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).

  • Lensed ferrule with low back reflection
    Patent number: 11086084
    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: March 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Daniel D. Kurtz, Ke Wang
  • Ferrule Push
    Publication number: 20210215887
    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: September 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Flexible Push-Pull Boot with a Transition Member
    Publication number: 20210191053
    Abstract: A flexible push-pull boot extends between a front end and a rear end, a rear portion has a spine and a plurality of ribs extending from the rear end toward the front end. There is also a middle portion from which a plurality of front extensions extend. At least one of the front extensions has an inwardly extending projection on an inside portion of the front extensions to retain a housing therebehind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers
  • COVER FOR A FIBER OPTIC FERRULE AND FERRULE PUSH
    Publication number: 20210181433
    Abstract: A cover for a fiber optic ferrule and ferrule push includes a sleeve extending lengthwise between opposed front and rear ends and defines a lengthwise-extending opening that opens through the rear end for receiving at least a portion of the fiber optic fiber optic ferrule and the ferrule push. The sleeve also includes a top side and an opposing bottom side, and two side walls extending between the top side and the bottom side and along at least a portion of the sleeve. A receiver is disposed in the top side to receive a projection associated with the ferrule push.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Mini duplex connector with push-pull polarity mechanism, carrier, and rail-receiving crimp body
    Patent number: 11016250
    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: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Mini duplex connector with push-pull polarity mechanism and carrier
    Patent number: 11016251
    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: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Mitchell Cloud
  • Alignment Structure for a Fiber Optic Ferrule and Mechanical-Optical Interface
    Publication number: 20210149127
    Abstract: A new fiber optic ferrule has an alignment structure on a surface through which light passes. The alignment structure is preferably in the shape of a dog bone, allowing the alignment structure to align the fiber optic ferrule in a receptacle while reducing the influence of temperature on the alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Brent D. Henley
  • Modified MT ferrule with removed cantilevered fibers and internal lenses and mold pin
    Patent number: 11009666
    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: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventor: Darrell R. Childers
  • Multi-Fiber Ferrule with Improved Eye Safety
    Publication number: 20210088730
    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: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Long push pull sleeve indicating orientation
    Patent number: 10921529
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: USConec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount, Michael E. Hughes
  • Removable Sliding Shutter for an Adapter
    Publication number: 20210018698
    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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers
  • Alignment adapter and alignment design for a connector therefor
    Patent number: 10890723
    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 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Jillcha Fekadu Wakjira, Joseph P. Howard
  • FIBER HANDLING TOOL WITH SPRING LOADED DOORS
    Publication number: 20210001455
    Abstract: A fiber handling tool has a cover to engage optical fibers placed in the fiber handling tool. There may be more than one cover and the covers have at least two elastic elements. There are at least two elastic elements that cooperate to hold the optical fibers and/or cable in place and another elastic element may be used with a door lock that is rotatably attached to the cover. There are also structures for managing the routing of the optical fibers within the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Kolton Baer, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Optical fiber rearrangement device with containment channels
    Patent number: 10884212
    Abstract: A device for rearranging optical fibers has a proximal and distal end. 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: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Darrell R. Childers, Brian J. Gimbel, Brian Pruett, Myron W. Yount
  • Multi-fiber ferrule with improved eye safety
    Patent number: 10877222
    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: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes, Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Non-Ferrule Damaging Field Removable Guide Pin
    Publication number: 20200355877
    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: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Darrell R. Childers
  • OPTICAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY CONNECTORIZED FOR NON-PERMANENT ATTACHMENT TO AN OPTOELECTRONIC SUBSTRATE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20200348475
    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: July 3, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Paul Kessler Rosenberg, George Panotopoulos, Kent Devenport, Darrell R. Childers, Cecil D. Hastings, JR., Daniel D. Kurtz
  • Fiber Optic Ferrule and A Guide Pin Clamp with Field Changeable Guide Pins
    Publication number: 20200341210
    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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount
  • Lens Plate for Ferrules
    Publication number: 20200341199
    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: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed
  • Field Changeable Fiber Optic Connector Polarity Keying with Color Coding
    Publication number: 20200341205
    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: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Myron W. Yount