Patent ID: 8855458

Claim:
A fiber optic connector removal tool, the fiber optic connector removal tool comprising: a unitary structure of molded plastic material, the unitary structure including a generally U-shaped engagement portion, a force transmitting portion and a handle portion, each of the engagement portion, the force transmitting portion and the handle portion having a uniform thickness, the thicknesses being substantially equal to each other; the engagement portion is being configured to engage a portion of each side of a body section of a fiber optic connector disposed within a densely packed array of mounted fiber optic connectors and including a plurality of deflectable latch arms, at least one of which has an outwardly facing edge, each latch arm being joined by a web portion and having an access gap at an opposing end, the access gap being sized and shaped to accommodate passage of the body section therethrough at an open position of the engagement portion, after which the engagement portion is positioned at a closed position in which the engagement portion engages the body section along the entirety of its generally U-shape; and the force transmitting portion is being positioned between the engagement portion and the handle portion for transmitting digital connector removal force to the handle portion; wherein: the fiber optic connector removal tool can be attached to and removed from the fiber optic connector when the fiber optic connector is in a mated position; and the thicknesses being determined such that multiple fiber optic connector removal tools may be simultaneously used within the densely packed array of mounted fiber optic connectors.