Field installable hardened fiber optic connector structurally configured to provide enhanced gripping, strain relief, and / or cable sealing during operation

Abstract

A device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector. The device may include a cable receiving nozzle portion configured to receive a terminated end of a fiber optic cable, a biasing portion configured to be received by the cable receiving nozzle portion and a carrier portion, and a sealing portion configured to be received by the biasing portion and the cable receiving nozzle portion. The biasing portion is configured to compress the sealing portion onto a fiber optic cable received in the cable receiving nozzle portion to form a seal around the fiber optic cable so as to provide enhanced environmental sealing, enhanced strain relief between the nozzle and the fiber optic cable, and enhancing axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle portion.

Description

FIELD INSTALLABLE HARDENED FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR STRUCTURALLY CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE ENHANCED GRIPPING, STRAIN RELIEF, AND / OR CABLE SEALING DURING OPERATIONCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 202411095943, filed on December 5, 2024, which is currently pending, and Indian Provisional Patent Application No. 20241 1096091 , filed on December 5, 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure is directed to hardened fiber optic connectors and, more particularly, to field installable fiber optic connectors configured to provide enhanced gripping and sealing of a cable.BACKGROUND

[0003] The present disclosure is directed to fiber optic connectors with enhanced gripping of a cable and, more particularly, to field installable hardened fiber optic connectors (HFOC) with improved weathertight sealing and without necessarily requiring the use of tools for installation.

[0004] Fiber optical communication systems typically use a network of fiber optic cables to transmit large volumes of data. Typical fiber optical connectors include a ferrule that supports an end portion of an optical fiber. When two fiber optical connectors are interconnected, end faces of the ferrules, on each connector, directly oppose one another. Thus, the optical fibers, which are supported by each ferrule, are also directly opposed to each other. Furthermore, springs in each connector bias the optical fibers towards each other when the connectors are in this interconnected state. An optical signal can then be transmitted from one optical fiber to the other optical fiber.

[0005] Conventionally, hardened fiber optic connectors are factory fitted on one end of a fiber optic cable, and the sealing between the hardened fiber optic connector and the fiber optic cable is achieved by using epoxy resins and heat shrink boots. As a result, only one end of the cable assembly (i.e., the nonterminated end) can be routed through small ducts or holes.

[0006] It may be desirable to provide a hardened fiber optic connector that is field installable and provides improved weathertight sealing so that both ends of a fiber optic cable can be routed through small ducts or holes and the ends can be terminated with a hardened fiber optic connector after such routing. It may also be desirable to provide a hardened fiber optic connector that is field installable, provides improved cable gripping and sealing. It also may be desirable to provide a hardened fiber optic connector that can be installed by hand (i.e., without a tool).SUMMARY

[0007] According to various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector includes: a cable receiving nozzle portion that may be configured to receive at least a portion of a terminated portion of a fiber optic cable; a tightening portion that may be configured to be coupled with the cable receiving nozzle portion; a biasing portion that may be configured to be received at least partially by the tightening portion and the cable receiving nozzle portion; a carrier portion that may be configured to be received at least partially by the cable receiving nozzle portion; a sealing portion that may be configured to be at least partially received by the biasing portion and the cable receiving nozzle portion; and a cable gripping portion that may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the carrier portion. The tightening portion may be configured to include an engaging portion that may be configured to engage a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to couple the biasing portion with the tightening portion; the cable gripping portion may be configured to axially grip a fiber optic cable so as to prevent axial movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation; and the tightening portion may be structurally configured to threadedly couple with the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to compress the sealing portion onto a portion of the fiber optic cable received in the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal portion around at least a portion of fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental watertight sealing, enhanced strain relief between the cable receiving portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle portion during operation.

[0008] In particular embodiments, the carrier portion may comprise a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that may be configured to provide enhanced axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable.

[0009] In particular embodiments, the seal arrangement may further comprise a clamping portion that may be configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion during operation.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the biasing portion may comprise a rotation resisting biasing portion that may be structurally configured to engage a rotating resisting cable receiving portion of the cable receiving portion so as to biasingly prevent rotational movement of the biasing portion relative to the cable receiving portion during operation.

[0011] In particular embodiments, the cable gripping portion may be axially and rotationally fixed relative to the carrier portion.

[0012] In particular embodiments, the carrier portion may comprise a cable guiding portion located in a cable pathway in the carrier portion, and the cable guiding portion may be structurally configured to urge the fiber optic cable radially outward so as to provide enhanced cable bending resistance of the optical fiber cable during operation

[0013] In particular embodiments, the cable guiding portion may be configured to form a curved section so as to promote controlled curving of at least a portion of the fiber optic cable to avoid bending the portion of the fiber optic cable more than a minimum bend radius and thus damaging the fiber optic cable.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the biasing portion may comprise a sloped inner biasing portion surface, the sealing portion may comprise a sloped outer sealing portion surface, and the sloped inner biasing portion surface of the biasing portion may be structurally configured to engage the sloped outer sealing portion surface of the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing between the sealing portion and the fiber optic cable.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the contact between the sloped inner biasing portion surface and the sloped outer sealing portion surface are configured to compress the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing between the sealing portion and the fiber optic cable.

[0016] According to various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector includes: a cable receiving nozzle portion that may be configured to receive a terminated cable end of a fiber optic cable; a biasing portion that may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; a carrier portion that may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; a sealing portion that may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the biasing portion and at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; and a cable gripping portion that may be configured to grip a portion of fiber optic cable so as to prevent axial movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation. The biasing portion may be structurally configured to compress the sealing portion toward a fiber optic cable received in the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal portion around at least a portion of the fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental sealing, strain relief between the cable receiving nozzle portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the nozzle portion.

