Patents by Inventor Robert B. Elkins, II

Robert B. Elkins, II 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: 7016592
    Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Elkins, II, Terry L. Cooke, John B. Johnson, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther, Lars K. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7006739
    Abstract: A factory prepared fiber optic distribution cable has at least one predetermined access location for providing access to at least one pre-connectorized optical fiber. The fiber optic distribution cable includes at least one preterminated optical fiber withdrawn from a tubular body at the access location, a connector attached to the preterminated optical fiber, a transition piece for transitioning the preterminated optical fiber from the tubular body into a protective tube, and a protective shell encapsulating the access location for protecting the pre-connectorized optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Elkins, II, John B. Johnson, Terry L. Cooke, Dennis M. Knecht, James P. Luther, Lars K. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6957920
    Abstract: A ferrule assembly having highly protruding optical fibers and a corresponding method of efficiently, precisely and repeatedly fabricating the ferrule assemblies are provided. In this regard, a ferrule assembly is provided that includes a plurality of optical fibers extending at least about 3.5 ?m beyond the front face. The end portions of the optical fibers of the ferrule assembly may also be substantially coplanar with the end portions of the optical fibers differing in position from one another by no more than 100 nm. The ferrule assembly may be efficiently fabricated by polishing the optical fibers to a desired protrusion without first grinding or polishing the optical fibers to be flush with the front face of the ferrule. The ferrule assembly may be even more efficiently fabricated in instances in which the ferrule includes at least one polishing feature, such as an outwardly extending pedestal or a recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: James P. Luther, Dennis M. Knecht, Hieu V. Tran, Robert B. Elkins, II
  • Patent number: 6856748
    Abstract: An interconnection enclosure comprising at least one connector port operable for receiving a connector pair and a preterminated optical connector received in the at least one connector port, wherein the preterminated optical connector is adapted to be withdrawn from the exterior of the enclosure without entering the enclosure. The enclosure further comprising a tether means, a bend radius control means and a sealing means. An interconnection enclosure comprised of two halves held together by a fastening means, the enclosure defining an end wall and defining at least one connector port opening through the end wall for receiving a preterminated optical connector, the enclosure housing further defining an opening for receiving a distribution cable extending therethrough, wherein the preterminated optical connector is adapted to be withdrawn from the exterior of the enclosure without entering the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLC
    Inventors: Robert B. Elkins, II, James P. Luther, Lars K. Nielsen, Otto I. Szentesi, Hieu V. Tran