Patents Assigned to PPC Broadband, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220128771
    Abstract: An optical fiber connector sub-assembly for an optical fiber connector includes a ferrule configured to hold an optical fiber therein along an axis of the ferrule and a ferrule holder configured to hold the ferrule. The ferrule has an end face at which the optical fiber is terminated, and the ferrule holder includes a base in which the ferrule is configured to be seated. The sub-assembly includes a ferrule basket including an inner sleeve slidably coupled with an outer sleeve and configured to isolate a front end of the connector from a rear end of the connector such that the ferrule is isolated from movement of the rear end of the connector. The ferrule basket is configured to receive the ferrule holder therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: PPC Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Crawford, Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 11300743
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic cable and a fiber optic connector. The fiber optic cable has an outer surface that includes a plurality of annular grooves spaced apart from one another in an axial direction of the fiber optic cable, and a plurality of axial grooves that extend in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas V. Claver, Daniel Daoust, Steve Stankovski
  • Patent number: 11296435
    Abstract: A nut assembly for a coaxial cable connector includes a nut configured to engage an interface port and a cap encircling the nut. The nut includes an internal threaded portion configured to engage external threads of the interface port and at least one resilient finger extending in an axial direction from the internal threaded portion toward a forward end of the nut. The forward end includes a tooth extending radially inward, the tooth is configured to contact a surface of a thread of the external threads when the nut is coupled to the interface port, and the tooth is configured to provide ground continuity between the nut and the interface port before the internal threaded portion of the nut is coupled with the external threads. The internal threaded portion and the external threads are configured to provide a retention force between the nut and the interface port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Harold J. Watkins, Noah P. Montena, Steven Stankovski, Jeremy Amidon
  • Publication number: 20220097900
    Abstract: A packaging arrangement for a bundle of cable includes a planar packaging blank extending in a longitudinal direction from a first end to a second end. The blank includes a middle region extending from the first end to the second end between a first fold line and a second fold line, a first side extending from the first end to the second end and including a plurality of first flaps extending from the first fold line in a direction away from the second side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a second side extending from the first end to the second end and including a plurality of second flaps extending from the second fold line in a direction away from the first side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The blank is configured to be rolled into a cylindrical shape such that the first end overlaps the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Andriy Lozhko, Noah P. Montena, Jay A. Kisselstein, Brian K. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20220098002
    Abstract: A reel includes a first reel member and a second reel member. The first reel member includes a first barrel portion, a first flange portion, and a first hub portion, and the second reel member includes a second barrel portion, a second flange portion, and a second hub portion. The first barrel portion and the second barrel portion are configured to be coupled with one another. The first barrel portion includes an inner wall and an outer wall that are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction of the first barrel portion, and the first barrel portion, the first flange portion, and the first hub portion are portions of a first single piece structure of unitary construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Jay A. Kisselstein, Richard Maroney, Noah P. Montena, Brian K. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20220094083
    Abstract: A coupler for a coaxial cable connector includes a coupler including an internally internal portion and an extension portion extending forwardly from the internal portion; and a grounding cage slidingly coupled with the coupler. An inner surface of the extension portion includes an annular groove, the grounding cage includes a rear ring portion disposed in the annular groove and configured to slide in the annular groove, and a forward portion of the grounding cage is configured to extend forwardly beyond a forward end of the coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Harold WATKINS, Steve STANKOVSKI, Richard MARONEY
  • Publication number: 20220094079
    Abstract: A ground block may include a metal ground plate and a ground wire fixedly coupled with the metal ground plate. The ground wire is configured to be non-detachable from the ground block during normal use of the ground block. The ground block may be formed by soldering, brazing, or clamping the ground wire to the metal ground plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Roger MATHEWS, Brian K. HANSON
  • Patent number: 11283226