[0017] In particular embodiments, a tightening portion may be configured to be coupled with a cable receiving end portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion, and the tightening portion may include an engaging portion that may be configured to engage the biasing portion so as to enhance tightening of the tightening portion to the cable receiving nozzle portion.

[0018] In particular embodiments, a cable gripping portion may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the carrier portion so as to enhance gripping of the fiber optic cable so as to relieve strain exerted on an optical fiber in the fiber optic cable by a force applied to the fiber optic cable.

[0019] In particular embodiments, the biasing portion may be configured to engage the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to enhance compression of the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing of the sealing portion to the fiber optic cable.

[0020] In particular embodiments, the carrier portion may include a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that may be configured to provide enhanced axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable.

[0021] In particular embodiments, a clamping portion may be configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion so as to enhance connection of the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion.

[0022] According to various aspects of the disclosure, a device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector includes: a cable receiving nozzle portion that may be configured to receive at least a portion of a terminated cable end of a fiber optic cable; a biasing portion that may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion and a carrier portion; and a sealing portion that may be configured to be received by the biasing portion and the nozzle portion. The biasing portion may be structurally configured to biasingly compress the sealing portion onto a portion of fiber optic cable received in the portion of cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal around the fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental sealing, enhanced strain relief between the cable receiving nozzle portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle portion during operation.

[0023] In particular embodiments, a carrier portion may be configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to securely position a fiber optic cable connector.

[0024] In particular embodiments, the carrier portion may comprise a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that may be together configured to provided enhance axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable during operation.

[0025] In particular embodiments, a clamping portion may be configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion so as to enhance connection of the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion.

[0026] In particular embodiments, a cable gripping portion may be configured to grip a fiber optic cable so as to provide enhanced axial movement resistant of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation.

[0027] In particular embodiments, a tightening portion may be configured to be coupled with a cable receiving end portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion, and the tightening portion may include an engaging portion that may be structurallyconfigured to couple the biasing portion to the tightening portion so as to enhance tightening of the tightening portion to the cable receiving nozzle portion.

[0028] In particular embodiments, the biasing portion may be configured to prevent rotation of the biasing portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle so as to provide only axial movement of the biasing portion relative to the sealing portion during assembly and tightening so as to prevent twisting deformation of the sealing portion.

[0029] In particular embodiments, each of the first and second carrier portions may be a single piece, monolithic structure that includes a cable engaging portion that comprises projections.

[0030] In particular embodiments, the cable connector may be a Subscriber Connector connector.

[0031] In particular embodiments, the cable connector may be a Belden Brilliance Subscriber Connector connector.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) including an exemplary seal assembly in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0035] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0036] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded side view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0037] FIGS. 5-8 present various views of an exemplary carrier portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 coupled with a fiber optic connector housing portion;

[0038] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of an exemplary cable gripping portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 coupled with a fiber optic cable;

[0039] FIG.1 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary nozzle of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0040] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exemplary housing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0041] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary biasing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0042] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary tightening portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0043] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary sealing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 ;

[0044] FIGS. 16 and 17 are perspective views of an exemplary carrier portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 1 :

[0045] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) including an exemplary seal assembly in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 19 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0047] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional, perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0048] FIG. 21 is a partially exploded side view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0049] FIGS. 22 and 23 are perspective views of an exemplary nozzle of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0050] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an exemplary clamping portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0051] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an exemplary tightening portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0052] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an exemplary housing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0053] FIG. 27 is a perspective view of an exemplary sealing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0054] FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective views of an exemplary carrier portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0055] FIGS. 30 and 31 are perspective views of another exemplary carrier portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 18;

[0056] FIGS. 32 and 33 are perspective views of a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) including an exemplary seal assembly in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure;

[0057] FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 32;

[0058] FIG. 35 is a partially exploded perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 32;

[0059] FIG. 36 is an end view of an exemplary carrier portion the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 32;

[0060] FIG. 37 is a side view of the carrier portion of FIG. 36;

[0061] FIG. 38 is a top view of the carrier portion of FIG. 36;

[0062] FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the carrier portion of FIG. 36;

[0063] FIGS. 40 and 41 are perspective views of portions of the carrier portion of FIG. 36;

[0064] FIGS. 42 and 43 are perspective views of an exemplary nozzle of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36;

[0065] FIGS. 44 and 45 are perspective views of an exemplary housing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36;

[0066] FIGS. 46 and 47 are perspective views of an exemplary tightening portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36;

[0067] FIGS. 48 and 49 are perspective views of an exemplary clamping portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36;

[0068] FIGS. 50 and 51 are perspective views of an exemplary sealing portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36;

[0069] FIGS. 52 and 53 are perspective views of an exemplary pusher portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36; and

[0070] FIGS. 54 and 55 are perspective views of an exemplary boot portion of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36.

[0071] FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the hardened fiber optic connector of FIG. 36 connected to an exemplary receptacle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0072] Embodiments provide a device having a nut that is structurally configured to threadedly engage a nozzle such that tightening of the nut compressesa sealing portion onto a fiber optic cable received in the nozzle to form a seal around the fiber optic cable and resist axial movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the sealing portion so as to provide enhanced weathertight sealing and strain relief between the nozzle and the fiber optic cable.

[0073] Throughout the description, like reference numerals will refer to like parts in the various drawing figures. As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0074] FIGS. 1 -17 illustrate an embodiment of an exemplary seal assembly 1100 for a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1 -4, the seal assembly 1 100 includes a cable receiving nozzle portion 1 1 10 (alternatively referred to as a shell portion, a nozzle, a housing portion, or a cover portion) of a hardened fiber optic connector 1900, a sealing portion 1 140, for example, a grommet or other resilient member, a tightening portion 1150 (alternatively referred to a nut, back nut, or coupler), a biasing portion 1 170 (alternatively referred to a biasing portion or member, urging portion, pusher, or pushing portion), and a gripping portion 1160 (alternative referred to as a cable grip portion).

