Assembly tool and optical fiber connector assembly method

1. An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical fiber connector comprising: a base having a connector mount disposed on a first end thereof, the connector mount configured to receive and secure the optical fiber connector to the base; a cradle that holds a shaped ferrule disposed near a second end of the base, wherein the shaped ferrule is resiliently held within the cradle; further comprising a cantilevered actuation lever pivotally mounted on the base adjacent to the connector mount to engage a fiber securing mechanism in the optical fiber connector; further comprising an inspection lens disposed on the cantilevered actuation lever to visualize a terminal end of an optical fiber extending from an end face of a connector ferrule.

2. The assembly tool of claim 1 , wherein the shaped ferrule comprises an end face having a slot therein, to set a protrusion length of a terminal end of the optical fiber, wherein the protrusion length corresponds to a distance that the terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end of the connector ferrule.

3. The assembly tool of claim 2 , wherein the slot in the end face of the shaped ferrule has a depth that corresponds to the protrusion length that the optical fiber extends from the end of the connector ferrule.

4. The assembly tool of claim 1 , wherein the shaped ferrule comprises a stepped end face wherein the stepped end face has a characteristic height, wherein the characteristic height corresponds to a protrusion length of a terminal end of the optical fiber that extends from an end face of a connector ferrule after termination of the optical fiber connector.

5. The assembly tool of claim 1 , wherein the optical fiber connector is a remote grip optical fiber connector.

6. The assembly tool of claim 1 , further comprising a gripping portion disposed on an exterior surface of the base to enable the assembly tool to be held between a thumb and forefinger during use.

7. An assembly tool for installing an optical fiber in an optical fiber connector comprising:

a base having a connector mount disposed thereon a first end thereof, the connector mount configured to receive and secure the optical fiber connector to the base;

a cradle that holds a shaped ferrule disposed adjacent second end of the base, wherein the cradle is resiliently connected to the assembly tool; and

a cantilevered actuation lever rotatably connected to the base, wherein the cantilevered actuation lever includes an inspection lens to visualize a terminal end of an optical fiber extending from an end face of a connector ferrule wherein the cantilevered actuation lever is pivotally mounted on the housing adjacent to the connector mount to engage a fiber securing mechanism in the optical fiber connector.

8. The assembly tool of claim 7 wherein the cantilevered actuation lever temporarily holds the inspection lens at a distance wherein the terminal end of the optical fiber extending from the end face of the connector ferrule is at a focal length of the inspection lens.

9. The assembly tool of claim 7 wherein the shaped ferrule comprises an end face having a slot therein, to set a protrusion length of a terminal end of the optical fiber, wherein the protrusion length corresponds to a distance that the terminal end of the optical fiber extends from an end of the connector ferrule.

10. The assembly tool of claim 9 , wherein the slot in the end face of the shaped ferrule has a depth that corresponds to the protrusion length that the optical fiber extends from the end of the connector ferrule.

11. The assembly tool of claim 7 , wherein the shaped ferrule comprises a stepped end face wherein the stepped end face has a characteristic height, wherein the characteristic height corresponds to a protrusion length of a terminal end of the optical fiber that extends from an end face of a connector ferrule after termination of the optical fiber connector.