Patent Publication Number: US-10782485-B2

Title: Hardened fiber optic connectors having a mechanical splice connector assembly

Description:
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US17/13164, filed on Jan. 12, 2017, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/277,659, filed on Jan. 12, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/294,443, filed on Feb. 12, 2016, the contents of which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure is directed to hardened fiber optic connectors having a mechanical splice connector assembly. The hardened connectors are useful for optical communication as a portion of a cable assembly having an optical waveguide. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Communication networks are used to transport a variety of signals such as voice, video, data transmission, and the like. As communication networks upgrade to increase bandwidth to the subscriber, the transmission of signals using optical waveguides is commonly used. 
     Since these last mile deployments to the subscriber are typically located outdoors, the network operators typically use a preconnectorized cable assembly terminated with a hardened connector for making a quick, reliable and trouble-free optical connection to the network. The preconnectorized cable assembly is manufactured in a factory so that the end face of the ferrule and optical waveguides undergo a precise, multi-step polishing for maintaining a low insertion loss for the optical connection. Examples of preconnectorized cable assemblies terminated with a hardened connector are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,881,576 and its related applications. 
     However, there are instances when network operators desire to terminate hardened connectors in the field. One common way to make an optical connection is by fusion splicing. Fusion splicing requires that the ends of the optical fibers be precisely aligned so that the transfer the optical signal between the ends of the optical waveguides has a relatively low-loss. But like connectors, fusion splicing requires highly trained craftsman and special equipment to make and test the optical connection, thereby making it a relatively expensive and inefficient proposition for field connectorization. Moreover, the actual fusion splice point is fragile and must be immobilized so it does not bend or flex. Consequently, fusion-splicing requires a splice holder that prevents bending and stress on the splice point, which results in a bulkier cable assembly and adds more time, cost and skill to the installation costs. For these reasons, the network operators typically have not widely-deployed fusion-spliced solutions for fiber to the subscriber applications. 
     Consequently, there is an unresolved need for an efficient and relatively low-cost method of reliably making hardened optical connections in the field without using specialized equipment and highly skilled labor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGS 
         FIGS. 1 a -1 c    shows a portion of a prior art the preconnectorized cable assembly terminated with a hardened connector being plugged into a receptacle. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the prior art preconnectorized cable assembly depicted in  FIGS. 1 a   - 1   c.    
         FIG. 3  shows a partially assembled perspective view of the conventional prior art preconnectorized cable assembly of  FIG. 2  having the connector assembly attached to the optical waveguide of the cable and positioned within the half-shell of the hardened connector. 
         FIG. 4  shows the partially assembly crimp assembly being attached to the cable of the conventional prior art preconnectorized cable assembly of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an explanatory cable assembly comprising a hardened connector comprising a mechanical splice connector assembly according to the concepts of the present application. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively are partially assembled rear perspective view and front perspective view of the cable assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6  shows a partially assembled perspective view of the hardened connector of  FIG. 5  as part of a cable assembly showing one shell of the inner housing having a connector assembly receiving portion with an extended length cavity so the ferrule assembly of mechanical splice connector assembly may translate rearward as needed. 
         FIG. 6A  shows a partially assembled perspective view of another hardened connector for a cable assembly similar to  FIG. 5  showing one shell of the inner housing that receives the ferrule assembly only when the cam of the mechanical splice connector assembly is in a clamping orientation within the extended length cavity. 
         FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of an explanatory mechanical splice connector assembly used in the hardened connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 8-15  depict steps for assembling the hardened connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIGS. 16 and 17  depict another fiber optic cable that may be used with the hardened connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of another explanatory cable assembly comprising a hardened connector comprising a mechanical splice connector assembly according to the concepts of the present application. 
         FIG. 19  is a partially exploded view of an explanatory cable assembly with a mechanical splice connector assembly used in the hardened connector similar to  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 20  is a longitudinal sectional view of the cable assembly of  FIG. 19 . 
         FIGS. 21 and 22  are perspective views of a first shell and a second shell of the cable assembly of  FIG. 19  showing internal details of the shells. 
         FIGS. 23A and 23B  are close-up perspective views of the first shell of  FIG. 21 . 
         FIGS. 24A and 24B  are close-up perspective views of the second shell of  FIG. 22 . 
         FIGS. 25 and 26  are close-up perspective views of a rear portion of the second shell and a prepared cable placed into the rear portion of the second shell, respectively. 
         FIG. 27  is a top view showing the second shell and a prepared cable with its mechanical splice connector assembly attached placed into the second shell. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing the first and second shells with the prepared cable with its mechanical splice connector assembly attached. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing the first and second shells disposed about the prepared cable with its mechanical splice connector assembly attached with the crimp band positioned on a rearward portion of the first and second shells along with an optional insert disposed about the cable. 
         FIG. 30  is a longitudinal sectional view showing the first and second shells disposed about the prepared cable with its mechanical splice connector assembly attached and depicting a buckling zone formed by the first and second shells. 
         FIGS. 31 and 32  are close-up rear perspective views of a portion of a shroud, a cable sealing element and a pusher of  FIG. 19  in an unassembled state and an assembled state, respectively. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of another cable sealing element that may be used with a cable having a different profile for making the connector adaptable to other cable types. 
         FIGS. 34A-34C  are perspective views depicting a pre-assembly of a plurality of parts, thereby allowing the user to quickly and easily terminate a cable to the connector. 
         FIG. 34D  is a partial sectional view of  FIG. 34C  showing the arrangement of the pre-assembly with a cable attached thereto. 
         FIG. 35  is a top view of another explanatory cable assembly similar to  FIG. 18  that further includes a boot for cable bend-relief. 
         FIGS. 36A and 36B  are longitudinal sectional views of the cable assembly of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIGS. 37A-37E  are perspective views showing the assembly steps of the cable assembly of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37F  is a sectional view showing the advancement of the pusher to deform the cable sealing element about the cable during assembly and strain relieve the cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments. The concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein, rather, these embodiments are provided so that the disclosure will fully convey the scope of the concepts to those skilled in the art. The drawing are not necessarily drawn to scale but are configured to clearly illustrate the concepts. 
     The present application is directed to hardened optical connectors having a mechanical splice connector assembly. The mechanical splice connector assembly has a stub fiber that is mechanically spliced to an optical fiber of a cable (i.e., a field-fiber) by the user such as in the field. The mechanical splice connector assembly also includes other components for actuating and securing a mechanical splice between the stub fiber and the field fiber. Conventional prior art hardened connectors used connector assemblies that were attached directly to the optical waveguide of a fiber optic cable in a factory making them then ready for termination without further preparation by the user. 
     However, preconnectorized cable assembly  10  has some perceived disadvantages over factory prepared solutions such as coming in predetermined lengths and stocking and availability of several different lengths for installation. Thus, in many installations a longer preconnectorized cable assembly is selected and installed with the slack length of the cable of the preconnectorized cable assembly being either stored in a suitable manner such as a slack loop or the end of the cable is cut to length and the excess cable is thrown away. Many network operators would like to use bulk cable and install the hardened connector in the field to avoid the issues of slack storage or cutting the preconnectorized cable assembly to length and throwing away the excess. Thus, the concepts disclosed herein are advantageous over the prior art. 
       FIGS. 1 a -1 c    show the various stages during the mating of a hardened connector of the conventional prior art preconnectorized cable assembly  10  with a complimentary receptacle  30 . Unlike the concepts of the present application, the preconnectorized cable assembly  10  of the prior art does not provide a field-installable solution for the network operator, but instead is a factory terminated solution. A more detailed view of the prior art preconnectorized cable assembly  10  is provided with reference to  FIGS. 1-4  before turning toward a more detailed explanation of the concepts disclosed herein. 
     Specifically,  FIG. 1 a    shows receptacle  30  detached from preconnectorized cable assembly  10 . Moreover, preconnectorized assembly cable  10  and receptacle  30  are depicted with their respective protective caps on. Protective cap  6  is used for shielding a conventional connector assembly  5 , and in particular, the end face of a connector ferrule  5   b  from the elements and/or damage. Specifically, installed protective cap  6  isolates connector ferrule  5   b  from the elements and prevents it from being damaged during transportation and handling.  FIG. 1 b    shows protective cap  6  removed from the end of the hardened connector preconnectorized cable assembly  10 . Likewise, the respective cap of receptacle  30  is also removed. Preconnectorized cable assembly  10  is positioned to engage the complimentary portions of receptacle  30 . Specifically, alignment indicia  8  of preconnectorized cable assembly  10  is positioned to its complementary indicia  30   c  of receptacle  30 .  FIG. 1 c    shows a mated connection between the preconnectorized cable assembly  10  and receptacle  30 , thereby making an optical connection therebetween. This factory prepared cable assembly  10  does not require special equipment, training, or skill is required to make the optical connection. Thus, the labor cost of deploying the optical network to the premises is cost effective and efficient, but it does not provide the flexibility for the user on cable length. 
       FIGS. 2-4  show further details of the conventional prior art preconnectorized cable assembly  10 .  FIG. 2  depicts an exploded view of conventional preconnectorized cable assembly  10  showing cable  40 ′ as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,674 and the components of conventional hardened connector  50 . Cable  40 ′ is disclosed with an optional toning lobe, but other cables are possible. As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the prior art hardened connector  50  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 . Hardened connector  50  also includes a crimp assembly (not numbered) that includes a crimp housing having at least one half-shell  55   a  and a crimp band  54 , a shroud  60  having an O-ring  59 , a coupling nut  64 , a cable boot  66 , a heat shrink tube  67 , and a protective cap  68  secured to boot  66  by a wire assembly  69 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  depict partially assembled portions of conventional prior art preconnectorized cable assembly  10  showing the process of attaching the crimp assembly to cable  40 ′.  FIG. 3  shows cable  40 ′ having strength members  45  (not visible) cut flush with the stripped back jacket  48 , thereby exposing the two GRP strength components  44  and optical component  42  from the end of cable  40 ′. The conventional connector assembly  52  can then be attached to the optical waveguide using an adhesive for securing the ferrule  52   b  to the optical waveguide before cleaving and polishing the ferrule/optical waveguide in the factory assembly process. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cable assembly  100  comprising a hardened connector  150  comprising a mechanical splice connector assembly  152  according to the concepts of the present application. Hardened connector  150  is similar to the hardened connector shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , but uses a mechanical splice connector assembly  152  ( FIG. 7 ) so the craft may terminate the hardened connector in the field such as on an end of a bulk cable.  FIG. 5  depicts an assembled hardened connector  150  terminated to a fiber optic cable  140 , which is similar to the fiber optic cable  40 ′. 
     Although hardened connector  150  is depicted as having a package with an OptiTap® connector footprint such as available from Corning Optical Communications LLC of Hickory, N.C. to explain the concepts, the concepts disclosed may have a package that uses any suitable hardened connector footprint such as a DLX footprint or a FastConnect footprint as desired by using different components for the hardened connector interface/package.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  respectively are partially-assembled rear perspective view and front perspective view of the cable assembly  100  of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a partially assembled perspective view of the hardened connector  150  as part of cable assembly  100  showing one shell  155   a  of an inner housing  155  formed by two shells (i.e., the two shells are the same part, but could be configured as two different parts) having a connector assembly receiving portion with an extended length cavity  157 EC so the ferrule assembly of mechanical splice connector assembly may translate rearward as needed. The inner housing  155  with the connector assembly receiving portion  157  with the extended length that is sized so that the ferrule assembly of  170  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  has an extended rearward cavity so the ferrule assembly  170  has a space to translate when in an unmated state. The extended length cavity  157 EC of the connector assembly receiving portion also provides a longer length for any buckling of the field optical waveguide  146  that may occur during translation upon mating with a complimentary device. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 6 , shell  155   a  includes a first end  155   b  with a cavity for securing the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  and a second end  155   c  with a cavity and shape that aids in securing the cable  140  and provides strain relief. Additionally, shell  155   a  includes a cable clamping portion at second end  155   c  and a connector assembly receiving portion  157  at first end  155   b . As depicted, the connector assembly receiving portion  157  generally conforms with the profile of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 , but the connector assembly receiving portion with an extended length cavity  157 EC at the rear allows for rearward movement of the ferrule assembly of the mechanical splice connector assembly as needed when mated with a complimentary device or connector. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a partially assembled perspective view of another hardened connector for a cable assembly similar to  FIG. 5  showing one shell  155   a ′ of the inner housing that receives the ferrule assembly only when the cam  158  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  is in a clamping orientation within the extended length cavity  157 EC. By allowing the cam  158  of mechanical splice connector to fit into the extended length cavity  157 EC only when in the clamping position, it reduces the risk that the hardened connector is not assembled correctly by the user. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 12 , the inner housing  155  of the hardened connector  150  may be secured by a crimp band  154 , but other suitable constructions are possible such as using an adhesive or the like. In this embodiment, inner housing  155  comprises two half-shells  155   a  that are held together by crimp band  154  once the cable assembly  100  having the hardened connector  150  is assembled. Inner housing  155  is configured for securing mechanical splice connector assembly  52  as well as providing strain relief to cable  140 . The inner housing  155  may secure the connector body  152   a  of mechanical splice connector assembly  150  in any suitable manner and allow the ferrule assembly  170  to translate according to the concepts disclosed. 
