Optical fiber connector device configured to provide enhanced connector coupling and improved optical fiber installation performance

Abstract

An optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector optical fiber installation performance. The connector may include a first connector optical fiber receiving portion configured to route an optical fiber to a first connector coupling portion. The first connector coupling portion of a first connector may be configured to be coupled to a second connector coupling portion of a second connector so as to form an enhanced optical fiber installation route for the optical fiber from the first connector coupling portion to the second connector coupling portion without requiring an adapter to be used between the first connector coupling portion and the second connector coupling portion during optical fiber installation.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCTOPTICAL FIBER CONNECTOR DEVICE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE ENHANCED CONNECTOR COUPLING AND IMPROVED OPTICAL FIBER INSTALLATION PERFORMANCECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 689,311 filed August 30, 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an optical fiber connector, and more particularly to an optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector coupling and improved optical fiber installation performance.BACKGROUND

[0003] Optical fibers (e.g., single mode fiber) are often pre-terminated at both ends with a connector, such as an LC connector, that is configured to be connected with an outer housing after the pre-terminated end is deployed to its desired location. The preterminated end and the housing are then ready to plug into a matching receptacle. For example, to connect an optical fiber terminated with a first LC connector to another optical fiber terminated with a second LC connector, an adapter is required that can operatively connect the two LC connectors together; thus adding cost, complexity, and assembly time.

[0004] There is a need for a quick connection used to operatively couple terminated optical fibers that is cost-effective, simple, and quick. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide an optical fiber connector that provides a quick connection between terminated optical fibers without necessarily the need for additional hardware, such as an adapter. Thus, it may be desirable to provide an optical fiber connector that may provide an enhanced connector coupling to another optical fiber connector. It also may be desirableAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT to provide a connector configured to terminate two optical fibers and connect the two optical fibers with another two optical fibers terminated with a same connector.SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides an optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector optical fiber installation performance. In some embodiments, the connector may include a first connector optical fiber receiving portion configured to route an optical fiber to a first connector coupling portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first connector coupling portion of a first connector may be configured to be coupled to a second connector coupling portion of a second connector so as to form an enhanced optical fiber installation route for the optical fiber from the first connector coupling portion to the second connector coupling portion without requiring an adapter to be used between the first connector coupling portion and the second connector coupling portion during optical fiber installation.

[0007] The connector may include a housing portion and a coupling portion structurally configured to directly couple to a second connector without using an adapter between the coupling portion and the second connector.

[0008] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may be associated with a distal portion of the housing portion. In some embodiments, the connector may include a fiber receiving portion associated with a proximal portion of the housing portion and an optical fiber routing portion structurally configured to route optic fibers from the fiber receiving portion to the coupling portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may include a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion may include a ferrule portion structurally configured to terminate an optic fiber and a ferrule holding portion structurally configured to support the ferrule portion in a distal portion of the housing portion.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0011] In some embodiments, each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion may include a biasing portion structurally configured to urge the ferrule holding portion and the ferrule portion distally.

[0012] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion may include a connecting portion structurally configured to operatively connect the ferrule portion of the distal optical fiber coupling portion with a corresponding second ferrule portion of the second connector.

[0013] In some embodiments, the connecting portion may include a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion structurally configured to receive the ferrule portion and a distal end portion, opposite the proximal end portion, structurally configured to receive the corresponding second ferrule portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may be structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may include a bifurcated portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a locking portion structurally configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second optical fiber connector.

[0017] In some embodiments, an optical fiber connector may be configured to provide enhanced connector optical fiber installation performance.

[0018] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a housing potion, a coupling portion, and an optical fiber routing portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the housing portion may include a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion opposite the proximal housing portion. In some embodiments, the proximal housing portion may include a fiber receiving portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may be positioned at the distal housing portion. In some embodiments, the coupling portion may include a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0021] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may be structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion.

[0022] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion may include a first ferrule portion configured to terminate the first optical fiber. In some embodiments, the proximal optic fiber coupling portion may include a second ferrule portion structurally configured to terminate the second optical fiber.

[0023] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion may include a connecting portion structurally configured to operatively connect the first ferrule portion with a corresponding ferrule portion of a second optical fiber connector.

[0024] In some embodiments, the coupling portion may be configured to provide an enhanced connection between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector so as to improve optical fiber installation from the coupling portion to the second optical fiber connector without requiring an adapter to be used between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector during optical fiber installation.

