Adapter and guide pin assembly for coupling of fiber optic connectors

A adapter and connector assembly, comprising:

• (a) two optical fiber connectors, each connector having a ferrule that contains at least one optical fiber that terminates at an end face of the ferrule, the ferrule defining at least two guide pin receiving geometries precisely located relative to the at least one optical fiber;
• (b) two sleeve body halves joined together, each sleeve body half having a free end through which one of the connectors is inserted and a mating end opposite thereto and defining a passageway therethrough from the free end to the mating end, the two sleeve body halves joined to each other at the mating ends so as to align the passageways with a common longitudinal axis;
• (c) a guide pin mount disposed between the mating ends of the sleeve body halves, the guide pin mount defining an opening so as not to obstruct the mating of opposed end faces of connectors therethrough;
• and
• (d) at least two guide pins mounted on the guide pin mount and extending from each side of the guide pin mount in a direction parallel with the passageway such that the ends of the guide pins will be received by the guide pin receiving geometries of the optical fiber connectors when the two optical fiber connectors are inserted into the sockets.

An adapter for removably receiving at least one optical fiber connector in an operative coupled relationship with another connector or other component, the at least one connector having a ferrule that contains at least one optical fiber that terminates at an end face of the ferrule, the ferrule defining at least two guide pin receiving geometries precisely located relative to the at least one optical fiber, the adapter comprising:

• (a) a sleeve body half having a free end defining a socket into which a connector is insertable and a mating end opposite thereto and defining a passageway therethrough from the free end to the mating end, the mating end having a mating surface perpendicular to the passageway and suitable for joining against another surface, the mating surface having a recessed shoulder at the passageway, the shoulder in a plane parallel with the mating surface
• (b) a guide pin mount that is generally planar having a portion disposed against the shoulder of the mating surface, the guide pin mount defining an opening so as not to obstruct the mating of opposed end faces of connectors therethrough;
• and
• (c) at least two guide pins mounted on the guide pin mount and extending from at least one side of the guide pin mount in a direction parallel with the passageway such that the ends of the guide pins will be received by the guide pin receiving geometries of the optical fiber connector when the optical fiber connector is inserted into the socket.