Patent ID: 7164840

Claim:
A dust cap for protecting an optical component end face of an optical component from contaminants, comprising: an elongate housing comprising a peripheral shell, an open proximal end, and a closed distal end, the closed distal end having a predetermined size and shape for covering an end portion of the optical component; a protective portion defining a protective cavity of a predetermined depth and shape, the protective portion configured so as to protect the optical component end face while having reduced contact with the optical component end face; and a flexible attachment portion configured to secure the dust cap to the end portion of the optical component, wherein the attachment portion comprises at least one flexible attaching arm, the at least one flexible attaching arm has a catch on an end of the attaching arm that can engage a corresponding receptacle on the optical component, and the at least one flexible attaching arm has a first unflexed position when the catch is engaged with the receptacle on the optical component, and a second flexed position when the catch is biased against the optical component but the catch is not engaged with the receptacle.