Device for providing enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity

Abstract

A device comprising an optical fiber push-lock mechanism for providing enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity with an optical fiber enclosure, adapter, and / or other structure. The device may include a slider portion that may be configured to allow a locking portion to move from a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock mechanism may be prevented from being disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, to an unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock mechanism may be allowed to be disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position so as to allow the optical fiber push- lock mechanism to be unlocked from the optical fiber enclosure when the slider portion is moved to the unlocked position without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Description

DEVICE FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED OPTICAL FIBER PUSH-LOCK CONNECTIVITYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to Indian Provisional Patent Application No.202411104942, filed on December 31 , 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a device for providing enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity, and more particularly, to a mechanism, assembly, coupler, and / or other structure, such as a push lock optical fiber connector, that is configured to provide enhanced connectivity with an enclosure, adapter, and / or other structure.

[0003] In the realm of network access point (NAP) boxes, ensuring secure and efficient connections for optical connectors is important. NAP boxes can be a small enclosure box with its tail leads extending outside of the box. This can have a negative effect on aesthetics when it’s installed in front of public buildings where visual appeal is also important. Moreover, the tails of NAP boxes are terminated by hardened fiber optic adapters (HFOA), which require a manual effort to fasten the threads of a locknut. Also, there is a need to ensure ingress protection against moisture and other contaminants both at the cable entry point in enclosure as well as in the connectors.

[0004] It may be desirable to provide a compact connector that is compatible with hardened fiber optic adapters (HFOA), is capable of being connected using only a single hand, and has a small form factor.SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a connector that has a slider portion that causes movement of the connector into an unlocked position that enhances single-handed disconnection of the connector from the adapter and enhances aesthetic appearance of the connector.

[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a connector that can be directly connected to the NAP enclosures and can be installed in public without the clutter of long leads, thus maintaining good aesthetics. Any leads from the box will be created only when a new connection is required, whereas this is not the case with someconventional NAP boxes. Since embodiments require a push and pull action for its connection using only two fingers, user friendliness is also assured.

[0007] Embodiments are designed to function in an SC adapter as wells as be convertible to a hardened fiber optic connector (HFOC) to be used in HFOA. Ease of making a secure connection and compatibility are features of embodiments. For establishing a connection with an SC adapter, a locking snap feature inside the adapter is utilized. To mate the connector, the connector is inserted into the adapter by aligning a key with a keyway. Pushing the connector lock the snaps in locking grooves of a locking sleeve. To unlock, the user pulls the slider body, which rotates the locking sleeve thereby pushing aside the snaps in the adapter, resulting in the connector being unlocked.

[0008] Embodiments are configured to be converted to an HFOC by replacing the carrier and lock sleeve with one made for use with an HFOA and adding a nozzle at the front side. In both configurations, ingress protection is maintained by O-rings placed over the slider and on a rear holder. The O-ring over the slider will protect against ingress between the enclosure and the connector interface, and an O-ring at the rear will protect against ingress from the rear side of the connector.

[0009] Features of embodiments include: compatibility with HFOAs, the connector can be either used in fiber termination enclosures or HFOAs by interchanging some components; configured for field termination by requiring no fixtures or factory tools for the connector; easy locking and unlocking resulting from the connector being locked into SC adapter with a push and unlocked by a pull which only needs engagement of two fingers.

[0010] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity includes: an optical fiber pushlock mechanism comprising: a holding portion that may be configured to receive an optical fiber cable; a carrier portion that may be configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion may be configured to move together axially and rotationally during operation; a locking portion that may be configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion; a slider portion that may be configured to receive the locking portion; and a coupling portion that may be configured to be coupled with the rear holder portion so as to limit movement of the slider portion relative to the holding portion during operation. The locking portion maycomprise an adapter lock receiving portion that may be configured to receive an adapter lock of an optical fiber adapter so as to connect the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to the optical fiber adapter; the locking portion may include a slider receiving portion having an axially extending portion and an angled portion; the slider receiving portion may be configured to receive an engagement portion of the slider portion; the engagement portion may be configured to be moved along the angled portion of the slider receiving portion so as to rotate the locking portion relative to the slider portion such that the adapter lock receiving portion is moved out of alignment with the adapter lock and into an unlocked position during operation; the slider portion may be configured to be moved axially relative to the locking sleeve portion so as to move the engagement portion along the angled portion during operation; and the optical fiber push-lock mechanism may be configured to provide enhance optical fiber push-lock connectivity by causing the slider receiving portion and the engagement portion to move the adapter lock receiving portion to the unlocked position so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber pushlock mechanism from the enclosure during operation.

