Patents by Inventor David J. Smentek

David J. Smentek 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: 11728599
    Abstract: An assembly includes: first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs), the PCBs being disposed generally parallel to each other; a first coaxial connector mounted to the first PCB, the first coaxial connector comprising a first inner contact and a first outer connector body, the first outer connector body having a first thickness; and a second coaxial connector mounted to the second PCB, the second axial connector comprising, a second inner contact and a second outer connector body. The second outer connector body includes an engagement surface, the engagement surface being flexible in a direction normal to the second PCB, the engagement surface having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Smentek, Troy I. Vanderhoof, Amit Kaistha, Thomas G. Sheehe
  • Publication number: 20230100627
    Abstract: A connector assembly includes: a first connector having a first outer body, the first outer body including visual indicia on an outer surface thereof, the first outer body including first locking features; and a second connector having a second outer body and a coupling sleeve that is slidable axially relative to the outer body, the second connector including second locking features. The first connector is configured for mating with the second connector. When the first and second connectors are mated, the coupling sleeve is movable between an unlocked position, in which the first and second locking features are not engaged and the first and second connectors can be unmated, and a locked position, in which the coupling sleeve causes engagement of the first and second locking features, thereby preventing unmating of the first and second connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: David J. Smentek, Amit Kaistha
  • Patent number: 11573382
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes sealing boots for protecting an optical interconnection. A sealing boot may include a main body having an interior cavity, the interior cavity having an annular recess adjacent to one end of the main body, the annular recess configured to receive a feature of a remote radio unit, and a neck merging with the opposing end of the main body and having a cylindrical inner surface that defines a bore that is continuous with the cavity of the main body, the inner surface having an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the interior cavity of the main body. The sealing boot is configured to surround at least a portion of a fixed active optical connector when the fixed active optical connector is plugged into the remote radio unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nahid Islam, David J. Smentek, Anthony Leonard LeFebvre
  • Publication number: 20230010610
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a coaxial cable-connector assembly. The coaxial cable-connector assembly including a coaxial cable, a coaxial connector, and a polymeric sleeve. The outer connector body is swaged or crimped onto the polymeric sleeve. An end of a corrugated outer conductor of the coaxial cable is flared radially outwardly to form a flared end that secures the polymeric sleeve onto the coaxial cable. The polymeric sleeve separates the corrugated outer conductor of the coaxial cable from the outer conductor body of the coaxial connector to prevent direct radial electrical connection therebetween and the polymeric sleeve axially forces the flared end of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable in contact with a shoulder of the outer connector body of the coaxial connector. Additional coaxial cable-connector assemblies and related methods of assembling the same are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Paynter, Joseph J. Baltikas, David J. Smentek
  • Publication number: 20230006397
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Publication number: 20220329024
    Abstract: An assembly includes: first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs), the PCBs being disposed generally parallel to each other; a first coaxial connector mounted to the first PCB, the first coaxial connector comprising a first inner contact and a first outer connector body, the first outer connector body having a first thickness; and a second coaxial connector mounted to the second PCB, the second axial connector comprising, a second inner contact and a second outer connector body. The second outer connector body includes an engagement surface, the engagement surface being flexible in a direction normal to the second PCB, the engagement surface having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: David J. Smentek, Troy I. Vanderhoof, Amit Kaistha, Thomas G. Sheehe
  • Patent number: 11387611
    Abstract: An assembly includes: first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs), the PCBs being disposed generally parallel to each other; a first coaxial connector mounted to the first PCB, the first coaxial connector comprising a first inner contact and a first outer connector body, the first outer connector body having a first thickness; and a second coaxial connector mounted to the second PCB, the second axial connector comprising a second inner contact and a second outer connector body. The second outer connector body includes an engagement surface, the engagement surface being flexible in a direction normal to the second PCB, the engagement surface having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David J. Smentek, Troy I. Vanderhoof, Amit Kaistha, Thomas G. Sheehe
  • Patent number: 11355880
    Abstract: A retractable pin includes: a cylindrical body, a retractable member with an insertion cavity at one end, and a spring disposed in a spring cavity defined by the combination of the retractable member and the cylindrical body. Upon application of a force to a free end of the retractable member, the retractable member is configured to retract into the cylindrical body by means of compression of the spring. This invention is further directed to a coaxial connector including a retractable pin as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Mulan Huang, David J. Smentek, Yujun Zhang, Jin Liu