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the gripping portion 1160 includes a cable receiving portion 1162, for example, a longitudinal channel, that is accessible via an opening 1164 in a lateral wall of the gripping portion 1 160. The gripping portion 1 160 may also include a cable engaging portion 1166, for example, projections or teeth, that extend into the cable receiving portion 1 162. The cable engaging portion 1 166 may be configured to penetrate the jacket of a cable 90, for example, a fiber optic cable. As illustrated, the cable 90 may comprise a flat cable, for example, a 1.2mm FRP dielectric flat cable, toneable or non-toneable. In other aspects, the cable may comprise, for example, a 3mm Miniflex cable, a 1 .0mm steel messenger figure-8 cable, or other suitable cables.

[0076] Referring again to FIGS. 1 -4, the exemplary hardened fiber optic connector 1900 may include a connector portion 1901 , for example, a Subscriber Connector (SC connector). In some aspects, the connector portion 1901 may comprise a Belden Brilliance SC connector. The connector portion 1901 may includea ferrule 1902 that is configured to terminate a fiber of a fiber optic cable 90, a holding portion 1904 (alternatively referred to as a ferrule holding portion or a ferrule holder) that is configured to receive the ferrule 1902, and a housing portion 1905, for example, an SC housing portion, that is configured to receive and house at least a portion of the holding portion 1904. The hardened fiber optic connector 1900 may further include a carrier portion 1907 (also referred to as a carrier or a connector holding portion and illustrated in detail in FIGS. 16-17) that is structurally configured or arranged to be coupled with the housing portion 1905 and to be received in the nozzle portion 1 1 10, and a housing portion 1906 (alternatively referred to as a housing, lock slide, or shell and illustrated in detail in FIGS. 16-17) that is configured to receive the cable receiving nozzle portion 1 1 10 and the tightening portion 1150, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. The hardened fiber optic connector 1900 may be configured to be coupled with an HFOC receptacle, for example receptacle 4000 in FIG. 56.

[0077] As best shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 11 , the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10 may include a first or forward nozzle end 1 112 and a second or rear nozzle end 1 1 14. The nozzle 1 110 may include an opening 1 1 16 at the first end 1 1 12 to a first receiving portion or bore 1 1 18 and may extend to a middle receiving portion or bore 11 19 that has a smaller inner diameter than the first receiving portion 1 1 18. The bore 1 118 is configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion 1907 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship, and the bore 11 19 is configured to receive the gripping portion 1 160 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship.

[0078] The second end 1 114 of the nozzle 1 1 10 includes a second receiving portion or bore 1 120. The second receiving portion 1 120 is configured to receive the sealing portion 1 140 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship. The sealing portion 1 140 includes a receiving portion or through bore 1 146 configured to receive a fiber optic cable 90 therethrough. The sealing portion 1 140 comprises a flexible structure that is configured to be compressed and to provide a biasing force against such compression. In embodiments, the amount of force that the sealing portion applies to the cable when it is compressed is approximately 10 pounds of force. For example, in some embodiments, the sealing portion 1 140 may be formed from a flexible material, such as KRAYTON.

[0079] In embodiments, the assembly is assembled as follows. The ferrule 1902 and the holding portion 1904 are fed through the tightening portion 1 150, the biasing portion 1170, the sealing portion 1 140, the housing portion 1906, and the nozzle 11 10 from right to left as shown in FIG. 3. The gripping portion 1160 may then be coupled with an end portion 92 of the cable 90. For example, the end portion 92 is inserted through at least a portion of the lateral opening 1 164 of the gripping portion 1 160 and engaged by the cable engagement portion 1 166.

[0080] The housing portion 1905 may then be pushed onto, and engage, the holding portion 1904, and the carrier portion 1907 may be coupled with the housing portion 1905, for example, by clipping the carrier portion 1907 onto the housing portion, as shown in FIGS. 5-8. It should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the housing portion 1905 may be coupled with the holding portion 1904 before the gripping portion 1160 is coupled with the end portion 92 of the cable 90. It also should be appreciated that, in some aspects, the carrier portion 1907 may be coupled with the housing portion 1905 before the gripping portion 1 160 is coupled with the end portion 92 of the cable 90. Regardless, once the gripping portion 1 160 is coupled with the end portion 92 of the cable 90 and the carrier portion 1907 is coupled with the housing portion 1905, the cable 90 is configured to be moved rearward relative to the cable receiving nozzle 11 10 such that the gripping portion 1 160 is configured to be disposed in the middle receiving portion or bore 1 118 and the carrier portion 1907 is received in the first receiving portion 11 18. The gripping portion 1160 and the carrier portion 1907 may be arranged relative to one another on the cable 90 such that a rear end surface portion 19071 of the carrier portion 1907 abuts or is in close proximity to a forward facing surface portion 1 1 181 at a rearward end of the bore 1 1 18, and / or a rear end surface portion 11601 of the gripping portion 1 160 abuts or is in close proximity to a forward facing surface portion 1 1191 at a rearward end of the bore 1 119.

