Flexible push-pull boots and press-fit bodies for fiber optic connectors

Abstract

A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed rear portion, a center portion, and a forward extension that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector from a receptacle. The ribbed rear portion has a gripping element and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a press-fit body, which in turn is connected to the connector housing. The forward extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides keying features associated with the side of the fiber optic connector to which it is mounted.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. 201980024568.8, whose application date is April 5, 2019 and whose invention name is “Flexible push-pull boot sleeve and press-fit body for optical fiber connector”. Background of the Invention

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 653,706, filed on April 6, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 793,198, filed on January 16, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. Field of the Invention

[0003] Fiber optic connectors and the locations in which they are installed are becoming smaller, requiring higher density applications. The size of fiber optic connectors has been reduced to the point where an individual cannot easily grasp individual fiber optic connectors installed in receptacles in high-density areas. As a result, installing and removing fiber optic connectors in their respective receptacles can be very difficult. When used in higher density applications, adjacent fiber optic connectors are often positioned too closely to allow for manual insertion and removal of individual fiber optic connectors using the connector housing as intended. Some solutions for smaller areas include push-pull tabs or protrusions that are connected to the fiber optic connector as an additional component or as an integral part of the fiber optic connector (usually the housing).

[0004] While these push-pull tabs offer a solution for inserting and removing some fiber optic connectors, there are still issues with optical fibers and cables becoming tangled near the tabs. This can result in the push-pull tab being removed or damaged, without providing the user with a real option for removing the fiber optic connector. Additionally, in high-density environments, there can be some confusion about which fiber optic connector a particular push-pull tab belongs to.

[0005] While boots can be used to push fiber optic connectors into receptacles, they are not typically intended to be used to remove fiber optic connectors. Boots are typically used to provide strain relief for the optical fibers held within the connector. In many connectors, boots cannot be used to remove the connector at all because the boots are not attached to a suitable structure, such as a housing.

[0006] Additionally, conventional boots on fiber optic connectors cannot communicate the polarity of the fiber optic connector to which it is attached.

[0007] The present invention is therefore directed to a boot that can be used with a fiber optic connector to be inserted into and removed from a receptacle. The boot can also be detached from a portion of the fiber optic connector and reinstalled in a different configuration to identify the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention relates to a boot sleeve for an optical fiber connector, wherein the optical fiber connector has a shell, at least two optical fiber ferrules and a press-fit body, the boot sleeve comprising: a central portion, the central portion having a front end and a rear end; a first longitudinal opening, the first longitudinal opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a portion of the press-fit body and the optical fiber cable; a rear portion, the rear portion being attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening communicating with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a gripping portion to allow a user to push and pull on the boot sleeve; and a front extension portion, the front extension portion being connected to the central portion and engageable with the optical fiber connector, the front extension portion extending forward and extending beyond the front end of the central portion, and the front extension portion having at least one latch to engage a receptacle.

[0009] In some embodiments, a boot can be connected to one of the first side and the second side of the fiber optic connector to determine the polarity of the fiber optic connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, the boot cover further comprises a first engagement member for cooperating with a corresponding second engagement member on the press-fit body to removably attach the boot cover to the press-fit body.

[0011] In some embodiments, pulling on the boot causes the first engagement member to slide relative to the second engagement member, thereby pulling rearwardly on the front extension to release the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

[0012] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a combination of a boot sleeve and a press-fit body for an optical fiber connector, the optical fiber connector having a housing, at least two optical fiber ferrules and a spring-loaded portion, the combination comprising the boot sleeve, the boot sleeve further comprising: a central portion having a front end and a rear end; a first longitudinal opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a portion of the press-fit body and an optical fiber cable; a rear portion attached to the central portion and extending away from the front end of the central portion, the rear portion defining a second longitudinal opening communicating with the first longitudinal opening, the rear portion having a gripping portion to allow a user to push and pull on the boot sleeve; a front extension portion connected to the front extension portion a center portion and engageable with a fiber optic connector, a front extension portion extending forward and extending beyond the front end of the center portion, and the front extension portion having at least one latch to engage a receptacle; and a press-fit body, the press-fit body further comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a center portion, the front portion being configured to be at least partially disposed in a housing, the rear portion extending rearward away from the front portion and providing an outer surface to receive a press-fit band therearound, and the center portion being disposed between the front portion and the rear portion, wherein the boot sleeve has a first engaging member for cooperating with a corresponding second engaging member on the press-fit body to removably attach the boot sleeve to the press-fit body, the second engaging member being disposed on the center portion of the press-fit body.

[0013] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or will be learned by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, and the accompanying drawings.

[0014] It will be understood that both the above general description of the invention and the following detailed description of the current embodiments are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to illustrate the principles and operation of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a fiber optic connector according to the present invention, the fiber optic connector having a press-fit body, a boot, and a front extension;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of the optical fiber connector;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A top plan view of the optical fiber connector;

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A side elevation view of a fiber optic connector;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A bottom plan view of the optical fiber connector;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the optical fiber connector in FIG, wherein the boot and the front extension are separated from the press-fit body and the connector housing;

[0021] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the front extension, latch body, and connector housing;

[0022] Figure 8 Is from Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of the front extension, press-fit body and boot cover of the optical fiber connector;

[0023] Figure 9 It is a local cross section of the connection between the press-fit body and the boot cover;

[0024] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of a press-fit body of an optical fiber connector;

[0025] Figure 11 It is from Figure 1 A bottom perspective view of the front portion of the boot and front extension of the optical fiber connector along the opening therein;

[0026] Figure 12 yes Figure 1 A rear and bottom perspective view of the boot and front extension of the optical fiber connector along the opening thereof;

[0027] Figure 13 It is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom of the boot cover;

[0028] Figure 14 is a side perspective view of the boot cover and front extension attached to the press-fit body;

[0029] Figure 15 is a side view of the boot and the front extension being pulled rearward to disengage the optical fiber connector from the receptacle;

[0030] Figure 16 is a second embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention, the optical fiber connector having a press-fit body, a boot sleeve and a front extension;

[0031] Figure 17 is a third embodiment of the optical fiber connector according to the present invention, the optical fiber connector having a press-fit body, a boot sleeve, and a front extension; and

[0032] Figure 18 is Figure 16 An enlarged view of the connection between the boot sleeve and the press-fit body in the optical fiber connector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[0034] Applicants note that the term "front" or "forward" refers to the direction in which a fiber optic connector will meet another fiber optic connector or device, while the term "rear" or "backward" is used to refer to the direction from which the optical fiber enters the fiber optic ferrule or fiber optic connector. Figure 1 The "rear" or "rear portion" is the portion of the fiber optic connector that is on the right side of the page, and "backward" and "towards the rear" are toward the right.

[0035] An embodiment of an optical fiber connector 100 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1-15 Fiber optic connector 100 (eg Figure 1-6 ) may include a housing 102, a fiber ferrule 104 (which may be included in a ferrule assembly such as disclosed in PCT / 2018 / 066523), a press-fit body 106, a press-fit ring and heat shrink tubing 108, and a front extension 110 that is part of a strain relief boot 112. As discussed in more detail below, the press-fit body 106, the front extension 110, and the strain relief boot 112 are the focus of the present application. The front extension 110 also acts as a push-pull mechanism or latch component, whereby the front extension 110 has at least one latch, and more preferably two latches 114, 116, on a latch body 118 that engages a receptacle (such as an adapter and / or carrier) if used with the present invention. The front extension 110 also acts as a polarity key for the fiber optic connector 100. As described in more detail below, with the front extension 110 disposed on the fiber optic connector 100, the fiber optic connector 100 can only be inserted into the receptacle in one orientation. Housing 102 is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis A passing through fiber optic connector 100. Thus, fiber optic connector 100 can be inserted into the receptacle in at least two ways without front extension 110. Front extension 110 prevents fiber optic connector 100 from being inserted in all but one way—thereby providing a polarization function for the fiber optic connector.