  • Patent number: 11249252
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable splice assembly includes: a first fiber optic cable having a first optical fiber with an exposed first exposed splice region, a first ribbon portion adjacent the first optical fiber and a first jacket; a second fiber optic cable having a second optical fiber with an exposed second splice region, a second ribbon portion adjacent the second optical fiber and a second jacket, the second optical fiber fusion-spliced to the first optical fiber; a splice protector that overlies the first and second exposed splice regions; and a first fiber boot attached to the splice protector that overlies the first ribbon portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Chi Ming Wang, David J. Smentek, Ibrahim M. Elnatour, John Marty
  • Patent number: 11201435
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer: and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Publication number: 20210373260
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes sealing boots for protecting an optical interconnection. A sealing boot may include a main body having an interior cavity, the interior cavity having an annular recess adjacent to one end of the main body, the annular recess configured to receive a feature of a remote radio unit, and a neck merging with the opposing end of the main body and having a cylindrical inner surface that defines a bore that is continuous with the cavity of the main body, the inner surface having an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the interior cavity of the main body. The sealing boot is configured to surround at least a portion of a fixed active optical connector when the fixed active optical connector is plugged into the remote radio unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Nahid Islam, David J. Smentek, Anthony Leonard LeFebvre
  • Publication number: 20210116661
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable splice assembly includes: a first fiber optic cable having a first optical fiber with an exposed first exposed splice region, a first ribbon portion adjacent the first optical fiber and a first jacket; a second fiber optic cable having a second optical fiber with an exposed second splice region, a second ribbon portion adjacent the second optical fiber and a second jacket, the second optical fiber fusion-spliced to the first optical fiber; a splice protector that overlies the first and second exposed splice regions; and a first fiber boot attached to the splice protector that overlies the first ribbon portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Inventors: Chi Ming Wang, David J. Smentek, Ibrahim M. Elnatour, John Marty
  • Publication number: 20210098953
    Abstract: An assembly includes: first and second printed circuit boards (PCBs), the PCBs being disposed generally parallel to each other; a first coaxial connector mounted to the first PCB, the first coaxial connector comprising a first inner contact and a first outer connector body, the first outer connector body having a first thickness; and a second coaxial connector mounted to the second PCB, the second axial connector comprising a second inner contact and a second outer connector body. The second outer connector body includes an engagement surface, the engagement surface being flexible in a direction normal to the second PCB, the engagement surface having a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: David J. Smentek, Troy I. Vanderhoof, Amit Kaistha, Thomas G. Sheehe
  • Publication number: 20200366031
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Publication number: 20200091658
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer: and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 10559925
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact: a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 10090626
    Abstract: A method of forming a solder joint between a coaxial cable and a coaxial connector includes the steps of: positioning a solder element between an end of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and a connector body of the connector, wherein the solder element is positioned within a vacuum chamber; melting the solder element to form a solder joint between the outer conductor and the connector body, the solder joint including a lower surface formed by contact with a mounting structure; and applying suction to the melting solder element to reduce the formation of bubbles within the solder joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Frank A. Harwath, Jeffrey D. Paynter, James P. Fleming, David J. Smentek
  • Publication number: 20180248317
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact: a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2018
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 9966702
    Abstract: A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Kendrick Van Swearingen, David J. Smentek, Ronald A. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 9768522
    Abstract: A method of forming a joint between a coaxial cable and, a coaxial connector includes the steps of: preparing a cable having an inner conductor, a dielectric, a corrugated outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer, and a jacket such that an end of the inner conductor is exposed, an end of the outer conductor is exposed arid is flattened to form a ring devoid of corrugations, and a portion of the dielectric layer is cored out to form a solder chamber between the inner conductor and the ring of the outer conductor; preparing an assembly comprising a coaxial connector comprising an inner contact, a dielectric spacer, and an outer conductor body having a tail, with a solder preform encircling the tail; inserting the tail and solder preform into the solder chamber; and melting the solder preform to create a joint between the ring and the tail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Frank A. Harwath, Jeffrey D. Paynter, James P. Fleming, David J. Smentek