Fusion-splice fiber optic connectors and related tools

Abstract

Fiber optic connectors having an optical fiber stub that is fusion-spliced for optical connection and related tools for the fiber optic connectors are disclosed. Specifically, the connector assembly for fusion-splicing includes a fiber optic connector having an optic fiber stub and a boot attachable to the fiber optic connector. The boot is configured to transfer the majority of the axial force from the fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connector. Specifically, a splice housing for housing the fusion splice is configured for attachment to an end of the boot for transferring forces from the fiber optic cable to the boot. Consequently, the boot preferably has an extensibility of less than about 2 millimeters under an axial load of about fifteen pounds to inhibit excess forces from acting on the optical fiber stub.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.