Mechanical interface between a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector

Abstract

A fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable and a fiber optic connector. The connector has a main connector body, a ferrule, a spring for biasing the ferrule, and a spring push for retaining the spring within the main connector body. A crimp band is provided for securing the fiber optic cable to the fiber optic connector. The crimp band includes a first portion securing a cable strength member. The crimp band also includes a second portion crimped down on a jacket of the cable. The crimp band further includes an inner surface having gripping structures for gripping the strength member and/or the jacket.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A fiber optic connector extending along a longitudinal axis, the fiber optic connector comprising:
 a main connector body extending along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the main connector body carrying a ferrule accessible at the first end;   a spring push mounted to the main connector body, the spring push including a mounting portion, an enlarged portion, and a crimp supporting stub, the mounting portion extending into the main connector body at the second end of the main connector body, the enlarged portion being disposed external of the main connector body, the enlarged portion being disposed between the mounting portion and the crimp supporting stub, the enlarged portion having a cross-dimension that is larger than any cross-dimension of the mounting portion and larger than any cross-dimension of the crimp supporting stub, the spring push defining a through-passage extending along the longitudinal axis through the mounting portion, the enlarged portion, and the crimp supporting stub; and   a crimp band extending along the longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the crimp band including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being located at the first end of the crimp band, the first portion of the crimp band being sized to fit over the enlarged portion of the spring push, and the second portion of the crimp band being sized to fit over the crimp supporting stub.   
     
     
         3 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 2 , further comprising a cable having a fiber extending through the through-passage of the spring push to the ferrule of the main connector body, the cable having strength members clamped between the crimp supporting stub and the second portion of the crimp band. 
     
     
         4 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 2 , wherein the crimp band is flush with an exterior of the main connector body at the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 2 , further comprising a boot mounted over the second portion of the crimp band so that a first end of the boot is radially aligned with the crimp supporting stub. 
     
     
         6 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 2 , wherein the crimp band extends outwardly from the crimp supporting stub to form a third portion at the second end of the crimp band so that the second portion is located between the first and third portions, the third porting being offset from the crimp supporting stub. 
     
     
         7 . A fiber optic connector extending along a longitudinal axis, the fiber optic connector comprising:
 a main connector body extending along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the main connector body carrying a ferrule accessible at the first end;   a spring push mounted to the main connector body at the second end of the main connector body, the spring push extending along the longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the first end of the spring push being disposed within the main connector body, the second end being disposed external of the main connector body; and   a crimp band extending along the longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the first end of the crimp band being disposed external of the spring push and internal of the main connector body, and the second end of the crimp band being disposed external of the spring push and external of the main connector body.   
     
     
         8 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 7 , wherein a majority of a length of the spring push is disposed within the main connector body. 
     
     
         9 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 8 , wherein a majority of a length of the crimp band is disposed within the main connector body. 
     
     
         10 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 7 , wherein the crimp band includes a radially extending flange that is disposed external of the main connector body. 
     
     
         11 . The fiber optic connector of  claim 10 , further comprising a boot that mounts over the second end of the crimp band, the boot abutting the radially extending flange. 
     
     
         12 . A connectorized cable including a fiber optic connector terminating a first end of the cable, the fiber optic connector extending along a longitudinal axis, the fiber optic connector comprising:
 a main connector body extending along the longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, the main connector body carrying a ferrule accessible at the first end;   a spring push mounted to the main connector body at the second end of the main connector body, the spring push extending along the longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends, the first end of the spring push being disposed within the main connector body, the second end being disposed external of the main connector body to form a crimp supporting stub, the spring push defining a through-passage extending along the longitudinal axis;   the cable including a fiber extending through the through-passage of the spring push to the ferrule carried by the main connector body, the cable also including strength members that extend external to the crimp supporting stub;   a crimp band disposed over the crimp supporting stub to clamp the strength members of the cable to the crimp supporting stub;   the cable including a jacket that extends over the crimp band; and   a reinforcing member disposed about the jacket, the reinforcing member being substantially radially aligned with the crimp band.   
     
     
         13 . The connectorized cable of  claim 12 , wherein the crimp band is a first crimp band; and wherein the reinforcing member includes a second crimp band. 
     
     
         14 . The connectorized cable of  claim 13 , wherein the second crimp band has a common length with the first crimp band. 
     
     
         15 . The connectorized cable of  claim 13 , wherein neither of the first and second crimp bands extends past the second end of the spring push. 
     
     
         16 . The connectorized cable of  claim 13 , further comprising a boot that mounts over the second crimp band. 
     
     
         17 . The connectorized cable of  claim 16 , wherein the boot extends fully over both the fist and second crimp bands. 
     
     
         18 . The connectorized cable of  claim 12 , wherein the reinforcing member includes an internal reinforcing member of a boot. 
     
     
         19 . The connectorized cable of  claim 18 , wherein the internal reinforcing member is a metal sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The connectorized cable of  claim 18 , wherein the crimp band does not extend past the second end of the spring push. 
     
     
         21 . The connectorized cable of  claim 18 , wherein the boot extends fully over the crimp band.