阅读说明：本技术 具唯一移除钥匙的固定于适配器端口内的可锁定mpo连接器 (Lockable MPO connector with unique removal key for securing within an adapter port ) 是由 王焰 高野一义 于 2020-09-24 设计创作，主要内容包括：可锁定的连接器和适配器组件,其具有后部主体,所述后部主体具有护罩以防止从适配器端口解锁连接器,除非使用配置成用于该连接器的钥匙将该连接器解锁。可锁定连接器是具有可滑动的外壳的MPO连接器,该外壳配置为接收特定配置的钥匙闩锁臂,以便从适配器端口解锁MPO连接器。钥匙闩锁臂或单独的钥匙形成了从适配器端口解锁MPO连接器的组合。(A lockable connector and adapter assembly having a rear body with a shroud to prevent unlocking of the connector from the adapter port unless a key configured for the connector is used to unlock the connector. The lockable connector is an MPO connector having a slidable housing configured to receive a specially configured key latch arm to unlock the MPO connector from the adapter port. The key latch arm or a separate key forms a combination to unlock the MPO connector from the adapter port.)

1. A lockable MPO connector comprising:

an inner housing having an interior cavity sized and shaped for receiving an MPO ferrule, an open front, and configured to receive a latch for connecting an MPO connector to an adapter, to enable access to the MPO ferrule through the open front for optical connection,

a slidable outer housing at least partially received around the inner housing for sliding relative to the inner housing;

a key channel;

a rear body including a shroud, a rear post, the rear body configured for connection with an optical fiber and at least partially defining the keyway, the shroud defining a space in which at least a portion of the slidable housing is received, the shroud configured such that when the lockable MPO connector is connected to the adapter, the shroud and the adapter cooperate to block access to the housing, whereby the lockable MPO connector cannot be disconnected from the adapter unless accessed through the keyway.

2. The lockable MPO connector of claim 1, wherein the key channel extends through the rear body and to the housing.

3. The lockable MPO connector of claim 2, wherein the key channel has an internal shape selected to receive a key of a particular shape.

4. The lockable MPO connector of claim 3, wherein the key channel is partially defined by the housing.

5. The lockable MPO connector of claim 3, wherein there are two key channels.

6. The lockable MPO connector of claim 3 in combination with the key, the key comprising at least one elongated key arm sized and shaped for receipt in the key channel for disconnecting the latch of the adapter from the inner housing.

7. The lockable MPO connector of claim 6, wherein the outer shell comprises a keyway for attachment to the key arm, whereby the outer shell is slidable to allow release of the latch of the adapter from the inner shell.

8. The lockable MPO connector of claim 1, wherein the shroud has a cup shape.

9. The lockable MPO connector of claim 1, wherein the outer housing further comprises a biasing member in the form of a leaf spring configured and arranged to engage the inner housing to bias the outer housing to slide toward the open front of the inner housing to a position for blocking release of latches of the adapters from the inner housing.

10. The lockable MPO connector of claim 8, wherein the leaf spring is integrally formed with the housing.

11. A tool for removing a lockable MPO connector from an adapter, the tool comprising:

a body sized and shaped to be grasped by a finger for manipulating the tool;

a pair of actuator arms protruding from the body configured for releasing latches of adapters from MPO connectors and for attaching to the MPO connectors to allow the MPO connectors to be withdrawn from the adapters using the tool.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the actuator arms each have a hook portion formed at a distal end portion thereof for hooking onto a slidable housing of the MPO connector to slide the housing out of a blocking position relative to a latch of the adapter.

13. The tool of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of alignment pins engageable with a rear body of the MPO connector.

14. A lockable MPO connector and adapter combination comprising:

a lockable MPO connector configured to accept a key,

a first key configured to release the lockable MPO connector from a port; and

wherein a second key is unable to release the lockable MPO connector from the port.

15. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 14, wherein the key comprises two opposing key latch arms configured to be received within a key channel of the lockable MPO connector.

16. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 15, wherein the first key latch arm further comprises an upwardly formed cut and the second key latch arm comprises an upwardly formed cut, thereby creating the first key combination for unlocking a lockable MPO connector configured in the first key combination.

17. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 15, wherein the first key latch arm further comprises a downwardly formed cut and the second key latch arm comprises an upwardly formed cut, thereby creating a second key combination for unlocking a lockable MPO connector configured with the second key combination.

18. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 15, wherein the first key latch arm further comprises an upwardly formed cut and the second key latch arm comprises a downwardly formed cut, thereby creating a third key combination for unlocking a lockable MPO connector configured with the third key combination.

19. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 15, wherein the first key latch arm further comprises a downwardly formed cut and the second key latch arm comprises a downwardly formed cut, thereby creating a fourth key combination for unlocking a lockable MPO connector configured in the fourth key combination.

20. The lockable MPO connector and adapter combination of claim 16, wherein a chamfer is formed at a proximal end of each key latch arm.

Technical Field

The described technology relates generally to lockable connection assemblies configured to provide secure connections between cable segments, devices and/or equipment, and more particularly to mating connectors and adapters configured to engage in a locking arrangement that can prevent accidental removal of the connector from the adapter.

Background

The efficiency and reliability of a telecommunications network depends on various factors, such as the quality of the connections between cable segments, network devices, equipment, and other cable segments. Telecommunications equipment is increasingly used in harsh environments including factories, motor vehicles, industrial equipment, military equipment, and cellular antenna towers. In such environments, conventional connection assemblies often become inadvertently disconnected due to vibration, shock, temperature changes, and exposure to other harsh conditions. In addition, the connections between the components may be negatively affected by the ingress of dust, dirt, moisture and/or other contaminants. Fiber optic network segments are particularly susceptible because fiber optic connections require extremely precise termination and alignment between the connected components and the cable segments. Accordingly, telecommunication network providers would benefit from a connection assembly that is capable of maintaining a secure connection in harsh environments and preventing the ingress of undesirable contaminants.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices, and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure should be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used herein, the term "including" means "including but not limited to".

In a first embodiment, lockable MPO connectors or multi-fiber push-on fiber optic connectors are locked and unlocked from adapters using a tool configured to provide one or more locking configurations. The lockable MPO connector includes an inner housing having an internal cavity that holds a mechanical pass-through ferrule. The inner shell is surrounded by an outer shell, wherein the outer shell is slidable through opposing side slots or openings. The rear housing or body includes a shroud or shroud that covers the slidable housing over the side slots and the rear body defines a keyway at which the keyway receives a tool for unlocking the MPO connector from a standard adapter configured to receive the inner and outer housings of the MPO connector with a mechanically transmissive ferrule. The rear body shroud prevents access to unlock a conventional or prior art MPO connector, as shown in fig. 2, from a prior art MPO adapter, as shown in fig. 1. One prior art MPO Connector entitled "Optical Fiber Connector with Changeable genter" owned by the assignee of the present application, issued to Chang et al at 2017, 20/6 is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9684139B2. One prior art MPO adapter, entitled "Reduced-Profile Data Transmission elements Adapters, And an Connection Assemblies therof," owned by the assignee of the present application, issued 24.24.10.2017 to Takano et al, is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9798090B2. U.S. patent nos. 9684139B2 and 9798090B2 are incorporated by reference into this application.

A key passage of the lockable MPO connector extends through the rear body to allow an unlocking tool to access the slidable housing and the MPO adapter latch to unlock the MPO connector from the adapter to thereby disconnect the MPO connector with the rear body from the MPO adapter. Each rear body is configured to receive a unique or different key or tool of a particular shape. The internal shape of the keyway matches the external configuration of the tool or key. The tool is marked with an indicator so that a user can mate the unlocking tool with an MPO connector configured to be unlocked using the tool. In some embodiments, two or more key channels may be disposed as part of the rear body, and the rear body may be configured to accept a structure, such as an outer post or protrusion, to align a tool or key prior to insertion of the key via the rear body in order to unlock the MPO connector from the MPO adapter. The protrusions may have different lengths or thicknesses, and may even be a combination of round and square shapes, to ensure that the key is correctly oriented and aligned before the tool or key is fully inserted to perform the unlocking step.

