Multi-fiber reusable splicing systems

A bare fiber connector comprising:

• a connector body that extends along a longitudinal axis of the connector between a front end of the connector body and a rear end of the connector body, the connector body defining a profile including a major dimension extending between first and second minor sides of the connector body and a minor dimension extending between first and second major sides of the connector body;
• a fiber holder mounted within the connector body;
• a plurality of optical fibers anchored to the fiber holder, the plurality of optical fibers having free end portions that project forwardly from the connector body;
• a retractable shroud that mounts at the front end of the connector body, the retractable shroud being movable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector body between a forward position and a rearward position, wherein the free end portions of the plurality of optical fibers project forwardly beyond the retractable shroud when the retractable shroud is in the rearward position, and wherein the free end portions are protected within the retractable shroud when the shroud is in the forward position;
• and
• first and second outboard springs for biasing the retractable shroud to the forward position relative to the connector body, wherein the fiber holder is positioned between the first and second outboard springs, wherein the first and second outboard springs have lengths that extend along the longitudinal axis of the connector body, and wherein the first outboard spring is positioned adjacent the first minor side of the connector body and the second outboard spring is positioned adjacent the second minor side of the connector body.