[0081] The sealing portion 1 140 is configured to then be inserted into the second receiving portion 1 120 of the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10. The biasing portion 1170 has a receiving portion 1 172 at its forward end that is configured to receive the sealing portion 1140. The biasing portion 1 170 is then pushed or pressed onto the sealing portion 1 140 such that at least a portion of the sealing portion 1 140 is located partially in the receiving portion 1172 of the biasing portion 1 170. The tightening portion 1150 is configured to then be moved over the biasing portion 1170 to the pointwhere an engagement portion 1174, for example, a rearward facing surface, of the biasing portion 1 170 engages a receiving portion 1152, for example, a forward facing surface, of the tightening portion 1 150. The tightening portion 1150 may include a retaining portion 1 153, for example, a radially extending lip, that is configured to engage a retained portion 1175, for example, a flange, of the biasing portion so as to prevent the tightening portion 1 150 from being removed from the biasing portion 1 170.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 14, the tightening portion 1 150 is provided with a threaded portion 1 154, for example, internal threads, that is configured to engage a threaded portion 11 15, for example, external threads, on the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10. The tightening portion 1150 is threaded onto the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10 to secure the various parts of the assembly, as best shown in FIG. 3. The threading of the tightening portion 1 150 with the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10 causes the angled wall 1 178 of the receiving portion 1172 of the biasing portion 1 170 to press against the angled wall 1 148 of the sealing portion 1140. The pressing causes the sealing portion 1 140 to deform radially inward such that the through bore 1146 of the sealing portion 1 140 tightens around the fiber optic cable 90, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby creating a seal between the sealing portion 1140 and the fiber optic cable 90. It should be understood that the through bore 1146 of the sealing portion 1140 can be configured to match the shape of the cable 90 so as to form an environmental seal (alternatively referred to as a watertight seal that, as persons of ordinary skill will recognizes, satisfy industry standard sealing requirements) between the sealing portion 1 140 and the fiber optic cable 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the sealing portion 1140 may have a through bore 1 146 shaped and sized to match the shape and size of a 1 ,2mm FRP dielectric flat cable. The tight fit between the sealing portion 1140 and the fiber optic cable 90 also provides strain relief by securing the fiber optic cable 90 to the assembly 1 100 in the axial direction.

[0083] It should be understood that, in some aspects, the biasing portion 1 170 may be pushed or pressed onto the sealing portion 1 140 before the sealing portion 1 140 is inserted into the second receiving portion 1 120 of the nozzle 11 10. In some aspects, the coupled biasing portion 1 170 and sealing portion 1140 may be inserted together into the second receiving portion 1 120 of the nozzle 1 1 10, and then the tightening portion 1150 is threaded with the nozzle 1 110. In other aspects, the coupled biasing portion 1 170 and sealing portion 1140 may be inserted together into thetightening portion 1 150, and then the tightening portion 1 150 is threaded with the nozzle 11 10

[0084] As shown in FIG. 13, an outer surface of the biasing portion 1170 may include a nozzle engagement portion 1176, such as, for example, one or more longitudinal ribs. The nozzle engagement portion 1 176 may be configured to engage a receiving portion 1 121 , such as, for example, one or more longitudinal grooves, on an inner surface of the bore 1 120 of the nozzle 11 10 (see FIG. 1 1 ) to provide enhance rotations movement resistance by preventing the biasing portion 1 170 from rotating relative to the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10 during operation. It may be advantageous to prevent rotation of the biasing portion 1 170 relative to the cable receiving nozzle 1 1 10 so as to provide only axial movement of the biasing portion 1170 relative to the sealing portion 1 140 during assembly and tightening so as to prevent twisting deformation of the sealing portion 1 140.

[0085] FIGS. 18-31 illustrate an alternate embodiment of an exemplary seal assembly 2100 for a hardened fiber optic connector (“HFOC”) in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 18-21 , the seal assembly 2100 includes a nozzle portion 21 10 (alternatively referred to as a nozzle, shell, nozzle, or housing) of a hardened fiber optic connector 2900, a sealing portion 2140, for example, a grommet or other resilient member, a tightening portion 2150 (also referred to a nut, back nut, or coupler), a carrier portion 2170 of the hardened fiber optic connector (discussed in more detail below), and a clamping portion 2160 (also referred to as a lock nut).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 24, the clamping portion 2160 includes a cable receiving portion 2162, for example, a through bore, that is open at the front end 2163 and rear end 2164 of the clamping portion 2160. The clamping portion 2160 may also include a carrier portion engaging portion 2166, for example, internal threads.

[0087] Referring again to FIGS. 18-21 , the exemplary hardened fiber optic connector 2900 includes a connector portion 2901 , for example, a Subscriber Connector (SC connector). In some aspects, the connector portion 2901 may comprise a Belden Brilliance SC connector. The connector portion 2901 includes a ferrule 2902 that is configured to terminate a fiber of a fiber optic cable 90, a holding portion 2904 (also referred to as a ferrule holding portion or a ferrule holder) that is configured to receive the ferrule 2902, and a housing portion 2905, for example, anSC housing portion, that is configured to receive and house at least a portion of the holding portion 2904. The hardened fiber optic connector 2900 further includes a carrier portion 2170 (also referred to as a carrier or a connector holding portion and illustrated in detail in FIGS. 28-31 ) that is structurally configured to be coupled with the housing portion 2905 and to be received in the nozzle portion 2110, and a housing portion 2906 (also referred to as a housing, lock slide, or shell and illustrated in detail in FIG. 26) that is configured to receive the nozzle portion 21 10, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. The hardened fiber optic connector 2900 is configured to be coupled with an HFOC receptacle, for example receptacle 4000 in FIG. 56.

[0088] As best illustrated in FIGS. 19, 21 and 28-31 , the carrier portion 2170 may include a first carrier portion 21701 and a second carrier portion 21702. The first carrier portion 21701 and the second carrier portion 21702 are structurally configured to be coupled to one another and to couple with the housing portion 2905, as shown in FIG. 20. As illustrated, the first carrier portion 21701 may be different from the second carrier portion 21702. However, it should be understood that, in some aspects, first carrier portion 21701 and the second carrier portion 21702 may be identical to one another. In some aspects, the first carrier portion 21701 and the second carrier portion 21702 may be substantial half shells, and in other aspects, the first carrier portion 21701 may be greater than a half shell and the second carrier portion 21702 may be less than a half shell, or vice versa.

