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).

  • Unitary multi-fiber optical ferrule with integrated lenses
    Patent number: 11353663
    Abstract: A unitary multi-fiber ferrule has micro-holes for optical fibers, an optical stop plane for the optical fibers, and a plurality of lenses disposed adjacent the front end, each of the plurality of lenses optically aligned with one of the micro-holes and exposed to air. Multiple rows of optical fibers and lenses may also be used in the unitary multi-fiber ferrule. The unitary multi-fiber ferrule requires less processing and equipment than other current optical ferrules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Eric Childers
  • OPTICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CONNECTORIZED FOR NON-PERMANENT ATTACHMENT TO AN OPTOELECTRONIC SUBSTRATE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220171144
    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: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Cecil D. Hastings, JR.
  • Secure MT Ferrule Latching with MPO Adapter
    Publication number: 20220146757
    Abstract: An adapter holds a multi-fiber ferrule in position to mate with a multi-fiber ferrule in a fiber optic connector. The adapter includes an adapter body that has a first opening in a first side of the adapter body that receives the multi-fiber ferrule and a second opening in the second side of the adapter body to removably receive the fiber optic connector. The adapter also includes a pair of latches connected to the adapter and disposed adjacent the first opening to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrule in the adapter. The pair of latches are connected to the adapter body along longer edges of the first opening and extend in a direction away from the first and the second openings, the pair of latches having a terminal end and a non-uniform thickness between the adapter body and terminal ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Shelly Ann Buchter
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ARRAYING OPTICAL FIBERS SIDE BY SIDE ON A PITCH GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE FIBER
    Publication number: 20220146758
    Abstract: An optical fiber arranging tool has a base, a top surface, and a recessed channel extending along the base and has a plurality of ribs disposed within the recessed channel. The plurality of ribs have a pitch of 250 microns creating a plurality of grooves for receiving the optical fibers. The tool may also have a latch extending from the top surface of the base on one side of the recessed channel and across the recessed channel to a second side of the recessed channel, there being a slot between the top surface of the base and an underside of the latch and in communication with the recessed channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Craig M. Conrad, Arnold Deal, III, Charles L. Bass, III
  • Fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp with field changeable guide pins
    Patent number: 11327249
    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: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Removable sliding shutter for an adapter
    Patent number: 11314022
    Abstract: An adapter that receives fiber optic connectors has a shutter to keep dust and dirt from the fiber optic connectors is capable of rotation as well as translation. The shutter may also be removed from the adapter when not needed. The shutter does not interfere with adjacent adapters or fiber optic connectors and does not need a spring to keep the shutter in a closed position when the adapter does not have a fiber optic connector installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers
  • SMALL FORM FACTOR CONNECTOR AND ADAPTER
    Publication number: 20220107467
    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: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Ferrule push
    Patent number: 11280966
    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: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Optical connector assembly connectorized for non-permanent attachment to an optoelectronic substrate assembly
    Patent number: 11249265
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Cecil D. Hastings, Jr., Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Field Changeable Fiber Optic Connector Polarity Keying
    Publication number: 20220035105
    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 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Secure MT ferrule latching with MPO adapter
    Patent number: 11237339
    Abstract: An adapter holds a multi-fiber ferrule in position to mate with a multi-fiber ferrule in a fiber optic connector. The adapter includes an adapter body that has a first opening in a first side of the adapter body that receives the multi-fiber ferrule and a second opening in the second side of the adapter body to removably receive the fiber optic connector. The adapter also includes a pair of latches connected to the adapter and disposed adjacent the first opening to engage and hold the multi-fiber ferrule in the adapter. The pair of latches are connected to the adapter body along longer edges of the first opening and extend in a direction away from the first and the second openings, the pair of latches having a terminal end and a non-uniform thickness between the adapter body and terminal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Shelly Ann Buchter
  • Apparatus and method for arraying optical fibers side by side on a pitch greater than the diameter of the fiber
    Patent number: 11231553
    Abstract: An optical fiber arranging tool has a base, a top surface, and a recessed channel extending along the base and has a plurality of ribs disposed within the recessed channel. The plurality of ribs have a pitch of 250 microns creating a plurality of grooves for receiving the optical fibers. The tool may also have a latch, there being a slot between the top surface of the base and an underside of the latch and in communication with the recessed channel. A method for aligning the optical fibers includes sliding individual optical fibers into a slot and the recessed channel, moving an object along the optical fibers in the recessed channel, passing the individual optical fibers through a respective one of a plurality of grooves created by ribs within the recessed channel and maintaining the individual optical fibers at a distance of 0.250 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Craig M. Conrad, Arnold Deal, III, Charles L. Bass, III
  • Guide Pin Holder for Guide Pins in an Adapter
    Publication number: 20220011526
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Small Form Factor Fiber Optic Connector With Crossed Angle Polished Ferrules And Polishing Cap Therefor
    Publication number: 20220011525
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Flexible Push-Pull Boot
    Publication number: 20210405302
    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: September 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Stepped Ferrule Seating in an MTP Inner Housing
    Publication number: 20210373253
    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: August 13, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Lensed Ferrule with Low Back Reflection
    Publication number: 20210364708
    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: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ARRAYING OPTICAL FIBERS SIDE BY SIDE ON A PITCH GREATER THAN THE DIAMETER OF THE FIBER
    Publication number: 20210333480
    Abstract: An optical fiber arranging tool has a base, a top surface, and a recessed channel extending along the base and has a plurality of ribs disposed within the recessed channel. The plurality of ribs have a pitch of 250 microns creating a plurality of grooves for receiving the optical fibers. The tool may also have a latch, there being a slot between the top surface of the base and an underside of the latch and in communication with the recessed channel. A method for aligning the optical fibers includes sliding individual optical fibers into a slot and the recessed channel, moving an object along the optical fibers in the recessed channel, passing the individual optical fibers through a respective one of a plurality of grooves created by ribs within the recessed channel and maintaining the individual optical fibers at a distance of 0.250 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Craig M. Conrad, Arnold Deal, III, Charles L. Bass, III
  • Dust Plug for Adapter Pre-populated with MPO Housing
    Publication number: 20210325613
    Abstract: A dust plug for use in a pre-populated adapters has a main body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and two opposing side walls extending between the top wall and bottom wall. The dust plug also includes at least one pair of latches in a front portion of the main body and each of the at least one pair of latches may have an increased thickness at a forward end thereof. The area of increased thickness is sized to engage a receptacle in an inner surface of the housing when the dust plug is attached to the housing. Other versions contemplate not having the increased thickness. The dust plug preferably includes a grip at the back end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Dust plug
    Patent number: D941284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers