Multi-fiber fiber optic connector assembly with a snap-in multi-fiber ferrule dust cap

A multi-fiber fiber optic connector assembly comprising:

• a multi-fiber fiber optic connector having a connector body with first and second major sides, first and second minor sides, a front end, and a rear end, wherein the first and second minor sides each define a latching recess, a main recess, and a projecting snap-fastening catch positioned between the latching recess and the main recess, and wherein at least one of the first and second major sides of the connector body includes a key component;
• a multi-fiber ferrule positioned at the front end of the connector body, the multi-fiber ferrule having two major sides, two minor sides, and a distal end face, the multi-fiber ferrule defining a plurality of bore openings through the distal end face;
• a plurality of optical fibers extending through respective bore openings such that end portions of the plurality of optical fibers are positioned at the distal end face of the multi-fiber ferrule;
• a release jacket slidingly mounted over the connector body, the release jacket being slidable between a latch retaining position and a latch releasing position on the connector body;
• and
• a dust cap including:
• a main body that forms a sleeve, the sleeve including a plurality of walls that define two major sides and two minor sides, wherein, when the dust cap is installed on the multi-fiber fiber optic connector, the sleeve is configured to mount between the connector body and the multi-fiber ferrule such that the two major sides of the sleeve engage the two major sides of the multi-fiber ferrule and the two minor sides of the sleeve engage the two minor sides of the multi-fiber ferrule;
• and
• first and second latching arms respectively integrated with the sleeve on the two minor sides thereof, the first and second latching arms each including a latching projection, wherein, when the dust cap is installed on the multi-fiber fiber optic connector, the first and second latching arms extend along the first and second minor sides of the connector body such that the latching projections engage the latching recesses on the connector body, and wherein the first and second latching arms together define an open region that is defined between the first and second latching arms from a proximal end of the sleeve to a proximal end of the latching projection such that when the dust cap is installed on the multi-fiber fiber optic connector, no portion of the dust cap covers the first major side of the connector body and no portion of the dust cap covers the second major side of the connector body.