[0025] In some embodiments, the connecting portion may include a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion structurally configured to receive the first ferrule portion and a distal end portion, opposite the proximal end portion, structurally configured to receive the corresponding ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector.

[0026] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion may include a first ferrule holding portion structurally configured to support the first ferrule portion and a first biasing portion structurally configured to urge the first ferrule holding portion and the first ferrule portion away from the proximal housing portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may include a bifurcated portion.

[0028] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a locking portion structurally configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second optical fiber connector.

[0029] In some embodiments, an optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector optical fiber installation performance.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0030] In some embodiments, the connector may include a first connector optical fiber receiving portion configured to route an optical fiber to a first connector coupling portion. In some embodiments, the first connector coupling portion of a first connector may be configured to be coupled to a second connector coupling portion of a second connector so as to form an enhanced optical fiber installation route for the optical fiber from the first connector coupling portion to the second connector coupling portion without requiring an adapter to be used between the first connector coupling portion and the second connector coupling portion during optical fiber installation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a housing portion having a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion opposite the proximal housing portion. In some embodiments, the proximal housing portion may include a fiber receiving portion

[0032] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a coupling portion positioned at the distal housing portion. In some embodiments, the coupling portion may include a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion

[0033] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include an optical fiber routing portion structurally configured to route optic fibers from the fiber receiving portion to the coupling portion.

[0034] In some embodiments, the coupling portion is configured to provide an enhanced connection between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector so as to improve optical fiber installation from the coupling portion to the second optical fiber connector without requiring an adapter to be used between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector during optical fiber installation.

[0035] In some embodiments, each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion may include a ferrule portion structurally configured to terminate an optic fiber, a ferrule holding portion structurally configured to support the ferrule portion, and a biasing portion structurally configured to urge the ferrule holding portion and the ferrule portion away from the proximal housing portion.

[0036] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion may include a connecting portion structurally configured to operatively connect the ferrule portion of theAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT distal optical fiber coupling portion with a corresponding second ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector.

[0037] In some embodiments, the connecting portion may include a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion structurally configured to receive the ferrule portion and a distal end portion, opposite the proximal end portion, structurally configured to receive the corresponding second ferrule portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may be structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion.

[0039] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion may include a bifurcated portion.

[0040] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector may include a locking portion structurally configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second optical fiber connector.

[0041] Various aspects of the system, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this disclosure, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings.

[0043] FIG. 1 is perspective view of an example optical fiber connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 with a lock portion removed.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 2 with a distal housing portion removed.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 3 with a proximal housing portion removed.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0047] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 .

[0048] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lock portion of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the two example optical fiber connectors connected to each other.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a section view of the two optical fiber connectors of FIG 7.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the example optical fiber connector of FIG. 1 with a cover portion attached.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the cover portion.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example optical fiber routing portion.

[0054] FIG. 12 is an end view of the optical fiber routing portion.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. The figures are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0056] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0057] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0058] Embodiments of the disclosure provide for an example optical fiber connector 10 for providing a quick connection between terminated optical fibers. In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector 10 may be structurally configured to communicatively connect or couple a first optical fiber cable 12 to a second optical fiber cable 14 via a second optical fiber connector 16 (FIG. 7-8) without requiring additional hardware, such as an adapter, between the optical fiber connectors 10, 16 to make the connection. Thus, as shown in FIGS, 7-8, in some embodiments, a first cable assembly 18 including the optical fiber connector 10 and the first optical fiber cable 12 may communicatively connect to a second fiber cable assembly 20 including the second optical fiber connector 16 and the second optical fiber cable 14 via the optical fiber connector 10 directly connecting to the second optical fiber connector 16. In some embodiments the first optical fiber connector 10 may be configured the same as the second optical fiber connector 12.

[0059] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector 10 may be structurally configured as a duplex connector (e.g., a LC duplex connector). The inventive concepts disclosed herein, however, are applicable to other types and styles of connector (e.g. a simplex connector). Referring to FIGS. 1 -5, an embodiment of the optical fiber connector 10 is illustrated. In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector 10 may include a housing portion 24 and a coupling portion 26 structurally configured to be received within the housing portion 24, and a longitudinal axis A (FIG. 1 ).

[0060] The coupling portion 26 may be structurally configured to communicatively connect optical fibers from the first optical fiber cable 12 to optical fibers from the second optical fiber cable 14, for example. The coupling portion 26 may be configured in a variety of ways.

