Patents by Inventor Kenneth D. Rebers

Kenneth D. Rebers 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: 8879883
    Abstract: An inlet device is described for inserting a cable containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing with a strength member securing section configured to fasten at least one strength member to the housing. The inlet device further includes a fiber guide device. The inlet device may be used in a single fiber optical cable assembly or multi-fiber optical cable assembly. A method for preparing a cable assembly is also described. A telecommunications enclosure including an inlet device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen, Kenneth D. Rebers, Joseph M. Van Allen, George W. Parrett, Thomas E. Bludau
  • Publication number: 20120008257
    Abstract: An enclosure for protecting transitioning cell tower cables comprises a base and a cover coupled to the base via a hinge. The base and the cover form an interior cavity when placed in a closed position. The enclosure further includes at least one entrance port formed in at least a portion of a front end of at least one of the base and the cover. The enclosure further includes a plurality of exit ports, wherein a first set of exit ports are formed in a first side wall of the enclosure and a second set of exit ports are formed in a second side wall of the enclosure. The entrance port(s) is/are configured to receive a first cable comprising multiple lines. The plurality of exit ports are each configured to receive at least one individual line from the multiple lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Robert W. Bunte
  • Publication number: 20100086260
    Abstract: An inlet device is described for inserting a cable containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing with a strength member securing section configured to fasten at least one strength member to the housing. The inlet device further includes a fiber guide device. The inlet device may be used in a single fiber optical cable assembly or multi-fiber optical cable assembly. A method for preparing a cable assembly is also described. A telecommunications enclosure including an inlet device is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen, Kenneth D. Rebers, Joseph M. Van Allen, George W. Parrett, Thomas E. Bludau
  • Patent number: 7531748
    Abstract: A concave housing is provided having an open face and having several circumferential perimeter portions adjacent the open face of the housing. An elastomeric film can be mounted on the circumferential perimeter portions of the concave housing across the open face of the concave housing. The elastomeric film can be adapted to interface one or more cables when the cables are positioned within the housing to seal the cables from environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Publication number: 20080000684
    Abstract: A concave housing is provided having an open face and having several circumferential perimeter portions adjacent the open face of the housing. An elastomeric film can be mounted on the circumferential perimeter portions of the concave housing across the open face of the concave housing. The elastomeric film can be adapted to interface one or more cables when the cables are positioned within the housing to seal the cables from environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Publication number: 20070284132
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a closure housing for sealing. The method includes forming a plurality of housings. At least one of the housings is formed as a concave housing with an open face. The method also includes aligning one or more layers, such as for example an elastomeric film or conformable selant, on one or more of the concave housings in a substantially planar configuration across a circumferential perimeter of the open face of each of the concave housings. The method also includes securing the elastomeric films on the circumferential perimeter of the open face of each of the concave housings. The elastomeric films are adapted to interface one or more cables when the cables are interposed between the elastomeric films on the housings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 7307219
    Abstract: A closure housing includes several housings. At least one of the housings is a concave housing with an open face. At least one layer, such as for example an elastomeric film or conformable sealant, is mounted on a circumferential perimeter portion of the concave housings across the open face of each of the concave housings. At least one layer, such as an elastomeric film, is adapted to interface one or more cables when the cables are interposed between the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 7304244
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a closure housing for sealing. The method includes forming a plurality of housings. At least one of the housings is formed as a concave housing with an open face. The method also includes aligning one or more layers, such as for example an elastomeric film or conformable selant, on one or more of the concave housings in a substantially planar configuration across a circumferential perimeter of the open face of each of the concave housings. The method also includes securing the elastomeric films on the circumferential perimeter of the open face of each of the concave housings. The elastomeric films are adapted to interface one or more cables when the cables are interposed between the elastomeric films on the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 7253362
    Abstract: A closure housing includes a plurality of housings. At least one of the housings is a concave housing with an open face. At least one layer, such as for example an elastomeric film, surrounds one or more cables to define one or more wrapped cables. A portion of each of the wrapped cables is adapted to be interposed between the housings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William V. Dower, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 7078625
    Abstract: A universal aerial hanger for supporting an aerial telecommunications device used with telecommunication lines. The hanger includes a panel, a shoulder extending from the panel, and at least one arm extending from the panel. The panel includes a mounting surface for attachment to the aerial telecommunications device and an exterior surface opposite the mounting surface. The shoulder extends from the panel toward the mounting surface and includes a plurality of latch receptors and at least one reinforced bracket mounting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Charles H. Dodgen, Sergio A. Alarcon
  • Patent number: 7075013
