Patent ID: 7347630

Claim:
A receptacle for use in receiving a connector of an optical fiber cable, the receptacle comprising: a receptacle housing having an inner surface and an outer surface; and a floating port assembly housed within the receptacle housing, the floating port assembly defining a port, the port having an optical axis and a center axis, the floating port assembly having a cylindrical sleeve for receiving a ferrule of an optical fiber cable and an outer surface, the outer surface of the floating port assembly having one or more features thereon that engage one or more features on the inner surface of the receptacle housing to thereby secure the floating port assembly and the receptacle housing in locking engagement with each other, the sleeve having an inner surface that is in contact with and surrounds at least a portion of the ferrule when a connector of the optical fiber cable is connected to the receptacle, the sleeve having an axis that is coaxial with the port center axis, the port optical axis being coaxial with the port center axis when the port assembly is in a center position, the port assembly including a spring-return mechanism, wherein when the floating port assembly is in locking engagement with the receptacle housing, the spring-return mechanism allow the port assembly to move angularly relative to the port center axis from the center position of the port assembly if an angular mechanical moment is exerted on the port assembly, the spring-return mechanism returning the port assembly to the center position if the angular mechanical moment is removed.