[0011] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the optical fiber push-lock mechanism may comprise an optical fiber push-lock connector.

[0012] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the device may further comprise a biasing member that may be configured to bias the slider portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

[0013] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the optical fiber push-lock mechanism may further comprise an end cap portion that may be configured to engage a slider end portion of the slider portion so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

[0014] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the rear holder portion may comprise a flexible tab portion that may extend radially from a main body portion of the rear holder portion, and wherein the locking sleeve portion may comprise a flexible tab receiving portion that may be configured to receive the flexibletab so as to prevent axial movement of the locking sleeve portion relative to the rear holder portion while permitting rotational movement of the locking sleeve portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber pushlock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

[0015] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the rotation causing portion may comprise a slot, and the rotation causing portion engagement portion may comprise a protrusion extending radially inward from the slider portion.

[0016] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity includes: an optical fiber pushlock coupler that may comprise a slider portion that may be configured to allow a locking portion to move from a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is prevented from being disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, to an unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is allowed to be disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position; the slider portion may be configured to be moved from a first slider position, where the locking portion is in the locked position, to a second slider position, where the locking portion is in the unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is not prevented from being disconnected from the optical fiber adapter; and the optical fiber push-lock assembly may be configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity by allowing the optical fiber push-lock assembly to be unlocked from the optical fiber adapter when the slider portion is moved to the unlocked position without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber push-lock assembly during operation.

[0017] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the optical fiber push-lock coupler may comprise: a holding portion that may be configured to receive an optical fiber cable; a carrier portion that may be configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion are configured to move together during operation; and a locking portion that may be configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion during operation. The locking portion may comprise an adapter lock receiving portion that may be configured to receive an adapter locking portion of an optical fiber adapter so as to connect the optical fiberpush-lock coupler to the optical fiber adapter when the locking portion is in a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock assembly is prevented from being disconnected from the optical fiber adapter during operation.

[0018] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the locking portion may comprise a rotation causing portion that may comprise an axially extending section and an angled section.

[0019] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the slider portion may comprise a rotation causing portion engagement portion.

[0020] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion of the rotation causing portion may cause the locking portion to rotate relative to the slider portion.

[0021] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the rotation of the locking portion may cause the adapter lock receiving portion to move out of alignment with the adapter lock and into the unlocked position.

[0022] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, movement of the slider portion axially relative to the locking portion may cause the movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion.

[0023] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the carrier portion may be configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together axially and rotationally.

[0024] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the device further comprises a biasing member that may be configured to bias the slider portion relative to the holding portion so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock assembly to be unlocked without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

[0025] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the holding portion may comprise a flexible tab that may extend radially from a main body portion of the holding portion, the locking portion may comprise a flexible tab receiving portion that may be configured to receive the flexible tab, the flexible tab receiving portion may be configured to prevent axial movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion, and the flexible tab receiving portion may be configured to permit rotational movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion.

[0026] According to various embodiments of the disclosure, a device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity includes: an optical fiber pushlock coupler that may comprise a slider portion that may be configured to allow a locking portion to move from a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is prevented from being disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, to an unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is allowed to be disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position. The optical fiber push-lock assembly may be configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity by allowing the optical fiber push-lock coupler to be unlocked from the optical fiber enclosure when the slider portion is moved to the unlocked position without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0027] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the optical fiber push-lock assembly may comprise an optical fiber push-lock connector.

[0028] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the optical fiber enclosure may comprise an optical fiber adapter and the optical fiber push-lock coupler that may comprise: a holding portion hat may be configured to receive a fiber optic cable; a carrier portion that may be configured to engage the holding portion; a locking portion that may be configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion; and a slider portion that may be configured to receive the locking portion. The locking portion may comprise an adapter lock receiving portion that may be configured to receive an adapter lock of the optical fiber optic adapter so as to connect the optical fiber push-lock coupler to the optical fiber adapter; and the slider portion may be configured to move an engagement portion during operation without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber push-lock assembly during operation.

