Patents by Inventor Steve E. Kaplan
Steve E. Kaplan 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).
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Patent number: 10466434Abstract: A fiber splice enclosure for fusion splices or mechanical splices of optical fibers includes a splice tray, including a splice retainer having a main body and retainer space in the body, an open extent along a surface of the body to receive a splice connection, and a mounting bracket holds the splice retainer with the open extent facing a wall for cooperation with the wall to retain a splice connection in the retainer space. The mounting bracket may be resilient for bending away from the wall to expose a retainer space for insertion or withdrawal of a splice connection. A method of positioning a fiber splice connection relative to a splice tray includes bending the mounting bracket to move the splice retainer from the wall to access retainer space in the splice retainer, and positioning a splice connection in or removing it from the retainer space.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Multilink Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 10386585Abstract: A fitting for signal connector coupling has a bayonet attachment mechanism including a groove in a fitting wall including guiding groove and retaining groove portions, the retaining groove portion having a recess forming a positive lock to interact with a protruding member of a locking cap or collar, which may be turned onto the fitting until the protruding member resiliently snaps or springs into the recessed portion resisting loosening and providing haptic feedback indicating accomplishing secure attaching. A method of attaching a fitting to another device, includes placing and turning the another device on a cylindrical wall of the fitting while interaction between a groove in the fitting wall and a protuberance on the another device guides the another device rotationally about the fitting wall, and continuing turning moves the protuberance into a positive lock location in a retaining portion of the groove and also provides haptic feedback indicating attachment.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Multilink Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 10371901Abstract: A field installable connector system for an optical cable includes a clamp, including a plurality of clamp members, cable guiding space in at least one of the clamp members, the cable guiding space configured to guide an optical cable in position in the clamp, connector receiving space in the clamp configured to receive at least part of a connector connected to the optical cable, a stop configured to block withdrawal of the connector from the clamp, and a housing having a clamp receiving space configured to receive at least part of the clamp and to urge clamp parts together to retain in the clamp at least part of the connector. A strain relief also may be provided. A method of assembling a field installable connector system for an optical cable includes placing an optical connector, optical cable and clamp in a hollow housing that holds the clamp relative to the optical connector and optical cable; and applying a strain relief.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Multilink Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 10320112Abstract: A modularly expandable enclosure including a top end plate, a bottom end plate, and one or more elongated tray modules. The top end plate, the bottom end plate and the tray modules define an interior space of the enclosure. Opposite vertical ends of each tray module define an upper end connecting portion and a lower end connecting portion. The upper end connecting portion is configured for engagement with the top end plate and further configured for engagement with a lower end connecting portion of a vertically upwardly adjacent module tray. The lower end connecting portion is configured for engagement with the bottom end plate and further configured for engagement with an upper end connecting portion of a vertically downwardly adjacent tray module.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Multilink Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 10094999Abstract: A termination for a fiber optic cable, includes an optical connector for a fiber optic member, a collar having a hollow interior in which at least part of the optical connector is positionable, and a retaining clip positionable with respect to the collar at a location to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar. A stop in the collar limits insertion of the connector in the collar. The termination may be assembled and installed in the field. A method of assembling a cable termination assembly, includes positioning at least part of a cable and connector in a hollow collar, and inserting a retainer clip through an opening in a wall of the collar in position to block withdrawing of the connector from one end of the collar. Additionally, a resilient cover is positioned on the collar to provide a watertight connection with another device with which the cable termination assembly may be attached. The method may be carried out to assemble and install the cable termination assembly in the field.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: Multilink Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Publication number: 20180164525Abstract: A fiber splice enclosure for fusion splices or mechanical splices of optical fibers includes a splice tray, including a splice retainer having a main body and retainer space in the body, an open extent along a surface of the body to receive a splice connection, and a mounting bracket holds the splice retainer with the open extent facing a wall for cooperation with the wall to retain a splice connection in the retainer space. The mounting bracket may be resilient for bending away from the wall to expose a retainer space for insertion or withdrawal of a splice connection. A method of positioning a fiber splice connection relative to a splice tray includes bending the mounting bracket to move the splice retainer from the wall to access retainer space in the splice retainer, and positioning a splice connection in or removing it from the retainer space.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Publication number: 20170373426Abstract: A modularly expandable enclosure including a top end plate, a bottom end plate, and one or more elongated tray modules. The top end plate, the bottom end plate and the tray modules define an interior space of the enclosure. Opposite vertical ends of each tray module define an upper end connecting portion and a lower end connecting portion. The upper end connecting portion is configured for engagement with the top end plate and further configured for engagement with a lower end connecting portion of a vertically upwardly adjacent module tray. The lower end connecting portion is configured for engagement with the bottom end plate and further configured for engagement with an upper end connecting portion of a vertically downwardly adjacent tray module.