Patents by Inventor Zachary M. Thompson

Zachary M. Thompson 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: 9810861
    Abstract: A ruggedized cable connection structure configured to direct mate first and second ruggedized optical fiber connectors is disclosed. The connection assembly has a housing having a channel extending from a first end of the housing through to the second end of the housing, an adapter secured within the channel near a midpoint of the housing to enable direct mating of the first and second ruggedized optical fiber connectors, and an integral mounting flange extending from the housing to allow connection to a mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zachary M. Thompson, Donald K. Larson
  • Publication number: 20170261715
    Abstract: A communication enclosure is described that includes an enclosure body having a first body portion and a second body portion. An adapter mounting mechanism is disposed in the first body portion, and a connector adapter mounted into the mounting mechanism that is configured to accept an optical fiber connector. The enclosure includes at least one integrated tool for terminating field mountable optical fiber connectors wherein the at least one integrated tool is disposed on one of the first body portion and the second body portion. In an exemplary aspect, the at least one integrated tool is a connector polishing platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Joseph C. Sawicki, Zachary M. Thompson, William J. Clatanoff
  • Publication number: 20170261716
    Abstract: A cable assembly is described that includes a preterminated optical fiber drop cable having a connector body mounted on a terminal end thereof, and a removable installation device attached to a jacket of the preterminated optical fiber drop cable by an attachment portion, wherein the attachment portion includes a pair of tear tabs that provides tool-less removal of the installation device from the preterminated optical fiber drop cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Zachary M. Thompson, Jonathan V. Haggar, Brian M. Cole, Edward B. Lurie, Victor J. Borer
  • Publication number: 20160349472
    Abstract: Fiber management assembly comprises an optical fiber splitter, a splice holding section having a fiber splice device mounted therein, and a slack storage system. The optical fiber splitter, splice holding section and slack storage system are disposed on one of a tray and an interior surface of an enclosure body. In addition, patch panel tray having a patch panel comprising a plurality of adapters mounted thereon is provided, wherein a bare end of a splitter input fiber is routed via the slack storage system to a first end of the splice device, and wherein pre-connectorized splitter output fibers are routed to different adapters of the plurality of adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Zachary M. Thompson, Donald K. Larson
  • Patent number: 9494760
    Abstract: The present description relates to an optical fiber interconnection tray. The interconnection tray has a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, with a cable entrance at the first end of the tray. A first interconnection layer is disposed on the base, and a second interconnection layer is positioned over at least a portion of the first interconnection layer, wherein the second interconnection layer is disposed on a first repositionable mezzanine attached to the base at a plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Simmons, Zachary M. Thompson, Jeffrey L. Shields
  • Patent number: 9477059
    Abstract: A system for adhering a length of continuous substrate to a mounting surface is disclosed. The continuous substrate can be attached to a mounting surface by a regular array of spaced apart adhesive segments disposed longitudinally along the continuous substrate and between the mounting surface and the continuous substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Zachary M. Thompson, Curtis E. Maynes
  • Publication number: 20160238811
    Abstract: The present description relates to an optical fiber interconnection tray. The interconnection tray has a base extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, with a cable entrance at the first end of the tray. A first interconnection layer is disposed on the base, and a second interconnection layer is positioned over at least a portion of the first interconnection layer, wherein the second interconnection layer is disposed on a first repositionable mezzanine attached to the base at a plurality of locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Richard L. Simmons, Zachary M. Thompson, Jeffrey L. Shields
  • Publication number: 20160238800
    Abstract: A communication enclosure is described that includes an enclosure body having a first body portion and a second body portion. An adapter mounting mechanism is disposed in the first body portion, and a connector adapter mounted into the mounting mechanism that is configured to accept an optical fiber connector. The enclosure includes at least one integrated tool for terminating field mountable optical fiber connectors wherein the at least one integrated tool is disposed on one of the first body portion and the second body portion. In an exemplary aspect, the at least one integrated tool is a connector polishing platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Joseph C. Sawicki, Zachary M. Thompson, William J. Clatanoff
  • Publication number: 20160178859
    Abstract: A ruggedized cable connection structure configured to direct mate first and second ruggedized optical fiber connectors is disclosed. The connection assembly has a housing having a channel extending from a first end of the housing through to the second end of the housing, an adapter secured within the channel near a midpoint of the housing to enable direct mating of the first and second ruggedized optical fiber connectors, and an integral mounting flange extending from the housing to allow connection to a mounting surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Zachary M. Thompson, Donald K. Larson
  • Patent number: 9343886
    Abstract: A cable routing system is described. More specifically, described is a cable routing system that includes a main fiber channel configured to receive a drop fiber to allow it to fit within the main fiber channel, where the channel is surrounded by a discontinuous segmented duct, and the duct comprises a continuous flange structure to provide support for the system as it is installed on or fastened to a wall or other generally flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Victor J. Borer, Kurt H. Petersen, Wesley A. Raider, William V. Dower, Zachary M. Thompson, Daniel J. Treadwell, Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 9341801
    Abstract: Fiber management assemblies, trays and network interface devices for use in telecommunications that incorporate such assemblies and trays are described. Fiber management trays can include integrated slack storage systems and mechanical fiber splice devices mounted into integrated splice holding grooves, where the mechanical fiber splice devices are actuated by a fiber splice actuation mechanism positioned over the mechanical fiber splice device, as are network interface devices incorporating such assemblies and trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Zachary M. Thompson, Donald K. Larson
