US 12,222,561 B2
Pre-connectorized multi-fiber drop cables and methods for deploying and assembling pre-connectorized multi-fiber drop cables
Kim Leeson, Ipswich (GB); and Shaun Trezise, Aldeburgh (GB)
Assigned to PPC BROADBAND FIBER LTD., Woodbridge (GB)
Filed by PPC BROADBAND FIBER LTD., Woodbridge (GB)
Filed on Oct. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/972,881.
Application 17/972,881 is a continuation of application No. 17/152,777, filed on Jan. 19, 2021, granted, now 11,513,298.
Application 17/152,777 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/412,170, filed on May 14, 2019, granted, now 10,921,532, issued on Feb. 16, 2021.
Application 16/412,170 is a continuation of application No. 15/696,108, filed on Sep. 5, 2017, granted, now 10,288,822, issued on May 14, 2019.
Application 15/696,108 is a continuation of application No. 15/047,133, filed on Feb. 18, 2016, granted, now 9,753,234, issued on Sep. 5, 2017.
Application 15/047,133 is a continuation of application No. 14/536,013, filed on Nov. 7, 2014, granted, now 9,285,559, issued on Mar. 15, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/962,663, filed on Jan. 17, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0040569 A1, Feb. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 6/54 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3898 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3821 (2013.01); G02B 6/3849 (2013.01); G02B 6/545 (2023.05); G02B 6/3879 (2013.01)] 34 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pre-connectorized multifiber connector for passing pre-connectorized fiber optic cable through micro-duct comprising:
a plurality of ferrules that are each configured to terminate one of a plurality of fiber optic cables;
a plurality of ferrule holders that are configured to hold one of the plurality of ferrules;
a ferrule cap configured to receive the plurality of ferrule holders;
wherein each of the plurality of ferrule holders includes a base portion and a stem portion that is configured to extend rearward from the base portion in a longitudinal direction;
wherein an outer periphery of the base portion in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction includes two flat portions spaced apart from one another about the outer periphery;
wherein first ends of the two flat portions that are nearest to one another along the outer periphery of the base portion are connected to one another by a first curved portion, two second curved portions extend from second ends of the two flat portions that are furthest from one another along the outer periphery of the base portion, and a third curved portion connects the two second curved portions;
wherein the ferrule cap includes channels configured to receive the plurality of ferrules with one of the two flat portions of a first one of the plurality of ferrule holders located adjacent to one of the two flat portions of a second one of the plurality of ferrule holders so as to minimize an outer periphery of the cap in the transverse direction so as to configure the connector device, and a plurality of fiber optic cables that are pre-connectorized with the plurality of ferrule holders, to be passed through a micro-duct that is configured to be installed in a duct having a diameter of at least 25 mm; and
wherein the micro-duct is configured to prevent a plurality of fiber optic cables that are pre-connectorized with a circular outer periphery portioned connector that includes a circular outer periphery portion that extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the circular outer periphery portioned connector from being passed through the micro-duct.