Patent Description:
Telecommunications systems typically employ a network of telecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of data and voice signals over relatively long distances. The optical cables carry optical fibers that transmit optical signals. Networking and distributing the data-transmitting optical fibers typically requires coupling optical fibers to each other, e.g., by connecting one or more "input" fibers to one or more "output" fibers, which route signals to/from one or more destinations, such as homes, businesses, or particular pieces of hardware, such as computers, etc..

Coupling of optical fibers can take place at, e.g., fiber distribution panels such as patch panels, at or within telecommunications closures, or other distribution equipment. Coupling of optical fibers to each other can include one or more of optical splices, optical connectors, and/or optical alignments devices.

Optical connectors are commonly employed to couple optical fibers to one another, particularly when a high density of optical coupling is required in a limited space, e.g., at a patch panel. Different optical connectors can be used depending on the user's specific connectorization needs. For example, optical connectors can be ruggedized for outdoor or extreme environments. In addition, optical connectors can be single fiber connectors or multi-fiber connectors, such as MPO connectors.

Optical connectors can also vary in form factor, which are standardized within the industry by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA). Examples of single fiber connectors having different standardized form factors are SC and MPO connectors. The standardization protocol requires, for example, that all SC connectors be compatible/interchangeable with SC adapters and SC termination receptacles, that all MPO connectors be compatible/interchangeable for a given MPO adapter or other MPO termination receptacle, etc..

For example, there is a Fiber Optic Connector Intermateability Standard (FOCIS) for SC connectors (FOCIS <NUM>). FOCIS <NUM> covers, for example, adapter interface dimensions, adapter sleeve characteristics, adapter mounting characteristics, adapter keying characteristics, connector interface dimensions, ferrule characteristics, etc. FOCIS <NUM> covers MPO connectors and adapters.

Typical SC connectors include an inner housing and an outer housing that moves relative to the inner housing. The inner housing supports a ferrule that terminates the optical fiber. Pairs of SC connectors are coupled to each other via some sort of adapter which optically aligns and couples the ferrule faces of the two connectors. Typically, the ferrule is spring loaded in its respective connector inner housing to improve coupling and optical transmission at the ferrule face.

The outer housing of a typical SC connector is axially movable relative to the inner housing. Shoulders/catches on either side of the inner housing of the SC connector snap into complementary features of an optical adapter or other compatible termination device. The outer housing includes windows that expose the inner housing shoulders/catches. The outer housing, by axially sliding relative to the inner housing, cooperates with the inner housing to release the connector from the adapter or other termination device/receptacle. A technician can grasp the outer housing and pull back to actuate this release mechanism.

Typically, a rear housing is coupled to the inner housing. A load/bend resisting element, such as a strain relief boot, is then coupled to the rear housing and extends rearward of the connector. Thus, the outer housing moves independently of the rear housing and the boot.

A prior art SC connector and SC adapter are described in <CIT>.

Typical MPO connectors include an inner housing supporting a multi-fiber ferrule and an outer housing moveable relative to the inner housing against an axially biasing spring. Pairs of MPO connectors are coupled to each other via some sort of adapter which optically aligns and couples the ferrule faces of the two connectors. Typically, the ferrule is spring loaded in its respective connector inner housing to improve coupling and optical transmission at the ferrule face.

Latch arms on opposing sides within an MPO adapter socket or other compatible termination device lockingly snap into notches on opposing sides the outer surface of the inner housing. When latched, the inner wall of the outer housing covers the latch arms. By axially sliding the outer housing rearwards (i.e., against the spring bias) relative to the inner housing, the latch arms become uncovered by the outer housing. Further rearward pulling of the outer housing causes the portions of the latch arms that engage the notches to ride up ramps at the front of the notches, such that the latch arms disengage the notches, thereby releasing the MPO connector from the adapter or other termination device/receptacle.

A technician can grasp the outer housing and pull back to actuate this release mechanism. A rear protruding stop on the inner housing can stop the outer housing from being pulled back too far, e.g., from being pulled rearward beyond the inner housing or from damaging the spring that axially biases the outer housing. A strain relief boot can be attached to the rear of the inner housing. Thus, the outer housing is not operably coupled to the strain relief boot and moves independently of the strain relief boot.

There is a need for simplified fiber optic connectors, including, e.g., SC and MPO connectors, having fewer parts and improved release mechanisms. <CIT> discloses related art.

