Patent Description:
Fiber optic connectors, and the locations where they are installed, are becoming smaller, requiring a higher density application. The fiber optic connectors have been reducedin size such that a person can not easily grasp individual fiber optic connectors mounted in a receptacle in the high density areas. Thus, it can be very difficult to install a fiber optic connector in, and uninstall from, its respective receptacle. Adjacent fiber optic connectors are generally located too close to allow manual insertion and removal of a single fiber optic connector using the connector's outer housing as intended, particularly, when used in higher density applications. Some solutions to the smaller areas include push-pull tabs or projections connected to the fiber optic connector, either as an additional component or as anintegral part of the fiber optic connector, usually the outer housing.

While these push-pull tabs provide a solution to the insertion and removal of some fiber optic connectors, there is still an issue with the optical fibers and optical cables getting tangled around the tabs. This could lead to the push-pull tabs being removed or broken, providing the user with no real options for removing the fiber optic connectors. Additionally,in a high density environment, there may be some confusion as to which fiber optic connector a particular push-pull tab belongs.

While a boot may be used for pushing a fiber optic connector into a receptacle, they are generally not intended to be used to remove a fiber optic connector. The boot is generally used for strain relief of the optical fibers secured within the fiber optic connectors. In many connectors, the boot simply cannot be used for fiber optic connector removal as theboot is not attached to the appropriate structures, such as the outer housing.

Additionally, the typical boot on a fiber optic connector can not convey the polarity of the fiber optic connector to which it is attached. <CIT> describes several embodiments of a duplex clip assembly for use in aiding the insertion and removal of a pair of LC fiber optic connectors. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a duplex housing, a housing cover, a crimp sleeve, a boot and a pair of LC connectors. <CIT> relates to a duplex fiber optic assemblies suitable for polarity reversal and methods therefor.

The present invention is therefore directed to a combination of a boot and a crimp body that can be used with a fiberoptic connector to insert into and remove from a receptacle. The boot can also be detached from a portion of the fiber optic connector and reinstalled in a different configuration to identify a polarity of the fiber optic connector. A problem-free detachment of the boot from the crimp body should be possible with constructionally simply means.

The present invention is directed to a combination of a boot and a crimp body suitable to be used for a fiber optic connector having a housing, at least two fiber optic ferrules, and a spring push: the boot comprising: a center portion having a front end and a back end, a first longitudinal opening extending between the front end and the back end is adapted to receive a portion of the crimp body anda fiber optic cable; a back portion attached to the center portion and extending away from the front end of the center portion, the back portion defining a second longitudinal opening that is in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the back portion having grasping portions to allow a user to push and pull on the boot; the boot further comprising a front extension portion connected to the center portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension portion extending forward and beyond the front end of the center portion and having at least one latch to engage a receptacle; the crimp body comprising a front portion configured to be disposed at least partially in the housing; a rear portion that extends rearwardly away from the front portion and provides an outer surface to receive a crimp band therearound; and a central portion disposed between the front and rear portions, wherein the boot has a first engagement member to cooperate with a corresponding second engagement member on the crimp body to removably attach the boot to the crimp body, the second engagement member being disposed on the central portion of the crimp body; and wherein the first engagement member is disengaged from the second engagement member when the front portion of the boot is pressed inward toward the first longitudinal opening.

In some embodiments, the first engagement member comprises one of at least one projection and at least one notch and the second engagement member comprises the other of at least one projection and at least one notch, the at least one notch has a length to allow for movement of the at least one projection within the at least one notch without becoming unattached.

In some embodiments, the at least one projection includes two projections and the at least one notch comprises two notches.

In some embodiments, the at least one notch includes a forward facing surface and the at least one projection includes a rearward facing surface such that pulling on the boot causes the rearward facing surface toengage the forward facing surface.

In some embodiments, pulling onthe boot causes the first engagement member to slide relative to the second engagement member thereby pulling the front extension rearwardly releasing the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

Applicant notes that the term "front" or "forward" means that direction where the fiber optic connector would meet with another fiber optic connector or device, while the term "rear" or "rearward" is used to mean the direction from which the optical fibers enter into the fiber-optic ferrule or fiber optic connector. Thus, "front" is that part of the fiber optic connector on the left side of <FIG> and "forward" is out and to the left. "Rear" or "back" is that part of the fiber optic connector that is on the right side of the page and "rearward" and "backward" is toward the right.