In another embodiment, the key arm extending from the proximal end of the key may be configured in different shapes, such as circular or square, and have cuts along the key arm. The number of key arms and the upward or downward orientation of the cuts determines the number of key combinations available on the key. Each key releases a correspondingly configured MPO connector from a standard MPO adapter, thereby providing a locking and labeling security feature for a group or collection of MPO connectors.

In another embodiment, tools are used to remove MPO connectors from standard MPO adapters. The MPO connectors disclosed in the present invention use standard or prior art MPO connectors having rear bodies that cover the MPO adapter latch arms. In the field, the MPO connector may be accidentally removed from the adapter or become loose during standard use due to the compact arrangement of the connectors (e.g., for use as the first connector), and the adjacent connector may partially come out without the user's knowledge. Lockable MPO connectors prevent removal of an MPO connector from its corresponding adapter. To remove the MPO connector for routine maintenance (e.g., cleaning), the tool or key is sized and shaped so that a user can grasp the tool, properly insert it at the distal end of the rear body, and displace the adapter latch arms from the recesses in the inner housing of the MPO connector, so that the MPO connector can be removed from the MPO adapter. For cleaning the ferrule end faces of MPO connectors, a cleaning tool disclosed in U.S. publication No.2018/0267252a1 entitled "Gel Stick Cleaner With Reusable Handle And Disposable card" assigned to the owner of the present application And published on 2018, 9/20 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

A pair of opposed latch arms are formed at the proximal end of the key body that are inserted through openings in the rear body if the correct key arm or arms are oriented and inserted into the keyway(s) of the rear body. The key latch arm is a key arm rather than a separate set of latch arm and key arm. The opposing key-latch arms have outwardly facing hook portions with corresponding chamfers on each side of the hook portions. The key latch arm is referred to as an actuator arm. The chamfer prevents the key latch arm from getting caught or trapped during insertion of the key into the rear body and helps guide the opposing hook portions into the side slots of the slidable housing. A key latch arm projects from the key body and is configured for releasing the adapter latch from the MPO connector, and the key latch arm is attached to a slot formed as part of the MPO housing for withdrawing an MPO connector assembly (100) (see fig. 11) from the MPO adapter. Once the opposing hook portions are secured within the side slots, the key is pulled rearward. Pulling back on the key of the slidable housing causes the opposing latch members of the adapters to move out of their respective recessed locking positions with the adapter latch arms, thereby separating or removing the MPO connector from the MPO adapter port. As shown in fig. 10B, the biasing member on the outer surface of the slidable outer shell is compressed when the adapter latch is displaced from the opposing inner shell recess. Alternatively, a pair of opposing Biasing springs may be used as shown in FIG. 4, however without the advantages of the Biasing springs disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.10295759B2 entitled "Optical Connector With Forward-Biasing projects," assigned to the owner of the present application and issued to Wong et al at 21.5.2019, which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

Drawings

The above and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the assembled invention secured within a standard MPO adapter;

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a prior art MPO connector;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the MPO connector disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an MPO connector having a slidable housing;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the MPO connector disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a prior art rear body deployed in a prior art MPO connector;

FIG. 7A illustrates a front or proximal perspective view of the posterior body disclosed in embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7B illustrates a rear or distal perspective view of the disclosed posterior body in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the MPO connector of FIG. 5 assembled with the rear body of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows an assembled perspective view of the MPO connector of FIG. 5 assembled with the rear body of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10A shows the MPO connector of FIG. 9 being assembled prior to insertion into a prior art MPO adapter;

FIG. 10B shows a cross-sectional top view of the MPO connector of FIG. 9 partially inserted into a prior art MPO adapter;

FIG. 10C shows a cross-sectional top view of the MPO connector of FIG. 9 with the MPO adapter latch hook portions reaching the slots;

FIG. 10D shows a top view of the MPO connector of FIG. 9 fully inserted into a prior art MPO adapter;