[0036] Turning to the housing 102, the housing 102 has a body 120 extending between a front end 122 and a rear end 124, and has an opening 126 extending therebetween. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The fiber ferrule 104 is disposed within the opening 126 and has a front face of the fiber ferrule adjacent the front end 122 (for mating with other fiber ferrules). The press-fit body 106 is also at least partially disposed within the opening 126 at the rear end 124 of the housing 102 .

[0037] The outside of the housing 102 has a number of features that are integral to its use. First are the top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132. The top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132 are preferably identical. A rail receiver 134 extends from the rear end 124 toward the front end 122 of the housing 102 on both the top surface 130 and the bottom surface 132. The rail receiver 134 does not extend the full length of the housing 102 as shown, but if desired, the rail receiver can extend further along the length of the housing 102 than shown. The rail receiver 134 has a stop surface 136 at the end of the rail receiver 134. The stop surface 136 is used by the front extension 110 when the fiber optic connector 100 is inserted into or removed from various structures, as discussed in more detail below.

[0038] The rail receiver 134 has a center portion 138 and two lobed sections 140, one on each side of the center portion 138. Thus, the rail receiver 134 looks like a partial dog bone profile. This configuration matches the configuration of the bottom surface of the front extension 110 (latch member or push-pull mechanism) to form a sliding dovetail type configuration. See also Figure 7 Other configurations are also possible, such as, for example, a cap with an undercut (essentially an umbrella-shaped or T-shaped configuration).

[0039] The fiber optic connector 100 also includes a press-fit body 106. The press-fit body 106 has a front portion 150 designed to interact and connect with the housing 102 and a spring biasing portion (not shown) that mates with the fiber ferrule 104 within the opening 126 of the fiber ferrule. The press-fit body 106 has a center portion 152 that mates against the rear end 124 of the housing 102. The center portion 152 has a first portion 154 that includes rail receivers 158 on both the top side 154 and the bottom side 156. The rail receiver 158 has a center portion 160 and two lobed sections 162, one on each side of the center portion 160, that mate with identical structures 134 on the housing 102 to engage the front extension 110.

[0040] The center portion 152 has a second, more rearward portion 170 that includes two notches 172 on both the top side 154 and the bottom side 156. A forward-facing surface 176 is provided at the rearward end 174 of each of the four notches 172 (two on the top side 154 and two on the bottom side 156) to engage a latch on the boot 112. The notches 172 and forward-facing surfaces 176 are involved in the connection of the boot 112 (and the front extension 110) to the press-fit body 106 and the housing 102, as explained below.

[0041] The compression body 106 has a rear portion 180 that extends behind the center portion 152 and the housing 102 and provides an outer surface 182 to receive compression tape (e.g., compression rings and heat shrink tubing) therearound. An opening 184 extends through the compression body 106 through which optical fibers / fiber optic cables can pass between the fiber optic ferrule 104 and the boot 112. While this design allows the use of compression tape to attach aramid yarn from a fiber optic cable, the compression tape is optional, and when the aramid yarn is not present, the fiber optic connector will operate without the compression tape. Additionally, when compression tape is not used, the compression body will require an outer surface 182.

[0042] Turning now to the boot cover 112, the boot cover 112 includes a front extension 110, a center portion 200 disposed between the front extension 110 and a ribbed rear portion 202. It should be noted that the front extension 110 is preferably an integral part of the center portion 200, but the front extension can also be removably attached to the center portion 200 and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0043] The center portion 200 has a front end 204 and a rear end 206 with a first longitudinal opening 208 extending through the center portion 200. The first longitudinal opening 208 receives at least a portion of the press body 106, including at least the rear portion 180 extending behind the center portion 152 and the outer surface 182 with the press band. The first longitudinal opening 208 also receives the rearward portion 170 of the center portion 152 of the press body 106, as well as the notch 172 and the forward surface 176. See Figure 9 .

