US 12,092,876 B2
Field changeable fiber optic connector polarity keying
Darrell R. Childers, Hickory, NC (US); Craig M. Conrad, Hickory, NC (US); Jason Higley, Hickory, NC (US); and Jillcha F. Wakjira, Hickory, NC (US)
Assigned to US Conec Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed by US Conec Ltd., Hickory, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/479,080.
Application 18/479,080 is a continuation of application No. 18/158,242, filed on Jan. 23, 2023, granted, now 11,789,212.
Application 18/158,242 is a continuation of application No. 17/502,112, filed on Oct. 15, 2021, granted, now 11,561,349, issued on Jan. 24, 2023.
Application 17/502,112 is a continuation of application No. 16/927,784, filed on Jul. 13, 2020, granted, now 11,150,415, issued on Oct. 19, 2021.
Application 16/927,784 is a continuation of application No. 16/221,875, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, granted, now 10,712,507, issued on Jul. 14, 2020.
Application 16/221,875 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/164,382, filed on Oct. 18, 2018, granted, now 10,712,506, issued on Apr. 14, 2020.
Application 16/164,382 is a continuation of application No. 15/881,866, filed on Jan. 29, 2018, granted, now 10,107,969, issued on Oct. 23, 2018.
Application 15/881,866 is a continuation of application No. 15/383,881, filed on Dec. 19, 2016, granted, now 9,880,361, issued on Jan. 30, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/599,311, filed on Dec. 15, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/269,946, filed on Dec. 19, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0027691 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 6/3831 (2013.01) [G02B 6/3821 (2013.01); G02B 6/3885 (2013.01); G02B 6/3893 (2013.01); G02B 6/3895 (2013.01); G02B 6/3898 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fiber optic connector comprising:
a fiber optic ferrule configured to support at least two optical fibers;
an inner connector housing surrounding at least a portion of the fiber optic ferrule, wherein an end-face of the fiber optic ferrule is exposed at a front end of the inner connector housing, the inner connecting housing having a top portion and a bottom portion connected by two side portions, the top and the bottom portions each having an outer surface;
an outer connector housing surrounding at least a portion of the inner connector housing, the outer connector housing movable relative to the inner connector housing;
a first key to be disposed on the top portion of the inner connector housing, the first key movable between a first forward position and a second rearward position thereof relative to the inner connector housing or the outer connector housing,
wherein a movement of the first key is limited by a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface via a latch associated with the first key; and
a second key to be disposed on the bottom portion of the inner connector housing, the second key also movable between a first forward position and a second rearward position thereof relative to the inner connector housing or the outer connector housing,
wherein a movement of the second key limited by a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface via a latch associated with the second key,
wherein the first key in the first forward position is offset from the second key in the second rearward position, respectively, along a longitudinal direction,
wherein when the first key is in the first forward position, the second key is in the second rearward position, and vice-versa, and
wherein when the first key is in the first forward position, the fiber optic connector is in a first polarity configuration and when the first key is in the second rearward position, the fiber optic connector is in a second polarity configuration.