Hybrid fiber optic and power connector

A fiber optic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the optical fibers to mating fibers, wherein the optical fibers and the mating optical fibers have termini mounted to respective ends thereof, the fiber optic connector comprising:

• a housing defining an exterior of said fiber optic connector;
• a rear seal body for securing within a rearward portion of said housing, said rear seal body mounted to the cable to for secure the cable to said housing;
• a rear seal element sealingly engaging between the cable and said housing;
• an insert disposed within a forward portion of said housing, said insert having a recess which defines an open, rearward facing end of said insert;
• a support member extending from said rear seal body into said recess defining said open, rearward facing end of said insert, said support member having a shank which extends between said insert and said rear seal body, said shank being centrally disposed within said housing with an annular-shaped gap extending between said shank of said support member and said housing;
• a retainer ring disposed on a forward end of said shank, said retainer ring having an edge periphery which defines a retainer profile having outward portions and inward portions, said inward portions defined for receiving termini of the optical fibers;
• and
• said recess of said insert having an interiorly disposed periphery which defines a recess profile, said recess profile having inner portions which receive the termini of the optical fibers and outer portions for engaging said outward portions of said retainer ring.

A fiber optic connector for mounting to a cable having a plurality of optical fibers and connecting the optical fibers to mating fibers, wherein the optical fibers and the mating optical fibers have termini mounted to respective ends thereof, the fiber optic connector comprising:

• a housing defining an exterior of said fiber optic connector;
• a rear seal body for securing within a rearward portion of said housing, said rear seal body mounted to the cable to for secure the cable to said housing;
• a rear seal element sealingly engaging between the cable and said housing;
• an insert disposed within a forward portion of said housing, said insert having a recess which defines an open, rearward facing end of said insert;
• a support member extending from said rear seal body into said recess defining said open, rearward facing end of said insert, said support member having a shank which extends between said insert and said rear seal body, said shank being centrally disposed within said housing with an annular-shaped gap extending between said shank of said support member and said housing;
• a retainer ring disposed on a forward end of said shank, said retainer ring having an edge periphery which defines a retainer profile having outward portions and inward portions, said inward portions defined for receiving termini of the optical fibers;
• said recess of said insert having an interiorly disposed periphery which defines a recess profile, said recess profile having inner portions which receive the termini of the optical fibers and outer portions for engaging said outward portions of said retainer ring;
• wherein said recess profile and said retainer profile are formed such that said retainer profile fits within said recess profile in a keyed arrangement, angularly aligning said insert with said retainer ring and said shank of said support member;
• said support member having a conically shaped, rearwardly disposed, tapered portion which tapers in a first direction along said longitudinal axis;
• a retainer sleeve having a tapered surface, which tapers in a second direction which is opposite to said first direction, said retainer sleeve being secured within said rear seal body;
• wherein a rearward portion of said support member has external threads and a forward section of said rear seal body has internal threads which are threadingly secured together to secure said support member to said rear seal body, such that said first tapered portion is pulled into said tapered surface to wedge a portion of said cable therebetween;
• and
• wherein said insert, said support member and at least a forward portion of said housing are formed of plastic, said insert and said support member being formed of a non-conductive plastic and said forward portion of said housing being formed of conductive plastic which is over-molded onto said insert.