  • Publication number: 20160116699
    Abstract: Drop cable assemblies that can be routed from an outdoor terminal directly to an indoor wall outlet without disruption, and adhered to the interior of a dwelling after removal of the drop cable jacket and utilization of a pre-applied adhesive layer are described. Additionally, telecommunications systems utilizing such assemblies, methods of routing such assemblies and methods of making such assemblies are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Daniel J. Treadwell, Zachary M. Thompson, William J. Clatanoff, Joseph C. Carls, Victor J. Borer, Cary A. Kipke, Brian M. Cole
  • Publication number: 20150346449
    Abstract: Fiber management assemblies, trays and network interface devices for use in telecommunications that incorporate such assemblies and trays are described. Fiber management trays can include integrated slack storage systems and mechanical fiber splice devices mounted into integrated splice holding grooves, where the mechanical fiber splice devices are actuated by a fiber splice actuation mechanism positioned over the mechanical fiber splice device, as are network interface devices incorporating such assemblies and trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Zachary M. Thompson, Donald K. Larson
  • Publication number: 20150171609
    Abstract: A cable routing system is described. More specifically, described is a cable routing system that includes a main fiber channel configured to receive a drop fiber to allow it to fit within the main fiber channel, where the channel is surrounded by a discontinuous segmented duct, and the duct comprises a continuous flange structure to provide support for the system as it is installed on or fastened to a wall or other generally flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Victor J. Borer, Kurt H. Petersen, Wesley A. Raider, William V. Dower, Zachary M. Thompson, Daniel J. Treadwell, Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen
  • Publication number: 20150020956
    Abstract: A system for adhering a length of continuous substrate to a mounting surface is disclosed. The continuous substrate can be attached to a mounting surface by a regular array of spaced apart adhesive segments disposed longitudinally along the continuous substrate and between the mounting surface and the continuous substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Zachary M. Thompson, Curtis E. Maynes
  • Publication number: 20140299645
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a device to cleave an optical fiber is provided. The device includes a base and a cover that is rotatably connected to the base. The base has a work surface and a mandrel disposed in the base and extending above the work surface. An optical fiber can be bent over a radiused surface of the mandrel and tensioned prior to cleaving. A shuttle is disposed in the cover over the mandrel, wherein the shuttle includes a flexible abrasive material that is configured to contact the optical fiber and create a flaw on a top surface of the optical fiber to initiate a crack in the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward B. LURIE, William G. ALLEN, Zachary M. THOMPSON, Daniel H. HENDERSON, Ronald P. PEPIN, David GONZALEZ, Viktor HEINZ
  • Patent number: 8842960
    Abstract: A duct for distributing one or more optical fiber communication lines. The duct comprises an elongated main body having a length and a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion contains one or more optical fiber communications lines. The duct also includes a flange portion extending lengthwise adjacent the main body to mount the duct to a generally flat surface, wherein the duct further includes an additional fiber channel for distributing at least one additional optical fiber at least a portion of the length of the duct. The duct can also be formed as a two piece duct system. The duct can be utilized in a drop access location system for horizontal cabling in multi-dwelling unit (MDU) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Kurt H. Petersen, Zachary M. Thompson, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes
  • Publication number: 20140153893
    Abstract: A duct for distributing one or more optical fiber communication lines. The duct comprises an elongated main body having a length and a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion contains one or more optical fiber communications lines. The duct also includes a flange portion extending lengthwise adjacent the main body to mount the duct to a generally flat surface, wherein the duct further includes an additional fiber channel for distributing at least one additional optical fiber at least a portion of the length of the duct. The duct can also be formed as a two piece duct system. The duct can be utilized in a drop access location system for horizontal cabling in multi-dwelling unit (MDU) applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Kurt H. Petersen, Zachary M. Thompson, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 8360127
    Abstract: A system for installing communications in a hallway of a building comprises a duct having a conduit portion with a bore formed throughout and containing one or more communications lines and a mounting portion to mount the duct to a generally flat surface, the mounting portion including an adhesive disposed thereon, and a duct applicator tool to continuously receive the duct from a storage structure. The applicator tool includes a generally planar frame that supports at least one duct channel that receives the duct and provides a support surface that places a pressing force onto the duct as the duct is applied to the generally flat surface. The applicator tool includes one or more duct guides disposable on at least an end of the frame, where the one or more duct guides guide the duct from its storage structure to the at least one duct channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Zachary M. Thompson, Kurt H. Petersen, Sidney J. Berglund, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 8295670
    Abstract: A low profile telecommunications fiber drop point of entry system for an interior room of an MDU, school, hotel, hospital, MTU or other commercial or residential location. The system includes a duct having one or more optical fiber communications lines and mountable to a first wall. The system further includes an access and storage structure at least partially disposable behind the first wall. The structure includes a first base unit having a first wall mounting portion and a first low profile cover, the cover being mountable over at least a portion of the duct. The first wall mounting portion includes a main port to fit over a hole formed in the first wall, the structure having a fiber slack storage area disposed between the first wall mounting portion and the first cover. The structure further includes an extension arm mounted to the first wall mounting portion and extending behind the first wall, the extension arm supporting a carrier configured to hold an optical fiber connector coupling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Zachary M. Thompson, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes, Kurt H. Petersen