Patent ID: 7841775

Claim:
A connector storage system comprising: a connector storage housing defining a storage receptacle, the storage receptacle having a connector receiving end; a fiber optic connector stored within the storage receptacle of the connector storage housing, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule holder having a first end and a second end, the fiber optic connector also including a ferrule positioned at the first end of the ferrule holder, the ferrule having a side surface and an end surface, the ferrule holding an optical fiber having a polished end face positioned at the end surface of the ferrule, the fiber optic connector also including a grip housing mounted over the ferrule holder, wherein at least a portion of the grip housing is positioned within the storage receptacle of the connector storage housing when the fiber optic connector is stored in the connector storage housing; and a dust cap having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, the dust cap including an inner surface defining a central opening that extends from the open end to the closed end of the dust cap, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the inner surface of the dust cap engaging the side surface of the ferrule and the closed end of the dust cap opposing the polished end face of the optical fiber, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the fiber optic connector while the fiber optic connector is stored within the connector storage housing.