Patents by Inventor Jason Higley

Jason Higley 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: 20240361536
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule push includes a main body extending between a front end and a rear end, the main body having a central opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough, a front facing surface configured to engage a rear surface of a fiber optic ferrule, and at least one projection extending outward from the main body to engage a housing configured to receive the fiber optic ferrule, the fiber optic ferrule push may also include a key extending outward from a surface of the main body. The fiber optic ferrule push may be paired with a fiber optic ferrule in a fiber optic assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12124093
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 12117657
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule and a guide pin clamp allows for changing guide pins in the field. The guide pin clamp has a forward clamp portion, a rearward clamp portion configured to engage the biasing spring and a guide pin retaining plate. The forward clamp portion and the rearward clamp portion move relative to one another to also move guide pin retaining plate from a first position to a second position to allow for the removal or insertion of guide pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Myron W. Yount
  • Publication number: 20240329332
    Abstract: A new fiber optic connector provides a smaller form factor by including two ferrule assemblies in a housing. The housing accepts a push-pull mechanism that allows for insertion and removal from a carrier as well as an adapter. The push-pull mechanism may also include a flexure member to return the push-pull mechanism. Polarity of the fiber optic connector may also be selected by use of the push-pull mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Mitchell Cloud, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 12092876
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector along with a tool allows for the changing of the polarity of the fiber optic connector. Keys may be installed in both the top and the bottom of the fiber optic connector, one in a first position and the other in a second position. Using the tool in one back-and-forth motion, the polarity of the fiber optic connector can be changed. The keys have a configuration that resist an incorrect insertion and provide better retention of the keys in the correct configuration due to a better retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20240302603
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20240288636
    Abstract: A pin exchanger has protrusions from gripping elements that engage fiber optic guide pins. Guide beams on the pin exchanger provide a reference for aligning the guide pins and the pin exchanger with a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic ferrule. An adapter is also provided that has openings to receive the guide beams. The adapter is preferably installed in a field tool and together they engage the fiber optic connector, align the pin exchanger and move the guide pin holder to allow guide pins to be inserted or removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Inventors: Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley
  • Patent number: 12072536
    Abstract: A retaining mechanism engages springs in a fiber optic connector to prevent movement of the springs relative to the fiber optic ferrules and the housing during curing of an epoxy inserted into the fiber optic connector. The retaining mechanism may be removably attached to the housing of the fiber optic connector. It may be inserted from a rear end of the fiber optic connector or disposed around an outside portion of the housing. The retaining mechanism may also be integral with an inside surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Michael E. Hughes, Darrell R. Childers, Shubhrangshu Sengupta
  • Patent number: 12061364
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule push includes a main body extending between a front end and a rear end, the main body having a central opening extending between the front end and the rear end to receive a plurality of optical fibers therethrough, a front facing surface configured to engage a rear surface of a fiber optic ferrule, and at least one projection extending outward from the main body to engage a housing configured to receive the fiber optic ferrule, the fiber optic ferrule push may also include a key extending outward from a surface of the main body. The fiber optic ferrule push may be paired with a fiber optic ferrule in a fiber optic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitchell Cloud, Craig M. Conrad, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: 12061362
    Abstract: A housing for a fiber optic connector includes an opening extending between a front end and a rear end, and having an integral spring stop surface between the front end and the rear end. A front section receives an elastic member into the opening from the front end and the elastic member is engageable with the integral spring stop of the housing. There is a middle section of the main body to transition optical fibers between a fiber optic ferrule and a fiber optic cable. A rear section of the main body has an outer surface to engage a crimp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240264383
    Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has a main body with a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to engage a housing of a fiber optic connector. The top cut-out extends rearwardly from the front end. The bottom portion also has a bottom cut-out portion forming a second forward facing surface to engage the housing of the fiber optic connector, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the front end. The multi-fiber ferrule also includes an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body. There is a rear central opening that extends into the main body from the rear end face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2024
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 12055770
    Abstract: A tool is used for inserting and removing an MT-type fiber optic ferrule from an adapter. The tool includes a handle having one or both of an insertion portion and a removal portion. An insertion head is movably coupled to the insertion portion of the handle. A removal head is movably coupled to the removal portion of the handle. The handle has opposing ends for the insertion portion and the removal portion. The handle may have other configurations. A sliding lock may be used to lock the rotatable insertion portion and rotatable removal portion in a fixed position relative to the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Kolton Baer, Shelly Ann Buchter, Jillcha F. Wakjira, Jason Higley, Shubhrangshu Sengupta
  • Publication number: 20240231010
    Abstract: A two-piece fiber optic connector and a corresponding two-piece adapter allow for the tripling of the optical fibers that can be used with a standard fiber-optic cassette. The two-piece fiber optic connector has a fold-over latch to engage the adapter. The two-piece adapter has at least one latch to engage the standard fiber-optic cassette to retain the two-piece adapter and the fiber optic connectors in the adapter within the cassette. This allows for the retrofitting and/or continued use of the standard fiber-optic cassette.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Publication number: 20240219650
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector assembly is mated with a bracket on a printed circuit board at one end and inserted into a backplane adapter that is adjacent a backplane. In particular a spring push in slidingly attached to the bracket and also to the housing of the fiber optic connector assembly. The housing of the fiber optic connector assembly insertable into the backplane adapter using passive alignment features. A fiber optic ferrule in the fiber optic connector assembly is biased in a forward direction by a spring in the spring push. At the same time the spring allows for movement of the spring push within the housing to allow for movement of the printed circuit board relative to the backplane adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Hiep V. Nguyen, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Michael E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 12019278
    Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule has a main body with a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion includes a top cut-out therein to form a first forward facing surface to engage a housing of a fiber optic connector. The top cut-out extends rearwardly from the front end. The bottom portion also has a bottom cut-out portion forming a second forward facing surface to engage the housing of the fiber optic connector, the bottom cut-out also extending rearwardly from the front end. The multi-fiber ferrule also includes an end face at a front end of the main body, and a rear face at a rear end of the main body. There is a rear central opening that extends into the main body from the rear end face and configured to receive at least three optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Kurtz, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Sherri Reed, Craig M. Conrad, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Patent number: 12013580
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Mitchell Cloud, Jillcha F. Wakjira
  • Publication number: 20240192448
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule receiver includes a main body that has an opening extending between the front end and the rear end and being defined at least by a portion of internal surfaces of the four sides. A first side in the opening has first tapered surface and a second tapered surface, the first tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a first position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the first position and the front end. There is also a second side in the opening and across the opening from the first side, the second side has a third tapered surface and a fourth tapered surface, the third tapered surface reducing the opening between the rear end and a second position and the second tapered surface increasing the opening between the second position and the front end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers, Craig M. Conrad
  • Publication number: 20240192452
    Abstract: A new boot for a fiber optic connector has a ribbed back portion, a center portion, and a forward extending portion that can be used to insert and remove the fiber optic connector to receptacle. The ribbed back portion has grasping elements and is connected to the center portion. The center portion is removably connected to a crimp body that is in turn connected to the connector housing. The front extension is connected to the fiber optic connector and also provides a keying feature depending on the side of the fiber optic connector on which it is installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Mitchell Cloud
  • Patent number: D1030682
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec, Ltd
    Inventors: Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers
  • Patent number: D1031670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: US Conec Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Mendenhall, Jason Higley, Darrell R. Childers