or any Open Device Vendor Association (ODVA) compliant connector system. The shell  120  of the connector housing  102  may be rotatable relative to the first end  112  and the second end  122  so that the connector housing  102  may be coupled to the connection point. 
     In use, a duct  106 , such as a micro-duct, may be cut to a precise, desired length for a drop cable assembly between two connection points. A cable connector  104 , such as a conventional, unmodified coaxial connector, is connected to either or both ends  108  of the duct  106 . The cable connector  104  may include a compression fitting  128  that can be compression-fit to either or both ends  108  of the duct  106 . A pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  is fed through the duct  106 , the first longitudinal passage  105  (defined by the first and second passageways  34 ,  35 ) in the cable connector  104 , and a second longitudinal passage  107  extending through the connector housing  102 . The connector housing  102  and the coaxially connector  104  may be coupled to one another before or after the pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  is fed through the duct  106 . Regardless, the pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  can be snapped into place in an ODVA connector so that the fiber optic cable  114  can be terminated to a device or housing. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , in some embodiments, a connector  200  according to the disclosure may include a connector housing  202 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing, and the cable connector  104  described above. may include a weatherized, or “ruggedized,” The connector housing  202  may be an alternative ODVA-compliant connector, for example, a bayonet-style connector, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. That is, the connector  200  is similar to the above-described connector  100 , but the connector housing  102  is replaced with the connector housing  202 . Also, as shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , in some aspects, the male threaded first end  112  of the connector housing  202  may be recessed into a rear portion  226  of the connector housing  202 , which may provide an added tamper resistance feature. Of course, the connector housing  102  described above can be similarly modified to provide a recessed male-threaded first end  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , an enclosure  440 , such as for example a Universal Fiber House Box, may include a connector  400  configured as connector housing portion  402 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing, having a threaded port  412  to which a cable connector  104  can be attached. The connector housing portion  402  also includes an opening, channel, or feed-through bushing  428  through which a forward portion  430  of the fiber optic cable  114  that extends beyond the cable connector  104  may be fed. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the enclosure  440  may include guide members  442  for wrapping and storing any excess of the forward portion  430  of the fiber optic cable  114  within the enclosure  440 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7 - 12   , in some aspects, connectors in accordance with the present disclosure may include a connector housing and a cable connector formed as an integral structure of monolithic construction. For example,  FIG.  7    shows a feed-through connector  500  that includes a first end  512  having a connector body  524  configured to receive a compression fitting  528  and a second end  522  comprising a connector housing portion  502 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing. The connector body  524  is configured to receive a free end of a duct  106 , and the compression fitting  528  is configured to couple the connector  500  with the duct  106 , as described above in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . The connector  500  thus provides a direct connection between the duct  106  and the connector housing portion  502 , thereby eliminating a possible failure point that would otherwise exist between a separate connector housing and cable connector. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  8   , in another embodiment, a feed-through connector  600  may include a connector body  624  at a first end  612  and a connector housing portion  602 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing, at a second end  622 . The connector body  624  may be integrally formed with the connector housing portion  602  as a monolithic structure. A compression fitting  628  is configured to couple the connector  600  with the duct  106 . In some aspects, the connector body  624  and the connector housing portion  602  may be separate structures that are assembled together. 
     The connector body  624  may be configured to receive the compression fitting  628 , similar to the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . The connector may also include a ferrule  664  that is configured to fit into the end  108  of the duct  106  to prevent collapse of the duct  106  when the compression fitting  628  is compressed onto the connector body  624  to connect the connector  600  to the duct  106 . The connector  600  thus provides a direct connection between the duct  106  and the connector housing portion  602 , thereby eliminating a possible failure point between an otherwise separate connector housing and cable connector. The ferrule  664  may include one or more barbs extending from its outer surface to assist with retention of the duct  106  upon compression of the compression fitting  628  on the connector body  624 , as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. 
     The connector  600  may be coupled with a fiber optic coupler  670  configured to couple two pre-terminated ends of a fiber optic cable  114 . For example, the fiber optic coupler  670  may be an SC coupler, an LC coupler, an ST coupler, or the like. The connector housing portion  602  and the fiber optic coupler  670  are configured such that the connector housing portion  602  can receive at least a portion of the fiber optic coupler  670 . The connector  600  may further be assembled to a bulkhead  680  configured to be attached to an enclosure (not shown), such as a tap of an FTTH network, a Universal Fiber House Box, or the like. The bulkhead  680  is configured to receive at least a portion of the fiber optic coupler  670 . For example, the bulkhead  680  may include a threaded portion  682  that can be inserted through an opening in the enclosure and fixedly attached to the enclosure by, for example, a threaded nut. Of course, any known connection may be employed to attach the bulkhead  680  to the enclosure, and seals may be employed to reduce mechanical stress and prevent moisture from entering the enclosure. 
