Patents by Inventor Robert G. Knowles

Robert G. Knowles 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: 5018822
    Abstract: A multichannel separable fiber optic connector includes two-part splice fixtures which are retained in the center body of the connector. A keying arrangement between the splice fixture halves and the center body insure that the fixture halves are always mated together in the same angular relationship, and a common sleeve in the center body aligns the fixture halves along a common surface. The optic fibers and fiber splices are protected by removable backshells which are environmentally sealed to the center body and to the cable jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Freismuth, Robert G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 4696539
    Abstract: A connector for fiber optic cables includes an elongated tubular housing and a pair of termination assemblies which surround the end of each fiber optic cable. A lens element is adjacent one end of each termination assembly, and a sleeve surrounds each lens element and a portion of the termination assembly, and a lip on the sleeve spaces and coaxially aligns the lens elements one from the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Western Geophysical Company of America
    Inventor: Robert G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 4440471
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule which receives the end of a fiber optic cable. The optic fiber of the cable is located in an axial bore in the terminal face of the ferrule, and an annular central portion defined by a groove which surrounds the axial bore is radially inwardly pinched to position the optic fiber in the center of the terminal face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 4188083
    Abstract: A connector for terminating a flat cable comprises a contact support, a pressure member, and a strain relief. A metal clip on either end of the connector acts as a latch to maintain the three elements in a single package and to transmit the forces imposed by the strain relief directly to the contact support. A detent formed on the contact support provides a two-position catch for the latch. A protuberance formed on the clip bites into the end wall of the pressure member to prevent withdrawal of the clip from a slot formed in the pressure member and to allow displacement of the end wall in response to flexure of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 4171858
    Abstract: A connector used in terminating a flat multi-conductor cable comprises a contact support and a pressure cap. The contact support houses a plurality of insulation displacement contacts, each contact comprising a boxlike end and an elongated electrical contacting section. Two opposite sides of the boxlike end include a longitudinal slot which receives the conductive elements of the cable to establish a four point contact therewith, and the remaining two sides are peaked to form a structure for piercing the insulation of the cable. The box is seamed along a longitudinal corner thereof and is reinforced by a recess in the contact support in which the box is located. The pressure cap comprises an array of apertures which correspond to the array of displacement contacts housed by the contact support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1979
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Knowles, Robert A. Domke
  • Patent number: 4169647
    Abstract: A flat cable connector includes a contact support with an integrally molded latch and a pressure member which mates therewith. The latch comprises a folded beam and a latching bar which cooperate with a two-position catch on the pressure member. The folded beam gives the latch a greater flexibility than would normally be possible and avoids excess strain which could cause beam failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G. Knowles, Robert A. Domke
  • Patent number: 4145103
    Abstract: A metal clip provides a two position latch for a flat cable connector. In the first position of the latch, an upper pressure member is held spaced from a lower contact support. After the cable has been placed in the connector, pressure on the two connector halves will cause a joining thereof to the cable and the catching of the latch to establish the second position. The metal clip provides a latch which is stronger than one made of plastic and which additionally aids in reinforcing the pressure member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1979
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert G. Knowles