Patent Description:
Military, commercial avionics, and industrial networking equipment manufacturers are adopting fiber optic components for various communication applications. An exemplary communication application is to create an operative communication link between a control system and a sensor or other data collection device. The use of fiber optic links are often used to replace existing electrical (e.g., "copper") wiring architectures. Fiber optic links provide higher speed, improved electro-magnetic interference (EMI) performance, lower weight, and increased density. Other advantages of fiber optic links include higher data capacity using multiple light propagation modes. In addition, the fiber optic cable itself is protocol agnostic. Therefore, system upgrades often may be made without replacing the fiber optic cable.

Most fiber optic products are designed for the telecommunications market. But these products are generally not rugged enough to withstand the environmental factors that would adversely affect fiber optic systems in harsh operating environments where excessive vibration, shock, and debris may be present.

A vulnerable point in the fiber optic system is the interface between the fiber optic cable and an active device (e.g., an optical transceiver, an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, or a sensor that interfaces directly with the fiber optic cable). To improve this interface, fiber optic pigtails are commonly used. Pigtailing is generally accomplished by using adhesive to permanently affix the terminal end of the fiber optic cable (or connector therefor) to the active device. Conventional pigtailing raises manufacturing and servicing issues. For instance, after a conventional pigtail is put into place, if something goes wrong with the fiber optic cable, the active device, or electronics interconnected with the active device, then the entire system must be replaced since pigtails relying on adhesive cannot be effectively disconnected.

<CIT> shows another fiber optic connector with a housing and a locking member.

To provide an in-line embedded adapter without introducing optical loss to optically and mechanically couple an "LC" receptacle (LC being short for little connector or Lucent connector) and a terminus, such as the ARINC <NUM> terminus, disclosed is an adapter that provides a separable mechanical connection to the receptacle while providing a secure retention of the terminus.

As used herein, the term "fiber optic cable" refers to a cable that includes a buffered or jacketed filament. The filament is typically made of plastic or glass, and light propagates in the filament from one end to the other end, typically for the purpose of data communications.

As used herein, the term "optical transmitter" refers to an active device that converts electrical signals to optical signals, typically with a laser or light emitting diode (LED).

As used herein, the term "optical receiver" refers to an active device that converts optical input signals to electrical output signals.

As used herein, the term "fiber optic transceiver" refers to an active device that functions as both an optical transmitter and an optical receiver.

As used herein, the term "pluggable" refers to a removable interface that does not involve the use of tools (other than a user's hands) for insertion and/or extraction. Typically, a pluggable interface involves a male component that is inserted, at least in part, into a female component.

As used herein, the term "separable" refers to a removable interface that involves the use of one or more tools for insertion and/or extraction. Typically, a separable interface involves a male component that is inserted, at least in part, into a female component.

As used herein, the term "pigtail" refers to an interface of a passive fiber optic cable to an active optical component (e.g., an optical transmitter or an optical receiver), such as with a non-removable adhesive.

Referring to <FIG>, a representative embodiment of a separable locking fiber optic adapter <NUM> and an LC receptacle <NUM> are shown.

The fiber optic adapter <NUM> includes one or more of the following components: an adapter body <NUM> (also referred to herein as a housing), a tongue <NUM> (also referred to as a locking member), a gasket <NUM> (also referred to as a sealing member), a securing member <NUM> (e.g., a fastener that is represented by a screw in the illustrated embodiments), and a spring clip <NUM> (shown in <FIG>).

It will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that some artisans use the term "terminus" for the terminal end connecting assembly of a fiber optic cable and other artisans use the term "connector" for the same or similar connecting assembly. This largely depends on the application (e.g., artisans in telecommunications typically use the term connector and artisans in the military and avionics fields typically use the term terminus). For purposes of this document, the term connector and terminus have the same meaning.

The adapter <NUM> is sized and shaped to coordinate with and fit into the geometry of the LC receptacle <NUM>. Hence, the adapter <NUM> may be considered a male component of a separable interface and the receptacle <NUM> may be considered a female component of the separable interface. The receptacle <NUM> is defined by a housing <NUM> for an optical component <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). As will be discussed in detail below, a ferrule <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of a fiber optic terminus <NUM> held by the adapter <NUM> interfaces with the optical component <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> may be an active device as described above or a passive optical element (e.g., another fiber optic cable or an optical coupler). The housing <NUM> is radially stable in the receptacle <NUM> so as to have little or no movement relative to the receptacle <NUM> in directions transverse (e.g., orthogonal to) a longitudinal axis of the housing <NUM> (e.g., the adapter body <NUM> has little or no movement relative to the receptacle <NUM> in the lateral and vertical directions relative to the receptacle <NUM>). The housing <NUM> is also rotationally stable in the receptacle <NUM> so as to have little or no rotational movement relative to the receptacle <NUM>. "Little" movement refers to movement that is less than an amount that would cause disruption to the operation of the optical system, even during extreme mechanical stresses such as vibrations and shocks experienced in manufacturing systems, military or commercial aircraft (planes and helicopters), watercraft or land vehicles, or similar environments.

The locking member <NUM> provides axial (e.g., along the longitudinal axis of the housing <NUM>) stability to the adapter <NUM> so that the adapter has no or little rearward movement relative to the receptacle <NUM>. At a minimum, a portion <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> that fits in a latch area chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM> contacts a rearward shoulder wall <NUM> of the chamber <NUM>. In some cases, depending on the relative sizing of the portion <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>, the locking member <NUM> further provides axial stability to the adapter <NUM> so that the adapter has no or little forward movement relative to the receptacle <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> is an environmental sealing member that seals an optical path between the ferrule <NUM> of the fiber optic terminus <NUM> and the optical component <NUM> located in the housing <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> is secured to the terminal end of the adapter body <NUM> in any suitable manner. For example, the sealing member <NUM> may be over-molded on the body <NUM> as best shown in <FIG> such that most of the sealing member <NUM> is disposed within the body <NUM> while a portion of the sealing member <NUM> extends past the terminal end of the body <NUM> and a portion extends radially outward into one or more openings <NUM> in the body <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> minimizes the chance that contamination (e.g., dust, moisture, oil, hydraulic fluid, etc.) enters the optical path and disrupts operation of the optical system.

The securing member <NUM> secures the locking member <NUM> to the housing <NUM> and allows for the separable interface between the adapter <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM>. Each of the securing member <NUM> (the screw in the illustrated embodiment), the locking member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are separate components that are assembled to establish the interface between the connector <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM>. In another embodiment, the securing member <NUM> is a captive screw that is joined with the locking member <NUM>. Other exemplary securing members <NUM> include, but are not limited to a rivet, a member that is interference press fit into the housing <NUM>, a swaged element(s), adhesive, etc. In one embodiment, the locking member <NUM> includes an alignment and strengthening post <NUM> that is received by a coordinating receptacle <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, a threaded opening <NUM> in the housing <NUM> receives the securing member <NUM>. The threaded opening <NUM> is shown as a through hole that extends from a surface of the adapter body that engages against the locking member <NUM> to a longitudinal passage <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) extending through the housing <NUM>. In this embodiment, the securing member <NUM> is short enough to avoid contact and interference with the fiber optic terminus <NUM>. In another embodiment, the opening <NUM> is a blind opening.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fiber optic terminus <NUM>, which may be an ARINC <NUM> terminus, may include one or more of the following components: a ferrule <NUM>, a terminus body <NUM> (also referred to herein as a housing), a crimp ring <NUM> (also referred to as a crimp sleeve), a spring <NUM>, fiber optic strength members <NUM>, and a fiber optic cable <NUM>.

The crimp sleeve <NUM> provides a crimp area for the fiber optic strength members <NUM> (if part of the fiber optic cable <NUM>). The strength members <NUM> may be, for example, Kevlar® fibers that surround a fiber optic filament <NUM> of the fiber optic cable <NUM>. In a typical arrangement for the fiber optic cable <NUM>, the fiber optic cable <NUM> includes the fiber optic filament <NUM>, which includes a core and cladding and has been coated with one or more coating layers <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiments, the coating <NUM> is partially stripped from the fiber optic filament <NUM>. In the typical arrangement for the fiber optic cable <NUM>, the fiber optic cable <NUM> also includes the strength members <NUM> that surround the coated fiber optic filament <NUM> and one or more jacketing layers <NUM> (also referred to as a jacket) that, in turn, surround the strength members <NUM>.

The terminus body <NUM> has an inner shoulder <NUM> that functions as a mechanical stop for the spring <NUM> to facilitate generation of a spring force against the fiber optic filament <NUM>. The terminus body <NUM> also provides a surface against which the crimp sleeve <NUM> is crimped. The strength members <NUM>, if present, may be bound between the terminus body <NUM> and the crimp sleeve <NUM>.

The spring <NUM> urges the ferrule <NUM> in a forward direction. The forward direction refers to a direction along the longitudinal axis of the fiber optic cable <NUM> and toward the optical component <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM> is connected to the filament <NUM> and/or the coating <NUM> (e.g., with adhesive). Therefore, the action of the spring <NUM> urges the leading end of the filament <NUM> forward to make operative contact with the optical component <NUM> that is in the housing <NUM>. The spring <NUM> provides the proper force for reliable operable connection of these components. The spring <NUM> acts against a rearward surface <NUM> of the ferrule <NUM>, which may be a rearward surface of one or more radially outwardly extending members <NUM> that move through respective slots <NUM> in the terminus body <NUM>. In one embodiment, the ferrule <NUM> is of unitary construction having a sleeve portion <NUM> that surrounds the filament <NUM> and a ring portion <NUM> having the radially outwardly extending members <NUM>. In another embodiment, the ring portion <NUM> is a separate component from the sleeve portion <NUM>.

The spring clip <NUM> is secured in the longitudinal passage <NUM> and includes one or inwardly biased deflectable fingers <NUM> that are configured to be urged radially outward by the terminus body <NUM> when the fiber optic terminus <NUM> is inserted through the longitudinal passage <NUM>. As the terminus body <NUM> moves through the passage <NUM>, the fingers <NUM> move radially inward to engage a rearward ledge <NUM> of the terminus body <NUM>. The ledge <NUM> serves as a stop to prevent the fiber optic terminus <NUM> from being removed from the adapter <NUM>. Moreover, a tool may be used to disengage the fingers <NUM> from the ledge <NUM>, which allows the terminus body <NUM> to be removed from the adapter <NUM>. The spring clip <NUM> may be a c-shaped clip that snaps into a slot <NUM> in an inner wall of the housing <NUM> that defines the passage <NUM> to secure the spring clip in the passage <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, an exemplary assembly process for the adapter <NUM> and LC receptacle <NUM> may include placing the housing <NUM> into the housing <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> is then inserted into a retaining notch <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> is then secured to the housing <NUM> using the securing member <NUM> (e.g., threading the securing member <NUM> into the opening <NUM>). The fiber optic terminus <NUM> may then be fed through the longitudinal passage <NUM> of the housing <NUM> until the terminus <NUM> is secured in the passage <NUM> by the spring clip <NUM> and the ferrule <NUM> is received in a bore of the optical component <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM> is moved against the spring <NUM> to make operative contact with the optical component <NUM>.

A result of the assembly is to establish an in-line embedded adapter without introducing optical loss, and to establish a separable, mechanical connection between the adapter <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM>. Typical female to female adapters, male to male adapters, male to female adapters and connector/termini type changing adapters introduce optical loss by incorporating at least one additional passive optical component (e.g., fiber or coupler) and related interfaces in the optical path between the fiber optic cable and the optical component <NUM>. The optical and mechanical interface between the fiber optic terminus <NUM> and the receptacle <NUM> is ruggedized, but based on industry standard components (e.g., the LC receptacle and the ARINC <NUM> terminus). In addition, the assembly process will be understandable to those trained in coupling optical fibers. Although described in the context of an LC receptacle, aspects of the disclosed adapter <NUM> may be employed in other contexts such as, but not limited to MT connectors, SC connectors, FC connectors, or ST connectors. Also, aspects of the disclosed adapter <NUM> may be extended to duplex adapters or higher-order adapters.

Additional aspects and details of the adapter <NUM> will now be described. The adapter <NUM> includes the housing <NUM> having the longitudinal passage <NUM> extending between a first opening <NUM> at a first end <NUM> of the housing and a second opening <NUM> at a second end <NUM> of the housing. The passage <NUM> includes one or more notches <NUM> extending at least partially along the length of the passage that serve as guides for the radially outwardly extending members <NUM> of the fiber optic terminus <NUM> as the terminus is moved through the passage <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is sized to fit within a fiber optic receptacle <NUM> that, in one embodiment, is an industry standard fiber optic receptacle <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> is a separate part from the housing <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> is sized to fit within the retaining notch <NUM> in the fiber optic receptacle <NUM>. The locking member <NUM>, when secured to the housing <NUM>, engages with the retaining notch <NUM> to prevent separation of the housing <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM>.

As indicated, the fiber optic adapter <NUM> includes the securing member <NUM>. The securing member <NUM>, in one embodiment, is in the form of a fastener that secures the locking member <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The securing member <NUM> may be, for example, a threaded fastener that engages the coordinating threaded opening <NUM> in the housing <NUM>. In other embodiments, the locking member <NUM> includes a securing member <NUM> that is press fit into a coordinating receiving opening in the housing <NUM> to secure the locking member <NUM> to the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the locking member <NUM> includes a post (e.g., the alignment and strengthening post <NUM>) that fits within the coordinating opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The post <NUM> may be in addition to the securing member <NUM> that secures the locking member <NUM> to the housing <NUM>. The locking member <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> (e.g., a countersink) to accommodate a head of the securing member <NUM> so that an upper surface of the securing member <NUM> does not radially extend substantially beyond an upper surface of the locking member <NUM>.

In some embodiment, such as but not limited to when the receptacle <NUM> is an LC receptacle, the retaining notch <NUM> is "T" shaped. The "T" shaped retaining notch <NUM> includes a leg <NUM> and the rectangular head chamber <NUM> that is wider than the leg <NUM>. The leg <NUM> spaces the head chamber <NUM> apart from an opening <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> into which the housing <NUM> fits. The rearward boundary wall <NUM> of the head chamber <NUM> proximal the opening <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> may be considered a shoulder against which the locking member <NUM> engages. For instance, the locking member <NUM> is sized to fit in the head chamber <NUM> and engage against the shoulder <NUM>. In one embodiment, the locking member <NUM> need not have a portion that fits in the leg <NUM>. In other embodiments, the locking member <NUM> includes a first portion that fits in the head chamber <NUM> and engages against the shoulder <NUM> and a second portion that fits within the leg <NUM>. It will be recognized that the shoulder <NUM> functions as a mechanical stop for the locking member <NUM> to prevent rearward movement of the locking member <NUM> relative to the receptacle <NUM>. Because the locking member <NUM> is secured to the housing <NUM>, the shoulder <NUM> may be further considered a mechanical stop for the fiber optic adapter <NUM> as a whole to prevent rearward movement of the fiber optic adapter <NUM> relative to the receptacle <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> has a cross-sectional size and shape that coordinates with the receptacle <NUM>. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the housing is generally rectangular in cross-section and, on one side thereof, includes a mesa <NUM>. In this embodiment, the locking member <NUM> engages against the mesa <NUM> when secured to the housing <NUM>. The sides of the mesa <NUM> are configured to abut alignment guides <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> to be guided during insertion such that optical alignment of the fiber optic filament <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> is achieved with the ferrule <NUM>. In an embodiment, the mesa <NUM> may define slots that coordinate with the alignment guides <NUM>, and the guides may loosely fit in the slots.

As indicated, the fiber optic terminus <NUM> may include the ferrule <NUM> that secures to a fiber optic filament <NUM> of a fiber optic cable <NUM>. When connected to the fiber optic adapter <NUM> via the spring clip <NUM>, the ferrule <NUM> is disposed in part in the longitudinal passage <NUM> and extends out of the housing <NUM> through the first opening <NUM> at the first end <NUM>.

The fiber optic terminus <NUM> may further have a crimp sleeve <NUM>. In one embodiment, strength members <NUM> of the fiber optic cable <NUM> are bound between the jacketing layers <NUM>, housing <NUM> and the crimp sleeve <NUM>. The fiber optic terminus <NUM> further comprises the spring <NUM> interposed between rearward surface <NUM> of the ferrule <NUM> and the inner shoulder <NUM> of the terminus body <NUM>. In this arrangement, the spring <NUM> urges the leading end of the fiber optic filament <NUM> in a forward direction, which is a direction along the longitudinal axis of the housing <NUM> from the second end <NUM> to the first end <NUM> and toward the optical component <NUM>. In one embodiment, the housing <NUM> does not limit forward travel of the ferrule <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the locking member <NUM> is not deformable under ordinary conditions, including high levels of shock and vibration resulting from use in military or industrial environments. For instance, the locking member <NUM> is non-resilient (e.g., is not capable of freely returning to a previous position or shape in the manner that a plastic deformable latch is for a conventional LC connector). In one embodiment, the locking member <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> are made from metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or any other suitable metal. In other embodiments, the locking member <NUM> and/or the housing <NUM> are made from high density plastic.

In one embodiment, the adapter <NUM> is separable from the receptacle <NUM> by un-securing the locking member <NUM> from the housing <NUM> and sliding the housing <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM>. In this manner, interface of the adapter <NUM> with the receptacle <NUM> (and fiber optic cable <NUM> with optical component <NUM>) is not permanent as is typical if conventional pigtailing with adhesive were in a conventional LC receptacle.

Prevention of separation of the housing <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM> is accomplished without a resilient latch member. For example, the housing <NUM> does not include a resilient latch member secured thereto or integral therewith that interacts with the receptacle <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the fiber optic adapter <NUM> includes a sealing member <NUM> that forms an environmental seal between the first end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the optical component <NUM> and between the ferrule <NUM> and the optical component <NUM>. The optical component <NUM> may be, for example, an active optical sub-assembly (e.g., a transmitting optical sub-assembly (TOSA) or a receiving optical sub-assembly (ROSA)) or a passive optical component (e.g., another fiber optical cable).

It will be appreciated that a duplex adapter will include a housing <NUM> that has two longitudinal passages <NUM> for respective fiber optic cables <NUM> and associated terminus bodies <NUM> and at least one locking member <NUM> and at least one securing member <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, illustrated is a second exemplary embodiment of the adapter <NUM>. The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> is not part of the claimed invention. Features in the second exemplary embodiment that are similar to features in the first exemplary embodiment are given the same reference numbers but indexed by <NUM>. Also, for the sake of brevity, functional and structural aspects of the various features that are the same in both exemplary embodiments will not be repeated in detail.

Referring initially to <FIG>, the fiber optic adapter <NUM> includes an adapter body <NUM> (also referred to herein as a housing), a tongue <NUM> (also referred to as a locking member), a securing member <NUM> (also referred to as a fastener), and a spring clip <NUM>. Although not shown, a gasket may be provided as discussed above. The housing <NUM> has a longitudinal passage <NUM> extending between a first opening <NUM> at a first end <NUM> of the housing and a second opening <NUM> at a second end <NUM> of the housing. The passage <NUM> includes one or more notches <NUM> extending at least partially along the length of the passage.

The locking member <NUM>, the securing member <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> are captive with one another. In this manner, the locking member <NUM>, the securing member <NUM>, and the housing <NUM> may not be disassembled or separated from one another without intentional effort to remove one or both of the securing member <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> from the body <NUM>. It is contemplated that intentional effort to separate the parts will require much different manipulation and/or much greater force than the adapter <NUM> would experience in normal operating conditions in any of the stages depicted in <FIG>.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mesa <NUM> has a receptacle <NUM> rearward of threaded opening <NUM>, and one or more channels <NUM>, such as slip fit channels in the side of the mesa <NUM>. The receptacle <NUM> is open at the top of the mesa <NUM> and the post <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> fits in the receptacle <NUM>. The post <NUM> includes an opening that receives a pin <NUM> after the post <NUM> has been fit into the receptacle <NUM>, and the pin <NUM> is held in the opening in the post <NUM> by an interference fit to hold the post <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> to create a captive assembly. Also preventing disengagement of the post <NUM> from the receptacle <NUM> is interaction of the securing member <NUM> with an upper portion of the opening <NUM>.

The pin <NUM> is inserted through one of the channels <NUM> into the opening in the post <NUM>, and the pin moves in the channels <NUM> during movement of the post <NUM>. A bottom end of the channel <NUM> serves as a stop for the pin <NUM> (and thus the post <NUM>) in the locked state and a top end of the channel <NUM> serves as a stop for the pin <NUM> in the normal state. In this way the pin <NUM> limits radial (e.g., upward and downward) movement of the locking member <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. One or more springs, and in the illustrated embodiment two springs <NUM> and <NUM> bias the locking member <NUM> upward to a point where the pin <NUM> engages the top end of the channel <NUM>. A lower end of each spring <NUM>, <NUM> may surround a respective post <NUM>, <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> to retain the springs <NUM> and <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM>. An upper end of each spring <NUM>, <NUM> may be retained in a respective pocket <NUM>, <NUM> of the post <NUM>.

In one embodiment, an opening <NUM> in the locking member <NUM> that accommodates the securing member <NUM> is threaded. Also, a lower portion of securing member <NUM> is threaded and an upper portion of the securing member <NUM> between a head of the securing member <NUM> and the threaded portion is not threaded. Thus, once the post <NUM> is slid into the receptacle <NUM> and the end of the springs <NUM> and <NUM> are located around the posts <NUM> and <NUM> and in the respective pockets <NUM> and <NUM>, the securing member <NUM> may be threaded through the opening <NUM>. The securing member <NUM> may be threaded through the opening <NUM> until the unthreaded portion of the securing member <NUM> is adjacent the opening <NUM>, which traps the securing member <NUM> in the locking member <NUM>. Further capturing of the securing member <NUM> relative to the locking member <NUM> may be present to limit reversal of the securing member <NUM> out of the threaded opening <NUM>.

The procedure to assemble the securing member <NUM> with the locking member <NUM> may be performed when the locking member <NUM> is elevated above the housing <NUM> (e.g., by force of the springs <NUM> and <NUM>) to the limit imposed by the top end of the channel <NUM> serving as the upper stop. In this manner, the lower end of the securing member <NUM> is partially inserted into the upper portion of the opening <NUM> with sufficient interaction so that each of the securing member <NUM>, the locking member <NUM>, the springs <NUM> and <NUM> and the housing <NUM> are all captured with respect to one another. Also, the locking member <NUM> is positioned to allow the adapter <NUM> to be inserted into the receptacle <NUM> as shown and described with respect to <FIG>. Once the adapter <NUM> is inserted into the receptacle <NUM>, the securing member <NUM> may be threaded deeper into the opening <NUM> and moved downward against the force of the springs <NUM> and <NUM> to compress the springs and effectuate bringing the portion <NUM> into position in the chamber <NUM> as depicted in <FIG>.

Turning now to <FIG>, shown is a progression of assembly of the adapter <NUM> with the receptacle <NUM>. In <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> is disconnected from the receptacle <NUM>. In <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> is partially inserted into the receptacle <NUM>. In <FIG>, the adapter <NUM> is fully assembled with the receptacle <NUM>. As illustrated, during assembly of the adapter <NUM> with the receptacle <NUM>, the portion <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> that fits in the latch area chamber <NUM> to operatively lock the adapter <NUM> in the receptacle <NUM> moves over an upper exterior surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>. The upper exterior surface <NUM> is on an upper wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> in which the latch area chamber <NUM> is located. In this way, the upper wall <NUM> of the housing <NUM> is interposed between the portion <NUM> of the locking member <NUM> and the housing <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> before the portion <NUM> is aligned with the latch area chamber <NUM> and the portion <NUM> is moved toward the housing <NUM> so as to become located and secured in the latch area chamber <NUM>.

Other embodiments are possible. For example, the post <NUM> may be snap fit into the receptacle <NUM>. The snap fit is not easily reversed so as to trap the locking member <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM>. The securing member <NUM> may be captured by the locking member <NUM>. Enough freedom of vertical movement of the locking member <NUM> relative housing <NUM> may be present to allow for similar assembly of the adapter <NUM> receptacle <NUM> as described for the illustrated embodiment. A snap fit relationship may be facilitated by making one of both of the housing <NUM> and the locking member <NUM> of resilient material.

In the embodiments described in connection with <FIG>, the locking member <NUM> is considered a separate component from the housing <NUM>, even though they have a captured relationship.

Claim 1:
A fiber optic adapter, comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a longitudinal passage (<NUM>) extending between a first opening at a first end of the housing and a second opening at a second end of the housing, the housing sized to fit within a fiber optic receptacle; and
a locking member (<NUM>) interfaced with the housing and sized to fit within a retaining notch (<NUM>) in the fiber optic receptacle to prevent separation of the housing from the receptacle,
characterized in that the fiber optic adapter comprises a deflectable member (<NUM>) in the longitudinal passage of the housing configured to retain a fiber optic terminus (<NUM>) in the housing, the deflectable member functioning as a rearward direction stop for the fiber optic terminus to bring a leading end of a fiber optic filament retained by the fiber optic terminus into optical contact with an optical component retained by the fiber optic receptacle.