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to fiber optic connectors in which a strain relief boot is integrally movable with a release mechanism of the connector such that, e.g., the release mechanism can be activated simply by pulling on the boot. The release mechanism can include, e.g., the outer housing of a SC connector or, in an example useful to understand the present disclosure, the outer housing of a MPO connector.

Advantages of the connectors disclosed herein can be realized, for example, in high density connector termination equipment, such as a distribution or parking panel that includes a large number of densely packed connectors. Due to the features of the connectors of the present disclosure, a technician can release a given connector from termination equipment simply by grasping and pulling its strain relief boot, which is more easily accessed than the connector's outer housing. Moreover, the flexibility of the boots allows for adjacent boots to bend aside without causing optical transmission disturbances while at the same time providing finger space for grasping the boot of the connector to be removed.

The release mechanism features of the present disclosure can be incorporated into standard form connectors, such as standard SC connectors. Thus, for example, the forward or mating portions of connectors of the present disclosure can match the corresponding connector form factor and be configured to mate with the corresponding standard adapter for that kind of connector.

Features of the disclosed connectors will be described with specific reference to SC and MPO form factor connectors. However, principles and features of the connectors disclosed herein are not limited to these connectors, and can be applied to other connector form factors and non-optical connectors, whether commercially practiced now or in the future.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure can be adapted to connectorize single fibers to each other or sets of multiple fibers to each other, e.g., the fibers of one or more ribbonized cables.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure can be "splice on" connectors in which one or more fibers are spliced to a fiber stub or stubs pre-installed in the connector inner housing. According to some of these examples, the splice or splices can be housed in a splice volume defined by the connector. Alternatively, the splices can be provided outside the connector.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure need not be "splice on. " For example, an optical fiber can be terminated and processed in the connector without being spliced.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure support one or more ferrules. The ferrules can be spring biased (i.e., axially movable against a spring) or fixed in place relative to a portion of the connector housing. Each ferrule supports the end of at least one optical fiber or optical fiber stub spliced to an optical fiber.

The optical fiber/fiber stub can be coupled to the ferrule in any suitable way. For example, the fiber/stub can be inserted into a pre-formed axial hole of the ferrule and secured therein, e.g., with adhesive. Alternatively, the ferrule can be over-molded directly onto the fiber/stub or otherwise affixed thereto, e.g., with thermally expandable/compressible materials.

Connector housings of the present disclosure can be made integral with their ferrule or ferrules, e.g., the ferrule is molded together with the housing. Alternatively, the ferrule(s) is/are installed in the pre-made connector housing.

The strain relief boots can be made integral with the respective release mechanism of the fiber optic connector. Alternatively, the strain relief boot can be manufactured as a separate component from the fiber optic connector housing and then operably coupled to the release mechanism of the fiber optic connector when assembling the connector such that the boot is movable together with the release mechanism. Thus, in some examples, the fiber stub or optical fiber is terminated in the connector prior to the operable coupling of the strain relief boot and the release mechanism. In other examples, the fiber stub or optical fiber is terminated in the connector following the operable coupling of the strain relief boot and the release mechanism. In either case, the release mechanism can be coupled to the inner housing of the connector before or after the fiber stub or optical fiber is terminated in the connector.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber optic connector includes an inner housing supporting a ferrule at a front end and having a forward portion adapted to operably mate with a FOCIS <NUM> (or another recognized industry standard) compatible SC adapter, the fiber optic connector further including an outer housing axially movable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to a strain relief boot such that the outer housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the inner housing, the strain relief boot being disposed entirely rearward of the inner housing. In some examples, the inner housing includes one or more structural features of a standard SC connector inner housing, such as protruding catches and/or protruding stops. In some examples, the outer housing includes one or more structural features of a standard SC connector outer housing, such as a keying feature, and/or axial guides and windows that cooperate with the protruding catches and the protruding stops of the inner housing, as well as the latch arms of an adapter or other terminating device.

In examples useful for understanding the present disclosure, a fiber optic connector includes an inner housing supporting a ferrule at a front end and having a forward portion adapted to operably mate with a FOCIS <NUM> (or another recognized industry standard) compatible MPO adapter, the fiber optic connector further including an outer housing axially movable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to a strain relief boot such that the outer housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the inner housing, the strain relief boot being entirely disposed rearward of the inner housing. In some examples, the outer housing is axially spring loaded. In some examples, the inner housing includes one or more structural features of a standard MPO connector inner housing. In some examples, the outer housing includes one or more structural features of a standard MPO connector outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors described herein, a flange extends radially from a rear portion of the strain relief boot, the flange being integral with the strain relief boot. In some examples, the flange includes an annular concave surface surrounding an axial bore of the strain relief boot and facing substantially away from the inner housing of the connector. In some examples, the flange is trumpet shaped and/or includes an annular convex surface surrounding an axial bore of the strain relief boot and facing substantially towards the inner housing of the connector.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an assembly is defined by the subject-matter of claim <NUM>. In some examples, the socket is a socket in a standard SC fiber optic adapter.

In accordance with further examples useful for understanding the present disclosure, an assembly has a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration and includes a fiber optic socket having one or more locking features and a fiber optic connector having a forward portion that lockingly mates with resilient latch arms of the fiber optic socket in the mated configuration, the fiber optic connector having an inner housing supporting a ferrule at a front end, the fiber optic connector including an axially spring loaded outer housing axially movable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to a strain relief boot disposed entirely rearwards of the inner housing such that the outer housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the inner housing and such that in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes disengagement of the resilient latch arms from notches in an outer surface of the inner housing. In some examples, the socket is a socket in a fiber optic adapter. In some examples, the socket is a socket in a standard MPO fiber optic adapter.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, the strain relief boot is disposed rearward of the inner housing of the connector and has an axial length that is at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% as long (or greater) as an axial length of the inner housing defined between a front end and a back end of the inner housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, a tapered axial region of the strain relief boot is radially narrower than at least one radial dimension of the outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, a tapered axial region of the strain relief boot is radially narrower than all radial dimensions of the outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, the tapered axial region of the strain relief boot is disposed forward of a flange that extends radially from a rear portion of the strain relief boot, the flange being integral with the strain relief boot, and rearward of a coupling region of the strain relief boot that operably couples the strain relief boot to the outer housing. In some examples, the flange includes an annular concave surface surrounding an axial bore of the strain relief boot and facing substantially away from the inner housing of the connector. In some examples, the flange includes an annular convex surface surrounding an axial bore of the strain relief boot and facing substantially towards the inner housing of the connector.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, the strain relief boot defines a circumferentially closed axially extending bore that receives a fiber optic cable carrying one or more optical fibers. In some examples, an inner surface of the strain relief boot defines the axially extending bore, the inner surface being circumferentially continuous and uninterrupted.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, the fiber optic connector includes a neck region that operably connects the outer housing to the strain relief boot, the neck region including a wall defining a hollow interior.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claimed invention which is defined by the appended claims.

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a prior art SC connector <NUM> axially extends along the axis A<NUM> between a front <NUM> and a back <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. Generally, the SC connector <NUM> includes a plurality of discrete parts that are assembled together to form the connector <NUM>. The parts include, e.g., an inner housing <NUM> supporting a spring loaded ferrule <NUM>, a rear housing <NUM> adapted to frictionally mount a flexible strain relief boot <NUM>, and an outer housing <NUM> positioned around the inner housing <NUM>. The rear housing <NUM> is a separate component from the inner housing and the two are coupled together when assembling the connector <NUM>. A removable dust cap <NUM> can be sleeved over the ferrule <NUM> to protect the ferrule <NUM> when the connector is not in use. The flexible strain relief boot <NUM> is not operably coupled to the outer housing <NUM>, but rather is effectively affixed to the rear housing <NUM> and, thereby, the inner housing <NUM>.

The outer housing <NUM> moves axially relative to the inner housing <NUM> (and also relative to the flexible strain relief boot <NUM>) between forward most and rearward most positions. To axially move the outer housing <NUM> relative to the inner housing <NUM>, a user can grasp the finger hold <NUM> toward the rear of the outer housing <NUM>.

The inner housing <NUM> includes a protruding catch <NUM> on each of two opposing sides and a protruding stop <NUM> rearward of the catches <NUM> on each of the two opposing sides. Each of the pair of protruding catches <NUM> and the pair of protruding stops <NUM> partially extends into a window <NUM> on either side of the outer housing <NUM>. The protruding catches <NUM> engage a forward portion of the frames of the window <NUM> when the outer housing <NUM> is in its rearward most position relative to the inner housing <NUM>. The protruding stops <NUM> engage a rearward portion of the frames of the windows <NUM> when the outer housing <NUM> is in its forward most position relative to the inner housing <NUM>.

A pair of axially extending guides <NUM>, <NUM> above and below each window <NUM> on either side of the outer housing are adapted to engage flexible latch arms disposed in the socket of an adapter (not shown in <FIG>). As the connector <NUM> is axially pushed forwards into the adapter socket, the guides <NUM>, <NUM>, engage the flexible latch arms of the adapter and spread them apart until the protruding catches <NUM> clear the latch arms rearwardly. As the connector continues to push forward, the guides <NUM>, <NUM> then release the latch arms, allowing the latch arms to snap over the rear of the protruding catches <NUM> and into the notch <NUM> immediately behind each of the protruding catches <NUM>, which axially stabilizes or locks the connector <NUM> relative to the adapter.

To remove the connector <NUM> from the adapter, the outer housing <NUM> is pulled rearwards such that the guides <NUM> and <NUM> again engage the latch arms of the adapter and spread them apart (i.e., out of the notches <NUM>) such that the latch arms can clear the protruding catches <NUM> forwardly and thereby release the connector <NUM>. Thus, the technician must be able to reach the outer housing <NUM> in order to disengage the connector <NUM> from its adapter or other receptacle.

The guides <NUM>, <NUM> are contoured with chamfers, peaks and troughs to provide for the latch arm engagement and disengagement described.

A keying feature <NUM> on the outer housing <NUM> can be adapted to mate with a complementary feature of the adapter to provide for coupling of connector and adapter in only one orientation.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example prior art MPO connector <NUM> terminates a multi-fiber cable <NUM>. The connector <NUM> includes an inner housing <NUM> supporting a multi-fiber ferrule <NUM> and an outer housing <NUM> moveable relative to the inner housing against a spring that biases the outer housing <NUM> along the central axis A<NUM> of the connector <NUM> towards the front <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. The ferrule <NUM> is also axially spring loaded.

Latch arms on opposing sides within an MPO adapter socket or other compatible termination device lockingly snap into notches on opposing sides <NUM> and <NUM> of the outer surface of the inner housing. When the outer housing <NUM> is in the relaxed or forward-most position as shown in <FIG>, a forward portion <NUM> of the outer housing covers the notches. By axially sliding the outer housing <NUM> rearwards (i.e., against the spring bias) relative to the inner housing <NUM>, the latch arms become uncovered by the outer housing <NUM>. Further rearward pulling of the outer housing <NUM> causes the portions of the latch arms that engage the notches to ride up ramps at the front of the notches such that the latch arms disengage the notches, thereby releasing the MPO connector from the adapter or other termination device/receptacle.

A technician can grasp the outer housing <NUM> (e.g., at finger grips <NUM>) and pull back to actuate this release mechanism. A rear protruding stop <NUM> on the inner housing <NUM> can stop the outer housing <NUM> from being pulled back too far, e.g., from being pulled rearward beyond the inner housing <NUM> or from damaging the spring that axially biases the outer housing. A strain relief boot <NUM> is attached at the rear of the inner housing <NUM>. Thus, the outer housing <NUM> is not operably coupled to the strain relief boot <NUM> and moves independently of the strain relief boot <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example single fiber optical connector <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure will be described that provides at least one advantage over the prior art connectors described above. The connector <NUM> terminates a cable <NUM> carrying an optical fiber <NUM>. In some examples, the cable <NUM> is, e.g., a <NUM> micron cable carrying, e.g., a <NUM> micron coated optical fiber <NUM> that passes through the connector from the rear, the coated fiber alone entering the bore <NUM> of the ferrule <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> is defined by a central longitudinal axis A<NUM> and extends longitudinally from a front <NUM> to a back <NUM>.

The fiber optic connector <NUM> includes an inner housing <NUM> supporting a ferrule <NUM>. A forward portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> can be adapted to operably mate with a standard SC adapter. That is, the fiber optic connector <NUM> can be TIA FOCIS <NUM> (or another recognized industry standard) compatible. In addition, the inner housing <NUM> can be identical to the prior art SC connector inner housing <NUM> described above.

The fiber optic connector <NUM> further includes an outer housing <NUM> that houses the inner housing <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> is axially movable (i.e., along the axis A<NUM>) relative to the inner housing <NUM> and operably coupled to a strain relief boot <NUM> such that the outer housing <NUM> and the strain relief boot <NUM> axially move (i.e., along the axis A<NUM>) together relative to the inner housing <NUM>.

The strain relief boot <NUM> extends rearwards beyond a rear end <NUM> of the inner housing. The strain relief boot <NUM> is adapted to provide bend radius protection to the cable <NUM> and the fiber <NUM> carried by the cable <NUM>. The strain relief boot <NUM> can be resiliently flexed away from axial alignment with the axis A<NUM>. Optionally, to provide or enhance its flexion capability, the strain relief boot <NUM> can include one or more grooves or apertures <NUM>.

Optionally, a flange <NUM> extends radially from a rear portion of the strain relief boot <NUM>, the flange <NUM> being integral with the strain relief boot <NUM>. The flange includes an annular concave surface <NUM> surrounding the axial bore <NUM> of the strain relief boot and facing substantially away from the inner housing <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. However, this surface need not be concave. The axial bore <NUM> of the strain relief boot is in communication with the inner volumes <NUM> and <NUM> defined by the outer housing <NUM> and the inner housing <NUM>, respectively, as well as the fiber bore <NUM> of the ferrule <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> can be, but need not be, made integrally with the rest of the strain relief boot <NUM> and can serve as a finger hold for more easily grasping the strain relief boot <NUM> when releasing the connector <NUM> from an adapter or other termination device. The axial distance of the flange <NUM> from the portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> that is inserted in the adapter or other termination device, combined with the inherent flexibility of the strain relief boot, can facilitate grasping and removing of a given connector <NUM>, particularly from a high density panel or area of connectors, such as the high density array <NUM> of adapters <NUM> and connectors <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The flange <NUM> can also provide additional strain relief to the cable <NUM>, particularly from lateral loads.

The strain relief boot <NUM> is disposed entirely rearward of the inner housing <NUM> and has a length L<NUM> that is at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% as long (or greater) as an axial length L<NUM> of the inner housing.

The strain relief boot <NUM> can include a tapered region <NUM> that radially narrows from front to back and is radially narrower at all points than at least one or all radial dimensions of the outer housing <NUM>. The tapered region <NUM> is disposed forward of the flange <NUM>.

In axial regions between adjacent apertures <NUM>, the inner surface <NUM> of the strain relief boot <NUM> defines portions of the circumferentially closed axially extending bore <NUM> that receives the fiber optic cable <NUM>. In one or more of the axial regions between adjacent apertures <NUM>, the inner surface <NUM> is circumferentially continuous and uninterrupted around the axis A<NUM>.

Optionally, a neck region <NUM> (which can taper axially) operably connects the outer housing <NUM> to the strain relief boot <NUM>.

The inner housing <NUM> includes a protruding catch <NUM> on each of two opposing sides and a protruding stop <NUM> rearward of the catches <NUM> on each of the two opposing sides. Each of the pair of protruding catches <NUM> and the pair of protruding stops <NUM> partially extends into a window <NUM> on either side of the outer housing <NUM>. The protruding catches <NUM> engage a forward portion of the frames of the windows <NUM> when the outer housing <NUM> is in its rearward most position relative to the inner housing <NUM>. The protruding stops <NUM> engage a rearward portion of the frames of the windows <NUM> when the outer housing <NUM> is in its forward most position relative to the inner housing <NUM>.

A pair of axially extending guides <NUM>, <NUM> above and below each window <NUM> on either side of the outer housing are adapted to engage flexible latch arms disposed in the socket of an adapter (not shown in <FIG>).

The guides <NUM>, <NUM> are contoured with chamfers, peaks and troughs to provide for the adapter latch arm engagement and disengagement described below.

Referring now to <FIG>, the prior art SC adapter <NUM> (<FIG>) and the connector <NUM> of <FIG> are compatible with each other as shown in <FIG>.

The adapter <NUM> includes a main housing <NUM> defining first and second connector sockets <NUM> and <NUM> each adapted to receive the forward portion <NUM> of a connector <NUM>.

Within the main housing <NUM> is held a ferrule alignment mechanism <NUM> including a ferrule alignment sleeve <NUM> and ferrule alignment sleeve housings <NUM> for receiving the ferrules <NUM> of two connectors <NUM> and axially aligning and optically coupling them.

The ferrule alignment mechanism <NUM> includes pairs of latch arms <NUM> and <NUM> extending parallel to the axis A<NUM> of the adapter <NUM> and adapted to engage the protruding catches <NUM> of the connector inner housing. The latch arms <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned relative to their corresponding alignment sleeve housing <NUM> such that projections <NUM> (projecting toward the axis A<NUM>) on the latch arms <NUM>, <NUM> will slide and then latch over the protruding catches <NUM> of the inner housing of the connector <NUM> when the connector <NUM> is properly inserted in the adapter socket and the ferrule properly inserted in the alignment sleeve <NUM>. The latch arms <NUM>, <NUM> can be resiliently flexed outward (i.e., away from the axis A<NUM>) when, e.g., pushed outward by the guides <NUM>, <NUM> of the connector <NUM> as the outer housing <NUM> or the strain relief boot <NUM> of the connector <NUM> is pulled rearwards (i.e., in the direction of the arrow <NUM> in <FIG>).

The surfaces of the projections <NUM> can be rounded or chamfered to assist in guiding the projections to their latching position rearward of the protruding catches <NUM> of the connector <NUM>.

The main housing <NUM> can include a keying slot <NUM> adapted to receive the keying feature <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. The main housing <NUM> can also include a removable coupler <NUM> having flexible coupling arms for coupling the adapter <NUM> to distribution equipment, such as a patch panel.

During connector installation, as the connector <NUM> is axially pushed forwards (i.e., opposite the direction of the arrow <NUM>) into the connector socket <NUM>, the guides <NUM>, <NUM>, engage the flexible latch arms <NUM> of the adapter <NUM> and spread them apart until the protruding catches <NUM> clear the latch arms rearwardly. As the connector continues to push forward, the guides <NUM>, <NUM> then release the latch arms, allowing the latch arms to snap over the rear of the protruding catches <NUM> and into the notches <NUM> immediately behind each of the protruding catches <NUM>, which axially stabilizes or locks the connector <NUM> relative to the adapter <NUM>.

To remove the connector <NUM> from the adapter <NUM>, the strain relief boot <NUM> is pulled rearwards (in the direction of the arrow <NUM>) such that the guides <NUM> and <NUM> again engage the latch arms <NUM> of the adapter and spread them apart (i.e., out of the notches <NUM>) causing the latch arms to clear the protruding catches <NUM> forwardly and thereby release the connector <NUM>. The technician can grasp any portion of the strain relief boot or the outer housing <NUM> to release the connector <NUM> from the adapter <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example multi-fiber optical connector <NUM> useful for understanding the present disclosure will be described. The connector <NUM> can be adapted to be compatible with a standard TIA FOCIS <NUM> (or another recognized industry standard) adapter or other connector termination device.

The connector <NUM> is defined by a longitudinal axis A<NUM> and terminates a multi-fiber optical cable <NUM>, e.g., a ribbon cable. The connector <NUM> includes an inner housing <NUM> supporting a multi-fiber ferrule <NUM> at a front end, the ferrule <NUM> defining a plurality of axially extending fiber holes. A spring within the inner housing <NUM> axially biases the ferrule <NUM> forwards. A forward portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> is adapted to operably mate with a standard MPO adapter (described below in connection with <FIG>).

The connector <NUM> further includes an outer housing <NUM> surrounding the inner housing <NUM> and axially movable relative to the inner housing <NUM>. The outer housing <NUM> can be axially spring loaded, the spring biasing the outer housing forwards.

The outer housing <NUM> is operably coupled to a strain relief boot <NUM> such that the outer housing <NUM> and the strain relief boot <NUM> axially move together relative to the inner housing <NUM>.

The strain relief boot <NUM> is disposed entirely rearward of both the inner housing <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM>. The strain relief boot <NUM> is adapted to provide bend radius protection to the cable <NUM> and the fibers carried by the cable <NUM>. Thus, the strain relief boot <NUM> can be resiliently flexed away from axial alignment with the axis A<NUM>. Optionally, to provide or enhance its flexion capability, the strain relief boot <NUM> can include one or more grooves or apertures <NUM>.

Optionally, a flange <NUM> extends radially from a rear portion of the strain relief boot <NUM>, the flange <NUM> being integral with the strain relief boot <NUM>. The flange includes an annular concave surface <NUM> surrounding the axial bore of the strain relief boot and facing substantially away from the inner housing <NUM> of the connector <NUM>. However, this surface need not be concave. In addition, the flange can include an annular convex outer surface <NUM>.

The flange <NUM> can serve as a finger hold for more easily grasping the strain relief boot <NUM> when releasing the connector <NUM> from an adapter or other termination device. The axial distance of the flange <NUM> from the portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> that is inserted in the adapter or other termination device, combined with the inherent flexibility of the strain relief boot <NUM>, can facilitate grasping and removing of a given connector <NUM>, particularly from a high density array of connectors.

The strain relief boot <NUM> is disposed entirely rearward of the inner housing <NUM> and has a length L<NUM> that is at least <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, or <NUM>% as long (or greater) as an axial length of the inner housing <NUM>.

The strain relief boot <NUM> can include a tapered region <NUM> that radially narrows from front to back and is radially narrower at all points than at least one or all radial dimensions of the outer housing <NUM>. The tapered region <NUM> is disposed forwards of the flange <NUM>.

In one or more axial regions between adjacent apertures <NUM>, the inner surface of the strain relief boot <NUM> is circumferentially continuous and uninterrupted around the axis A<NUM>.

Optionally, a keying feature <NUM> on the inner housing <NUM> provides for insertion into an adapter or other termination device in the proper orientation.

A gap <NUM> between the inner housing <NUM> and the outer housing <NUM> is adapted to receive the free ends of the latch arms of an adapter or other termination device, as described below.

Referring now to <FIG>, an example multi-fiber connector adapter <NUM> is defined by a longitudinal axis A<NUM> and includes a housing <NUM> having opposing first and second sockets <NUM> and <NUM> to receive and optically couple first and second connectors at an optical coupling plane <NUM>, such as male and female versions of the connectors <NUM>.

A keying groove <NUM> can be adapted to receive the corresponding keying feature of the connector.

Each of the sockets <NUM> and <NUM> includes a pair of opposing latch arms <NUM>, <NUM>, each of the latch arms including a projection <NUM> at its free end that projects towards the axis A<NUM>.

Referring now to FIGS. <NUM>-<NUM>, when, inserting the connector <NUM> into the adapter <NUM>, the connector <NUM> is translated forwards (opposite the direction of the arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) into the socket of the adapter. In doing so, the projections <NUM> of the latch arms <NUM> snap into notches <NUM> on either side of the inner housing <NUM>, the rearward portions of the latch arms being covered by the inner wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM>.

By pulling on the strain relief boot <NUM> (including the flange <NUM>) rearwards (i.e., in the direction of the arrow <NUM> in <FIG>), the inner wall <NUM> of the outer housing <NUM> uncovers the latch arms <NUM>. Further rearward pulling of the strain relief boot <NUM> causes the projections <NUM> to ride up ramps <NUM> at the forward ends of the notches <NUM> such that the latch arms <NUM> disengage the notches <NUM>, thereby releasing the connector <NUM> from the adapter <NUM> or other termination device/receptacle.

The technician can grasp any portion of the strain relief boot <NUM>, the neck region <NUM>, or the outer housing <NUM> to release the connector <NUM> from the adapter <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A fiber optic connector assembly, the assembly having a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration and comprising:
a fiber optic socket (<NUM>, <NUM>) including one or more first locking features,; and
a fiber optic connector (<NUM>) having a longitudinal axis (A<NUM>) extending from a front (<NUM>) to a back (<NUM>) of the connector, the connector including one or more second locking features (<NUM>, <NUM>), an inner housing (<NUM>) supporting a ferrule (<NUM>), an outer housing (<NUM>) that moves axially relative to the inner housing, and a strain relief boot (<NUM>), wherein the one or more first locking features include a pair of resilient latch arms (<NUM>, <NUM>), each of the resilient latch arms defining a projection (<NUM>) that projects towards the longitudinal axis (A<NUM>) when the assembly is in the mated configuration;
wherein in the mated configuration a forward portion (<NUM>) of the outer housing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the one or more second locking features (<NUM>, <NUM>) lockingly engage the one or more first locking features;
wherein the outer housing (<NUM>) is operably coupled to the strain relief boot (<NUM>) such that the outer housing and the strain relief boot axially move together relative to the inner housing (<NUM>) and such that in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes disengagement of the one or more first locking features from the one or more second locking features (<NUM>, <NUM>); and
characterized in that in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot (<NUM>) causes the outer housing (<NUM>) to engage and spread apart the pair of resilient latch arms (<NUM>, <NUM>) within the fiber optic socket (<NUM>, <NUM>).