    Abstract: An aerial terminal for use with telecommunication lines suspended from a strand is disclosed. The aerial terminal includes at least one hanger and a terminal box. The hanger(s) defines a panel and a shoulder extending from the panel, the shoulder including a plurality of latch receptors. The terminal box includes a base and a lid. The lid is movably coupled to the base between an open position and a closed position and includes at least one latch. In this regard, upon assembly, the terminal box is joined to the panel such that the latch(es) of the lid mate with at least one of the plurality of latch receptors of the shoulder when the lid is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Charles H. Dodgen, Sergio A. Alarcon, Udaya P. Kumar
  • Patent number: 7075012
    Abstract: A terminal box for use with telecommunication lines. The terminal box includes a base and a lid. The base is a molded double wall structure defining a substantially hollow core. The base includes opposing top and bottom walls and opposing end walls, and a back wall extending between the top and bottom walls and the end walls. The lid is movably coupled to the top wall. A portion of at least one of the opposing end walls defines a compressed single wall region forming a telecommunication line port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Charles H. Dodgen, Sergio A. Alarcon, Laszlo Markos, Richard L. Miklos
  • Patent number: 6284976
    Abstract: A cable splice closure includes a closure body having mating surfaces sealed together. An end seal in the closure has an opening for receiving a cable. The end seal is sealed to the closure body by an adhesive bond. An adhesive injection port in the end seal. The port is provided to communicate an adhesive injected into the end seal to bond surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received, into a sealed unit. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane are complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jacqueline J. Pulido, Kenneth D. Rebers, Thomas S. Croft, Alan J. Oshinski, Kwang H. Chu, Daniel G. Lee, Russell P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6174118
    Abstract: A threaded fastener retention device includes a housing having a retainer aperture formed therein and tab retainers adjacent the aperture. A resilient retainer is movably mounted in the aperture. The retainer includes a body having tabs for engaging the tab retainers and fastener gripping members for engaging the threads of the fastener and retaining the fastener in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Franklin S. Sanders, Jr., George J. Knox, Lazlo Markos
  • Patent number: 6064006
    Abstract: An end seal for a cable splice closure includes a core portion having a slot for receiving a cable. A tail portion, extending from the core portion, is of sufficient length and flexibility to be extended over the slot. An adhesive injection port is provided in the core portion to communicate an adhesive injected into the injection port to the slot to bond into a sealed unit the surfaces of the end seal and the cable to be received. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jacqueline J. Pulido, Kenneth D. Rebers, Thomas S. Croft, Alan J. Oshinski, Kwang H. Chu, Daniel G. Lee, Russell P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5912433
    Abstract: A cable splice closure includes a closure body having mating surfaces sealed together. An end seal in the closure has an opening for receiving a cable. The end seal is sealed to the closure body by an adhesive bond. An adhesive injection port is provided in the end seal to communicate an adhesive injected into the end seal and to bond into a sealed unit the surf aces of the end seal and the cable to be received. The adhesive is a low surface energy adhesive based on acrylic monomers with organoborane amine complexes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Jacqueline J. Pulido, Kenneth D. Rebers, Thomas S. Croft, Alan J. Oshinski, Kwang H. Chu, Daniel G. Lee, Russell P. Smith
  • Patent number: 5842891
    Abstract: An external ground isolation connector for use with a cable splice closure includes a housing having a keyed bore formed therein. A ground stud is keyed for extending through the bore in the housing so as to limit rotation of the stud within the housing. The ground stud has a first end for extending into an associated cable closure for connection to an internal ground wire, and a second end for extending externally of the cable closure for connection to an external ground wire. A port is formed in the housing for receiving the external ground wire. The first end of the ground stud is provided to be sealed with the housing and the closure and the second end of the ground stud is provided to be sealed with the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 5567914
    Abstract: An article such as a conduit or cable, or a splice closure for a cable, is provided with improved resistance to animal damage by applying a layer of abrasive material to the article. The abrasive material is not only sufficiently hard and thick to act as a physical barrier, but its abrasive nature creates such a harsh, unpleasant grating effect that the animal tends to not attack it at all. The preferred embodiments of the article use either a plurality of granules to form the abrasive material, or a mesh substrate having an abrasive coating thereon. The material should have an effective grit value of no more than 325, and preferably no more than 100. The abrasive material may be applied using an adhesive or, where the conduit/closure is a thermoplastic polymer, various methods are provided for embedding the abrasive material in the polymeric wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joe T. Minarovic, Kenneth D. Rebers
  • Patent number: 5247135
    Abstract: An aerial terminal for telecommunication wires is preferably blow-molded, and includes a closure for the in-line splices to a cable and a housing for the drop wire connectors can be mounted together, with the housing mounted on the side of the splice closure so both the interior of the closure and the drop wire connectors are readily accessible from one side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, Dean C. Krenz, Sergio A. Alarcon
  • Patent number: 4857672
    Abstract: A cable closure end cap arrangement is provided, to achieve a sealing between a cable splice closure, and a cable end in communication therewith. The arrangements according to the invention may be adapted to accommodate more than one cable extending into an end of a cable closure. Preferred arrangements comprise a composite of inner and outer members, each having a bore therein. Each bore is preferably defined by an arrangement of concentric rings, or a circular ridge/trough arrangement. The circular rings include transverse walls extending therebetween, in a preferred manner permitting an accordion-like flexibility. The accordion-like rings accommodate; cables of different sizes; cables at various angles relative to the end cap arrangement and the cable closure; and, movement of the cable closure, for example upon an aerial messenger wire. End cap arrangements according to the present invention are mounted by means of a slit in communication with each bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Rebers, William J. Seim, Dean C. Krenz