Multi-fiber semi-permanent splicing systems

A bare-fiber connection system comprising:

• first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors each including:
• a connector body without a spring, the connector body having a front end and a rear end, the connector body defining a longitudinal axis that extends through the connector body in an orientation that extends from the front end to the rear end of the connector body;
• a plurality of optical fibers extending through the connector body from the rear end to the front end, the plurality of optical fibers each having a fiber end accessible at the front end of the connector body;
• and
• a nose piece mounted at the front end of each connector body of the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors, wherein the nose pieces define a plurality of fiber passages through which the plurality of optical fibers extend, the nose pieces being movable along the longitudinal axis between an extended position where the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers are protected within the plurality of fiber passages and a retracted position where the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers project forwardly beyond the nose pieces;
• and
• a multi-fiber adapter defining first and second adapter ports for respectively receiving the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors to couple the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors together, the multi-fiber adapter including a groove-defining piece that defines a plurality of fiber alignment grooves for receiving and co-axially aligning the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers such that optical signals can be conveyed between the plurality of optical fibers of the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors;
• wherein the groove-defining piece of the multi-fiber adapter defines at least a portion of a nose-piece guide for pre-positioning the nose pieces when the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors are respectively inserted into the first and second adapter ports such that the plurality of fiber passages of the nose pieces align with the plurality of fiber alignment grooves, and
• wherein the nose-piece guide functions to stop the nose pieces as the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors are inserted into the first and second adapter ports, wherein continued insertion of the first and second multi-fiber fiber optic connectors causes the connector bodies to respectively move relative to the nose pieces causing retraction of the nose pieces relative to the connector bodies such that the fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers project from the plurality of fiber passages of the nose pieces, respectively, into the plurality of fiber alignment grooves of the groove-defining piece.