[0089] Referring again to FIG. 19, the carrier portion 2170 may have a first end portion or forward end 2171 configured to grip the housing portion 2905 and a second end portion or rearward end 2172 configured to grip a jacket of a cable 90, for example, a fiber optic cable. As illustrated, the cable 90 may comprise a flat cable, for example, a 1.2mm FRP dielectric flat cable, toneable or non-toneable. In other aspects, the cable may comprise, for example, a 3mm Miniflex cable, a 1 .0mm steel messenger figure-8 cable, or other suitable cables.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 28-31 , the second end portion 2172 may comprise a cable gripping portion 2173 that includes a cable receiving portion 2174 and a cable engaging portion 2175 configured to grip the cable 90. The cable receiving portion 2174 may comprise a through bore generally sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the cable 90. The cable engaging portion 2175 may comprise, for example,projections or teeth, that extend into the cable receiving portion 2174. The cable engaging portion 2175 may be configured to penetrate the jacket of a cable 90, for example, a fiber optic cable.

[0091] In one embodiment, the cable engaging portion 2175 comprises teeth or projections 21751 that may be integrated into each of the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702 such that each of the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702 may be a single piece, monolithic structure that includes the teeth or projections 21751 . As illustrated, the cable engaging portion 2175 may include teeth or projections that surround the periphery of the cable to prevent axial movement of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion and / or teeth or projections that extend along a length of the cable to prevent rotation of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion 2175. Alternatively, the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702 may be configured as a multi-piece structure.

[0092] In another embodiment, the cable engaging portion 2175 comprises teeth or projections 21752 that are separate structures relative to each of the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702 and are configured to be inserted into and removed from the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702. For example, one or both of the first and second carrier portions 21701 , 21702 may include a receiving portion 21753 that is configured to receive and retain the teeth or projections 21752, for example, via an interference fit relationship. As illustrated, the cable engaging portion 2175 may include teeth or projections that extend about a portion of the periphery of the cable to prevent axial movement of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion and / or teeth or projections that extend along a length of the cable to prevent rotation of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion 2175.

[0093] The second end portion 2172 of the carrier portion 2170 also includes a clamping portion engaging portion 2176, for example, external threads, that is configured to couple with the carrier portion engaging portion 2166 of the clamping portion 2160, as described in more detail below.

[0094] As shown in FIGS. 18-23, the cable receiving nozzle 2110 includes a first end or forward end 2112 and a second end or rear end 21 14. The cable receiving nozzle 21 10 includes an opening 21 16 at the first end 21 12 to a first receiving portion or bore 2118 that extends to a wall portion 21 19. The wall portion 21 19 includes a cable receiving portion 21 191 , for example, a through hole, that may be sized andshaped to generally match the size and shape of the cable 90. The bore 2118 is configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion 2170 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship, and the bore 21 18 is configured to receive the clamping portion 2160 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship.

[0095] The second end 21 14 of the cable receiving nozzle 2110 includes a second receiving portion or bore 2120. The second receiving portion 2120 is configured to receive the sealing portion 2140 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship. The sealing portion 2140 includes a receiving portion or through bore 2146 configured to receive a fiber optic cable 90 there through. The sealing portion 2140 comprises a flexible structure that is configured to be compressed and to provide a biasing force against such compression. For example, in some embodiments, the sealing portion 2140 may be formed from a flexible material such as KRAYTON.

[0096] In embodiments, the assembly is assembled as follows. The ferrule 2902 and the holding portion 2904 are fed through the tightening portion 2150, the sealing portion 2140, the housing portion 2906, the nozzle 21 10, and the clamping portion 2160 from right to left as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 . The clamping portion 2160 may then be slid over an end portion 92 of the cable 90. For example, the end portion 92 may be inserted through the cable receiving portion 2162 of the clamping portion 2160.

[0097] The housing portion 2905 is configured to be then pushed onto, and engages, the holding portion 2904, and the carrier portion 2170 is coupled with the housing portion 2905, for example, by moving the first and second carrier portion 21701 , 21702 toward one another from opposite sides of the housing portion 2905 with the cable engaging portion 2175 disposed at the end portion 92 of the cable, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 21 . The clamping portion 2160 is then coupled with the second end portion 2172 of the carrier portion 2170, for example, by threadedly coupling the carrier portion engaging portion 2166 of the clamping portion 2160 with the clamping portion engaging portion 2176 of the carrier portion 2170, to cause the cable engaging portion 2175 to grip and penetrate the jacket of the end portion 92 of the cable 90.

[0098] It should be appreciated that, the clamping portion 2160 and the second end portion 2172 of the carrier portion 2170 may be arranged relative to oneanother on the cable 90 such that a rear end surface portion 21 in of the carrier portion 2170 and / or a rear end portion 2164 of the clamping portion 2160 abuts or is in close proximity to a forward facing surface portion 21 181 of the wall portion 21 19 at a rearward end of the bore 21 18.

[0099] The sealing portion 2140 is then inserted into the second receiving portion 2120 of the nozzle 2110. Referring to FIG. 25, the tightening portion 2150 has an opening portion 2152 at its forward end 2151 between an inner wall portion 2154 and an outer wall portion 2156. The inner wall portion 2154 includes a cable receiving portion 2155 configured to permit the cable 90 to pass there through, for example, with a size and shape that generally matches the size and shape of the cable. The inner wall portion 2154 of the tightening portion 2150 is then pushed or pressed onto the sealing portion 2140 such that at least a portion of the sealing portion 2140. The tightening portion 2150 is then moved into the rear end 2114 of the nozzle 21 10 to the point where an engagement portion 2158, for example, a radially outward extending latch, which may comprise a cantilevered flexible latch, of the tightening portion 2150 engages a receiving portion 21 18, for example, a notch or cutout, in a wall of the nozzle 21 10 The engagement portion 2158 and the receiving portion 21 18 are configured to couple together so as to prevent the tightening portion 2150 from being removed from the nozzle 2110.