[0029] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, wherein the device further comprises a carrier portion that may be configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together, the locking portion may comprise a rotation causing portion that may comprise an axially extending section and an angled section, the slider portion may comprise a rotationcausing portion engagement portion, and wherein movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion of the rotation causing portion may cause the locking portion to rotate relative to the slider portion.

[0030] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the rotation of the locking portion may cause the adapter lock receiving portion to move out of alignment with the adapter lock and into the unlocked position.

[0031] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the carrier portion may be configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together axially and rotationally.

[0032] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the device may further comprise a biasing member that may be configured to bias the slider portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock coupler to be unlocked without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

[0033] In some embodiments of any of the aforementioned devices, the holding portion may comprise a flexible tab portion that extends radially from a main body portion of the holding portion, the locking portion may comprise a flexible tab receiving portion that may be configured to receive the flexible tab portion, the flexible tab receiving portion may be configured to prevent axial movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion, and the flexible tab receiving portion may be configured to permit rotational movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion during operation.

[0034] Although embodiments of the disclosure are described with reference to a fiber optic cable and a NAP enclosure, the features of the disclosure are also applicable to other cables and wires, and other enclosures or connection points.

[0035] Various aspects of the connector, 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

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary push lock connector in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 .

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the connector of FIG. 1 .

[0039] FIG. 4 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 connected to an adapter.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 in a pulled-back position being removed from the adapter shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a side view of the connector of FIG. 1 prior to being inserted into the adapter shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a partially transparent perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 in a partially pulled-back position prior to rotation of internal portions of the connector.

[0043] FIG. 8 is a partially transparent perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 in a partially pulled-back position with partial rotation of internal portions of the connector.

[0044] FIG. 9 a partially transparent perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 in a fully pulled-back position with complete rotation of internal portions of the connector.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 .

[0046] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a lock nut of the connector of FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a side view of an assembly procedure of the connector of FIG.1.

[0048] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of five of the connectors of FIG. 1 connected to a box.

[0049] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the connector of FIG. 1 connected to a nozzle.

[0050] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 connected to the nozzle of FIG. 14.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Embodiments provide a push lock connector for NAP boxes that is compact and that significantly enhances the aesthetics of optical connections.

[0052] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a push lock connector 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In this example, connector 100 is attached to a fiber optic cable 10. A slider 600, in this example, covers a plurality of structures, described below. An O-ring 610 is provided to form a seal with an adapter or other device to which connector 100 is connected. A locknut 700 is attached to a holder portion, for example, a rear holder, 200, described in detail below, that extends from slider 600. Alocking portion, for example, a locking sleeve, 500 extends from slider 600 and includes a main body 510 which has one or more adaptor lock receiving portions, for example, slots, 530.

[0053] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of connector 100. As shown in FIG. 3, slider 600 has an adapter engagement portion 620 at one end. Adapter engagement portion 620 is configured to engage, for example, clip into, an adapter or other device to which connector 100 is connected. In embodiments, a plurality of adapter engagement portions 620 are provided. A ferrule holder 150 is mechanically and optically attached to fiber optic cable 10. Rear holder 200 is configured to receive fiber optic cable 10 through a central passageway formed therein. Rear holder 200 has, in this example, a main body 210 and a carrier engagement portion 220. Carrier engagement portion 220 is located at one end of rear holder 200 and is configured to engage a rear holder engagement portion 420 on a carrier 400. Rear holder 200 has at an end opposite the end at which carrier engagement portion 220 is located, a lock nut engaging portion, for example, threads, 230. In this example, rear holder 200 has a flexible tab 240 extending radially from main body 210 of rear holder 200. Flexible tab 240 is configured to engage a flexible tab receiving portion, for example, a slot, 540 on locking sleeve 500. In embodiments, A plurality of flexible tabs 240 are provided. In embodiments, a plurality of flexible tab receiving portions 540 are provided.

