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).

  • Single Port Blindmate for Fiber Optic Connectors
    Publication number: 20200241214
    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: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Non-ferrule damaging field removable guide pin
    Patent number: 10725249
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Alignment adapter and alignment design for a connector therefor
    Patent number: 10712509
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • Field changeable fiber optic connector polarity keying with color coding
    Patent number: 10712506
    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: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp with field changeable guide pins
    Patent number: 10712510
    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: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Field changeable fiber optic connector polarity keying
    Patent number: 10712507
    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: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Optical connector assembly connectorized for non-permanent attachment to an optoelectronic substrate assembly
    Patent number: 10705303
    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: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Cecil D. Hastings, Jr., Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Lensed Ferrule with Low Back Reflection
    Publication number: 20200209490
    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: March 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • Secure MT Ferrule Latching with MPO Adapter
    Publication number: 20200200977
    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: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Shelly Ann Buchter
  • Optical fiber rearrangement device with containment channels
    Patent number: 10684438
    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: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers, Brian J. Gimbel, Brian Pruett, Myron W. Yount
  • Fiber optic connector assembly, apparatus for forming a transceiver interface, and ferrule
    Patent number: 10684431
    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: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Flexible Push-Pull Boot
    Publication number: 20200150357
    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: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Stepped Ferrule Seating in an MTP Inner Housing
    Publication number: 20200081197
    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 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Lensed ferrule with low back reflection
    Patent number: 10585248
    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: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • Modified MT Ferrule with Removed Cantilevered Fibers & Internal Lenses & Mold Pin
    Publication number: 20200049900
    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: October 18, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Method and Apparatus for Assembling Uniboot Fiber Optic Connectors
    Publication number: 20190346633
    Abstract: A method for assembling a uniboot fiber optic connector includes the disposing of portions of optical assemblies against a first stop surface and a portion of an optical fiber jacket against a second stop surface. The stop surfaces may be disposed on a fixture that can be used to assemble the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers
  • Stepped ferrule seating in an MTP inner housing
    Patent number: 10473865
    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: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • Modified MT ferrule with removed cantilevered fibers and internal lenses and mold pin
    Patent number: 10451813
    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: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Sleeve for fiber optic connector
    Patent number: D860142
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount, Michael E. Hughes
  • Low debris dust cap
    Patent number: D888671
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers