Patent ID: 7384201

Claim:
A fiberoptic connector, comprising: a) a connector housing having a longitudinal connector axis extending between a front end and an opposite rear end, the front end defining an opening; b) an optical fiber disposed within the connector housing, the fiber having a terminal end exposed through the opening of the connector housing; and c) a cover mounted to the connector housing, the cover having structure that defines a pivot axis, the cover pivoting rearward about the pivot axis from a closed position to an open position, the pivot axis of the cover being transverse and fixed relative to the longitudinal connector axis of the connector housing when the cover moves between the closed position and the open position; d) wherein a covering portion of the cover is located forward of the terminal end of the fiber when the cover is in the closed position to cover the terminal end of the fiber exposed through the opening, and wherein the covering portion of the cover is located rearward of the terminal end of the fiber when the cover is in the open position to expose the terminal end of the fiber.