Patents Assigned to Mertek Industries, LLC
  • Publication number: 20240137071
    Abstract: Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as wireless transceivers, wireless power receivers, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be wirelessly coupled to an external power source. The printed circuit of the cable connector may receive power for the wireless transceiver and/or the display from the external power source. The printed circuit of the cable connector may communicate information about the network cable and/or devices connected thereto via the wireless transceiver to an external device, output the information via the display, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. SCHERER, Jon SHOLTIS
  • Patent number: 11735871
    Abstract: Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as switches, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be connected to a power over Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE). The printed circuit of the cable connector may request power for the display from the PSE. The switch of the cable connector may be operated such that at least one component of the printed circuit is disconnected from the PSE when an external powered device (PD) is connected to the cable connector. Disconnecting components of the printed circuit from the PSE may reduce the interference to the power negotiation between the PSE and external PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 11689247
    Abstract: Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as wireless transceivers, wireless power receivers, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be wirelessly coupled to an external power source. The printed circuit of the cable connector may receive power for the wireless transceiver and/or the display from the external power source. The printed circuit of the cable connector may communicate information about the network cable and/or devices connected thereto via the wireless transceiver to an external device, output the information via the display, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Publication number: 20210320462
    Abstract: Disclosed are network cable connectors with components such as switches, displays, and printed circuit with controllers. The disclosed network cable connector may be connected to a power over Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE). The printed circuit of the cable connector may request power for the display from the PSE. The switch of the cable connector may be operated such that at least one component of the printed circuit is disconnected from the PSE when an external powered device (PD) is connected to the cable connector. Disconnecting components of the printed circuit from the PSE may reduce the interference to the power negotiation between the PSE and external PD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. SCHERER, Jon SHOLTIS
  • Patent number: 10852361
    Abstract: Disclosed are traceable (e.g., networking) cables and cable components (e.g., telltales, switches, and controllers). The disclosed networking cables may be (e.g., indirectly) connected such that signals may be communicated from one cable to another cable. For example, some such cables are configured such that when a switch of one cable is actuated, a controller connected to the switch sends signals to other controllers of the same cable and controllers of other connected cables to activate, inactivate, and/or change the operating mode of telltale(s) of the same cable and/or of other connected cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jon Sholtis, Christopher B. Scherer, Braon Mosely
  • Patent number: 10785136
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used for data or power transmission. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Briand Scherer, Jonathan Keith Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10732364
    Abstract: Disclosed are traceable remote-release networking cables with telltales at their ends to facilitate tracing of the cables and their ends, such as, for example, in data rooms that can include hundreds of individual networking cables. Some cables include conductive wire transmission line(s). Other cables include one or more fiber-optic transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10649168
    Abstract: An illuminated tracer cable system includes a signal carrying cable comprising a signal connector on each end of the signal carrying cable, an electroluminescent (EL) wire coupled to the signal carrying cable, and a magnetic power connector coupled to an end of the EL wire configured to provide power to the EL wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignees: Molex, LLC, Mertek Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas R. Marrapode, Chris Scherer, Jon K. Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10481183
    Abstract: Traceable cables (e.g., networking cables, power cables, etc.). Some embodiments include a traceable power cable with a battery (e.g., that may be rechargeable from current from an external power source to which the power cable is electrically connected). Some embodiments include a traceable networking cable configured to draw power from power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) even if the networking cable is not connected to a separate powered device (PD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10215935
    Abstract: Disclosed are traceable remote-release networking cables with telltales at their ends to facilitate tracing of the cables and their ends, such as, for example, in data rooms that can include hundreds of individual networking cables. Some cables include conductive wire transmission line(s). Other cables include one or more fiber-optic transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10178005
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used for data or power transmission. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Scherer, Jonathan Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10050389
    Abstract: Disclosed are field-terminable traceable (e.g., networking) cables and cable components (e.g., field-applicable connection hoods), as well as related kits and methods. For example, in one embodiment of a field-applicable connection hood for a networking cable, the connection hood comprises: a connector or plug configured to be coupled to a port or outlet; two conductive tabs each configured to be coupled without, soldering to a tracer wire to enable electrical communication between the tracer wire and the conductive tab; an electrically activated telltale; and a switch configured to be actuated to enable electrical communication between the two conductive tabs and the telltale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 9952258
    Abstract: Traceable cables (e.g., networking cables, power cables, etc.). Some embodiments include a traceable power cable with a battery (e.g., that may be rechargeable from current from an external power source to which the power cable is electrically connected). Some embodiments include a traceable networking cable configured to draw power from power-over-Ethernet (POE) power sourcing equipment (PSE) even if the networking cable is not connected to a separate powered device (PD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 9810859
    Abstract: Disclosed are traceable remote-release networking cables with telltales at their ends to facilitate tracing of the cables and their ends, such as, for example, in data rooms that can include hundreds of individual networking cables. Some cables include conductive wire transmission line(s). Other cables include one or more fiber-optic transmission lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 9577904
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used for data or power transmission. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Briand Scherer, Jonathan Keith Sholtis
  • Patent number: 9196975
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used for data or power transmission. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Briand Scherer, Jonathon Keith Sholtis
  • Patent number: 7221284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used in information technology. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable without the use of external test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Mertek Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Briand Scherer, Jonathan Keith Sholtis