Field-installable fiber optic ribbon connector and installation tool

A fiber optic connector for connecting to ends of a plurality of optical fibers of a fiber optic ribbon, comprising:

• a multi-fiber ferrule extending longitudinally between opposite first and second ends, the ferrule defining at least one longitudinal passageway therethrough;
• a plurality of stub fibers disposed in the at least one passageway of the ferrule and secured therein, the stub fibers having ends projecting longitudinally beyond the second end of the ferrule;
• first and second opposed splice members each extending longitudinally from a first end proximate the second end of the ferrule to an opposite second end, the ends of the stub fibers extending between the opposed splice members and terminating at a position intermediate the first and second ends of the splice members, the splice members being configured to allow the fiber optic ribbon to be inserted longitudinally between the second ends of the splice members toward the first ends thereof such that the optical fibers are moved into abutment with the ends of the stub fibers, the second splice member proximate the second end thereof having a pivotable portion operable to pivot away from the first splice member to facilitate insertion of the fiber optic ribbon therebetween;
• a flexible ferrule holder surrounding the splice members;
• and
• a crimp tube surrounding a portion of the ferrule holder that is radially outward of the pivotable portion of the second splice member, compression of the crimp tube about the ferrule holder causing the portion of the ferrule holder to urge the pivotable portion of the second splice member toward the first splice member to clamp the fiber optic ribbon therebetween.

A tool for connecting a fiber optic connector to ends of optical fibers of a fiber optic ribbon, the fiber optic connector including opposed splice members defining a fiber-receiving space therebetween for receiving the ends of the optical fibers extending along a direction parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the connector, the connector further including a cam slidable parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the connector between an initial position allowing the splice members to move apart to enlarge the fiber-receiving space to facilitate insertion of the optical fibers therein, and a final position in which the cam urges the splice members toward each other to clamp the optical fibers therebetween, the tool comprising:

• a support base;
• a connector support cradle mounted on the support base and configured to receive the connector in a position having the central longitudinal axis of the connector extending along a longitudinal axis of the tool, the cradle holding the connector in a fixed position while allowing the cam to slide between the initial and final positions thereof;
• a fiber-handling fixture mounted on the support base and structured and arranged to engage the fiber optic ribbon to align the ribbon with the connector supported in the cradle such that the optical fibers of the ribbon can be slid axially into the fiber-receiving space between the splice members of the connector;
• and
• a camming carriage slidably mounted on the support base so as to be slidable along the longitudinal axis of the tool, the camming carriage including a cam-engaging member configured to push the cam of the connector from the initial position to the final position when the camming carriage is slid axially toward a rear end of the connector.