One embodiment of a fiber optic connector <NUM> according to the present invention is illustrated in <FIG>. The fiber optic connector <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may include a housing <NUM>, fiber optic ferrules <NUM> (which may be included in a ferrule assembly as disclosed in PCT/<NUM>/<NUM>), a crimp body <NUM>, a crimp ring and heat shrink tube <NUM>, a front extension <NUM> that is a part of strain relief boot <NUM>. As discussed in more detail below, the crimp body <NUM>, the front extension <NUM>, and a strain relief boot <NUM> are the focus of this application. The front extension <NUM> also functions as a push-pull mechanism or latch component, whereby the front extension <NUM> has at least one latch and more preferably two latches <NUM>, <NUM> on a latch body <NUM> that engage a receptacle (such as an adapter and/or a carrier) if used with the present invention. The front extension <NUM> also functions as a polarity key for the fiber optic connector <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the fiber optic connector <NUM> can only be inserted into a receptacle in one orientation with the front extension <NUM> installed on the fiber optic connector <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is symmetric about a longitudinal axis A through the fiber optic connector <NUM>. Thus, without the front extension <NUM>, the fiber optic connector <NUM> could be inserted into a receptacle in at least two ways. The front extension <NUM> prevents the fiber optic connector <NUM> from being inserted in all but one way - thereby giving it a polarity function.

Turning to the housing <NUM>, the housing <NUM> has a main body <NUM> extending between a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM>, and has an opening <NUM> extending therebetween. See also <FIG> and <FIG>. The fiber optic ferrules <NUM> are disposed within the opening <NUM> and have their front faces (for mating with other fiber optic ferrules) adjacent the front end <NUM>. The crimp body <NUM> is also at least partially disposed within the opening <NUM> at the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The outside of the housing <NUM> has many features that are integral to its use. First are the top surface <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM>. The top and bottom surfaces <NUM>,<NUM> are preferably the same. Extending from the rear end <NUM> towards the front end <NUM> of the housing <NUM> on both the top surface <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM> is a rail receiving portion <NUM>. The rail receiving portion <NUM> as illustrated does not extend the entire length of the housing <NUM>, but it could extend farther along the length of the housing <NUM> than shown in the figures if so desired. The rail receiving portion <NUM> has a stop surface <NUM> at the end of the rail receiving portion <NUM>. The front extension <NUM> will make use of the stop surface <NUM> when the fiber optic connector <NUM> is inserted into or removed from various structures as discussed in more detail below.

The rail receiving portion <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> and two lobe sections <NUM>, one lobe on each side of the central portion <NUM>. As a result, the rail receiving portion <NUM> looks like part of a profile of a dog bone. This configuration matches that of the bottom surface of the front extension <NUM> (latch component or push-pull mechanism) to form a sliding dove-tail configuration. Other configurations are possible, such as, for example, a cap with undercuts (essentially an umbrella or a T-shape configuration).

The fiber optic connector <NUM> also includes the crimp body <NUM>. The crimp body <NUM>has a front portion <NUM> that is designed to interact and connect with the housing <NUM> and a spring push (not shown) that is used in conjunction with the fiber optic ferrules <NUM> in the opening <NUM> thereof. The crimp body <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> that fits against the rear end <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The central portion <NUM> has a first portion <NUM> that includes a rail receiving portion <NUM> on both a top side <NUM> and a bottom side <NUM>. The rail receiving portion <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> and two lobe sections <NUM>, one lobe on each side of the central portion <NUM> that matches the same structure <NUM> on the housing <NUM> to engage the front extension <NUM>.

The central portion <NUM> has a second, more rearward portion <NUM> that include two notches <NUM> on both the top side <NUM> and the bottom side <NUM>. At a rearward end <NUM> of each of the four notches <NUM> (two on the top side <NUM> and two on the bottom side <NUM>) are forward facing surfaces <NUM> to engage latches on the boot <NUM>. The notches <NUM> and the forward facing surfaces <NUM> are involved in the connection of the boot <NUM> (and the front extension <NUM>) to the crimp body <NUM> and the housing <NUM> as explained below.

The crimp body <NUM> has a rear portion <NUM> that extends behind the central portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM> and provides an outer surface <NUM> to receive a crimp band (e.g., crimp ring and heat shrink tube) therearound. Extending through the crimp body <NUM> is an opening <NUM> through which optical fibers/optical fiber cable can pass between the fiber optic ferrules <NUM> and the boot <NUM>. Although the design will allow for the use of a crimp band to attach the aramid yarn from a fiber optic cable, the crimp band is optional and the fiber optic connector will work without a crimp band when the aramid yarn is not present. Further, when the crimp band is not used, the crimp body would require the outer surface <NUM>.

Turning now to the boot <NUM>, the boot <NUM> includes the front extension <NUM>, a center portion <NUM> that is disposed between the front extension <NUM> and a ribbed back portion <NUM>. It should be noted that the front extension <NUM> is preferably an integral part of the center portion <NUM>, but it could be removably attached to the center portion <NUM> and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

The center portion <NUM> has a front end <NUM> and a back end <NUM> with a first longitudinal opening <NUM> extending throughout the center portion <NUM>. The first longitudinal opening <NUM> receives at least a portion of the crimp body <NUM>, including at least the rear portion <NUM> that extends behind the central portion <NUM> and the outer surface <NUM> with the crimp band. The first longitudinal opening <NUM> also receives the rearward portion <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM> as well as the notches <NUM> and the forward facing surfaces <NUM>.

The center portion <NUM> also has sides <NUM> that help to define the first longitudinal opening <NUM>. The sides <NUM> may also have cut-outs <NUM> that receive a portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM>. The cooperation between the cut-outs <NUM> and the portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM> assist in alignment and the integrity of the combination of the crimp body <NUM> and the center portion <NUM>. However, it should be noted that the sides <NUM> could be solid and cover the overlapping portion of the crimp body <NUM>. See, e.g., <FIG>.

Within the first longitudinal opening <NUM> and extending from the sides <NUM> are two projections or latches <NUM> that extend into the first longitudinal opening <NUM>. When the boot <NUM> is attached to the crimp body <NUM>, the projections or latches <NUM> are disposed within the two notches <NUM> on one of the top side <NUM> or bottom side <NUM>, depending on the orientation of the boot <NUM>. In the fully engaged position, the projections or latches <NUM> are farthest from the forward facing surfaces <NUM> that at least partially define the two notches <NUM>. At this position, the front end <NUM> of the center portion <NUM> should be touching the first portion <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM>. See <FIG>, <FIG>. The center portion <NUM> also has a bridge portion <NUM> that connects the sides <NUM> with the projections or latches <NUM>. This bridge portion <NUM> performs two functions. First, as seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the bridge portion <NUM> blocks the rail receiving portion <NUM> when the front extension <NUM> is oriented on the other side of the fiber optic connector <NUM>. This bridge portion <NUM> assists in preventing the rail receiving portion <NUM> from snagging optical fibers and optical fiber cables when the fiber optic connector <NUM> is installed. Second, when a user pushes on the bridge portion <NUM> toward the first longitudinal opening <NUM>, the projections or latches <NUM> (and the sides <NUM>) are pushed outward and clear of the notches <NUM> and the forward facing surfaces <NUM>. This allows the boot <NUM> (and center portion <NUM>) to be removed from the crimp body <NUM> and from the fiber optic connector <NUM> if so desired.

It should be noted that while there are two projections or latches <NUM> and two notches <NUM> on each side, there may be more or fewer. For example, there may just be one latch and one corresponding notch. Alternatively, the latching of the boot <NUM> to the crimp body <NUM> may not be on an outside surface of the crimp body <NUM>. Instead, such latching may occur on an inside surface of the crimp body <NUM>, and may not be visible from the outside. For example, the notches <NUM> and the forward facing surfaces <NUM> may be inside the rearward portion <NUM> such that from outside, the rearward portion <NUM> will have a smooth continuous surface merging with the portion <NUM> of the crimp body. In another example, latches <NUM> may be extending from the bridge portion <NUM> into an internal groove inside or underneath the top surface of the rearward portion <NUM> (i.e., the portion between the forward facing surfaces <NUM>). In this scenario, the latches <NUM> would be facing upward or downward rather than sideways as shown in <FIG>, for example.

The ribbed back portion <NUM> extends between a front end <NUM> and a back end <NUM> and is made of a plurality of rib members <NUM>. The ribbed back portion <NUM> is attached to the back end <NUM> of the center portion <NUM> and extends away from the front end <NUM>. Thus, the ribbed back portion <NUM> makes the boot <NUM> longer. The ribbed back portion <NUM> also has a spine <NUM> that joins the plurality of rib members <NUM> together. Along the spine <NUM> are a number of grasping portions <NUM> that provide surfaces for the user to grasp. The user can then use the ribbed back portion <NUM> to either push the fiber optic connector <NUM> into a receptacle or to pull on the ribbed back portion <NUM>, and the grasping portions <NUM> in particular, to pull the fiber optic connector <NUM> from a receptacle. The grasping portions <NUM> are illustrated as three annular members that are disposed along a length of the spine <NUM> and together with the plurality of rib members <NUM> form a second longitudinal opening <NUM> through the ribbed back portion <NUM>. The first longitudinal opening <NUM> and the second longitudinal opening <NUM> are in communication with one another and form a pathway for the optical fibers/fiber optic cable to be inserted from back end <NUM> to the opening <NUM> in the housing so they can be fixed within the fiber optic ferrules <NUM> in the fiber optic connector <NUM>.

The construction of the ribbed back portion <NUM> with the plurality of rib members <NUM> and the spine <NUM> provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used to install and remove the fiber optic connector while at the same time being flexible to provide strain relief to the optical fibers. The ribbed back portion <NUM> is illustrated as being asymmetrical about the second longitudinal opening <NUM>, but could be of any appropriate shape and still fall within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, there could different rib structures and grasping portions such as those illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> that also fall within the scope of the present invention.

The front extension <NUM> has a main body <NUM> and a latch body <NUM> that attaches to the main body <NUM>. See <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The main body <NUM> has a front portion <NUM>, a middle portion <NUM>, and a rear portion <NUM>. Generally, the front portion <NUM> is where the latch body <NUM> attaches to the main body <NUM> and provides for the latching of the fiber optic connector <NUM> to a first receptacle such as an adapter. The middle portion <NUM> provides an area for the latching of the fiber optic connector <NUM> to a second receptacle such as a ganged carrier. The rear portion <NUM> has an area for a return element associated with the latch body <NUM> and also connects the front extension <NUM> to the center portion <NUM> of the boot <NUM>.

The front portion <NUM> has two windows <NUM> and <NUM> and the middle portion <NUM> has a window <NUM>. The window <NUM> of the front portion <NUM> and window <NUM> are to receive a latch <NUM>, <NUM> from the latch body <NUM> therethrough. The first window <NUM> is to receive a latch pad <NUM> on the latch body <NUM>. There are two latch <NUM> pads on the latch body <NUM> that cooperate with a groove 266a in the main body <NUM> to secure the latch body to the main body <NUM>. The latch pads slide within the grooves to allow for the latching and unlatching the fiber optic connector <NUM>. A more detailed discussion of this feature is disclosed in <CIT>, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The middle portion <NUM> has an upper surface <NUM> that is higher than an upper surface <NUM> of the front portion <NUM>. This allows for the latching of a carrier and an adapter with the same device. On the bottom side <NUM> of the middle portion <NUM> are two extensions <NUM>,<NUM> that are a complementary configuration of a rail receiving portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> also has the same rail portion configuration of two extensions <NUM>,<NUM> on the bottom thereof. This allows the main body <NUM> and the latch body <NUM> to be slidingly attached to the rail receiving portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> and the rail receiving portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM>. When the latch body <NUM> is inserted into the front portion <NUM>, a front surface <NUM> of the two extensions <NUM>,<NUM> provides a pushing surface by which the main body <NUM> can push the latch body <NUM> in the rail receiving portion <NUM>. See also <FIG> and <FIG>. The front surface <NUM> of the two extensions <NUM>,<NUM> also provides a pushing surface to be used against the stop surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. See <FIG> and <FIG>. This allows for the user to exert a force on the boot <NUM> which is transferred through the main body <NUM> to the latch body <NUM> and to the housing <NUM> to insert the fiber optic connector <NUM> into a carrier and/or adapter.

Turning to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the latch body <NUM> has two latches for receptacles such as an adapter latch <NUM> and a carrier latch <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> may only have one of the latches, depending upon its uses and the needs of the user and the receptacles into which the fiber optic connector <NUM> is going to be inserted. The adapter latch <NUM> extends from a forward portion of the latch body <NUM> and protrudes through window <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The carrier latch <NUM> also extends from the latch body <NUM>, from a rear portion thereof, and protrudes through the window <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. As is recognized from <FIG>, the adapter latch <NUM> does not rise as high as the carrier latch <NUM>. The latch body <NUM> has a connector latch <NUM> as well. The connector latch <NUM> extends forward beyond the front surface <NUM> of the two extensions <NUM>,<NUM> to engage the stop surface <NUM>. The connector latch <NUM> has a downward curling portion <NUM> that provides a surface to engage the stop surface <NUM> to prevent the latch body <NUM> from moving rearwardly relative to the housing <NUM> as the boot <NUM> is pulled to disengage the fiber optic connector <NUM> from a receptacle as will now be explained.