[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 3, carrier 400 has an adapter lock receiving portion 421 that is configured to receive an adapter lock 52 (shown in FIGS. 4-6). In this example, locking sleeve 500 has one or more rotation causing portion, for example, a slot, 520 that is configured to engage a rotation causing slot engagement portion, for example, a protrusion, 650 that extends radially inward from slider 600 (shown in FIGS. 4-6). In this example, an end cap 300 is configured to extend into slider 600 and a compression spring 350 is configured to be received in slider 600 (as shown in FIGS. 4-6).

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a coupling portion, for example, a lock nut portion or locknut, 700 that is configured to engage lock nut engaging portion 230 of rear holder 200. Locknut 700, in this example, contains a cable O-ring 710, an O-ring holder 720, a flat washer 730, and a rear O-ring 740. Locknut 700, in this example, includes a rear holder engaging portion, for example, threads, 750 that are configured to engage lock nut engaging portion 230 of rear holder 200. In this example, rear holder engagingportion 750 and lock nut engaging portion 230 form a threaded connection between locknut 700 and rear holder 200.

[0056] FIGS. 4-6 are top views showing an example of connector 100 being removed from an adapter 50. In this example, adapter 50 has a main body 51 and two adapter locks, for example, snaps, 52 that extend radially inward from main body 51 . Adapter locks 52 are, in this example, a resilient material such as, for example, sheet metal and are configured to engage adapter lock receiving portion 530. Adapter 50 is shown as having a slider receiving portion 54 which is configured to receive and, in embodiments, engage, adapter engagement portion 620 of slider 600.

[0057] FIG. 4 shows connector 100 connected to adapter 50. In this position, adapter engagement portion 620 of slider 600 extends into, and engages, slider receiving portion 54 of adapter 50. In this position, adapter locks 52 engage adapter lock receiving portions 530 and prevent connector 100 from being withdrawn from adapter 50. As can be seen in fig 4, in the connected position, slider 600 is in a forward position at which endcap 300 is separated from locknut 700, exposing main body 210 of rear holder 200.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows connector 100 as it is being removed from adapter 50. In this position, slider 600 has been pulled rearward relative to rear holder 200 such that endcap 300 is closer to, and may make contact with, lock nut 700. As shown in FIG.5, in this position, slider 600 is also rearward relative to main body 510 of locking sleeve 500 (more of main body 510 is extending from slider 600 than in FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 5, in this position, main body 510 is rotated relative to slider 600 such that adapter lock receiving portions 530 no longer engage adapter locks 52. This rotation is caused by slot 520 engaging protrusion 650 as slider 600 is pulled rearward (explained in more detail with regard to FIGS. 7-9).

[0059] FIG. 6 shows the 100 in an at rest position which results from slider 600 being permitted to return to its forward position (as shown in FIG. 4). This position exists before connector 100 is inserted into adapter 50 as well as any other time that axial sliding force is not applied to slider 600.

[0060] FIGS. 7-9 show various positions of slider 600 relative to rear holder 200, carrier 400, and locking sleeve 500. FIG. 7 shows protrusion 650 at the end of a longitudinal (axial) section of slot 520. This is the position shown in FIG. 5. Note that adapter lock receiving portions 530 are in the same position as shown in FIG. 5, whichis a position in which adapter lock receiving portions 530 do not engage adapter locks 52. In this position, compression spring 350 is in an extended state.

[0061] FIG. 8 shows protrusion 650 partially along an angled section of slot 520. In this position, rear holder 200, carrier 400, and locking sleeve 500 are partially rotated between the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Note that adapter lock receiving portions 530 are rotated relative to their position shown in FIG 7.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows protrusion 650 at an end of the angled section of slot 520 that is opposite to the end of the longitudinal section of slot 520. This is the position show in FIG. 4. Note that adapter lock receiving portions 530 are in the same position as shown in FIG. 4, which is a position in which adapter lock receiving portions 530 engage adapter locks 520. In this position compression spring 350 is in a compressed state.

