US011719893B2
`
`a2) United States Patent
`US 11,719,893 B2
`(0) Patent No.:
`Higley etal.
`Aug. 8, 2023
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) FLEXIBLE PUSH-PULL BOOT AND CRIMP
`BODY FOR FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
`
`(71) Applicant: US Conee, Ltd, Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC .... G02B 6/3825; G02B 6/3893; G02B 6/406;
`G02B 6/387; G02B 6/36
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Jason Higley, Hickory, NC (US);
`Mitchell Cloud, Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(73) Assignee: US Conee Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 260 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`17/045,068
`Apr. 5, 2019
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/US2019/025944
`
`§ 371 (€)(),
`(2) Date:
`
`Oct. 2, 2020
`
`(65)
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO2019/195652
`PCT Pub. Date: Oct. 10, 2019
`:
`sas
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2021/0149124 Al
`May 20, 2021
`.
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 62/793,198,filed on Jan.
`16, 2019, provisional application No. 62/653,706,
`filed on Apr. 6, 2018.
`
`4,872,736 A
`5,619,604 A
`
`10/1989 Myerset al.
`4/1997 Shiflett et al.
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`WO
`
`1020745 A3
`8/2001
`2019126337 ALG2019
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Search Report and Written opinion of EPO in EP19782181 corre-
`sponding to PCT/US2019/025944 datedFeb. 12, 2021.
`Written Opinion of ISA in PCT/US19/025944 dated Jul. 3, 2019.
`Primary Examiner — Jennifer Doan
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Michael L Leetzow
`PLLC; Shubhrangshu Sengupta
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back
`portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion
`that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic
`connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasp-
`ing elements and is connected to the center portion. The
`center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that
`is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front
`extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also
`provides a keying feature depending ontheside ofthe fiber
`optic connector on which it is installed.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`GO2B 6/36
`GO02B 6/38
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ...... G02B 6/3888 (2021.05); G02B 6/3825
`(2013.01); GO2B 6/3893 (2013.01); G02B
`6/388 75 (2021.05)
`
`9 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`Senko EX1026
`PGR2024-00037
`U.S. Patent No. 11,719,893
`
`Senko EX1026
`PGR2024-00037
`U.S. Patent No. 11,719,893
`
`

`

`US 11,719,893 B2
` Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,737,463 A
`6,130,977 A
`6.149.313 A
`6,352,373 BL
`10,114,180 B2
`10,191,227 B2*
`10,191,230 B2
`10,527,802 B2
`10,634,854 B2
`10641971 B2
`10.663.678 B2
`‘ane
`10,705,300 B2
`10,830,967 B2
`11,105,986 B2
`11327240 B2
`ee
`2010/0220961 Al
`2012/0057826 Al
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`4/1998 Weiss et al.
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`3/2002 Yamaguchi
`10/2018 Suzic
`1/2019 Lee vecceseseeecceen G02B 6/4453
`1/2019 Wong et al.
`1/2020 Wong etal.
`4/2020 Davidsonetal.
`3/2020 Kamada et al.
`5/2020 Andres
`7/2020 Takanoet al.
`11/2020 Pimentelet al.
`8/2021 Coenegrachtetal.
`5/2022 Baelen
`9/2010 Jonget al.
`3/2012 Katoh
`
`2012/0308183 Al
`2014/0169727 Al
`2014/0308011 Al
`2015/0030289 Al
`2015/0177463 Al
`2016/0209602 Al
`2016/0238796 Al
`2016/0306125 Al
`2016/0327757 Al
`2017/0102507 Al
`2017/0160496 Al
`2017/0192180 Al
`2017/0205588 Al
`2017/0299818 Al
`2018/0081129 Al
`2019/0018201 Al
`2019/0079252 Al
`2019/0154930 A1*
`2019/0204513 Al
`2021/0364709 Al
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`12/2012 Irwin etal.
`6/2014 Veatch etal.
`10/2014 Zhonget al.
`1/2015 Jiang et al.
`6/2015 Leeetal.
`7/2016 Theuerkorn
`8/2016 Nguyenet al.
