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).

  • Patent number: 10466434
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Multilink Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10386585
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Multilink Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10371901
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Multilink Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10320112
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Multilink Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 10094999
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Multilink Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20180164525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20170373426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20170336577
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20170285290
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20170176693
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6378814
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5732180
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5408571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5152200
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: D450042
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: D452487
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E Kaplan
  • Patent number: D331740
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: D332941
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: D387811
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: D409896
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Multilink, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve E. Kaplan