Patents by Inventor Gillian A. McKinnon

Gillian A. McKinnon 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: 20060128196
    Abstract: A connector for making an optical and/or electrical connection underwater or in a wet or severe environment, comprising first and second connector parts which are axially interengageable to establish the optical or electrical connection, the first connector part having relatively movable portions for relative movement to allow the optical or electrical connection to be established when the first and second connector parts are interengaged, and having latching means to prevent such relative movement. The latching means is preferably releasable by engagement with the second connector part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventor: Gillian McKinnon
  • Patent number: 6929404
    Abstract: A connector for making an optical connection underwater or in a wet environment, including first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged, the first connector part having a probe and the second connector part having a chamber containing fluid media. The probe has a forward portion for entry into the chamber of the second part containing fluid media during interengagement of the connector parts, so that when the connector parts are interengaged the probe provides an optical path between the first connector part and the chamber of the second connector part and passing into the chamber of the second connector part at a slant to the axial direction. The probe slides axially through the opening in sliding engagement with a seal and continues to do so as the forward portion of the probe advances into the chamber containing fluid media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Tronic Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. Jones, Gillian A. McKinnon
  • Publication number: 20040028342
    Abstract: A connector for making an optical connection underwater or in a wet environment, including first and second connector parts adapted to be interengaged, the first connector part having a probe and the second connector part having a chamber containing fluid media. The probe has a forward portion for entry into the chamber of the second part containing fluid media during interengagement of the connector parts, so that when the connector parts are interengaged the probe provides an optical path between the first connector part and the chamber of the second connector part and passing into the chamber of the second connector part at a slant to the axial direction. The probe slides axially through the opening in sliding engagement with a seal and continues to do so as the forward portion of the probe advances into the chamber containing fluid media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Richard Jones, Gillian A. McKinnon
  • Patent number: 6554636
    Abstract: Apparatus for use at an end of a cable in an underwater or severe environment, comprising a connector part for connection with the cable and adapted to be brought axially into engagement with another connector part, the connector part having a laterally directed fitting for connecting the cable thereto, and the apparatus further comprising a handle secured to the connector part at a location rearwardly of the fitting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Tronic Limited
    Inventors: Simon J. E. Walker, Ian G. Wilkinson, Gillian A. McKinnon
  • Publication number: 20010051456
    Abstract: Apparatus for use at an end of a cable in an underwater or severe environment, comprising a connector part for connection with the cable and adapted to be brought axially into engagement with another connector part, the connector part having a laterally directed fitting for connecting the cable thereto, and the apparatus further comprising a handle secured to the connector part at a location rearwardly of the fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: Simon J.E. Walker, Ian G. Wilkinson, Gillian A. McKinnon