Patent Abstract:
An improved, reversibly terminable fiber stub connector assembly is provided that can be readily and positively terminated in the field using simple termination tools. This allows repositioning or replacement of fiber optic cable field fibers if termination is not acceptable in performance. The tool may be a hand-held tool, or used in conjunction with a connector support structure to provide simplified and expeditious field termination of fiber optic cables. The cam tool can include a throughbore that enables connection of a patchcord to the stub fiber of the connector during or shortly after termination without removal of the termination tool. Accordingly, field testing of the connection can be made at the site of termination.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/624,820 filed Nov. 4, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     A re-terminable LC connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable actuation system for termination of the assembly. An LC connector termination and cam tool enables ready assembly, termination and adjustment of the LC connector assembly. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Fiber optic networks are becoming increasingly commonplace in telecommunications applications due to their increased bandwidth and distance capabilities relative to copper networks. However, compared to copper systems, fiber optic cables and connections are well known for their more critical and difficult termination. 
     Alignment between abutted glass cores within a fiber optic interface is crucial to the performance of the connection. Additionally, field installation of standard “pot and finish” fiber optic connectors is extremely labor and expertise intensive. In most applications, an installer is required to prepare a fiber end, glue the fiber end in the connector, cleave the excess fiber from the endface of the connector, and polish the endface of the connector to obtain the optimum geometry for optical performance. Endface polishing is difficult and time-consuming step, particularly when using single mode fiber, which achieves best performance when using an automated polishing machine. However, automated polishing machines are often large and expensive, rendering them impractical for field use. 
     Fiber pigtail connectors were designed to eliminate the need for these lengthy steps. A pigtail connector is factory-prepared with a length of fiber. In the factory, precise polishing machines can be used to achieve a consistent polish. The endfaces can be inspected at the factory to ensure correct endface geometry for optimum performance. In the field, the installer splices a length of fiber to a cable by means of a fusion splicing machine. This eliminates much of the labor time, but requires the installer to purchase a fusion splicing machine and protective sleeve, which are also expensive. This type of connector requires extra storage for protection of the fusion splice. 
     Fiber stub connectors were designed to eliminate the need for fusion splicing equipment, splice protection, and lengthy termination steps. The fiber stub connector employs a short fiber stub that is spliced to the field fiber within the connector. Stub connectors typically require a crimp to either activate the splice or retain the field fiber, or both. However, the crimping operations, whether occurring at the interface point or at some other point to retain the field fiber, have a tendency to pull the field fiber and stub fiber apart, or otherwise damage the signal-passing function of the interface. 
     If the connection is found to be poor after the crimping occurs, the connector must be cut off because crimping is most often an irreversible operation. This wastes a stub fiber connector and a length of fiber optic cable and requires a new connector and fiber optical cable end to be terminated. This wastes both parts and labor, and can be an annoyance to a field installer by delaying installation. 
     A reusable stub connector is desirable. One known reusable or re-terminable fiber stub connector is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/647,848 filed Aug. 25, 2003, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     SUMMARY 
     Advantageous features are an improved fiber stub connector assembly that is readily and positively terminated in the field using simple termination tools. In exemplary embodiments, the fiber stub connector assembly is reversibly terminated to allow repositioning or replacement of fiber optic cable field fibers if termination is not acceptable in performance. 
     In exemplary embodiments, a simplified fiber termination cam tool readily actuates an internal cam mechanism of the connector assembly through rotation to releasably terminate the fiber connection in the connector. The tool may be a hand-held tool, or used in conjunction with a connector support structure to provide simplified and expeditious field termination of fiber optic cables. In exemplary embodiments, the cam tool can include a throughbore that enables connection of a patchcord to the stub fiber of the connector during or shortly after termination without removal of the termination tool. Accordingly, field testing of the connection can be made at the site of termination. Moreover, because the exemplary connectors incorporate reversible termination connections, improperly terminated connections can be reversed and the field fiber either repositioned and reterminated, or a fresh field fiber can be provided for a new connection. 
