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).

  • Patent number: 12197017
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector housing has a first portion to receive fiber optic ferrule holders and fiber optic ferrules. The fiber optic connector housing also includes a second portion for use during polishing and before one of the fiber optic ferrule holders is rotated 180°. The second portion is, removed to allow for rotation and a third portion is attached to the first portion for connection with another fiber optic connector or assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12164155
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • Publication number: 20240393546
    Abstract: A method for terminating a fiber optic ferrule included applying a force to a fiber optic ferrule while simultaneously holding the optical fibers. The fiber optic ferrule uses epoxy to hold the optical fibers, the epoxy can be either heat or light cured. The force is applied through a pusher that engages a cap on the front end of the fiber optic ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Dirk E. Schoellner, Darrell R. Childers
  • 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
  • Patent number: 12147079
    Abstract: A lens plate for fiber-optic ferrules has an inner side and an outer side. The inner side of the lens plate has a plurality of lenses on an inner base in an inner central recessed portion of the inner side, the inner side facing an end face of the fiber-optic ferrule. The plurality of lenses are configured to collimate an optical beam received thereupon. There is an outer base in an outer central recessed portion on the outer side and at least partially circumscribed by an outer face, the inner central recessed portion and the outer central recessed portion at least partially overlie one another. There is also a method for collimating an optical beam output from a fiber-optic ferrule end face using a lens plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed
  • 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: 12124093
    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: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20240329332
    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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240319449
    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: May 31, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 12092877
    Abstract: A method for terminating a fiber optic ferrule included applying a force to a fiber optic ferrule while simultaneously holding the optical fibers. The fiber optic ferrule uses epoxy to hold the optical fibers, the epoxy can be either heat or light cured. The force is applied through a pusher that engages a cap on the front end of the fiber optic ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Inventors: Dirk E. Schoellner, Darrell R. Childers
  • 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: 20240302603
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 12078854
    Abstract: An optical transceiver assembly includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a first multi-fiber ferrule exclusively connected to the optical transmitter via a first set of at least two optical fibers operable to transport respective optical signals away from the optical transmitter. The assembly includes a second multi-fiber ferrule exclusively connected to the optical receiver via a second set of at least two optical fibers operable to transport respective optical signals to the optical transmitter. The first set of at least two optical fibers is separate from the second set of at least two optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Inventors: Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12072536
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism engages springs in a fiber optic connector to prevent movement of the springs relative to the fiber optic ferrules and the housing during curing of an epoxy inserted into the fiber optic connector. The retaining mechanism may be removably attached to the housing of the fiber optic connector. It may be inserted from a rear end of the fiber optic connector or disposed around an outside portion of the housing. The retaining mechanism may also be integral with an inside surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers, Shubhrangshu Sengupta
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20240231010
    Abstract: A two-piece fiber optic connector and a corresponding two-piece adapter allow for the tripling of the optical fibers that can be used with a standard fiber-optic cassette. The two-piece fiber optic connector has a fold-over latch to engage the adapter. The two-piece adapter has at least one latch to engage the standard fiber-optic cassette to retain the two-piece adapter and the fiber optic connectors in the adapter within the cassette. This allows for the retrofitting and/or continued use of the standard fiber-optic cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20240219650
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly is mated with a bracket on a printed circuit board at one end and inserted into a backplane adapter that is adjacent a backplane. In particular a spring push in slidingly attached to the bracket and also to the housing of the fiber optic connector assembly. The housing of the fiber optic connector assembly insertable into the backplane adapter using passive alignment features. A fiber optic ferrule in the fiber optic connector assembly is biased in a forward direction by a spring in the spring push. At the same time the spring allows for movement of the spring push within the housing to allow for movement of the printed circuit board relative to the backplane adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes