MPO connector and push-pull sheath therefor

Abstract

The MPO connector has an elongated outer housing and a push-and-pull sheath. A front end portion of the push-pull sheath is received inside the extended rear portion of the outer housing. A front end portion of the push-and-pull sheath is connected to opposite side portions of the outer housing such that the outer housing moves rearward relative to the main body when the push-and-pull sheath is pulled rearward. The front end portion of the push-and-pull sheath may include opposing side walls having outwardly projecting opposing side lugs for operably connecting the push-and-pull sheath to an elongated outer housing of the MPO connector.

Description

[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 420,218, filed on October 28, 2022, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to MPO connectors and push - pull sheaths for MPO connectors. Background Art

[0004] Multi - core fiber optic connectors (“MPO”, multifiber push on) interconnection systems are currently the most widely used connection systems in passive multi - core fiber optic network applications. The MPO connector allows multiple optical fibers in an optical fiber network to be connected simultaneously by simply pushing the MPO connector into an MPO socket. This causes the socket latch arms to engage with grooves on both sides of the body of the MPO connector. Then, the spring - loaded outer housing of the MPO connector moves forward to cover the latch arms and lock the latch arms to the body. To remove the MPO connector from the MPO socket, the user pulls the outer housing backward, overcoming the spring force, causing the outer housing to move backward relative to the body. This exposes the socket latch arms, allowing them to swing outwards and release the body from the connector.

[0005] To provide better push - in and pull - out channels for MPO connectors in high - density applications, pull tabs fixed to the outer housing can be provided. Recently, the fiber optic network industry has developed a preference for push - pull sheaths rather than separate pull tabs. There are now some MPO connectors with push - pull sheaths available. These have front attachment features fixed to the outside of the MPO outer housing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, an MPO connector includes a multi - fiber ferrule. A body receives the multi - fiber ferrule. The body has opposing sidewalls on opposite sides of the multi - fiber ferrule. Each of the opposing sidewalls defines a latch recess. The latch recesses of the opposing sidewalls are configured to receive opposing latch arms of a mating socket. An outer housing has an interior that receives a portion of the body. The outer housing is movably connected to the body for longitudinal movement relative to the body through a range of motion including a forward position and a rearward position. The outer housing has opposing sides that are configured to cover the opposing latch arms of the mating socket received in the latch recesses of the opposing sidewalls of the body when the outer housing is in the forward position, and are configured to expose the opposing latch arms as the outer housing slides backward from the forward position toward the rearward position. A push - pull sheath has a front end portion received within the interior of the outer housing. The front end portion is connected to the opposing sides of the outer housing such that when the push - pull sheath is pulled backward, the outer housing moves backward relative to the body.

[0007] In another aspect, a push-pull sheath for an MPO connector includes a front portion configured to be received within an elongated outer housing of the MPO connector. The push-pull sheath includes a stress relief sleeve extending rearwardly from the front portion. The front portion is entirely located forward of the stress relief sleeve and is stiffer than the stress relief sleeve. The front portion defines a central opening and includes a top wall above and a bottom wall below the central opening and opposing side walls on opposite sides of the central opening. The top wall and the bottom wall define the height of the push-pull sheath, and the opposing side walls define the width of the push-pull sheath. The width is greater than the height. The side walls include opposing side lugs that project outwardly for operably connecting the push-pull sheath to the elongated outer housing of the MPO connector.

[0008] Other aspects will be partially apparent and are pointed out in part hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an MPO connector according to the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the MPO connector;

[0011] Figure 3 is an exploded top plan view of the MPO connector;

[0012] Figure 4 is a bottom plan view looking up of the MPO connector;

[0013] Figure 5 is a side elevation view of the MPO connector;

[0014] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the MPO connector showing its push-pull sheath separated from the remainder of the connector;

[0015] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a top plan view looking down of the MPO connector in the configuration of

[0016] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the body of the MPO connector;

[0017] Figure 9 is a top plan view looking down of the body;

[0018] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the elongated outer housing of the MPO connector;

[0019] Figure 11 is another perspective view of the elongated outer housing;

[0020] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the push-pull sheath;

[0021] Figure 13 is a top plan view of a push-pull sheath;

[0022] Figure 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an MPO connector;

[0023] Figure 15 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front portion of the MPO connector;

[0024] Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the MPO connector approaching the MPO adapter;

[0025] Figure 17 is similar to Figure 16 in perspective view, but in which the front portion of the body has been inserted into the socket of the MPO adapter until the point where the elongated outer housing has not yet been displaced rearwardly by the MPO adapter;

[0026] Figure 18 is similar to Figure 16 and Figure 17 in perspective view, but in which the body has been further inserted into the socket such that the MPO adapter has displaced the elongated outer housing rearwardly;

[0027] Figure 19 is similar to Figures 16 to 18 in perspective view, showing the MPO connector fully mated with the MPO adapter;

[0028] Figure 20 is a perspective view showing Figure 1 two MPO connectors of the type shown mating with an MPO adapter;

[0029] Figure 21 is similar to Figure 20 in perspective view, but in which one of the MPO connectors has been unplugged;

[0030] Figure 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an MPO connector according to the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an MPO connector according to the present disclosure; and

[0032] Figure 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an MPO connector according to the present disclosure.

[0033] In the entire drawings, corresponding parts are given corresponding reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The inventors believe that there is room for improvement in existing push-pull boot systems for MPO connectors. For example, commercial push-pull boots attached to the outside of an MPO housing are bulky and increase the overall footprint of the connector compared to a standard MPO connector without a push-pull boot.

[0035] Reference Figures 1 to 6 , an exemplary embodiment of an MPO connector according to the present disclosure is generally designated by reference numeral 110. The MPO connector 110 includes a multi-fiber ferrule assembly 112 (including an MT ferrule 113 and a ferrule holder 114), a ferrule spring 115, and a body 116 having an interior for receiving the multi-fiber ferrule assembly and the ferrule spring. A rear body 118 is coupled to the rear end of the body and loads the ferrule spring 115 to yieldably bias the multi-fiber ferrule assembly 112 forwardly in the body 116. A crimp ring 120 crimps a cable strength member (not shown) to a rear strut 122 of the rear body 118. An elongated housing 124 is movably disposed on the body 116. A housing spring 125 is loaded between the housing 124 and the body 116 for yieldably biasing the housing forwardly relative to the body. The rear end of the elongated housing 124 projects rearwardly beyond the rear end of the body 116. A push-pull boot 126 has a front end 127 for receiving within the rearwardly projecting portion of the housing 124 where it is operatively coupled to the housing as described in further detail below. The push-pull boot also includes a stress relief sleeve 128 for providing stress relief for the cable.

[0036] The MPO connector 110 is configured to mate with a standard MPO receptacle, such as Figures 16 to 21 the MPO adapter 210 shown. Accordingly, the body 116 has opposing sidewalls on opposite sides of the multi-fiber ferrule 113, each sidewall defining a respective latch recess 130 (see Figure 15 ). The latch recesses 130 are configured to receive opposing adapter latch arms 212 of a mating adapter 210 (see Figure 16 ). For ease of secure but releasable connection, the housing 124 is movably connected to the body 116 for longitudinal movement relative to the body through a range of motion including a forward position and a rearward position. The housing 124 has opposing sides configured to cover the opposing latch arms 212 of a mating receptacle received in the latch recesses 130 of the opposing sidewalls of the body 116 when the housing is in the forward position (see Figure 19 ), and configured to expose the opposing latch arms as the housing slides rearwardly from the forward position toward the rearward position (see Figure 17 ).

[0037] In addition to standard MPO latch features, the illustrated MPO connector 110 includes standard polarization features to ensure that the MPO connector is inserted into the MPO adapter 210 in an upright (non-inverted) orientation. In Figures 1 to 21 the illustrated example, the MPO connector 110 includes a polarization change system. Any suitable polarization change system may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the MPO connector 110 has a tool-less polarization change system that is substantially the same as the system used in MPO Plus connectors sold by Senko Advanced Components. This type of polarization change system includes an upper polarization key 132 and a lower polarization key 134 that are slidably received in grooves 133, 135 ( Figure 8 ) formed in the upper and lower walls of the body 116. As is known to those skilled in the art, the polarization change system of the Senko MPO Plus is configured such that the keys 132, 134 are normally locked in a forward or rearward position, but they can be released by moving the outer housing 124 relative to the body 116 rearward to the rearward position of its range of motion to facilitate polarization change. The present disclosure is not limited to MPO connectors having a polarization change system. Instead, as Figure 22 illustrated, an alternative embodiment MPO connector 310 is envisioned to include a single polarization key 332 fixed to the body 316.

[0038] See Figures 8 to 9 , the body 116 has a length L1 extending from the front end to the rear end, a width W1 extending between the side walls, and a height H1 extending from the upper wall to the lower wall. The width W1 is greater than the height H1. The side walls, as well as the upper and lower walls, together define a rectangular channel 136 that is wider than it is tall. The body 116 is configured to receive the multi-fiber ferrule 113 in the channel 136 such that the optical axis of the ferrule (typically, the axis passing through the two guide pin openings of the multi-fiber ferrule) extends laterally. Behind the latch recess 130, each side wall of the body 116 defines a groove 138 for receiving a respective housing spring 125. Behind the groove 138, each side wall defines a fastener projection 140, like those used in Senko MPO Plus connectors, to hold the outer housing in the rearward position during a polarization change operation.

[0039] Refer to Figures 10 to 11, the elongated housing 124 has a length L2 extending from a front end to a rear end, a width W2 extending between opposite side portions, and a height H2 extending from a top to a bottom of the housing. The width W1 is greater than the height H1. The elongated housing 124 defines a central channel 142 in which a portion of the body 116 is received. The front portion of the housing 124 includes various internal features that engage the body 116 and the polar keys 132, 134 to effect a polarity change in substantially the same manner as the housing of a fan-out MPO Plus connector.

[0040] The housing 124 is a one-piece (e.g., a single molded piece of plastic) component that is very similar to the housing of a conventional MPO connector, but its length L2 is significantly greater than the length of a conventional MPO housing. In one or more embodiments, the length L2 of the housing 124 is greater than 18 mm, greater than 19 mm, greater than 20 mm, greater than 21 mm, greater than 22 mm, greater than 23 mm, greater than 24 mm, or greater than 25 mm. The length L2 is typically less than 40 mm. Thus, the size and arrangement of the elongated housing 124 are such that the rear end portion of the housing projects rearwardly beyond the rear end of the body 116, as Figure 15 shown. In Figure 15 , the housing 124 is shown in its forward position within its range of motion. In the forward position, the elongated housing 124 projects beyond the rear end of the body 116 along a projection length L3. In one or more embodiments, the projection length L3 is greater than 5 mm, greater than 6 mm, greater than 7 mm, greater than 8 mm, greater than 9 mm, greater than 10 mm. The projection length L3 is typically less than 20 mm.

[0041] Referring again to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , opposite side portions of the housing include opposite slots 144. The opposite slots have front portions, and opposite side portions of the housing 124 include flexible retaining tabs 146 that are at the front portions of the opposite slots 144. The front ends of the flexible retaining tabs 146 are bendably connected to the remainder of the housing 124 by living hinges. The flexible retaining tabs 146 function substantially the same as the flexible retaining tabs of a fan-out MPO Plus connector. They define openings 148 and are configured to snap onto the fasteners 140 of the body 116 when the housing 124 is shifted rearwardly to a rear position such that the fasteners are received in the openings. Thus, the fasteners 140 engage the flexible retaining tabs 146 to hold the housing 124 in the rear position during a polarity change operation. The generally forward surface of each fastener 140 is formed as a ramp to wedge the flexible retaining tabs 146 outwardly as the housing 124 moves rearwardly relative to the body 116.

[0042] Opposite sides of the outer housing 124 have forward surfaces 150 that define the rear ends of the slots 144. As will be explained in further detail below, the forward surfaces 150 are configured to connect the opposite sides of the outer housing 124 to the push-pull sheath 126 such that when the push-pull sheath is pulled rearward, the outer housing will shift rearward relative to the body 116. Each slot 144 has an open track length L4 that extends from the forward surface 150 to the rear end of the stop 146. As will be explained in further detail below, the open track length L4 provides clearance such that when the push-pull sheath is used to push the MPO connector 110 into the adapter 210, the outer housing 124 can move rearward relative to the push-pull sheath 126.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the top and bottom of the outer housing 124 define rear cutouts 152 that open rearwardly toward the push-pull sheath 126. The cutouts 152 provide clearance to allow the lengthened outer housing 124 to shift rearward as the connector 110 is pushed into a mating receptacle, such as the MPO adapter 210.

[0044] Referring Figures 12 to 13 , the front portion 127 of the push-pull sheath 126 is configured to be received within the outer housing 124, and the stress relief sleeve 128 extends rearwardly from the front portion. The front portion 127 is entirely in front of the stress relief sleeve 128 and is stiffer than the stress relief sleeve. The more flexible stress relief sleeve 128 has a length L5 that extends from the front end portion 127 to the rear end of the sleeve. The stress relief sleeve 128 includes stress relief openings 154 that are spaced along its length L5. In Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the push-pull sheath 126 includes a solid tube 156 that extends further rearwardly from the rear end of the stress relief sleeve 128. The solid tube 156 does not have stress relief openings. In some embodiments, the solid tube 156 is at least one quarter of the total length L6 of the push-pull sheath 126. The present disclosure is not limited to push-pull sheaths that include a relatively long solid tube that extends rearwardly from the rear end of the stress relief sleeve. Instead, as Figure 22 illustrated, the MPO connector 310 includes a push-pull sheath 326 that includes a stress relief sleeve 328 (having stress relief holes 336 along its length) that extends rearwardly from the front end portion 327 of the push-pull sheath to its rear end.

[0045] Referring again to Figure 12 and Figure 13, the front portion 127 of the push-pull sheath 126 defines a central opening 158. The front portion 127 includes a top wall above the central opening and a bottom wall below it, as well as opposite side walls on opposite sides of the central opening. The top wall and the bottom wall are spaced apart along the height H3 of the front portion, and the opposite side walls are spaced apart along the width W3. The width W3 is greater than the height H3. The height H3 is less than or substantially equal to the height H2 of the outer housing 124 (e.g., in some embodiments, the height H3 is 95%-102% or 95%-100% of the height H2). The width W3 is likewise less than or substantially equal to the width W2 of the outer housing 124 (e.g., in some embodiments, the width W3 is 95%-102% or 95%-100% of the width W2).

[0046] The top wall and the bottom wall of the front portion 127 of the sheath include an outer central boss 160 and opposite outer recessed areas 162 on opposite sides of the central boss. The side walls include a central longitudinal groove 164 and opposite side lugs 166 projecting outward from the central longitudinal groove. The side lugs 166 have a relatively short length L7. The rear end of the side lug is substantially perpendicular to the length L7. The outer surface of the side lug 16 slopes inward as it extends forward from the rear end, forming a wedge shape.

[0047] Reference Figures 14 to 15 , the MPO connector shows that the housing spring 125 biases the housing 124 forward to a forward position within its range of motion. The forward surface 150 at the rear end of the housing groove 144 presses forward against the rear end of the side lug 166, such that the push-pull sheath 126 is also in its forward position. The engagement between the rearward-facing surfaces of the opposite side lugs 166 and the forward surface 150 connects the push-pull sheath 126 to the outer housing 124, such that when the push-pull sheath is pulled backward, the outer housing can move backward relative to the body 116. In the forward position, the front end face of the push-pull sheath 126 engages with the rear shoulder 170 of the rear body 118, and the front portion 127 of the push-pull sheath 126 receives the rear strut 122 and the crimp ring 120 in the channel 158. From Figures 14 to 15 the position shown, the push-pull sheath can be used to push the connector 110 into the socket of the mating adapter 210.

