Patent ID: 7758257

Claim:
A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly comprising: a) a round, 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 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, the connector assembly including: a rigid connector housing; and a strain relief boot mounted on the connector housing and having a boot passage through which the cable extends, wherein the boot passage includes a front section proximate the connector housing and a rear section distal from the connector housing, wherein the front section receives a rear portion of the connector housing and the rear section receives the cable jacket and has a round shape complementary to the jacket; c) wherein the plurality of optical fibers of the optical fiber bundle have a ribbonized configuration in the connector housing and have a loose tube configuration in at least a portion of the rear section of the boot passage.