Patents by Inventor Kevin B. Larkin
Kevin B. Larkin 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).
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Publication number: 20240310585Abstract: The purpose of this continuation is to increase the viewing magnification of the already issued patent U.S. Pat. No. 11,385,412 B2. By the addition of a module housing that has the capability of allowing for additional magnification, lighting and focusing capabilities. A module housing case is described. The modular housing case includes a fiber optic component housing defined as a cavity and or cavities that are sized to receive a fiber optic connector and or connectors. Within the cavity or cavities is a ferrule guide or ferrule guides. The module housing case also has an internal cavity that is at least partially enclosed. Components to assist in magnification may be disposed at least partially or fully within the internal cavity. Those components can range from a lighting system powered by internal electronics or a system that relies on the cell phone camera flash and or flashlight LED for internal fiber end face lighting.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2024Publication date: September 19, 2024Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Patent number: 12001063Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to create a low cost, easy to use, fiber end face and or connector inspection tool component that easily adapts and converts most all mobile communication devices with camera, screen and software capabilities into a microscope. The invention encapsulates and holds firm a fiber connector body and or fiber connector bodies and or ferrule housing or ferrule housings for the purpose of viewing the cleanliness and quality of the fiber end face and or faces. A Fiber end face is the component area and or areas the embodies the fiber core and or fiber cores, fiber ferrule end and or ferrule ends and fiber related end component and or components that are instrumental in the mating with other like components with fiber connector plug end faces and or related optical fiber components for the purpose connectors and splices prior to connecting and or join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability is required.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Publication number: 20240085641Abstract: A connector having a housing and with the purpose of housing and protecting connectorized fiber cable and or cables while being mated to a component. The connector secures and holds in place the ends of the connectorized fiber. The connector has a cavity having an alignment guide pin therein and the guide pin can be moved back and forth to create the function of a male pin when in a first position and to create the function of a female cavity when in a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20220308292Abstract: The purpose of this invention is to create a low cost, easy to use, fiber end face and or connector inspection tool component that easily adapts and converts most all mobile communication devices with camera, screen and software capabilities into a microscope. The invention encapsulates and holds firm a fiber connector body and or fiber connector bodies and or ferrule housing or ferrule housings for the purpose of viewing the cleanliness and quality of the fiber end face and or faces. A Fiber end face is the component area and or areas the embodies the fiber core and or fiber cores, fiber ferrule end and or ferrule ends and fiber related end component and or components that are instrumental in the mating with other like components with fiber connector plug end faces and or related optical fiber components for the purpose connectors and splices prior to connecting and or join optical fibers where a connect/disconnect capability is required.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Patent number: 11385412Abstract: A module housing case is described. The modular housing case includes a fiber optic component housing defined as a cavity that is sized to receive a fiber optic connector. Within the cavity is a ferrule guide. The module housing case also has an internal cavity that is at least partially enclosed. Components to assist in magnification may be disposed at least partially within the internal cavity. Finally, the module housing case employs a camera lens alignment feature.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Publication number: 20220043216Abstract: A module housing case is described. The modular housing case includes a fiber optic component housing defined as a cavity that is sized to receive a fiber optic connector. Within the cavity is a ferrule guide. The module housing case also has an internal cavity that is at least partially enclosed. Components to assist in magnification may be disposed at least partially within the internal cavity. Finally, the module housing case employs a camera lens alignment feature.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20200338694Abstract: A portable workstation platform is disclosed. The portable workstation platform includes a base and an accessory mount secured to a first surface of the base. An accessory locking fixture is coupled to the accessory mount. A pair of clamp fastening tabs is secured to the first surface of the base. Further, a multi-functional clamping device that includes the portable workstation platform is disclosed. The multi-functional clamping device includes a handle portion comprising a vice grip handle and a clamping portion coupled to the handle portion. The clamping portion includes opposing clamps, wherein the base of the portable workstation platform is one of the clamps and the pair of clamp fastening tabs on the base is configured to receive the clamping portion. A second accessory mount may be coupled to the clamping portion of the multi-functional clamping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Patent number: 9837743Abstract: A banana plug center pin with a raised break point is disclosed. The banana plug center pin comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a first diameter, and the bottom portion has a second diameter. The banana plug center pin with a raised break point further includes a locking ring peripherally surrounding the center pin at the interface of the top portion and the bottom portion. Additionally, the banana plug center pin has a fillet feature coupled to the bottom portion and the locking ring. In one embodiment, the interface of the top portion and the bottom portion is located such that when the center pin is inserted into a banana jack, the interface is disposed above a top edge of the banana jack.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Publication number: 20170310030Abstract: A banana plug center pin with a raised break point is disclosed. The banana plug center pin comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion has a first diameter, and the bottom portion has a second diameter. The banana plug center pin with a raised break point further includes a locking ring peripherally surrounding the center pin at the interface of the top portion and the bottom portion. Additionally, the banana plug center pin has a fillet feature coupled to the bottom portion and the locking ring. In one embodiment, the interface of the top portion and the bottom portion is located such that when the center pin is inserted into a banana jack, the interface is disposed above a top edge of the banana jack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Patent number: 9761993Abstract: A system for containing a strain relief, the system comprising an assembly housing, the assembly housing including: a first outer housing including a connector body; a second outer housing including a rear housing, wherein the first outer housing snaps into the second outer housing and creates a chain of contact points that connect components internal to the assembly housing and prevents internal components from rotating, wherein the assembly housing houses within a banana plug shaft, a strain relief and a solder junction, wherein the solder junction solders a first end of a conductor cable to the banana plug shaft, wherein the first end of the conductor cable is disposed within the assembly housing, and wherein via the chain of contact points, the banana plug shaft presses the strain relief into place and prevents movement of the strain relief and the solder junction.