Field terminable optical fiber connector with splice element

1. An optical fiber connector for terminating an optical fiber of an optical fiber cable, the optical fiber cable comprising a fiber portion, a buffer coated portion surrounding the fiber portion, and a jacket portion surrounding the buffer coated portion, the connector comprising:

a housing configured to mate with a receptacle;

a collar body disposed in the housing, wherein the collar body includes a fiber stub disposed in a first end portion of the collar body, the fiber stub including a first optical fiber mounted in a ferrule and having a first end proximate to an end face of the ferrule and a second end, wherein the collar body further includes a mechanical splice device disposed in a portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice device configured to splice the second end of the fiber stub to the fiber portion;

a backbone to retain the collar body within the housing, the backbone including a jacket clamping portion to clamp the jacket portion upon actuation; and

a boot attachable to a portion of the backbone, wherein the boot actuates the jacket clamping portion of the backbone upon attachment to the backbone.

2. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the boot retains a strength member of the optical fiber cable against a mounting portion of the backbone.

3. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical connector is configured to mate with an SC receptacle.

4. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical splice device comprises a splice element and an actuating cap.

5. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the jacket clamping portion comprises a collet-type, split body shape.

6. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the boot attaches to the backbone view a screw-type mechanism.

7. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the backbone further comprises a fiber guide.

8. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the backbone further includes an access area having an opening and a shallow depression formed on the sides thereof to accommodate finger actuation of the mechanical splice device.

9. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the backbone includes stops formed on an inner surface thereof to prevent passage of the jacket portion from further insertion.

10. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the jacket clamping portion includes raised inner surfaces.

11. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the optical connector is configured to mate with an LC receptacle.

12. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , further comprising an adapter tube placeable over the jacket portion of the cable.

13. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing and backbone are formed from a polymer material.

14. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the housing is securable to the backbone via a snap fit.

15. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the boot includes threaded grooves formed on an inner surface of a boot opening.

16. The optical fiber connector of claim 15 , wherein the grooves are configured to engage with a correspondingly threaded mounting structure formed on the backbone.

17. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the boot has a smaller opening at a rear portion of the boot than at a front portion of the boot.

18. The optical fiber connector of claim 17 , wherein the rear portion of the boot engages with the jacket clamping portion.

19. The optical fiber connector of claim 1 , wherein the boot is formed from a fiberglass reinforced compound material.