[0044] The center portion 200 also has side portions 210 that help define the first longitudinal opening 208. The side portions 210 may also have cutouts 212 that receive portions 214 of the press-fit body 106. The cooperation between the cutouts 212 and the portions 214 of the press-fit body 106 aids in the alignment and integrity of the combination of the press-fit body 106 and the center portion 200. However, it should be noted that the side portions 210 may also be solid and cover overlapping portions of the press-fit body 106. See, e.g., Figure 16 .

[0045] Within the first longitudinal opening 208 and extending from the side 210 are two protrusions or latches 220 that extend into the first longitudinal opening 208. When the boot 112 is attached to the press-fit body 106, the protrusions or latches 220 are disposed within the two recesses 172 on one of the top side 154 or the bottom side 156, depending on the orientation of the boot 112. In the fully engaged position, the protrusions or latches 220 are furthest from the forward facing surface 176 that at least partially defines the two recesses 172. Figure 9 In this position, the front end 204 of the center portion 200 should touch the first portion 154 of the center portion 152 of the press-fit body 106. Figure 1 、 Figure 8 and Figure 9 The center portion 200 also has a bridge portion 222 that connects the side portions 210 to the protrusions or latches 220. The bridge portion 222 performs two functions. First, as Figure 2 and Figure 8 As seen in FIG, when the front extension 110 is oriented on the other side of the fiber optic connector 100, the bridge portion 222 blocks the rail receiving portion 158. Figure 8 The bridge portion 222 helps prevent the rail receiving portion 158 from snaged on optical fibers and fiber optic cables when installing the fiber optic connector 100. Second, when a user pushes on the bridge portion 222 toward the first longitudinal opening 208, the protrusion or latch 220 (and the side portions 210) are pushed outward and around the notch 172 and the forward surface 176. This allows the boot 112 (and the center portion 200) to be removed from the press-fit body 106 and, if so desired, from the fiber optic connector 100.

[0046] It should be noted that although there are two protrusions or latches 220 and two notches 172 on each side, there may be more or fewer. For example, there may be only one latch and one corresponding notch. Alternatively, the latching of the boot 112 to the press-fit body 106 may not be on the outside surface of the press-fit body 106. Instead, such latching may occur on the inside surface of the press-fit body 106 and may not be visible from the outside. For example, the notch 172 and the forward surface 176 may be on the inside of the rearward portion 170 so that from the outside, the rearward portion 170 will have a smooth continuous surface that merges with the portion 214 of the press-fit body. In another example, the latch 220 may extend from the bridge portion 222 to the inside of the inner groove or below the top surface of the rearward portion 170 (i.e., the portion between the forward surfaces 176). In this scenario, the latch 220 will be facing up or down rather than, for example Figure 11 Shown facing sideways.

[0047] The ribbed rear portion 202 extends between a front end 230 and a rear end 232 and is formed from a plurality of rib members 234. The ribbed rear portion 202 is attached to the rear end 206 of the center portion 200 and extends away from the front end 204. Thus, the ribbed rear portion 202 makes the boot 112 longer. The ribbed rear portion 202 also has a ridge 236 that connects the plurality of rib members 234. A plurality of grips 238 are provided along the ridge 236, providing a surface for a user to grip. The user can then use the ribbed rear portion 202 to push the fiber optic connector 100 into the receptacle or pull on the ribbed rear portion 202, and particularly the grips 238, to remove the fiber optic connector 100 from the receptacle. The grips 238 are illustrated as three ring-shaped members arranged along the length of the ridge 236 and, together with the plurality of rib members 234, form a second longitudinal opening 240 through the ribbed rear portion 202. The first longitudinal opening 208 and the second longitudinal opening 240 communicate with each other and form a passage for inserting an optical fiber / optic cable into the housing from the rear end 232 to the opening 126 so that the optical fiber / optic cable can be fixed in the fiber optic ferrule 102 in the fiber optic connector 100 .

[0048] The configuration of the ribbed rear portion 202 with the plurality of rib members 234 and ridges 236 provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used for installing and removing fiber optic connectors while being flexible to provide strain relief for the optical fibers. The ribbed rear portion 202 is shown as asymmetrical about the second longitudinal opening 240, but may be of any suitable shape and still fall within the scope of the present invention. In addition, different rib structures and gripping portions, such as Figure 16 and Figure 17 These shown in the figure also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The front extension 110 has a main body 250 and a latch body 118 attached to the main body 250. Figure 6 、 Figure 7 and Figure 14 The body 250 has a front portion 254, a middle portion 256, and a rear portion 258. Essentially, the front portion 254 is where the latch body 252 is attached to the body 250, and the front portion 254 provides an area for latching the fiber optic connector 100 to a first receptacle, such as an adapter. The middle portion 256 provides an area for latching the fiber optic connector 100 to a second receptacle, such as a gang carrier. The rear portion 258 has an area for a return element associated with the latch body 252, and the rear portion 258 also connects the front extension 110 to the center portion 200 of the boot 112.

[0050] The front portion 254 has two windows 260 and 262, and the middle portion 256 has a window 264. The windows 262 and 264 of the front portion 254 will receive the latches 114, 116 from the latch body 118 therethrough. The first window 260 will receive the latch pad 266 on the latch body 118. There are two latch pads 266 on the latch body 118 that cooperate with the groove 266a in the body 250 to secure the latch body to the body 250. The latch pads slide within the groove to allow latching and unlocking of the fiber optic connector 100. A more detailed discussion of this feature is disclosed in PCT / 2018 / 066523, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] The middle portion 256 has an upper surface 268 that is higher than the upper surface 270 of the front portion 254. This allows the carrier and the adapter to latch with the same device. Two extensions 274, 276 are provided on the bottom side 272 of the middle portion 256 that are complementary configurations of the rail receiving portion 134 of the housing 102. Figure 13 The latch body 118 also has the same rail configuration on its bottom, consisting of two extensions 280, 282. This allows the main body 250 and the latch body 118 to be slidably attached to the rail receiving portion 134 of the housing 102 and the rail receiving portion 158 of the press-fit body 106. When the latch body 118 is inserted into the front portion 254, the front surfaces 284 of the two extensions 274, 276 provide a push surface via which the main body 250 can push the latch body 118 in the rail receiving portion 134. See also Figure 11 and Figure 14 The front surfaces 286 of the two extensions 280, 282 also provide a pressing surface to be used against the stop surface 136 of the housing 102. Figure 11 and Figure 14 This allows a user to apply a force to the boot 112 that is transferred through the main body 250 to the latch body 118 and to the housing 102 to insert the fiber optic connector 100 into a carrier and / or adapter.

[0052] Steering Figure 1 、 Figure 7 and Figure 14 , the latch body 118 has two latches for the receptacle, such as the adapter latch 114 and the carrier latch 116. The latch body 118 may have only one of the latches, depending on the purpose of the latch body and the needs of the user and the receptacle into which the fiber optic connector 100 is to be inserted. The adapter latch 290 extends from the forward portion of the latch body 118 and protrudes through the window 262 of the main body 250. The carrier latch 116 also extends from the latch body 118, from the rear portion of the latch body and protrudes through the window 264 of the main body 250. As shown from Figure 4As will be appreciated, the adapter latch 114 is not raised as high as the carrier latch 116. The latch body 118 also has a connector latch 294. The connector latch 294 extends forward beyond the front surfaces 286 of the two extensions 280, 282 to engage the stop surface 136. The connector latch 294 has a downwardly curled portion 296 that provides a surface to engage the stop surface 136, thereby preventing the latch body 118 from moving rearwardly relative to the housing 102 when the boot 112 is pulled to disengage the fiber optic connector 100 from the receptacle, as will now be described.