[0063] Pulling slider 600 away from, in this example, adapter 50, moves protrusion 650 along the path from FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, rotating main body 510 and, therefore, adapter lock receiving portions 530. This rotation moves adapter lock receiving portions 530 from a position in which they engage adapter locks 52 (FIGS. 4 and 7) to a position in which they do not engage adapter locks 52 (FIGS. 5 and 9). Moving adapter lock receiving portions 530 to a position in which they do not engage adapter locks 52 permits removal of connector 100 from adapter 50 because adapter locks 52 no longer resist axial movement of connector 100. As can be seen in FIGS. 7-9, flexible tab 240 of rear holder 200 moves within slot 540 to allow rear holder 200 to rotate relative to locking sleeve 500 while still maintaining the axial position of rear holder 400 relative to locking sleeve 500.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of connector 100 and shows the engagement of protrusions 650 in slots 520. In the example shown, locking sleeve 500 has two slots 520 and slider 600 has two protrusions 650. Other embodiments have fewer or more slots 520 and protrusions 650.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows locknut 700, cable O-ring 710, O-ring holder 720, and flat washer 730 and how they interact with rear holder 200. As shown in FIG. 11 , threads 750 of locknut 700 are configured to engage threads 230 of rear holder 200.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows an exemplary assembly process of connector 100. In this example, ferrule holder 150, which is attached to fiber optic cable 10, is inserted into rear holder 200 and carrier 400. Carrier engagement portion 220 is engaged with rearholder engagement portion 420 to connect rear holder 200 to carrier 400. Rear O-ring 740, compression spring 350, and locking sleeve 500 are then positioned on carrier 400 and a portion of rear holder 200. End cap 300 (previously located on fiber optic cable 10) is then slid over rear holder 200 and snap locked into slider 600. Locknut 700 (previously located on fiber optic cable 10) is then threaded onto threads 230 of rear holder 200.

[0067] FIG. 13 shows an enclosure, for example, a NAP box, 20 and five connectors 100 connected to NAP box 20. FIG. 13 illustrates the aesthetically pleasing and clean installation provided by connectors 100.

[0068] FIGS. 14 and 15 show an exemplary nozzle 800 and locknut 810 attached to connector 100 to provide connector 100 with HFOA compatibility. An additional O-ring 820 is provided for ingress protection between locknut 810 and the device to which locknut 810 is connected.

[0069] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0070] Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity comprising:an optical fiber push-lock mechanism comprising:a holding portion configured to receive an optical fiber cable; a carrier portion configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion are configured to move together axially and rotationally during operation;a locking portion configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion;a slider portion configured to receive the locking portion;a coupling portion configured to be coupled with the rear holder portion so as to limit movement of the slider portion relative to the holding portion during operation;wherein the locking portion comprises an adapter lock receiving portion that is configured to receive an adapter lock of an optical fiber adapter so as to connect the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to the optical fiber adapter;wherein the locking portion includes a slider receiving portion having an axially extending portion and an angled portion; wherein the slider receiving portion is configured to receive an engagement portion of the slider portion;wherein the engagement portion is configured to be moved along the angled portion of the slider receiving portion so as to rotate the locking portion relative to the slider portion such that the adapter lock receiving portion is moved out of alignment with the adapter lock and into an unlocked position during operation;wherein the slider portion is configured to be moved axially relative to the locking sleeve portion so as to move the engagement portion along the angled portion during operation; andwherein the optical fiber push-lock mechanism is configured to provide enhance optical fiber push-lock connectivity by causing the slider receivingportion and the engagement portion to move the adapter lock receiving portion to the unlocked position so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber push-lock mechanism from the enclosure during operation.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber push-lock mechanism comprises an optical fiber push-lock connector.

3. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member that is configured to bias the slider portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber push-lock mechanism further comprises an end cap portion that is configured to engage a slider end portion of the slider portion so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the rear holder portion comprises a flexible tab portion that extends radially from a main body portion of the rear holder portion, and wherein the locking sleeve portion comprises a flexible tab receiving portion that is configured to receive the flexible tab so as to prevent axial movement of the locking sleeve portion relative to the rear holder portion while permitting rotational movement of the locking sleeve portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock mechanism to be unlocked from the enclosure without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the rotation causing portion comprises a slot, and the rotation causing portion engagement portion comprises a protrusion extending radially inward from the slider portion.

