Fiber optic connector with cable boot release

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/569,546 filed on Sep. 12, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 16/161,046 filed on Oct. 15, 2018, and now is U.S. Pat. No. 10,712,512, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional application 62/730,304 filed on Sep. 12, 2018, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/161,046 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/819,629 filed Nov. 21, 2017, and now is U.S. Pat. No. 10,663,676, and all of the above are included by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to fiber optic connectors. The prevalence of the Internet has led to unprecedented growth in communication networks. Consumer demand for service and increased competition has caused network providers to continuously find ways to improve quality of service while reducing cost. Certain solutions have included deployment of high-density interconnect panels. High-density interconnect panels may be designed to consolidate the increasing volume of interconnections necessary to support the fast-growing networks into a compacted form factor, thereby increasing quality of service and decreasing costs such as floor space and support overhead.

In communication networks, such as data centers and switching networks, numerous interconnections between mating connectors may be compacted into high-density panels. Panel and connector producers may optimize for such high densities by shrinking the connector size and/or the spacing between adjacent connectors on the panel. While both approaches may be effective to increase the panel connector density, shrinking the connector size and/or spacing may also increase the support cost and diminish the quality of service.

In a high-density panel configuration, adjacent connectors and cable assemblies may obstruct access to the individual release mechanisms. Such physical obstructions may impede the ability of an operator to minimize the stresses applied to the cables and the connectors. For example, these stresses may be applied when the user reaches into a dense group of connectors and pushes aside surrounding optical fibers and connectors to access an individual connector release mechanism with his/her thumb and forefinger. Overstressing the cables and connectors may produce latent defects, compromise the integrity and/or reliability of the terminations, and potentially cause serious disruptions to network performance.

In the present invention, the push-pull tabofis replaced with a cable boot release assembly for releasing and inserting a fiber optic connector from an adapter receptacle. This reduces overall space requirements as the push/pull tab extends from the connector body over a cable, and the push/pull tab protrudes into valuable space between racks of connectors interconnecting the network. In one embodiment, the cable boot assembly moves over a back post or back body located with a connector housing. The back body is secured to a front housing using a latch and recess mechanism.

This cable boot assembly can be used with a LC or Lucent® connector, a SC or standard connector, a CS® or SN™ connector sold by the assignee of the present invention, or a MT ferrule or mechanical transfer ferrule connector used in MPO or multi-fiber push on connector. All these connector types have a ferrule with an optical fiber secured therein at a proximal end, and an incoming cable at a distal end.

Accordingly, there is a need for fiber optic connectors that will meet the needs of future developments allowing for smaller footprints, easier implementation, and easy field modification.

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

In an embodiment, a connector assembly may have a housing configured to accept a first ferrule and a second ferrule. The connector assembly may also have a latch component that is removably connected to the housing, wherein the latch component is configured to rotate around the housing. The latch component may have a first locking element configured to engage a second locking element to prevent rotation of the latch component in at least one of a first polarity position to a second polarity position. The connector may furthermore include a push-pull tab removably connected to the housing and configured to move vertically along the housing when a biasing force is applied, to the push-pull tab, in at least one of a forward direction and a rearward direction. Accordingly, the push-pull tab can compress the latch component when moving longitudinally along the housing.

In an embodiment, a connector assembly having an adjustable polarity may include a first plug frame and a second plug frame that are independent from each other, a first ferrule disposed within the first plug frame and a second ferrule disposed within the second plug frame that are each coupled to a terminal end of an optical fiber cable; and a housing that may include a top housing component configured to be removably coupled to a bottom housing component. The top and bottom housing coupled together to form a configured to secure the first plug frame and the second plug frame within the connector assembly. In one aspect, removal of the top housing component from the bottom housing component may provide access to the first plug frame and the second plug frame to allow for changing a location of the first plug frame and the second plug frame within the housing to change polarity of the connector assembly.

In a further embodiment, a connector assembly may have an adjustable polarity comprising: a polymer uni-body base frame comprising a plug frame portion, a body portion, and a back post portion; a top cover; and an independent latch; wherein the independent latching component is removable connected to the distal end (D) of the base frame; and wherein the independent latch component is configured to rotate substantially concentric about the base frame to change polarity of the connector assembly from a first polarity to a second polarity.