[0053] References in particular Figure 1 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 9 、 Figure 14 and Figure 15 , the attachment, use, and removal of the boot 112 on the fiber optic connector 100 will be described. As is generally known in the art, before a strain relief boot can be attached to a fiber optic connector, the fiber optic connector will need to have an optical fiber terminated in a fiber optic ferrule. In this case, the boot 112 having the central portion 200 and the front extension 110 is placed onto the optical fiber / fiber optic cable, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 The optical fiber / fiber optic cable passes through the first longitudinal opening 208 and the second longitudinal opening 240 of the boot 112 and is fixed in the fiber optic ferrule 104. The outer covering or coating on the optical fiber / fiber optic cable is then fixed to the press-fit body 106 using a press ring and heat shrink tubing 108 or fixed to the press-fit body in any other suitable manner. Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG, the boot cover 112 is set on the optical fiber / optical cable, and the optical fiber connector has been assembled. Figure 6 152 of the housing 102. As the shoe 112 is pushed further to the left in the figure, the rear portion 180 of the press-fit body 106 enters the first longitudinal opening 208, followed by the rearward portion 170 of the center portion 152 of the press-fit body 106. As the connector latch 294 begins to engage the stop surface 136 of the housing 102, the notch 172 and forward facing surface 176 of the center portion 152 of the press-fit body 106 also enter the first longitudinal opening 208. Figure 1 . Figure 14 Also illustrated (with the connector housing 102 removed for clarity) is how the press-fit body 106 engages the boot 112 and the latch 220 moves past the forward facing surface 176. When the front end 204 of the center portion 200 is positioned against the press-fit body 106, the cutout 212 receives a portion 214 of the press-fit body 106. Figure 9As seen in FIG. 1 , the projection or latch 220 is disposed between the two notches 172 and at the front end of the notches 172. At this point, the fiber optic connector 100 is similar to Figure 1-5 The user can push on the ribbed rear portion 202, the gripping portion 238, the front extension 110 or the central portion 200 to insert the fiber optic connector 100 into the receptacle.

[0054] To remove the fiber optic connector 100 from the receptacle, the user may pull on the ribbed rear portion 202, the gripping portion 238, the front extension 110, or the center portion 200. Figure 15 , when the user pulls on one of these structures, the front extension 110, center portion 200 and ribbed rear portion 202 move relative to the press-fit 106 and housing 102 and the protrusion or latch 220 slides back within the two notches 172. It is important to note that the friction between the boot and the connector housing and press-fit should be low. It is desirable to have clearance between the boot and the press-fit tape, press-fit, housing and cable. It is also desirable to have a boot material that has a low coefficient of friction, such as polypropylene. In addition, elastomeric boot materials are not preferred because the user can deform the inner surface of the boot and cause increased friction due to squeezing or clamping the boot when pulling. Materials with a Young's modulus greater than 500MPa or, practicably, greater than 1GPa have been shown to be less prone to deformation. See Figure 15 It is important to note that the latch body 118 (and the adapter latch 114 and carrier latch 116) also do not move because the connector latch 294 has engaged the stop surface 136 of the housing 102. As the front extension 110 moves rearward, the main body 250 slides relative to the latch body 118 (and the housing 102), pushing the adapter latch 114 and carrier latch 115 downward out of the window and disengaging the adapter latch and carrier latch from their respective receptacles.