`10/2016 Wuetal.
`11/2016 Lee
`4/2017 Menguyetal.
`6/2017 Jong etal.
`7/2017 Andruset al.
`7/2017 Lee
`10/2017 Changet al.
`3/2018 Kaga et al.
`1/2019 Takanoetal.
`3/2019 Watanabe
`5/2019 Ho wees G02B 6/4256
`:
`7/2019 Davidsonetal.
`11/2021 Takeuchiet al.
`sueme
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
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`Aug.8, 2023
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`Sheet 1 of 15
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 11,719,893 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug.8, 2023
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`

`

`US 11,719,893 B2
`
`1
`FLEXIBLE PUSH-PULL BOOT AND CRIMP
`BODY FOR FIBER OPTIC CONNECTOR
`
`This application claimspriority of U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application Ser. No. 62/653,706, filed on Apr. 6, 2018, and
`62/793,198, filed on Jan. 16, 2019, the contents of both of
`which are incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Field of the Invention
`
`Fiber optic connectors, and the locations where they are
`installed, are becoming smaller, requiring a higher density
`application. The fiber optic connectors have been reduced in
`size such that a person can not easily grasp individualfiber
`optic connectors mounted in a receptacle in the high density
`areas. Thus, it can be very difficult to install a fiber optic
`connector in, and uninstall from, its respective receptacle.
`Adjacent fiber optic connectors are generally located too
`close to allow manualinsertion and removalof a single fiber
`optic connector using the connector’s outer housing as
`intended, particularly, when used in higher density applica-
`tions. Somesolutions to the smaller areas include push-pull
`tabs or projections connected to the fiber optic connector,
`either as an additional componentoras an integral part of the
`fiber optic connector, usually the outer housing.
`While these push-pull
`tabs provide a solution to the
`insertion and removal of somefiber optic connectors, there
`is still an issue with the optical fibers and optical cables
`getting tangled around the tabs. This could lead to the
`push-pull tabs being removedor broken, providing the user
`with no real options for removing the fiber optic connectors.
`Additionally, in a high density environment, there may be
`some confusion as to which fiber optic connectora particular
`push-pull tab belongs.
`While a boot may be used for pushing a fiber optic
`connector into a receptacle, they are generally not intended
`to be used to remove a fiber optic connector. The bootis
`generally used for strain relief of the optical fibers secured
`within the fiber optic connectors. In many connectors, the
`boot simply cannotbe used forfiber optic connector removal
`as the bootis not attached to the appropriate structures, such
`as the outer housing.
`Additionally, the typical boot on a fiber optic connector
`can not convey the polarity of the fiber optic connector to
`whichit is attached.
`
`The present invention is therefore directed to a boot that
`can be used with a fiber optic connector to insert into and
`remove from a receptacle. The boot can also be detached
`from a portion ofthe fiber optic connector andreinstalled in
`a different configuration to identify a polarity of the fiber
`optic connector.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Thepresent invention is directed to a bootfor a fiber optic
`connector, the fiber optic connector having a housing, at
`least twofiber optic ferrules, and a crimp body, the boot that
`includes a center portion having a front end and a back end,
`a first longitudinal opening extending between the front end
`and the back endto receive a portion of the crimp body and
`a fiber optic cable, a back portion attached to the center
`portion and extending away from the front end of the center
`portion,
`the back portion defining a second longitudinal
`opening that is in communication with thefirst longitudinal
`opening, the back portion having grasping portions to allow
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`a user to push and pull on the boot, and a front extension
`portion connected to the center portion and engageable with
`the fiber optic connector, the front extension portion extend-
`ing forward and beyond the front end of the center portion
`and having at least one latch to engage a receptacle.
`In some embodiments, the boot is connectable to one of
`a first side and a secondside ofthe fiber optic connector to
`determine a polarity of the fiber optic connector.
`In some embodiments, the boot further includes a first
`engagement member to cooperate with a corresponding
`second engagement memberon the crimp body to remov-
`ably attach the boot to the crimp body.
