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).

  • Publication number: 20250110290
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Terry Lee Cooke, Jason Higley, Sherrh Clint Reinhardt
  • Publication number: 20240385387
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240361536
    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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12117657
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Myron W. Yount
  • Patent number: 12092876
    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: October 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20240288636
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
  • Patent number: 12061364
    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: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12061362
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240264383
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 12019278
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20240192448
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Patent number: 12001062
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
  • Publication number: 20240151912
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240142715
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Patent number: 11914195
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240027691
    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: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 11789212
    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: January 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20230296851
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
  • Patent number: 11726267
    Abstract: A combination of an adapter panel and at least one two-piece fiber optic adapter includes an adapter panel having a first side and a second side, the adapter panel having a window extending between the first side and the second side, the adapter panel having a thickness and a two-piece fiber optic adapter formed by joining a first piece to a second piece via a latching mechanism, each of the first piece and second piece having a longitudinal opening to receive fiber optic connectors from either side of the adapter panel. The latching mechanism is positioned at least partially within the window and the thickness of the adapter panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventor: Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20230251436
    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: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Myron W. Yount