Patent ID: 7614797

Claim:
A backward compatibility converter for receiving and converting a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector being at least partially inserted into the backward compatibility converter, the backward compatibility converter comprising: a converter housing having a first end positioned opposite from a second end, the first end of the converter housing including an end wall defining a first opening, the second end of the converter housing defining a second opening, the converter housing defining an internal passage that extends through the converter housing from the first opening to the second opening; the end wall including a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the end wall defining a first shoulder and the second side of the end wall facing in a direction of insertion of the fiber optic connector; the first end of the converter housing including two paddles that project outwardly from the second side of the end wall, the paddles being positioned at opposite sides of the first opening and including inner surfaces that oppose each other; the internal passage of the converter housing defining internal threads located within the internal passage; the internal passage of the converter housing defining a sealing surface extending from the internal threads to the first shoulder of the first side of the end wall; a coupling nut rotatably mounted about an exterior of the converter housing adjacent the second end of the converter housing, the coupling nut including external threads; and a first sealing member mounted about the exterior of the converter housing at a location between the coupling nut and the first end of the converter housing; wherein the fiber optic connector is insertable through the second opening into the internal passage of the converter housing; wherein the fiber optic connector includes a second sealing member that forms a seal with the sealing surface of the internal passage of the converter housing when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the internal passage of the converter housing; and wherein the fiber optic connector includes a second shoulder that abuts against the first shoulder of the first side of the end wall of the converter housing when the fiber optic connector is inserted into the internal passage of the converter housing through the second opening.