     Other features and advantages will be recognized when read in light of the following disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of a fully assembled re-terminable LC-type connector, with dust caps and boots omitted for clarity, according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the LC-type Opti-Cam connector of  FIGS. 1-2 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  show perspective front and rear views, respectively, of an exemplary connector housing; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary stub ferrule assembly; 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  are perspective front and rear views of an exemplary ferrule holder assembly; 
         FIGS. 8-9  are perspective front and rear views, respectively, of an exemplary cam sleeve; 
         FIGS. 10-11  are perspective front and rear views, respectively, of an exemplary cam detent mechanism; 
         FIGS. 12-13  are front and rear perspective views, respectively, of an exemplary backbone; 
         FIGS. 14-15  are perspective views of an exemplary ferrule holder assembly in a partially assembled and fully assembled state, respectively; 
         FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view of a cam detent system in the rear of the housing before termination; 
         FIG. 17  shows a cross-sectional view of the cam detent system of  FIG. 16  after termination; 
         FIG. 18  shows a cross-section through the cam detent system and a backbone stop system before termination; 
         FIG. 19  shows a cross-section through the cam detent system and backbone stop system of  FIG. 18  after termination; 
         FIG. 20  shows a cross-section through a buffer clamping system before termination; 
         FIG. 21  shows a cross-section through the buffer clamping system of  FIG. 20  after termination; 
         FIG. 22  shows a cross-section through a fiber clamping system before termination; 
         FIG. 23  shows a cross-section of the fiber clamping system of  FIG. 22  after termination; 
         FIG. 24  shows a cross-section of a ferrule holder assembly and a cam termination tool before termination; 
         FIG. 25  shows a cross-section of the ferrule holder assembly and cam termination tool after termination; 
         FIG. 26  shows a cross-section through the longitudinal centerline of the LC connector assembly in an unmated condition before termination; 
         FIG. 27  shows a cross-section through the longitudinal centerline of the LC connector assembly or  FIG. 26  at full spring travel condition before termination; 
         FIG. 28  is a side view of an exemplary LC Opti-Cam connector termination tool; 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of an exemplary LC cam tool showing a plurality of internal keyways; 
         FIG. 30  is an end view of the LC cam tool showing the LC cam tool keyways; 
         FIG. 31  is an end view of the exemplary LC Opti-Cam connector showing a corresponding plurality of keys that mate with the LC cam tool keyways; 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective partial cutaway view of the LC Opti-Cam connector showing a ferrule holder with the keys; 
         FIG. 33  is a side view of the LC cam tool installed in the LC Opti-Cam connector; 
         FIG. 34  is a partial view of the LC Opti-Cam termination tool of  FIG. 28  showing a cradle that receives an LC connector and LC cam tool; 
         FIG. 35  is a partial view of the LC cradle of  FIG. 34  with the LC cam tool installed and an LC connector being slid into engagement; 
         FIG. 36  is a partial view of the LC cradle of  FIG. 34  with the LC cam tool installed and the LC connector being in engagement with the tool; 
         FIG. 37  is a partial view of the LC cradle with a field fiber inserted into the LC connector and the connector being rotated 90 degrees to clamp the field fiber; 
         FIG. 38  is a partial view of the LC cradle with a field fiber inserted into the LC connector and the connector being rotated in an opposite direction 90 degrees to unclamp the field fiber, allowing removal or repositioning; 
         FIG. 39  is a partial view of the LC cradle showing the LC cam tool being removed; 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of an alternative LC cam tool incorporated into a patchcord; 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view of an alternative LC cam tool built into the LC cradle; and 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of yet alternative LC cam tool having an enlarged handle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     An exemplary embodiment of a re-terminable LC type fiber optic connector will be illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 1-27 . The fully assembled connector assembly  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1-2  and an exploded view is shown in  FIG. 3 . LC connector assembly  100  includes an LC connector housing  110 , stub ferrule assembly  120 , planks  130 , ferrule holder  140 , cam sleeve  150 , compression spring  160 , cam detent  170 , and backbone  180  that terminate a fiber optic cable  190 . Cable  190  includes a field fiber  192 , buffer  194 , fibers  196 , and outer body  198 . 
     Additional details of each component of LC connector assembly  100  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-15 .  FIGS. 4-5  illustrate front and rear views of connector housing  110 . A front bore  111  allows access to ferrule holder  140  when using cam termination tool  200  ( FIGS. 28-42 ). The rear bore includes a longitudinal keying groove  116  that mates with keying rib  156  ( FIGS. 8-9 ) of cam sleeve  150  to maintain the cam sleeve orientation relative to connector housing  110 . The rear bore also includes detent notches  114  that lock the connector orientation before and after 90 degree cam rotation travel. This feature keeps the connector orientation either in the cammed position or the un-cammed position. A spring latch  172  ( FIGS. 10-11 ) from cam detent  170  snaps into the detent notches  114 . This feature keeps the connector orientation either in the cam position or the un-cam position. 