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Patent number: 9709755Abstract: A multi-tool for fiber optic applications is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-tool includes a male fiber loopback plug. The multi-tool further includes a fiber coupler having a first end and a second end. The first end of the fiber coupler is able to receive the male fiber loopback plug when the multi-tool is in a closed position. Also, the first end of the fiber coupler is able to receive a loose fiber cable end when the multi-tool is in an open position. The multi-tool also includes an end cap which can be removably coupled to the second end of the fiber coupler. The end cap and the fiber coupler cooperatively provide a protective housing for a fiber cable end when the end cap is removably coupled to the second end of the fiber coupler and the fiber cable end is inserted into the first end of the fiber coupler.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Patent number: 9620885Abstract: An insulator for a test clip is described. The insulator includes a first clip cover configured to removably attach to a top portion of a test clip. The test clip comprises a top portion and a bottom portion pivotally attached to the top portion along a pivot axis. The insulator also comprises a second clip cover configured to removably attach to the bottom portion of the test clip. Each of the first and the second clip cover comprises one or more retaining elements configured to secure the clip cover to its respective portion of the test clip. In some implementations, each of the first and the second clip cover comprises one or more cantilevered retaining segments configured to extend over a portion of the test clip in order to secure the first and the second clip covers to the test clip.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Publication number: 20170043456Abstract: A multi-functional clamping device is disclosed. The multi-functional clamping device includes a handle portion having a vice grip handle, and a clamping portion coupled to the handle portion. The clamping portion includes opposing clamps. The multi-functional clamping device also includes an accessory mount coupled to the clamping portion. The position of the accessory mount is adjustable or non-adjustable with respect to the clamping portion. Further, the multi-functional clamping device includes an accessory locking fixture coupled to the accessory mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20170013102Abstract: The use of a single entry multi-pair connector is described. The single entry multi-pair connector allows all the pairs of 2, 4, 6, or 8 to be individually connected to their own individual contact points.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Applicant: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20160216453Abstract: A multi-tool for fiber optic applications is disclosed. In one embodiment, the multi-tool includes a male fiber loopback plug. The multi-tool further includes a fiber coupler having a first end and a second end. The first end of the fiber coupler is able to receive the male fiber loopback plug when the multi-tool is in a closed position. Also, the first end of the fiber coupler is able to receive a loose fiber cable end when the multi-tool is in an open position. The multi-tool also includes an end cap which can be removably coupled to the second end of the fiber coupler. The end cap and the fiber coupler cooperatively provide a protective housing for a fiber cable end when the end cap is removably coupled to the second end of the fiber coupler and the fiber cable end is inserted into the first end of the fiber coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20160204542Abstract: A system for containing a strain relief, the system comprising an assembly housing, the assembly housing including: a first outer housing including a connector body; a second outer housing including a rear housing, wherein the first outer housing snaps into the second outer housing and creates a chain of contact points that connect components internal to the assembly housing and prevents internal components from rotating, wherein the assembly housing houses within a banana plug shaft, a strain relief and a solder junction, wherein the solder junction solders a first end of a conductor cable to the banana plug shaft, wherein the first end of the conductor cable is disposed within the assembly housing, and wherein via the chain of contact points, the banana plug shaft presses the strain relief into place and prevents movement of the strain relief and the solder junction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: Westek Electronics, Inc.Inventor: Kevin B. LARKIN
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Publication number: 20140117976Abstract: An insulator for a test clip is described. The insulator includes a first clip cover configured to removably attach to a top portion of a test clip. The test clip comprises a top portion and a bottom portion pivotally attached to the top portion along a pivot axis. The insulator also comprises a second clip cover configured to removably attach to the bottom portion of the test clip. Each of the first and the second clip cover comprises one or more retaining elements configured to secure the clip cover to its respective portion of the test clip. In some implementations, each of the first and the second clip cover comprises one or more cantilevered retaining segments configured to extend over a portion of the test clip in order to secure the first and the second clip covers to the test clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: WESTEK ELECTRONICS, INC.Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Publication number: 20130329404Abstract: A window frame features solar electric cells on its exterior side that provide solar electricity for buffer storage in rechargeable batteries housed also in the window frame. Also integrated in the window frame are light emitting diodes that are activated during absence of daylight and powered from the solar electricity stored in the batteries. In that way a simple and compact system is provided for solar powered interior lighting that may be easily maintained and retrofitted in existing buildings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Patent number: 8340253Abstract: A telephone line terminator has a plug-in end to connect to a protector socket instead of the protector, which in turn is plugged in at a protector receptacle integrated with the terminator to provide continuous line protection while the terminator is connected to the telephone line. The terminator is dimensioned to fit in between adjacent protectors in a main frame. The terminator has circuitry powered by batteries to receive remote control signals for selectively ground connecting the wires. The batteries may be replaceable or rechargeable via voltage from the connected telephone line or via a separate charger that connects also via the plug-in end. A tone generator may provide a line tone and a warble tone in conjunction with several operation modes activated by a multi selecting push button.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin
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Patent number: 8337039Abstract: A window frame features solar electric cells on its exterior side that provide solar electricity for buffer storage in rechargeable batteries housed also in the window frame. Also integrated in the window frame are light emitting diodes that are activated during absence of daylight and powered from the solar electricity stored in the batteries. In that way a simple and compact system is provided for solar powered interior lighting that may be easily maintained and retrofitted in existing buildings.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Inventor: Kevin B. Larkin