[0061] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-4, the coupling portion 26 may include a proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 structurally configured to terminate a first optical fiber 30 of the first optical fiber cable 12 and a distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 structurally configured to terminate a second optical fiber 34 of the first optical fiber cable 12. In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 may be structurally configured to be axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 (i.e., the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 may be positioned axially distal fromAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28). The proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 may be configured in a variety of ways.

[0062] In some embodiments, the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 may include a proximal ferrule portion 36 structurally configured to terminate the first optical fiber 30, a proximal ferrule holding portion 38 structurally configured to support the proximal ferrule portion 36, and a proximal biasing portion 40 structurally configured to urge the proximal ferrule holding portion 38 and the proximal ferrule portion 36 distally.

[0063] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 may include a distal ferrule portion 46 structurally configured to terminate the second optical fiber 34, a distal ferrule holding portion 48 structurally configured to support the distal ferrule portion 46, and a distal biasing portion 50 structurally configured to urge the distal ferrule holding portion 48 and the distal ferrule portion 46 distally.

[0064] In some embodiments, the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 may include a connecting portion or a sleeve portion 52 and a connecting portion support portion or a sleeve support portion 54 (FIG. 3) structurally configured to hold the sleeve portion 52 in position axially relative to the housing portion 24. The sleeve portion 52 may be configured to operatively connect the distal ferrule portion 46 to a corresponding ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector 16. The sleeve portion 52 may be configured in a variety of ways.

[0065] In some embodiments, the sleeve portion 52 may be tube-shaped having a proximal end portion 56, a distal end portion 58 opposite the proximal end portion 56, and a cylindrical sidewall portion 60 defining a passage 62 extending through the sleeve portion 52 from the proximal end portion 56 to the distal end portion 58. The passage 62 may be structurally configured to receive at least a portion of the distal ferrule portion 46 in the proximal end portion 56 and at least a portion of the corresponding ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector 16 in the distal end portion 58 such that the distal ferrule portion 46 may be communicatively connected to the corresponding ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector 16.

[0066] The sleeve support portion 54 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the sleeve support portion 54 may be structurally configured to be fixed in the axial direction relative to the housing portion 24 and to fix the sleeve portion 52 in theAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT axial direction relative to the housing portion 24. The sleeve support portion 54 may be configured in a variety of ways.

[0067] In some embodiments the sleeve supporting portion 54 may include a proximal sleeve supporting portion 64 and a distal sleeve supporting portion 66. In some embodiments, the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64 may include a proximal end portion 68, a distal end portion 70, and a cylindrical side wall portion 72 defining a passage 74 extending between the proximal end portion 68 and the distal end portion 70. In some embodiments, the passage 74 may be structurally configured to receive the sleeve portion 52 within the passage 74.

[0068] In some embodiments, the sleeve supporting portion 54 may include a stop portion 76 (FIG. 8) structurally configured to engage the sleeve portion 52 within the passage 74 to hold the sleeve portion 52 within the passage 74. In some embodiments, the stop portion 76 may include a projecting portion 78 (FIG. 8), such as an annular ridge or lip, extending radially inward within the passage 74. In some embodiments, the projecting portion 78 may be positioned at, or adjacent, the proximal end portion 68 of the proximal sleeve support portion 64.

[0069] The proximal sleeve supporting portion 64 may also include a proximal housing engagement portion 80 structurally configured engage the housing portion 24 to fix the axial position of the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64 relative to the housing portion 24. The proximal housing engagement portion 80 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the proximal housing engagement portion 80 may include a projecting portion 82, such as an annular ridge or lip, extending radially outward from the cylindrical side wall portion 72. In some embodiments, the projecting portion 82 may be positioned at, or adjacent, the distal end portion 70 of the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64.

[0070] In some embodiments, the distal sleeve supporting portion 66 may be structurally configured the same, or similar to, as the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64. Thus, the description of the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64 applies equally to the distal sleeve support portion 66. For example, in some embodiments, the distal sleeve supporting portion 66 may include a proximal end portion 88, a distal end portion 90, aAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT passage 94 extending between the proximal end portion 88 and the distal end portion 90, a stop portion 96 (FIG. 8), and a distal housing engagement portion 100.

