Patents by Inventor Craig Dwayne Ray

Craig Dwayne Ray 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: 9291786
    Abstract: A grommet for use with a fiber optic enclosure having an opening adapted to receive the grommet so as to provide a substantially sealed passage for one or more fiber optic cables passing through the grommet and the opening. The grommet comprises a U-shaped central portion defining an inner face and a first portion of an outer face of the grommet, where the inner face and outer face are separated by a first thickness. The U-shaped central portion further includes a thinned, penetrable region at or near a center area of the U-shaped central portion and forming part of the first portion of the outer face of the grommet, the thinned, penetrable region having a second thickness substantially smaller than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Dwayne Ray
  • Patent number: 9285546
    Abstract: A conduit for passing fiber optic cables through a fiber optic shelf includes a floor section and two sidewalls joining opposing sides of the floor extending towards a top of the conduit. The sidewalls and floor form a u-shaped enclosure having an opening at the top. A fastening anchor having a first tab joins the floor and extends away from the top perpendicular to the floor. A fastener perforation on the first tab is dimensioned to receive a fastener for affixing a fiber optic cassette to a fiber optic shelf. An engagement anchor joins the floor at an opposite end from the fastening anchor and extends away from the top. A protrusion on the engagement anchor extends towards the first tab so as to engage a fastener perforation of a mounting rail in the fiber optic shelf and secure the conduit to the mounting rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Donald James Gross, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20160033722
    Abstract: A bracket for mounting multiple fiber optic cables to a termination box includes a first substantially planar portion having one or more fastener perforations, a second substantially planar portion forming a first corner with the first substantially planar portion, and a third substantially planar portion forming a second corner with the second substantially planar portion, a protrusion of the first and second planar portions at the first corner, and a notch in the second planar portion between the first and second corners. The bracket includes a first tether attachment point having first and second recessed edges of the first and second planar portions and a second tether attachment point having a third recessed edge in the notch and a fourth recessed edge of the third planar portion. The first and second tether attachment points are configured to receive first and second tethers wrapped around the first and second corners, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: Craig Dwayne Ray
  • Publication number: 20150355412
    Abstract: A conduit for passing fiber optic cables through a fiber optic shelf includes a floor section and two sidewalls joining opposing sides of the floor extending towards a top of the conduit. The sidewalls and floor form a u-shaped enclosure having an opening at the top. A fastening anchor having a first tab joins the floor and extends away from the top perpendicular to the floor. A fastener perforation on the first tab is dimensioned to receive a fastener for affixing a fiber optic cassette to a fiber optic shelf. An engagement anchor joins the floor at an opposite end from the fastening anchor and extends away from the top. A protrusion on the engagement anchor extends towards the first tab so as to engage a fastener perforation of a mounting rail in the fiber optic shelf and secure the conduit to the mounting rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Donald James Gross, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Patent number: 9207422
    Abstract: A modular assembly for supporting fiber optic splices includes a tray, cradle, and splice holder. A splice holder is mounted to the first face of the cradle base and defines a plurality of fiber optic splice slots positioned over the depression. The splice holder has parallel upright members extending from a splice holder base to define the slots between the members. The members have internal sidewalls incorporating at least one pair of grooves defining passages in which fiber splices fit. The passages have a tapered shape to accommodate varying sizes of fiber splices, and the holder utilizes alternating orientations for the passages to flexibly fit fiber splices therein. The members define an internal cavity with thinned end walls and a bubble formation at a face of the member that add to the flexibility of the members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20150184777
    Abstract: A grommet for use with a fiber optic enclosure having an opening adapted to receive the grommet so as to provide a substantially sealed passage for one or more fiber optic cables passing through the grommet and the opening. The grommet comprises a U-shaped central portion defining an inner face and a first portion of an outer face of the grommet, where the inner face and outer face are separated by a first thickness. The U-shaped central portion further includes a thinned, penetrable region at or near a center area of the U-shaped central portion and forming part of the first portion of the outer face of the grommet, the thinned, penetrable region having a second thickness substantially smaller than the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventor: Craig Dwayne Ray
  • Patent number: 9052489
    Abstract: Enclosures for supporting fiber optic hardware or managing fiber optic cables are disclosed. An example enclosure includes a bulkhead panel extending outward from and extending across a surface of the enclosure. The bulkhead panel includes at least two mounting flange portions rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the floor, each mounting flange comprising openings adapted to receive a bulkhead adapter plate fastener for securing a bulkhead adapter plate. The bulkhead further includes a knock-out panel portion interposed between and integrally formed with two of the mounting flange portions. This knock-out panel portion is joined to (i) the surface via one or more frangible web members, or (ii) to each of the two mounting flange portions with one or more frangible web members, or (iii) both, where the one or more frangible web members are dimensioned to permit removal of the knock-out panel portion by an installer-supplied force or blow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter, Sean A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8979389
    Abstract: A bracket for securing an end of a fiber optic cable, having at least one strength member, to a termination point includes a base portion at a first end of the bracket, a retention feature at a second end of the bracket that is opposite to the first end, and adapted to receive and at least partially surround an exposed end of the at least one strength member, and an elongated portion extending from the base portion to the retention feature. A first flat surface, on the base portion or the elongated portion, has at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the strength member bracket to a first mounting surface on the termination point. A first flange is disposed along the elongated portion, and adapted to receive a tether for securing a jacketed portion of the fiber optic cable to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20140270649
    Abstract: A bracket for securing an end of a fiber optic cable, having at least one strength member, to a termination point includes a base portion at a first end of the bracket, a retention feature at a second end of the bracket that is opposite to the first end, and adapted to receive and at least partially surround an exposed end of the at least one strength member, and an elongated portion extending from the base portion to the retention feature. A first flat surface, on the base portion or the elongated portion, has at least one opening adapted to receive a fastener for mounting the strength member bracket to a first mounting surface on the termination point. A first flange is disposed along the elongated portion, and adapted to receive a tether for securing a jacketed portion of the fiber optic cable to the bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20140259611
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable is attached to a termination box and exposed ribbon fiber segments are accessible. Fan-out fiber optic cables are attached to the termination box and exposed ribbon fiber segments are accessible. The exposed ribbon fiber segments from the fiber optic cable and the fan-out fiber optic cables are spliced and the splice is covered. The spliced ribbon fiber segments and the splice covering form a continuous length of exposed ribbon fiber. The splice covering is secured to a splice retention cradle. The splice retention cradle is rotated so that the exposed ribbon fiber crosses itself. The splice retention cradle is secured to the termination box with a double loop of exposed ribbon fiber remaining. The double loop is flipped to cross itself and the crossed double loop is folded to form a quadruple loop. The quadruple loop is secured to the termination box, using routing clips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: Craig Dwayne Ray
  • Publication number: 20140226944
    Abstract: Enclosures for supporting fiber optic hardware or managing fiber optic cables are disclosed. An example enclosure includes a bulkhead panel extending outward from and extending across a surface of the enclosure. The bulkhead panel includes at least two mounting flange portions rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the floor, each mounting flange comprising openings adapted to receive a bulkhead adapter plate fastener for securing a bulkhead adapter plate. The bulkhead further includes a knock-out panel portion interposed between and integrally formed with two of the mounting flange portions. This knock-out panel portion is joined to (i) the surface via one or more frangible web members, or (ii) to each of the two mounting flange portions with one or more frangible web members, or (iii) both, where the one or more frangible web members are dimensioned to permit removal of the knock-out panel portion by an installer-supplied force or blow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter, Sean A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8559784
    Abstract: A modular assembly for supporting fiber optic splices includes a tray, cradle, and splice holder. The tray includes a floor, a depression in the floor, and a tab that extends outward from a depression sidewall into the depression. The cradle includes a base configured to be seated in the depression. The cradle base has a first face positioned away from a bottom of the depression and an opposite second face positioned towards the depression bottom when the cradle base is seated in the depression. The cradle base also includes a shelf recessed into the first face at the first side of the cradle base, and positioned between the depression bottom and the tab when the cradle base is seated in the depression. A splice holder is mounted to the first face of the cradle base and defines a plurality of fiber optic splice slots positioned over the depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Publication number: 20130105420
    Abstract: A modular assembly for supporting fiber optic splices includes a tray, cradle, and splice holder. The tray includes a floor, a depression in the floor, and a tab that extends outward from a depression sidewall into the depression. The cradle includes a base configured to be seated in the depression. The cradle base has a first face positioned away from a bottom of the depression and an opposite second face positioned towards the depression bottom when the cradle base is seated in the depression. The cradle base also includes a shelf recessed into the first face at the first side of the cradle base, and positioned between the depression bottom and the tab when the cradle base is seated in the depression. A splice holder is mounted to the first face of the cradle base and defines a plurality of fiber optic splice slots positioned over the depression.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: ALL SYSTEMS BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Timothy W. Dexter
  • Patent number: 8287299
    Abstract: High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plugs are modified to include one or more retention features that increase the force needed to extract a fully inserted HDMI plug from a compatible mating receptacle. In several embodiments, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plug includes a connector body having a mating end configured for insertion in a longitudinal direction into a mating HDMI receptacle and having a slot-shaped opening along at least one wall of the connector body, extending in the longitudinal direction. A movable tab is biased to extend outward from the slot-shaped opening in a first position, when unconstrained by the mating HDMI receptacle, and configured to retreat into a second position, substantially within said opening, when longitudinally engaged by a leading edge of the mating HDMI receptacle during insertion of the connector body. Additional retention features and mating HDMI receptacles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: All Systems Broadband, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Joseph Mayor
  • Publication number: 20120094522
    Abstract: High-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plugs are modified to include one or more retention features that increase the force needed to extract a fully inserted HDMI plug from a compatible mating receptacle. In several embodiments, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) plug includes a connector body having a mating end configured for insertion in a longitudinal direction into a mating HDMI receptacle and having a slot-shaped opening along at least one wall of the connector body, extending in the longitudinal direction. A movable tab is biased to extend outward from the slot-shaped opening in a first position, when unconstrained by the mating HDMI receptacle, and configured to retreat into a second position, substantially within said opening, when longitudinally engaged by a leading edge of the mating HDMI receptacle during insertion of the connector body. Additional retention features and mating HDMI receptacles are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ALL SYSTEMS BROADBAND, INC.
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Joseph Mayor
  • Patent number: 5657413
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable system, such as a preterminated fiber cable, includes a main cable and one or more drop cables connected to the main cable at spaced apart locations along the main cable. The drop cable is spliced to the main cable using a splice closure including a fiber guide that secures spliced together end portions of the respective fibers in a longitudinally extending direction and devoid of any slack coils of optical fibers. Accordingly, the overall diameter of the splice closure is relatively small thereby permitting the cable system to be stored on a reel and to be readily placed within small diameter conduits. The splice closure includes a heat recoverable housing surrounding the fiber guide. Cable sheath end portions are sealed by melting C-shaped bodies of heat flowable material positioned adjacent cable sheath end portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Raychem Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Dwayne Ray, Carney Preston Claunch, II, Terrance Donald Hunsinger, Robert Gerard Sember, James Randall Shaw, Amanda Coulter Smith, Stephen Elliott Wald