In the present invention, a cable boot assembly moves over the back body as a user pulls on the assembly, clip, cable or connector housing to release the connector from an adapter. Likewise the user can push to insert the connector into an adapter housing. The clip can be replaced with a two-piece clip, or just a cable boot assembly that is secured to an outer housing, while the assembly internal bore is configured to allow the assembly to move over the back body. The cable boot assembly is secured to the outer housing which actuates a release of the connector from within an adapter housing.

The reliability of communication infrastructure depends on secure and accurate connections between components, such as cable segments, network equipment, and communication devices. Large-scale data communication systems use fiber optic cables for data transmission between components. The fiber optic cables may be terminated by connector assemblies. Duplex connector assemblies, such as an LC connector assembly, may include a receiving optical fiber (typically labeled as “A”) and a transmitting optical fiber (typically labeled as “B”). Such duplex connector assemblies may connect with an adapter having corresponding receiving (or “A”) and transmitting (“B”) ports. A duplex connector assembly is generally configured such that the receiving optical fiber connects with the transmitting port of the adapter and the transmitting optical fiber connects with the receiving port of the adapter.

A duplex connector assembly has a polarity based on the relative orientation of the receiving optical fiber and the transmitting optical fiber. Similarly, a corresponding adapter may have a polarity based on the relative orientation of the receiving port and the transmitting port. If the polarity of the connector assembly corresponds to the polarity of the adapter, the connection between connector assembly and adapter may communicate data over fiber optic cables joined by these two components. However, particularly in large installations, the polarity of the connector often does not correspond with adapter polarity, leading failed data transmission. The connector assembly cannot simply be rotated to a correct polarity, as the connector assembly includes elements configured to secure the connector assembly to the adapter which prevents rotation.

Conventional techniques for changing an incorrect polarity of a connector assembly involve difficult and time consuming methods. For example, an installer may be required to remove the existing, incorrect connector assembly and prepare a new connector assembly on site. Other methods involve the use of special tools or high-cost connector components that may also require twisting or rotating the fiber, which may lead to damaged connections. Accordingly, telecommunication network providers would benefit from a connector assembly configured to allow for the efficient and effective changing of the polarity of the connector assembly on-site.

The described technology generally relates to connector assemblies (for example, a plug, male connector, connector, or the like) having an adjustable polarity. In general, the connector assemblies have a plurality of orientations, alignments, or other physical attributes that cause the connector assemblies to have a plurality of polarities. In some embodiments, the connector assembly may only fit into and/or correctly connect with an adapter (for instance, a receptacle, female connector, adapter, or the like) in one or more of the polarities. The polarity of the connector assembly may be based on the relative orientation of components of the connector assembly, such as ferrules, a housing, a latch, a frame, or the like. For example, a connector assembly configured according to some embodiments may include two ferrules, a transmission ferrule and a receiving ferrule that may be arranged in one of a first polarity and a second polarity in order to form a successful connection with a corresponding adapter.

The connector assemblies and other data transmission elements described according to some embodiments herein may be connected within a network, which may include any type of network capable of transmitting signals, electricity, or any other type of transmission medium. For instance, the network may include, without limitation, a communication network, a telecommunication network, an electrical network, a data network, a computer network, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the network may include a communication network using various signal transmission mediums, including, without limitation, fiber optic networks, Ethernet networks, cable and/or satellite television networks, and any other type of communication network now known or developed in the future. In some embodiments, the sealable connector assemblies may be configured to connect cable segments and/or devices within a fiber optic network using various standard connector types and/or adaptors, including, but not limited to, LC, ST, SC, FC, DIN, D4, SMA, E2000, Biconic, FullAXS, OCD, small form-factor pluggable (SFP), MPO and/or copper-type network connections, such as RJ-45 type connectors. In some embodiments, the connector assembly may include a duplex LC-type connector and the connector assembly adaptor may include an SFP adaptor. In some embodiments the connector assembly may include a LC-type uniboot connector. In some embodiments, the connector assembly may include a unibody connector, for instance, that includes a round fiber optic cable.

depicts an exploded view of an illustrative connector assembly according to a first embodiment. As shown in, a connector assemblymay include a housingformed from a top housing componentand a bottom housing component. The housingmay include a “closed” configuration when the top housing componentis coupled to the bottom housing componentand an “open” configuration when the top housing componentis not coupled to the bottom housing component. The top housing componentand the bottom housing componentmay be securely coupled to each other using various means, such as a snap-fit, a friction-fit, or the like.