[0071] In some embodiments, the housing portion 24 may include a proximal housing portion 102 and distal housing portion 104 opposite the proximal housing portion 102. The proximal housing portion 102 may include a proximal end portion 106, a distal end portion 108 opposite the proximal end portion 106, and a sidewall portion 110 defining an inner space 112 (FIG. 5) extending between the proximal end portion 106 and the distal end portion 108. In some embodiments, the proximal housing portion 102 may include a fiber receiving portion 114 structurally configured to receive an optical fiber cable (e.g., the first optical fiber cable 12). In some embodiments, the fiber receiving portion 114 may be positioned at the proximal end portion 106 of the proximal housing portion 102.

[0072] In some embodiments, the inner space 112 may be configured to house a fiber routing portion 120. The inner space 112 may be any suitable shape or size. For example, in some embodiments, the inner space 112 may have an oval, an elliptical, or a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

[0073] The fiber routing portion 120 may be structurally configured to route optical fiber from the fiber receiving portion 114 to the coupling portion 26. In some embodiments, the fiber routing portion 120 may be structurally configured to route the first optical fiber 30 from the first optical fiber cable 12 to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 and a second optical fiber 34 from the first optical fiber cable 12 to the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32. In some embodiments, the fiber routing portion 120 may define an optical fiber passage portion 122 structurally configured for one or more optical fibers to be routed therethrough. In some embodiments, the optical fiber passage portion 122 may be bifurcated. In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion 120 may include a first portion 121 (e.g., lower half-shell) and a second portion 123 (e.g., upper half-shell) configured to overlay the first portion to form the optical fiber passage portion 122.

[0074] The distal housing portion 104 may be structurally configured to house the coupling portion 26. The distal housing portion 104 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the distal housing portion 104 may include a distal coupling housing portion 124 and a proximal coupling housing portion 126. The distal coupling housing portion 124 may be structurally configured to house the distal optical fiberAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT coupling portion 32. The distal coupling housing portion 124 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some implementations, the distal coupling housing portion 124 may include multiple housing portions (e.g., two halves).

[0075] In some embodiments, the distal coupling housing portion 124 may include a proximal end portion 130, a distal end portion 132, and a cylindrical side wall portion 134 defining a passage 136 extending from the proximal end portion 130 to the distal end portion 132. In some embodiments, the proximal end portion 130 of the distal coupling housing portion 124 may abut, or be adjacent to, the distal end portion 108 of the proximal housing portion 102 and the distal end portion 132 of the distal coupling housing portion 124 may extend over at least a portion of the sleeve support portion 54. In some embodiments, the distal end portion 132 of the distal coupling housing portion 124 may extend to, or adjacent to, the distal end portion 132 of the distal sleeve support portion 66.

[0076] In some embodiments, the passage 136 may be structurally configured to receive the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the distal coupling housing portion 124 may be elongated (e.g., tube-like) and the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 may extend along a length of the passage 136 (e.g., along the entire length of the passage). In some embodiments, the side wall portion 134 of the distal coupling housing portion 124 may include an engagement portion 140 structurally configured to engage the proximal and distal housing engagement portions 80, 100 of the sleeve supporting portion 54 to prevent axial movement of the proximal sleeve supporting portion 64. The engagement portion 140 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the engagement portion 140 may be a recessed portion 142 structurally configured to receive the proximal and distal housing engagement portions 80, 100 and block axially movement of the sleeve supporting portion 54.

[0077] The proximal coupling housing portion 126 of the distal housing portion 104 may be structurally configured to house the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28. The proximal coupling housing portion 126 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the proximal coupling housing portion 126 may include a proximal end portion 144, a distal end portion 146, and a side wall portion 148 defining a passage 149 extending from the proximal end portion 144 to the distal end portion 146. In someAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT embodiments, the proximal end portion 144 of the proximal coupling housing portion 126 may abut, or be adjacent to, the distal end portion 108 of the proximal housing portion 102. The passage 149 may be structurally configured to receive the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 therethrough.

[0078] In some embodiments, the distal housing portion 104 may include a housing alignment portion 152 (FIG. 2) structurally configured to keep the distal coupling housing portion 124 properly aligned relative to the proximal coupling housing portion 126. In some embodiments, the housing alignment portion 152 may include a keyed arrangement. For example, in some implementations, the proximal coupling housing portion 126 may include a lateral recessed portion 154 (FIG. 5) structurally configured to receive a portion of the distal coupling housing portion 124. For example, in some embodiments, the lateral recessed portion 154 may extend axially along a length of the proximal coupling housing portion 126 to receive at least a portion of the distal coupling housing portion 124 along the length.

[0079] In some embodiments, the distal coupling housing portion 124 may include a lateral projecting portion 156 structurally configured to be received within the lateral recessed portion 154 of the proximal coupling housing portion 126. In some embodiments, the lateral recessed portion 154 may be configured to receive the lateral projecting portion 156 and a portion of the side wall portion 134 of the distal coupling housing portion 124. In some embodiments, the lateral recessed portion 154 is structurally configured to complement (e.g., match) the shape of the portion of the distal coupling housing portion 124 received in the lateral recessed portion 154.

[0080] In some embodiments, the lateral recessed portion 154 and the lateral projecting portion 156 are structurally configured to couple or attached together. The lateral recessed portion 154 and the lateral projecting portion 156 may couple or attached together in a variety of ways, such as, but not limited to, a snap connection, friction fit, or other suitable connection type.

[0081] In some embodiments, the housing alignment portion 152 may be structurally configured such that the distal coupling housing portion 124 may include the lateral recessed portion 154 and the proximal coupling housing portion 126 may include the lateral projecting portion 156.Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT

[0082] In some embodiments, the optical fiber connector 10 may include a locking portion 160 structurally configured to resist decoupling the optical fiber connector 10 from the second optical fiber connector 16 (i.e., locks the optical fiber connector 10 to the second optical fiber connector 16). The locking portion 160 may be configured in a variety of way.

[0083] In some embodiments, the locking portion 160 may include an actuating portion 162 (FIG. 6) structurally configured to be manually actuated between a locked position in which the locking portion resists decoupling (e.g., lock) the optical fiber connector 10 from the second optical fiber connector 16 once and an unlocked position. For example, in some embodiments, the actuating portion 162 is structurally configured to move relative to the distal housing portion 104 between the locked position and the unlocked position. In some embodiments, the actuating portion 162 is structurally configured to slide axially relative to the distal housing portion 104 between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0084] In some embodiments, the actuating portion 162 may include proximal end portion 166, a distal end portion 168 opposite the proximal end portion 166, and a side wall portion 170 defining a passage 172 extending from the proximal end portion 166 to the distal end portion 168. The passage 172 may be structurally configured to receive the distal housing portion 104 therethrough such that the actuating portion 162 surrounds the distal housing portion 104. The side wall portion 170 may include an inner side wall surface portion 174 and an outer side wall surface portion 176.

[0085] In some embodiments, the locking portion 160 may include a position retaining portion 178 structurally configured to retain the actuating portion 162 in the locked and / or unlocked position. The position retaining portion 178 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the position retaining portion 178 may include a projecting portion 180 and a recessed portion 182 structurally configured to receive the projecting portion 180.

[0086] In some embodiments, the projecting portion 180 may extend radially inward from the inner side wall surface portion 174 of the actuating portion 162 and the recessed portion 182 may be positioned on the distal housing portion 104 such that the projecting portion 180 may be received in the recessed portion 182. In some embodiments, theAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT recessed portion 182 may include a proximal recessed portion 184 and a distal recessed portion 186 structurally configured to hold the actuating portion 162 in the locked position. In some embodiments, the proximal recessed portion 184 and a distal recessed portion 186 may be structurally configured help with the lateral recessed portion 154 and the lateral projecting portion 156 coupling together.

[0087] In some embodiments, the locking portion 160 may include a coupling retaining portion 192 structurally configured to resist the optical fiber connector 10 from decoupling from the second optical fiber connector 16. The coupling retaining portion 192 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the coupling retaining portion 192 may include a projecting portion 194 and a recessed portion 196 structurally configured to engage with corresponding structure of the second optical fiber connector 16. In some embodiments, the projecting portion 194 may be positioned on the distal coupling housing portion 124 and the recessed portion 196 may be positioned on the inner side wall surface portion 174 of the actuating portion 162.

[0088] In some embodiments, the locking portion 160 may include a biasing portion 200 (FIG. 2) structurally configured to bias the actuating portion 162 to the locked position. The biasing portion 200 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the biasing portion 200 may include a coil spring structurally configured to be positioned between the actuating portion 162 and the distal housing portion 104 to bias the actuating portion 162 distally relative to the distal housing portion 104.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the optical fiber connector 10 may connect directly to the second optical fiber connector 16, which may be structurally configured the same as, or similar to, the optical fiber connector 10. Thus, the description of the optical fiber connector 10 may apply equally to the second optical fiber connector 16. For example, the second optical fiber connector 16 may include a second proximal optical fiber coupling portion 228 structurally configured to terminate a third optical fiber 230 of the second optical fiber cable 14 and a second distal optical fiber coupling portion 232 structurally configured to terminate a fourth optical fiber 234 of the second optical fiber cable 14.

