Hardened Fiber Optic Adapter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic adapter for use with fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic adapter includes a housing having a first axial end portion defining a first adapter port and a second axial end portion defining a second adapter port. The fiber optic adapter further includes a first retaining mechanism that is operably associated with the first axial end portion for retaining a first fiber optic connector in the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter and a second retaining mechanism that is operably associated with the first axial end portion for retaining the first fiber optic connector in the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
   
   
       34 . A fiber optic connection system comprising:
 a fiber optic adapter having a first axial end portion defining a first adapter port and a second axial end portion defining a second adapter port;   a fiber optic connector having:
 a connector housing having an end defining a plug portion sized for insertion into the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter; 
 a ferrule assembly mounted at least partially within the connector housing, the ferrule assembly including a ferrule located at the plug portion of the connector housing; 
 a sealing member mounted about an exterior of the connector housing; 
   a first retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter, the first retaining mechanism including a coupling nut rotatably mounted on the connector housing, the coupling nut including exterior threads that engage internal threads defined within the first adapter port such that the coupling nut retains the fiber optic connector within the first adapter port; and   a second retaining mechanism for retaining the fiber optic connector within the first adapter port of the fiber optic adapter, the second retaining mechanism including a snap-fit structure including a first latch mechanism, the first latch mechanism including surfaces that engage one another to retain the fiber optic connector within the first adapter port, at least one of the surfaces being oriented at an angle in the range of 15-85 degrees relative to a central axis of the fiber optic connector.   
   
   
       35 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 34 , wherein the first latch mechanism includes a cantilever arm having a retention tab. 
   
   
       36 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 35 , wherein the cantilever arm with the retention tab is defined by the fiber optic connector. 
   
   
       37 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 34 , wherein the fiber optic adapter includes an outer housing defined by a first housing piece forming the first axial end of the fiber optic adapter and a second housing piece forming the second axial end of the fiber optic adapter, wherein the first housing piece and the second housing piece are interconnected by a second latch mechanism. 
   
   
       38 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 37 , wherein the first housing piece includes a first region and a second region. 
   
   
       39 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 38 , further comprising a shoulder which separates the first region and the second region of the first housing piece. 
   
   
       40 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 39 , wherein the second housing piece includes a first region and a second region separated by a shoulder. 
   
   
       41 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 40 , wherein the second region of the first housing piece includes a keying member and the first region of the second housing piece includes a keyway for providing proper rotational alignment between the first housing piece and the second housing piece. 
   
   
       42 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 41 , wherein the second region of the first housing piece includes external threads. 
   
   
       43 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 42 , further comprising a mounting nut in threaded engagement with the external threads of the second region of the first housing piece. 
   
   
       44 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 43 , wherein the first region of the second housing piece includes a pair of latches for securing an adapter assembly within the second housing piece. 
   
   
       45 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 34 , wherein the first adapter port defines an annular sealing surface having an inner diameter less than or equal to 15 mm. 
   
   
       46 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 34 , wherein the first adapter port defines an annular sealing surface having an inner diameter less than or equal to 12.5 mm. 
   
   
       47 . The fiber optic connection system of  claim 34 , wherein the first adapter port defines an annular sealing surface having an inner diameter less than or equal to 10 mm.