# US 11,906,792 B2 · Compact fiber optic connectors having multiple connector footprints, along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,906,792 B2 - Document ID: US11906792B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/682,689 - Filed: 2022-02-28 - Published: 2022-06-09 - Granted: 2024-02-20 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-28 - Assignees: Corning Research & Development Corporation - Applicants: Corning Research & Development Corporation - Inventors: Joel Christopher Rosson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11906792B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3879: {Linking of individual connector plugs to an overconnector, e.g. using clamps, clips, common housings comprising several individual connector plugs} - G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs} - G02B 6/3826: {characterised by form or shape} - G02B 6/3831: {comprising a keying element on the plug or adapter, e.g. to forbid wrong connection (keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical coupling H01R13/64)} - G02B 6/3851: {Ferrules having keying or coding means} - G02B 6/3869: {Mounting ferrules to connector body, i.e. plugs} - G02B 6/387: {Connector plugs comprising two complementary members, e.g. shells, caps, covers, locked together} - G02B 6/3873: {Connectors using guide surfaces for aligning ferrule ends, e.g. tubes, sleeves, V-grooves, rods, pins, balls} - 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 6/3897: {Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards (G02B6/44528 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/44515: {Fibre drop terminals with surplus length (without surplus length G02B6/4472)} - G02B 6/381: {of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres} - G02B 6/3821: {with axial spring biasing or loading means (G02B6/3847 takes precedence)} - G02B 6/3837: {forwarding or threading methods of light guides into apertures of ferrule centering means} - G02B 6/3841: {using rods, balls for light guides} - G02B 6/3843: {with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, e.g. measuring position or eccentricity (testing the alignment of axes, including eccentricity, G01B11/27)} - G02B 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)} - G02B 6/3871: {Ferrule rotatable with respect to plug body, e.g. for setting rotational position (adjusting fibre within the ferrule, G02B6/3843); Fixation of ferrules after rotation} - G02B 6/3887: {Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features} - G02B 6/3889: {using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin} - G02B 6/389: {characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type} - G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on} - G02B 6/3895: {identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64)} - G02B 6/4262: {characterised by the shape of the housing (for semiconductor lasers H01S5/02208)} - G02B 6/4401: {Optical cables (glass fibres with a protective coating G02B6/02395)} - G02B 6/4446: {Cable boxes, e.g. splicing boxes with two or more multi fibre cables} - G02B 6/4471: {Terminating devices (demountable connectors G02B6/3807); Cable clamps} - G02B 6/4472: {Manifolds} - G02B 6/4477: {with means for strain-relieving to interior strengths element} - G02B 6/4479: {Manufacturing methods of optical cables} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract Fiber optic connectors comprising multiple footprints along with cable assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical connector comprises a housing and a ferrule. The housing comprises a longitudinal passageway between a rear end and a front end. The fiber optic connector may be converted from a first footprint to a second footprint by a conversion housing that fits about a portion of the housing. The optical connectors disclosed may be tunable for improving optical performance and may also include a spring for biasing the ferrule to a forward position as desired. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fiber optic connector, comprising: a housing comprising a rear end and a front end with a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region disposed on the housing between the rear portion and the front portion, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion, and the housing provides a first connector footprint; a ferrule comprising a fiber bore extending from a rear end to a front end; and a conversion housing comprising a plurality of components and including a shroud having internal threads, wherein the internal threads of the shroud cooperate with the threaded portion of the housing for changing the fiber optic connector from the first connector footprint to a second connector footprint that is a hardened connector footprint. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the housing extends from the non-round cross-section to the round cross-section. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the threaded portion of the housing is adjacent to a keying feature. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a retaining member configured as a retaining clip and a coupling nut. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the front portion of housing comprises another cross-section portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The fiber optic connector of claim 5, wherein the another cross-section portion comprises a SC footprint. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, the housing further comprising at least one locking feature. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one locking feature is a ramp with a ledge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The fiber optic connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one locking feature is a notch, a groove, a shoulder, or a scallop formed in the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a cable adapter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1 being a portion of a cable assembly. ### Claim 13 A fiber optic connector, comprising: a housing comprising a rear end and a front end with a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein the housing is configured as a one-piece component and a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region disposed on the housing between the rear portion and the front portion, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion and a keying feature, and the housing provides a first connector footprint; a ferrule comprising a fiber bore extending from a rear end to a front end; and a conversion housing comprising a shroud having internal threads, wherein the internal threads of the shroud cooperate with the threaded portion of the housing for changing the fiber optic connector from the first connector footprint to a second connector footprint. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the threaded portion of the housing extends from the non-round cross-section to the round cross-section. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the threaded portion of the housing is adjacent to the keying feature. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, further comprising a retaining member configured as a retaining clip and a coupling nut. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, wherein the front portion of housing comprises another cross-section portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The fiber optic connector of claim 17, wherein the another cross-section portion comprises a SC footprint. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, the housing further comprising at least one locking feature. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The fiber optic connector of claim 19, wherein the at least one locking feature is a ramp with a ledge. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The fiber optic connector of claim 19, wherein the at least one locking feature is a notch, a groove, a shoulder, or a scallop formed in the housing. ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, further comprising an O-ring. ### Claim 23 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13, further comprising a cable adapter. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The fiber optic connector of claim 13 being a portion of a cable assembly. ### Claim 25 A fiber optic connector, comprising: a housing comprising a rear end and a front end with a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein the housing is configured as a one-piece component and a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region disposed on the housing between the rear portion and the front portion, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion, and the housing provides a first connector footprint; a ferrule comprising a fiber bore extending from a rear end to a front end; a conversion housing comprising a shroud having internal threads, wherein the internal threads of the shroud cooperate with the threaded portion of the housing for changing the fiber optic connector from the first connector footprint to a second connector footprint; a retaining member configured as a retaining clip that cooperates with the housing for inhibiting the rotation of the conversion housing; and a coupling nut. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The fiber optic connector of claim 25, the housing further comprising at least one locking feature. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The fiber optic connector of claim 26, wherein the at least one locking feature is a ramp with a ledge. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The fiber optic connector of claim 26, wherein the at least one locking feature is a notch, a groove, a shoulder, or a scallop formed in the housing. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The fiber optic connector of claim 25, further comprising an O-ring. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The fiber optic connector of claim 25, further comprising a cable adapter. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The fiber optic connector of claim 25 being a portion of a cable assembly. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The fiber optic connector of claim 1, the plurality of components comprising a retaining member and a coupling nut.