Patents by Inventor Frank Kendall Porter, Jr.

Frank Kendall Porter, Jr. has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6369598
    Abstract: A pneumatic planar probe for electrical transmission lines containing single or multiple contacts is provided for planar termination to a receiving structure. The pneumatic planar probe includes a header, a first probe body and a second probe body that are arranged as an extension of a transmission line having a center conductor and an outer conductor, the first probe body and second probe body extending the outer conductor and center conductor, respectively. The first probe body and second probe body are received in the header. The second probe body is supported in a dielectric body, the second probe body and dielectric body being concentrically slidably mounted in the first probe body. A first probe body interface at a free end of the first probe body is configured to contact a ground planar surface of the receiving structure. A second probe body interface at a free end of the second probe body is configured to contact a signal planar surface of the receiving structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Carlisle Management Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Kendall Porter, Jr., James J. Kerrigan, Samuel Menasha
  • Patent number: 6344736
    Abstract: An interface apparatus having a plurality of self-aligning coaxial connectors for substantially simultaneous interconnection with a plurality of connectors on a unit under test includes a base member, a first interface and a second interface. The first and second interfaces are spaced apart to receive the unit under test. At least one of the first and second interfaces is slidably movable on the base member for movement into engagement with the unit under test that is positioned between the interfaces. At least one of the first and second interfaces has a plurality of self-aligning coaxial connectors that are positioned to interconnect with the plurality of connectors on the unit under test. An urging means is provided for moving the interfaces so that the self-aligning coaxial connectors are moved into mating engagement with the plurality of connectors on the unit under test that is positioned between the interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Tensolite Company
    Inventors: James J. Kerrigan, Frank Kendall Porter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6247956
    Abstract: A quick connect and quick disconnect connector assembly for connecting with a mating connector comprises a body and an engagement means. A retaining means is provided for securing the engagement means to the body. The engagement means includes an inner gripping member that is telescopically received in an outer actuation member. The inner gripping member has an outer wall surface that is formed with a first ramp portion and the outer actuation member has an inner wall surface that is formed with a second ramp portion, the first ramp portion being complementary to the second ramp portion. The first ramp portion of the outer wall surface of the inner gripping member is configured to interferingly engage and cooperate with the second ramp portion of the inner wall surface of the outer actuator member. The first ramp portion of the inner gripping member is formed with resilient fingers that are movable between a relaxed state and an inwardly urged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Tensolite Company
    Inventor: Frank Kendall Porter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6010349
    Abstract: A cable connecting system for interconnection with a mating connector includes a connecting element, a first securing element, and a second securing element. The first securing element is rotatably mounted to the connector and the second securing member is rotatably mounted to the first securing element. In operation, the first and second securing elements are first threaded onto a receiving section of the mating connector. Once fully positioned on the receiving section of the mating connector, torque is applied in a conventional direction to the first securing element to secure the connecting element to the mating connector. Then, torque is applied in a counter direction to the second securing element to lock the first and second securing elements. The cable connecting system and the method of interconnection utilizing the cable connecting system is reversible so as to allow repeated connection and disconnection of various assemblies of cable assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Tensolite Company
    Inventor: Frank Kendall Porter, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5746617
    Abstract: A connector is provided for electrically and coaxially coupling a cable to a male plug assembly. The connector includes a coupling collar adapted to receive the cable therein and to selectively receive the male plug assembly in mating engagement with the cable. The connector also includes a housing adapted to movably support the coupling collar such that the coupling collar is freely movable in a substantially orthogonal direction relative to the coaxial direction to facilitate the mating engagement. A spring is provided to urge the connector towards mating engagement. The coupling collar is generally cylindrical and includes a flange which extends outwardly from the periphery of the collar in the substantially orthogonal direction. The flange is slidably supported within a substantially planar centering washer such that the flange is adapted to move in the substantially orthogonal direction within the centering washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Quality Microwave Interconnects, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Kendall Porter, Jr., James J. Kerrigan
  • Patent number: D592821
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Kendall Porter, Jr.