    Abstract: A connector including coupling and sleeve flanges defining opposing recesses separated by an axial gap along an elongate axis. The connector also includes a arcuate bridge member radially biased outwardly against at least one of the internal contact surfaces of the opposing recesses and spanning the axial gap. The arcuate bridge member maintains electrical conductivity across the axial gap even when the sleeve does not electrically contact the coupling member. At least one of the contact surfaces defines a conical surface which is responsive to the radially biased conductive bridge member to produce a radial force against the internal contact surfaces. The radial force produces an axial force component along the elongate axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Noah P. Montena, Robert M. Parker
  • Patent number: 11283217
    Abstract: A torque-limiting torque sleeve may include an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve configured to be coupled to one another in a coaxial arrangement such that the outer sleeve is fixed relative to the inner sleeve in the longitudinal direction. A first end of the outer sleeve overlies a first end of the inner sleeve, and a second end of the inner sleeve extends from the outer sleeve. A torque limiting feature is configured such that rotation of the outer member in a first direction enables tightening of a coupler on an interface port up to a predetermined torque limit, and rotation of the outer member in a second direction opposite to the first direction loosens the coupler on the interface port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Noah P. Montena, Jeremy J. Amidon
  • Publication number: 20220075122
    Abstract: A fiber optic storage module configured to be coupled with a fiber distribution hub includes a first wall and a second wall that extends from a first end of the first wall in a direction perpendicular to the first wall. The first wall includes a retaining structure configured to receive and retain a cable portion of a fiber optic cable, and the second wall includes a cutout configured to receive a dust cap coupled with a connector that terminates the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Robert SCHIFFBAUER, Steven M. WALDREN
  • Publication number: 20220057591
    Abstract: Examples of optical splitter systems, methods and modules enable the stacking and interconnecting of one or more optical splitter modules. One example of a splitter module has a housing and one or more connection members for connecting to adjacent instances of like splitter modules. The housing includes a plurality of cable ports providing access to an optical splitter storage area. Each connection member includes a tab and a slot, the tab configured to slidingly engage with the slot of an adjacent connection member. Sliding engagement of adjacent instances of splitter modules can form a stack of splitter modules along a stacking axis. In some cases a splitter module includes a latching mechanism to removably engage an adjacent splitter module. The latching mechanism can restrict sliding engagement and thus decoupling of the adjacent splitter modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. LARSSON, George I. WAKILEH, Joselyn Gabriela GAMBOA
  • Patent number: 11245236
    Abstract: A modular passive RF apparatus includes a passive RF portal and a passive RF expansion module configured to be removably coupled with the passive RF portal. A male connector is configured to extend from a top surface of the passive RF portal, and a female connector is configured to extend from the first end wall of the passive RF expansion portal. The female connector is configured to slidingly engage the male connector in a direction parallel to the top surface of the passive RF portal in order to mechanically couple the passive RF expansion module with the passive RF portal, and the male connector is configured to prevent the female connector from being removed from the male connector in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the passive RF portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: David Barany, Cameron James Adams, Noah P. Montena
  • Patent number: 11237349
    Abstract: Systems and methods of dispensing telecommunications cable from a network component are provided. A system includes a housing, an axle, and a spool. The housing defines an interior region and includes a cable storage portion and a mounting surface defining a receptacle. The axle is configured to removably attach to the receptacle. The spool is configured to be disposed on the axle, and has a first flange proximal to the mounting surface and a removable second flange distal to the mounting surface when the spool is disposed on the axle. The spool has a drum portion configured to support a coiled fiber optic cable and dispense the fiber optic cable as the spool rotates on the axle. Undispensed cable can be removed from the spool with the second flange removed. The cable storage portion of the housing is configured to receive the undispensed coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Larsson, George I. Wakileh
  • Publication number: 20220026653
    Abstract: An enclosure for spliced cables includes an outer housing, a splice tray, internal circuitry, a first fiber and a cable stub. The splice tray and the internal circuitry are positioned inside the outer housing. The first fiber may be connected to the internal circuitry. The cable stub includes a second fiber spliced to the first fiber to form a splice. The splice is configured to be positioned on the splice tray so as to protect and support the splice. The internal circuitry includes a downstream monitor channel fiber, an upstream monitor channel fiber, a downstream channel fiber, and an upstream channel fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Randall D. HUTCHISON, Robert SCHIFFBAUER, William Jerry GARRETT