`In some embodiments, pulling on the boot causes thefirst
`engagement memberto slide relative to the second engage-
`ment memberthereby pulling the front extension rearwardly
`releasing the fiber optic connector from the receptacle.
`In another aspect, the invention is directed to a combina-
`tion of a boot and a crimp bodyfor a fiber optic connector,
`the fiber optic connector having a housing,at least two fiber
`optic ferrules, and a spring push,
`the combination that
`includes a boot that further includes a center portion having
`a front end and a back end, a first longitudinal opening
`extending between the front end and the back endto receive
`a portion of the crimp body and a fiber optic cable, a back
`portion attached to the center portion and extending away
`from the front end of the center portion, the back portion
`defining a second longitudinal opening that is in communi-
`cation with the first longitudinal opening, the back portion
`having grasping portions to allow a user to push and pull on
`the boot, a front extension portion connected to the center
`portion and engageable with the fiber optic connector, the
`front extension portion extending forward and beyond the
`front end of the center portion and having at least one latch
`to engage a receptacle, and a crimp body that additionally
`includes a front portion configured to be disposed at least
`partially in the housing, a rear portion that extends rear-
`wardly away from the front portion and provides an outer
`surface to receive a crimp band therearound, and a central
`portion disposed between the front and rear portions,
`wherein the boot has a first engagement member to coop-
`erate with a corresponding second engagement member on
`the crimp body to removably attach the boot to the crimp
`body, the second engagement memberbeing disposed on the
`central portion of the crimp body.
`Additional features and advantages of the invention will
`be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in
`part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from
`that description or recognized by practicing the invention as
`described herein, including the detailed description which
`follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings.
`It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
`description and the following detailed description of the
`present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to
`provide an overview or framework for understanding the
`nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The
`
`accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
`understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into
`and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings
`illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and
`together with the description serve to explain the principles
`and operations of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG.1 is a top perspective view of one embodimentof a
`fiber optic connector with a crimp body, a boot, and a front
`extension according to the present invention;
`
`

`

`US 11,719,893 B2
`
`3
`4
`tube 108, a front extension 110 that is a part ofstrain relief
`FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the fiber optic
`connector in FIG. 1;
`boot 112. As discussed in more detail below, the crimp body
`106, the front extension 110, and a strain relief boot 112 are
`FIG.3 is a top plan view of the fiber optic connector in
`the focus of this application. The front extension 110 also
`FIG. 1,
`functions as a push-pull mechanism or latch component,
`FIG.4 is a side elevation view ofthe fiber optic connector
`whereby the front extension 110 has at least one latch and
`in FIG.1;
`more preferably two latches 114, 116 on a latch body 118
`FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view ofthe fiber optic connector
`that engage a receptacle (such as an adapter and/oracarrier)
`in FIG.1;
`if used with the present invention. The front extension 110
`FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the fiber optic
`connector in FIG. 1 with the boot and front extension
`also functions as a polarity key for the fiber optic connector
`100. As described in more detail below,
`the fiber optic
`connector 100 can only be inserted into a receptacle in one
`orientation with the front extension 110 installed on the fiber
`optic connector 100. The housing 102 is symmetric about a
`longitudinal axis A through the fiber optic connector 100.
`Thus, without the front extension 110, the fiber optic con-
`nector 100 could be inserted into a receptacle in at least two
`ways. The front extension 110 prevents the fiber optic
`connector 100 from being inserted in all but one way—
`thereby giving it a polarity function.
`Turning to the housing 102, the housing 102 has a main
`body 120 extending between a front end 122 and a rear end
`124, and has an opening 126 extending therebetween. See
`also FIGS. 6 and 7. Thefiber optic ferrules 104 are disposed
`within the opening 126 and havetheir front faces (for mating
`with other fiber optic ferrules) adjacent the front end 122.
`The crimp body 106 is also at least partially disposed within
`the opening 126 at the rear end 124 of the housing 102.
