Protector configured to protect components of a multi-fiber connector

A protector configured to protect components of a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector without increasing a cross-sectional profile of the partially pre-assembled connector, comprising:

• a housing portion having a first end portion, a second end portion opposite to the first end portion, and a receiving portion configured to receive a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector portion of a multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector;
• wherein the receiving portion is configured to include an opening portion at the first end portion, and wherein a cavity portion extends from the opening portion to a wall portion at the second end portion;
• wherein the housing portion is structurally configured to include an engagement portion that is configured to receive an engagement structure of a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector;
• and
• wherein the housing portion is configured to be coupled with a biasing portion of a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector without increasing a cross-sectional profile of the partially pre-assembled connector so as to permit the housing portion to protect components of the pre-assembled multi-fiber connector during pushing and/or pulling of the pre-assembled multi-fiber connector through a conduit that is sized to receive the partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector and to prevent passage of a fully assembled MPO connector.

A protector configured to protect components of a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector without increasing a cross-sectional profile of the partially pre-assembled connector, comprising:

• a housing portion having a receiving portion configured to receive a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector portion of a multi-fiber push on (MPO) connector;
• wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend from an opening portion at a first end portion of the housing portion to a wall portion at a second end portion of the housing portion;
• and
• wherein the housing portion is configured to be coupled with a biasing portion of a partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector without increasing a cross-sectional profile of the partially pre-assembled connector so as to permit the housing portion to protect components of the pre-assembled multi-fiber connector during pushing and/or pulling of the pre-assembled multi-fiber connector through a conduit that is sized to receive the partially pre-assembled multi-fiber connector and to prevent passage of a fully assembled MPO connector.