Multi-port adapter block

1. An adapter block, comprising:

a) a one-piece housing having a front and a rear, the housing defining a plurality of openings that extend from the front to the rear, the openings being aligned in an array, the housing further having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing ends, each of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end extending from the front of the housing to the rear, the first and second sides of the housing each defining a groove that extends from the first end to the second end of the housing;

b) a sleeve assembly mounted within each opening of the housing, the sleeve assembly including a sleeve that aligns one fiber optic connector received in one opening at the front of the housing with another fiber optic connector received in the one opening at the rear of the housing;

c) first and second flexible locking arms that are separate from the sleeve assembly, each flexible locking arm being integrally provided as part of the one-piece housing adjacent to one of the grooves of the housing;

d) a handle located at one of the first and second ends of the housing; and

e) a flexible latch located at one of the first and second ends of the housing opposite the handle.

2. The adapter block of claim 1 , wherein the sleeve assemblies are mounted within the openings of the housing by a snap-fit connection.

3. The adapter block of claim 1 , wherein each opening defines internal adapter structure that corresponds to external mating structure of an SC-type fiber optic connector.

4. The adapter block of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings includes six openings aligned in the array.

5. The adapter block of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings includes twelve openings aligned in the array.

6. The adapter block of claim 1 , wherein the first and second flexible locking arms are each integrally provided adjacent to the same groove.

7. An adapter block, comprising:

a) a one-piece housing having a front and a rear, the housing defining a plurality of openings that extend from the front to the rear, the openings being aligned in an array, the housing further having first and second opposing sides and first and second opposing ends, each of the first side, the second side, the first end, and the second end extending from the front of the housing to the rear, the first and second sides of the housing each defining a groove that extends from the first end to the second end of the housing;

b) a sleeve assembly mounted within each opening of the housing, the sleeve assembly including a sleeve that aligns one fiber optic connector received in one opening at the front of the housing with another fiber optic connector received in the one opening at the rear of the housing;

c) first and second flexible locking arms that are separate from the sleeve assembly, each flexible locking arm being integrally provided as part of the one-piece housing adjacent to the same one of the grooves of the housing; and

d) a handle located at one of the first and second ends of the housing.

8. The adapter block of claim 7 , wherein the first and second flexible locking arms snap-fit the adapter block in first and second secured positions respectively when the adapter block is slidingly mounted to a panel.

9. The adapter block of claim 7 , wherein the sleeve assemblies are mounted within the openings of the housing by a snap-fit connection.

10. The adapter block of claim 7 , wherein each opening defines internal adapter structure that corresponds to external mating structure of an SC-type fiber optic connector.

11. The adapter block of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of openings includes six openings aligned in the array.

12. The adapter block of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of openings includes twelve openings aligned in the array.

13. The adapter block of claim 7 , further including a flexible latch located at one of the first and second ends of the housing opposite the handle.