[0090] To connect the optical fiber connector 10 to the second optical fiber connector 16, the second optical fiber connector 16 may be arranged for the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 to couple with the second distal optical fiber coupling portion 232 andAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 to couple with the second proximal optical fiber coupling portion 228. In particular, the proximal ferrule portion 36 of the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 is received within a sleeve portion 252 of the second distal optical fiber coupling portion 232 to operatively couple to a distal ferrule portion 246 of the second distal optical fiber coupling portion 232. Similarly, a second proximal ferrule portion 236 of the second proximal optical fiber coupling portion 228 is received within the sleeve portion 52 of the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 to operatively couple to the distal ferrule portion 46 of the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32.

[0091] The first and second optical fiber connectors 10, 16 may be held together by the locking portion 160 and a corresponding second locking portion 260 of the second optical fiber connector 16 when in the locked position. For example, in the locked position, the projecting portion 194 on the distal coupling housing portion 124 may be received in a recessed portion (not shown), similar to the recessed portion 196, on a second actuating portion 262 of the second locking portion 260. Likewise, a second projecting portion (not shown), similar to the projecting portion 194, on the second distal coupling housing portion 224 may be received in the recessed portion 196 on actuating portion 162.

[0092] To disconnect the optical fiber connector 10 to the second optical fiber connector 16, the second optical fiber connector 16, the actuating portions 162, 262 may be moved to the unlocked position. The actuating portions 162, 262 may be moved to the unlocked position by applying sufficient force to the actuating portions 162, 262 to overcome the engagement between the projecting portions and the recessed portions and the biasing portion. Once the actuating portions 162, 262 are moved to the unlocked position, the optical fiber connector 10 and the second optical fiber connector 16 may be pulled apart.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 9-10, the optical fiber connector 10 may include a cover portion 280 (e.g., an end cap or cover) structurally configured to cover and protect the coupling portion 26 (FIG. 1 ) when not coupled to, for example, the second optical fiber connector 16. The cover portion 280 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the cover portion 280 may include a proximal portion 282, a distal portion 284 opposite the proximal portion 282, and a sidewall portion 286 extending between the proximal portion 282 and the distal portion 284. In some embodiments, the cover portionAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT280 may include a first receiving portion 288 structurally configured to receive and / or engage the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 and a second receiving portion 290 structurally configured to receive and / or engage the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first receiving portion 288 may include a recessed portion 292 at least partially defined by the sidewall portion 286. In some embodiments, the second receiving portion 290 may include a projecting portion 294 extending from the distal portion 284 of the cover portion 280. The second receiving portion 290 may include a second recessed portion 296 at a distal end portion 298 of the projecting portion 294. The second recessed portion 296 may be structurally configured to receive the proximal ferrule portion 36 of the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28.

[0095] In some embodiment, the projecting portion 294 may include a guide portion 300 structurally configured to guide the cover portion 280 into engagement with the coupling portion 26. The guide portion 300 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the guide portion 300 may include a groove portion 302 extending axially and being structurally configured to receive the lateral projecting portion 156 of the distal coupling housing portion 124. In some embodiments, the groove portion 302 may be positioned on a lateral side portion 304 of the projecting portion 294.

[0096] In use, the cover portion 280 may be moved (e.g., slid axially) onto the coupling portion 26 such that the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32 is received in the first receiving portion 288 and the proximal ferrule portion 36 is received in the second receiving portion 290 on the projecting portion 294 and the lateral projecting portion 156 is received in the groove portion 302 of the projecting portion 294.

[0097] FIGS. 11-12 illustrate an example fiber routing portion 320. The fiber routing portion 320 may be substantially similar to the fiber routing portion 120 of FIG. 4. Thus, the description of the fiber routing portion 120 applies equally to the fiber routing portion 320. For example, the fiber routing portion 320 may be structurally configured to route optical fiber from the fiber receiving portion 114 to the coupling portion 26 (FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the fiber routing portion 320 may be structurally configured to route the first optical fiber 30 from the first optical fiber cable 12 to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion 28 and a second optical fiber 34 from the first optical fiber cable 12 toAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT the distal optical fiber coupling portion 32. In some embodiments, the fiber routing portion 320 may define an optical fiber passage portion 322 structurally configured for one or more optical fibers to be routed therethrough. In some embodiments, the optical fiber passage portion 322 may be bifurcated. In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion 320 may include a first routing portion 324 (e.g., lower half-shell) and a second routing portion 326 (e.g., upper half-shell) configured to overlay the first routing portion 324 to form the optical fiber passage portion 322.