[0100] The coupling of the engagement portion 2158 and the receiving portion 21 18 also causes the tightening portion to press against a rear end 2142 of the sealing portion 2140, which in turn causes the sealing portion 2140 to deform radially inward such that a through bore 2146 of the sealing portion 2140 tightens around the fiber optic cable 90, as best shown in FIG. 20, thereby creating a seal between the sealing portion 2140 and the fiber optic cable 90. It should be understood that the through bore 2146 of the sealing portion 2140 can be configured to match the shape of the cable 90 so as to ensure a watertight seal between the sealing portion 2140 and the fiber optic cable 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the sealing portion 2140 may have a through bore 2146 shaped and sized to match the shape and size of a 1 ,2mm FRP dielectric flat cable. The tight fit between the sealing portion 2140 and the fiber optic cable 90 also provides strain relief by securing the fiber optic cable 90 to the assembly 2100 in the axial direction. For example, embodiments can withstand 30pounds of force on the cable without passing that force on to the optical fiber of the cable that is inside the seal assembly.

[0101] FIGS. 32-55 illustrate an embodiment of an exemplary seal assembly 3100 for a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 32-35, the seal assembly 3100 includes a nozzle portion 3110 (also referred to as a nozzle, shell, nozzle, or housing) of a hardened fiber optic connector 3900, a sealing portion 3140, for example, a grommet or other resilient member, a tightening portion 3150 (alternatively referred to a nut, back nut, or coupler), a biassing portion 3190 (alternatively referred to a biasing member, urging portion, pusher, or pushing portion), and a clamping portion 3160 (alternatively referred to as a carrier nut).

[0102] Referring to FIGS. 48 and 49, the clamping portion 3160 includes a cable receiving portion 3162, for example, a through bore, that is open at the front end 3163 and rear end 3164 of the clamping portion 3160. The clamping portion 3160 may also include a carrier portion engaging portion 3166, for example, internal threads.

[0103] Referring again to FIGS. 32-35, the exemplary hardened fiber optic connector 3900 includes a connector portion 3901 , for example, a Subscriber Connector (SC connector). In some aspects, the connector portion 3901 may comprise a Belden Brilliance SC connector. The connector portion 3901 includes a ferrule 3902 that is configured to terminate a fiber of a fiber optic cable 90, a holding portion 3904 (also referred to as a ferrule holding portion or a ferrule holder) that is configured to receive the ferrule 3902, and a housing portion 3905, for example, an SC housing portion, that is configured to receive and house at least a portion of the holding portion 3904. The hardened fiber optic connector 3900 further includes a carrier portion 3170 (also referred to as a carrier or a connector holding portion and illustrated in detail in FIGS. 40 and 41 ) that is structurally configured to be coupled with the housing portion 3905 and to be received in the nozzle portion 3110, and a housing portion 3906 (also referred to as a housing, lock slide, or shell and illustrated in detail in FIGS. 44 and 45) that is configured to receive the nozzle portion 3110, as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. The hardened fiber optic connector 3900 is configured to be coupled with an HFOC receptacle, for example receptacle 4000 in FIG. 56.

[0104] As best illustrated in FIGS. 35-41 , the carrier portion 3170 may include a first carrier portion 31701 and a second carrier portion 31702. The first carrier portion 31701 and the second carrier portion 31702 are structurally configured to be coupled to one another and to couple with the housing portion 3905, as shown in FIG. 35. In this example, the second carrier portion 31702 may include a pair of tabs 3179 that are configured to engage a pair of receiving portions 3178 on first carrier portion 31701 . Also shown in FIGS. 34 and 40 is a cable guiding portion 31703 formed in the second carrier portion 31702 that is configured to guide the optical fiber in the fiber optic cable 90 to bend in a controlled manner if the optical fiber is subjected to a compressive force when the seal assembly 3100 is assembled. In embodiments, the cable guiding portion 31703 is configured with a radius of 30 mm so as to promote bending of the optical fiber such that the optical fiber does not bend at a radius less than 30 mm. As illustrated, the first carrier portion 31701 may be configured to be different from the second carrier portion 31702. However, it should be understood that, in some aspects, first carrier portion 31701 and the second carrier portion 31702 may be the same to one another. In some aspects, the first carrier portion 31701 and the second carrier portion 31702 may be substantial half shells, and in other aspects, the first carrier portion 31701 may be greater than a half shell and the second carrier portion 31702 may be less than a half shell, or vice versa.

[0105] Referring again to FIG. 35, the carrier portion 3170 may have a first end portion or forward end 3171 configured to grip the housing portion 3905 and a second end portion or rearward end 3172 configured to grip a jacket of a cable 90, for example, a fiber optic cable. As illustrated, the cable 90 may comprise a flat cable, for example, a 1.2mm FRP dielectric flat cable, toneable or non-toneable. In other aspects, the cable may comprise, for example, a 3mm Miniflex cable, a 1 .0mm steel messenger figure-8 cable, or other suitable cables.

[0106] As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41 , the second end portion 3172 may comprise a cable gripping portion 3173 that includes a cable receiving portion 3174 and a cable engaging portion 3175 configured to grip the cable 90. The cable receiving portion 3174 may comprise a through bore generally sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the cable 90. The cable engaging portion 3175 may comprise, for example, projections or teeth, that extend into the cable receiving portion 3174. Thecable engaging portion 3175 may be configured to penetrate the jacket of a cable 90, for example, a fiber optic cable.

[0107] In one embodiment, the cable engaging portion 3175 comprises teeth or projections 31751 that are integrated into each of the first and second carrier portions 31701 , 31702 such that each of the first and second carrier portions 31701 , 31702 is a single piece, monolithic structure that includes the teeth or projections 31751 . As illustrated, the cable engaging portion 3175 may include teeth or projections that surround the periphery of the cable to prevent axial movement of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion and / or teeth or projections that extend along a length of the cable to prevent rotation of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion 3175.

