Patents by Inventor Nathan Eric Benton
Nathan Eric Benton 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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Patent number: 12699233Abstract: An apparatus implements high density fiber panel organization. The apparatus includes a module configured to be secured to a panel of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes a front end of the module. The apparatus further includes a height of the front end corresponding to a height of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes an aspect ratio of the front end greater than 0.7. The aspect ratio is identified by the height of the front end divided by a width of the front end.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2023Date of Patent: August 4, 2026Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, Keith Samuel Maranto, Mark James Smrha, Wade James Womack, James Patrick Nolan, Eric Russell Klootwyk, Nathan Eric Benton
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Publication number: 20260214830Abstract: A pulling container may include a housing and a cable manager configured to removably insert into the housing. The cable manager may include a breakout storage insert tray configured to provide support for at least one cable and including at least one storage space. The cable manager may also includes at least one connector organizer removably coupled to the breakout storage insert tray in the at least one storage space and configured to protection a connector on each of the at least one cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2026Publication date: July 23, 2026Inventors: Yihan Zhang, Mark James Smrha, Nathan Eric Benton, Jeffrey Earl Jones, SR., Keith Samuel Maranto
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Patent number: 12687690Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods implement replicator shelves. A blade is slidably connected to a replicator shelf. Communication connectors are positioned on the blade. A support bar, within the replicator shelf, supports a plurality of cables to a plurality of blades comprising the blade.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2023Date of Patent: July 21, 2026Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, Nathan Eric Benton, Mark James Smrha, Wade James Womack
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Publication number: 20260089868Abstract: A cable management system and method are disclosed for organizing cables at the interface of a panel. A panel assembly integrates the cable management device along the front edge of the panel so that cables routed from the panel remain supported during operation. The system includes a cable management device having a base structure attachable to a front edge of the panel, a set of mounting posts extending from the base structure, and a set of support beams. Each support beam including a receiver removably engaging a respective mounting post and a cable support for guiding cables.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2025Publication date: March 26, 2026Inventors: Wade James WOMACK, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Mark James SMRHA, Nathan Eric BENTON
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Publication number: 20250264672Abstract: An apparatus comprises a module. The module includes a module housing and an array of Expanded Beam Optical (EBO) connectors extending from a front of the module housing. Each of the EBO connectors comprises a connector housing having a port at a front end of the connector housing, and a ferrule positioned within the port. a trunk cable extending from the rear of the housing. The trunk cable comprises a set of ribbon fibers that are broken out within the module housing and attached to the EBO connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2025Publication date: August 21, 2025Inventors: Walter Mark HENDRIX, Keith Samuel MARANTO, Mark James SMRHA, Wade James WOMACK, Nathan Eric BENTON
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Publication number: 20250244550Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inline drop enclosure configured to contain a trunk cable spliced at a length into a plurality of drop cables. The inline drop enclosure comprises a housing configured to receive a trunk cable at both a first end and a second end. The housing comprises a cover and a base. A splice tray is removably positioned within the housing. A plurality of cable guides is configured to route the trunk cable and the plurality of drop cables within the drop enclosure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2025Publication date: July 31, 2025Inventors: Mark James SMRHA, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Nathan Eric BENTON, Jeffrey Earl JONES, SR.
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Publication number: 20250237837Abstract: An apparatus that includes a module with a set of adapters positioned at its front, facilitating connections for external interfaces. A cable extends out through the front of the module. The cable contains a bundle of fibers internally connected to the set of adapters.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2025Publication date: July 24, 2025Inventors: Mark James SMRHA, Wade James WOMACK, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Jeffrey Earl JONES, SR., Nathan Eric BENTON
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Publication number: 20250216634Abstract: An apparatus forms a module. The apparatus includes a housing configured to load the module through a front end of a panel. The apparatus includes a connector cluster. The apparatus includes a set of tabs corresponding to a set of securing members that secure the module to a panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2025Publication date: July 3, 2025Inventors: Walter Mark HENDRIX, James Patrick NOLAN, Nathan Eric BENTON, Syed Babar ABBAS, Keith Samuel MARANTO, Elizabeth Grace DABDOUB
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Patent number: 12298574Abstract: An apparatus forms a module. The apparatus includes a housing configured to load the module through a front end of a panel. The apparatus includes a connector cluster. The apparatus includes a set of tabs corresponding to a set of securing members that secure the module to a panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: May 13, 2025Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, James Patrick Nolan, Nathan Eric Benton, Syed Babar Abbas, Keith Samuel Maranto, Elizabeth Grace Dabdoub
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Publication number: 20250147260Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for installing trunk cables in a data center. A set of trunk cables, wound on a rotatable cable reel, is provided. The set of trunk cables comprises a first set of fiber modules connected to respective first ends of the set of trunk cables, wherein the first set of fiber modules are preloaded into the fiber panel removably secured to the cable reel. The cable reel is positioned a first connection point in the data center. A second set of fiber modules, connected to respective second ends of the set of trunk cables, is pulled from the cable reel to a second connection point. The fiber panel corotates with the cable reel during payout of the set of trunk cables. The fiber panel is then secured to data center equipment at the first connection point.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2024Publication date: May 8, 2025Inventors: Mark James SMRHA, Keith Samuel MARANTO, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Nathan Eric BENTON, Jeffrey Earl JONES, SR., Christopher Brian HASLEY
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Publication number: 20250020872Abstract: An apparatus comprises a cable. At least one first connector is affixed to a first end of the cable and each first connector comprising a plurality of first positions. At least two second connectors are affixed to a second end of the cable and each second connector comprising a plurality of second positions. A polarity mapping defines a plurality of connections between the least one first connector and the at least two second connectors. Each of the at least one first connector is optically coupled to each of the at least two second connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2024Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Nathan Eric BENTON, Jeffrey Earl JONES
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Publication number: 20240345351Abstract: An apparatus comprises a trunk connector array and a cross connect module. The trunk connector array comprises a plurality of trunk cable connectors. The cross-connect module houses a plurality of patch connectors, wherein the plurality of patch connectors terminate the plurality of trunk cable connectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Inventors: Nathan Eric BENTON, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Jeffrey Earl JONES, SR., Mark James SMRHA, Joshua Wayne TOD
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Publication number: 20240329349Abstract: A splice cabinet includes a plurality of color-coded panels and a plurality of color-coded runways corresponding to the plurality of color-coded panels. A plurality of color-coded sleeves corresponding to the plurality of color-coded channels and comprising a plurality of optical fibers. The rack, the plurality of color-coded panels, the plurality of color-coded runways, and the plurality of color-coded sleeves are installed into a cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Nathan Eric BENTON, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Jeffrey Earl JONES, Sr., Mark James SMRHA, Joshua Wayne TOD, Wade James WOMACK
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Publication number: 20240170931Abstract: An apparatus embodies module pulling container. The module pulling container includes a housing structured to enclose at least one module terminating a cable. The module pulling container includes a front eyelet of the housing and a tapered front end of the housing. The module pulling container further includes a back eyelet and one or more retention members structured to support the at least one module within the module pulling container.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: viaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Keith Samuel MARANTO, Mark James SMHRA, Walter Mark HENDRIX, Nathan Eric BENTON, Jeffrey Earl Jones, SR., Christopher Brian HASLEY
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Publication number: 20240126035Abstract: An apparatus implements high density fiber panel organization. The apparatus includes a module configured to be secured to a panel of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes a front end of the module. The apparatus further includes a height of the front end corresponding to a height of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes an aspect ratio of the front end greater than 0.75. The aspect ratio is identified by the height of the front end divided by a width of the front end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Inventors: Walter Mark HENDRIX, Keith Samuel MARANTO, Mark James SMRHA, Wade James WOMACK, James Patrick NOLAN, Eric Russell KLOOTWYK, Nathan Eric BENTON
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Publication number: 20240126026Abstract: An apparatus implements high density fiber panel organization. The apparatus includes a module configured to be secured to a panel of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes a front end of the module. The apparatus further includes a height of the front end corresponding to a height of a 1 U rack. The apparatus further includes an aspect ratio of the front end greater than 0.7. The aspect ratio is identified by the height of the front end divided by a width of the front end.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: viaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Walter Mark HENDRIX, Keith Samuel MARANTO, Mark James SMRHA, Wade James WOMACK, James Patrick NOLAN, Eric Russell KLOOTWYK, Nathan Eric BENTON
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Publication number: 20230333343Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods implement replicator shelves. A blade is slidably connected to a replicator shelf. Communication connectors are positioned on the blade. A support bar, within the replicator shelf, supports a plurality of cables to a plurality of blades comprising the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: viaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, Nathan Eric Benton, Mark James Smrha, Wade James Womack
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Patent number: 11531178Abstract: An apparatus implements a fiber breakout assembly. The fiber breakout assembly includes a tube and a plug. The tube includes a trunk portion and a plug receiving portion. The plug includes multiple entry holes and is configured to be inserted into the plug receiving portion of the tube. A crimp post is formed as part of the tube and includes one or more crimp retention features.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: ViaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, James Patrick Nolan, Nathan Eric Benton, Syed Babar Abbas
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Publication number: 20220057585Abstract: An apparatus forms a module. The apparatus includes a housing configured to load the module through a front end of a panel. The apparatus includes a connector cluster. The apparatus includes a set of tabs corresponding to a set of securing members that secure the module to a panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: viaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, James Patrick Nolan, Nathan Eric Benton, Syed Babar Abbas, Keith Samuel Maranto, Elizabeth Grace Dabdoub
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Publication number: 20210349279Abstract: An apparatus implements a fiber breakout assembly. The fiber breakout assembly includes a tube and a plug. The tube includes a trunk portion and a plug receiving portion. The plug includes multiple entry holes and is configured to be inserted into the plug receiving portion of the tube. A crimp post is formed as part of the tube and includes one or more crimp retention features.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: viaPhoton, Inc.Inventors: Walter Mark Hendrix, James Patrick Nolan, Nathan Eric Benton, Syed Babar Abbas