FIG. 10E shows an assembled view of the MPO connector of FIG. 9 secured with prior art MPO adapters;

FIG. 11 shows a rear perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 10E;

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a key or removal tool according to a first embodiment of the key;

FIG. 13A illustrates the key of FIG. 12 inserted into the rear body of the MPO assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13B shows a side cross-sectional view of the key portion of FIG. 12 inserted into the rear body of the MPO assembly of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13C shows a top cross-sectional view of an MPO assembly inserted through the rear body to unlock the MPO connector of FIG. 9 from a prior art MPO adapter;

FIG. 13D shows a top cross-sectional view of the tool latch mated with the slot;

FIG. 14A shows a tool fully inserted through the rear body of the MPO connector of FIG. 9, initiating unlocking or removal of the MPO connector from a port of a standard MPO adapter;

FIG. 14B shows the tool pulled back to unlock the MPO connector from the MPO adapter;

fig. 14C shows the MPO connector of fig. 9 removed from the MPO adapter;

FIG. 14D shows a cross-sectional view of an MPO connector and key;

FIG. 14E shows the key and MPO connector separated;

FIG. 15 shows a rear view of the second embodiment of the rear body;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a key;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a key;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a key; and

FIG. 19 depicts a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a key;

corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

Detailed Description

The described technology relates generally to lockable connection assemblies for providing secure connections between cable segments and/or devices within a network. The network may include any type of network capable of transmitting signals, power, or any other type of transmission medium. For example, the network may include, but is not limited to, a communication network, a telecommunications network, an electrical network, a data network, a computer network, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the network may comprise a communication network using various signal transmission media including, but not limited to, fiber optic networks, ethernet networks, cable and/or satellite television networks, and any other type of communication network now known or later developed in the network. In some embodiments, the lockable connection assembly may be configured to connect cable segments and/or devices in a fiber optic network using various standard connector types, including but not limited to LC, ST, SC, FC, DIN, D4, SMA, E2000, Biconic, FullAXS, OCD, and/or MPO. In some embodiments, the lockable connection assembly may be configured to meet various standards, such as british standard association (BSI), open equipment network provider association (ODVA), and the like. In some embodiments, the lockable connection assembly may be used with a copper-type network connection, such as an RJ-45 type connector.

According to some embodiments, lockable MPO connectors may be deployed in an array of MPO connectors having the same key lock. The rear body of each MPO connector has an indicator or letter for the user to identify the corresponding key or removal tool to unlock the MPO connector from a standard MPO adapter. The lockable element helps prevent movement of the MPO connector when installed with the MPO adapter and also helps prevent accidental removal of the MPO connector from the MPO adapter. The MPO connector arrays have cable assemblies of the same color. Thus, when a user passes a finger through the fiber group, moving the fiber interferes with the MPO ferrule end face of the connector, increasing insertion loss due to misalignment. A more damaging condition results when a user pulls on a first MPO connector whose cable assembly is entangled with an adjacent MPO connector, causing the second MPO connector to become disconnected from the MPO adapter port. Here, the lockable MPO connector and its key help prevent disengagement of the MPO connector and further provide some organization within the array by key type to guide the user through the key indicator on the rear body to unlock the correct MPO connector. During maintenance, the communication network is not disabled, which means that other MPO connectors are transmitting data. The above problems are solved by a lockable connector.

The described techniques provide a number of technical advantages. A non-limiting example of an advantage is that the connection between the connection parts can be maintained in harsh environments where the lockable connection assembly may be subjected to forces such as vibration, shock, temperature changes, moisture, wind, etc. Another non-limiting example of an advantage is that the lockable connection assembly can be configured to prevent unwanted contaminants from entering the interior of the lockable connection assembly that could interfere with the connection between the connector and the adapter. Another non-limiting example of an advantage is that the lockable connection assembly can be assembled using relatively low cost components and locked with minimal manual effort, thereby providing a cost-effective way of providing a highly secure connection within a network. The additional problems noted above are solved by lockable MPO connectors.

