Patents Assigned to US Conec Ltd.
  • Patent number: 11280966
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule push includes a main body extending between a front end and a rear end, the main body having a central opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough, a front facing surface configured to engage a rear surface of a fiber optic ferrule, and at least one projection extending outward from the main body to engage a housing configured to receive the fiber optic ferrule, the fiber optic ferrule push may also include a key extending outward from a surface of the main body. The fiber optic ferrule push may be paired with a fiber optic ferrule in a fiber optic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11256038
    Abstract: In a mateable pair of MPO connectors, a first connector has a first key structure and a second key structure, each of which is moveable between a first position and a second position thereof. When the first key structure is in the first position, the second key structure is in the second position and vice versa. The second connector similarly has a first key structure and a second key structure, each moveable between a first position and a second position thereof, and when the first key structure is in the first position, the second key structure is in the second position and vice versa. A polarity of at least one of the first connector and the second connector is reversible without disassembly thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: US CONEC LTD.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Good, William E. Ayres, III, Greg Heffner
  • Patent number: 11249265
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly (OCA) includes a connector housing to maintain alignment between optical components housed within the OCA and photoelectric converters on an optoelectronic substrate (OES) assembly. The optical components include a ferrule and an optical cable. The ferrule is optically coupled to the optical cable. The OCA includes a ferrule holder to hold the ferrule within the OCA, and a spring located between the connector housing and the ferrule holder. The spring is to apply a separating force between the ferrule holder and the connector housing. The OCA includes a gasket coupled to the connector housing. The coupling of the connector housing to a socket compresses the gasket to provide a seal between the connector housing and the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Cecil D. Hastings, Jr., Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11237339
    Abstract: An adapter holds a multi-fiber ferrule in position to mate with a multi-fiber ferrule in a fiber optic connector. The adapter includes an adapter body that has a first opening in a first side of the adapter body that receives the multi-fiber ferrule and a second opening in the second side of the adapter body to removably receive the fiber optic connector. The adapter also includes a pair of latches connected to the adapter and disposed adjacent the first opening to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrule in the adapter. The pair of latches are connected to the adapter body along longer edges of the first opening and extend in a direction away from the first and the second openings, the pair of latches having a terminal end and a non-uniform thickness between the adapter body and terminal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Shelly Ann Buchter
  • Patent number: 11231553
    Abstract: An optical fiber arranging tool has a base, a top surface, and a recessed channel extending along the base and has a plurality of ribs disposed within the recessed channel. The plurality of ribs have a pitch of 250 microns creating a plurality of grooves for receiving the optical fibers. The tool may also have a latch, there being a slot between the top surface of the base and an underside of the latch and in communication with the recessed channel. A method for aligning the optical fibers includes sliding individual optical fibers into a slot and the recessed channel, moving an object along the optical fibers in the recessed channel, passing the individual optical fibers through a respective one of a plurality of grooves created by ribs within the recessed channel and maintaining the individual optical fibers at a distance of 0.250 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Craig M. Conrad, Arnold Deal, III, Charles L. Bass, III
  • Publication number: 20210373253
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic connector housing make contact only along two sides of the fiber optic ferrule when in an unmated condition. One of the fiber optic ferrule and the fiber optic connector housing have been modified such that only two of the surfaces engage one another. The shoulders can be shortened, lengthened, or have a projection added to the current surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11150415
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector along with a tool allows for the changing of the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Keys may be installed in both the top and the bottom of the fiber optic connector, one in a first position and the other in a second position. Using the tool in one back-and-forth motion, the polarity of the fiber optic connector can be changed. The keys have a configuration that resist an incorrect insertion and provide better retention of the keys in the correct configuration due to a better retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 11150414
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector along with a tool allows for the changing of the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Keys are installed in both the top and the bottom of the fiber optic connector, one in a first position and the other in a second position. Using the tool in one back-and-forth motion, the polarity of the fiber optic connector change be changed. The keys may be colored differently to identify the polarity of the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Patent number: 11119281
    Abstract: A compliant adapter for fiber-optic connectors that are inserted into a cut-out in a panel include a main body extending between a first end and a second end and a compliant piece disposed at the second end of the main body that is movable between a relaxed position and a compressed position. The compliant adapter has a first opening area in the relaxed position and a smaller second opening area in the compressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jason Higley
  • Patent number: 11112567
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 11092757
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic connector housing make contact only along two sides of the fiber optic ferrule when in an unmated condition. One of the fiber optic ferrule and the fiber optic connector housing have been modified such that only two of the surfaces engage one another. The shoulders can be shortened, lengthened, or have a projection added to the current surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11016250
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 11016251
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: 11009666
    Abstract: A modified MT fiber optic ferrule has optical fiber receiving holes by the front end to receive the ends of optical fibers inserted into and through the ferrule. The optical fiber receiving holes are aligned with optical fiber openings in the center of the ferrule and have lenses formed in the optical fiber receiving holes to collimate from or focus light into the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrules. The front end of the fiber optic ferrule may also have integral mating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20210088730
    Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has lenses that have different prescriptions to disperse the light emitted from the multi-fiber ferrule. Alternatively, the lens for each individual optical fiber can be moved relative to the optical fiber or the optical fiber opening in the multi-fiber ferrule to cause the laser beam exiting the multi-fiber ferrule to be redirected into a structure that absorbs or blocks the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 10890723
    Abstract: An adapter with novel alignment features engages alignment features on a plug, providing general alignment of the ferrule holders and ferrules in the plug. After the plug engages the adapter, the ferrule holders engage a second set of alignment features in the adapter to provide fine alignment for the ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: 10884212
    Abstract: A device for rearranging optical fibers has a proximal and distal end. The ends have openings therein to allow optical fibers to pass therethrough. The openings in the distal end have a width that is less than twice the optical fiber's diameter. Dividers separate the distal end openings and have a projection that narrows the distal openings to prevent the optical fibers from accidentally moving out of the openings. A lid is also provided to assist with organization and compression of the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers, Brian J. Gimbel, Brian Pruett, Myron W. Yount
  • Patent number: 10877222
    Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has lenses that have different prescriptions to disperse the light emitted from the multi-fiber ferrule. Alternatively, the lens for each individual optical fiber can be moved relative to the optical fiber or the optical fiber opening in the multi-fiber ferrule to cause the laser beam exiting the multi-fiber ferrule to be redirected into a structure that absorbs or blocks the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20200341210
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring and a guide pin retaining plate. The forward clamp portion and the rearward clamp portion move relative to one another to also move guide pin retaining plate from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Patent number: D941284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers