Patents by Inventor Jeffery P. Stowers

Jeffery P. Stowers 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: 11971430
    Abstract: An engaging device in a Mass-Interconnect, which provides an apparatus and method to change test adapters for testing applications. An engaging device of a Mass-Interconnect includes an interchangeable test adapter (ITA) and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a plunger having a plunger head at a first end thereof, a leaflet insert disposed over the plunger, a sleeve disposed over the leaflet insert, an over-dead-center (ODC) link connected to the plunger at a second end thereof opposite to the first end, and a rotatable handle connected to the ODC link. The plunger, the leaflet insert, and the sleeve of the locking mechanism engage or disengage the ITA when a user rotates the rotatable handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Benjamin T. Ailinger
  • Publication number: 20240077517
    Abstract: An engaging device in a Mass-Interconnect, which provides an apparatus and method to change test adapters for testing applications. An engaging device of a Mass-Interconnect includes an interchangeable test adapter (ITA) and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism includes a plunger having a plunger head at a first end thereof, a leaflet insert disposed over the plunger, a sleeve disposed over the leaflet insert, an over-dead-center (ODC) link connected to the plunger at a second end thereof opposite to the first end, and a rotatable handle connected to the ODC link. The plunger, the leaflet insert, and the sleeve of the locking mechanism engage or disengage the ITA when a user rotates the rotatable handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Benjamin T. Ailinger
  • Patent number: 10944200
    Abstract: A docking connector having two pairs of opposing sides forming a frame and first means on a first pair of opposing sides for mounting a plurality of connector modules in a first direction in the frame and second means on a second pair of sides for mounting a plurality of modules of a second size in a second direction where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Randall Herron, Christopher Church-Diciccio, Randall Garman, Darryl Ashby, Jeffery P Stowers
  • Publication number: 20180358735
    Abstract: A docking connector having two pairs of opposing sides forming a frame and first means on a first pair of opposing sides for mounting a plurality of connector modules in a first direction in the frame and second means on a second pair of sides for mounting a plurality of modules of a second size in a second direction where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Randall Herron, Christopher Church-Diciccio, Randall Garman, Darryl Ashby, Jeffery P Stowers
  • Patent number: 9685727
    Abstract: A high speed data contact assembly having a linear data contact set and a right-angle termination insert. The linear data contact set has a housing having a hollow body and a termination subassembly. The termination subassembly is inserted in the hollow body of the housing. The termination subassembly has a plurality of pairs of parallel contact beams, the contact beams in each pair being of the same orientation and the pairs of contact beams having alternating orientations, wherein each contact beam has a distal end having a first orientation and a proximal end having a second orientation opposite of the first orientation. The right angle termination insert is adapted for insertion into the proximal end of the linear data contact set. The right angle termination insert has a u-shaped housing and a right-angle contact insert assembly in the U-shaped housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Publication number: 20160141808
    Abstract: A high speed data contact assembly having a linear data contact set and a right-angle termination insert. The linear data contact set has a housing having a hollow body and a termination subassembly. The termination subassembly is inserted in the hollow body of the housing. The termination subassembly has a plurality of pairs of parallel contact beams, the contact beams in each pair being of the same orientation and the pairs of contact beams having alternating orientations, wherein each contact beam has a distal end having a first orientation and a proximal end having a second orientation opposite of the first orientation. The right angle termination insert is adapted for insertion into the proximal end of the linear data contact set. The right angle termination insert has a u-shaped housing and a right-angle contact insert assembly in the U-shaped housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Darryl M. Ashby, David L. Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Patent number: 9257787
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an interface device comprising a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has on each outer side a groove or ridge for use in initial engagement of the test adapter with the receiver. The test adapter has an engagement member having a plurality of clips arranged such that at least one clip engages with the groove or ridge on a side of the receiver. The test adapter further has a screw mechanism for drawing the engagement in and out of the test adapter to engage and disengage the test adapter with the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman, Randall L. Herron, Darryl M. Ashby, Lucas A. Harman
  • Patent number: 9246286
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic high speed data contact set having an insert shroud and a termination subassembly. A plurality of protective arms extend from its front to protect contact beams of the termination subassembly and provide multi-stage pre-alignment of contacts during engagement. A plurality of raised bosses engaged with a plurality of hollows in the bottom of an adjacent insert shroud to allow stacking of contact sets. A pair of latches lock the insert shroud into a module after insertion. A pair of keying members on the sides of contact set prevent incorrect insertion of a contact set into a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Publication number: 20150087175
