Patents by Inventor Keith H. Lail

Keith H. Lail 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: 8649644
    Abstract: The bond between an armor and a cable covering jacket is controlled by introducing intervening material at the interface of the layers along selected bond regions. The intervening material can comprise particulate matter or a strip of material introduced at selected locations of the armor perimeter to allow ease of access at the selected regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Julian L. Greenwood, III, Jason C. Lail, Keith H. Lail, Reginald Roberts, Richard S. Wagman
  • Publication number: 20110286706
    Abstract: The bond between an armor and a cable covering jacket is controlled by introducing intervening material at the interface of the layers along selected bond regions. The intervening material can comprise particulate matter or a strip of material introduced at selected locations of the armor perimeter to allow ease of access at the selected regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: CORNING CABLE SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Julian L. Greenwood, III, Jason C. Lail, Keith H. Lail, Reginald Roberts, Richard S. Wagman
  • Patent number: 7609923
    Abstract: An optical splitter adjacent a downstream end of a fiber optic cable is operable for supplying an optical signal to at least one optical fiber from the downstream end of the fiber. A preterminated fiber optic distribution cable includes a first access location having an optical fiber termination fed from an upstream end of the cable and a second access location having an optical fiber termination fed from a downstream end of the cable, wherein the cable includes an upstream optical splitter for feeding a first set of optical fibers and a downstream optical splitter for back-feeding a second set of optical fibers. A fiber optic cable comprising a first set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from an upstream end of the fiber optic cable and a second set of optical fibers that are terminated and fed from a downstream end of the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: James L. Baucom, David L. Dean, Jr., Jody L. Greenwood, Keith H. Lail, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7555181
    Abstract: A distribution fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a main cable body with some of the plurality of optical fibers being disposed within the main cable body, at least one tether optical fiber, and a cable jacket. The at least one tether optical fiber is one of the plurality of optical fibers that transitions during manufacturing from a first location within the main cable body to a tether access location for a portion of the distribution cable. The cable jacket includes a main cable body jacket and a tether access jacket portion that are connected together by a continuous transition that is applied during cable manufacturing. Thus, the craftsman may conveniently access the at least one tether optical fiber for distribution into the optical network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., David L. Dean, Jr., Jody L. Greenwood, Warren W. McAlpine, Keith H. Lail, Craig M. Conrad
  • Patent number: 7415181
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable has at least one optical fiber, at least one strength member having a major strength member dimension, and a cable jacket. The cable jacket has two major surfaces that are generally flat and includes a cavity with a cavity minor dimension generally orientated with a minor dimension of the fiber optic cable, wherein the at least one optical fiber is disposed within the cavity. In one embodiment, the cavity minor dimension of the fiber optic cable is about the same size or larger than the strength member dimension that is generally aligned with a minor dimension of the cable, thereby allowing access to the cavity when the fiber optic cable is entered while inhibiting damage to the at least one optical fiber. Fiber optic cables of the present invention are also suitable as a portion of a cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, David L. Dean, Jr., Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., Keith H. Lail
  • Patent number: 7277615
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and a method of making the same include at least one optical waveguide, at least one dry insert and a cable jacket. The at least one optical waveguide and at least one dry insert are at least partially disposed within a cavity of the cable jacket. In one embodiment, the cable includes a first dry insert and a second dry insert disposed within the cavity so that the at least one optical waveguide is disposed between the first dry insert and the second dry insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC.
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., Keith H. Lail, David A. Seddon, Randall Tuttle
  • Patent number: 7272283
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable and methods of manufacturing the same includes at least one optical fiber, and at least one ferrule. The at least one ferrule is attached to the at least one optical fiber before the cable jacket is applied. The cable jacket surrounds the at least one optical fiber and the at least one ferrule so that when the cable jacket is opened the at least one optical fiber having the at least one ferrule attached may be accessed. Consequently, the when opening the cable, the craft is presented with an optical fiber that is preterminated with a ferrule. Optionally, the ferrule can have a cover or be a portion of a fiber optic connector. The cable is manufactured so that one or more of the ferrules are appropriately placed along the length of the fiber optic cable for distribution into the fiber optic network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC.
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., David L. Dean, Jr., Jody L. Greenwood, William S. Jackman, Keith H. Lail, Michael deJong
  • Patent number: 7242841
    Abstract: A flexible cross-connect apparatus for cross-connecting fiber optic cables includes a transition strength member, at least one cable clamp assembly, at least one fiber storage device, and a cover for protecting the cross-connect apparatus. The cross-connect apparatus is flexible about a preferential bending plane because the transition strength member includes a preferential bending plane for influencing bending. The at least one cable clamp assembly is used for securing one or more cables with the transition strength member at the ends. In one embodiment, a splice carriage is removably attached to the transition strength member for aiding the craftsman to work at a splicing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., David L. Dean, Jr., Keith H. Lail
  • Patent number: 7203404
    Abstract: A distribution fiber optic cable including a plurality of optical fibers, a plurality of tubes, at least one filling component, and least one access location, and a cable jacket. Each tube has at least one optical fibers therein, where some of the plurality of tubes are stranded together over at least a portion of the longitudinal length of the fiber optic cable, thereby forming at least a portion of a cable core. The access location includes at least one access tube. The one access tube being one of the plurality of tubes that transitions during manufacturing from a first location within the cable core to a second location apart from the cable core and the at least one filling component is introduced into the cable core for taking the position of the access tube within the cable core. Also disclosed are cable assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC.
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, David L. Dean, Jr., Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., Keith H. Lail
  • Patent number: 7190866
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a distribution fiber optic cable is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a plurality of optical fibers for a cable core. Transitioning at least one of the plurality of optical fibers between a first location and a second location, where one of the locations is disposed within the cable core and the other location is disposed apart from the cable core and applying a cable jacket. In other embodiments, the cable can be a portion of a cable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems, LLC.
    Inventors: Jody L. Greenwood, David L. Dean, Jr., Kenneth D. Temple, Jr., Keith H. Lail