  • Patent number: 11233362
    Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a longitudinal axis passing through first and second opposed body ends, a connector center conductor for transporting a signal through the connector, and a coil spring that is coiled about the longitudinal axis. The second body end is for engaging a male coaxial cable connector, and the coil spring urges an electromagnetic shield to protrude from the second body end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Brian K. Hanson, Noah P. Montena
  • Publication number: 20220006234
    Abstract: A connecting device for connecting runs of communication material having a predetermined length and coupling elements at both ends is provided. The connecting device includes a first end, an opposing second end, and a separating element. The first end couples to a coupling element of a first run of communication material and the second end couples to a coupling element of a second run of communication material. The first run and the second run of communication material is separated in response to activation of the separating element. Also provided is a bulk cable packaging system that includes a plurality of runs of communication material, each run having a predetermined length and coupling elements at both ends and a plurality of connecting devices. The runs of communication material are coupled together with the connecting devices is operatively coupled to a reel. The reel is then operatively coupled within a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas Randy BLUNT
  • Patent number: 11217948
    Abstract: A connector for a coaxial cable includes a coupler portion configured to engage an interface port, a housing portion having a forward end configured to be disposed at least partially within the coupler portion, and an outer conductor engager portion made of a conductive material disposed within the housing portion. The housing portion includes a rearward end configured to receive the coaxial cable and is configured to move axially relative to a post that engages the outer conductor of the cable. An interior surface of the housing portion is configured to compress an insert of the post when the housing portion is moved axially relative to the post such that the outer conductor is compressed radially inward against an exterior surface of the insert of the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Harold Watkins, Steve Stankovski, Richard Maroney
  • Publication number: 20210408739
    Abstract: A tap adapter configured to removably couple a coaxial cable connector with a cable tap includes a body, a nut extending about the body, a retaining ring configured to couple the body with the nut, and a collet disposed in the body. The nut includes a first end configured to receive a coaxial cable connector. The collet has a first end configured to receive a center conductor of a cable terminated by the coaxial cable connector and a second end configured to be coupled with a port of a cable tap. The collet is configured to provide an electrical connection between the center conductor and the port of the cable tap. The nut is configured to rotate relative to the body and to slide axially relative to the body as limited by the retaining ring. The tap adapter permits the coaxial cable connector to be removed from the tap adapter while the tap adapter remains mechanically coupled with the cable tap and the second end of the collet remains mechanically and electrically coupled with the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua C. IVANCIC, Noah P. MONTENA, Doug JONES, Colin MCCONNELL, Daniel DAOUST, Harold J. WATKINS
  • Publication number: 20210399535
    Abstract: A connector includes a first connector body and a second connector body configured to be coupled to one another. The first connector body has a through hole and a cavity. The through hole and the cavity are configured to receive a shield of a hardline coaxial cable. A first washer is disposed in the first connector body and is configured to permit the shield to be pushed in a first direction through the through hole and into the cavity while resisting movement of the shield in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The second connector body has a through hole and a cavity. The through hole and the cavity of the second connector body are configured to receive a tubular member. A second washer is disposed in the second connector body and is configured to permit the tubular member to be pushed in the second direction through the through hole of the second connector body and into the cavity of the second connector body while resisting movement of the tubular member in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventor: Eric J. PURDY
  • Patent number: 11196186
    Abstract: A ground block may include a metal ground plate and a ground wire fixedly coupled with the metal ground plate. The ground wire is configured to be non-detachable from the ground block during normal use of the ground block. The ground block may be formed by soldering, brazing, or clamping the ground wire to the metal ground plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: PPC BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Mathews, Brian K. Hanson