     The angle and radii of the spring latch  172  assist in controlling the amount of force required to rotate the connector housing  110  and disengage the spring latch  172  from the notches  114 . A notch  112  allows the back of housing  110  to flex in, making clearance for the backbone  180  to snap over the latches  113  on housing  110 . A locking rib  182  of backbone  180  ( FIG. 12 ) slides into the notch  112  to eliminate the ability of the housing  110  backend to flex in during loading of the backbone  180  under test. This feature can also make the connector tamper proof by not allowing the backbone  180  to be removed without breaking the parts. Latches  113  snap into pockets  188  on backbone  180  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) and hold the connector assembly  100  together. 
     Tamper rib  115  slides into the recess groove  184  of backbone  180  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) and eliminates the ability to remove the backbone  180  from housing  110  without breaking the components. Ferrule holder assembly stop  118  is provided on the interior of the bore  111  and keeps the ferrule assembly  140  from removal out of the front of housing  110 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates details of the stub ferrule assembly  120 , which includes a stub fiber  122 , a ferrule  124 , and a shoulder spacer  126 . The stub fiber  122  is bonded inside ferrule  124  and cleaved and polished. The spacer  126  is pressed over the backend to create a shoulder that takes up the space in the ferrule holder bore  143  ( FIGS. 7A-7B ) where the planks  132  and  134  ( FIG. 3 ) are assembled inside of the ferrule holder  140 . Shoulder spacer  126  is made to press over the ferrule  124  and inside ferrule holder assembly  140 . Once the stub ferrule assembly  120  is pressed inside the ferrule holder  140 , the components are glued in place. 
     The fiber retaining planks  130  ( FIG. 3 ) include upper plank  132  and lower plank  134  (see  FIGS. 22 and 23 ). Lower plank  134  includes a longitudinal extending and radially outward projecting rib  136  while upper plank  132  includes a mating face with a V-groove for receiving stub fiber  122  and field fiber  192 . Both planks  132  and  134  are assembled inside ferrule holder  140 . The lower clamp plank  134  may be assembled first and can be pushed to the side of the bore so that rib  136  protrudes out of plank rib slit  142  in ferrule holder  140 . Once the clamping plank  134  is sufficiently seated, the V-groove plank  132  can be installed. The stub ferrule assembly  120  may then be pressed and glued into ferrule holder assembly  140 . This traps the planks  130  (both clamping plank  134  and V-groove plank  132 ) inside ferrule holder  140 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate details of the ferrule holder  140 . Ferrule holder  140  includes a press/ferrule holder bore  143  that receives the stub ferrule assembly  120  by press fit. The stub ferrule assembly is then bonded by a suitable adhesive to ensure high ferrule retention in the finished product. A plurality of keying ribs  149  are provided around the outer periphery of the bore  143 . In an exemplary embodiment shown, four keying ribs  149  are provided, each being 90 degrees apart. However, other keying arrangements can be provided. The keying pattern is designed to mate with an associated cam termination tool  200  (see  FIGS. 35-38 ). Ferrule holder  140  is also preferably provided with at least one key flat  145 . The flat helps key this component in place during the assembly process of the planks  130  and stub ferrule assembly  120 . 
     At least one, and preferably two, buffer clamp arms  146  are provided around the periphery of the ferrule holder. Preferably, the clamp arms are symmetrically provided around the periphery. In the illustrated embodiment, two clamp arms  146  are provided diametrically opposed to each other. One is shown in the top view of  FIG. 7A  while the other is shown in the bottom view of  FIG. 7B . The dual buffer clamp arms  146  clamp onto the buffered fiber  190  after the cam sleeve  150  is rotated 90 degrees via the housing  110 . By using at least dual clamp arms, a substantially uniform clamping pressure can be applied on the buffered fiber clamped by the arms. 
     The cam detent  170  ( FIGS. 10-11 ) and ferrule holder  140  must retain the same orientation so that the detent system works within the designed degree of rotation, e.g., 90 degrees or any other desirable rotation angle. This can be achieved by provision of a detent key  144  that protrudes radially outward from the ferrule holder assembly  140  as shown in  FIG. 7A . In exemplary embodiments, detent key  144  is designed so as to not disengage the cam detent  170  during linear travel motion of the ferrule holder assembly  140  or normal operation of the connector. The lower side of ferrule holder assembly  140  is provided with a plank rib slit  142  that allows the clamping plank rib  136  of lower plank  134  ( FIG. 3 ) to protrude through the casing of the ferrule holder assembly  140 . This also allows the cam sleeve  150  to compress the planks  132  and  134  together during the termination process. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  describe details of an exemplary cam sleeve  150 . A longitudinal keying rib  156  is provided on the outer periphery of cam sleeve  150 . Keying rib  156  mates with keying groove  116  provided on connector housing  110  to lock the orientation of the cam sleeve  150  for rotation with connector housing  110 . However, other keying structures can be provided. An assembly notch  152  is preferably provided to help orient the cam sleeve  150  when installing it onto ferrule holder assembly  140 . This can be achieved, for example, by notch  152  forming a viewing window that can be aligned with the clamping plank&#39;s rib  136 , which is protruding through plank rib slit  142  of ferrule holder assembly  140 . 
     An interior periphery of cam sleeve  150  has a predetermined cam profile that, when the cam sleeve  150  is rotated relative to ferrule holder  140 , compresses the clamping plank  134  inside ferrule holder assembly  140  between first and second positions. The first position is preferably an unconstrained and unterminated position where the clamping plank exerts little or no clamping force on the field or stub fibers and the second position is preferably a constrained and terminated position where the clamping plank  134  is compressed to generate a sufficient clamping pressure on the field and stub fibers to retain them between the planks  132 ,  134 . The inner bore of cam sleeve  150  is also provided with a buffer cam profile  154  that mates with the dual buffer clamp arms  146  of ferrule holder assembly  140  to generate a clamping pressure that retains a buffered fiber when the assembly is rotated to the terminated position. Preferably, rings  158  are provided that snap over the dual buffer clamp arms  146  on ferrule holder assembly  140  to lock the cam sleeve  150  onto the ferrule holder assembly  140 . 
     The compression spring  160  ( FIG. 3 ) is trapped between the cam sleeve  150  and the cam detent  170  to forward bias the ferrule holder assembly  140  in the connector housing. 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  describe details of the cam detent  170 . Cam detent  170  includes a spring latch  172  that snaps into notches  114  of connector housing  110  to control the amount of force required to rotate the cam 90 degrees between terminated and unterminated positions. The angle and height of the latch  172  are preferably optimized to control the amount of force required. A stop post  178  extends longitudinally from one end of cam detent  170  and interacts with an arcuate detent groove  186  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) within backbone  180  to restrict cam rotation to a desired range of motion, such as the illustrated 90 degrees. However, other ranges of motion could be substituted. Key groove  174  is provided to key the orientation of the cam detent  170  with the ferrule holder assembly  140 . This feature ensures that the cam detent  170  rotates in unison with the ferrule holder assembly  140  and independent of the housing  110 , cam sleeve  150 , and backbone  180  components. A notch relief  176  allows latch  172  to deflect and the housing  110  and cam sleeve  150  to rotate freely. A cam detent ferrule holder bore  173  is sized with a diameter that is preferably optimized to allow a maximum amount of angular float in the connector while maintaining the desired keying system with the ferrule holder assembly  140 . 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  describe details of the backbone  180 . A recess groove  184  reduces the amount of stress on the walls of the backbone  180  when the housing latches  113  are snapped into pockets  188 . Additionally, tamper ribs  115  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) can be provided to slide into this area and prevent the removal of the backbone without breaking one of the components. This provides an optional tamper proof component to the assembly. Detent groove  186  controls the rotation of the housing  110  in relation to the ferrule holder  140  assembly by defining the degree of freedom of the system and providing specific stop positions where stop post  178  is constrained. External threads  183  may be provided on the rear exterior periphery as shown to trap Kevlar from the jacketed fiber optic cable  190  between the backbone  180  and a Kevlar nut assembly (not shown). This generates high cable retention loads and forms a strain relief mechanism for the fiber optic cable. A locking rib  182  is provided on the interior of backbone  180  that slides into notch  112  of housing  110  to prevent the backbone  180  from being removed without breaking one of the components to provide another tamper proof function. 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , ferrule holder assembly  140  receives stub ferrule assembly  120  at its front end and receives cam sleeve  150  over its rear end. During assembly, alignment notch  152  is used to align with the longitudinal slit  142  while cam sleeve  150  is positioned over the assembly  140 .  FIG. 14  shows the two assemblies in a partially assembled state, while  FIG. 15  shows the two assemblies in a fully assembled state. 