[0098] In some embodiments, the optical fiber routing portion 320 may include a guide portion 328 structurally configured to guide assembling the first routing portion 324 to the second routing portion 326 together. In some embodiments, the guide portion 328 may include a projecting portion 330 (e.g., protrusion, ridge, tongue, bump, pin, etc.) configured to be received in a recessed portion 332 (e.g., cavity, hole, channel, groove, etc.). In some embodiments, the second routing portion 326 may include the projecting portion 330 and the first routing portion 324 may include the recessed portion 332. In some embodiments the projecting portion 330 and the recessed portion 332 may be positioned at or adjacent opposing lateral side portions 334 of the fiber routing portion 320.

[0099] In some embodiments, the fiber routing portion 320 may include a coupling portion 340 structurally configured to couple the first routing portion 324 and the second routing portion 326 together. The coupling portion 340 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the coupling portion 340 may include a snap connection, a clipping connection, a latch and a keeper arrangement, a friction fit, or other mechanical fastening configurations. In some embodiments, the coupling portion 340 may include a projecting portion 342 structurally configured to be received in a receiving portion 344. For example, in some embodiments, the first routing portion 324 may include the projecting portion 342 and the second routing portion 326 may include the receiving portion 344.

[0100] In some embodiments, the projecting portion 342 may include a proximal portion 346 and a distal portion 348 opposite the proximal portion 346. In some embodiments, the proximal portion 346 may be fixed relative to the rest of the first routing portion 324 and the distal portion 348 may be unsupported (e.g., a cantilever configuration). In some embodiments, the distal portion 348 may be bifurcated having aAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT first projecting portion 350 and a second projecting portion 352. Each of the first projecting portion 350 and the second projecting portion 352 may be structurally configured to flex inward during attaching the first routing portion 324 and the second routing portion 326 together. In some embodiments, each of the first projecting portion 350 and the second projecting portion 352 may include a proximally-facing engagement surface portion 354 (e.g., radial shoulder) configured to face toward the proximal portion 346 of the projecting portion 342. In some embodiments, the distal portion 348 may include a wider or enlarged portion 355 (e.g., a head portion)

[0101] In some embodiments, the receiving portion 344 may include a passage portion 356 and a distally-facing engagement surface portion 358 (e.g., a radial shoulder) structurally configured to face opposite the proximally-facing engagement surface portion 354. In some embodiments, the passage portion 356 may extend through the second routing portion 326. In some embodiments, the passage portion 356 may include a narrower passage portion 359 (e.g., smaller diameter) and a wider passage portion 361 (e.g., a larger diameter).

[0102] To couple the first routing portion 324 and the second routing portion 326 together, the second routing portion 326 may be aligned on top of the first routing portion 324 such that the projecting portion 342 is received through the passage portion 356. As the wider or enlarged portion 355 of the projecting portion 342 passes through the narrower passage portion 359, the first projecting portion 350 and a second projecting portion 352 flex inward. Once the wider or enlarged portion 355 moves past the narrower passage portion 359, the first projecting portion 350 and a second projecting portion 352 return outward such that the proximally-facing engagement surface portion 354 is opposed the distally-facing engagement surface portion 360 to prevent separation of the first routing portion 324 and the second routing portion 326.

[0103] While at least one example, non-limiting embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCTCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector coupling and improved optical fiber installation performance, comprising: a housing portion including a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion opposite the proximal housing portion, wherein the proximal housing portion includes a fiber receiving portion; a coupling portion positioned at the distal housing portion, wherein the coupling portion includes a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion; a bifurcated optical fiber routing portion structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion; wherein the distal optical fiber coupling portion includes a first ferrule portion configured to terminate the first optical fiber and the proximal optic fiber coupling portion includes a second ferrule portion structurally configured to terminate the second optical fiber, wherein the distal optical fiber coupling portion includes a connecting portion structurally configured to operatively connect the first ferrule portion with a corresponding ferrule portion of a second optical fiber connector; and wherein the coupling portion is structurally configured to be provide an enhanced optical fiber routing connection between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector so as to provide improved optical fiber installation performance without requiring an adapter between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector during optical fiber installation between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector.

2. The connector of claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion includes a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion structurally configured to receive the first ferruleAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT portion and a distal end portion that is located opposite the proximal end portion and structurally configured to receive the corresponding ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector.

