Optical connector assembly with features for ease of use

An optical connector assembly comprising:

• a) at least one ferrule carrier;
• b) at least one housing, the housing having an opening therein with the ferrule carrier disposed within the opening of the housing;
• c) an adapter, the adapter having an opening therein, with the housing disposed within the opening in the adapter;
• and
• d) identifying chips mounted in at least two of the ferrule carrier, the housing and the adapter, with the identifying chips positioned to be aligned when the optical connector assembly is assembled.

An optical connector assembly comprising:

• a) at least one ferrule carrier;
• b) at least one housing, the housing having an opening therein with the ferrule carrier disposed within the opening of the housing;
• c) an adapter, the adapter having an opening therein, with the housing disposed within the opening in the adapter;
• d) wherein at least two of the ferrule carrier, the housing and the adapter have mounting locations for identifying chips, with the mounting locations positioned to be aligned when the optical connector assembly is assembled;
• and wherein the mounting locations comprise openings.

An adapter for on optical connector assembly used to couple optical connectors, comprising:

• a) a first shell portion and a second shell portion, each having an exterior surface and an interior surface with the first shell portion and the second shell portion coupled to define an opening with their interior surfaces, with at least one of the first shell portion and second shell portions having a channel formed in its interior surface;
• b) a locking member, movably mountable in the channel, the locking member having a first side and a second side, the second side coupled to the first side, the first side and the second side each adjacent the opening, the first side being accessible to the exterior of the shell and the second side having a locking feature shaped to engage a complementary feature on an optical connector;
• and
• c) at least one clip having a compliant member adapted to attach the adapter to a panel extending from an outer surface of at least one of the first shell members and the second shell members.

An optical connector assembly comprising:

• a) an adapter, comprising:
• i) a shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface bounding an opening;
• ii) a latch ring, movably mounted in the shell, having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side each adjacent the opening, the first side having release member formed thereon and accessible through the exterior surface of the shell and the second side having at least one locking feature extending into the opening;
• and
• b) an optical connector inserted into the opening, the connector having a complementary feature engaging the locking feature of the second side.