In some embodiments, the top housing componentmay include one or more top projectionsconfigured to engage corresponding locking projectionson the bottom housing component. As the top housing componentis being pushed onto the bottom housing component, the top projectionsengage the locking projections, which may include a slanted top surface such that the force of the projections against the locking projections causes the side walls of the bottom housing component to extend outward to facilitate the movement of the projections past the locking projections and into the interior of the housing. When the top projectionshave passed the locking projections, the side walls of the bottom housing componentreturn to their original position and the locking projections are positioned over the top projections, preventing movement of the top housing componentin an upward direction. Accordingly, the top housing componentis securely coupled to the bottom housing component. The top housing componentmay be removed from the bottom housing componentusing various processes, including prying on a portion of bottom housing component. For example, an installer may manually spread locking projectionsapart and lift the top housing componentto remove the top housing component from the bottom housing component.

A cable (not shown) may extend through a bootinto the connector assembly. The cable may include two optical fibers (for instance, a transmitting optical fiber and a receiving optical fiber) terminating at a first ferrulea and a second ferruleb. For example, the first ferrulea may be coupled to a terminal end of a transmitting optical fiber and the second ferruleb may be coupled to a terminal end of a receiving optical fiber, or vice versa. A crimp ring and/or crimp tube, which may include a material, such as a heat-shrink material, may encase a portion of the cable and a crimp ringmay be secured to the cable. A back postmay engage the crimp ringat a distal (D) end thereof. In some embodiments, as the crimp ringis secured to the cable, the crimp ring may prevent movement of the back postand, therefore, the housing, toward the distal (D) end of the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the back postmay be molded or otherwise affixed to a portion of the top housing componentor the bottom housing component. The back postmay be arranged within a channelformed in the housing. In some embodiments, the back postmay be affixed to the channelwithin the bottom housing component, such as through a snap-fit, a friction-fit, adhesive, or the like.

The first ferrulea and the second ferruleb may be arranged within a first plug framea and a second plug frameb, respectively. The first plug framea and the second plug frameb may be independent from each other. The top housing componentand the bottom housing componentmay include recesses,at a proximal (P) end thereof that are configured to engage corresponding channelsa,b formed in the distal (D) end of the first plug framea and the second plug frameb. In this manner, the first plug framea and the second plug frameb may be secured within the connector assemblywhen the housingis in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the first plug framea and the second plug frameb may be coupled to the top housing componentand/or the bottom housing componentwithin the recesses,, such as through a snap-fit, friction-fit, or the like.

The first plug framea and the second plug frameb may include a locking latcha,b configured to releasably couple the connector assemblyto a complementary adapter (not shown). The locking latchesa,b may be depressible and may have sufficient flexibility such that the connector assemblymay be released from the adapter when the latch is activated with a moderate pressing force. The top housing componentmay include a thumb latchconfigured to engage the locking latchesa,b. The thumb latchmay be positioned on the housingsuch that individual locking latchesa,b may be triggered by a single thumb latchon the housing. The thumb latchmay be configured to depress the locking latchesa,b at substantially the same time.

depict an illustrative connector assembly according to the first embodiment.depicts the connector assemblywith the housingin the closed position and having a first polarity in which ferrulea is located on the left and ferruleb is located on the right. In, the housing componentis in the open configuration in which the top housing componenthas been disconnected from the bottom housing componentexposing the interior of the housing and allowing access to the first plug framea and the second plug frameb. As shown in, the first plug framea and the second plug frameb may be independently moved from the bottom housing componentwhen the housingis in the open configuration. Accordingly, the position of the first plug framea and the second plug frameb and, therefore, the first ferrulea and the second ferruleb, may be switched within the connector assembly. In this manner, the connector assemblymay be adjusted to have a second polarity in which ferrulea is located on the right and ferruleb is located on the left. Once the polarity of the connector assemblyhas been adjusted, the top housing componentmay be coupled to the bottom housing componentand the connector assembly may be connected to a corresponding adapter.

depict an illustrative connector assembly according to a second embodiment. In particular,depicts an exploded view of an illustrative connector assembly according to the second embodiment. A connector assemblymay include a frame (or “housing”)configured to securely house a first ferrulea and a second ferruleb, springsa,b, and other internal components not shown in. The framemay include a top frame componentconfigured to be coupled to a bottom frame component, both of which may include a back post portion,and a plug frame portion,. At least a portion of the plug frame portion,may be configured to engage and/or be inserted into a corresponding port of an adapter. The top frame componentand the bottom frame componentmay be securely coupled to each other using various means, such as a snap-fit, a friction-fit, an adhesive, or the like.

