Patents by Inventor Eddie Kimbrell

Eddie Kimbrell 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).

  • Publication number: 20230037796
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first outer surface and a second outer surface, the base housing defining a plurality of cavities between the first and second outer surfaces, the plurality of cavities aligned in an annular array. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: David Wittmeier, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20230036946
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing defining a plurality of cavities. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along a longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an adjustable tab and a stop member movable between a first position which limits movement of the adjustable tab and a second position in which movement of the adjustable tab is not limited by the stop member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, David Wittmeier
  • Patent number: 11561354
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first outer surface and a second outer surface, the base housing defining a plurality of cavities between the first and second outer surfaces, the plurality of cavities aligned in an annular array. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along the longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: David Wittmeier, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 11500170
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing defining a plurality of cavities. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along a longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an adjustable tab and a stop member movable between a first position which limits movement of the adjustable tab and a second position in which movement of the adjustable tab is not limited by the stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, David Wittmeier
  • Publication number: 20210294054
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing defining a plurality of cavities. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along a longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an adjustable tab and a stop member movable between a first position which limits movement of the adjustable tab and a second position in which movement of the adjustable tab is not limited by the stop member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, David Wittmeier
  • Patent number: 10996414
    Abstract: A butt closure base includes a base housing defining a plurality of cavities. A first gel is disposed in each of the plurality of cavities. The butt closure base further includes a plurality of wedge assemblies, each of the plurality of wedge assemblies removably insertable into one of the plurality of cavities. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies includes an outer cover, a second gel, and a main pressure plate in contact with the second gel. The main pressure plate is movable along a longitudinal axis to apply pressure to the second gel. Each of the plurality of wedge assemblies further includes a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes an adjustable tab and a stop member movable between a first position which limits movement of the adjustable tab and a second position in which movement of the adjustable tab is not limited by the stop member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, David Wittmeier
  • Patent number: 10353150
    Abstract: An optical fiber bulkhead splice assembly may include an optical transceiver module including an enclosure and a bulkhead extending from the enclosure. The optical transceiver module may further include a first optical fiber extending from the enclosure through the bulkhead. The assembly may further include a fiber optic cable comprising a second optical fiber. The assembly may further include a splice sleeve assembly at least partially disposed within the bulkhead. A first end of the first optical fiber and a second end of the second optical fiber may be optically spliced together and disposed within the splice sleeve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 10247894
    Abstract: A pressure housing assembly according to exemplary aspects includes: a saddle assembly configured to encase a midpoint access section of a cable; and a pressure housing configured to be mounted on the saddle assembly. The saddle assembly has a first cable SSTL tube opening where a first seal member is provided; and a second cable SSTL tube opening where a second seal member is provided. The pressure housing has a corresponding first cable SSTL tube opening where a third seal member is provided; a second cable SSTL tube opening where a fourth seal member is provided; and a port configured to allow at least one penetrator to be inserted therethrough. The saddle assembly comprises a seal block configured to at least partially surround the midpoint access section of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, John Toth, Lou Guzzo, Ted Lichoulas, Alan Knowlton, Ed Austin
  • Publication number: 20190025516
    Abstract: An optical fiber inline splice assembly includes a first optical fiber cable, the first optical fiber cable including a first optical fiber having a first end, and a second optical fiber cable, the second optical fiber cable including a second optical fiber having a second end, wherein the first end and second end are optically spliced together. The optical fiber inline splice assembly further includes a splice sleeve assembly, the splice sleeve assembly including a base and a lid mated with each other, the first end and the second end disposed within the splice sleeve assembly between the base and the lid, the splice sleeve assembly further including a first end connector and a second end connector, the first end connector and second end connector removably attached to the base and the lid to secure the first end and the second end within the splice sleeve assembly between the base and the lid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Publication number: 20190018194
