Field-installable fiber optic connectors and related cable assemblies

1. A hybrid mechanical splice connector having an electrical portion and an optical portion, comprising:

at least one electrical contact;

a shell;

at least one body for receiving at least one field optical fiber and securing the electrical contact, wherein the body includes a mechanical retention component for securing at least one optical field fiber to the at least one body where the mechanical retention component can move between an open position and a clamp position.

2. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 1 , further including at least one lens or at least one ferrule.

3. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 2 , the connector includes one or more springs for biasing at least one lens or at least one ferrule.

4. A hybrid mechanical splice connector having an electrical portion and an optical portion, comprising:

at least one electrical contact;

at least one body for receiving a field optical fiber, wherein the body includes one or more fiber guides and a mechanical retention component for securing at least one field optical fiber to the at least one body where the mechanical retention component can move between an open position and a clamp position; and

at least one lens.

5. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the mechanical retention component rotates about an axis for securing the at least one optical field fiber.

6. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the mechanical retention component secures a buffer portion of the at least one field optical fiber.

7. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the mechanical retention component being a portion of a mechanical splice assembly that includes at least one optical fiber stub.

8. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , further including one or more springs for biasing the at least one lens.

9. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the at least one mechanical retention component includes a component being selected from the group including a clamp, a wedge, a ramp, push-button, and a slide.

10. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the connector having a plurality of mechanical splice assemblies.

11. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the mechanical retention component having a buffer clamping structure for retaining the at least one optical field fiber.

12. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the body having alignment mating geometry.

13. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the at least one electrical contact is selected from the group of a wiping contact, a pin contact, a crimp contact, and an insulation displacement contact.

14. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the connector is a portion of a wall-outlet.

15. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the connector is mated with a complementary connector, thereby making an optical connection and an electrical connection.

16. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , wherein the electrical portion enters on a first plane and the optical portion enters on a second plane.

17. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 being a portion of a cable assembly.

18. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 4 , the connector having a USB configuration.

19. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 1 , wherein at least one component of the connector has a translucent portion.

20. A hybrid mechanical splice connector having an electrical portion and an optical portion, comprising:

at least one electrical contact;

at least one body for receiving a field optical fiber, wherein the body includes one or more fiber guides and a mechanical retention component for securing at least one field optical fiber and a buffer portion of the field fiber to the at least one body, and wherein the mechanical retention component can move between an open position and a clamp position; and

at least one lens.

21. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 20 , wherein the mechanical retention component rotates about an axis for securing the at least one optical field fiber.

22. The hybrid mechanical splice connector of claim 20 , wherein at least one component of the connector has a translucent portion.