[0048] Figures 16 to 18 shows how the MPO connector 110 is inserted into the adapter 210. The user can grasp the connector 110 through the push-pull sheath 126 and push the connector forward into the adapter 210 (or other socket). As Figure 17 shown, the front end portion of the body 116 enters the adapter 210 until the tip of the adapter latch arm 212 engages with the outer housing 124. Further insertion while grasping the sheath 126 causes the adapter latch arm 212 to displace the outer housing 124 backward relative to the body 116 and the sheath 126 until the adapter latch arm snaps into the recess 130 on the side of the body 116. By comparisonFigure 17 and Figure 18 As can be seen, as the outer housing 124 is shifted rearward, the relatively long open track length L4 of the slot 144 provides clearance for the side lug 166. Additionally, as the outer housing 124 is shifted rearward, the notch 152 provides clearance for the boss 160. After the adapter latch arm 212 snaps into the recess 130, the front end portion of the outer housing 124 can pass over the tip of the adapter latch arm 212. The housing spring 125 pushes the outer housing 124 back to its forward position, as Figure 19 shown. The front end portion of the outer housing 124 covers the adapter latch arm 212 to lock the connector 110 in a mating relationship with the adapter 210.

[0049] Figure 20 and Figure 21 illustrate how the push-pull sheath MPO connector 110 can be easily unplugged, even when installed in a high-density application. The user simply grasps one of the push-pull sheaths 126 and pulls it rearward. The rear end of the side lug 166 engages the forward surface 150 at the rear end of the slot 144, thereby connecting the push-pull sheath 126 to the outer housing 124. The push-pull sheath 126 and the outer housing 124 move rearward together relative to the body 116 until the front end portion of the outer housing 124 exposes the adapter latch arm 212. When the outer housing 124 is moved away, the adapter latch arm 212 can expand to release the body 116, thereby unplugging the connector 110 from the adapter 210. As Figure 20 and Figure 21 shown, the push-pull sheath MPO connector 110 is received in the mating adapter 210 in a horizontal orientation. However, this is for illustrative purposes only, and the push-pull sheath connector 110 can be received in the mating adapter in a vertical orientation (i.e., after a 90-degree rotation) for higher density.

[0050] As described above, it is contemplated that various modifications can be made to the MPO connector 110 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, Figure 22 the connector 310 shown in

[0051] Figure 23Shows a connector 410 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector 410 is similar to the connector 110, except that instead of using a helical spring 125 to forward bias the elongated outer housing 424, the connector 410 includes an integrally molded housing spring 425 of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,295,759 B2, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Like the connector 110, the connector 410 includes a polarity change system for the MPO Plus connector.

[0052] Figure 24 Shows a connector 510 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The connector 510 is similar to the connector 110, except that instead of using a helical spring 125 to forward bias the elongated outer housing 524, the connector 410 includes an integrally molded housing spring 525 of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 10,295,759 B2. Like the connector 310, the connector 510 includes a single polarity key 532 fixed to the body 516 and lacks a polarity change system.

[0053] When introducing elements of the present disclosure or its preferred embodiments, the words "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there is one or more than one element. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive, meaning that there may be other elements in addition to the listed elements.

[0054] In summary, it can be seen that several objects of the present disclosure have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.

[0055] Since various modifications can be made to the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, all the content included in the above description should be construed as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. An MPO connector, comprising: a multi-fiber ferrule; a body that receives the multi-fiber ferrule, the body having opposite side walls on opposite sides of the multi-fiber ferrule, each of the opposite side walls defining a latch recess, the latch recesses of the opposite side walls being configured to receive opposite latch arms of a mating socket; a housing having an interior that receives a portion of the body, the housing being movably connected to the body for longitudinal movement relative to the body through a range of motion including a forward position and a rearward position, the housing having opposite sides configured to cover the opposite latch arms of the mating socket received in the latch recesses of the opposite side walls of the body when the housing is in the forward position and configured to expose the opposite latch arms as the housing slides rearward from the forward position toward the rearward position; and a push-pull sheath having a front end received in the interior of the housing, the front end being connected to the opposite sides of the housing such that when the push-pull sheath is pulled rearward, the housing moves rearward relative to the body.

