Patent ID: 6931193

Claim:
An installation tool for mounting a fiber optic connector upon an optical field fiber wherein the installation tool is capable of being converted between a first configuration that facilitates validation of the continuity of the optical field fiber and a second configuration in which the continuity of the optical field fiber is untested, the installation tool comprising: a tool housing extending lengthwise between first and second opposed ends; first and second adapters capable of being alternately mounted within said tool housing to configure the installation tool to have the first and second configurations, respectively, wherein said first adapter has a first end adapted to engage the fiber optic connector that is being mounted upon the optical field fiber and an opposed second end adapted to engage a fiber optic connector mounted upon another optical fiber that delivers light for continuity testing, wherein said second adapter has a first end adapted to engage the fiber optic connector that is being mounted upon the optical field fiber and an opposed second end that serves as a dust cap, and wherein said first and second adapters each define a shoulder between the opposed first and second ends; and first and second bias members capable of being alternately mounted within said tool housing to configure the installation tool to have the first and second configurations, respectively, wherein said first and second bias members are adapted to be biased into engagement with the shoulder defined by said first and second adapters, respectively, to thereby secure said respective adapter in position within said tool housing, and wherein said first and second adapters and said first and second bias members can be interchanged to convert the installation tool between the first and second configurations without otherwise disassembling the installation tool.