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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 12013580
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, 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: 12007608
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20240168247
    Abstract: An optical connector assembly (OCA) includes a connector housing to maintain alignment between optical components housed within the OCA and photoelectric converters on an optoelectronic substrate (OES) assembly. The optical components include a ferrule and an optical cable. The ferrule is optically coupled to the optical cable. The OCA includes a ferrule holder to hold the ferrule within the OCA, and a spring located between the connector housing and the ferrule holder. The spring is to apply a separating force between the ferrule holder and the connector housing. The OCA includes a gasket coupled to the connector housing. The coupling of the connector housing to a socket compresses the gasket to provide a seal between the connector housing and the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Cecil D. Hastings, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240168243
    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: February 2, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20240168240
    Abstract: An adapter to mate fiber optic ferrules to respective fiber optic ferrules in a fiber optic connector housing includes a main body having ferrule-side openings and connector-side openings to receive the fiber optic connectors. The adapter includes columns that extend between a top side and a bottom side of the main body, a plurality of triggers attached to the adapter, each of the plurality of triggers having a pair of trigger legs, the trigger legs positioned inside respective columns on opposing sides. There is also a holder extension groove oriented longitudinally in each column and configured to receive a holder extension of a fiber optic ferrule holder and a pair of ferrule stop pedestals on each column on opposite sides of each holder extension groove configured to seat the fiber optic ferrule when the fiber optic ferrule holder is fully inserted into the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 11988879
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20240159973
    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: January 22, 2024
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Patent number: D1030682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: D1031670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Mendenhall, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers