Connector for tight-jacketed optical fiber cable

Abstract

A field-installable optical connector for terminating an optical cable, said connector comprising: (a) a housing having a front and back orientation; (b) a rear body attached to the back of said connector housing; (c) a ferrule assembly disposed in said connector housing, said ferrule assembly comprising at least a ferrule adapted for receiving a fiber of said cable, and a clamping mechanism to the rear of said ferrule, said clamping mechanism comprising at least a platform defining a fiber-receiving channel for receiving said fiber, a first member adjacent to the fiber-receiving channel and having at least one cam surface, and a second member having a second cam surface, said first and second cam surfaces cooperating such that relative movement between said first and second members causes said first member to move toward said fiber-receiving channel; (d) an actuator operatively connected to said second member to cause said second member to move relative said first member upon axial movement of said actuator, said actuator having an exposed portion extending rearward from said rear body, said exposed portion adapted to be inserted within a jacket of said cable to secure said jacket to said exposed portion, wherein said actuator and said ferrule assembly move as one unit once said clamping mechanism is actuated by said actuator to secure said fiber therein; and (e) a resilient member disposed between said ferrule and said rear body to urge said ferrule assembly forward.