Patent ID: 7583883

Claim:
A fiber optic connector holder comprising: a housing with a first end, a second end, and a pair of opposing sides extending between the first and second ends; the housing including a cavity extending from the first end to the second end for receiving a fiber optic connector including a dust cap mounted about a ferrule; the first end of the housing being configured to engage with the fiber optic connector when the fiber optic connector and the mounted dust cap are arranged within the cavity; each of the opposing sides including a flexible arm, which extends from a location adjacent the first end toward the second end, and a fixed tab arranged adjacent the second end; each arm including a proximal end and a distal portion, the proximal end being attached to the corresponding side of the housing adjacent the first end, and the distal portion including a movable tab with an outer ramped surface angled toward the first end and a locking surface opposing the fixed tab when the arm is arranged in an undeflected position; each arm including an inner surface and each side including an inner surface within the cavity, the inner surfaces of the arm and the corresponding side being generally aligned when the arm is arranged in the undeflected position; and the inner surface of each arm extending into the cavity beyond the inner surface of the corresponding side and preventing insertion of the fiber optic connector into the cavity when each arm is arranged in a deflected position.