2. The MPO connector according to claim 1, wherein the front end of the push-pull sheath includes opposite side lugs.

3. The MPO connector according to claim 2, wherein the opposite sides of the housing include opposite elongated slots, and the opposite side lugs are received in the opposite elongated slots.

4. The MPO connector according to claim 3, wherein the opposite side lugs have a length, and the opposite slots have a length greater than the length of the opposite side lugs.

5. The MPO connector according to claim 4, wherein the MPO connector is configured to be pushed into the mating socket through the push-pull sheath, wherein the housing is configured such that as the MPO connector is pushed into the mating socket through the push-pull sheath, the housing is displaced rearward relative to the body and the push-pull sheath by the mating socket.

6. The MPO connector according to claim 5, wherein as the housing is displaced rearward relative to the body and the push-pull sheath by the mating socket, the opposite side lugs slide forward along the opposite slots.

7. The MPO connector according to claim 3, wherein each of the opposite sides has a forward surface at the rear end of the opposite slot, and wherein the opposite side lugs have a rear surface that extends rearward to the rear end, the rear surface being configured to engage the forward surface to connect the push-pull sheath to the housing such that when the push-pull sheath is pulled rearward, the housing moves rearward relative to the body.

8. The MPO connector according to claim 3, wherein the opposite slots have a front portion, and the opposite sides include flexible retaining tabs located in the front portion of the opposite slots.

9. The MPO connector according to claim 8, wherein Both sides of the body include fasteners configured to engage the flexible retaining flap for holding the outer housing in the rear position of the range of motion.

10. The MPO connector according to claim 1, wherein, the outer housing includes a top and a bottom that extend laterally between the opposite sides, wherein the top and the bottom define a rear cutout that opens rearwardly towards the push-pull sheath.

11. The MPO connector according to claim 1, wherein, the front portion of the push-pull sheath defines a central opening and includes a top wall above the central opening, a bottom wall below the central opening, and opposite side walls on opposite sides of the central opening.

12. The MPO connector according to claim 11, wherein, the top wall and the bottom wall of the front portion include an external central boss and opposite external recessed areas on opposite sides of the external central boss.

13. The MPO connector according to claim 11, wherein, the side walls include a central longitudinal groove and opposite side lugs that project outwardly from the central longitudinal groove.

14. The MPO connector according to claim 1, further comprising a polarity change system including an upper polarity key and a lower polarity key slidably connected to the body.

15. The MPO connector according to claim 1, further comprising a single polarity key fixed to the body.

16. The MPO connector according to claim 1, wherein, the push-pull sheath includes a stress relief portion and a solid tube extending rearwardly from the stress relief portion.

17. A push-pull sheath for an MPO connector, the push-pull sheath comprising: a front portion configured to be received in an elongated outer housing of an MPO connector, the push-pull sheath includes a stress relief sleeve extending rearwardly from the front portion, the front portion being entirely in front of the stress relief sleeve and being harder than the stress relief sleeve, the front portion defines a central opening and includes a top wall above the central opening, a bottom wall below the central opening, and opposite side walls on opposite sides of the central opening, the top wall and the bottom wall define the height of the push-pull sheath, the opposite side walls define the width of the push-pull sheath, and the width is greater than the height, wherein the side walls include opposite side lugs that project outwardly for operably connecting the push-pull sheath to the elongated outer housing of the MPO connector.

18. The push-pull sheath according to claim 17, wherein, the stress relief sleeve has a length extending from a front end portion to a rear end of the sleeve, and the stress relief sleeve includes stress relief openings spaced along the length.

19. The push-pull sheath according to claim 18, wherein, the rear end portion includes a solid tube extending rearwardly from the rear end of the sleeve, the push-pull sheath has a total length, and the solid tube is at least one quarter of the total length.

20. The push-pull sheath according to claim 18, wherein, the rear end of the sleeve is located at the rear end portion of the push-pull sheath.

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