Fiber optic connector and an associated pin retainer

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining a plurality of lengthwise extending bores for receiving end portions of respective optical fibers, said shank also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion being larger in lateral cross-section than said shank, said first shoulder portion also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion;
• a plurality of guide pins extending through respective holes defined by said shank and said first shoulder portion, said plurality of guide pins extending lengthwise beyond said first shoulder portion and along said second shoulder portion;
• and
• a pin retainer for engaging the portions of said plurality of guide pins that extend along said second shoulder portion;
• wherein said second shoulder portion receives said pin retainer such that said second shoulder portion and said pin retainer define a lateral cross-section that is no larger than the lateral cross-section of said first shoulder portion.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining a plurality of lengthwise extending bores for receiving end portions of respective optical fibers, said shank also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion being larger in lateral cross-section than said shank, said first shoulder portion also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion;
• a plurality of guide pins extending through respective holes defined by said shank and said first shoulder portion, end portions of said plurality of guide pins extending lengthwise beyond said first shoulder portion and along an exterior surface of said second shoulder portion;
• and
• a pin retainer for engaging the portions of said plurality of guide pins tat extend along the exterior surface of said second shoulder portion, said pin retainer defining an opening sized and shaped to receive said second shoulder portion and the end portions of said plurality of guide pins such that the end portions of said plurality of guide pins are engaged between said pin retainer and said second shoulder portion.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining a plurality of lengthwise extending bores for receiving end portions of respective optical fibers, said shank also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion being larger in lateral cross-section than said shank, said first shoulder portion also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion;
• a plurality of guide pins extending through respective holes defined by said shank and said first shoulder portion, end portions of said plurality of guide pins extending lengthwise beyond said first shoulder portion and along an exterior surface of said second shoulder portion;
• and
• a pin retainer for engaging the portions of said plurality of guide pins that extend along the exterior surface of said second shoulder portion, said pin retainer comprising a plurality of clips for engaging respective guide pins proximate said second shoulder portion.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining at least one lengthwise extending bore for receiving an end portion of a respective optical fiber and a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins and having a cross-sectional profile tat is larger than said shank;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion;
• a splice component holder extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, said splice component holder defining a lengthwise extending passageway that opens through the first end, wherein a portion of the passageway proximate to first end of said splice component holder is sized and shaped to snugly receive said second shoulder portion of said ferrule such that said splice component holder and said ferrule are maintained in an aligned relationship;
• a plurality of guide pins extending trough the respective holes defined by said shank and said first shoulder portion, portions of said plurality of guide pins extending lengthwise beyond said first shoulder portion and along said second shoulder portion;
• and
• a pin retainer for engaging to portions of said plurality of guide pins that extend along said second shoulder portion.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining at least one lengthwise extending bore for receiving an end portion of a respective optical fiber;
• and
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion defining a plurality of lengthwise extending channels and having a cross-sectional profile that is larger than said shank;
• and
• a splice component holder extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, wherein the first end of said splice component holder engages said first shoulder portion of said ferrule such that said splice component holder and said ferrule are maintained in an aligned relationship, the first end of said splice component holder comprising a plurality of lengthwise extending tabs for engaging respective channels of said first shoulder portion, said splice component holder engaging said first shoulder portion such that the engaged portions of said splice component holder and said first shoulder portion have a combined cross-sectional profile that is no larger than the cross-sectional profile of said first shoulder portion.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining a plurality of lengthwise extending bores for receiving end portions of respective optical fibers, said shank also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion being Larger in lateral cross-section than said shank, said first shoulder portion also defining a plurality of lengthwise extending holes for receiving respective guide pins;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion defining an opening in communication with the holes defined by said first shoulder portion;
• a plurality of guide pins extending through respective holes defined by said shank and said first shoulder portion, said plurality of guide pins extending lengthwise beyond said first shoulder portion and along said second shoulder portion at least partially through the opening defined by said second shoulder portion;
• and
• a pin retainer for engaging the portions of said plurality of guide pins that extend along said second shoulder portion, said pin retainer being sized and shaped to be at least partially disposed within the opening defined by said second shoulder portion and to engage portions of said plurality of guide pins therewithin.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining at least one lengthwise extending bore for receiving an end portion of a respective optical fiber;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion having a cross-sectional profile that is larger than said shank;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion for receiving a pin retainer such that said second shoulder portion and the pin retainer define a lateral cross-section that is no larger than the lateral cross-section of said first shoulder portion;
• and
• a splice component holder extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, said splice component holder defining a lengthwise extending passageway that opens through the first end, wherein a portion of the passageway proximate the first end of said splice component holder is sized and shaped to snugly receive said second shoulder portion of said ferrule such that said splice component holder and said ferrule are maintained in an aligned relationship.

A fiber optic connector comprising:

• a ferrule comprising:
• a shank defining at least one lengthwise extending bore for receiving an end portion of a respective optical fiber;
• a first shoulder portion proximate one end of said shank, said first shoulder portion having a cross-sectional profile that is larger than said shank;
• and
• a second shoulder portion proximate said first shoulder portion and disposed opposite said shank relative to said first shoulder portion, said second shoulder portion being smaller in lateral cross-section than said first shoulder portion for receiving a pin retainer such that said second shoulder portion and the pin retainer define a lateral cross-section that is no larger tan the lateral cross-section of said first shoulder portion;
• and
• a splice component holder extending lengthwise between opposed first and second ends, wherein the first end of said splice component holder engages said first shoulder portion of said ferrule such that said splice component holder and said ferrule are maintained in an aligned relationship, said splice component holder engaging said first shoulder portion such that the engaged portions of said splice component and said first shoulder portion have a combined cross-sectional profile that is no larger than the cross-sectional profile of said first shoulder portion.