       FIGS. 16-17  show cross-sectional views of cam detent system details near the rear of housing  110  both before ( FIG. 16 ) and after ( FIG. 17 ) termination. Housing  110  has backbone  180  coaxially provided over its exterior while cam detent  170  is coaxially provided on the interior of housing  110 . Inward protrusion  182  of backbone  180  is received within corresponding channel  112  of housing  110 . Ferrule holder  140  is coaxially located on the interior of cam detent  170  with longitudinally extending protrusion  144  mating with corresponding channel  174  of cam detent  170 . As shown, spring-biased protrusion  172  of cam detent  170  is received within corresponding detent notch  114  of housing  110 . 
     The initial (unterminated) orientation is as shown in  FIG. 16 . However, when the backbone  180  is rotated 90 degrees in the direction shown in  FIG. 17 , the housing  110  and cam sleeve  150  (not shown) also rotate. Notice, however, that ferrule holder  140  and cam detent  170  do not rotate when backbone  180  is rotated. This is achieved through retention of ferrule holder assembly  140  by cam tool  200  as better illustrated in  FIGS. 35-39 . 
       FIGS. 18-19  show cross-sectional views of cam detent  170  and backbone  180  in which details of a stop system are illustrated both before and after termination. In particular, these Figures show arcuate detent groove  186  of backbone  180  defining an angular rotation range for stop post  178  protruding longitudinally from cam detent  170 . In a preferred embodiment, the chord section of arcuate detent groove  186  forms positive stops that allow a 90 degree rotation of the cam detent  170  relative to backbone  180 . 
       FIGS. 20-21  illustrate a buffer clamping system provided within LC connector assembly  100 . Connector housing  110  receives cam sleeve  150  therein. Cam sleeve  150  defines a hollow interior portion  154  that is in an oval or otherwise cammed, non-circular shape. Ferrule holder  140  has a substantially cylindrical outer profile, with buffer clamping arms  146  initially extending radially outward to define a substantially circular interior buffer fiber bore  148  for receiving buffer  194  of fiber optic cable  190 . However, upon termination, by rotation of housing  110  relative to ferrule holder  140 , the interior cam profile  154  changes orientation. This profile when rotated urges buffer clamping arms  146  radially inward, causing a decrease in the size of the buffer fiber bore  148 . This results in a compression force that will retain the buffer  194  of fiber optic cable  190  ( FIG. 3 ) fixedly in place. 
       FIGS. 22-23  illustrate a fiber clamping system used to clamp field fiber  192  of cable  190  between upper plank  132  and lower plank  134  of plank members  130 . Before termination, as shown in  FIG. 22 , planks  132  and  134  are initially spaced apart to receive field fiber  192  therebetween. Connector housing  110  includes a longitudinal protruding channel  116  that receives a mating rib  156  of cam sleeve  150 . This locks rotation of the cam sleeve  150  with connector housing  110 . Cam sleeve  150  also includes an internal cam profile  158  that before termination opposes a protruding rib  136  and allows the protruding rib to project through plank rib slit  142  in ferrule holder  140 . 
     During rotation, housing  110  and cam sleeve  150  rotate around ferrule assembly  140 . During this rotation, however, the internal cam profile  158  of cam sleeve  150  moves away from protruding rib  136 . This provides a camming action that compresses lower plank  134  towards upper plank  132  and creates a positive clamping force on the field fiber  192  and stub fiber  122  provided between the opposed plank halves  132 ,  134  as shown in  FIG. 23 . 
       FIGS. 24-25  illustrate a section of the ferrule holder assembly  140  both before and after termination, respectively. Termination is attained by use of a cam termination tool  200  having a plurality of keyways  210  spaced around an inner periphery that mate with and engage a corresponding one of a plurality of keys  149  provided on the outer circumference of ferrule holder assembly  140 . During termination, connector housing  110  is rotated 90 degrees, as shown in  FIG. 25 . During this rotation, only housing  110  rotates. Because cam tool  200  is fixed in position, ferrule holder assembly  140  and stub ferrule assembly  120  do not move. Alternatively, housing  110  could be fixed and cam tool  200  rotated to rotate ferrule holder assembly  140  and stub fiber assembly  120  relative to the housing  110 . 