`The outside of the housing 102 has many features that are
`integral to its use. First are the top surface 130 and the
`bottom surface 132. The top and bottom surfaces 130,132
`are preferably the same. Extending from the rear end 124
`towardsthe front end 122 of the housing 102 on both the top
`surface 130 and the bottom surface 132 is a rail receiving
`portion 134. The rail receiving portion 134 as illustrated
`does not extend the entire length of the housing 102, but it
`could extendfarther along the length of the housing 102 than
`shownin the figures if so desired. The rail receiving portion
`134 has a stop surface 136 at the end of the rail receiving
`portion 134. The front extension 110 will make use of the
`stop surface 136 when the fiber optic connector 100 is
`inserted into or removed from various structures as dis-
`cussed in more detail below.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`detached from the crimp body and the connector housing;
`FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the front extension,
`latch body, and connector housing;
`FIG.8 is bottom perspective view of the front extension,
`crimp body, and boot from the fiber optic connector in FIG.
`1;
`
`FIG.9 is a partial cross section ofthe crimp body and boot
`at the connection of these two components;
`FIG.10 is perspective view of the crimp bodyofthe fiber
`optic connector in FIG.1;
`FIG.11 is a bottom perspective view from the front of the
`boot and the front extension of the fiber optic connector in
`FIG. 1 down the opening therein;
`FIG. 12 is a rear and bottom perspective view of the boot
`and the front extension of the fiber optic connector in FIG.
`1 down the opening therein;
`FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a portion of the bottom
`portion of the boot;
`FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of the boot and front
`extension being attached to the crimp body;
`FIG.15 is a side view of the boot and the front extension
`
`being pulled rearwardly to disengage the fiber optic con-
`nector from a receptacle;
`FIG. 16 is a second embodimentof a fiber optic connector
`with a crimp body, a boot, and a front extension according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 17 is a third embodimentof fiber optic connector
`with a crimp body, a boot, and a front extension according
`to the present invention; and
`FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of the connection between the
`boot and the crimp body in the fiber optic connecter of FIG.
`16.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`to the present
`Reference will now be made in detail
`preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of
`whichareillustrated in the accompanying drawings. When-
`ever possible, the same reference numerals will be used
`throughout the drawings to refer to the sameorlike parts.
`Applicant notes that the term “front”or “forward” means
`that direction where the fiber optic connector would meet
`with anotherfiber optic connector or device, while the term
`“rear” or “rearward” is used to mean the direction from
`which the optical fibers enter into the fiber-optic ferrule or
`fiber optic connector. Thus, “front” is that part of the fiber
`optic connector on the left side of FIG. 1 and “forward”is
`out andto the left. “Rear” or “back”is that part of the fiber
`optic connector that is on the right side of the page and
`“rearward” and “backward”is toward the right.
`One embodimentofa fiber optic connector 100 according
`to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-15. The fiber
`optic connector 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, may include
`a housing 102,
`fiber optic ferrules 104 (which may be
`included in a ferrule assembly as disclosed in PCT/2018/
`066523), a crimp body 106, a crimp ring and heat shrink
`
`45
`
`55
`
`The rail receiving portion 134 has a central portion 138
`and two lobe sections 140, one lobe on each side of the
`central portion 138. As a result, the rail receiving portion 134
`looks like part of a profile of a dog bone. This configuration
`matches that of the bottom surface of the front extension 110
`(latch componentor push-pull mechanism) to form a sliding
`dove-tail configuration. See FIG. 7. Other configurations are
`possible, such as, for example, a cap with undercuts (essen-
`tially an umbrella or a T-shape configuration).
`The fiber optic connector 100 also includes a crimp body
`106. The crimp body 106 has a front portion 150 that is
`designed to interact and connect with the housing 102 and a
`spring push (not shown) that is used in conjunction with the
`fiber optic ferrules 104 in the opening 126 thereof. The
`crimp body 106 has a central portion 152 thatfits against the
`rear end 124 of the housing 102. The central portion 152 has
`a first portion 154 that includesa rail receiving portion 158
`on both a top side 154 and a bottom side 156. The rail
`receiving portion 158 has a central portion 160 and two lobe
`sections 162, one lobe on eachside ofthe central portion 160
`that matches the samestructure 134 on the housing 102 to
`engage the front extension 110.
`The central portion 152 has a second, more rearward
`portion 170 that include two notches 172 on both the top side
`
`

`

`US 11,719,893 B2
`
`5
`154 and the bottom side 156. At a rearward end 174 of each
`of the four notches 172 (two on the top side 154 and two on
`the bottom side 156) are forward facing surfaces 176 to
`engage latches on the boot 112. The notches 172 and the
`forward facing surfaces 176 are involved in the connection
`of the boot 112 (and the front extension 110) to the crimp
`body 106 and the housing 102 as explained below.
`The crimp body 106 has a rear portion 180 that extends
`behind the central portion 152 and the housing 102 and
`provides an outer surface 182 to receive a crimp band (e.g.,
`crimp ring and heat shrink tube) therearound. Extending
`through the crimp body 106 is an opening 184 through
`which optical fibers/optical fiber cable can pass between the
`fiber optic ferrules 104 and the boot 112. Although the
`design will allow for the use of a crimp band to attach the
`aramid yarn from a fiber optic cable, the crimp band is
`optional and the fiber optic connector will work without a
`crimp band when the aramid yarn is not present. Further,
`when the crimp band is not used, the crimp body would
`require the outer surface 182.
`Turning now to the boot 112, the boot 112 includes the
`front extension 110, a center portion 200 that is disposed
`between the front extension 110 and a ribbed back portion
`202.
`It should be noted that the front extension 110 is
`
`preferably an integral part of the center portion 200, but it
`could be removably attached to the center portion 200 and
`still fall within the scope of the present invention.
`The center portion 200 has a front end 204 and a back end
`206 with a first longitudinal opening 208 extending through-
`out the center portion 200. The first longitudinal opening
`208 receives at
`least a portion of the crimp body 106,
`includingat leastthe rear portion 180 that extends behind the
`central portion 152 and the outer surface 182 with the crimp
`band. The first longitudinal opening 208 also receives the
`rearward portion 170 of the central portion 152 of the crimp
`body 106 as well as the notches 172 and the forward facing
`surfaces 176. See FIG.9.
`The center portion 200 also has sides 210 that help to
`definethe first longitudinal opening 208. The sides 210 may
`also have cut-outs 212 that receive a portion 214 of the
`crimp body 106. The cooperation between the cut-outs 212
`and the portion 214 of the crimp body 106 assist in align-
`mentandthe integrity of the combination of the crimp body
`106 andthe center portion 200. However, it should be noted
`that the sides 210 could be solid and cover the overlapping
`portion of the crimp body 106. See, e.g., FIG. 16.
`Within the first longitudinal opening 208 and extending
`from the sides 210 are two projections or latches 220 that
`extendinto thefirst longitudinal opening 208. Whenthe boot
`112 is attached to the crimp body 106, the projections or
`latches 220 are disposed within the two notches 172 on one
`of the top side 154 or bottom side 156, depending on the
`orientation of the boot 112. In the fully engagedposition, the
`projections or latches 220 are farthest from the forward
`facing surfaces 176 that at least partially define the two
`notches 172. See FIG. 9. At this position, the front end 204
`ofthe center portion 200 should be touchingthefirst portion
`154 of the central portion 152 of the crimp body 106. See
`FIGS. 1, 8, and 9. The center portion 200 also has a bridge
`portion 222 that connects the sides 210 with the projections
`or latches 220. This bridge portion 222 performs two func-
`tions. First, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 8, the bridge portion 222
`blocks the rail receiving portion 158 when the front exten-
`sion 110 is oriented on the other side of the fiber optic
`connector 100. See FIG. 8. This bridge portion 222 assists in
`preventing the rail receiving portion 158 from snagging
`optical fibers and optical fiber cables when the fiber optic
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`connector 100 is installed. Second, when a user pushes on
`the bridge portion 222 toward the first longitudinal opening
`208, the projections or latches 220 (and the sides 210) are
`pushed outward and clear of the notches 172 and the forward
`facing surfaces 176. This allows the boot 112 (and center
`portion 200) to be removed from the crimp body 106 and
`from the fiber optic connector 100 if so desired.
