Patent ID: 7530745

Claim:
A fiber optic connector having a longitudinal axis, the connector comprising; a ferrule defining an opening for receiving an optical fiber, the ferrule including an end; a hub engaging the ferrule, the hub including a body, a front portion, and a front end, the front portion defining first, second, and third hub contact portions that each extend from the body to the front end at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the first hub contact portion having a first hub contact surface, the second hub contact portion having a second hub contact surface, and the third hub contact portion having a third hub contact surface; a housing defining a bore, a chamber, and first, second, and third housing contact portions each extend at a second angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, the first housing contact portion having a first housing contact surface, the second housing contact portion having a second housing contact surface, and the third housing contact portion having a third housing contact surface; and a spring disposed within the chamber defined by the housing, the spring biasing the ferrule through the bore of the housing; wherein the first hub contact surface contacts the first housing contact surface, the second hub contact surface contacts the second housing contact surface, and the third hub contact surface contacts the third housing contact surface so that the end of the ferrule is maintained at a known orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connector; and wherein the first, second, and third housing contact portions are disposed around the longitudinal axis of the connector to form a tripod configuration such that only the first, second, and third housing contact surfaces contact the first, second, and third hub contact surfaces when the spring biases the ferrule through the bore of the housing.