Patents by Inventor Michael G. Thornton, JR.

Michael G. Thornton, 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).

  • Optical fiber guide apparatuses for splice connector installation tools, and related assemblies and methods
    Patent number: 9103994
    Abstract: Optical fiber guide apparatuses for splice connector installation tools, and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. The optical fiber guide apparatus may include at least one alignment member to align an optical fiber guide with a splice connector installation tool. The optical fiber guide is configured to guide an optical fiber to a fiber entry of a fiber optic connector installed in the splice connection installation tool. In this manner, when the alignment member is alignably interfaced with the splice connector installation tool, the optical fiber guide apparatus is also aligned with the splice connector installation tool to accurately guide the optical fiber to the fiber optic connector installed in the splice connector installation tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Ashley W. Jones, Daniel Leyva, Jr., Michael G. Thornton, Jr.
  • OPTICAL FIBER GUIDE APPARATUSES FOR SPLICE CONNECTOR INSTALLATION TOOLS, AND RELATED ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130195416
    Abstract: Optical fiber guide apparatuses for splice connector installation tools, and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. The optical fiber guide apparatus may include at least one alignment member to align an optical fiber guide with a splice connector installation tool. The optical fiber guide is configured to guide an optical fiber to a fiber entry of a fiber optic connector installed in the splice connection installation tool. In this manner, when the alignment member is alignably interfaced with the splice connector installation tool, the optical fiber guide apparatus is also aligned with the splice connector installation tool to accurately guide the optical fiber to the fiber optic connector installed in the splice connector installation tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Ashley W. Jones, Daniel Leyva, JR., Michael G. Thornton, JR.
  • DETACHABLE OPTICAL FIBER GUIDES FOR SPLICE CONNECTOR INSTALLATION TOOLS, AND RELATED ASSEMBLIES AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20130195415
    Abstract: Detachable optical fiber guides for splice connector installation tools, and related assemblies and methods are disclosed. The detachable optical fiber guides may be employed to help guide an optical fiber into a fiber optic connector attached within a splice connector installation tool. The detachable optical fiber guides may also be employed to better view the optical fiber, and also to reduce debris and damage to the optical fiber while being inserted into the fiber optic connector. The detachable optical fiber guides may include features to allow the detachable optical fiber guide to be installed toollessly upon the splice connector installation tool for convenient installation, and subsequent removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Brandon A. Barnes, Joseph R. Herridge, Michael G. Thornton, JR.