Patent ID: 8430572

Claim:
A fiber optic connector assembly comprising: a fiber optic connector having a first mating end and a second end; a first optical fiber terminated to the fiber optic connector, the first optical fiber defining a first end adjacent the mating end for optical connection to a second fiber optic connector, the first optical fiber defining a second end protruding out of the second end of the fiber optic connector; a carrier having a connector end engaged with the fiber optic connector and an oppositely disposed cable end; an alignment structure disposed on the carrier, the alignment structure including a first end and a second end and a throughhole extending from the first end to the second end, the alignment structure including a cutaway portion extending generally perpendicularly to and communicating with the throughhole, the first optical fiber terminated to the fiber optic connector being positioned within at least a portion of the throughhole with the second end of the first optical fiber located within the cutaway portion of the alignment structure; a window disposed within the cutaway portion of the alignment structure over the second end of the first optic fiber, the window configured for visually inspecting an alignment of the second end of the first optical fiber with an end of a second optical fiber entering the cable end of the carrier; and a heat activated element that is configured to melt when exposed to a predetermined amount of heat and resolidify when the heat is removed for bonding the second optical fiber to the alignment structure.