Patent ID: 7537393

Claim:
A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly comprising: a) a loose tube fiber optic cable having a termination end and including: an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers; at least one strength member; and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the at least one strength member; and b) a connector assembly including a rigid portion and defining at least one fiber passage, wherein the connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the at least one fiber passage; c) wherein the plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly and a loose, non-ribbonized configuration outside the rigid portion, and the plurality of optical fibers undergo a transition from the ribbonized configuration to the loose, non-ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly.