Fiber optic connectors, cable assemblies and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the optical connector comprises a housing and a ferrule. The housing comprises a longitudinal passageway between a rear end and a front end, and, a part of the rear portion of the housing comprises a round cross-section and a part of the front portion of the housing comprises a non-round cross-section with a transition region disposed between the rear portion and the front portion.

A micro connector kit includes first and second ferrules and first and second micro connector ferrule housings. Each first and second micro connector ferrule housing defines a cavity sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the first and second ferrules with the first and second ferrules being disposed in closely spaced relation with the respective first or second micro connector ferrule housing when in each cavity. The first and second micro connector ferrule housings can be releasably coupled together such that the first and second ferrules form an optical connection when the first and second micro connector ferrule housings are coupled together. The first and second micro connector ferrule housings have first and second connection structure for releasably coupling the first and second micro connector housings together.

Optical fiber connectors configured to allow ease of change of the connector polarity by providing lockable outer housing. In an embodiment, an optical fiber connector comprises an inner housing, at least one key configured to move along the inner housing so as to change a polarity of said optical fiber connector, and an outer housing disposed around at least a portion of the inner housing and configured to slide in a longitudinal direction so as to expose at least a portion of said at least one key, wherein the outer housing includes a flexible portion configured to lock to the inner housing so as to retain the outer housing in a pulled back position relative to the inner housing.

An optical connector includes: a ferrule having a fiber hole into which an optical fiber is inserted and a guide hole into which a guide pin is inserted; a housing that accommodates the ferrule; and a biasing member disposed in the housing and applies to the ferrule a biasing force directed toward a side close to an opening portion of the housing in an axial direction of the guide hole, the biasing force having nonlinear characteristics.

An optical fiber connection system includes a first and a second optical fiber, each with end portions that are terminated by a first and a second fiber optic connector, respectively. A fiber optic adapter connects the first and the second fiber optic connectors. A fiber alignment apparatus includes V-blocks and gel blocks. Each of the fiber optic connectors includes a connector housing and a sheath. The end portions of the optical fibers are positioned beyond distal ends of the respective connector housings. The sheath is slidably connected to the connector housing and slides between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the respective optical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration and exposes the end portion when at the retracted configuration. The end portions of the optical fibers are cleaned when slid between the V-blocks and the gel blocks.

Fiber optic connectors and connectorized fiber optic cables include connector housings having locking portions defined on the connector housing that allow the connector housing to be selectively coupled to a corresponding push-button securing member of a multiport assembly. Methods for selectively connecting a fiber optic connector to, and disconnecting the fiber optic connector from the multiport assemblies allow for connector housings to be forcibly and nondestructively removed from the multiport assembly.

An optical fiber connection system includes a first and a second optical fiber, each with end portions that are terminated by a first and a second fiber optic connector, respectively. A fiber optic adapter connects the first and the second fiber optic connectors. A fiber alignment apparatus includes V-blocks and gel blocks. Each of the fiber optic connectors includes a connector housing and a sheath. The end portions of the optical fibers are positioned beyond distal ends of the respective connector housings. The sheath is slidably connected to the connector housing and slides between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration. The sheath covers the end portion of the respective optical fiber when the sheath is at the extended configuration and exposes the end portion when at the retracted configuration. The end portions of the optical fibers are cleaned when slid between the V-blocks and the gel blocks.

Multiports having connection ports with securing features that cooperate with flexures and methods for making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a multiport comprises a shell, at least one connection port, at least one flexure and at least one securing feature. The at least one connection port comprises an optical connector opening and a connection port passageway, and the at least one flexure is associated with the at least one connection port. The at least one securing feature is associated with the at least one connection port, where the at least one securing feature cooperates with the at least one flexure.

Male plug fiber optic connectors having configured for mating with a dissimilar connector are disclosed along with cable assemblies using the same. The fiber optic connector comprises a ferrule, a connector housing, and a nose-piece having a pocket disposed at a front portion. The pocket of the nose-piece is configured for allowing optical mating with a dissimilar connector. In one embodiment, the pocket on the nosepiece of the connector is disposed on a forward portion of the nosepiece. The fiber optic connectors disclosed advantageously allow for optical mating with dissimilar optical connectors with a quick and easy assembly for rugged applications or other optical communication networks.

An optical ferrule comprises first and second compound stop features respectively disposed at opposing sides of the optical ferrule. Each compound stop feature has upper and lower contact surfaces. The lower contact surface is offset below the mating surface of the optical ferrule along a thickness axis perpendicular to the mating surface. The upper contact surface is offset above the mating surface along the thickness axis. The lower contact surface is offset forward from the upper stop surface along a mating direction of the optical ferrule. A connecting surface connects the upper contact surface and the lower contact surface.