[0055] At this point, the fiber optic connector 100 can be simply removed from the receptacle by pulling on the ribbed rear portion 202, the gripping portion 238, the front extension 110, or the central portion 200. The engagement of the protrusion or latch 220 with the forward-facing surface 176 prevents the boot 112 from disengaging from the press-fit body 106 and the housing 102. However, as noted above, the user can push on the bridge portion 222, which allows the boot 112 to disengage from the press-fit body 106 and the housing 102. At this point, the boot 112 can be rotated about the optical fiber / fiber optic cable and reattached on the opposite side, thereby changing the polarity of the fiber optic connector 100.

[0056] Figure 16-18The figure illustrates another embodiment of a boot 500 for use with a fiber optic connector. Boot 500 has a front extension 502, a center portion 504, and a ribbed rear portion 506. The front extension 502 of this embodiment is identical to the front extension described above and will not be described further. The ribbed rear portion 506 functions in the same manner as the ribbed rear portion 202 in that it can be used to push and pull on a fiber optic connector. While the ribbed rear portion 506 has a different configuration with respect to the rib members 508 and ridges 510, it still provides sufficient strength to allow it to be used for installing and removing fiber optic connectors while being flexible to provide strain relief for the optical fiber. The ribbed rear portion 506 has only a single grip 512 at the rear end 514, although more grips can be added. As can be seen in the figure, the ridges 510 connect the rib members 508 from the center portion 504 to the grip 512.

[0057] The central portion 504 of the boot cover 500 is similar to the previous embodiment, but with some differences. First, the side portions 516 that help define the longitudinal opening therein are not cut out. The side portions of the press-fit body 520 to be used with the boot cover 500 will not need to extend far into the central portion in the case of the engaging means indicated below.

[0058] Secondly, the joining method between the central part 500 and the press-fit body 520 has been changed. Figure 18 . In this figure, the top and bottom of the center portion 500 have a single engagement member, a single element 522 that replaces the two protrusions or latches 220 in the previous embodiment. The single element 522 has a shape that is rounded at the front 524, and then the single element 522 has two rearward surfaces 526 to engage two inward latches 528, 530 in the press-fit body 520. The interaction between the center portion 504 and the press-fit body 520 is the same as discussed above. The boot 500 is advanced toward the press-fit body 520, and the rounded front 524 causes the two inward latches 528, 530 in the press-fit body 520 to expand, allowing the engagement member 522 to be set between them. When the user pulls on the boot 500 to remove the fiber optic connector from the receptacle, the engagement member 522 moves relative to the two inward latches 528, 530. As discussed above, this movement causes the front extension 502 to release the latch, and the engagement member 522 contacts the two inward latches 528, 530 to pull the fiber optic connector out of the receptacle. After the fiber ferrule is removed from the receptacle, the user can pull on the central portion 504 while grasping the press-fit body or housing and disengage the boot 500 from the press-fit body with slightly more force than required to disengage the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.

[0059] Another alternative in this embodiment that can be used in other embodiments is rail receivers 540 on both sides. Rail receiver 540 has a center portion 542 and two lobed sections 544 to engage front extension 502. However, the lobed sections 542 are not as close together as the two lobed sections 162. This allows rail receiver 540 to act more as an alignment feature, allowing front extension 502 to be aligned with rail receiver 540 and then inserted into the rail receiver from above, rather than from the rear as in the previous embodiment.

[0060] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention encompasses these modifications and variations of the present invention provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fiber optic connector for connecting at least two optical fibers in a fiber optic cable to two other optical fibers of a different fiber optic cable within an adapter or receptacle, the fiber optic connector comprising: at least one optical fiber ferrule for receiving the at least two optical fibers; a housing at least partially surrounding the at least one optical fiber stub such that a front face of the at least one optical fiber stub is exposed at a front end of the housing; a zip-fit ​​body operatively coupled to the housing at a rear end of the housing, the zip-fit ​​body having an opening to receive the at least two optical fibers through the rear end of the zip-fit ​​body, the opening extending through the zip-fit ​​body along a longitudinal axis; as well as A push-pull boot having a main body, the main body having a front end and a rear end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the rear end of the push-pull boot receiving the at least two optical fibers, In which, the push-pull boot also includes a latch body for engaging the adapter or receptacle and a ridge, wherein the ridge extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis between the front end and the rear end to prevent the front end and the rear end from moving relative to each other along the longitudinal axis when the optical fiber connector is inserted into the main body of the push-pull boot and removed from the adapter or receptacle.

2. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein The at least one fiber optic ferrule includes two single-fiber fiber optic ferrules.

3. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of grips are provided along the ridge to facilitate installation and removal of the fiber optic connector at the push-pull boot.

4. The optical fiber connector according to claim 3, wherein: The push-pull boot also includes a plurality of rib members connected to the spine.

5. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein The main body of the push-pull boot is made of a plurality of rib members connected to a spine.

6. The optical fiber connector according to claim 5, wherein: The plurality of rib members at least partially surround the at least two optical fibers, and each rib member of the plurality of rib members is connected to at least one other rib member.

7. The optical fiber connector according to claim 6, wherein: Each of the plurality of rib members is connected to at least one other rib member immediately adjacent thereto.

8. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The push-pull shoe is bendable in a direction different from the direction of the longitudinal axis.

9. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion at a rear end of the main body of the push-pull boot.

10. The optical fiber connector according to claim 9, wherein: The grip portion has an outer surface that flares outward in a direction from the front end to the rear end.

11. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The ridge is integrally formed with the push-pull boot.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , further comprising a latch mechanism having at least one latch for engaging the adapter or receptacle, wherein The push-pull boot is configured to actuate the at least one latch when the push-pull boot is pulled away from the adapter or the receptacle, thereby achieving an unmated position of the fiber optic connector.

13. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The spine has a stiffness generally along the longitudinal axis that limits compression during pushing of the push-pull boot and / or the fiber optic connector and prevents elongation during pulling of the push-pull boot and / or the fiber optic connector.

14. The optical fiber connector according to claim 1, wherein: The push-pull boot cover also includes: a central portion forward of the main body and configured to engage the press-fit body via an engagement member, and A front extension extends on one side of the push-pull boot substantially parallel to the push-pull boot and away from the central portion and the main body of the push-pull boot.

15. The optical fiber connector according to claim 14, wherein: The front extension is an integral part of the central portion.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 14, wherein the front extension is removably attached to the central portion.

17. A fiber optic connector for connecting at least two optical fibers in a fiber optic cable to two other optical fibers in a different fiber optic cable within an adapter or receptacle, the fiber optic connector comprising: at least one optical fiber ferrule for receiving the at least two optical fibers; a housing at least partially surrounding the at least one optical fiber stub such that a front face of the at least one optical fiber stub is exposed at a front end of the housing; a zip-fit ​​body operatively coupled to the housing at a rear end of the housing, the zip-fit ​​body having an opening to receive the at least two optical fibers through the rear end of the zip-fit ​​body, the opening extending through the zip-fit ​​body along a longitudinal axis; as well as A push-pull boot having a flexible body, the body having a front end and a rear end spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, the rear end of the push-pull boot receiving the at least two optical fibers, In which, the push-pull boot is configured with a latch body for engaging the adapter or receptacle and has a rigidity substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis to prevent the front and rear ends from moving relative to each other along the longitudinal axis when the optical fiber connector is inserted into and removed from the adapter or receptacle at the soft body of the push-pull boot.

18. The optical fiber connector according to claim 17, wherein: The push-pull boot includes an integrally formed ridge along a longitudinal axis of the push-pull boot.

19. The optical fiber connector according to claim 18, wherein: The push-pull boot has a ribbed rear portion with rib members coupled to the spine and partially surrounding the at least two optical fibers for strain relief.

20. The optical fiber connector according to claim 19, wherein Each rib member comprises a first portion and a second dual portion forming a generally circular element around the spine.

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