US 11,906,792 B2
Compact fiber optic connectors having multiple connector footprints, along with cable assemblies and methods of making the same
Joel Christopher Rosson, Hickory, NC (US)
Assigned to CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Corning, NY (US)
Filed by Corning Research & Development Corporation, Corning, NY (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/682,689.
Application 17/682,689 is a continuation of application No. 16/710,675, filed on Dec. 11, 2019, granted, now 11,262,509.
Application 16/710,675 is a continuation of application No. PCT/US2017/063938, filed on Nov. 30, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/526,195, filed on Jun. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/526,018, filed on Jun. 28, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/526,011, filed on Jun. 28, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0179156 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G02B 6/44 (2006.01); G02B 6/42 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3879 (2013.01) [G02B 6/387 (2013.01); G02B 6/3825 (2013.01); G02B 6/3826 (2013.01); G02B 6/3831 (2013.01); G02B 6/3851 (2013.01); G02B 6/3869 (2013.01); G02B 6/3873 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01); G02B 6/381 (2013.01); G02B 6/389 (2013.01); G02B 6/3821 (2013.01); G02B 6/3837 (2013.01); G02B 6/3841 (2013.01); G02B 6/3843 (2013.01); G02B 6/3849 (2013.01); G02B 6/3871 (2013.01); G02B 6/3887 (2013.01); G02B 6/3889 (2013.01); G02B 6/3893 (2013.01); G02B 6/3895 (2013.01); G02B 6/3897 (2013.01); G02B 6/4262 (2013.01); G02B 6/4401 (2013.01); G02B 6/4446 (2013.01); G02B 6/4471 (2013.01); G02B 6/4472 (2013.01); G02B 6/4477 (2013.01); G02B 6/4479 (2013.01)] 32 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber optic connector, comprising:
a housing comprising a rear end and a front end with a longitudinal passageway extending from the rear end to the front end, wherein 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 on the housing between the rear portion and the front portion, wherein the transition region comprises a threaded portion, and the housing provides a first connector footprint;
a ferrule comprising a fiber bore extending from a rear end to a front end; and
a conversion housing comprising a plurality of components and including a shroud having internal threads, wherein the internal threads of the shroud cooperate with the threaded portion of the housing for changing the fiber optic connector from the first connector footprint to a second connector footprint that is a hardened connector footprint.