`It should be noted that while there are two projections or
`latches 220 and two notches 172 on each side, there may be
`more or fewer. For example, there may just be one latch and
`one corresponding notch. Alternatively, the latching of the
`boot 112 to the crimp body 106 may not be on an outside
`surface of the crimp body 106. Instead, such latching may
`occur on an inside surface of the crimp body 106, and may
`not be visible from the outside. For example, the notches 172
`and the forward facing surfaces 176 may be inside the
`rearward portion 170 such that from outside, the rearward
`portion 170 will have a smooth continuous surface merging
`with the portion 214 of the crimp body. In another example,
`latches 220 may be extending from the bridge portion 222
`into an internal groove inside or underneath the top surface
`of the rearward portion 170 (i.e., the portion between the
`forward facing surfaces 176). In this scenario, the latches
`220 would be facing upward or downward rather than
`sideways as shown in FIG. 11, for example.
`The ribbed back portion 202 extends between a front end
`230 and a back end 232 and is made ofa plurality of rib
`members 234. The ribbed back portion 202 is attached to the
`back end 206 of the center portion 200 and extends away
`from the front end 204. Thus, the ribbed back portion 202
`makesthe boot 112 longer. The ribbed back portion 202 also
`has a spine 236 that joins the plurality of rib members 234
`together. Along the spine 236 are a number of grasping
`portions 238 that provide surfaces for the user to grasp. The
`user can then use the ribbed back portion 202 to either push
`the fiber optic connector 100 into a receptacle or to pull on
`the ribbed back portion 202, and the grasping portions 238
`in particular, to pull the fiber optic connector 100 from a
`receptacle. The grasping portions 238 are illustrated as three
`annular members that are disposed along a length of the
`spine 236 and together with the plurality of rib members 234
`form a second longitudinal opening 240 through the ribbed
`back portion 202. The first longitudinal opening 208 and the
`second longitudinal opening 240 are in communication with
`one another and form a pathway for the optical fibers/fiber
`optic cable to be inserted from back end 232 to the opening
`126 in the housing so they can be fixed withinthefiber optic
`ferrules 102 in the fiber optic connector 100.
`The construction of the ribbed back portion 202 with the
`plurality of rib members 234 and the spine 236 provides
`sufficient strength to allow it to be used to install and remove
`the fiber optic connector while at the same time being
`flexible to provide strain relief to the optical fibers. The
`ribbed back portion 202is illustrated as being asymmetrical
`about the second longitudinal opening 240, but could be of
`any appropriate shape andstill fall within the scope of the
`present
`invention. Additionally,
`there could different rib
`structures and grasping portions such as thoseillustrated in
`FIGS. 16 and 17 that also fall within the scopeofthe present
`invention.
`The front extension 110 has a main body 250 anda latch
`body 118 that attaches to the main body 250. See FIGS. 6,
`7, and 14. The main body 250 has a front portion 254, a
`middle portion 256, and a rear portion 258. Generally, the
`front portion 254 is where the latch body 252 attachesto the
`main body 250 and provides for the latching of the fiber
`optic connector 100 to a first receptacle such as an adapter.
`
`

`

`US 11,719,893 B2
`
`7
`The middle portion 256 provides an area for the latching of
`the fiber optic connector 100 to a second receptacle such as
`a gangedcarrier. The rear portion 258 has an area for a return
`element associated with the latch body 252 and also con-
`nects the front extension 110 to the center portion 200 of the
`boot 112.
`The front portion 254 has two windows 260 and 262 and
`the middle portion 256 has a window 264. The window 262
`of the front portion 254 and window 264 are to receive a
`latch 114, 116 from the latch body 118 therethrough. The
`first window 260 is to receive a latch pad 266 on the latch
`body 118. There are two latch 266 pads on the latch body
`118 that cooperate with a groove 266a in the main body 250
`to secure the latch body to the main body 250. The latch pads
`slide within the grooves to allow for the latching and
`unlatching the fiber optic connector 100. A more detailed
`discussion of this feature is disclosed in PCT/2018/066523,
`which is incorporated by reference herein.
