Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Kuffel

Gregory L. Kuffel 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: 9690065
    Abstract: A high density fiber enclosure system includes a chassis, cassette trays, an optional unification clip, cassettes, and an optional trunk cable management system. The chassis, cassette trays, and cassettes are configured such that individual cassettes may be installed, removed, and otherwise positioned for easy access by a user. The unification clip allows two adjacent cassette trays to be connected to one other such that cassette trays move as one unit. The trunk cable management system is designed to organize trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs as well as relieve strain on the trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry A. Wiltjer, Shaun P. Brouwer, Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny, Kai C. Lui, Benjamin S. Novak, Joseph E. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9638872
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20170059787
    Abstract: A shuttered adapter is described that includes a shuttered housing, a shutter sub-assembly frame contained within the housing, a pair of shutter doors hingedly secured to the shutter sub-assembly frame, and a door spring configured to push the shutter doors outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame and away from each other. The shuttered housing can have a separable sleeve retention insert which allows a ledge to be molded inside the shuttered housing. The ledge can be configured to abut the front lower surface of the shuttered doors when the doors are pushed outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sanders, Gregory L. Kuffel, Phillip J. Irwin, Samuel M. Marrs
  • Publication number: 20160377819
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Patent number: 9494746
    Abstract: A shuttered adapter is described that includes a shuttered housing, a shutter sub-assembly frame contained within the housing, a pair of shutter doors hingedly secured to the shutter sub-assembly frame, and a door spring configured to push the shutter doors outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame and away from each other. The shuttered housing can have a separable sleeve retention insert which allows a ledge to be molded inside the shuttered housing. The ledge can be configured to abut the front lower surface of the shuttered doors when the doors are pushed outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sanders, Gregory L. Kuffel, Phillip J. Irwin, Samuel M. Marrs
  • Publication number: 20160299308
    Abstract: A high density fiber enclosure system includes a chassis, cassette trays, an optional unification clip, cassettes, and an optional trunk cable management system. The chassis, cassette trays, and cassettes are configured such that individual cassettes may be installed, removed, and otherwise positioned for easy access by a user. The unification clip allows two adjacent cassette trays to be connected to one other such that cassette trays move as one unit. The trunk cable management system is designed to organize trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs as well as relieve strain on the trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Jerry A. Wiltjer, Shaun P. Brouwer, Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny, Kai C. Lui, Benjamin S. Novak, Joseph E. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9442256
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20160077298
    Abstract: A high density fiber enclosure system includes a chassis, cassette trays, an optional unification clip, cassettes, and an optional trunk cable management system. The chassis, cassette trays, and cassettes are configured such that individual cassettes may be installed, removed, and otherwise positioned for easy access by a user. The unification clip allows two adjacent cassette trays to be connected to one other such that cassette trays move as one unit. The trunk cable management system is designed to organize trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs as well as relieve strain on the trunk cables and trunk cable furcation legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Jerry A. Wiltjer, Shaun P. Brouwer, Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny, Kai C. Lui, Benjamin S. Novak, Joseph E. Sanders
  • Patent number: 9196997
    Abstract: A shuttered adapter is described that includes a shuttered housing, a shutter sub-assembly frame contained within the housing, a pair of shutter doors hingedly secured to the shutter sub-assembly frame, and a door spring configured to push the shutter doors outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame and away from each other. In addition, a shuttered adapter is described that includes a housing and a spring-like shutter attached to the front of the center wall of the housing. The shutter has a pair a door flaps extending into the ports of the adapter at a rearward angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sanders, Gregory L. Kuffel, Phillip J. Irwin, Samuel M. Marrs
  • Publication number: 20150030303
    Abstract: A strain relief device for armored fiber optic cable is described. The strain relief device can made up of a boot collet and a collet nut. The boot collet can have a collet, flexible boot, boot collet threads, and a camming surface. The collet nut can have collet nut threads and a collet nut slope. The strain relief device operates by having the camming surface engage the collet nut slope, causing the collet to compress onto the armor sheath when the boot collet threads engage the collet nut threads as the collet nut is tightened onto the boot collet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Wang Xiaodong, Hao Qijin
  • Patent number: 8899845
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fiber optic connector and methods of assembly thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector of the present invention is designed to help decrease the stress placed on an optical fiber during the mating of a connector with a receptacle. In another embodiment, the connector of the present invention terminates onto a polymer coated optical fiber. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide means for simplifying termination of an optical fiber connector onto a fiber and for simplifying disengagement of a fiber optic connector from a corresponding receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Yuri M. Gallegos, Phillip J. Irwin, Jerry A. Wiltjer, Gregory L. Kuffel
  • Publication number: 20140205245
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a fiber optic connector and methods of assembly thereof. In one embodiment, the fiber optic connector of the present invention is designed to help decrease the stress placed on an optical fiber during the mating of a connector with a receptacle. In another embodiment, the connector of the present invention terminates onto a polymer coated optical fiber. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide means for simplifying termination of an optical fiber connector onto a fiber and for simplifying disengagement of a fiber optic connector from a corresponding receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Yuri M. Gallegos, Phillip J. Irwin, Jerry A. Wiltjer, Gregory L. Kuffel
  • Publication number: 20140153879
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Patent number: 8714835
    Abstract: A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Samuel M. Marrs, Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Phillip J. Irwin, Matthew M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8636424
    Abstract: In accordance with the following description, an optical communication connector includes a ferrule having retractable alignment pins that are actuable between an extended position and a retracted position. For example, the connector may include an inner housing assembly having optical fibers and an outer housing positioned over the inner housing assembly. The outer housing is shaped to be removable from the inner housing assembly, which has a movable pin clamp mechanically coupled to alignment pins for aligning the connector with another connector. The pin clamp may be slid from a first position (corresponding to a male gender) to a second position (corresponding to a female gender). Separately or in combination with changing gender, the polarity of a communication connector may be changed due to its inclusion of an asymmetric polarity-changing feature that is actuable by an installer to change a polarity of the communication connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Joel D. Kwasny
  • Publication number: 20130315538
    Abstract: A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Samuel M. Marrs, Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Phillip J. Irwin, Matthew M. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8496384
    Abstract: A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Samuel M. Marrs, Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Phillip J. Irwin, Matthew M. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20130121643
    Abstract: A shuttered adapter is described that includes a shuttered housing, a shutter sub-assembly frame contained within the housing, a pair of shutter doors hingedly secured to the shutter sub-assembly frame, and a door spring configured to push the shutter doors outward from the shutter sub-assembly frame and away from each other. In addition, a shuttered adapter is described that includes a housing and a spring-like shutter attached to the front of the center wall of the housing. The shutter has a pair a door flaps extending into the ports of the adapter at a rearward angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Sanders, Gregory L. Kuffel, Phillip J. Irwin, Samuel M. Marrs
  • Patent number: 8348519
    Abstract: A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Samuel M. Marrs, Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Phillip J. Irwin, Matthew M. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120275749
    Abstract: A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: PANDUIT CORP.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Kuffel, Samuel M. Marrs, Shaun P. Brouwer, Robert T. Fitzpatrick, Phillip J. Irwin, Matthew M. Wagner