Multi-fiber reusable splicing systems

An optical fiber connector comprising:

• a connector body that extends along a longitudinal axis of the connector body between a front end of the connector body and a rear end of the connector body, the connector body defining a profile including a major dimension extending between first and second minor sides of the connector body and a minor dimension extending between first and second major sides of the connector body;
• a retractable shroud that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the retractable shroud being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector body between a forward position and a rearward position;
• and
• a dust cap that mounts over the retractable shroud, wherein the dust cap includes a latch member that engages a slot defined in the retractable shroud to lock the retractable shroud relative to the connector body.

An optical fiber connector comprising:

• a connector body that extends along a longitudinal axis of the connector body between a front end of the connector body and a rear end of the connector body, the connector body defining a profile including a major dimension extending between first and second minor sides of the connector body and a minor dimension extending between first and second major sides of the connector body;
• a shroud that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the shroud being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector body between a forward position and a rearward position;
• a fiber holder mounted within the shroud, wherein the connector body is attached to the fiber holder such that the fiber holder, the shroud, and the connector body are fitted together;
• a plurality of optical fibers anchored to the fiber holder, wherein fiber ends of the plurality of optical fibers project forwardly beyond the shroud when the shroud is in the rearward position, and wherein the fiber ends are protected within the shroud when the shroud is in the forward position;
• and
• a dust cap, wherein, when the dust cap is mounted over a front end of the shroud, the dust cap engages the fiber holder or the connector body to prevent the shroud from being moved relative to the fiber holder from the forward position to the rearward position.

A bare fiber connector comprising:

• a connector body that extends along a longitudinal axis of the connector body between a front end of the connector body and a rear end of the connector body, the connector body defining a profile including a major dimension extending between first and second minor sides of the connector body and a minor dimension extending between first and second major sides of the connector body;
• a fiber holder mounted within the connector body;
• a plurality of optical fibers anchored to the fiber holder, the plurality of optical fibers having free end portions that project forwardly from the connector body;
• a retractable shroud that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the retractable shroud being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector body between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the free end portions of the plurality of optical fibers project forwardly beyond the retractable shroud when the retractable shroud is in the rearward position, and wherein the free end portions are protected within the retractable shroud when the retractable shroud is in the forward position;
• first and second outboard springs for biasing the retractable shroud to the forward position relative to the connector body, wherein the fiber holder is positioned between the first and second outboard springs, wherein the first and second outboard springs have lengths that extend along the longitudinal axis of the connector body, and wherein the first outboard spring is positioned adjacent the first minor side of the connector body and the second outboard spring is positioned adjacent the second minor side of the connector body;
• and
• first and second front latches extending from the first and second minor sides of the connector body for securing the retractable shroud to the connector body, wherein grooves are defined in the first and second front latches for receiving the first and second outboard springs.