Referring in particular to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the attachment, use, and the removal of the boot <NUM> on the fiber optic connector <NUM> will be explained. As is generally known in the art, a fiber optic connector would need to have the optical fibers terminated in the fiber optic ferrules before a strain-relief boot can be attached to the fiber optic connector. In this case, the boot <NUM> with the center portion <NUM> and the front extension <NUM> are put onto the optical fibers/fiber optic cable as illustrated in <FIG>. The optical fibers/fiber optic cable pass through the first longitudinal opening <NUM> and the second longitudinal opening <NUM> of the boot <NUM> and are secured in the fiber optic ferrules <NUM>. The jacket or covering on the optical fibers/fiber optic cable is then secured to the crimp body <NUM> with a crimp ring and heat shrink tube <NUM> or in any other manner that is appropriate. As seen in <FIG>, the boot <NUM> is disposed on the optical fibers/fiber optic cable and the fiber optic connector has been assembled. As the boot <NUM> is moved to the fiber optic connector (to the left in <FIG>), it is apparent that the front extension <NUM> will engage the rail receiving portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM> first and then the rail receiving portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As the boot <NUM> is further pushed to the left in the figure, the rear portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM> enters the first longitudinal opening <NUM> followed by the rearward portion <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM>. As the connector latch <NUM> starts to engage the stop surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, the notches <NUM> and the forward facing surfaces <NUM> of the central portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM> also enter the first longitudinal opening <NUM>. <FIG> also illustrates (with the connector housing <NUM> removed for clarity) how the crimp body <NUM> engages the boot <NUM> and the latches <NUM> moving past the forward facing surfaces <NUM>. With the front end <NUM> of the center portion <NUM> disposed against the crimp body <NUM>, the cut-outs <NUM> receive the portion <NUM> of the crimp body <NUM>. As seen in <FIG>, the projections or latches <NUM> are disposed within the two notches <NUM> and are at the front end of the notches <NUM>. At this point, the fiber optic connector <NUM> is as illustrated in <FIG> and ready to be inserted into a receptacle. The user could push on the ribbed back portion <NUM>, the grasping portions <NUM>, the front extension <NUM>, or the center portion <NUM> to insert the fiber optic connector <NUM> into the receptacle.

To remove the fiber optic connector <NUM> from the receptacle, the user could pull on the ribbed back portion <NUM>, the grasping portions <NUM>, the front extension <NUM>, or the center portion <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, when the user pulls on one of those structures, the front extension <NUM>, the center portion <NUM>, and ribbed back portion <NUM> move relative to the crimp body <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, the projections or latches <NUM> sliding rearwardly within the two notches <NUM>. It is important to note that the frictional force between the boot and the connector housing and crimp body should be low. It is desirable to have clearance between the boot and the crimp band, crimp body, housing, and the cable. It is also desirable to have a boot material that has a low coefficient of friction, such as polypropylene. Furthermore, a elastomeric boot material is not preferred because the user could deform the internal surface of the boot and cause added friction due to squeezing or pinching the boot while pulling. A material with a Young's Modulus greater than <NUM> MPa or possibly greater than <NUM> GPa has been shown not deform easily. See the arrows in <FIG>. It is important to note that the latch body <NUM> (and the adapter latch <NUM> and carrier latch <NUM>) also does not move because the connector latch <NUM> has engaged the stop surface <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. As the front extension <NUM> moves rearwardly, the main body <NUM> slides relative to the latch body <NUM> (and housing <NUM>), pushing the adapter latch <NUM> and carrier latch <NUM> downward out of the windows and disengaging them from their respective receptacle.

At this point the fiber optic connector <NUM> could be simply removed from the receptacle by pulling on the ribbed back portion <NUM>, the grasping portions <NUM>, the front extension <NUM>, or the center portion <NUM>. The engagement of the projections or latches <NUM> with the forward facing surfaces <NUM> prevents the boot <NUM> from being disengaged from the crimp body <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. However, as noted above, the user could push on the bridge portion <NUM>, which allows the boot <NUM> to be disengaged from the crimp body <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. At this point the boot <NUM> could be rotated about the optical fibers/fiber optic cable and reattached on the opposite side, thereby changing the polarity of the fiber optic connector <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates another embodiment of a boot <NUM> for use with a fiber optic connector. The boot <NUM> has a front extension <NUM>, a center portion <NUM>, and a ribbed back portion <NUM>. The front extension <NUM> of this embodiment is the same as that described above and will not be addressed any further. The ribbed back portion <NUM> functions in the same way as ribbed back portion <NUM> in that it can be used to push and pull on the fiber optic connector. It does have a different configuration with regard to the plurality of rib members <NUM> and the spine <NUM>, but still provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used to install and remove the fiber optic connector while at the same time being flexible to provide strain relief to the optical fibers. The ribbed back portion <NUM> has only a single grasping portion <NUM> at the back end <NUM>, although more grasping portions could be added. As can be seen in the figures, the spine <NUM> connects the plurality of rib members <NUM> from the center portion <NUM> to the grasping portion <NUM>.

The center portion <NUM> of the boot <NUM> is similar to the embodiment above, but with a few differences. First, the sides <NUM> that help to define the longitudinal opening therein do not have cut-outs. The sides of a crimp body <NUM> to be used with the boot <NUM> would not have to extend as far into the center portion with the engagement member noted below.

Second, the way of engagement between the center portion <NUM> and the crimp body <NUM> has changed. In this figure, the top and bottom of the center portion <NUM> have a single engagement member, a single element <NUM> that replaces the two projections or latches <NUM> in the prior embodiment. The single element <NUM> has a shape that is rounded at the front <NUM> and then has two rearward facing surfaces <NUM> to engage two inward facing latches <NUM>, <NUM> in the crimp body <NUM>. The interaction between the center portion <NUM> and the crimp body <NUM> is the same as discussed above. The boot <NUM> is advanced toward the crimp body <NUM> and the rounded front portion <NUM> causes the two inward facing latches <NUM>, <NUM> in the crimp body <NUM> to spread apart, allowing the engagement member <NUM> to be disposed between them. As the user pulls on the boot <NUM> to remove the fiber optic connector from a receptacle, the engagement member <NUM> moves relative to the two inward facing latches <NUM>, <NUM>. As discussed above, this movement causes the front extension <NUM> to release the latches and the engagement member <NUM> contacts the two inward facing latches <NUM>, <NUM> to pull the fiber optic connector from the receptacle. Once the fiber optic ferrule is removed from the receptacle, the user can pull of the center portion <NUM> while holding the crimp body or housing and disengage the boot <NUM> from the crimp body with a little more force than was necessary to disengage the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

One other alternative in this embodiment that can be used on the other embodiment is the rail receiving portion <NUM> on both sides. The rail receiving portion <NUM> has a central portion <NUM> and two lobe sections <NUM> to engage the front extension <NUM>. However, the lobe sections <NUM> not as closed as the two lobe sections <NUM>. This allows the rail receiving portion <NUM> to act more as an alignment feature allowing the front extension <NUM> to be aligned with and then inserted in to the rail receiving portion <NUM> from above it, rather than being inserted from the rear side as in the prior embodiment.

Claim 1:
A combination of a boot (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a crimp body (<NUM>, <NUM>) suitable to be used for a fiber optic connector having a housing (<NUM>), at least two fiber optic ferrules (<NUM>), and a spring push:
the boot comprising:
a center portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) having a front end (<NUM>, <NUM>) and a back end (<NUM>), a first longitudinal opening (<NUM>) extending between the front end and the back end is adapted to receive a portion of the crimp body and a fiber optic cable;
a back portion (<NUM>, <NUM>) attached to the center portion and extending away from the front end of the center portion, the back portion defining a second longitudinal opening (<NUM>) that is in communication with the first longitudinal opening, the back portion having grasping portions (<NUM>) to allow a user to push and pull on the boot;
the boot further comprising
a front extension portion (<NUM>) connected to the center portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the front extension portion extending forward and beyond the front end of the center portion and having at least one latch (<NUM>, <NUM>) to engage a receptacle;
the crimp body comprising
a front portion (<NUM>) configured to be disposed at least partially in the housing (<NUM>);
a rear portion (<NUM>) that extends rearwardly away from the front portion and provides an outer surface (<NUM>) to receive a crimp band therearound; and
a central portion (<NUM>) disposed between the front and rear portions,
wherein the boot has a first engagement member (<NUM>, <NUM>) to cooperate with a corresponding second engagement member (<NUM>, <NUM>) on the crimp body to removably attach the boot to the crimp body, the second engagement member being disposed on the central portion of the crimp body; and
wherein the first engagement member (<NUM>) is disengaged from the second engagement member (<NUM>) when the front portion of the boot (<NUM>) is pressed inward toward the first longitudinal opening (<NUM>).