`The middle portion 256 has an upper surface 268 that is
`higher than an upper surface 270 of the front portion 254.
`This allows for the latching of a carrier and an adapter with
`the same device. On the bottom side 272 of the middle
`portion 256 are two extensions 274,276 that are a comple-
`mentary configuration of a rail receiving portion 134 of the
`housing 102. See FIG. 13. The latch body 118 also has the
`samerail portion configuration of two extensions 280,282
`on the bottom thereof. This allows the main body 250 and
`the latch body 118 to be slidingly attached to the rail
`receiving portion 134 of the housing 102 and the rail
`receiving portion 158 of the crimp body 106. Whenthe latch
`body 118 is inserted into the front portion 254, a front
`surface 284 of the two extensions 274,276 provides a
`pushing surface by which the main body 250 can push the
`latch body 118 in the rail receiving portion 134. See also
`FIGS. 11 and 14. The front surface 286 of the two extensions
`
`280,282 also provides a pushing surface to be used against
`the stop surface 136 of the housing 102. See FIGS. 11 and
`14. This allows for the user to exert a force on the boot 112
`
`whichis transferred through the main body 250 to the latch
`body 118 and to the housing 102 to insert the fiber optic
`connector 100 into a carrier and/or adapter.
`Turning to FIGS. 1, 7, and 14, the latch body 118 has two
`latches for receptacles such as an adapter latch 114 and a
`carrier latch 116. The latch body 118 mayonly have one of
`the latches, depending uponits uses and the needs of the user
`and the receptacles into which the fiber optic connector 100
`is going to be inserted. The adapter latch 290 extends from
`a forward portion of the latch body 118 and protrudes
`through window 262 of the main body 250. The carrier latch
`116 also extends from the latch body 118, from a rear portion
`thereof, and protrudes through the window 264 of the main
`body 250. As is recognized from FIG.4, the adapter latch
`114 does notrise as high as the carrier latch 116. The latch
`body 118 has a connector latch 294 as well. The connector
`latch 294 extends forward beyondthe front surface 286 of
`the two extensions 280,282 to engage the stop surface 136.
`The connector latch 294 has a downward curling portion 296
`that provides a surface to engage the stop surface 136 to
`prevent the latch body 118 from moving rearwardly relative
`to the housing 102 as the boot 112 is pulled to disengage the
`fiber optic connector 100 from a receptacle as will now be
`explained.
`Referring in particular to FIGS. 1, 6, 9, 14, and 15, the
`attachment, use, and the removal of the boot 112 on thefiber
`optic connector 100 will be explained. As is generally
`knownin the art, a fiber optic connector would need to have
`the optical fibers terminatedin the fiber optic ferrules before
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`a strain-relief boot can be attached to the fiber optic con-
`nector. In this case, the boot 112 with the center portion 200
`and the front extension 110 are put onto the optical fibers/
`fiber optic cable as illustrated in FIG. 6. The optical fibers/
`fiber optic cable pass through the first longitudinal opening
`208 andthe second longitudinal opening 240 of the boot 112
`and are secured in the fiber optic ferrules 104. The jacket or
`covering on the optical fibers/fiber optic cable is then
`secured to the crimp body 106 with a crimp ring and heat
`shrink tube 108 or in any other mannerthat is appropriate.
`As seen in FIG. 6, the boot 112 is disposed on the optical
`fibers/fiber optic cable andthe fiber optic connector has been
`assembled. As the boot 112 is moved to the fiber optic
`connector(to the left in FIG. 6), it is apparent that the front
`extension 110 will engage the rail receiving portion 158 of
`the crimp body 106 first and then the rail receiving portion
`134 of the housing 102. As the boot 112 is further pushed to
`the left in the figure, the rear portion 180 of the crimp body
`106 enters the first longitudinal opening 208 followed by the
`rearward portion 170 of the central portion 152 of the crimp
`body 106. As the connector latch 294 starts to engage the
`stop surface 136 of the housing 102, the notches 172 and the
`forward facing surfaces 176 of the central portion 152 of the
`crimp body 106 also enterthefi