Importance

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Abstract

A fiber optic female connector including a female sleeve and a squared retaining spring connected thereto. The female sleeve defines a channel therethrough, parallel first and second side slots communicating with the channel, and a third slot perpendicular to the side slots and also opening into the channel. Bridge members at the channel define the ends of the third slot, and an encapsulating cover of the female sleeve defines the top portion thereof. First and second parallel legs of the spring are disposed, respectively, in the first and second side slots, and the transverse strand of the spring which connects the first and second legs is positioned in the third slot. When the rabbit ear ends of the spring are compressed, the first and second legs move from a position at least partially within the channel to a position further away from the centerline of the channel and the transverse strand by pressing against the bridge members flexes inwardly towards the channel. When the rabbit ears ends are released the first and second legs can engage into the sides of a circumferential groove of a male member inserted in the channel to lock the male member in the channel. Then by later compressing the ends of the rabbit ears the legs move out of the groove and the male member is unlocked and can be removed from the channel.

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First Claim