Patents by Inventor Philip W. Schofield

Philip W. Schofield 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: 6550980
    Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Gene Shneyder
  • Patent number: 6478475
    Abstract: A method of forming a multi-terminator optical interconnect system. The method including the steps of molding and mating. The step of molding includes molding two ferrule halves where each ferrule half has a mating end and a fiber-receiving end and an alignment tang. The mating end includes multiple fiber-alignment grooves. Each ferrule half also has hole for receiving a guide pin. The step of mating includes mating two of the ferrule halves to each other so as to form a ferrule structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
  • Publication number: 20020146216
    Abstract: A ferrule includes a body, a first cover, and a second cover. The body includes a first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, a second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves, and a third row of optical fiber receiving apertures. Each aperture of the third row of optical fiber receiving apertures accommodates a respective optical fiber. The first cover is mounted to the body adjacent the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the first row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the first cover. The second cover is mounted to the body adjacent the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves. Each V-groove of the second row of optical fiber receiving V-grooves accommodates a respective optical fiber which is aligned therein by the second cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Gene Schneider
  • Publication number: 20020003932
    Abstract: MT ferrule. A polymer fiber optic MT ferrule includes hermaphroditic L-shaped halves having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves formed within surfaces of ferrule halves. Ferrule halves include holed walls perpendicular to the major surface of the V-grooves for providing alignment of the ferrule to guide pins of an MT receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
  • Patent number: 6328479
    Abstract: MT ferrule. A polymer fiber optic MT ferrule includes hermaphroditic L-shaped halves having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves formed within surfaces of ferrule halves. Ferrule halves include holed walls perpendicular to the major surface of the V-grooves for providing alignment of the ferrule to guide pins of an MT receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Anastasia Bardouniotis
  • Patent number: 6284160
    Abstract: An apparatus for injection molding of a fiber optic ferrule including the use of adjustable core and receiver members to precisely locate a core pin and also a projecting wire member in a mold where the core pin defines an interior passage in the molded ferrule and the projecting wire forms a small diameter longitudinal hole in the ferrule communicating with an outer end of the interior passage so that the interior passage and small diameter hole are precisely located relative to the body of the molded ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 6276840
    Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer female having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 6277308
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for injection molding of a fiber optic ferrule including the use of adjustable core and receiver members adjustable from the exterior of the mold to precisely locate a projecting wire member in a mold where a score pin defines an interior passage in the molded ferrule and the projecting wire forms a small diameter longitudinal hole in the ferrule communicating with an outer end of the interior passage so that the interior passage and small diameter hole are precisely located relative to the body of the molded ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 6173099
    Abstract: A coupling is provided having a one-piece body, with a first segment having a first chamber for receiving an optical connector and ferrule, a second segment having a second chamber for receiving an alignment sleeve that retains and interconnects the ferrules, a third segment substantially similar to the first segment and having a third chamber for receiving a second optical connector and ferrule, wherein said first, second and third chambers are aligned longitudinally across the one-piece body, and a resilient arm extends from the one-piece body to allow the coupling of the invention to be received by a coupling aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Leopold Kiernicki, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 6045270
    Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5943462
    Abstract: A cable assembly fitting is provided to connect fiber optic to optoelectronic equipment. An elongated housing includes a front end, a back end and an axial bore extending between the front and back ends. The axial bore further defines a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate stepped portion. A cap is fit into the back end of the housing. Fiber optic cable is contained within a cable jacket and has fibers protruding therefrom. The fibers have a mediate span and rigid sleeve thereon. A water impervious barrier is positioned adjacent the rigid sleeve. A shrink tubing is disposed around the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, David E. Wuestmann
  • Patent number: 5863242
    Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided for holding at least one fiber optic connector ferrule in an upright position while allowing the face portion the ferrules to be held firmly against a planar sheet of ferrule polishing paper. The apparatus can be manually maneuvered over said polishing paper thereby polishing the face portion of the ferrules inserted therein. The polishing apparatus includes a disc having a polishing surface and an upper surface opposite said polishing surface. A plurality of ferrule receiving apertures are formed in the disc for receiving various connector ferrules. Support skirts surround each aperture, extending upward from said upper surface. The ferrule support skirts define internal circular bores communicating with the polishing surface such that fiber optic connector ferrules may be inserted into the bores with the face portion of said ferrules extending beyond said polishing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Waldron, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5748818
    Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment. A receptacle assembly is provided having a first receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a first form factor and a second receptacle half for receiving a fiber optic connector having a second form factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5737463
    Abstract: A massive parallel (MP) connector is provided which includes a fiber optic connector having a polymer ferrule having multiple fibers mounted in V-grooves of the ferrule and beveled edges of the ferrule providing for alignment of the ferrule when the MP fiber optic connector is mated to a receptacle having an alignment assembly and an alignment member mounted within the alignment assembly to provide for precision alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: Roger E. Weiss, Daniel P. Vladic, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5621836
    Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber which is bonded therein by an anaerobic adhesive and extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting in a smoothly polished end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Michael A. Reed, Kenneth Marchman
  • Patent number: 5473715
    Abstract: A fiber optic and electrical hybrid connector is disclosed for providing remote system connectivity management and verification, comprising a first fiber optic connector including a housing. A first electrical connector mounted to the housing of the first fiber optic connector is provided for data identification transmission. The first fiber optic connector is mated to a second fiber optic connector and the first electrical connector simultaneously mating to a second electrical connector. The first electrical connector includes a transistor having a 64 bit ROM, a 48 bit Serial Number, an 8 bit CRC and an 8 bit family code. The second electrical connector includes data lines connected to a PCB having visual signal illumination connectivity means and remote connectivity management means. The first elecrtrical connector derives power from the data signal lines of the second electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Charles A. Kozel, Daniel P. Vladic
  • Patent number: 5390269
    Abstract: An optical connector for assembly with a fiber optic cable includes a spring biased holder for an optical fiber having a rear body to prevent leaking of adhesive from the holder. A collar is provided having a multi-faceted periphery to allow insertion into a cavity of a connector body. The collar has a complementary faceted geometry in a multiplicity of orientations with respect to a mating axis to provide for high resolution tuning of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent J. Palecek, deceased, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5367159
    Abstract: An FDDI loopback connector or optical network is suitable for testing in fiber-to-fiber applications and designed to be interchangeable with a complimentary connector. The loopback tester is afforded a desired level of attenuation by providing a fiber loop having a controlled air gap. Adjustment of the air gap will afford a desired attenuation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, Paul R. Stonikas, James W. McGinley
  • Patent number: 5343547
    Abstract: An overconnector assembly having a pair of half sections which can be interlocked to form a generally rectangular collar for mounting a pair of simplex connector housing portions one above the other within the collar, at least one of the half sections having a perpendicularly extending post intermediate the ends thereof and projecting toward the other half section to separate a pair of connector housings mounted within said collar, the post being dimensioned to permit a controlled amount of pivotal movement between the connector housing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1994
    Inventors: Vincent J. Palecek, James W. McGinley, Philip W. Schofield
  • Patent number: 5333223
    Abstract: An injection molded plastic fiber alignment ferrule is provided with a polishing pedestal. The ferrule has an opening therethrough for receiving the end of a fiber, which extends beyond the pedestal. The fiber is cleaved and the end is severed. The ferrule is polished to remove the pedestal, resulting is a smoothly polished end surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip W. Schofield, James W. McGinley