Patents by Inventor John W. Durham

John W. Durham 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).

  • Retraction devices and methods of its use and manufacture
    Patent number: 9999414
    Abstract: Rib refraction devices and methods of its use and manufacture are disclosed. A retraction device may include a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The second frame portion may be attached to the first frame portion. The second frame portion may mechanically move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first frame portion. The retraction device may also include a first blade being pivotally attached to the first frame portion and comprising a flexible material. The retraction device may also include a second blade being pivotally attached to the second frame portion and comprising a flexible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Inventors: David S. Ruppert, John W. Durham, III, Alexander G. Verderber, Drew H. Brisley, Casey Haigh
  • RETRACTION DEVICES AND METHODS OF ITS USE AND MANUFACTURE
    Publication number: 20150209022
    Abstract: Rib refraction devices and methods of its use and manufacture are disclosed. A retraction device may include a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The second frame portion may be attached to the first frame portion. The second frame portion may mechanically move between a first position and a second position with respect to the first frame portion. The retraction device may also include a first blade being pivotally attached to the first frame portion and comprising a flexible material. The retraction device may also include a second blade being pivotally attached to the second frame portion and comprising a flexible material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: David S. Ruppert, John W. Durham, III, Alexander G. Verderber, Drew H. Brisley, Casey Haigh
  • Method and apparatus for angle cleaving ribbon fiber
    Patent number: 5395025
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for imparting an angle cleave to a plurality of optical fibers. The cleaving device comprises a base having a support surface, the support surface having two lower pads which are aligned with two upper pads on a hinged cover, so that the fibers may be clamped between the respective pairs of lower and upper pads. One of the upper pads is designed to shift with respect to its corresponding lower pad; when a fiber is clamped between these pads and the upper pad moves, the fibers twist as a result of the induced torsional load. When the fibers are scored and cleaved while in the twisted state, the resulting end faces are at an oblique angle with respect to the fiber axes, which is beneficial since this reduces signal reflections at the fiber-to-fiber interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Victor J. Borer, John W. Durham