Angled multifiber ferrule and optical fiber connectors

A multifiber optical connector comprising:

• a connector housing assembly having a longitudinal axis, opposite first and second end wall portions, and opposite first and second side wall portions;
• and
• at least one angled multifiber ferrule received in the connector housing assembly, each angled multifiber ferrule comprising a ferrule body having a front end portion and a rear end portion spaced apart along the longitudinal axis, a first short side and an opposite second short side spaced apart along a widthwise axis of the ferrule perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a first broad side and a second broad side spaced apart along a transverse axis of the ferrule perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the widthwise axis, the front end portion of the ferrule body defining a generally forward-facing angled ferrule contact surface, the ferrule body defining at least one row of at least four longitudinal fiber passages spaced apart along the widthwise axis, each of the longitudinal fiber passages opening through the angled ferrule contact surface, wherein the angled ferrule contact surface is skewed with respect to the widthwise axis such that the angled ferrule contact surface defines a widthwise skew angle with respect to the widthwise axis,
• wherein the at least one angled multifiber ferrule comprises a first angled multifiber ferrule and a second angled multifiber ferrule spaced apart from the first angled multifiber ferrule such that the first broad side of the first angled multifiber ferrule opposes the second broad side of the second angled multifiber ferrule in parallel, spaced apart relationship therewith,
• wherein the first and second angled multifiber ferrules have opposite widthwise skew angles such that the angled ferrule contact surface of the first angled multifiber ferrule faces predominantly forward along the longitudinal axis and slightly toward a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the angled ferrule contact surface of the second angled multifiber ferrule faces predominantly forward along the longitudinal axis and slightly toward an opposite second direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.