Fig. 1 shows a lockable MPO connector assembly (100) secured with prior art MPO adapters (10). The lockable MPO connector assembly includes a rear body (20) or housing (20) (see fig. 7 and 15) and a removal tool (50) or key (see fig. 12, 16-19). The key (50) comprises a key release portion (50p.1, 50p.2 (not shown)) which, when pressed inwards or towards the optical axis direction of the assembly (100), releases the key from the rear body (20) when the proximal hook portion (50h.1) is displaced from the opening in the rear body.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a prior art MPO connector (70) (see fig. 4) assembled in the direction of arrow (a). An MPO connector includes an inner housing (31) having an outer housing (32) slidable around the inner housing. The mechanical pass-through ferrule (33) is secured within a cavity (31a) formed within the inner housing, and a spring (35) biases the pin retainer (34) to ensure that the pins (34p.1, 34p.2) (see figure 9) protrude from the proximal end of the inner housing. A rear body (36) is secured within the inner housing and holds the ferrule, pin retainer and spring assembly together. A crimp post (36c) (see fig. 6) extends from the distal end of the rear body to receive a crimp ring (37) for securing a cable sleeve (38). The fiber optic cable with the incoming ribbon cable is spliced to the pigtail assembly of the mechanical ferrule. The optical cable is not shown. The optical axis of the MPO connector is along the assembly direction indicated by arrow (a). Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the MPO connector (80) of the present invention, the MPO connector (80) being disposed with the rear body (40) (see fig. 7), and further including a slidable housing (32) having side grooves (40s.1, 40s.2) (see fig. 5).

Fig. 4 depicts a prior art MPO connector (70) without side grooves or biasing members (32 a). The biasing member (32a) is formed as a leaf spring. The connector (70) uses opposing biasing springs (35a, 35 b) (not shown) to return the slidable outer housing (32) closer to the proximal end of the inner housing (31). When the MPO connector (80) is fully inserted into a port of an MPO adapter, the housing (32) covers the adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10l.2) (see fig. 10A). The adapter latch arms are received in opposing grooves (31r.1, 31r.2) (not shown in fig. 5). Fig. 5 shows an MPO connector (80) according to the present invention having opposing side slots (40s.1, 40s.2 (not shown)) formed as part of a slidable housing (32). The MPO connector (80) is provided with a biasing member (32a), as described in Wong. As described below, the side slots allow access for a removal tool or key tool to lock with the slidable housing to remove the connector (80) from the MPO adapter port (see fig. 13).

Fig. 6 depicts a prior art rear main body (36) comprising a main body (36b) having a longitudinal bore along the optical axis to receive a ribbon cable, and a pair of opposing latches (36l.1, 36l.2) that secure the rear main body (36) to the distal end of the inner housing (31) of an MPO connector (70). The crimp posts (36c) secure the cable protective sleeve (38) by means of crimp rings (37) or a threaded cable protective sleeve (not shown). As is known in the art, crimp posts (36c) may secure a cable jacket or strength member between the crimp ring and the crimp posts to increase the tensile strength of the cable assembly.

Fig. 7A depicts a close-up or front view of the rear body (40). The rear body (40) includes a flange (40f), and a shroud (40s) formed in a cup shape extending away from the flange. Other shroud shapes may be two wings without departing from the scope of the invention. A window (40w.1-40w.4) is positioned around the rear body housing to provide a user with visualization of how far the slidable housing has been moved distally by a key or removal tool, and indirectly how much the biasing element (32a) has been compressed. Once fully compressed (see fig. 10B), the MPO connector (80) will be released from the port of the MPO adapter. This allows the user to measure the remaining pull strength without pulling the key excessively or removing the tool. These connectors are small and made of plastic parts to set the pulling force to 10N or less. Fig. 7B depicts a distal end view of a rear body (40) including a crimp barrel (36c), the crimp barrel (36c) being defined by opposing key-latch arm openings (40lo.1, 40lo.2) and also being defined by retention channels (40kp.1, 40 kp.2). The number of key channels depends on the key to unlock the MPO connector (80) from the MPO adapter port. The rear body may have two key channels (40kp.1, 40kp.2), and the key (50) includes a first key arm (50k.1) (see fig. 12) that is different from a second key arm (50k.2) to unlock the MPO connector (80) from the port of the MPO adapter. The first key arm may be identical to the second key arm without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows an assembled MPO connector (80) having a rear body (40) at the distal end of the slidable housing (32), with a cross-sectional view showing the slot (40s.1) on a first side of the housing (32), and a second opposing slot (40s.2) not shown. Shrouds (40s) of the rear body (40) protect the slots (40s.1, 40s.2) from moving the slidable housing (32) rearward to release adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10l.2) that release the MPO connectors (80) from the MPO adapter ports. Fig. 9 depicts an MPO connector (80) assembly (100) in which a shroud (40s) surrounding the rear body (40) of the slidable outer housing (32) is biased forwardly around the inner housing (31) under the influence of a biasing member (32 a). Pin retainer pins (34p.1, 34p.2) are proximal ends of the MPO connector assembly.

