Patent ID: 7985027

Claim:
An adapter assembly for coupling dissimilar fiber optic connectors each having an outer surface, comprising: an adapter housing defining a first end, a second end, and an internal cavity, wherein the first and second housing ends include respective extensions; an alignment sleeve received in the adapter housing internal cavity and having a first end with an opening configured to receive and surround at least a portion of the first fiber optic connector outer surface, a second end configured to receive and surround at least a portion of the second fiber optic connector outer surface, the alignment sleeve having an internal passageway extending therethrough; and first and second key-type alignment features respectively maintained at the adapter housing first and second ends and configured to receive corresponding first and second complementary key-type alignment features on the first and second fiber optic connectors; wherein the adapter housing extensions at the first and second housing ends are configured to respectively engage the first and second connector outer surfaces when said first and second connector ends engage the respective first and second alignment sleeve ends.