Patent ID: 8038356

Claim:
A fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising: a one-piece unitary housing extending from a first end to a second end, the one-piece unitary housing including: a central passage extending from the first end to the second end of the one-piece unitary housing, the central passage defining a longitudinal axis and including a spring pocket at the first end of the one-piece unitary housing; a coupling protrusion extending from a first end at the first end of the one-piece unitary housing to a second end, the coupling protrusion including at least one coupling tab; a flange including a face adjacent the second end of the coupling protrusion and at least one external shoulder opposite the face, the at least one external shoulder facing the second end of the one-piece unitary housing; and a gripping surface positioned adjacent the second end of the one-piece unitary housing; a connector body extending from a first end to a second end, the connector body including: a portion that fits over the coupling protrusion adjacent the second end of the connector body, a plug portion at the first end of the connector body adapted for connection with the fiber optic adapter; and at least one retention arm extending from an end at the second end of the connector body towards the plug portion, the at least one retention arm including an attachment slot that receives the at least one coupling tab of the coupling protrusion of the one-piece unitary housing; a compression sleeve positioned over the gripping surface of the one-piece unitary housing, the compression sleeve and the gripping surface adapted to attach strength members of a fiber optic cable to the one-piece unitary housing between the compression sleeve and the gripping surface; a ferrule assembly mounted at least partially within the connector body, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule and a spring, the spring being positioned within the spring pocket of the central passage of the one-piece unitary housing and being configured to bias the ferrule towards the first end of the connector body; a sleeve including an internal shoulder that abuts the external shoulder of the flange of the one-piece unitary housing; a sealing member positioned at least partially within an exterior groove of the sleeve; and a retaining nut positioned around a portion of the sleeve and adapted to abut a nut shoulder of the sleeve.