[0108] In another embodiment, the cable engaging portion 3175 comprises teeth or projections that are separate structures relative to each of the first and second carrier portions 31701 , 31702 and are configured to be inserted into and removed from the first and second carrier portions 31701 , 31702 (similar to the configuration shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 ). For example, one or both of the first and second carrier portions 31701 , 31702 may include a receiving portion that is configured to receive and retain the teeth or projections, for example, via an interference fit relationship. As illustrated, the cable engaging portion 3175 may include teeth or projections that extend about a portion of the periphery of the cable to prevent axial movement of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion and / or teeth or projections that extend along a length of the cable to prevent rotation of the cable relative to the cable engaging portion 3175.

[0109] The second end portion 3172 of the carrier portion 3170 also includes a clamping portion engaging portion 3176, for example, external threads, that is configured to couple with the carrier portion engaging portion 3166 of the clamping portion 3160, as described in more detail below.

[0110] As shown in FIGS. 34, 35, 42, and 43, the nozzle 31 10 includes a first end or forward end 3112 and a second end or rear end 31 14. The cable receiving nozzle 31 10 includes an opening 31 16 at the first end 31 12 to a first receiving portion or bore 3118 that extends to a wall portion 31 19. The wall portion 31 19 includes a cable receiving portion 31 191 , for example, a through hole, that may be sized and shaped to generally match the size and shape of the cable 90. The bore 3118 is configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion 3170 therein, for example,in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship, and the bore 31 18 is configured to receive the clamping portion 3160 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship.

[0111] The second end 3114 of the nozzle 31 10 includes a second receiving portion or bore 3120. The second receiving portion 3120 is configured to receive the sealing portion 3140 therein, for example, in an interference fit relationship or a loose fit relationship. The sealing portion 3140 includes a receiving portion or through bore 3146 configured to receive a fiber optic cable 90 there through. The sealing portion 3140 comprises a flexible structure that is configured to be compressed and to provide a biasing force against such compression. For example, in some embodiments, the sealing portion 3140 may be formed from a flexible material such as KRAYTON.

[0112] In embodiments, the assembly is assembled as follows. The fiber optic cable 90 is fed through a boot 3001 , the tightening portion 3150, a pusher portion 3190, and the sealing portion 3140, from right to left as shown in FIGS. 34 and 35.

[0113] The housing portion 3905 is then pushed onto, and engages, the holding portion 3904. The clamping portion 3160 may then be slid over an end portion 92 of the cable 90. For example, the end portion 92 may be inserted through the cable receiving portion 3162 of the clamping portion 3160. The carrier portion 3170 is coupled with the housing portion 3905, for example, by moving the first and second carrier portion 31701 , 31702 toward one another from opposite sides of the housing portion 3905 with the cable engaging portion 3175 disposed at the end portion 92 of the cable, as shown in FIG. 34. The clamping portion 3160 is then coupled with the second end portion 3172 of the carrier portion 3170, for example, by threadedly coupling the carrier portion engaging portion 3166 of the clamping portion 3160 with the clamping portion engaging portion 3176 of the carrier portion 3170, to cause the cable engaging portion 3175 to grip and penetrate the jacket of the end portion 92 of the cable 90.

[0114] It should be appreciated that, the clamping portion 3160 and the second end portion 3172 of the carrier portion 3170 may be arranged relative to one another on the cable 90 such that a rear end surface portion 3177 of the carrier portion 3170 and / or a rear end portion 3164 of the clamping portion 3160 abuts or is in close proximity to a forward facing surface portion 31 181 of the wall portion 31 19 at a rearward end of the bore 31 18.

[0115] The sealing portion 3140 is then inserted into the second receiving portion 3120 of the nozzle 3110. Referring to FIG. 46, the tightening portion 3150 has an opening portion 3152 with, for example, internal threads 3158, at its forward end 3151. The pusher portion 3190 is inserted into the second receiving portion 3120 of the nozzle 31 10 and at least partially around the sealing portion 3140. The tightening portion 3150 is then moved onto the rear end 31 14 of the nozzle 3110 and tightened to, for example, exterior threads 31 15 on the nozzle 31 10, to compress the sealing portion 3140, through radial pressure from the pusher portion 3190, around the fiber optic cable 90.

[0116] The sealing portion 3140 deforms radially inward such that a through bore 3146 of the sealing portion 3140 tightens around the fiber optic cable 90, as best shown in FIG. 34, thereby creating a seal between the sealing portion 3140 and the fiber optic cable 90. As best shown in FIGS. 52 and 53, embodiments of the pusher portion 3190 has an anti-rotation portion 3191 , for example, splines, that are configured to engage an anti-rotation portion 3120 formed in the nozzle 3110, as shown in FIG. 42, to prevent rotation of the pusher portion 3190 relative to the fiber optic cable 90. FIGS. 54 and 55 show an example of the boot 3001 .

[0117] It should be understood that the through bore 3146 of the sealing portion 3140 can be configured to match the shape of the cable 90 so as to ensure a watertight seal between the sealing portion 3140 and the fiber optic cable 90. For example, as shown in FIG. 51 , the sealing portion 3140 may have a through bore 3146 shaped and sized to match the shape and size of a 1.2mm FRP dielectric flat cable. The tight fit between the sealing portion 3140 and the fiber optic cable 90 also provides strain relief by securing the fiber optic cable 90 to the assembly 3100 in the axial direction.

[0118] The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments provides illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments described herein to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the embodiments.