     Although, the term half-shell is used, it is to be understood that it means suitable shells and includes shells that are greater than or less than half of the inner housing formed by shells  155   a . Crimp band  154  is preferably made from brass, but other suitable crimpable materials may be used. This advantageously results in a relatively compact connector arrangement using fewer components. Moreover, the crimp band  154  allows the craft to assemble hardened connector  150  to cable  140  to be assembled quickly and easily in a familiar manner. Of course, other embodiments are possible according to the concepts disclosed such as using an adhesive for securing the shells together. 
     A longitudinal axis A-A is formed between first end  155   b  and second end  155   c  near the center of inner housing  155 , through which a portion of a longitudinal passage is formed. When assembled, optical fiber  146  of cable  140  passes through the longitudinal passage and enters the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  for abutting the stub fiber  152   c  held in a bore of ferrule  152   b.    
     In this embodiment, cable clamping portion  156  has two outboard half-pipe passageways  156   a  and a central half-pipe passageway  156   b  that is generally disposed along longitudinal axis A-A. Half-pipe passageways  156   a  and  156   b  preferably include at least one rib  156   c  for securely gripping or clamping optical component  142  and strength components  144  of cable  140  after crimp band  154  is crimped, thereby securing the components. Although, half-pipe passageways  156   a  and  156   b  are sized for the components of cable  140 , the passageways can be sized for different cable configurations. Likewise, half-shell  155   a  has a connector assembly receiving portion  157  that is sized for attaching connector assembly  152 . Specifically, connector assembly receiving portion  157  has a half-pipe passageway  157   a  that opens into and connects central half-pipe passageway  156   b  and a partially rectangular passageway for accommodating the connector housing. Half-pipe passageway is sized for securing components of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . Rectangular passageway  157   b  receives a portion of connector body  152   a  therein and inhibits the rotation between connector assembly  152  and the inner housing  155 . The inner housing  155  with the connector assembly receiving portion comprising extended length cavity  157 EC may be sized for any suitable mechanical splice connector assembly such as an SC mechanical splice connector assembly similar to the OptiSnap® available from Corning Optical Communications LLC, however, any suitable mechanical splice connector assembly may be used such as LC, ST, FC, MT or the like. 
       FIG. 7  is a partially exploded view of an explanatory mechanical splice connector assembly  152  comprising a ferrule assembly  170  having a stub optical fiber  152   c  secured to a ferrule  152   b  that is used in hardened connector  150 . Mechanical splice connector assemblies can have different designs, configurations and/or components for making a mechanical splice between a stub optical fiber secured to a ferrule and the field optical fiber inserted into the hardened connector  150 . 
     In this embodiment, mechanical splice connector assembly  152  comprises a connector body  152   a  and a ferrule assembly  170 . Ferrule assembly  170  comprises a ferrule  152   b  having a stub fiber  152   c  secured thereto and extending from the rear. The end face of the ferrule  152   b  and the fiber end are factory polished and the stub fiber  152   c  is used for making a mechanical splice with a field fiber that is inserted into the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  by the user. Alignment of the stub fiber  152   c  and the field fiber is accomplished using splice components  153  that are inserted into ferrule holder  154 . The ferrule assembly of the mechanical splice connector assembly may use any suitable actuation member for aligning and securing the one or more splice components. Typically, the actuation member is moved from an open position for inserting the field optical fiber to a clamping position for aligning and securing the field optical fiber with the stub optical fiber. Actuation members may be one or more clamps, wedges, cams or the like for pushing the one or more splice components together for clamping the stub fiber in alignment with the field fiber for optical communication therebetween. 
     As depicted in the explanatory embodiment, a cam  158  having an eccentric profile on the through passageway is used for pushing the splice components  153  together after a field fiber is inserted into and aligned with the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . The mechanical splice connector assembly may also include a lead-in tube  151 , a spring  156 , a spring push  157  and a heat shrink (not numbered) for securing the fiber to the connector assembly as desired. 
       FIGS. 8-15  depict steps for assembling the hardened connector  150  on cable  140 .  FIG. 8  shows portions of hardened connector  150  slid onto the cable  140 . Specifically, a crimp band  154 , a shroud  160  having one or more O-rings  159 , a coupling nut  164 , a cable boot  166 , and a heat shrink tube  167  are slid onto cable  140  as shown. Portions may be preassembled to simply installation for the user. For instance, the shroud  160 , coupling nut  164 , O-rings  159  and heat shrink tube  167  may be preassembled so that the user can easily slide the pre-assembled components onto the cable  140 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts cable  140  prepared for termination by hardened connector  150  by stripping the cable jacket and cleaving the optical fiber. In this embodiment, cable  140  is a flat dielectric cable having an optical component  142  such as a buffer tube, at least one strength component  144 , and a jacket  148 . In this cable, strength components  144  are two glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) strength components and optical component  142  has an optical waveguide  146  disposed within a buffer tube  143 . Cable  140  may also optionally include other components such as strength members to provide additional tensile strength, ripcords, toning element, etc. as desired. As used herein, the term “strength component” means the strength element has anti-bucking strength, while the term “strength member” means a strength element lacks anti-buckling strength. Furthermore, the term “tensile element” means either a strength component or a strength member. Cable  40  is an all-dielectric design, but other cables having conductive components such as steel strength components may be used with the disclosed concepts. Of course, other cables may be used with the concepts of the present invention. Moreover, other suitable mechanical splice connector assemblies may be used with suitable cables according to the concepts of the present invention, thereby resulting in numerous cable/connector combinations. 