       FIGS. 26-27  are side cross-sectional views down the longitudinal centerline that show additional detail of the various cam assembly components.  FIG. 26  is in an unterminated but assembled state.  FIG. 27  shows the assembly at a full spring travel condition before termination. This view shows the stop structure designed in the connector housing  110  that restricts travel of ferrule holder assembly  140  and stub fiber assembly inside housing  110  and eliminates full compression of spring  160  to a solid height. 
       FIGS. 28-42  show various tools that can be used to terminate the LC connector assembly  100  described in the above embodiments. Exemplary LC cam tools include an Opti-Cam termination tool  300  that receives and assists in termination and optional diagnostics of the connector assemblies  100  and a cam tool  200  that engages with components within the connector assembly, preventing them from rotation when the remainder of the connector housing is rotated between an initial uncammed position and a cammed termination position. Additionally, a patchcord  400  may be connected between termination tool  300  and the LC connector assembly  100  through the cam tool  200 . 
     Particular details of the termination tool  300  and cam tool  200  are described with reference to  FIGS. 29-39 .  FIGS. 29-33  show features of the interconnection between cam tool  200  and connector assembly  100 . In particular, a first exemplary embodiment of cam tool  200  includes a main body  220  containing a front bore  250  in which are provided at least one, and preferably a plurality of keying grooves or keyways  210  sized and spaced to mate with corresponding key  149  provided on ferrule holder assembly  140  of connector assembly  100 . Cam tool also preferably includes a rear bore  260  that is in communication with front bore  250  such that a throughbore is provided. Cam tool  200  also preferably includes a groove  230  that extends over at least a portion of the circumference of main body  220 . Groove  230  provides a retention element that helps constrain one or more degrees of freedom of movement of cam tool  200  relative to termination tool  300 . Cam tool  200  also may include a lever  240  formed as a projection extending radially and longitudinally from the cam tool. Cam tool lever  240  can serve several functions, including use as a manual handle and as a further retention structure for constraining movement of the cam tool when mounted in termination tool  300 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, four internal keyways  210  are symmetrically provided within bore  250  and four external symmetrical projecting keys  149  are provided on ferrule holder assembly  140 . However, the size, shape and location of the keys and corresponding keyways can be varied to any desirable pattern that can achieve an interlocking function in which the cam tool  200  and desired portions of connector assembly  140  are interlocked and prevented from substantial rotation relative to each other. Moreover, the size and shape of the outer periphery of ferrule holder assembly  140  and size and shape of front bore  250  can be changed, so long as the leading edge portion of ferrule holder assembly  140  is capable of being received within the front bore  250  and interlocking contact is made between keyways  210  and keys  149 . Thus, when the cam tool  200  is properly mated with connector assembly  100 , cam tool  200  is partially received over at least a portion of the ferrule holder assembly  140  of connector assembly  100 . 
     Details of termination tool  300  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 34-39 . Termination tool  300  includes an LC cradle  310  that provides a support surface for receiving and supporting a movable LC connector assembly  100  during termination procedures. LC cradle  310  includes an upwardly projecting rear support  320  and an upwardly projecting front support  330 . Rear support  320  is sized and shaped to receive and partially constrain a rear portion of the housing  110  of LC connector assembly  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, rear support  320  includes two upstanding side walls  322  and a recess  324  shaped to support and receive at least a lowermost portion of the LC connector assembly housing. This constraint preferably allows limited linear movement of connector assembly  100  in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 35  and rotation about the longitudinal axis of the connector assembly  100 , while constraining lateral motion. 
     Front support  330  also includes upstanding side walls  332  and a recess  334 . In this exemplary embodiment, front support  330  is also provided with a second recess portion  336  sized and shaped to accommodate lever  200  of cam tool  200  while recess  334  is sized and shaped to accommodate the main body  220  of cam tool  200 . As shown in  FIG. 34 , cam tool  200  is moved in the direction of the arrow and secured to front support  330  by one or more retention structures. One such retention structure is attained by designing the shape of the recesses  334  and  336  and the flexibility of sidewalls  332  to tightly hold the cam tool within support  330 . The provision of the second recess  336  and projecting lever  240  act to prevent rotation of cam tool  200  relative to front support  330 . The snap fit of the two components may also constrain longitudinal and lateral movement of cam tool  200 . However, longitudinal constraint can be further constrained by provision of a snap fit groove  338  within recess  334  that mates with groove  230  of cam tool  200 . 
     Termination of the LC connector assembly  100  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 35-39 . As shown in  FIG. 35 , cam tool  200  is mounted within front support  330 . LC connector assembly  100  is then positioned in rear support  320  and slid longitudinally in the direction of the arrow into engagement with cam tool  200 . That is, until keyways  210  engage with corresponding keys  149  of the ferrule holder assembly. Once engaged, cam tool  200 , being itself locked from rotation by front support  330 , acts to prevent rotation of ferrule holder assembly  140 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36 , a first end of a patchcord  400 , such as a 1.25 mm VFL patchcord, can be inserted through rear bore  260  of the cam tool  200  into engagement with the stub fiber assembly of connector  100 . The second end of patchcord  400  can then be connected to a corresponding terminal of termination tool  300  ( FIG. 28 ). Termination tool  300  can include appropriate known mechanical, optical and/or electrical devices to detect and/or diagnose operation of the optical fiber connection being terminated. 
     In the state shown in  FIG. 36 , the fiber optic components within connector assembly  100  are in an unterminated state. A fiber optic cable  190  including a field fiber (unshown) may then be inserted through the backbone of connector assembly  100  as shown in  FIG. 37  until the field fiber is extended between the planks and into substantial abutment against the stub fiber. Then, LC cradle  310  may be pushed backwards to create a bow in the field fiber. At this time, the connector housing  110  of connector assembly  100  is rotated a predetermined amount, e.g., 90 degrees in this illustrated embodiment. This rotates components within connector assembly  100  to cause a camming action that clamps the stub fiber and field fiber within planks  130 . While still in the termination tool  300 , the just terminated connection can be tested using patchcord  400 . If the termination is successful, the termination connector assembly  100  can be removed from the termination tool  300  by upward lifting. Terminated connector  100  can then also be removed from cam tool  200  to form a field terminated optical fiber. 
     In the event of a poor termination, the housing  110  can be rotated in an opposite direction as shown in  FIG. 38 . This disengages the clamping action of the planks and various detents and reverses the termination of the field and stub fibers. The field fiber can then be removed from, or repositioned in, the connector assembly at which time a subsequent termination procedure can be initiated to establish a proper termination. Thus, the connector assembly is reterminable and includes reversible termination structure that can be terminated and unterminated while situated within termination tool  300 . Moreover, by integration of the termination tool with patchcord  400  and associated testing equipment, field testing of the connection can be achieved at the time of termination, greatly improving field termination efficiency. 
     Although cam tool  200  is designed for use with termination device  300 , cam tool  200  can be removed from termination tool  300  and used independently ( FIG. 39 ). This can be achieved by pulling tool  200  upward in the direction of the arrow out of the snap-fit connection. This may be desired to uncam the connector in case of a poor termination. 
     There are various other configurations of cam tool  200  that are possible. A first alternative cam tool  200 ′ is shown in  FIG. 40 . In this embodiment, cam tool  200 ′ is integrated into a test patchcord  400 ′, such as a 1.25 mm VFL patchcord. As in the prior embodiment, cam tool  200 ′ includes appropriate keyways  210 ′. A second alternative is shown in  FIG. 41 , in which a cam tool  200 ″ is built into the LC cradle  310  and forms the front support of termination tool  300 . As in the first embodiment, cam tool  200 ″ can include a throughbore that allows connection of a patchcord  400 ″ through the cam tool into engagement with connector assembly  100 . A third alternative cam tool  200 ′″ is shown in  FIG. 42 . In this alternative, the cam tool is a separate tool used to manually actuate the Opti-cam mechanism within connector assembly  100  without the use of termination tool  300 . In this embodiment, an installer would load the field fiber through the back of the connector assembly  100  as in prior embodiments. The cam tool  200 ′″ would then be moved into engagement with the connector assembly and either the cam tool  200 ′″ or the housing  110  rotated relative to the other to activate the cam and terminate the fiber. This cam tool  200 ′″ could also be used to uncam or release the termination of a fully terminated connector so as to reverse the termination, allowing either a repositioning of the field fiber to improve operation, or substitution of a new field fiber to form a terminated connection. Thus, the disclosed connector system is completely reterminable. 
     The exemplary embodiments set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the systems and methods according to this invention are intended to embrace all known, or later-developed, alternatives, modifications, variations, and/or improvements.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6