Optical connection system, optical connector, and optical adapter for use with optical cable assembly and receptacle

An optical connector configured to releasably couple to an optical adapter comprising an adapter latch element, the optical connector comprising:

• a connector housing having an adapter interface end portion and a cable end portion, the adapter interface end portion of the connector housing being configured to mate with the adapter, the connector housing being configured to receive an optical cable assembly in the interior passage such that an optical cable of the optical cable assembly extends in a cable direction from the cable end portion of the connector housing and an optical plug of the optical cable assembly is exposed in an opposite direction toward the adapter, the connector housing further comprising a connector latch element configured to latch with the adapter latch element to secure the connector to the adapter when the connector housing is mated with the adapter;
• and
• a delatch actuator disposed on the connector housing for movement with respect to the connector housing from a locking position to an unlocking position, the delatch actuator comprising a delatch arm;
• wherein the connector latch element comprises one of a bendable latch hook and a locking channel and the adapter latch element comprises the other of the bendable latch hook and the locking channel;
• wherein when the connector housing is mated with the adapter, the delatch arm is configured to:
• (i) allow the bendable latch hook to latch with the locking channel when the delatch actuator is in the locking position;
• and (ii) unlatch the bendable latch hook from the locking channel as the delatch actuator moves from the locking position to the unlocking position.

An optical adapter configured to releasably couple to an optical connector comprising first and second connector latch elements, the optical adapter comprising:

• a panel engagement wall configured to be coupled to a panel in face-to-face relationship therewith when the adapter is mounted on the panel;
• a fitting extending longitudinally from the panel engagement wall and defining a connector opening therethrough, the panel engagement wall configured to be positioned on the panel such that the connector opening aligns with an opening in the panel;
• and
• first and second adapter latch elements extending longitudinally from the panel engagement wall on opposite sides of the fitting;
• wherein the first and second adapter latch elements each comprise one of a bendable latch hook and a locking channel;
• wherein the optical adapter is configured such that the bendable latch hooks can latch with the locking channels to retain the optical connector in mated relationship with the optical adapter.