     Cable  140  is prepared so that the optical waveguide  146 , optical component  142 , and strength components  144  extend a suitable length beyond the end of cable jacket  148  as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 10  depicts the optical waveguide  146  attached to the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . The cleaved optical waveguide  146  is inserted into the lead-in tube  155  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  until the optical waveguide  146  abuts the stub optical fiber  152   c . Once properly aligned and positioned, the user can activate the splice assembly by rotating cam  158  in this embodiment of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . Tools are available that can help the uninitiated attach a mechanical splice connector. By way of example, a user may use a Pretium OptiSnap installation tool to verify the optical performance of the mechanical splice. Some mechanical splice connector assemblies may have one or more translucent components such as a translucent splice parts  153 , ferrule holder  154  and/or cam  158  for verifying the continuity of the splice. By way of explanation, a VFL tool launches visible light into the mechanical splice and when the visible light excessively scatters the light is leaking from the mechanical splice; however, when the glow diminishes the mechanical splice between the stub fiber and field-fiber is transmitting light at the splice point indicating a quality connection and lower splice losses at which point the mechanical splice may be secured. 
       FIG. 11  depicts the assembly of  FIG. 10  having mechanical splice connector assembly  152  and cable  140  positioned in a first shell  155   a  of hardened connector  150 . The alignment of the two shells  155   a  is accomplished by inserting pins  157   c  into complementary bores  157   d  between the two shells.  FIG. 12  shows both shells  155   a  of inner housing  155  disposed about cable  140  before crimp band  154  is installed by deforming the crimp band  154  about inner housing  155 .  FIG. 12 a    depicts the connector body  152   a  secured to inner housing  155  for inhibiting movement of the same. In this embodiment, inner housing comprises a plurality of latches  155 L that cooperate with complimentary openings (not numbered) on connector body  152   a . More specifically, each shell  155   a  comprises a latch  155 L and the connector body  152   a  has openings on opposite sides for securing the connector housing as shown, but other constructions are possible for securing the connector body  152   a  with the inner housing  155 . 
     Crimp band  154  provides a robust attachment, but other attachment means could alternatively be used or additionally be used. For instance, shells may include one or more bores (not visible) that lead to one of half-pipe passageways  156   a  or  156   b . Bores allow for inserting an adhesive, epoxy or the like into the inner housing  155 , thereby providing a secure connection for strain relief. 
     Shells  155   a  may be symmetric only requiring one component or different right and left shells may be used as desired.  FIG. 6  shows the inner surface of one shell  155   a . In this case, only one shell  155   a  is used since the same symmetrical shells are used for both portions of inner housing  155 . In other embodiments there may be a first shell and a second shell, which are different. For instance, one shell may have all of the alignment pins, rather than each shell having both alignment pins and bores. 
     After the inner housing  155  is attached to the sub-assembly of  FIG. 10 , the inner housing assembly may mate with any suitable hardened connector package such as shroud  160 . Shroud  160 , coupling nut  164  and heat shrink  167  that were previously threaded onto cable  140  may be slid forward so that the inner housing is at least partially disposed in shroud  160  as shown in  FIG. 13 . Thereafter, the heat shrink may be applied for weatherproofing as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     Additionally, inner housing  155  is keyed to direct the insertion of the assembly into shroud  160  as best shown in  FIG. 5B . In this case, shells  155   a  include planar surfaces  157   e  ( FIG. 6 ) on opposites sides of inner housing  155  at a first end  155   b  to inhibit relative rotation between inner housing  155  and shroud  160 . In other embodiments, the inner housing may be keyed to the shroud using other configurations such as a complementary protrusion/groove or the like. 
     The hardened connector may optionally include other components as desired. By way of example, any suitable means may be used for retaining the coupling nut  164  in a forward position on the shroud  160  while still allowing rotation. For instance, a detent, snap ring or the like may be used for retaining the coupling nut to the shroud.  FIG. 14A  depicts a snap ring  163  disposed on a portion of the shroud  160 . For instance, snap ring  163  may be disposed in a groove (not numbered) disposed on a portion of shroud  160  when assembled for seating the snap ring  163 . Snap ring  163  may simplifying the assembly of the connector by allowing the sliding the coupling nut  164  over the shroud  160  until snap ring  163  seats in the groove to secure the coupling nut  164  while still allowing rotation about the shroud  160 . Other embodiments may use a lanyard for a protective dust cap or the like for keeping the coupling nut  164  in a forward position. Further, components of the hardened connector pre-assembled for simplifying assembly of the hardened connector by the user. As depicted in  FIG. 14B , one or more O-rings  159  and snap ring  163  are preassembled to the shroud  160 . Pre-assembling the snap ring  163  with the shroud  160  also allows the coupling nut  164  and heat shrink  167  to be pre-assembled for easing final assembly of the hardened connector by user. 
     Returning to  FIG. 13 , shroud  160  has a generally cylindrical shape with a first end  160   a  and a second end  160   b . Shroud generally protects front end of mechanical splice connector assembly  152  and in preferred embodiments also keys hardened connector  150  with the respective mating receptacle or device. Moreover, shroud  160  includes a through passageway between first and second ends  160   a  and  160   b . As discussed, the passageway of shroud  160  is keyed so that inner housing  155  is inhibited from rotating when hardened connector  150  is assembled. Additionally, the passageway may have an internal shoulder (not numbered) that inhibits the inner housing from being inserted beyond a predetermined position. 
     First end  160   a  of shroud  160  includes at least one opening (not numbered) defined by shroud  160 . The at least one opening extends from a medial portion of shroud  160  to first end  160   a . In this case, shroud  160  includes a pair of openings on opposite sides of first end  160   a , thereby defining alignment portions or fingers  161   a ,  161   b . In addition to aligning shroud  160  with receptacle during mating, alignment fingers  161   a ,  161   b  may extend slightly beyond the ferrule end of mechanical splice connector assembly  152 , thereby protecting the same. As shown, alignment fingers  161   a ,  161   b  may have different shapes so hardened connector  150  and its complimentary device  30  only mate in one orientation. In preferred embodiments, this orientation is marked on shroud  160  using alignment indicia  160   c  so that the craftsman can quickly and easily mate the hardened connector. In this case, alignment indicia  160   c  is an arrow molded into the top alignment finger of shroud  160 , however, other suitable indicia may be used. Then, the arrow may be aligned with complimentary alignment indicia disposed on the complimentary device so that alignment fingers  161   a ,  161   b  have the proper orientation during mating. Thereafter, the craftsman engages the external threads of coupling nut  164  with the complimentary internal threads for making the optical connection. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 5A and 10 , a major axis of the fiber optic cable  140  is arranged in a generally vertical orientation with respect to the longitudinal symmetrical plane of mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . The major axis of fiber optic cable  140  is also oriented to generally pass through the alignment portions or fingers  161   a ,  161   b  of shroud  160 . Inner housing  155  may have a round portion at the rear portion  155   r  and is keyed at a front portion  155   f  to allow rotation of the inner housing  155  when locating the proper keying to shroud  160 .  FIG. 5B  depicts the complementary protrusion  155   p  of inner housing  155  engaging the respective groove  169  of the shroud  160  for orienting the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  with the different shaped alignment fingers  161   a ,  161   b  of shroud  160 . 
     In this case, the mating between the hardened connector and the receptacle is secured using a threaded engagement, but other suitable means of securing the optical connection are possible for other hardened packages. For instance, the securing means for the hardened connector may use a quarter-turn lock, a quick release, a push-pull latch, or a bayonet configuration as desired. 
     A medial portion of shroud  160  has one or more groove (not numbered) for seating one or more O-rings  159 . O-ring  159  provides a weatherproof seal between hardened connector  150  and a complimentary device such as a receptacle or protective cap. The medial portion also includes a shoulder  160   d  that provides a forward stop for coupling nut  164 . Coupling nut  164  has a passageway sized so that it fits over the second end  160   b  of shroud  160  and easily rotates about the medial portion of shroud  160 . In other words, coupling nut  164  cannot move beyond shoulder  160   d , but coupling nut  64  is able to rotate with respect to shroud  60 . Second end  160   b  of shroud  160  may also include a stepped down portion having a relatively wide groove. This stepped down portion and groove may be used for securing heat shrink tubing  167 . Heat shrink tubing  167  is used for weatherproofing the hardened connector to the cable. 
     After the heat shrink tubing  167  is attached, boot  166  is slid over heat shrink tubing  67  and a portion of shroud  160  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Boot  166  is preferably formed from a flexible material such as KRAYTON. Heat shrink tubing  167  and boot  166  provide bending strain relief to the cable near hardened connector  150 . Boot  166  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  160  and heat shrink tubing  167 . The first end of the boot passageway has a stepped down portion sized for cable  140 . 
     Generally speaking, most of the components of hardened connector  150  are formed from a suitable polymer. Preferably, the polymer is a UV stabilized polymer such as ULTEM 2210 available from Sabic; however, other suitable materials are possible. For instance, stainless steel or any other suitable metal may be used for various components. 
     The described explanatory embodiment provides an optical connection that can easily be made in the field by the user. Additionally, the optical connection of the hardened connector  150  is easily connected or disconnected by merely mating or unmating the hardened connector  150  with the respective receptacle or other device by threadly engaging or disengageing coupling nut  164 . Thus, the hardened connector of the present application allow deployment of optical waveguides toward the subscriber or other locations in an easy and economical manner, without having to store cable slack or cut and throw away cable. Furthermore, the concepts disclosed may be practiced with other fiber optic cables, connectors and/or other mechanical splice connector assembly configurations. 
     By way of example,  FIGS. 16 and 17  depict another fiber optic cable  140 ′ that may be used with the hardened connector  150 . Specifically,  FIG. 16  shows a cable  140 ′ prepared for connectorization and  FIG. 17  shows strength members  143  such as aramid yarns being positioned about outer barrel  1550  of inner housing  155  before installing crimp band  154 . Of course other techniques are possible for securing strength members  143 , but using this technique allows one configuration of inner housing  151  to accommodate several different types of cables. Thereafter, the assembly of hardened connector  150  is completed in a similar manner as disclosed herein. 
     Hardened connectors may also terminate more than one optical waveguide. A plurality of optical waveguide can be arranged loosely, disposed in a ribbon, or bundlized. For instance, a cable may have more than one optical waveguide therein. An inner housing suitable for securing more than one mechanical splice connector assembly is possible. Likewise, the shells of inner housing may be non-symmetrical to handle other cable designs. Furthermore, inner housings may hold one or more multi-fiber ferrules. 
     Additionally, the hardened connectors may also have electrical power components that are connected and disconnected through the hardened connector. 
     Still other variations of hardened connectors are possible according to the concepts disclosed herein. By way of explanation, hardened connectors may also include features for influencing the location of fiber bow or buckling when the ferrule assembly of the mechanical splice connector assembly moves rearward. Hardened connectors may also include features or components for sealing the cable to the connector or providing cable strain relief. Still further, hardened connectors may comprise a pre-assembly of components for ease of installation/termination of the hardened connector by the user. 
       FIG. 18  depicts is a top view of another explanatory cable assembly  100 ′ similar to cable assembly  100 . Cable assembly  100 ′ comprises another hardened connector  150  comprising a mechanical splice connector assembly  152  (not visible in  FIG. 18 ) that is similar the hardened connector  150  of  FIG. 5  using some similar components, but also uses some different components. Like the hardened connector  150  of  FIG. 5 , the hardened connector  150  of  FIG. 18  allows the user to terminate the hardened connector  150  in the field such as on an end of a bulk cable such as cable  140  for providing a tailored cable length for the cable assembly. Moreover, the hardened connector of  FIG. 18  allows the user the flexibility of using other fiber optic cable designs with the connector as desired by changing one or more components or termination techniques. 
       FIG. 19  is a partially exploded view of an explanatory cable assembly  100 ′ similar to  FIG. 18  comprising hardened connector  150  with a mechanical splice connector assembly  152  similar to the mechanical splice connector assembly shown in  FIG. 7 . Cable assembly  100 ′ also comprises fiber optic cable  140  that can be terminated to mechanical splice connector assembly  152  by a user in the field. However, the hardened connector  150  is adaptable for use with other cables as desired. 