Fig. 10A to 10E illustrate the operation of securing the MPO connector (80) to a rear body (40) referred to as an MPO connector assembly (100) (see fig. 9) immediately prior to insertion (I) into the MPO adapter port defined by the latch arms (10l.1, 10 l.2). Fig. 10B shows partial insertion of the connector assembly (100). When the connector is inserted, the biasing member is compressed (C) as the adapter latch hook portion flexes outward and pushes the slidable housing (32) distally or rearwardly until the biasing member (32a) is fully compressed. Fig. 10C depicts the opposing adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10l.2) reaching the opposing housing slots (32s.1, 32s.2) (see fig. 5) and the slidable housing (32) is no longer compressed, so the biasing member (32a) returns the housing (32) forward or proximally of its initial position, covering the inner housing (31) and opposing adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10l.2), and the MPO connector (80) mates with the MPO adapter port, as shown in fig. 10D, with the biasing member (32) relaxed and the outer housing (32) fully forward around the inner housing (31). Fig. 10E shows the MPO connector assembly (100) fully inserted into the MPO adapter port (110) with the shroud (40s) covering any access to the slots (40s.1, 40s.2) for removal of the MPO connector (80) from the adapter port with the key (50).

Fig. 11 depicts a distal or rear view of the connector/adapter assembly (110). Fig. 11 depicts two key channels (40kp.1, 40kp.2) formed as part of the rear body (40), diagonally opposite each other, but could also be side by side or one above the other without departing from the scope of the invention. There is a key indicator (40i) on the outer surface of the rear body. The rear body (40) also includes keyed latch arm ports or openings (40o.1, 40 o.2). Fig. 12 shows a first embodiment of a key (50) or removal tool with a key body (50 b). The key (50) has a user gripping portion (50g) and flexible arms (50l.1, 50l.2), the flexible arms (50l.1, 50l.2) being inserted through openings (40o.1, 40o.2) of the rear body to displace the adapter latch arms to release the MPO connector from the adapter. The flexible latch arms can be pushed inward along arrows (IN) IN the general vicinity of the pressure points (50p.1, 50p.2) to remove the key (50) from the MPO connector assembly (100), as shown IN fig. 14E. The key (50) also includes a key (50k.1, 50k.2), sometimes referred to as a specially shaped pattern key, that is configured to be received with a key channel (40kp.1, 40kp.2), which allows the latch arms (50l.1, 50l.2) to displace the adapter latch arms to release the MPO connector from the adapter port. Key (50) style keys are chamfered (50k.2(c)) to reduce binding and allow insertion in a bent condition. The keys are sized and shaped differently to increase the number of locking combinations, as discussed in fig. 16-19.