     The bulkhead  680  includes a receptacle  684  on a side opposite to the threaded portion  682 . The receptacle  684  is sized and configured to receive the connector housing portion  602 . The connector  600  includes features to ensure that the connector housing portion  602  is correctly and completely connected with the bulkhead. For example, the connector housing portion  602  includes a rectangular cross-section having two adjacent angled corners  686  and two right-angle corners  688 . Also, a top surface of the connector housing portion  602  may include a longitudinal protrusion  690  configured to be received by a groove (not shown) in only an inner surface of the top wall of the bulkhead  680 . The angled corners  686  and/or the notch/groove combination provide a connection key between the connector housing portion  602  and the bulkhead  680 . 
     In addition, the bulkhead  680  includes a pair of transverse grooves  692  on opposite sides of the bulkhead  680 . The grooves  692  are configured to receive a U-shaped clip  694 . The U-shaped clip  694  includes inwardly-kinked portions  695  along the parallel arms of the U-shaped clip  694 . The U-shaped clip  694  also includes a bulged portion  696  on the base arm of the clip  694  in between the parallel arms. The grooves  692  in the bulkhead  680  include slits  693  that extend through the side walls of the bulkhead  680 . The connector housing portion  602  includes a pair of protrusions  697  on the external surfaces of opposite walls of the connector housing portion  602 . The protrusions  697  are substantially aligned with the slits  693  such that when the connector housing portion  602  is fully inserted into the bulkhead  680 , the inwardly-kinked portions  695  extend through the slits  693  and engage rear edges of the protrusions  697  to retain the connector housing portion  602  in the bulkhead  680 . The connector  600  may include a seal  698  configured to be sandwiched between a front face of the connector housing portion  602  and the bulkhead  680  to provide a weatherproof seal. The connector  600  may also include a strain relief boot  699 . 
     In use, a duct  106 , such as a micro-duct, may be cut to or provided with a precise, desired length for a drop cable assembly between two connection points. The duct is inserted into the connector body  624  of the connector  600 . A connector  600  is compression-fit to either or both ends  108  of the duct  106  by sliding the compression fitting  628  axially relative to the connector body  624  to compress the connector body  624  onto the duct  106 . A pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  is fed through the duct  106  and to the fiber optic coupler  670 . The inwardly-kinked portions  695  of the U-shaped clip  694  cooperate with the protrusions  697  of the connector housing portion  602  to provide feedback to the user as to whether or not the connector housing portion  602  is clipped into the bulkhead  680  without the possibility of being only partially clipped in. By pressing the bulged portion  696  of the U-shaped clip  694 , the clip  694  releases the protrusions  697  so that the connector housing portion  602  can be removed from the bulkhead  680 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  9 - 11   , in another embodiment, a fiber optic cable connector  800  may include a connector body  824  at a first end  812  and a connector housing portion  802 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing, at a second end  822 . The connector body  824  may be integrally formed with the connector housing portion  802  as a monolithic structure. A compression fitting  828  is configured to couple the connector  800  with the duct  106 . The connector body  824  may be configured to receive the compression fitting  828 , similar to the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . As shown in  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the first end  862  of the compression fitting  828  may include a circumferential recess  863  (or a series of circumferentially-spaced recesses) configured to receive a first circumferential ridge  825  (or a first series of circumferentially-spaced ridges) on the connector body  824  in the first configuration of the compression fitting  828  so that the compression fitting  828  is latched to the connector body  824 . The connector body  824  may include a second circumferential ridge  827  (or a second series of circumferentially-spaced ridges) configured to be received by the circumferential recess  863  of the compression fitting  828  such that the compression fitting  828  remains latched to the connector body  824  in the second configuration of the compression fitting  828 . 
     The connector  800  thus provides a direct connection between the duct  106  and the connector housing portion  802 , thereby eliminating a possible failure point between an otherwise separate connector housing and cable connector. In some aspects, the connector body  824  and the connector housing portion  802  may be separate structures that are assembled together. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , the connector  800  further includes a cylindrical body or basket  850  configured to receive a fiber optic coupler  855 , such as an SC coupler, an LC coupler, an ST coupler, or the like. The fiber optic cable  118  may thus be fixed coupled with the connector  800 . The basket  850  includes a pair of circumferential slots  852  extending through a wall  854  of the basket  850 . The slots  852  may be opposed to one another and sized and arranged to receive corresponding projections  856  from the fiber optic coupler  855  ( FIG.  11   ) in a snap fit configuration. The basket  850  may also include one or more longitudinal slots  858  at a first end  860  that allow the wall  854  of the basket  850  to expand when receiving the fiber optic coupler  855 . A second end  862  of the basket  850  may include a plurality of flexible fingers  864  configured to provide a snap fit connection when received by the connector housing portion  802 . As shown in  FIG.  11   , the fingers  864  may be retained by a shoulder  866  extending circumferentially about (or a plurality of shoulder circumferentially spaced apart about) an interior wall of the connector housing portion  802 . The basket  850  may include a groove  868  configured to receive an sealing ring  869  to provide a seal between an outer surface of the basket  850  and an inner surface of the connector housing portion  802 . 
     The connector  800  may be assembled to a bulkhead  880  configured to be attached to an enclosure (not shown), such as a tap of an FTTH network, a Universal Fiber House Box, or the like. For example, the bulkhead  880  may include a threaded portion  882  that can be inserted through an opening in the enclosure and fixedly attached to the enclosure by, for example a threaded nut  883 . Of course, any known connection may be employed to attach the bulkhead  880  to the enclosure, and a seal  885  may be employed between the nut  883  and the enclosure and/or between the bulkhead  880  and the enclosure to reduce mechanical stress and prevent moisture from entering the enclosure. 
     The bulkhead  880  includes a receptacle  884  on a side opposite to the threaded portion  882 . The receptacle  884  is sized and configured to receive the connector housing portion  802 . The connector  800  includes features to ensure that the connector housing portion  802  is correctly and completely connected with the bulkhead  880 . For example, the connector housing portion  802  includes a rectangular cross-section having two adjacent angled corners  886  and two right-angle corners  888 . Also, a top surface of the connector housing portion  802  may include a longitudinal protrusion  890  configured to be received by a groove (not shown) in only an inner surface of the top wall of the bulkhead  880 . The angled corners  886  and/or the notch/groove combination provide a connection key between the connector housing portion  802  and the bulkhead  880 . 
     In addition, the bulkhead  880  includes a pair of transverse grooves  892  on opposite sides of the bulkhead  880 . The grooves  892  are configured to receive a U-shaped clip  894 . The U-shaped clip  894  includes inwardly-kinked portions  895  along the parallel arms of the U-shaped clip  894 . The U-shaped clip  894  also includes a bulged portion  896  on the base arm of the clip  894  in between the parallel arms. The grooves  892  in the bulkhead  880  include slits  893  that extend through the side walls of the bulkhead  880 . The connector housing portion  802  includes a pair of protrusions  8970  on the external surfaces of opposite walls of the connector housing portion  802 . The protrusions  897  are substantially aligned with the slits  893  such that when the connector housing portion  802  is fully inserted into the bulkhead  880 , the inwardly-kinked portions  895  extend through the slits  893  and engage rear edges of the protrusions  897  to retain the connector housing portion  802  in the bulkhead  880 . The connector  800  may include a seal  898  configured to be sandwiched between a front face of the connector housing portion  802  and the bulkhead  880  to provide a weatherproof seal. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  9   , the fiber optic connector  855  within the connector housing portion  802  may be coupled with a fiber optic connector  1055  by an adaptor  1057  disposed at the enclosure side of the bulkhead  880 . The adaptor  1057  may include a first pair of flexible fingers  1061  sized and arranged to couple the adaptor  1057  with the fiber optic connector  1055  and a second pair of flexible fingers  1063  sized and arranged to couple the adaptor  1057  with the bulkhead  880 . 
     In use, a duct  106 , such as a micro-duct, may be cut to or provided with a precise, desired length for a drop cable assembly between two connection points. A terminated fiber optic cable  118  is provided with a fiber optic coupler  855 , which is coupled with the basket  850 , which in turn is coupled with the connector housing portion  802 . The duct is inserted into the connector body  824  of the connector  800 . A connector  800  is compression-fit to either or both ends  108  of the duct  106  by sliding the compression fitting  828  axially relative to the connector body  824  to compress the connector body  824  onto the duct  106 . The inwardly-kinked portions  895  of the U-shaped clip  894  cooperate with the protrusions  897  of the connector housing portion  802  to provide feedback to the user as to whether or not the connector housing portion  802  is clipped into the bulkhead  880  without the possibility of being only partially clipped in. By pressing the bulged portion  896  of the U-shaped clip  894 , the clip  894  releases the protrusions  897  so that the connector housing portion  802  can be removed from the bulkhead  880 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  12   , in another embodiment, a feed-through connector  900  may include a connector body  924  at a first end  912  and a connector housing portion  902 , for example, a weatherized or “ruggedized” housing, at a second end  922 . The connector body  924  may be integrally formed with the connector housing portion  902  as a monolithic structure. A compression fitting  928  is configured to couple the connector  900  with the duct  106 . The connector body  924  may be configured to receive the compression fitting  928 , similar to the embodiment of  FIGS.  1 - 3   . The connector  900  thus provides a direct connection between the duct  106  and the connector housing portion  902 , thereby eliminating a possible failure point between an otherwise separate connector housing and cable connector. In some aspects, the connector body  924  and the connector housing portion  902  may be separate structures that are assembled together. 
     Rather than including the basket shown in  FIG.  10   , the connector  900  provides a passage configured to slidably receive a fiber optic cable in a feed-through manner, similar to the aforementioned fee-through embodiments. The connector  900  may be assembled to a bulkhead  980  configured to be attached to an enclosure (not shown), such as a tap of an FTTH network, a Universal Fiber House Box, or the like. For example, the bulkhead  980  may include a threaded portion  982  that can be inserted through an opening in the enclosure and fixedly attached to the enclosure by, for example a threaded nut  983 . Of course, any known connection may be employed to attach the bulkhead  980  to the enclosure, and a seal  985  may be employed between the nut  983  and the enclosure and/or between the bulkhead  980  and the enclosure to reduce mechanical stress and prevent moisture from entering the enclosure. 
     The bulkhead  980  includes a receptacle  984  on a side opposite to the threaded portion  982 . The receptacle  984  is sized and configured to receive the connector housing portion  902 . The connector  900  includes features to ensure that the connector housing portion  902  is correctly and completely connected with the bulkhead  980 . For example, the connector housing portion  902  includes a rectangular cross-section having two adjacent angled corners  986  and two right-angle corners  988 . Also, a top surface of the connector housing portion  902  may include a longitudinal protrusion  990  configured to be received by a groove (not shown) in only an inner surface of the top wall of the bulkhead  980 . The angled corners  986  and/or the notch/groove combination provide a connection key between the connector housing portion  902  and the bulkhead  980 . 
     In addition, the bulkhead  980  includes a pair of transverse grooves  992  on opposite sides of the bulkhead  980 . The grooves  992  are configured to receive a U-shaped clip  994 . The U-shaped clip  994  includes inwardly-kinked portions  995  along the parallel arms of the U-shaped clip  994 . The U-shaped clip  994  also includes a bulged portion  996  on the base arm of the clip  994  in between the parallel arms. The grooves  992  in the bulkhead  990  include slits  993  that extend through the side walls of the bulkhead  980 . The connector housing portion  902  includes a pair of protrusions  970  on the external surfaces of opposite walls of the connector housing portion  902 . The protrusions  997  are substantially aligned with the slits  993  such that when the connector housing portion  902  is fully inserted into the bulkhead  980 , the inwardly-kinked portions  995  extend through the slits  993  and engage rear edges of the protrusions  997  to retain the connector housing portion  902  in the bulkhead  980 . The connector  900  may include a seal  998  configured to be sandwiched between a front face of the connector housing portion  902  and the bulkhead  980  to provide a weatherproof seal. 
     After being fed through the connector  900  and the bulkhead  908 , an end  116  of the optical fiber  114  can be terminated with an optical fiber connector  118 . The optical fiber connector  118  may be an SC connector, an LC connector, an ST connector, or the like, which is selected depending upon the connection to be made. 
     In use, a duct  106 , such as a micro-duct, may be cut to or provided with a precise, desired length for a drop cable assembly between two connection points. The duct is inserted into the connector body  924  of the connector  900 . A connector  900  is compression-fit to either or both ends  108  of the duct  106  by sliding the compression fitting  928  axially relative to the connector body  924  to compress the connector body  924  onto the duct  106 . A pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  is fed through the duct  106  and to the fiber optic coupler  970 . The inwardly-kinked portions  995  of the U-shaped clip  994  cooperate with the protrusions  997  of the connector housing portion  902  to provide feedback to the user as to whether or not the connector housing portion  902  is clipped into the bulkhead  980  without the possibility of being only partially clipped in. By pressing the bulged portion  996  of the U-shaped clip  994 , the clip  994  releases the protrusions  997  so that the connector housing portion  902  can be removed from the bulkhead  980 . 
     By using connectors according to the disclosure, the duct can be cut to the precise drop length needed at the time of installation. Once the duct  106  is installed, a pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  can be fed through the duct  106 . Because the duct  106  provides a protective coating, the pre-terminated fiber optic cable  114  can have a smaller diameter relative to conventionally-coated fiber optic cable. The smaller diameter fiber optic cable  114  usable with the connectors  100 ,  200 ,  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  800 ,  900  disclosed herein is more receptive to bending, and the slack is easier to store. 
     The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments. For example, various features of the different embodiments may be used together where appropriate. 
     Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claims. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.