    Abstract: An optical fiber bulkhead splice assembly may include an optical transceiver module including an enclosure and a bulkhead extending from the enclosure. The optical transceiver module may further include a first optical fiber extending from the enclosure through the bulkhead. The assembly may further include a fiber optic cable comprising a second optical fiber. The assembly may further include a splice sleeve assembly at least partially disposed within the bulkhead. A first end of the first optical fiber and a second end of the second optical fiber may be optically spliced together and disposed within the splice sleeve assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted LICHOULAS, Eddie KIMBRELL
  • Publication number: 20180031793
    Abstract: A pressure housing assembly according to exemplary aspects includes: a saddle assembly configured to encase a mid-point access section of a cable; and a pressure housing configured to be mounted on the saddle assembly. The saddle assembly has a first cable SSTL tube opening where a first seal member is provided; and a second cable SSTL tube opening where a second seal member is provided. The pressure housing has a corresponding first cable SSTL tube opening where a third seal member is provided; a second cable SSTL tube opening where a fourth seal member is provided; and a port configured to allow at least one penetrator to be inserted therethrough. The saddle assembly comprises a seal block configured to at least partially surround the mid-point access section of the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, John Toth, Lou Guzzo, Ted Lichoulas, Alan Knowlton, Ed Austin
  • Patent number: 9703051
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the interference lip on the sealing boot and the interference lip on the connector housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell
  • Patent number: 9696509
    Abstract: An armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal which connects a fiber optic cable—the fiber optic cable including one or more armor wires and one or more cable tubes—to a pressure housing, the armored cable termination/fiber-optic seal including: an armored termination which locks the one or more armor wires in a conical cavity; sealing paths which block water from traveling in the interstitial space between the one or more armor wires and the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing; and fiber feed-through tubes which block water from traveling in the interior of the one or more cable tubes into the pressure housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, John Toth, Ted Lichoulas, Lou Guzzo
  • Patent number: 9678298
    Abstract: A modular cable tie-down bracket is provided. The cable tie-down bracket includes a pipe adapter mounting portion and a cable mounting portion integrally formed with the pipe adapter mounting portion. Further, the pipe adapter mounting portion is configured to be mounted to a pipe adapter and the cable mounting portion is configured to mount a cable. A cable mounting assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 9557512
    Abstract: A pressure housing apparatus including a first cable termination shell, a housing connected to the first cable termination shell, a pressure vessel slide shell provided to the hollow housing, a cable termination assembly oriented within the housing, a plurality of pass through widows provided from the interior of the housing to the splice trays, and a plurality of circumferentially oriented splice trays provided to the cable termination assembly configured for receiving fiber tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: John Toth, Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas
  • Patent number: 9528639
    Abstract: A tube seal includes a tube through hole, a pressure housing tube seal penetration cavity for an elastomeric interference seal, a ferrule sealing surface for a ferrule, and an internal channel for a backing nut. A tube penetrates through the backing nut, the ferrule, the elastomeric interference seal and the tube through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, John Toth
  • Patent number: 9494753
    Abstract: A pressure apparatus including a first end cap, a second end cap, a hollow housing connected to the first and second end caps, a locking ring connected to the second end cap, a first termination connected to the first end cap, and a second termination connected to the second end cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Eddie Kimbrell, Ted Lichoulas, John Toth
  • Patent number: 9448366
    Abstract: A connector housing apparatus for allowing field engineers or technicians to run cable point to point, and to protect the connection in an environmentally sealed, crush resistant housing is provided. The connector housing apparatus includes a connector housing body, two sealing boots, two sealing elements, two seal nuts, a fiber optic adapter, a fiber optic adapter insert that holds the fiber optic adapter and two fiber optic pigtails connected to two fiber optic cables. Each boot has two seal points. The first seal is between the fiber optic cable, the sealing element, the seal nut and the tapered portion of the sealing boot. The second seal is between the snap finger on the sealing boot and the receiving catch on the connector housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell, Chuck Turner, Steve Polidan
  • Patent number: 9380357
    Abstract: An universal network interface device base module including an access module, a modem module electrically connected to the access module, a dividing structure placed between the access module and modem module, and a base plate, wherein the access module, modem module and dividing structure are mounted on the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell, Ray Mouhot
  • Patent number: 9378158
    Abstract: An universal network interface device with an enclosure, an access module, a modem module, a switching power supply and a battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: AFL Telecommunications LLC
    Inventors: Ted Lichoulas, Eddie Kimbrell