A cable (not shown) may extend through a bootinto the connector assembly. The cable may include two optical fibers (for instance, a transmitting optical fiber and a receiving optical fiber) terminating at the first ferrulea and the second ferruleb. For example, the first ferrulea may be coupled to a terminal end of a transmitting optical fiber and the second ferruleb may be coupled to a terminal end of a receiving optical fiber, or vice versa. A crimp ringmay be secured to the cable. The post portion,may engage the crimp ringat a distal (D) end thereof. As the crimp ringis secured to the cable, the crimp ring may prevent movement of the post portion,and, therefore, the frame, toward the distal (D) end of the connector assembly.

A latch componentmay include a ring portionarranged around a distal (D) end of the frame. The latch component may include a thumb latchconfigured to releasably couple the connector assemblyto a complementary adapter (not shown). The thumb latchmay be depressible and may have sufficient flexibility such that the connector assemblymay be released from the adapter when the latch is activated with a moderate pressing force.

depicts a cross-sectional view of the connector assemblyanddepicts detailof. As shown in, an external surface of the framemay include one or more locking recessesconfigured to receive one or more corresponding locking projectionsarranged on an inner surface of the ring portion. The latch componentmay include one or more compression sectionsb (compression sectiona is not visible in, see). As shown in, the locking projectionsmay engage the locking recessesto prevent the rotation of the latch componentwith respect to the frame.

The compression of the compression sectionsa,b causes the shape of the ring portionto become deformed. For example, the shape of the ring portionmay be integral to the latch component. Additionally, the ring portionmay have a generally circular-shape when the compression sectionsa,b are not compressed and a generally oval-shape when the compression sections are compressed. When the compression sectionsa,b are compressed, the locking projectionsmove out of the locking recessesand the latch componentmay rotate with respect to the frame. When the compression sectionsa,b are not compressed, the locking projectionsmay be inserted into the locking recessesand the latch componentmay be locked in place with respect to the frame. Accordingly, the latch componentmay be rotated to the other side of the frameand the connector assemblymay be rotated to connect with a corresponding adapter with a different polarity.

In some embodiments, sectionsa andb may become compressed when the user (e.g., via their fingers or a tool) twists the ring portion. Thus, in some embodiments, the ring portionimpacts sectionsa andb causing compression. In a further embodiment, when a user twists a ring portionit becomes compressed against an integral surface (not shown) as it is rotated surface. If rotation continues surfacemay engage a recessthus allowing the connector to change polarity.

depicts an illustrative polarity adjustment for connector assembly. In, connector assemblyis arranged in a first polarity in which the connector assembly is configured to connect with an adapter with second ferruleb on the right side and first ferrulea on the left side of the connector assembly from a top-down perspective. Latch componentis arranged in a first polarity position on frame, with compression sectionb visible inand thumb latchover plug frame portion. In, compression sectionsa,b have been compressed and latch componenthas been rotated to a second polarity position, in which compression sectiona is visible inand thumb latchis under plug frame portion. In, entire connection assemblyhas been rotated such that the connection assembly may connect with an adapter in a second polarity with second ferruleb on the left side and first ferrulea on the right side of the connector assembly from a top-down perspective. Accordingly, the polarity of connector assemblymay be adjusted by rotating latch componentfrom a first polarity position to a second polarity position and rotating the connector assembly such that thumb latchis orientated to engage a corresponding adapter.

depicts an illustrative connector assembly according to a third embodiment.depicts a top-down view of a connector assemblyhaving a housing and compression elementsa,b. Latch componentmay have a ring portiondisposed around a locking component(not shown, see). In some embodiments, compression elementsa,b may be resilient and biased outward. In some embodiments, compression of compression elementsa,b may allow latch componentto rotate from a first polarity position to one or more other positions.

