Patent ID: RE40622

Claim:
An optical fiber connector assembly comprising: a. a fiber optic connector having: i. a connector housing having a leading end; ii. at least a first ferrule and a second ferrule contained within said connector housing with; A. said first and second ferrules positioned in parallel, spaced-apart alignment at said leading end, and B. said ferrules having exposed ends at said leading end; iii. said connector housing including a first mating fastener exposed on exterior sides of said connector housing, said first mating fastener including a clip receiving detent formed on exposed external surfaces of said connector housing; b. a fiber optic adapter having: i. an adapter housing having an open end sized to slidably receive said leading end of said connector housing with said connector housing moving toward a full insert position in a path of travel parallel to said ferrules; ii. at least a first and a second parallel sleeves contained within said adapter housing and positioned for said first and second sleeves to slidably receive respective ones of said first and second ferrules as said connector housing is moved toward said full insert position; iii. a second mating fastener including a clip on said adapter housing and exposed to an interior of said housing to releasably mate with said first mating fastener when said connector housing is moved to said full insert position; and iv. walls of said adapter housing having recesses at least partially formed therethrough, said clips at least partially disposed within said recesses and said clips movable into said recesses as said clips are deflected in response to insertion of said leading end of said connector housing into said adapter housing.