Patent ID: 7407330

Claim:
A connector storage system comprising: a panel defining a face; a connector storage housing detachably mounted at the face of the panel, the connector storage housing defining a storage receptacle, the storage receptacle having a connector receiving end that faces outwardly from the face of the panel; a fiber optic connector stored within the storage receptacle of the connector storage housing, the fiber optic connector including a ferrule holder having a first end and a second end, the fiber optic connector also including a ferrule positioned at the first end of the ferrule holder, the ferrule having a side surface and an end surface, the ferrule holding an optical fiber having a polished end face positioned at the end surface of the ferrule; a dust cap having an open end positioned opposite from a closed end, the dust cap including an inner surface defining a central opening that extends from the open end to the closed end of the dust cap, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the fiber optic connector with the inner surface of the dust cap engaging the side surface of the ferrule and the closed end of the dust cap opposing the polished end face of the optical fiber, the dust cap being mounted on the ferrule of the fiber optic connector while the fiber optic connector is stored within the connector storage housing; the panel including a first side and an opposite second side, the face of the panel corresponding to the first side of the panel, the connector storage housing blocking access to the dust cap from the first side of the panel when the fiber optic connector is stored within the storage receptacle of the connector storage housing while the connector storage housing is mounted at the face of the panel, and the connector storage housing being secured to the panel by a detachable connection; and wherein the fiber optic connector includes a grip housing mounted over the ferrule holder, and wherein at least a portion of the grip housing is positioned within the receptacle of the connector storage housing when the fiber optic connector is stored in the connector storage housing.