Secure MT ferrule latching with MPO adapter

An adapter for holding a multi-fiber ferrule in position to mate with a multi-fiber ferrule in a fiber optic connector comprising:

• an adapter body, the adapter body having a first side and a second side;
• a first opening disposed in the first side of the adapter body and configured to receive the multi-fiber ferrule, the first opening having two shorter edges and two longer edges;
• a second opening being disposed in the second side of the adapter body and in communication with the first opening, the second opening configured to removably receive the fiber optic connector and the first and second openings configured to position the fiber optic connector and multi-fiber ferrule to optically align with one another;
• and
• a pair of latches attached to an outer surface of the adapter and disposed adjacent the first opening to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrule in the adapter, the pair of latches connected to the adapter body along the longer edges of the first opening and extending in a direction away from the first and the second openings and having a terminal end, each of the pair of latches further comprising:
• a latch stop to engage a long edge of a back end-face of the multi-fiber ferrule adjacent the terminal end of the latch,
• a latch step extending from the latch perpendicular to the direction in which the latch extends and adjacent the first opening, and
• a pad extending from an internal surface of each latch and perpendicular to the direction in which the latch extends and positioned between the latch stop and the latch step to engage a rear portion of the multi-fiber ferrule.