Patents by Inventor Darrell R. Childers

Darrell R. Childers 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).

  • Field changeable fiber optic connector polarity keying with color coding
    Patent number: 10107969
    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: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Non-Ferrule Damaging Field Removable Guide Pin
    Publication number: 20180292614
    Abstract: A guide pin for aligning fiber optic ferrules includes an elongated cylindrical element with a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis therethrough, and a diameter. The distal end has a configuration to be insertable into a first ferrule to align the fiber optic ferrules. The proximal end is configured to be inserted into and retained in a guide pin opening in a second ferrule, the guide pin opening in the second ferrule having a diameter, the proximal end of the elongated cylindrical element having a first portion having a profile that is related to an arc with radius equal to or smaller than the diameter of the guide pin opening and a second portion having a profile defined by a line associated with the arc, the second portion being proximal relative to the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Low Debris Dust Cap for MPO Connectors
    Publication number: 20180292613
    Abstract: A low debris dust cap has a plurality of portions corresponding the fiber optic connector on which it is installed. Two latches extending from side walls are disposed between the inner and outer housings. The low debris dust cap can be placed and removed from the connector without movement of either the inner or outer housings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Modified MT Ferrule with Removed Cantilevered Fibers & Internal Lenses & Mold Pin
    Publication number: 20180267251
    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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Fiber optic ferrule with improved ability to achieve ferrule mating plane contact
    Patent number: 10067297
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes on a rear surface thereof a pair of spring pads, each of the pair of spring pads having an engagement surface facing away from the fiber optic ferrule to engage a spring to eliminate off-axis moments. A fiber optic connector is also provided that uses the fiber optic ferrule. The engagement surface could be flat or rounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Lensed Ferrule with Low Back Reflection
    Publication number: 20180239092
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule has an entrance surface that is angled at an angle that other than perpendicular to the optical fiber axis. The optical fibers disposed within the fiber optic ferrule are preferably separated from the entrance surface. These features reduce the amount of reflection of the light back into the optical fiber and increase the performance of the fiber optic ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • Fiber Optic Connector Assembly, Apparatus For Forming A Transceiver Interface, And Ferrule
    Publication number: 20180231727
    Abstract: An fiber-optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic ferrule and a connector, which engage an optical transceiver component. The fiber optic ferrule engages a mating plane of a lens array in the optical transceiver component and floats within the connector. The engagement of the assembly and the optical transceiver component may be removable rather than fixed. The fiber optic ferrule also engages a mechanical interface to account for three degrees of freedom, while the engagement of the mating surfaces account for another three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Optical fiber rearrangement device with containment channels
    Patent number: 10042137
    Abstract: A device for rearranging optical fibers has a proximal and distal ends. 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: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers, Brian J. Gimbel, Brian Pruett, Myron W. Yount
  • Unitary Fiber Optic Ferrule and Adapter Therefor
    Publication number: 20180188455
    Abstract: A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Field Changeable Fiber Optic Connector Polarity Keying with Color Coding
    Publication number: 20180164511
    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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Modified MT ferrule with removed cantilevered fibers and internal lenses and mold pin
    Patent number: 9983365
    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: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Long Push Pull Sleeve Indicating Orientation
    Publication number: 20180136414
    Abstract: An outer housing on a fiber optic connector allows for easier grasping to insert and remove a fiber optic connector, and in particular, in high density applications. The outer housing extends beyond a rear end of an inner housing. The outer housing also includes a way for a technician to see if the fiber optic connectors are installed correctly from a variety of positions relative to the installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount, Michael E. Hughes
  • Stepped Ferrule Seating in an MTP Inner Housing
    Publication number: 20180136413
    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: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Alignment Adapter and Alignment Design for a Connector Therefor
    Publication number: 20180120519
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Alignment Adapter and Alignment Design for a Connector Therefor
    Publication number: 20180106973
    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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Fiber optic connector assembly, apparatus for forming a transceiver interface, and ferrule
    Patent number: 9939598
    Abstract: An fiber-optic connector assembly includes a fiber optic ferrule and a connector, which engage an optical transceiver component. The fiber optic ferrule engages a mating plane of a lens array in the optical transceiver component and floats within the connector. The engagement of the assembly and the optical transceiver component may be removable rather than fixed. The fiber optic ferrule also engages a mechanical interface to account for three degrees of freedom, while the engagement of the mating surfaces account for another three degrees of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule with Rear Holes to Align A Guide Pin Clamp with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20180067269
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule with rear holes and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion to engage the rear face of the fiber optic ferrule, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring, and a guide pin retaining plate. The guide pin retaining plate is movable from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Myron W. Yount, Brent D. Henley, Joseph L. Graham
  • Unitary fiber optic ferrule and adapter therefor
    Patent number: 9910226
    Abstract: A unitary fiber optic ferrule reflects light off an interior lens and through the fiber optic ferrule. Optical fibers can be easily secured in the unitary fiber optic ferrule. An adapter to secure the unitary fiber optic ferrule to a optical component assembly is also presented. The adapter provides a sealing function for the lenses and to provide routing for optical fibers from other assemblies of unitary fiber optic ferrules and adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Howard, Darrell R. Childers, Russell J. Granger
  • Field changeable fiber optic connector polarity keying with color coding
    Patent number: 9880361
    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: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Apparatus for and Method of Terminating a Multi-fiber Ferrule
    Publication number: 20180011253
    Abstract: An apparatus allows a plurality of optical fibers to be held together during the termination process. A handling device holds the optical fibers while a cleaving device allows for consistent cleaving of the optical fibers to ensure the ends are cleaved consistently. The handling device may also be used during the fixation of the optical fibers in the fiber optic ferrule. A method for terminating the plurality of optical fiber is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Michael E. Hughes, Joseph P. Howard, Arnold Deal, III, Dirk Eric Schoellner