Multifiber alignment adapter and associated fiber optic connector subassembly

A multifiber alignment adapter capable of guiding a plurality of optical fibers into respective bores defined by a ferrule, the multifiber alignment adapter comprising:

• an adapter body extending lengthwise between opposed forward and rear ends, said adapter body including a forward portion proximate the forward end that defines a plurality of lengthwise extending bores, said adapter body also including an elongate rear portion extending rearwardly from the forward portion,
• wherein at least the forward end of said adapter body is shaped to correspond to an opening defined by a rear portion of the ferrule, and wherein the forward end of said adapter body is therefore capable of being inserted into the opening defined by the ferrule such that each bore of said adapter body will be aligned with a respective bore defined by the ferrule, thereby facilitating insertion of optical fibers into respective bores defined by the ferrule.

A multifiber alignment adapter capable of guiding a plurality of optical fibers into respective bores defined by a ferrule, the multifiber alignment adapter comprising:

• an adapter body extending lengthwise between opposed forward and rear ends, said adapter body defining a plurality of lengthwise extending passageways for receiving respective end portions of a plurality of optical fibers, said adapter body also including an exterior surface having a stepped configuration such that a forward portion of said adapter body proximate the forward end is smaller in lateral cross-section than a rear portion of said adapter body proximate the rear end,
• wherein at least the forward end of said adapter body is shaped to correspond to an opening defined by a rear portion of the ferrule, and wherein the forward end of said adapter body is therefore capable of being inserted into the opening defined by the ferrule such that each passageway defined by said adapter body will be aligned with a respective bore defined by the ferrule, thereby facilitating insertion of optical fibers into respective bores defined by the ferrule.

A multifiber ferrule comprising:

• a ferrule body extending lengthwise between opposed forward and rear ends, said ferrule body defining a plurality of bores for receiving respective end portions of a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of bores defined by said ferrule body open through the forward end of said ferrule body such that the end portions of the optical fibers will thereby be exposed,
• wherein at least a portion of each bore is smoothly tapered such that the dimensions of the tapered portion of the bore decrease in a direction extending from the rear end of said ferrule body toward the forward end of said ferrule body,
• wherein each bore also includes a first cylindrical portion extending from the forward end of said ferrule body to the tapered portion, and wherein the tapered portion tapers inwardly in a forwardly extending direction to a lateral cross-sectional size that matches the first cylindrical portion in lateral cross-section to thereby permit the tapered portion of each bore to guide the end portion of a respective optical fiber through the bore and into the first cylindrical portion as the end portion of the optical fiber is advanced toward the forward end of said ferrule body.