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).

  • Publication number: 20120137510
    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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Zachary M. Thompson, Kurt H. Petersen, Sidney J. Berglund, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes
  • Patent number: 8107785
    Abstract: A drop access location system and method, where the system includes a duct containing one or more communications lines, where the duct is mountable to a generally flat surface. The system also includes a drop access box including a base and a removable cover having a low impact profile and or decorative appearance. A mounting section of the base is configured to fit over an outer shape of the duct and overhang therefrom. Slack storage is provided and includes one or more guides to route an accessed communications line to a coupling and to store excess amounts of the accessed communications line. The coupling device mounting area is configured to receive a coupling, adapter, or splice that connects the accessed communications line to a drop cable. The drop access location system and method can be utilized for horizontal cabling in multi-dwelling unit (MDU), multi-tenant unit (MTU) and other building applications. A system for installing the drop access location system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Victor J. Borer, Zachary M. Thompson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Curtis L. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20110030832
    Abstract: A duct for distributing one or more communication lines comprises an elongated body having a length and a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein, the conduit portion containing one or more communication lines. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise adjacent the elongated body to mount the duct to a mounting surface. The duct also includes an adhesive layer disposed on a bottom surface of the flange. The duct may further include a strength member extending lengthwise with the flange. The strength member may be disposed between the bottom surface and the adhesive layer or within the conduit. The duct may include an open slot in the top to allow for insertion and removal of the communication line. The duct may also be configured such that the conduit portion is attached to the flange structure via a thin web of material having a thickness such that upon modest application of a peeling force, a segment of the conduit portion is detachable from the flange structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    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: 20110030190
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a final drop in a living unit in a building. The system comprises a point-of-entry unit, such as a low profile base unit, disposed within the living unit at a location corresponding to an access position of horizontal cabling disposed in a hallway of the building that provides a first anchor point. The system also includes an adhesive-backed duct, having one or more communication lines disposed therein, mountable to a wall within the living unit. The system also includes a second anchor point, such as a wall receptacle, disposed within the living unit to receive a first communication line via the duct. The components of the system are also designed with very low impact profiles for better aesthetics within the living unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    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: 20100243096
    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: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Kurt H. Petersen, Zachary M. Thompson, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes
  • Publication number: 20100247052
    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: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Zachary M. Thompson, Victor J. Borer, Linnea M. Wilkes, Kurt H. Petersen
  • Publication number: 20090324188
    Abstract: A drop access location system and method, where the system includes a duct containing one or more communications lines, where the duct is mountable to a generally flat surface. The system also includes a drop access box including a base and a removable cover having a low impact profile and or decorative appearance. A mounting section of the base is configured to fit over an outer shape of the duct and overhang therefrom. Slack storage is provided and includes one or more guides to route an accessed communications line to a coupling and to store excess amounts of the accessed communications line. The coupling device mounting area is configured to receive a coupling, adapter, or splice that connects the accessed communications line to a drop cable. The drop access location system and method can be utilized for horizontal cabling in multi-dwelling unit (MDU), multi-tenant unit (MTU) and other building applications. A system for installing the drop access location system is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Sidney J. Berglund, Victor J. Borer, Zachary M. Thompson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Curtis L. Shoemaker