Fig. 13A-13C depict the use of a removal tool (50) along arrow (a) to access the distal end of the rear body (40) secured around the MPO connector (80), with the latch arm (50l) and key (50k) properly received within the rear body (40) to unlock the connector from the adapter. Fig. 13B shows latch arm 50l.1 adjacent slot 40s.1 and key (50k.1) received in key channel (40 kp.1). Fig. 13C depicts the key (50) or removal tool being moved in the direction of arrow (a), the key chamfer (50k.1(C)) guiding the key (50k.1) within the key channel (40kp.1), and the chamfers (52l.1(C), 52l.2(C)) engaging the wall of the housing, thereby compressing the latch arms (52l.1 ) inwardly (see fig. 16). The latch arms of the keys (50, 52, 54, 56 and 58) (fig. 12, 16, 17, 18, 19) each have a chamfer as shown in fig. 16, the chamfer of each key together with the wall of the housing performing the same function as described above. Fig. 13D depicts tool (50) fully inserted and latch arm (50l.1) expanded through slot (40 s.1).

Fig. 14A-14E depict removal of an MPO connector assembly (100) from an MPO connector/adapter assembly (110). Fig. 14A shows the key or tool (50) being pulled back in the direction of the arrow. As the slidable housing (32) is displaced rearwardly, the biasing member (32a) is compressed, exposing the adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10 l.2). FIG. 14B shows exposed adapter latch arms (10l.1, 10l.2) with key 50 pulled outward and key latch arm 50l.1 secured within slot 40 s.1. The key latch arm serves as an actuator arm for releasing the MPO adapter latch from the inner housing of the MPO connector, the actuator arm also being attached to a slot (40s.1, 40s.2) formed as part of the slidable outer housing (see fig. 8) to allow removal of the MPO connector assembly (100) from the MPO adapter port (see fig. 14C). Fig. 14C depicts the removal of the MPO connector (80) with the key (50) from the adapter (10) port defined by the opposing latch arms (10l.1, 10 l.2). The biasing member (32a) returns to its original position. Fig. 14D depicts the key (50) secured to the MPO connector (80). Latching arms (50l.1, 50l.2) are located within slots (40s.1, 40s.2), respectively. To remove the key (50), the user will press the key latch arms (50p.1, 50p.2), which will move the proximal ends of the latch arms out of their corresponding slots. Fig. 14E depicts the MPO connector assembly (100) separated from the key (50). The other keys (52, 54, 56, and 58) are removed from the MPO connector assembly (100) by operation of the same pressing points (50p.1, 50p.2) to move the latch arms inward as shown in fig. 12.

Fig. 15 shows a second embodiment of the rear body (40) with the shield (40 s). The rear body (40) has symmetrically aligned pin openings (40 e.1-40 e.2) configured to receive corresponding alignment pins (52 q.1-52 q.4) (see fig. 16) formed as part of a key (52), as well as keys (54, 56 and 58). The opposing openings (40o1, 40o.2) have internal cutouts (40c.1, 40c.2) that correspond to cutouts formed as part of the opposing key latch arms (52l.1(d), 52l.2(d)) (see fig. 16).

Fig. 16 shows a key E (52) having opposing latch arms (52l.1(d), 52l.2(d)) with downward cuts (d). The latch arm cutouts are used for key E combination locking. As discussed above, each latch arm has a chamfer (52l.1(c)) at the proximal end. Fig. 17 shows a key F (54) having opposing latch arms with upwardly facing cutouts (54l.1(u), 54l.2 (u)). The latch arm cut forms a key F combination lock. Fig. 18 shows a key G (56) having opposing latch arms with an upward first latch arm cutout (56l.1(u)) and a downward second latch arm cutout (56l.2 (d)). The latch arm cut-outs form a key G combination lock. Fig. 19 shows a key H (58) having opposing latch arms with an upward first latch arm cutout (58l.1(d)) and a downward second latch arm cutout (58l.2 (u)). The latch arm cut-outs form a key H combination lock.

Although fiber optic connectors have been used as illustrative embodiments, the specific embodiments are not limited thereto, as any type of electrical and/or communication connector may be used according to some embodiments. The connectors, adapters, and their lockable components may be used in combination with other connecting elements and/or materials (e.g., crimpers, bands, strips, ferrules, locking materials, fluids, gels, etc.).

It will be appreciated that various of the above-described and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. It will also be appreciated that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.