    Abstract: A hermaphroditic high speed data contact set having an insert shroud and a termination subassembly. A plurality of protective arms extend from its front to protect contact beams of the termination subassembly and provide multi-stage re-alignment of contacts during engagement. A plurality of raised bosses engaged with a plurality of hollows in the bottom of an adjacent insert shroud to allow stacking of contact sets. A pair of latches lock the insert shroud into a module after insertion. A pair of keying members on the sides of contact set prevent incorrect insertion of a contact set into a module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Patent number: 8707243
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for designing an electrical interconnect device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Jamie L. Shand, Eric M. Husted, Christopher J. Church, Brian A. Linger, Gabriel G. Roffman
  • Patent number: 8348693
    Abstract: An interface having a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has a body and a latch post connected to the body. The latch post has a body, a neck, and a tip with the tip being larger than the neck. The test adapter has a frame and an engagement assembly. The engagement assembly has a drive shaft having first and second ends, a drive knob connected to the first end of the drive shaft, a drive nut connected to the drift shaft near the second end of the drive shaft. The drive nut has a threaded interior portion. The drive assembly further has a drive screw and a drive screw housing. The drive screw has a threaded exterior portion such that the threaded exterior portion of the drive screw engages with the threaded interior portions of the drive nut. A spring extends from the drive screw longitudinally away from the threaded portion of the drive screw. The spring has an enlarged portion at its distal end for gripping the neck of the latch post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman, Randall L. Herron, Darryl M. Ashby
  • Patent number: 8351218
    Abstract: An interface receiver having multiple tiers such that a first tier in the receiver houses a module having its longest dimension in a first direction and a second tier houses a module having its longest dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The receiver has three or more cams on each of two parallel sides. The receiver is capable of being mated with “legacy” test adapters having two pairs of parallel sides with each side in one of the pairs having two locator elements for engaging with the cams of the receiver and new test adapters of the present invention having an odd number of locator elements on each side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C Garman, David Rocker
  • Publication number: 20110111619
    Abstract: An interface having a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has a body and a latch post connected to the body. The latch post has a body, a neck, and a tip with the tip being larger than the neck. The test adapter has a frame and an engagement assembly. The engagement assembly has a drive shaft having first and second ends, a drive knob connected to the first end of the drive shaft, a drive nut connected to the drift shaft near the second end of the drive shaft. The drive nut has a threaded interior portion. The drive assembly further has a drive screw and a drive screw housing. The drive screw has a threaded exterior portion such that the threaded exterior portion of the drive screw engages with the threaded interior portions of the drive nut. A spring extends from the drive screw longitudinally away from the threaded portion of the drive screw. The spring has an enlarged portion at its distal end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman, Randall L. Herron, Darryl M. Ashby
  • Publication number: 20110055787
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for designing an electrical interconnect device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Jamie L. Shand, Eric M. Husted, Christopher J. Church, Brian A. Linger, Gabriel G. Roffman
  • Publication number: 20100194417
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is an interface device comprising a receiver and a test adapter. The receiver has on each outer side a groove or ridge for use in initial engagement of the test adapter with the receiver. The test adapter has an engagement member having a plurality of clips arranged such that at least one clip engages with the groove or ridge on a side of the receiver. The test adapter further has a screw mechanism for drawing the engagement in and out of the test adapter to engage and disengage the test adapter with the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman, Randall L. Herron, Darryl M. Ashby, Lucas A. Harman
  • Publication number: 20090223712
    Abstract: An interface receiver having multiple tiers such that a first tier in the receiver houses a module having its longest dimension in first direction and a second tier houses a module having its longest dimension in second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The receiver has three or more cams on each of two parallel sides The receiver is capable of being mated with “legacy” test adapters having two pairs of parallel sides with each side in one of the pairs having two locator elements for engaging with the cams of the receiver and new test adapters of the present invention having an odd number of locator elements on each side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garmin, David Rocker
  • Patent number: D561125
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman, Randall L. Herron, David L. Rocker
  • Patent number: D617666
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P. Stowers, Randall C. Garman
  • Patent number: D759606
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio
  • Patent number: D765047
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Virginia Panel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery P Stowers, Darryl M Ashby, David L Rocker, Christopher Church-Diciccio