7. A device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity comprising:an optical fiber push-lock coupler comprising a slider portion that is configured to allow a locking portion to move from a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is prevented from being disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, to an unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is allowed to be disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position:wherein the slider portion is configured to be moved from a first slider position, where the locking portion is in the locked position, to a second slider position, where the locking portion is in the unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is not prevented from being disconnected from the optical fiber adapter; andwherein the optical fiber push-lock assembly is configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity by allowing the optical fiber pushlock assembly to be unlocked from the optical fiber adapter when the slider portion is moved to the unlocked position without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber push-lock assembly during operation.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the optical fiber push-lock coupler comprises:a holding portion configured to receive an optical fiber cable; a carrier portion configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion are configured to move together during operation;a locking portion configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion during operation;wherein the locking portion comprises an adapter lock receiving portion that is configured to receive an adapter locking portion of an optical fiber adapter so as to connect the optical fiber push-lock coupler to the optical fiberadapter when the locking portion is in a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock assembly is prevented from being disconnected from the optical fiber adapter during operation.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the locking portion comprises a rotation causing portion that comprises an axially extending section and an angled section.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the slider portion comprises a rotation causing portion engagement portion.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion of the rotation causing portion causes the locking portion to rotate relative to the slider portion.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the rotation of the locking portion causes the adapter lock receiving portion to move out of alignment with the adapter lock and into the unlocked position.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein movement of the slider portion axially relative to the locking portion causes the movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion.

14. The device of claim 8, wherein the carrier portion is configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together axially and rotationally.

15. The device of claim 8, further comprising a biasing member that is configured to bias the slider portion relative to the holding portion so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock assembly to be unlocked without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

16. The device of claim 8, wherein the holding portion comprises a flexible tab that extends radially from a main body portion of the holding portion, the lockingportion comprises a flexible tab receiving portion that is configured to receive the flexible tab, the flexible tab receiving portion is configured to prevent axial movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion, and the flexible tab receiving portion is configured to permit rotational movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion.

17. A device configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity comprising:an optical fiber push-lock coupler comprising a slider portion that is configured to allow a locking portion to move from a locked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is prevented from being disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, to an unlocked position, where the optical fiber push-lock coupler is allowed to be disconnected from an optical fiber enclosure during operation, without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position; andwherein the optical fiber push-lock assembly is configured to provide enhanced optical fiber push-lock connectivity by allowing the optical fiber pushlock coupler to be unlocked from the optical fiber enclosure when the slider portion is moved to the unlocked position without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to move the slider portion from the locked position to the unlocked position.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the optical fiber push-lock assembly comprises an optical fiber push-lock connector.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the optical fiber enclosure comprises an optical fiber adapter and the optical fiber push-lock coupler comprises:a holding portion configured to receive a fiber optic cable; a carrier portion configured to engage the holding portion; a locking portion configured to receive at least a portion of the carrier portion;a slider portion configured to receive the locking portion;wherein the locking portion comprises an adapter lock receiving portion that is configured to receive an adapter lock of the optical fiber optic adapter so as to connect the optical fiber push-lock coupler to the optical fiber adapter; and wherein the slider portion is configured to move an engagement portion during operation without requiring a user to use more than one hand in order to unlock the optical fiber push-lock assembly during operation.

20. The device of claim 19, further comprising a carrier portion that is configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together, the locking portion comprises a rotation causing portion that comprises an axially extending section and an angled section, the slider portion comprises a rotation causing portion engagement portion, and wherein movement of the rotation causing portion engagement portion along the angled portion of the rotation causing portion causes the locking portion to rotate relative to the slider portion.21 . The device of claim 19, wherein the rotation of the locking portion causes the adapter lock receiving portion to move out of alignment with the adapter lock and into the unlocked position.

22. The device of claim 17, wherein the carrier portion is configured to engage the holding portion such that the holding portion and the carrier portion move together axially and rotationally.

23. The device of claim 17, further comprising a biasing member that is configured to bias the slider portion relative to the rear holder portion during operation so as to allow the optical fiber push-lock coupler to be unlocked without requiring a user to use more than one hand during operation.

24. The device of claim 17, wherein the holding portion comprises a flexible tab portion that extends radially from a main body portion of the holding portion, the locking portion comprises a flexible tab receiving portion that is configured to receive the flexible tab portion, the flexible tab receiving portion is configured toprevent axial movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion, and the flexible tab receiving portion is configured to permit rotational movement of the locking portion relative to the holding portion during operation.

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