[0119] Although the invention has been described in detail above, it is expressly understood that it will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art that the invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the invention.Various changes of form, design, or arrangement may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the above mentioned description is to be considered exemplary, rather than limiting, and the true scope of the invention is that defined in the following claim.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS1. A device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector comprising: a cable receiving nozzle portion configured to receive at least a portion of a terminated portion of a fiber optic cable; a tightening portion configured to be coupled with the cable receiving nozzle portion; a biasing portion configured to be received at least partially by the tightening portion and the cable receiving nozzle portion; a carrier portion configured to be received at least partially by the cable receiving nozzle portion; a sealing portion configured to be at least partially received by the biasing portion and the cable receiving nozzle portion; a cable gripping portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the carrier portion; wherein the tightening portion is configured to include an engaging portion that is configured to engage a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to couple the biasing portion with the tightening portion; wherein the cable gripping portion is configured to axially grip a fiber optic cable so as to prevent axial movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation; and wherein the tightening portion is structurally configured to threadedly couple with the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to compress the sealing portion onto a portion of the fiber optic cable received in the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal portion around at least a portion of fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental watertight sealing, enhanced strain relief between the cable receiving portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle portion during operation.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the carrier portion comprises a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that are configured to provide enhanced axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the seal arrangement further comprises a clamping portion configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion during operation.

4. The device of any of the preceding claims, wherein the biasing portion comprises a rotation resisting biasing portion that is structurally configured to engage a rotating resisting cable receiving portion of the cable receiving portion so as to biasingly prevent rotational movement of the biasing portion relative to the cable receiving portion during operation.

5. The device of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the cable gripping portion is axially and rotationally fixed relative to the carrier portion.

6. The device of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the carrier portion comprises a cable guiding portion located in a cable pathway in the carrier portion, and the cable guiding portion is structurally configured to urge the fiber optic cable radially outward so as to provide enhanced cable bending resistance of the optical fiber cable during operation.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the cable guiding portion is configured to form a curved section so as to promote controlled curving of at least a portion of the fiber optic cable to avoid bending the portion of the fiber optic cable more than a minimum bend radius and thus damaging the fiber optic cable.

8. The device of any of claims 1 -3, wherein the biasing portion comprises a sloped inner biasing portion surface, the sealing portion comprises a sloped outer sealing portion surface, and the sloped inner biasing portion surface of the biasing portion is structurally configured to engage the sloped outer sealingportion surface of the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing between the sealing portion and the fiber optic cable.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the contact between the sloped inner biasing portion surface and the sloped outer sealing portion surface are configured to compress the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing between the sealing portion and the fiber optic cable.

10. A device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector comprising: a cable receiving nozzle portion configured to receive a terminated cable end of a fiber optic cable; a biasing portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; a carrier portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; a sealing portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the biasing portion and at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion; a cable gripping portion configured to grip a portion of fiber optic cable so as to prevent axial movement of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation; and wherein the biasing portion is structurally configured to compress the sealing portion toward a fiber optic cable received in the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal portion around at least a portion of the fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental sealing, strain relief between the cable receiving nozzle portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the nozzle portion.1 1 . The device of claim 10, further comprising a tightening portion configured to be coupled with a cable receiving end portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion, wherein the tightening portion includes an engaging portion that is configuredto engage the biasing portion so as to enhance tightening of the tightening portion to the cable receiving nozzle portion.

12. The device of any of claims 10-11 , further comprising a cable gripping portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the carrier portion so as to enhance gripping of the fiber optic cable so as to relieve strain exerted on an optical fiber in the fiber optic cable by a force applied to the fiber optic cable.

13. The device of any of claims 10-1 1 , wherein the biasing portion is configured to engage the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to enhance compression of the sealing portion so as to enhance sealing of the sealing portion to the fiber optic cable.

14. The device of any of claims 10-11 , wherein the carrier portion includes a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that are configured to provide enhanced axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable.

15. The device of claim 14, further comprising a clamping portion configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion so as to enhance connection of the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion.

16. A device for providing enhanced sealing, strain relief, and / or axial movement resistance during operation of a field installable hardened fiber optic cable connector comprising: a cable receiving nozzle portion configured to receive at least a portion of a terminated cable end of a fiber optic cable; a biasing portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion and a carrier portion; a sealing portion configured to be received by the biasing portion and the nozzle portion; and wherein the biasing portion is structurally configured to biasingly compress the sealing portion onto a portion of fiber optic cable received in theportion of cable receiving nozzle portion so as to form a seal around the fiber optic cable and provide enhanced environmental sealing, enhanced strain relief between the cable receiving nozzle portion and the fiber optic cable, and enhanced axial movement resistance of the cable gripping portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle portion during operation.

17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a carrier portion configured to be received by at least a portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion so as to securely position a fiber optic cable connector.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the carrier portion comprises a first carrier portion and a second carrier portion that are together configured to provided enhance axial movement resistance of the terminated end of the fiber optic cable during operation.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a clamping portion configured to clamp the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion so as to enhance connection of the first carrier portion to the second carrier portion.

20. The device of any of claims 18-19, wherein each of the first and second carrier portions are a single piece, monolithic structure that includes a cable engaging portion that comprises projections.21 . The device of any of claims 16-19, further comprising a cable gripping portion configured to grip a fiber optic cable so as to provide enhanced axial movement resistant of the fiber optic cable relative to the cable gripping portion during operation.

22. The device of any of claims 16-19, further comprising a tightening portion configured to be coupled with a cable receiving end portion of the cable receiving nozzle portion, and wherein the tightening portion includes an engaging portion that is structurally configured to couple the biasing portion tothe tightening portion so as to enhance tightening of the tightening portion to the cable receiving nozzle portion.

23. The device of any of claims 16-19, wherein the biasing portion is configured to prevent rotation of the biasing portion relative to the cable receiving nozzle so as to provide only axial movement of the biasing portion relative to the sealing portion during assembly and tightening so as to prevent twisting deformation of the sealing portion.

24. The device of any of claims 16-19, wherein the cable connector is a Subscriber Connector connector.

25. The device of any of claims 16-19, wherein the cable connector is a Belden Brilliance Subscriber Connector connector.

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