Fiber optic connector having improved cable termination along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising a connector body and a ferrule;
• a crimp body comprising a first shell and a second shell along with a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end of the crimp body for receiving an optical fiber therethrough, wherein the first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the at the first shell and comprises wall portions of the first shell formed on four sides of the first window, and the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the second shell at a rear portion of the at the second shell and comprises wall portions of the second shell formed on four sides of the second window, wherein the front portion of the crimp body comprises a connector assembly securing portion for securing the connector assembly;
• a crimp band sized for fitting about an outer barrel of the crimp body;
• and
• a shroud sized for receiving a portion of the crimp body, and the shroud is configured for keying the fiber optic connector.

A cable assembly comprising a fiber optic connector terminating a fiber optic cable, comprising:

• the fiber optic connector, comprising:
• a connector assembly, the connector assembly comprising a connector body and a ferrule;
• a crimp body comprising a first shell and a second shell along with a longitudinal passageway extending from a rear end to a front end of the crimp body for receiving an optical fiber therethrough, wherein the first shell comprises a first window formed through a wall of the first shell at a rear portion of the at the first shell, and the second shell comprises a second window formed through a wall of the second shell at a rear portion of the at the second shell, wherein the front portion of the crimp body comprises a connector assembly securing portion for securing the connector assembly;
• a crimp band sized for fitting about an outer barrel of the crimp body;
• a shroud sized for receiving a portion of the crimp body, and the shroud being configured for keying the fiber optic connector;
• and
• the fiber optic cable, comprising:
• an optical fiber, wherein the optical fiber is attached to the ferrule;
• a plurality of strength members, wherein the plurality of strength members enter the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body, wherein a first portion of the plurality of strength members extend from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through the first window disposed on the first shell and are secured between an outer barrel of the crimp body and the crimp band, and wherein a second portion of the plurality of strength members extend from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through the second window disposed on the second shell and are secured between an outer barrel of the crimp body and the crimp band;
• and
• a cable jacket.

A method of making a cable assembly comprising a fiber optic connector terminating a fiber optic cable, comprising:

• preparing an end portion of a fiber optic cable by exposing an optical fiber and a plurality of strength members from a cable jacket at the end portion of the fiber optic cable;
• placing a plurality of strength members within a longitudinal passageway of a crimp body comprising a first shell and a second shell of the fiber optic connector;
• routing a first portion of the plurality of strength members from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a first window of the first shell;
• routing a second portion of the plurality of strength members from the longitudinal passageway of the crimp body through a second window of the second shell;
• securing the first portion and the second portion of the plurality of strength members between an outer barrel of the crimp body and a crimp band;
• and
• attaching the optical fiber to a ferrule of a connector assembly and securing a connector body of the connector assembly to a connector assembly securing portion the crimp body.