Fiber optic connection system

Abstract

A fiber optic adapter ( 736/836 ) includes a body configured to mate a first fiber optic connector ( 12 ) with a second fiber optic connector ( 50 ), the first and second fiber optic connectors ( 12,50 ) including latches ( 60 ) for mating with catches ( 771 ) of the adapter ( 736/836 ) for releasably engaging the first and second connectors ( 12,50 ) with the fiber optic adapter ( 736/836 ), wherein the latches ( 60 ) are configured to be unlatched from the catches ( 771 ) by direct contact with the latches ( 60 ). The adapter ( 736/836 ) includes a release mechanism ( 702/802 ) for allowing a user to release the latch ( 60 ) of at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors ( 12,50 ) from the adapter ( 736/836 ) without directly contacting the latch ( 60 ) of the at least one of the first and second fiber optic connectors ( 12,50 ).

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         9 . A method of unlatching a fiber optic connector from a fiber optic adapter without directly contacting a latch of the fiber optic connector that mates with a catch of the fiber optic adapter, the method comprising:
 contacting the latch of the fiber optic connector with a portion of a release mechanism located on the fiber optic adapter to separate the latch of the fiber optic connector from the catch of the fiber optic adapter.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the portion of the release mechanism located on the fiber optic adapter includes a slider that slides with respect to the rest of the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9 , wherein the fiber optic connector is one of a first fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector that optically mates via the fiber optic adapter, the portion of the release mechanism located on the fiber optic adapter is configured to unlatch either of the first fiber optic connector or the second fiber optic connector. 
     
     
         12 . A telecommunications system comprising:
 a fixture defining a pocket for receiving a fiber optic adapter, the pocket defining an adapter insertion first end and an opposite second end;   the fiber optic adapter inserted into the pocket from the first end, the fiber optic adapter including a catch;   a fiber optic connector inserted into the pocket from the second end, the fiber optic connector including a latch configured to mate with the catch for latching the connector with the adapter, wherein the latch is configured to be unlatched from the catch by direct contact with the latch; and   a release mechanism provided on the fiber optic adapter or on the fixture for allowing a user to release the latch of the connector from the catch of the adapter without directly contacting the latch of the connector, the release mechanism operable by the user from adjacent the adapter insertion first end of the pocket.   
     
     
         13 . A telecommunications system according to  claim 12 , wherein the release mechanism includes a pivotable structure positioned on the fixture. 
     
     
         14 . A telecommunications system according to  claim 13 , wherein the pivotable structure includes a lever arm mounted to the fixture with a hinge. 
     
     
         15 . A telecommunications system according to  claim 13 , wherein the pivotable structure includes a cantilever member formed integrally with the fixture. 
     
     
         16 . A telecommunications system according to  claim 12 , wherein the fixture defines a plurality of locations for fixedly holding a plurality of the fiber optic connectors for mating with a plurality of the adapters. 
     
     
         17 . A method of releasing a first fiber optic connector that has been inserted into a pocket defined by a fixture from a first end of the pocket from a fiber optic adapter that has been inserted into the pocket from a second end of the pocket, wherein the adapter is configured to mate the first fiber optic connector with a second fiber optic connector, the method comprising:
 unlatching a latch of the first fiber optic connector that connects the first fiber optic connector to the fiber optic adapter from adjacent the second end of the pocket.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the latch is released by a release mechanism that is located on the fixture, the release mechanism located on the fixture including a pivotable structure positioned on the fixture. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the pivotable structure includes a lever arm mounted to the fixture with a hinge. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the pivotable structure includes a cantilever member formed integrally with the fixture. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the latch is released by a release mechanism that is located on the fiber optic adapter. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the release mechanism located on the fiber optic adapter includes a slider that slides with respect to the rest of the fiber optic adapter.