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Publication number: 20170336577Abstract: A fitting for signal connector coupling has a bayonet attachment mechanism including a groove in a fitting wall including guiding groove and retaining groove portions, the retaining groove portion having a recess forming a positive lock to interact with a protruding member of a locking cap or collar, which may be turned onto the fitting until the protruding member resiliently snaps or springs into the recessed portion resisting loosening and providing haptic feedback indicating accomplishing secure attaching. A method of attaching a fitting to another device, includes placing and turning the another device on a cylindrical wall of the fitting while interaction between a groove in the fitting wall and a protuberance on the another device guides the another device rotationally about the fitting wall, and continuing turning moves the protuberance into a positive lock location in a retaining portion of the groove and also provides haptic feedback indicating attachment.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Publication number: 20170285290Abstract: A termination for a fiber optic cable, includes an optical connector for a fiber optic member, a collar having a hollow interior in which at least part of the optical connector is positionable, and a retaining clip positionable with respect to the collar at a location to block exiting of the optical connector from the collar. A stop in the collar limits insertion of the connector in the collar. The termination may be assembled and installed in the field. A method of assembling a cable termination assembly, includes positioning at least part of a cable and connector in a hollow collar, and inserting a retainer clip through an opening in a wall of the collar in position to block withdrawing of the connector from one end of the collar. Additionally, a resilient cover is positioned on the collar to provide a watertight connection with another device with which the cable termination assembly may be attached. The method may be carried out to assemble and install the cable termination assembly in the field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Publication number: 20170176693Abstract: A field installable connector system for an optical cable includes a clamp, including a plurality of clamp members, cable guiding space in at least one of the clamp members, the cable guiding space configured to guide an optical cable in position in the clamp, connector receiving space in the clamp configured to receive at least part of a connector connected to the optical cable, a stop configured to block withdrawal of the connector from the clamp, and a housing having a clamp receiving space configured to receive at least part of the clamp and to urge clamp parts together to retain in the clamp at least part of the connector. A strain relief also may be provided. A method of assembling a field installable connector system for an optical cable includes placing an optical connector, optical cable and clamp in a hollow housing that holds the clamp relative to the optical connector and optical cable; and applying a strain relief.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 6378814Abstract: Communication cable clip has an anchor portion for insertion between clapboards and a bottom portion which protrudes outwardly to provide structure having openings for ties for horizontal and vertical runs of cable.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E Kaplan
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Patent number: 5732180Abstract: A clamping apparatus is positioned adjacent the interior wall of a sealed compartment. The wall has an opening providing an entryway for a fiber optic cable to the interior of the compartment. The clamping apparatus applies compression forces to an annular cylindrical body of a flexibly resilient and deformable grommet supported in line with the opening to seal the opening. The grommet has a passageway for the cable. The clamping apparatus, which essentially surrounds and conforms to the annular body of the grommet, is operable to compress the grommet radially around the cable and to axially urge the end face against the wall of the opening. A clamp member having clamping surfaces for compressing two side by side grommets in line with two side by side cable openings in the wall is disclosed. A headed rod extending at an angle to the wall with the cable openings therein supports the clamp member for angled movement to effect the compressive radial and axial forces.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 1995Date of Patent: March 24, 1998Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 5408571Abstract: An aerial storage device for storing an extra length of fiber optic cable as a loop in a transmission line in which the storage device has an arcuate end providing the return or turn-around arc of the loop and a planar deck, the outer periphery thereof defining the loop for the cable and being joined with the top of an inner sidewall of a U-shaped channel for receiving and storing a planar loop of fiber optic cable with the sidewalls of the channel being perpendicular to the plane of the deck and extending to one side thereof. The device is a one piece molded plastic device of plastic and has openings in the channel bottom and deck for tying cable to the device and reducing wind sway. The channel bottom and inner side wall extend around end of the device where the cable portions enter and exit the loop to provide a shelf for supporting the cable portions and a smooth nose surface for providing a smooth separation therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 1993Date of Patent: April 18, 1995Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: 5152200Abstract: A simplified torque signalling wrench in which the torque responsive means comprises a camming recess or notch in the outer end of a wrench shank within a handle for the wrench and to which the shank is pivoted to provide limited angular movement for the outermost end of the shank with a ball surface being yieldingly forced into the recess defined by walls of the recess by spring loading to maintain the shank along the centerline of the handle and yielding to camming forces under a torque load to effect relative angular movement of the shank and handle to signal a torque load in excess of a torque load determined by the adjustable loading of the spring.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 1991Date of Patent: October 6, 1992Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: D450042Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2001Date of Patent: November 6, 2001Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: D452487Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2000Date of Patent: December 25, 2001Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E Kaplan
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Patent number: D331740Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1990Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: D332941Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1991Date of Patent: February 2, 1993Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: D387811Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 1996Date of Patent: December 16, 1997Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
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Patent number: D409896Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1997Date of Patent: May 18, 1999Assignee: Multilink, Inc.Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan