Patents by Inventor William J. Cruzen

William J. Cruzen 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).

  • Publication number: 20230251446
    Abstract: A sealed terminal has a housing, a splice tray, and a faceplate. The housing has an interior compartment and a first perimeter flange defining an opening into the interior compartment. The splice tray is positioned in the interior compartment and is configured to support a module or a cartridge. The faceplate has a plurality of ports and a second perimeter flange extending at a perimeter edge of the faceplate. The sealed terminal also has at least one connection bracket and a gasket for connecting the housing and the faceplate to each other. The connection bracket has a slot receiving the first perimeter flange and the second flange in an abutting position. The gasket is positioned between the first perimeter flange and the second perimeter flange and configured to seal any gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, David Joseph Johnsen, Daniel J. Johnson, Randy T. VanHorn, Brian K. Larson, Timothy John Kjolsing
  • Publication number: 20230244042
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Patent number: 11681108
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner and an alignment portion disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion and below a bottom surface of the alignment portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner and alignment portion are disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Patent number: 11675139
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Patent number: 11635577
    Abstract: A sealed terminal has a housing, a splice tray, and a faceplate. The housing has an interior compartment and a first perimeter flange defining an opening into the interior compartment. The splice tray is positioned in the interior compartment and is configured to support a module or a cartridge. The faceplate has a plurality of ports and a second perimeter flange extending at a perimeter edge of the faceplate. The sealed terminal also has at least one connection bracket and a gasket for connecting the housing and the faceplate to each other. The connection bracket has a slot receiving the first perimeter flange and the second flange in an abutting position. The gasket is positioned between the first perimeter flange and the second perimeter flange and configured to seal any gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, David Joseph Johnsen, Daniel J. Johnson, Randy T. VanHorn, Brian K. Larson, Timothy John Kjolsing
  • Patent number: 11513303
    Abstract: Fiber distribution systems, terminals and tap boxes that provide a reconfigurable and expandable system of hardened connections. An aerial terminal may include at least one feeder port and a plurality of distribution ports, each of the at least one feeder port and the plurality of distribution ports being sealable ports configured to receive one of a duct and a connector, where the connector is configured to interface with a drop type cable. The terminal may include an expandable module configured to receive a splitter. The terminal may be configured to receive a fiber through the feeder port and to output a plurality of fibers through the plurality of distribution ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Publication number: 20220365289
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Patent number: 11422314
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Publication number: 20220091347
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner is disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner. Embodiments encompass cleaner assemblies and adapter dustcaps having built-in cleaners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Publication number: 20220091348
    Abstract: A dustcap comprises a body having a cylindrical portion configured to receive a ferrule of an optical fiber connector, and an end portion opposite the cylindrical portion. The end portion includes a receptacle. The dustcap has a built-in cleaner and an alignment portion disposed within the receptacle. The dustcap further comprises a removable cover configured to couple to the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the end portion includes a flat surface, the cleaner is disposed on the flat surface of the end portion and below a bottom surface of the alignment portion, and the cover is configured to receive the end portion of the dustcap. In another embodiment, the cover has a receptacle and the cleaner and alignment portion are disposed within the receptacle, whereas the body comprises an end portion configured to receive at least a portion of the cover with the built-in cleaner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Cheryl Johnson Beranek, John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, James John Henschel
  • Publication number: 20210208342
    Abstract: A sealed terminal has a housing, a splice tray, and a faceplate. The housing has an interior compartment and a first perimeter flange defining an opening into the interior compartment. The splice tray is positioned in the interior compartment and is configured to support a module or a cartridge. The faceplate has a plurality of ports and a second perimeter flange extending at a perimeter edge of the faceplate. The sealed terminal also has at least one connection bracket and a gasket for connecting the housing and the faceplate to each other. The connection bracket has a slot receiving the first perimeter flange and the second flange in an abutting position. The gasket is positioned between the first perimeter flange and the second perimeter flange and configured to seal any gap therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: John P. Hill, William J. Cruzen, David Joseph Johnsen, Daniel J. Johnson, Randy T. VanHorn, Brian K. Larson, Timothy John Kjolsing
  • Patent number: 10859781
    Abstract: Fiber distribution systems, terminals and tap boxes that provide a reconfigurable and expandable system of hardened connections. An aerial terminal may include at least one feeder port and a plurality of distribution ports, each of the at least one feeder port and the plurality of distribution ports being sealable ports configured to receive one of a duct and a connector, where the connector is configured to interface with a drop type cable. The terminal may include an expandable module configured to receive a splitter. The terminal may be configured to receive a fiber through the feeder port and to output a plurality of fibers through the plurality of distribution ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Publication number: 20200348476
    Abstract: Fiber distribution systems, terminals and tap boxes that provide a reconfigurable and expandable system of hardened connections. An aerial terminal may include at least one feeder port and a plurality of distribution ports, each of the at least one feeder port and the plurality of distribution ports being sealable ports configured to receive one of a duct and a connector, where the connector is configured to interface with a drop type cable. The terminal may include an expandable module configured to receive a splitter. The terminal may be configured to receive a fiber through the feeder port and to output a plurality of fibers through the plurality of distribution ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Publication number: 20190353864
    Abstract: An optical fiber pathway duct comprises a first channel configured to receive a pulling mechanism, and a second channel configured to allow one of a pullable connector and a stub end coupled to an optical fiber cable to pass through the optical pathway duct. The optical fiber pathway duct further comprises a slot disposed between the first channel and the second channel and configured to allow a pulling eye of one of the pullable connector and the stub end coupled to the pulling mechanism to pass through the optical pathway duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Patent number: 10371916
    Abstract: An optical fiber pathway duct comprises a first channel configured to receive a pulling mechanism, and a second channel configured to allow one of a pullable connector and a stub end coupled to an optical fiber cable to pass through the optical pathway duct. The optical fiber pathway duct further comprises a slot disposed between the first channel and the second channel and configured to allow a pulling eye of one of the pullable connector and the stub end coupled to the pulling mechanism to pass through the optical pathway duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Clearfield, Inc.
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Publication number: 20190033549
    Abstract: An optical fiber pathway duct comprises a first channel configured to receive a pulling mechanism, and a second channel configured to allow one of a pullable connector and a stub end coupled to an optical fiber cable to pass through the optical pathway duct. The optical fiber pathway duct further comprises a slot disposed between the first channel and the second channel and configured to allow a pulling eye of one of the pullable connector and the stub end coupled to the pulling mechanism to pass through the optical pathway duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen
  • Publication number: 20180081136
    Abstract: Fiber distribution systems, terminals and tap boxes that provide a reconfigurable and expandable system of hardened connections. An aerial terminal may include at least one feeder port and a plurality of distribution ports, each of the at least one feeder port and the plurality of distribution ports being sealable ports configured to receive one of a duct and a connector, where the connector is configured to interface with a drop type cable. The terminal may include an expandable module configured to receive a splitter. The terminal may be configured to receive a fiber through the feeder port and to output a plurality of fibers through the plurality of distribution ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: John Paul Hill, William J. Cruzen