depicts a cross-sectional view of the connector assemblyfrom a top-down perspective. As shown in, compression elementsa,b may be arranged on a locking component. One or more cables (not shown) may extend through connector assembly, for example, through the boot, crimp ring, locking component, and housing, and terminating at the ferrulesa,b. When compression elementsa,b are not compressed, locking elementsa,b arranged on locking componentmay engage latch componentto prevent rotation thereof. In some embodiments, locking elementsa,b may engage a locking recessa,b formed in ring portionof latch component. Compression of compression elementsa,b may cause locking elementsa,b to move inward such that they no longer engage latch component, thereby allowing latch component to rotate about locking component. As latch componentrotates around locking component, the outward bias of locking elementsa,b may cause the locking components to press against the inner surface of ring portion. Accordingly, when a locking recessa,b is located over a locking elementa,b without the compression elementsa,b being compressed, the locking element may push outward and re-engage locking recessa,b.

depict the housing (i.e., front portion), rear portion, locking component, and latch componentin a side view and a perspective view, respectively. As shown in, housingmay include channels configured to receive compression elementsa,b. In some embodiments, housingmay include one or more openingsconfigured to receive a complementary projectionon locking componentto secure the locking component in place within connector assembly.depict latch componentand locking componentas arranged within connector assemblyfrom a side view and a top-down view, respectively.

depicts an illustrative polarity adjustment for the connector assembly. In, the connector assemblyis arranged in a first polarity in which the connector assembly is configured to connect with an adapter with the second ferruleb on the right side and the first ferrulea on the left side of the connector assembly from a top-down perspective. The latch componentis arranged in a first polarity position on the locking component, with locking recessb visible inand the thumb latchbeing arranged over a top (T) surface of the housing. In, the latch componenthas been rotated to a second polarity position, in which locking recessb is visible inand the thumb latchis arranged under a bottom (B) surface of the housing. In, the entire connection assemblyhas been rotated such that the connection assembly may connect with an adapter in a second polarity with the second ferruleb on the left side and the first ferrulea on the right side of the connector assembly from a top-down perspective. Accordingly, the polarity of the connector assemblymay be adjusted by rotating the latch componentfrom a first polarity position to a second polarity position and rotating the connector assembly such that the thumb latchis orientated to engage a corresponding adapter.

depicts an exploded view of an illustrative connector assembly according to various embodiments. As shown in, a connector assemblymay include a top housing componentand a bottom housing component. In some embodiments, top housingand bottom housingmay be joined together in a “closed” configuration when top housingbeing coupled to bottom housing. Alternatively, some embodiments may have an “open” configuration when top housing componentis not coupled to bottom housing component. When in the closed configuration, top housingand bottom housingmay be securely coupled to each other using various means, such as a snap-fit, a friction-fit, or the like.

A cable (not shown) may extend through a boot, pass through a crimp ringand then into the housing formed by top housingand bottom housing. The cable may include two optical fibers (for instance, a transmitting optical fiber and a receiving optical fiber) terminating at one or more ferrule(s). In some embodiments, two ferrules may be utilized, wherein a first ferrule may be coupled to a terminal end of a transmitting optical fiber and the second ferrule may be coupled to a terminal end of a receiving optical fiber, or vice versa. The crimp ring and/or crimp tube, which may include a material, such as a heat-shrink material, may encase a portion of the cable and may be secured to the cable. A back post, which may be made up of the combination of top housingand bottom housingmay engage crimp ringat a distal end thereof.

In some embodiments, crimp ringmay be secured to the cable, thus the crimp ring may prevent movement of back postand, therefore, main housing (and), toward the distal end of connector assembly. In some further embodiments, back postmay be molded or otherwise affixed to a portion of top housing componentor the bottom housing component.

The ferrule(s)may be arranged within (and) in two separate channels (as shown), or in a single combined channel, a first plug framea and a second plug frameb, respectively. In this manner, the ferrule(s) (and plug frame(s))may be secured within the connector assemblywhen the top housingbottom housingare in the closed configuration. In further embodiments, the ferrules(s)may have a biasing force applied via one or more springs.

As also shown in, an embodiment may have a connection devicethat allows the connector assembly to securely fasten into a receiver (e.g., adapter and/or transceiver). The connection device, in some embodiments, may be placed over a portion of the connector assembly (e.g., the back post). In a further embodiment, the connection device, may be rotatable around the back postin order to allow for easy polarity change of the connector assembly. The connector assemblymay also comprise a push-pull tab, which will be discussed at further length herein.

A fully assembled connector assembly, is shown in.further shows a push-pull tabaccording to a non-limiting example embodiment. In some embodiments, and as shown, the push-pull tab, may be removably and/or releasably attached to the connector assembly. Accordingly, and as shown in, a connector assemblyand push-pull tabmay be combined into a single unit to allow for easy insertion and removal from a receiving device. Close up perspective views of a connector assemblyand push-pull tabare shown in.

Referring to, an embodiment is shown wherein the connector assemblycomprises one or more flexible latching arms. The flexible latching armmay have a connection device. The connection deviceis further detailed herein as it relates to an adapter and/or transceiver. Specifically, the connection deviceinterlocks with a recess in an adapter/transceiver. The connection devicemay also comprise one or more connector hooks. In some embodiments, the connector hooksmay be used via a user's fingers and/or tool to compress the connection devicein order allow for removal of a connector assemblyfrom an adapter/transceiver.

As shown, the one or more flexible latching armsmay contact the surface of one or more of the channels. The contact of the latching armwith the channelprovides additional support to the latching arm. In some embodiments, the latching armis used to secure the connection of the connector assemblywith a receiving device (e.g., and adapter and/or transceiver). Thus, the contact between the latching armsand the channelsenables the one or more latching arms to more firmly connect and thereby better secure the connector assemblywithin the receiving device.

As discussed herein, the connector assemblymay be configured such that a change in polarity of the connector is possible. As shown in, the connection device may be rotated about a horizontal axis (i.e., rotated around the back post(at). In some embodiments, and as shown in, a recessmay be located on the back post. It should be understood, the recessmay be located on various outer surfaces (e.g., the crimp ring (at), the cable boot (at), etc.). Furthermore, in some embodiments, there may be multiple recesseslocated on the connector assembly, such as, for example, one on the top and one on the bottom of the back post. The connector device, may comprise a protrusionthat is complementary (i.e., matching) to the recess. Thus, in some embodiments, the protrusionmay securely fasten the connector deviceto housing using the recess.

Referring now to, a top and bottom view of a push-pull tabis shown according to some embodiments. As shown in, the push-pull tabmay comprise a window or cutoutat or near the proximal end of the push-pull tab and a push-pull knobnear the distal end. It should be understood that the location and dimensions of the windowmay vary with different embodiments, and that the dimensions and location as shown is for illustrative purposes only. In further embodiments, the push-pull tabmay comprise one or more recesses.

As shown in, in some embodiments, the connector devicemay have one or more protrusions. A protrusionmay be configured to fit through or inside of the cutoutof push-pull tab. Referring back to, an illustrative embodiment is shown where the push-pull tab is releasably connected to the connector assembly.

Accordingly, when push-pull tabmoved longitudinally along connector assembly, the protrusionimpacts the side of the window. In some embodiments, when the protrusionimpacts an inside edge of window, the ramp portion of the protrusion slides along the edge or facea of the window and forces connection devicecloser to the top housing component. When the connection deviceis compressed (i.e., forced closer to the top housing component) the connector assembly, can be easily removed from a receiver (e.g., adapter and/or transceiver).

A further example embodiment is shown in, which specifically shows a cross section of the connector assembly and the push-pull tab. As shown, the protrusionis placed through the window. Additionally, the small protrusion (not shown) resides in the recess (not shown) of the connector body.also illustrates an example embodiment that has a connection devicewith connector hooks. As depicted, the connector assembly may be inserted into an adapter and/or transceiver. It should be understood, that various alternative embodiments may exist, and that those discussed herein and illustrated in the figures are simply for explanatory purposes.

For example, an as shown in, some embodiments may have more than one protrusionand more than one window. Thus, when the push-pull tabis moved horizontally along the connector assembly, the protrusion(s)impact the side or facea of the window(s). In some embodiments, when the protrusionsimpact the edge of the windows, the ramp portion of the protrusions slides along the edge of the windows and forces the connection devicecloser to the top housing component (not shown). When the connection deviceis compressed (i.e., forced closer to the top housing component) the connector assembly, can be easily removed from a receiver (e.g., adapter and/or transceiver).

As shown in, some embodiment may utilize identification tabsto identify a connector as inserted into an adapter/transceiver, via a connection deviceas shown. The identification tabsmay be made of various materials and have various properties (i.e., color, etc.)