Gender selectable fiber optic connector

摘要

A gender selectable fiber optic connector is provided which can be readily converted between male and female configurations following assembly and polishing of the connector. The gender selectable fiber optic connector includes a housing (12), a ferrule (14) operably connected to the housing (12) such that a forward portion of the ferrule (14) extends beyond the housing (12), and a shroud (18) adapted to be moved upon the forward portion of the ferrule (14) such that the forward portion of the ferrule extends through a passageway (22) defined by the shroud. In order to alter the gender of the fiber optic connector, the shroud (18) has both male and female configurations. In this regard, the male configuration of the shroud includes at least one guide pin (24) extending lengthwise through the passageway (22) defined by the shroud for engaging a lengthwise extending alignment groove (14b) defined by the ferrule (14) in order to produce a male fiber optic connector. In contrast, the female configuration of the shroud is free of guide pins such that mounting the female configuration of the shroud upon the ferrule produces a female fiber optic connector. <IMAGE>