Shutter configuration for a fiber optic connector port with modular fiber carriers; and connection system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to connector ports with shutters configured to inhibit dust intrusion by including peripheral regions that oppose undercut portions of the connector port when the shutter is closed. The present disclosure also relates to fiber optic connectors having latching configurations with double latches for retaining the fiber optic connectors in connector ports. The present disclosure also relates to a fiber optic connector including a plurality of stacked fiber carrier modules. The present disclosure also relates to a fiber optic connector including a connector body and a rear connector piece that is secured to the connector body by a snap-fit connection. The rear connector piece can be configured for attachment to a fiber optic cable. The rear connector piece can be secured to the connector body by a snap-fit connection. The rear connector piece can have a snap-fit interface compatible with a number of different styles or types of connector bodies to promote manufacturing efficiency.

1 . A fiber optic adapter or a female fiber optic connector comprising:
 a port defining structure defining a connector port for receiving a male fiber optic connector, the connector port defining structure including a first side positioned opposite from a second side, the connector port defining structure also including third and fourth opposite sides than extend between the first and second sides, the second, third and fourth sides each including an ingress protection shoulder defining a ingress protection surface that faces in an inward direction, the inward direction corresponding to a direction the male fiber optic connector is moved when the male fiber optic connector is inserted in the connector port;   a shutter pivotally connected to the port defining structure, the shutter being pivotally moveable about a pivot axis relative to the port defining structure between an open position where the connector port is open and a closed position where the connector port is closed, the pivot axis being located at the first side of the port defining structure, the shutter including an inner side and an outer side, the inner side facing in the inward direction when the shutter is in the closed position and the outer side facing in an outward direction when the shutter is in the closed position, the outward direction corresponding to a direction the male fiber optic connector is moved when the male fiber optic connector is removed from the connector port, peripheral portions of the outer side of the shutter overlapping and opposing the ingress protection surfaces when the shutter is in the closed position; and   a spring for biasing the shutter toward the closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is pre-mounted on the shutter before the shutter is pivotally connected to the port defining structure. 
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 2 , wherein the shutter includes a main shutter body and integrated first and second pivot pins that project laterally in opposite directions from the main shutter body, wherein the spring includes first and second coil portions respectively mounted over the first and second pivot pins, the spring also including a loop portion positioned at the inner side of the shutter, loop portion extending across the main shutter body from the first coil portion to the second coil portion, the spring including spring tabs that project from the first and second coil portions, the spring tabs engaging spring loading shoulders of the port defining structure to load the spring when the shutter is connected to the port defining structure such that the spring biases the shutter toward the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second pivot pins respectively fit within first and second openings defined at the third and fourth sides of the port defining structure. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a fiber alignment structure positioned within the port defining structure for aligning non-ferrulized optical fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 1 , wherein the port defining structure includes a main housing body including side walls corresponding to the second, third and fourth sides of the port defining structure, wherein the main housing body defines a side opening corresponding to the first side of the port defining structure, and wherein the port-defining structure includes a cover piece that attaches to the main housing body to enclosed the side opening of the main housing body and to define the first side of the port defining structure. 
     
     
         7 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 1 , further comprising the male fiber optic connector, wherein the male fiber optic connector includes a connector body having opposite lateral sides, wherein the male fiber optic connector also includes first and second latches unitarily formed with the connector body, and wherein the first and second latches engage with the ingress protection surfaces at the third and fourth sides of the port defining structure when the male fiber optic connector is inserted in the connector port such that an interlock if provided between the first and second latches and the ingress protection surfaces which retains the male fiber optic connector in the connector port. 
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 7 , wherein the male fiber optic connector is a ferrule-less fiber optic connector having and optical fiber with an end portion that is not secured within a ferrule. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 8 , wherein the male fiber optic connector includes a nose piece that moves from an extended portion to a retracted position when the male fiber optic connector is inserted into the connector port, wherein the end portion of the optical fiber is protected within the nose piece when the nose piece is in the extend position , and wherein the end portion of the optical fiber projects from the nose piece when the nose piece is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic adapter or female fiber optic connector of  claim 9 , wherein the male fiber optic connector is a multi-fiber connector including a plurality of optical fibers having fiber end portions, wherein the end portions of the optical fibers are protected within the nose piece when the nose piece is in the extended position, and wherein the end portion of the optical fiber projects from the nose piece when the nose piece is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . A connector port structure comprising:
 a port defining structure defining a connector port; and   a shutter for opening and closing the connector port, the shutter being spring biased to a closed position be a spring that is pre-mounted on the shutter before the shutter is installed at the port defining structure.   
     
     
         12 . The connector port structure of  claim 11 , wherein the spring includes coil portions mounted on pivot posts of the shutter. 
     
     
         13 . The connector port structure of  claim 12 , wherein the spring includes a loop portion that extends between the coil portions and is positioned at an inner side of the shutter. 
     
     
         14 . A fiber optic connector comprising:
 a connector body; and   first and second latches for securing the connector body within a connector port, the latches having a cantilevered configuration with base ends unitarily formed with the connector body.   
     
     
         15 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 14 , wherein the fiber optic connector is a multi-fiber ferrule-less connector. 
     
     
         16 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 15 , wherein the fiber optic connector is a male fiber optic connector having non-ferrulized fiber end portions. 
     
     
         17 .- 45 . (canceled)