Patents by Inventor Eric E. Alston

Eric E. Alston 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: 20220206236
    Abstract: A communication cable is surrounded by a tape with overlapped first and second longitudinal edges. The overlapped portion of the tape extends parallel to the longitudinal length of the communication cable, which is also parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the cable core. An attachment is provided between the overlapped portions of the tape. The attachment may be formed by an adhesive layer between the overlapped portions of the tape or a melting together of the overlapped portions of the tape. In either case, the tape forms a circumferential protective seal around the cable core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher P. GEMME, Mark O. Vogel, Eric E. Alston
  • Publication number: 20210041652
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangerbrauck, Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20190361186
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20190129114
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 10162142
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20180203200
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20180134512
    Abstract: Packaged dispensers mountable to optical network terminals (ONT) are disclosed. In some examples, the dispensers include coreless wound coils and excess storage areas. Additionally, fiber optic cable distribution systems and methods thereof utilizing the disclosed coreless wound coils are further disclosed. In one example, a length of telecommunications cable is wound into a coreless coil that includes a plurality of winding separators at least partially embedded within the coil, wherein the length of telecommunications cable alternately passes on one of the first and second sides of one winding separator and on the other of the first and second sides of an adjacent winding separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston, William Alan Carrico, Erik J. Gronvall, Kathleen Terryll
  • Patent number: 9864157
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 9802786
    Abstract: Packaged dispensers mountable to optical network terminals (ONT) are disclosed. In some examples, the dispensers include coreless wound coils and excess storage areas. Additionally, fiber optic cable distribution systems and methods thereof utilizing the disclosed coreless wound coils are further disclosed. In one example, a length of telecommunications cable is wound into a coreless coil that includes a plurality of winding separators at least partially embedded within the coil, wherein the length of telecommunications cable alternately passes on one of the first and second sides of one winding separator and on the other of the first and second sides of an adjacent winding separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston, William Alan Carrico, Erik J. Gronvall, Kathleen Terryll
  • Publication number: 20170235075
    Abstract: A fiber optic communications arrangement includes a closure with an interior volume; the closure including at least one cable through-port in communication with the interior volume; and an expansion component attached to an exterior portion of the closure and having an interior region in communication with the closure interior volume. The expansion component includes ruggedized fiber optic adapters mounted thereto. Each of the ruggedized fiber optic adapters includes at least one connector port for receiving ruggedized fiber optic connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Publication number: 20160207723
    Abstract: Packaged dispensers mountable to optical network terminals (ONT) are disclosed. In some examples, the dispensers include coreless wound coils and excess storage areas. Additionally, fiber optic cable distribution systems and methods thereof utilizing the disclosed coreless wound coils are further disclosed. In one example, a length of telecommunications cable is wound into a coreless coil that includes a plurality of winding separators at least partially embedded within the coil, wherein the length of telecommunications cable alternately passes on one of the first and second sides of one winding separator and on the other of the first and second sides of an adjacent winding separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston, William Alan Carrico, Erik J. Gronvall, Kathleen Terryll
  • Patent number: 9341806
    Abstract: A fan-out subassembly includes furcation modules mounted to a furcation module holder, which is adapted to be connected to a main component. The furcation module holder includes a cable anchoring location. Each of the furcation modules has a furcation tube mounting insert and a plurality of furcation tubes. The furcation tubes are supported by the furcation tube mounting inserts and have free portions that extend outwardly from the furcation tube mounting inserts and from the furcation module holder. The furcation tubes can hold optical fibers of a cable that extends from the subassembly to a cable spool. The subassembly and the free portions of the furcation tubes can be packaged together until installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston
  • Patent number: 9244243
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber fan-out device having a furcation tube assembly. The furcation tube assembly includes a furcation tube mounting insert and an array of furcation tubes. The first end of the furcation tube mounting insert has a first end surface being a slant configuration at an oblique angle relative to the furcation tube axes. The slanted edge helps to insert optical fibers into the furcation tubes. The supported portions of the furcation tubes have fiber insertion ends that terminate at the first end surface. The furcation tubes also including free portions that extend from the second end of the furcation tube mounting insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston
  • Publication number: 20150260937
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber fan-out device having a furcation tube assembly. The furcation tube assembly includes a furcation tube mounting insert and an array of furcation tubes. The first end of the furcation tube mounting insert has a first end surface being a slant configuration at an oblique angle relative to the furcation tube axes. The slanted edge helps to insert optical fibers into the furcation tubes. The supported portions of the furcation tubes have fiber insertion ends that terminate at the first end surface. The furcation tubes also including free portions that extend from the second end of the furcation tube mounting insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston
  • Publication number: 20150253530
    Abstract: A component for a closure is disclosed herein. The component includes a collar extending around a central axis. The component also includes a first expansion housing positioned outside the collar in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The first expansion housing has an interior region in communication with an interior of the collar. The first expansion housing also includes a first adapter mounting wall defining a plurality of first adapter mounting openings in which a plurality of first fiber optic adapters are mounted. The first fiber optic adapters include first connector ports adapted for receiving connectors from outside the first expansion housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 9057858
    Abstract: A component for a closure is disclosed herein. The component includes a collar extending around a central axis. The component also includes a first expansion housing positioned outside the collar in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The first expansion housing has an interior region in communication with an interior of the collar. The first expansion housing also includes a first adapter mounting wall defining a plurality of first adapter mounting openings in which a plurality of first fiber optic adapters are mounted. The first fiber optic adapters include first connector ports adapted for receiving connectors from outside the first expansion housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B. Hangebrauck, Jack Smith
  • Patent number: 9020321
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an access box including a pivotal mounting panel to which a fiber optic adapter is mounted. The access box also includes a removable faceplate and a cover panel pivotable relative to the faceplate such that when the cover panel is in a closed position, the cover panel is substantially parallel to the faceplate, and wherein when the cover panel is in an open position, the cover panel is at an angle to the faceplate. The access box further includes an access panel pivotably secured to the cover panel. The access panel is movable between a first access panel position where the access panel blocks access to the adapter, and a second access panel position where the access panel allows access to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Julian S. Mullaney, William Alan Carrico, Thomas Hoch
  • Patent number: 8958672
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an optical fiber fan-out device having a furcation tube assembly. The furcation tube assembly includes a furcation tube mounting insert and an array of furcation tubes. The first end of the furcation tube mounting insert has a first end surface being a slant configuration at an oblique angle relative to the furcation tube axes. The slanted edge helps to insert optical fibers into the furcation tubes. The supported portions of the furcation tubes have fiber insertion ends that terminate at the first end surface. The furcation tubes also including free portions that extend from the second end of the furcation tube mounting insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Julian S. Mullaney, Eric E. Alston
  • Publication number: 20150010278
    Abstract: A component for a closure is disclosed herein. The component includes a collar extending around a central axis. The component also includes a first expansion housing positioned outside the collar in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The first expansion housing has an interior region in communication with an interior of the collar. The first expansion housing also includes a first adapter mounting wall defining a plurality of first adapter mounting openings in which a plurality of first fiber optic adapters are mounted. The first fiber optic adapters include first connector ports adapted for receiving connectors from outside the first expansion housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Eric E. ALSTON, Daniel B. HANGEBRAUCK, Jack SMITH
  • Patent number: 8861919
    Abstract: A component for a closure is disclosed herein. The component includes a collar extending around a central axis. The component also includes a first expansion housing positioned outside the collar in a radial direction relative to the central axis. The first expansion housing has an interior region in communication with an interior of the collar. The first expansion housing also includes a first adapter mounting wall defining a plurality of first adapter mounting openings in which a plurality of first fiber optic adapters are mounted. The first fiber optic adapters include first connector ports adapted for receiving connectors from outside the first expansion housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Eric E. Alston, Daniel B Hangebrauck, Jack Smith