     Hardened connector  150  of  FIG. 19  comprises an inner housing  255  that is similar to inner housing  155 . Inner housing  255  comprises at least two shells  255   a ,  255   b  having a longitudinal passageway (not numbered) for passing at least one optical waveguide  12  therethrough from a first end  155   b  to a second end  155   c , at least one cable clamping portion at second end  155   c , and a connector assembly receiving portion  157  at a first end  155   b , and the connector assembly receiving portion  157  comprises an extended length cavity  157 EC. The connector assembly receiving portion  157  generally conforms with the profile of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 , and the connector assembly receiving portion  157  has an extended length cavity  157 EC at the rear allowing for rearward movement of the ferrule assembly  170  of the mechanical splice connector assembly as discussed herein. Hardened connector  150  also comprises mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . Mechanical splice connector assembly  152  comprises connector body  152   a  and a ferrule assembly  170  having stub optical fiber  152   c  secured to ferrule  152   b  and may have any suitable configuration as discussed. 
     When assembled, a portion of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  is secured to the inner housing  255  so that the ferrule assembly  170  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  can move rearward into the extended length cavity  257 EC when displaced rearward such as during mating with a complimentary connector. Mechanical splice connector assembly  152  may include the other features/components as discussed herein. 
     Hardened connector  150  of  FIG. 19  also comprises a crimp band  154  for holding the two shells  255   a ,  255   b  together when assembled, a shroud  260  similar to shroud  160 , a coupling nut  164 , a cable sealing element  210 , a pusher  220 , a rear nut  230  and a cable bend relief  240 . However, other embodiments of hardened connector  150  are possible and may use fewer or more components as desired. Other variations of the components for the hardened connector  150  are also possible according to the concepts disclosed. By way of explanation, hardened connectors  150  may use other cable sealing elements for different cable types or profiles. 
       FIG. 20  is a longitudinal sectional view of the cable assembly  100 ′ depicted in an assembled state. As depicted, first shell  255   a  and second shell  255   b  cooperate to form a bow zone BZ along the longitudinal passage formed by inner housing  255 . More specifically, first shell  255   a  comprises a bow geometry BG for aiding the initiation of a bow in the optical waveguide  146  as needed, and second shell  255   b  comprises a bow cavity BC for providing a space for the bow in optical waveguide  146  to occupy. Inner housing  255  also includes an extended length cavity  257 EC at the rear allowing for rearward movement of the ferrule assembly  170  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 . Further, cam  158  of mechanical splice connector  152  may be allowed to only fit into the extended length cavity  157 EC only when in the clamping position for securing the optical waveguide  146 , thereby reducing the risk that the hardened connector  150  is not assembled correctly by the user. 
     Bow zone BZ provides a suitable cavity for an optical waveguide  146  of fiber optic cable  140  to bow and move without making significant contact with an inner surface of the longitudinal passageway of inner housing  255 . Further, the bow zone BZ can provide a slight pre-bow for influencing the location of the bow and the bow profile as the optical waveguide  146  as the ferrule assembly of the mechanical splice connector assembly moves rearward during mating. Consequently, the optical performance of the optical waveguide  146  may be preserved. By way of example, the bow zone BZ may have a length in the range of 15-22 millimeters, but other lengths may be possible as well. 
     By way of explanation, first shell  255   a  comprises a bow geometry BG with a profile designed to initiate a bow in the optical waveguide  146  when in the relaxed state to influence the formation of the fiber bow, and second shell  255   b  comprises a bow cavity BC for providing a space for the fiber bow to occupy without having undue contact with the longitudinal passageway of inner housing  255 . For instance, the bow geometry BG may be a bow ramp that projects toward the longitudinal axis A-A of the inner housing for initiating a bow in optical waveguide  146 . In one explanatory embodiment, the bow ramp extends to the longitudinal axis A-A of the inner housing  255 . Further, the bow ramp may be curvilinear so that no sharp surfaces are present. 
       FIGS. 21 and 22  are perspective views of first shell  255   a  and second shell  255   b  showing internal details of the respective shells.  FIGS. 23A and 23B  are close-up perspective views of the first shell  255   a  and  FIGS. 24A and 24B  are close-up perspective views of the second shell  255   b . With continuing reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 , shells  255   a ,  255   b  include respective first ends  155   b  with cavity for securing the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  and respective second ends  155   c  with a cavity and shape that aids in securing the cable  140  and for providing strain relief to the cable when assembled. Specifically, shells  255   a ,  255   b  comprise a cable clamping portion at second ends  155   c  and connector assembly receiving portions  157  at first ends  155   b . As depicted, the connector assembly receiving portion  157  generally conforms with the profile of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 , but the connector assembly receiving portion with an extended length cavity  157 EC at the rear allows for rearward movement of the ferrule assembly of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  as needed when mated with a complementary connector. 
     Inner housing  255  may comprise one or more latches  255 R ( FIG. 21 ) that cooperate with complimentary openings or features (not numbered) on connector body  152   a . More specifically, shells  255   a  each comprise a latch  255 R and the connector body  152   a  has openings on opposite sides for securing the connector housing as best shown in  FIG. 28 , but other constructions are possible for securing the connector body  152   a  with the inner housing  255 . 
       FIGS. 25 and 26  are close-up perspective views of a rear portion of the second shell  255   a  and a prepared cable  140  placed into the rear portion of the second shell, respectively. Shells may have any suitable shape/geometry to accommodate the desired cable configuration. In this embodiment, cable clamping portion  156  has two outboard half-pipe passageways  156   a  and a central half-pipe passageway  156   b  that is generally disposed adjacent to longitudinal axis A-A. Half-pipe passageways  156   a  and  156   b  may include at least one rib (not visible) for securely gripping or clamping optical component  142  and strength components  144  of cable  140  after crimp band  154  is crimped, thereby securing the components. Although, half-pipe passageways  156   a  and  156   b  are sized for the components of cable  140 , the passageways can be sized for different cable configurations. Likewise, shells  255   a ,  255   b  comprises connector assembly receiving portion  157  that is sized for attaching connector assembly  152  as discussed herein. The inner housing  255  with the connector assembly receiving portion comprising extended length cavity  157 EC may be sized for any suitable mechanical splice connector assembly and may be used with multifiber mechanical splice connector assemblies as desired. 
       FIG. 27  is a top view showing a partially assembled hardened connector  150  having the second shell  255   b  and a prepared fiber optic cable  140  with its mechanical splice connector assembly  140  attached placed into the second shell. The shells  255   a ,  255   b  of the inner housing  255  may be configured to receive the ferrule assembly only when the cam  158  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  is in a clamping orientation within the extended length cavity  157 EC. By allowing the cam  158  of mechanical splice connector to fit into the extended length cavity  157 EC only when in the clamping position, it reduces the risk that the hardened connector is not assembled correctly by the user. Longitudinal axis A-A is formed between first end  155   b  and second end  155   c  near the center of inner housing  255 , through which a portion of a longitudinal passage is formed. When assembled as best shown in  FIG. 26 , optical fiber  146  of cable  140  passes through the longitudinal passage and enters the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  for abutting the stub fiber  152   c  held in a bore of ferrule  152   b.    
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing the first shell  255   a  holding the prepared cable  140  with its mechanical splice connector assembly  152  attached and ready to have second shell  255   b  placed upon about the sub-assembly. As depicted, the connector body  152   a  is secured to the first shell  255   a  by latches  255 R. As second shell  255   b  is aligned and placed onto first shell  255   a , alignment arms  255 AA of second shells cooperate with alignment channels  255 AC for securing the respective first ends  155   b  of the shells  255   a ,  255   b  (best shown in  FIGS. 23B and 24B ). When the shells  255   a ,  255   b  are placed together a small gap G ( FIG. 37C ) exists between the shells at a rear portion so that the shells can be pushed together and clamp onto the tensile elements  144  such as glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) members for strain-relieving the cable  140  to the inner housing  255 . 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing the first shell  255   a  and second shells  255   b  disposed about the prepared cable  140  and the crimp band  154  (which was previously threaded onto cable  140 ) positioned on a rearward portion of the inner housing  255  before being crimped for securing the shells. 
       FIG. 30  is a longitudinal sectional view showing the first and second shells  255   a ,  255   b  disposed about the prepared cable  140  and depicting the bow zone BZ.  FIG. 30  also depicts a portion of a transverse bore B formed by shells  255   a ,  255   b  (also see  FIG. 29 ). Transverse bore B acts as a demarcation location for the optical waveguide  146  as it passes into the bow zone BZ. The transverse bore b also provides a flex location for the cable clamping region for the inner housing  255  where the crimp band  154  may deflect rearward portions of the shells  255   a ,  255   b  together when deformed for providing cable strain relief between the cable and the hardened connector  150  as discussed in more detail below. Hardened connectors may also optionally include an insert  250  disposed between cable  140  and the rear portions of inner housing  255  for inhibiting damage to the inner housing  255  or providing a secure grip onto the cable  140  when deforming crimp band  154 . Insert  250  may be formed from any suitably hard material such as a metal or hard polymer. 
       FIGS. 31 and 32  are close-up rear perspective views of a portion of shroud  260 , cable sealing element  210  and a pusher  220  in an unassembled state and an assembled state, respectively. The components act to aid in sealing the cable entry into the rear portion of hardened connector  150 . Generally speaking, the cable sealing element  210  has a passageway  210 P for receiving cable  140  therethrough and is deformed between the rear end of shroud  260  and the pusher  220  when fully-seated for sealing the cable entry. 
     To accomplish the sealing, cable sealing element  210  is formed from a suitable material and geometry so that is adequately seals about the cable over the desired temperature range when sufficiently deformed. By way of example, for outdoor applications the desired temperature range for sealing may be −40 to 75° C.; however, other suitable temperature ranges are possible such as for an indoor rated connector or a high-temperature rated connector. 
     Examples of materials for the cable sealing element  210  may be silicone or other rubber-like sealing materials that may be suitably elastic and have the desired material properties. For instance, it may be desirable to choose a material for the cable sealing element  210  that has a suitable low-compression set and flexibility over a wide range of temperatures. Porosity of the cable sealing element material or other features may provide other desirable features to maintain the sealing over the desired temperature range and lifespan of the hardened connector. 
     In this embodiment, shroud  260  has a chambered end  260 C that receives cable sealing element  210  therein along with a longitudinal passageway (not numbered) for receiving the cable  140  therethrough. The longitudinal passageway of shroud  260  may have a shape that is tailored to the outer profile of the cable  140  to aid in the area that must be sealed. Chambered end  260 C has a threaded portion  260 T with a plurality of flat portions  260 F; however, other variations are possible. Each flat portion  260 F of shroud  260  has a lug or protrusion  260 L that cooperates with the latch or window  220 L on pusher  220  for aligning and initial engagement of the pusher  220  with the rear portion of the shroud  260 . 
     Pusher  220  comprises a longitudinal passageway  220 P for receiving cable  140  therethrough. Longitudinal passageway  220 P may be tailored to the outer profile of cable  140  as desired. Pusher  220  also has one or more arms  220 A that cooperate with shroud  260 . Pusher  220  also includes a protrusion portion  220 P that extends into the chambered end  260 C of shroud  260 . Consequently, when assembled, the cable sealing element  210  is trapped between the chambered end  260 C and the protrusion portion  220 P that is snap-fitted to shroud  260  using the engagement between the latch  220 L on pusher  220  and the lugs  260 L on shroud  260  as depicted in  FIG. 32 . The geometry and materials can be advantageously selected so that the cable  140  may still be easily inserted through the pusher  220 , cable sealing element  210  and shroud  260  during initial engagement as shown in  FIG. 32 , but still provide adequate sealing when the pusher is fully-engaged during assembly. 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view of another cable sealing element  210 ′ with passageway  210 P that may be used with hardened connector  150  for sealing cable  140 . Hardened connector  150  may accommodate other cable profiles or types by using cable sealing elements with passageways having other shapes or outer profiles for cable sealing. Likewise, the passageway of the pusher  220  or the rear passageway of shroud  260  may be modified to accommodate other cable profiles or types as desired. Further, the geometry of the protrusion portion  220 P of pusher  220  and/or the geometry of the chambered portion  260 C of shroud  260  may be modified for other cable profiles of types as desired. By way of explanation, the geometry or shapes could be adapted for sealing a round cable using the components. Further, round cables could have other constructions for securing tensile elements such as aramid yarns such as securing at least one of the plurality of tensile elements of the cable between an outer barrel formed by the at least two shells and a crimp band such as depicted in  FIG. 17 . 
     Using the cable sealing element  210 , pusher  220  and shroud  260  advantageously allows pre-assembling a plurality of components for use in a bag of parts for the hardened connector, thereby simplifying the assembly of the connector by the user.  FIGS. 34A-34C  are perspective views depicting a pre-assembly of a plurality of parts for forming a pre-assembly of components  300  ( FIG. 34C ) for hardened connector  150 , thereby allowing the user to quickly and easily terminate a cable to the connector using the pre-assembly of components  300 .  FIG. 34D  is a partial sectional view of the pre-assembly of components  300  of  FIG. 34C  showing the arrangement of the pre-assembly components with cable attached  140  thereto and cable sealing member  210  deformed by pusher  220 . 
       FIG. 34A  depicts an exploded view of an explanatory pre-assembly of components  300 . Other pre-assembly of components according the concepts disclosed may include fewer or more components as desired or have different constructions.  FIG. 34B  depicts the O-ring  159  and coupling nut  164  attached to the shroud  260  as depicted. Coupling nut  164  may use a keeper such as a snap-ring or the like to inhibit it from sliding rearward while still allowing rotation of the coupling nut  164  about the shroud  260  for engaging the threads with a complimentary device such as a receptacle or the like. If used, the snap-ring could sit in an appropriate sized and positioned groove in the shroud and cooperate with the coupling nut  164 .  FIG. 34B  also shows that cable sealing element  210  can be positioned at the rear end of shroud  260  and then pusher  220  may be attached to the rear end of shroud  260 . Thereafter, rear nut  230  having an internal threaded portion ( FIG. 34D ) can be loosely attached to the rear end of shroud  260  by engaging threads  260 T disposed on shroud, thereby forming the pre-assembly of components  300 . By loosely threading rear nut  230  onto shroud  260 , the cable sealing element  210  is not appreciably deformed so that the cable  140  may be easily threaded onto cable  140  for quick assembly and termination by the user.  FIG. 34D  depicts rear nut  230  fully-seated to pusher  220  until a shoulder  230 S of rear nut  230  contacts pusher  220  inhibiting further tightening of rear nut  230 , thereby deforming cable sealing element  210  so that a suitable cable seal is formed. Consequently, the user can adequately seal the cable  140  to hardened connector  150  without the use of an epoxy or other like material, thereby making the field-termination of hardened connector quick, simple and reliable. Pusher  220  may comprise a reverse-funnel geometry at the rear portion as represented by the dashed lines depicted in  FIG. 34D  for cable bend-relief; however, other structures or components are also possible for providing cable bend-relief at the rear of the hardened connector. 
     Illustratively,  FIG. 35  is a top view of another explanatory cable assembly  100 ″ with hardened connector  150  similar to  FIG. 18  that further includes a boot  166  made of a suitable material for providing cable bend-relief.  FIGS. 36A and 36B  are longitudinal sectional views of the cable assembly  100 ″ showing the details of the design, which is similar to cable assembly  100 ′. 
     Also disclosed are methods of terminating hardened connectors  150  according to the concepts disclosed.  FIGS. 37A-37E  are perspective views showing the assembly steps of the cable assembly of  FIG. 35 . The necessary parts of the hardened connector may be threaded onto the cable  140  in the correct order. As shown in  FIG. 37A , boot  166 , pre-assembled components  300  and crimp band  154  are threaded onto cable  140 . The end portion of cable  140  is prepared for attachment to a mechanical splice connector assembly  152  as known in the art such as by removing a suitable portion of the cable jacket  148  to expose the tensile elements  144  and optical waveguide  146  of the cable  140  as depicted. Once exposed, the optical waveguide  146  may be stripped of its coatings and cleaved to an appropriate length for the desired mechanical splice connector assembly  152 .  FIG. 37B  depicts the mechanical splice connector assembly  152  after being optically coupled to the optical waveguide  146  of cable  140  for making the mechanical splice between optical waveguide  146  and the stub fiber  152   c  of the mechanical splice connector assembly  152 .  FIG. 37C  depicts the cable  140  and mechanical splice connector assembly  152  attached to the inner housing  255  comprising shells  255   a ,  255   b.    
       FIG. 37D  depicts the crimp band  154  being slid forward about the rear portion of inner housing  255  and being secured thereto by being deformed. In this embodiment, deforming the crimp band  154  pushes the rear portions of the shells  255   a , 255   b  together for squeezing the rear portions of the shells  255   a , 255   b  together about and closing the gap G, thereby clamping the shells to the tensile elements  144  of cable  140  such as GRP strength components, thereby strain-relieving the cable  140  to the inner housing  255 . Thereafter, the pre-assembly of components  300  may be slid forward onto the inner housing  255  as depicted in  FIG. 37E . In this embodiment, shroud  260  comprises a structure for securing the inner housing  255  with shroud  260  for inhibiting excessive movement. Specifically, shroud  260  comprises one or more securing features  260 W that secure the inner housing  255  to the shroud  260  (or the pre-assembly of components  300  including shroud  260 ). More specifically, inner housing  255  has inner housing locking feature  255 L that are secured cooperate with securing feature  260 W such as windows as depicted; however other geometries for securing the inner housing  255  with shroud  260  are possible. After sliding the pre-assembly of components  300  forward to secure it to the shroud, the rear nut  230  is still loosely engaged and does not significantly deform the cable sealing element  210 . Consequently, the rear nut  230  can be threaded tighter onto shroud  260  advancing pusher  220  forward until the cable sealing element  210  is adequately deformed.  FIG. 37F  is a sectional view showing the rear nut  230  tightened onto shroud  260  showing the advancement of the pusher  220  to deform the cable sealing element  210  about the cable  140 , thereby sealing the cable  140  to the hardened connector  150 . 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention, within the scope of the appended claims, will become apparent to a skilled artisan. Additionally, the present invention can include other suitable configurations, hybrid designs, structures and/or equipment. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein and that modifications and other embodiments may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described with reference to drop cables having FTTx applications, but the concepts disclosed are applicable to other suitable applications.