3. The connector of claim 1 or 2, wherein the distal optical fiber coupling portion further comprises a first ferrule holding portion structurally configured to support the first ferrule portion and a first biasing portion structurally configured to urge the first ferrule holding portion and the first ferrule portion away from the proximal housing portion.

4. The connector of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a locking portion structurally configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second optical fiber connector.

5. An optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector coupling and improved optical fiber installation performance, comprising: a housing portion including a proximal housing portion and a distal housing portion opposite the proximal housing portion, wherein the proximal housing portion includes a fiber receiving portion; a coupling portion positioned at the distal housing portion, wherein the coupling portion includes a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion; and wherein the coupling portion is configured to provide an enhanced connection between the coupling portion and a second optical fiber connector so as to improve optical fiber installation from the coupling portion to the second optical fiber connector without requiring an adapter to be used between the coupling portion and the second optical fiber connector during optical fiber installation.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the coupling portion is configured to be directly coupled with the second optical fiber connector.

7. The connector of claim 5, wherein each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion includes a ferrule portion configured to terminate an optic fiber, a ferrule holding portion configured to support the ferruleAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT portion, and a biasing portion structurally configured to urge the ferrule holding portion and the ferrule portion away from the proximal housing portion.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the distal optical fiber coupling portion includes a connecting portion configured to operatively connect the ferrule portion of the distal optical fiber coupling portion with a second ferrule portion of the second optical fiber connector.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion includes a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion configured to receive the ferrule portion and a distal end portion, opposite the proximal end portion, configured to receive the corresponding second ferrule portion.

10. The connector of claim 8, wherein the connecting portion includes a first ferrule receiving portion configured to receive the ferrule portion and a second ferrule receiving portion configured to receive the second ferrule portion.

11. The connector of any of claims 5-10, further comprising an optical fiber routing portion configured to route optic fibers from the fiber receiving portion to the coupling portion.

12. The connector of claim 11 , wherein the optical fiber routing portion is structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the optical fiber routing portion comprises a bifurcated portion.

14. The connector of any of claims 5-10, further comprising a locking portion configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second optical fiber connector.

15. An optical fiber connector configured to provide enhanced connector optical fiber installation performance, comprising: a first connector optical fiber receiving portion configured to route an optical fiber to a first connector coupling portion; and wherein the first connector coupling portion of a first connector is configured to be coupled to a second connector coupling portion of a second connector so as to form an enhanced optical fiber installation route for the optical fiber from the first connector coupling portion to the second connector coupling portion withoutAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT requiring an adapter to be used between the first connector coupling portion and the second connector coupling portion during optical fiber installation.

16. The connector of claim 15, further comprising: a housing portion; and wherein the first connector optical fiber receiving portion is associated with a proximal portion of the housing portion and the first connector coupling portion is associated with a distal portion of the housing portion.

17. The connector of claim 16, further comprising an optical fiber routing portion structurally configured to route optic fibers from the first connector optical fiber receiving portion to the first connector coupling portion.

18. The connector of claim 16, wherein the first connector coupling portion includes a proximal optical fiber coupling portion and a distal optical fiber coupling portion axially offset from the proximal optical fiber coupling portion.

19. The connector of claim 18, wherein each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion includes a ferrule portion structurally configured to terminate an optic fiber and a ferrule holding portion structurally configured to support the ferrule portion in a distal portion of the housing portion.

20. The connector of claim 19, wherein each of the distal optical fiber coupling portion and the proximal optical fiber coupling portion includes a biasing portion structurally configured to urge the ferrule holding portion and the ferrule portion distally.21 . The connector of claim 19, wherein the distal optical fiber coupling portion includes a connecting portion structurally configured to operatively connect the ferrule portion of the distal optical fiber coupling portion with a second ferrule portion of the second connector.

22. The connector of claim 21 , wherein the connecting portion includes a sleeve portion having a proximal end portion structurally configured to receive the ferrule portion and a distal end portion, opposite the proximal end portion, structurally configured to receive the second ferrule portion.

23. The connector of any of claims 18-22, further comprising an optical fiber routing portion structurally configured to route a first optical fiber to the proximal opticalAttorney Docket No. 0404.0039-PCT fiber coupling portion and a second optical fiber to the distal optical fiber coupling portion.

24. The connector of claim 23, wherein the optical fiber routing portion comprises a bifurcated portion.

25. The connector of any of claims 15-22, further comprising a locking portion structurally configured to lock the distal housing portion to the second connector.

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