Patents by Inventor Craig M. Conrad
Craig M. Conrad 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).
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Patent number: 12321017Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receiver includes a main body that has an opening extending between the front end and the rear end and being defined at least by a portion of internal surfaces of the four sides. A first side in the opening has first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a first position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the first position and the front end. There is also a second side in the opening and across the opening from the first side, the second side has a third tapered surface and a fourth tapered surface, the third tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a second position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the second position and the front end.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2024Date of Patent: June 3, 2025Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Patent number: 12298569Abstract: A guide pin insert for an adapter to align two fiber optic connectors includes a central body having an opening configured to allow two fiber optic ferrules to mate therethrough, the opening having a longitudinal axis therethrough, a first guide pin holder in communication with the opening on a first side of the central body to engage a first guide pin, a second guide pin holder in communication with the opening on a second side of the central body to engage a second guide pin, a third guide pin holder spaced from the first guide pin holder along the longitudinal axis to engage the first guide pin, and a fourth guide pin holder spaced from the second guide pin holder along the longitudinal axis to engage the second guide pin.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2019Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20250110290Abstract: An interconnect system is provided that involves pre-installing a connector housing an optical connector in an adapter and a ferrule of the same optical connector on a cable. The ferrule terminates one or more groups of optical fibers, and a ferrule push component is also pre-installed on the same group(s) of optical fibers. The connector housing is configured to receive and retain the ferrule and ferrule push component without being removed from the adapter to simultaneously form the optical connector and install the optical connector in the adapter. Embodiments such an interconnect system involving high fiber-count cables and related installation methods involving many optical connections are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2024Publication date: April 3, 2025Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt
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Publication number: 20240385387Abstract: A housing for a fiber optic connector includes an opening extending between a front end and a rear end, and having an integral spring stop surface between the front end and the rear end. A front section receives an elastic member into the opening from the front end and the elastic member is engageable with the integral spring stop of the housing. There is a middle section of the main body to transition optical fibers between a fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic cable. A rear section of the main body has an outer surface to engage a crimp ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2024Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20240361536Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
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Patent number: 12117657Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Myron W. Yount
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Patent number: 12092876Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 1, 2023Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
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Publication number: 20240288636Abstract: A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2024Publication date: August 29, 2024Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
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Patent number: 12061362Abstract: A housing for a fiber optic connector includes an opening extending between a front end and a rear end, and having an integral spring stop surface between the front end and the rear end. A front section receives an elastic member into the opening from the front end and the elastic member is engageable with the integral spring stop of the housing. There is a middle section of the main body to transition optical fibers between a fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic cable. A rear section of the main body has an outer surface to engage a crimp ring.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Patent number: 12061364Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 7, 2022Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
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Publication number: 20240264383Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has a main body with a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to engage a housing of a fiber optic connector. The top cut-out extends rearwardly from the front end. The bottom portion also has a bottom cut-out portion forming a second forward facing surface to engage the housing of the fiber optic connector, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the front end. The multi-fiber ferrule also includes an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body. There is a rear central opening that extends into the main body from the rear end face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2024Publication date: August 8, 2024Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
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Patent number: 12019278Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has a main body with a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to engage a housing of a fiber optic connector. The top cut-out extends rearwardly from the front end. The bottom portion also has a bottom cut-out portion forming a second forward facing surface to engage the housing of the fiber optic connector, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the front end. The multi-fiber ferrule also includes an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body. There is a rear central opening that extends into the main body from the rear end face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
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Publication number: 20240192448Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receiver includes a main body that has an opening extending between the front end and the rear end and being defined at least by a portion of internal surfaces of the four sides. A first side in the opening has first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a first position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the first position and the front end. There is also a second side in the opening and across the opening from the first side, the second side has a third tapered surface and a fourth tapered surface, the third tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a second position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the second position and the front end.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2024Publication date: June 13, 2024Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Patent number: 12001062Abstract: A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
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Publication number: 20240151912Abstract: A fiber optic adapter assembly includes an adapter body, a spring clip and a retention cap attached to the adapter body enclosing each of the spring clip and two shutters. The adapter body has a main opening and two pivot walls with latch arms extending away from the main opening, the pivot walls being solid between a top edge and a bottom edge. The spring clip has a plurality of fingers moveably contacting each of shutters, which pivot between a first and second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Jason Higley, Craig M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20240142715Abstract: A fiber optic adapter assembly includes an adapter body, a spring clip and a retention cap attached to the adapter body enclosing each of the spring clip and two shutters. The adapter body has a main opening and a plurality of pivot arms extending away from the main opening and two latch arms, each of the latch arms disposed between a pair of the pivot arms causing gaps between the latch arms and the pivot arms, which are sealed by the retention cap. The spring clip has a plurality of fingers moveably contacting each of shutters, which pivot between a first and second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Patent number: 11914195Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receiver includes a main body that has an opening extending between the front end and the rear end and being defined at least by a portion of internal surfaces of the four sides. A first side in the opening has first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a first position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the first position and the front end. There is also a second side in the opening and across the opening from the first side, the second side has a third tapered surface and a fourth tapered surface, the third tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a second position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the second position and the front end.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
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Publication number: 20240027691Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
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Patent number: 11789212Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2023Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: US Conec Ltd.Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
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Publication number: 20230296851Abstract: A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2023Publication date: September 21, 2023Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley