# US 12,181,718 B2 · Hardened fiber optic connector compatible with hardened and non-hardened fiber optic adapters

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,181,718 B2
- Document ID: US12181718B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/541,345
- Filed: 2023-12-15
- Published: 2024-09-12
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2007-12-11
- Assignees: CommScope Technologies LLC
- Applicants: CommScope Technologies LLC
- Inventors: Yu Lu; Randy Reagan; Craig M. Standish
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181718B2

## CPC

- G02B 6/3825: {with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs}
- G02B 6/3816: {for use under water, high pressure connectors (provisionally see G02B6/4428)}
- G02B 6/3821: {with axial spring biasing or loading means (G02B6/3847 takes precedence)}
- 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 6/3849: {using mechanical protective elements, e.g. caps, hoods, sealing membranes (G02B6/3816 takes precedence; provisionally see H01R13/44)}
- G02B 6/3877: {Split sleeves}
- G02B 6/3887: {Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features}
- G02B 6/3888: {Protection from over-extension or over-compression}
- G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on}
- G02B 6/3894: {Screw-lock type}
- G02B 6/3889: {using encapsulation for protection, e.g. adhesive, molding or casting resin}
- G02B 6/4433: {Double reinforcement laying in straight line with optical transmission element}
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable with one or more strength members secured to a connector that is connectable to both a hardened and a non-hardened fiber optic adapter. The cable can include multiple cable types with various shapes and strength member configurations. The connector includes a connector housing having a one-piece main body and a cover piece mounted thereon. The one-piece main body defines a plug portion compatible with the adapters. A ferrule assembly is mounted in the plug portion and biased outwardly by a spring. An insert within the connector housing includes a spring stop for holding the spring and a cable retention portion for securing the strength members of the cable. The spring stop and the cable retention portion can be included on a one-piece insert or they can separately be included on separate inserts. The cable retention portion of the insert and the cover piece can take various forms suited for a particular cable of a given fiber optic connector and cable assembly.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fiber optic connector for use with a fiber optic adapter, the fiber optic connector comprising:
a ferrule aligned along a central longitudinal axis;
a connector housing having a length that extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end of the connector housing and a rear end of the connector housing, the front end of the connector housing being defined as a plug portion of the connector housing sized to fit within the fiber optic adapter, the ferrule being positioned at the plug portion and being configured to project forwardly beyond the front end of the connector housing, the ferrule being spring biased in a forward direction relative to the connector housing, the connector housing including a first side and an opposite second side, the first side of the connector housing defining an exterior longitudinally extending keyway for receiving an alignment key corresponding to the fiber optic adapter, the second side of the connector housing including an exterior catch for engaging a retention latch corresponding to the fiber optic adapter, the connector housing also defining an outwardly facing circumferential groove positioned rearward of the exterior catch and the exterior longitudinally extending keyway; and
a sealing member that extends around the central longitudinal axis at a periphery of the connector housing and that is retained in the circumferential groove.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes opposite third and fourth sides that extend between the first and second sides, and wherein the third and fourth sides include latch engagement features configured for engaging latches of an SC fiber optic adapter.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector housing includes an exterior shoulder positioned rearward of the circumferential groove, the exterior shoulder including a rearwardly facing surface.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fiber optic connector of claim 1, further comprising a cable including at least one strength member adhesively bonded within the rear end of the connector housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The fiber optic connector of claim 4, further comprising a heat shrink tube mounted over the cable and over the rear end of the connector housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The fiber optic connector of claim 5, further comprising a strain relief boot positioned at the rear end of the connector housing.