# US 2017/0285290 A1 · Field installable cable termination system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0285290 A1 - Document ID: US20170285290A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/475,217 - Filed: 2017-03-31 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Multilink, Inc. - Applicants: Multilink Inc. - Inventors: Steve E. Kaplan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170285290A1 ## CPC - G02B 6/3894: {Screw-lock type} - G02B 6/3887: {Anchoring optical cables to connector housings, e.g. strain relief features} - G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on} - G02B 6/44465: {Seals} - G02B 6/44528: {Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box (routing arrangements H04Q1/00)} - G02B 6/44765: {with means for strain-relieving to exterior cable layers} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A termination for a fiber optic cable, includes an optical connector for a fiber optic member, a collar having a hollow interior in which at least part of the optical connector is positionable, and a retaining clip positionable with respect to the collar at a location to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar. A stop in the collar limits insertion of the connector in the collar. The termination may be assembled and installed in the field. A method of assembling a cable termination assembly, includes positioning at least part of a cable and connector in a hollow collar, and inserting a retainer clip through an opening in a wall of the collar in position to block withdrawing of the connector from one end of the collar. Additionally, a resilient cover is positioned on the collar to provide a watertight connection with another device with which the cable termination assembly may be attached. The method may be carried out to assemble and install the cable termination assembly in the field. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A termination for a fiber optic cable, comprising an optical connector for a fiber optic member, a collar having a hollow interior in which at least part of the optical connector is positionable, and a retainer mechanism including a retaining clip positionable with respect to the collar at a location to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, the retainer mechanism further comprising an opening in a wall of the collar configured to receive the retaining clip in position to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar past the retaining clip. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, wherein the optical connector includes an interference surface, and the retaining clip is positionable with respect to the collar to interfere with the interference surface to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, wherein the optical connector includes a connector housing including a connector portion configured to conduct optical signals, and a holder portion configured to hold to the connector housing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member on the collar to provide a watertight seal with another device to which the termination may be connected. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The termination of claim 5, wherein the resilient member is positionable on the collar over the retaining clip that is positioned through a wall of the collar to block exiting of the retaining clip from its position with respect to the collar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The termination of claim 5, further comprising a stop on the collar configured to guide positioning of the resilient member on the collar. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The termination of claim 7, wherein the stop comprises a flange at least partly circumscribing the exterior surface of the collar. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The termination of claim 5, wherein the resilient member is waterproof and is cooperative with the stop, with a portion of an exterior wall of the collar and with a further member urging the resilient cover toward the stop to provide a watertight connection between the termination and such further member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, wherein the retaining clip includes a base and a protrusion positionable to protrude into the hollow interior of the collar to block withdrawing of the optical connector from the collar. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, wherein the collar is cylindrical, and the hollow interior is of a size to receive at least part of the optical connector at one end and to receive in the hollow interior a fiber optic cable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The termination of claim 11, wherein the retaining clip is positionable through a wall of the collar near said one end of the collar. ### Claim 13 (depends on 2) The termination of claim 2, wherein the opening in a wall of the collar is a slot-like opening having respective interior walls, wherein the retaining clip has a base and a protrusion positionable to protrude through the slot-like opening into the hollow interior of the collar to block withdrawing of the optical connector from the collar, and wherein the retaining clip includes a pair of arms positionable into respective portions of the slot-like opening to engage respective interior walls of the slot-like opening to resist exiting of the retainer clip from the slot-like opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The termination of claim 13, wherein at least one arm includes a hook-like protrusion configured to press toward a respective interior wall of the slot-like opening. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The termination of claim 1, further comprising a fiber optic member attached to the optical connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The termination of claim 15, further comprising a strain relief configured to block transferring to the optical connector of strain that is applied to the fiber optic member from outside the hollow interior of the collar. ### Claim 17 A method of assembling a cable termination assembly, comprising positioning at least part of a cable and connector in a hollow collar, and inserting a retainer clip through an opening in a wall of the collar in position to block withdrawing of the connector from one end of the collar. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, said positioning comprising urging the connector toward a stop in the hollow collar, whereby the connector is maintained in position with respect to the hollow collar by both the stop and the retainer clip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising placing a resilient member on the collar and urging the resilient member to engage a flange-like surface of the collar. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching the cable termination assembly to another device while urging the cable termination assembly toward the other device to at least partly compress the resilient member between the another device and the flange-like surface to provide a substantially watertight seal between the cable termination assembly and the another device.