Dust cap for a telecommunications connector

1. A dust cap ( 100 ) for covering a jack recess ( 206 ) in a telecommunications jack ( 200 ) comprising:

(a) a cover portion ( 110 ) rotatable from a closed position to an open position, the cover portion ( 110 ) being configured to cover the jack recess ( 206 ) in an closed position and to expose the jack recess ( 206 ) in an open position, the cover portion ( 110 ) including:

i. a securing feature ( 114 , 116 ) located on a rear face ( 110 b ) of the cover portion ( 110 ), the securing feature ( 114 , 116 ) being configured to engage with the jack recess ( 206 ) to retain the cover portion ( 110 ) in the closed position;

ii. a handle portion ( 112 ) located on a front face ( 110 a ) of the cover portion ( 110 ), the handle portion ( 112 ) being configured to allow a user to move the cover portion ( 110 ) between the open and closed positions with a single phalange;

(b) a hinge base ( 150 ) rotatably mounted to the cover portion ( 110 ), the hinge base ( 150 ) including:

i. an adhesive ( 156 ) located on a rear face ( 150 b ) of the hinge base, the adhesive ( 156 ) being configured to engage with a front face ( 204 ) of the telecommunications jack ( 200 ) to secure the dust cap ( 100 ) to the telecommunications jack ( 200 ); wherein the hinge base ( 150 ) further includes a release liner ( 158 ) removably attached to the adhesive ( 156 ).

2. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive ( 156 ) is a double-sided tape having a first side and a second side, the first side being adhered to the hinge base.

3. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) includes a male hinge portion ( 120 ) that is received by a female hinge portion ( 154 ) located on the hinge base ( 150 ).

4. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 3 , wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) is attached to the hinge base ( 150 ) with a snap-fit connection.

5. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) and the hinge base are rotatably connected by a living hinge ( 118 ′).

6. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the rear face ( 150 b ) of the hinge base ( 150 ) has a surface area that is less than the surface area of a front face ( 204 ) of the telecommunications jack ( 200 ) for which the dust cap ( 100 ) is configured.

7. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , further comprising a telecommunications jack ( 200 ), the dust cap ( 100 ) positioned for covering a jack recess ( 206 ), the cover portion ( 110 ) rotatable from a closed position, wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) covers the jack recess ( 206 ), to an open position, wherein the jack recess ( 206 ) is exposed, the dust cap ( 100 ) including an adhesive ( 156 ) located on a rear face ( 150 b ) of the hinge base ( 150 ) that is configured to engage with a front face ( 204 ) of the telecommunications jack ( 200 ) to secure the dust cap ( 100 ) to the telecommunications jack ( 200 ).

8. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 7 , wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) includes a securing feature ( 114 , 116 ) configured to engage with the jack recess ( 206 ) to retain the cover portion ( 110 ) in the closed position.

9. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 8 , wherein the front face ( 110 a ) of the cover portion ( 110 ) includes a handle ( 112 ).

10. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the release liner ( 158 ) has a tabbed portion ( 158 a ) that extends beyond the hinged base ( 150 ).

11. The dust cap ( 100 ) of claim 1 , wherein the hinge base ( 150 ) has recessed portions ( 152 c ) in the front face ( 152 a ) to increase clearance between the cover portion 110 and the hinged base ( 150 ).

12. A method of using a dust cap ( 100 ) for covering a jack recess ( 206 ) in a telecommunications jack ( 200 ) comprising:

(a) providing a cover portion ( 110 ) rotatable from a closed position to an open position, the cover portion ( 110 ) being configured to cover the jack recess ( 206 ) in an closed position and to expose the jack recess ( 206 ) in an open position, the cover portion ( 110 ) including:

i. a securing feature ( 114 , 116 ) located on a rear face ( 110 b ) of the cover portion ( 110 ), the securing feature ( 114 , 116 ) being configured to engage with the jack recess ( 206 ) to retain the cover portion ( 110 ) in the closed position;

ii. a handle portion ( 112 ) located on a front face ( 110 a ) of the cover portion ( 110 ), the handle portion ( 112 ) being configured to allow a user to move the cover portion ( 110 ) between the open and closed positions with a single phalange;

(b) providing a hinge base ( 150 ) rotatably mounted to the cover portion ( 110 ), the hinge base ( 150 ) including:

i. an adhesive ( 156 ) located on a rear face ( 150 b ) of the hinge base, the adhesive ( 156 ) being configured to engage with a front face ( 204 ) of the telecommunications jack ( 200 ) to secure the dust cap ( 100 ) to the telecommunications jack ( 200 ); wherein the hinge base ( 150 ) further includes a release liner ( 158 ) removably attached to the adhesive ( 156 );

(c) mounting the dust cap positioned for covering a jack recess ( 206 ), the cover portion ( 110 ) rotatable from a closed position, wherein the cover portion ( 110 ) covers the jack recess ( 206 ), to an open position, wherein the jack recess ( 206 ) is exposed, the dust cap ( 100 ) including an adhesive ( 156 ) located on a rear face ( 150 b ) of the hinge base ( 150 ) that engages with a front face ( 204 ) of the telecommunications jack ( 200 ) to secure the dust cap ( 100 ) to the telecommunications jack ( 200 ).