# US 11,112,568 B2 · Connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,112,568 B2 - Document ID: US11112568B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/090,638 - Filed: 2020-11-05 - Published: 2021-05-06 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2005-06-08 - Assignees: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina - Applicants: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina - Inventors: Timothy W. Anderson; Richard L. Case - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11112568B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3885: {Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448)} - G02B 6/3821: {with axial spring biasing or loading means (G02B6/3847 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/3834: {Means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule} - G02B 6/3861: {Adhesive bonding (adhesives in general C09J)} - G02B 6/3882: {using rods, pins or balls to align a pair of ferrule ends} - G02B 6/3887: {Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features} - G02B 6/38875: {Protection from bending or twisting} - G02B 6/3888: {Protection from over-extension or over-compression} - G02B 6/3898: {Tools, e.g. handheld; Tuning wrenches; Jigs used with connectors, e.g. for extracting, removing or inserting in a panel, for engaging or coupling connectors, for assembling or disassembling components within the connector, for applying clips to hold two connectors together or for crimping (tools for cleaning, G02B6/3866; tools in general B25B)} - G02B 6/448: {Ribbon cables} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly includes a loose tube fiber optic cable and a connector assembly. The cable has a termination end and includes an optical fiber bundle including a plurality of optical fibers, at least one strength member, and a jacket surrounding the optical fiber bundle and the strength member. The connector assembly includes a rigid portion and defines a fiber passage. The connector assembly is mounted on the termination end of the cable such that the optical fiber bundle extends through at least a portion of the fiber passage. The plurality of optical fibers undergo a transition from a ribbonized configuration to a loose, non-ribbonized configuration in the rigid portion of the connector assembly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly, comprising: a fiber optic cable that includes: a plurality of optical fibers; a plurality of strength yarns; and a cable jacket that surrounds the plurality of strength yarns and the plurality of optical fibers, the cable jacket having a round outer cross-sectional shape, the optical fibers including coatings defining overall diameters of the optical fibers in the range of 235 to 265 microns, the cable being configured such that the strength yarns contact the coatings of at least some of the optical fibers within the cable jacket; and a connector assembly mounted on a first end of the fiber optic cable, the connector assembly including: a connector housing that defines a fiber passage and includes a front housing and a rear housing, the strength yarns being crimped in place relative to the connector housing at a rear end of the rear housing by a crimp sleeve; a multi-fiber ferrule positioned at a front end of the connector housing, the multi-fiber ferrule defining a plurality of fiber holes configured in side-by-side alignment across a width of the ferrule; a spring positioned within the connector housing rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule; and a strain relief boot that extends rearwardly from the connector housing, the strain relief boot including a first section that mounts over a rear end of the rear housing and a second section that extends rearwardly from the first section and defines a cylindrical boot passage into which a jacketed section of the fiber optic cable extends, the second section being segmented and having an exterior tapered shape that reduces in size as the second section extends in a rearward direction; wherein the plurality of optical fibers extend through the strain relief boot, the fiber passage and the spring into the multi-fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fibers are aligned in a row in the multi-fiber ferrule of the connector assembly with each of the optical fibers being positioned within a corresponding one of the fiber holes; wherein within the fiber optic cable the optical fibers have a moveable configuration in which the optical fibers are moveable relative to one another; and wherein the optical fibers have the moveable configuration within the jacketed section of the fiber optic cable that extends into the second section of the strain relief boot. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the cable jacket has an outer diameter less than or equal to 3 millimeters. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have a ribbonized configuration within the connector housing that extends rearwardly from the ferrule through the spring, and wherein the optical fibers transition from the ribbonized configuration to the moveable configuration at a location positioned rearward of a rear end of the spring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable is broken out from a larger cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes no more than twelve optical fibers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, further comprising a ferrule boot through which the optical fibers extend, the ferrule boot being positioned at a rear end of the multi-fiber ferrule, and the optical fibers having a ribbonized configuration within the ferrule boot. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers have a ribbonized configuration within the connector housing at a location rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the optical fibers are arranged in the moveable configuration throughout a length of the fiber optic cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein the moveable configuration includes the optical fibers being loosely arranged with respect to one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cable jacket extends into the crimp sleeve. ### Claim 11 A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly, comprising: a fiber optic cable that includes: a plurality of optical fibers; a plurality of strength yarns; and a cable jacket that surrounds the plurality of strength yarns and the plurality of optical fibers, the cable jacket having a round outer cross-sectional shape, the optical fibers including outer coatings with thicknesses no greater than 70.5 microns, the cable being configured such that the strength yarns contact the outer coatings of at least some of the optical fibers within the cable jacket; and a connector assembly mounted on a first end of the fiber optic cable, the connector assembly including: a connector housing that defines a fiber passage and includes a front housing and a rear housing; a multi-fiber ferrule positioned at a front end of the connector housing; a spring positioned within the connector housing rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule; and a strain relief boot that mounts at a rear end of the rear housing, the strain relief boot including a segmented, exteriorly tapered section, the strain relief boot defining a boot passage that extends through the segmented, exteriorly tapered section in a rear-to-front orientation, and the boot passage having a round cross-sectional shape; wherein the strength yarns are crimped in place with respect to the rear end of the rear housing by a crimp sleeve; wherein the cable jacket extends into the boot passage; wherein the optical fibers extend through the strain relief boot, the fiber passage and the spring into the multi-fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fibers are arranged in a first configuration in the multi-fiber ferrule of the connector assembly in which the optical fibers are fixed in place with respect to one another along a common plane; and wherein within at least the segmented, exteriorly tapered section of the strain relief boot the optical fibers are arranged in a second configuration in which the optical fibers are disposed in various non-mutual planes, and the outer coatings of at least some of the optical fibers contact the strength yarns. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes at least eight optical fibers and the cable jacket has an outer diameter in the range of 2.75-3.25 millimeters. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the fiber optic cable is broken out from a larger cable. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes no more than twelve optical fibers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the first configuration of the optical fibers extends rearwardly from the multi-fiber ferrule through the connector housing to a location rearwardly beyond a rear end of the spring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the optical fibers are arranged in the second configuration throughout a length of the fiber optic cable. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein the second configuration includes the optical fiber being loosely arranged with respect to one another. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the cable jacket extends into the crimp sleeve. ### Claim 19 A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly, comprising: a fiber optic cable that includes: a plurality of coated, unbuffered optical fibers; a plurality of strength yarns; and a cable jacket that surrounds the plurality of strength yarns and the plurality of optical fibers, the cable jacket having a round outer cross-sectional shape, the optical fibers being unbuffered and loose within the cable jacket, the fiber optic cable being configured such that the strength yarns contact at least some of the optical fibers within the cable jacket; and a connector assembly mounted on a first end of the fiber optic cable, the connector assembly including: a connector housing that defines a fiber passage and includes a front housing and a rear housing; a multi-fiber ferrule positioned at a front end of the connector housing; a spring positioned within the connector housing rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule; and a strain relief boot that mounts at a rear end of the rear housing, the strain relief boot including a segmented, exteriorly tapered section, the strain relief boot defining a boot passage that extends through the segmented, exteriorly tapered section in a rear-to-front orientation, and the boot passage having a cylindrical shape; wherein the cable jacket extends at least partially through the boot passage, wherein the strength yarns are crimped in place with respect to the rear end of the rear housing by a crimp sleeve; wherein the plurality of optical fibers extend through the strain relief boot, the fiber passage and the spring into the multi-fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fibers are arranged in a first configuration in the multi-fiber ferrule of the connector assembly in which the optical fibers are secured in a fixed array; and wherein within at least the segmented, exteriorly tapered section of the strain relief boot the optical fibers are arranged in a second configuration in which the optical fibers are unbuffered and loose and at least some of the optical fibers contact the strength yarns. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes at least eight optical fibers and the cable jacket has an outer diameter in the range of 2.75-3.25 millimeters. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the fiber optic cable is broken out from a larger cable. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the plurality of optical fibers includes no more than twelve optical fibers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the first configuration of the optical fibers extends rearwardly from the multi-fiber ferrule through at least a portion of the connector housing. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the optical fibers are arranged in the second configuration throughout a length of the fiber optic cable. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein the first configuration of the optical fibers includes a ribbonized configuration, wherein the ribbonized configuration extends rearwardly from the ferrule through the spring, and wherein the optical fibers transition from the ribbonized configuration to the second configuration at a location positioned rearward of a rear end of the spring. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the cable jacket extends into the crimp sleeve. ### Claim 27 A connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly, comprising: a fiber optic cable that includes: a plurality of optical fibers each having outer coatings with thicknesses no greater than 70.5 microns; a plurality of strength yarns; and a cable jacket that surrounds the plurality of strength yarns and the plurality of optical fibers, the cable jacket having a round outer cross-sectional shape, the optical fibers being disposed in various non-mutual planes within the cable jacket, the fiber optic cable being configured such that the strength yarns contact the outer coatings of at least some of the optical fibers within the cable jacket; and a connector assembly mounted on a first end of the fiber optic cable, the connector assembly including: a connector housing that defines a fiber passage and includes a front housing and a rear housing; a multi-fiber ferrule positioned at a front end of the connector housing; a spring positioned within the connector housing rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule; and a strain relief boot that mounts at a rear end of the rear housing, the strain relief boot including a segmented, exteriorly tapered section, the strain relief boot defining a boot passage that extends through the segmented, exteriorly tapered section in a rear-to-front orientation, and the boot passage having a round cross-sectional shape; wherein the cable jacket extends at least partially through the boot passage, wherein the strength yarns are crimped in place with respect to the rear end of the rear housing by a crimp sleeve; wherein the plurality of optical fibers extend through the strain relief boot, the fiber passage and the spring into the multi-fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fibers are secured in a fixed array in the multi-fiber ferrule of the connector assembly; and wherein within at least the segmented, exteriorly tapered section of the strain relief boot the optical fibers are arranged in a loose fiber configuration in which the optical fibers are: arranged in a central group and disposed in various non-mutual planes within the central group; and arranged such that the outer coatings of at least some of the optical fibers contact the strength yarns. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 27, wherein the optical fibers have a ribbonized configuration within the connector housing that extends rearwardly from the ferrule through the spring, and wherein the optical fibers transition from the ribbonized configuration to the loose fiber configuration at a location positioned rearward of a rear end of the spring. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 27, further comprising a ferrule boot through which the optical fibers extend, the ferrule boot being positioned at a rear end of the multi-fiber ferrule, and the optical fibers having a ribbonized configuration within the ferrule boot. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 27, wherein the optical fibers have a ribbonized configuration within the connector housing at a location rearward of the multi-fiber ferrule. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 27, wherein the optical fibers are arranged in the fiber configuration throughout a length of the fiber optic cable. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) The connectorized fiber optic cabling assembly of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the cable jacket extends into the crimp sleeve.