Patents by Inventor Steven C. Zimmel

Steven C. Zimmel 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).

  • Publication number: 20140068913
    Abstract: A method of tuning a fiber optic connector includes: assembling the fiber optic connector to a partially assembled state; tuning the fiber optic connector in the partially assembled state; assembling the fiber optic connector to an assembled state; and tuning the fiber optic connector in the assembled state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Michael James Ott, Peter Bos, Christopher Stroth
  • Publication number: 20140044401
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Trevor D. SMITH, Michael Kenneth Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8646989
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector and cable assembly is disclosed herein. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly includes a cable having at least one optical fiber, a jacket surrounding the optical fiber and at least one strength member for reinforcing the fiber optic cable. The fiber optic connector and cable assembly also includes a fiber optic connector having a main connector body having a distal end and a proximal end. The fiber optic connector also includes a ferrule supporting an end portion of the optical fiber. The ferrule is mounted at the distal end of the main connector body. The fiber optic connector further includes a spring for biasing the ferrule in a distal direction and a spring push for retaining the spring within the main connector body. The spring push is mounted at the proximal end of the main connector body. The spring push includes a main body and a stub that projects proximally outwardly from the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Yu Lu, Patrick Nault, Scott C. Kowalczyk, Scott Droege, Brent Campbell, Christopher Stroth
  • Patent number: 8634689
    Abstract: A telecommunications module includes a main housing portion and a cover, the main housing portion defining a first sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the cover defining a second sidewall when mounted on the main housing portion. An optical component located within the module receives an input signal from a signal input location of the housing and outputs an output signal toward a signal output location on the front wall. The telecommunications module is configured such that the signal input location can be selected to be either on the front wall or the rear wall of the main housing. The cover defines a protrusion extending from the second sidewall toward the main housing portion, the protrusion being selectively breakable to expose a recess on the front wall of the main housing portion that defines a signal input location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8559818
    Abstract: A system for delivering multiple passive optical network services is disclosed. The system includes a first optical transmission service comprising a common wavelength pair routed from a source to each of a plurality of subscribers. The system further includes a second optical transmission service comprising a plurality of unique wavelength pairs, where each of the unique wavelength pairs is routed from the source to a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers. The system delivers the first optical transmission service and the second optical transmission service to the subscriber on a single optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Timothy G. Badar, Trevor D. Smith
  • Patent number: 8542972
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer modules mounted within the chassis. Each module includes at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the chassis are positioned at least one fiber optic adapter. Inserting the modules through an opening of the chassis at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the chassis. A method of mounting an optical wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexer module within a telecommunications chassis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8538228
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael K. Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8520997
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8500341
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a drop cable assembly including a fiber optic drop cable having a length that extends from a first end of the fiber optic drop cable to an opposite second end of the fiber optic drop cable. The fiber optic drop cable also includes an intermediate location located between the first and second ends of the fiber optic drop cable. The drop cable assembly also includes a first fiber optic connector mounted at the first end of the fiber optic drop cable and a second fiber optic connector mounted at the second end of the fiber optic drop cable. The drop cable assembly further includes an optical fiber that extends continuously without splicing along the length of the fiber optic drop cable from the first fiber optic connector to the second fiber optic connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Christopher Stroth, Wayne M. Kachmar, Ronald J. Kleckowski
  • Patent number: 8494329
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis with a top wall, a bottom wall, a front opening, a rear opening, and first and second transverse sidewalls extending between the front and rear openings, the top wall and bottom walls defining slots. Upper mounting guides defining upper key slots between adjacent upper guides and lower mounting guides defining lower key slots between adjacent lower guides are mounted to the top and bottom walls. The upper and lower guides define snap-fit structures inserted into the slots defined on the top and bottom walls for mounting the upper and lower guides to the chassis. At least one of the upper and the lower mounting guides defines adapter mounts for slidably receiving fiber optic adapters through the rear opening. Fiber optic modules are slidably received within the chassis through the front opening and each module is slidably inserted into the upper and lower key slots of the chassis, each module removable from the chassis through the front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ponharith Nhep, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20130089294
    Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and the second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of a buffer, and a smooth and continuous transition between the first and the second diameter portions. The second diameter portion is positioned between the first diameter portion and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end toward the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, another smooth and continuous transition can be provided between the taper shape and the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, the axial passage is smooth and continuous between the first and the second ends of the body. A hub holds the ferrule.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20130028566
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael K. Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8364000
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable clamp is provided. The fiber optic cable clamp includes a sheath grip member and a strength member clamp maintained at a constant axial location with respect to the sheath grip member. The fiber optic cable clamp also includes a cable fiber separator connected to the sheath grip member, the cable fiber separator including a plurality of cable fiber openings and attached to the strength member clamp. The fiber optic cable clamp, when mounted to a fiber optic cable, maintains the relative axial locations of a cable sheath and cable strength member along a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaime Gonzalez, Cindy S. Walters, James J. Solheid, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8346045
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly includes a chassis and a plurality of fiber optic splitter modules mounted within the chassis. Each splitter module includes at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the chassis are positioned at least one fiber optic adapter. Inserting the splitter module through a front opening of the chassis at a mounting location positions the connector of the splitter module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the chassis. The adapters mounted within the interior of the chassis are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a fiber optic splitter module within a telecommunications chassis is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Trevor Smith, Ponharith Nhep
  • Patent number: 8340491
    Abstract: A telecommunications module includes a main housing portion and a cover, the main housing portion defining a first sidewall, a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the cover defining a second sidewall when mounted on the main housing portion. An optical component located within the module receives an input signal from a signal input location of the housing and outputs an output signal toward a signal output location on the front wall. The telecommunications module is configured such that the signal input location can be selected to be either on the front wall or the rear wall of the main housing. The cover defines a protrusion extending from the second sidewall toward the main housing portion, the protrusion being selectively breakable to expose a recess on the front wall of the main housing portion that defines a signal input location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8331753
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are mounted to a removable holder. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Zimmel, Ponharith Nhep, Trevor Smith
  • Patent number: 8311379
    Abstract: An optical fiber cable assembly comprising an optical fiber slidably enclosed within a hollow tubing, both the fiber and the tubing having corresponding first and second ends. The cable is terminated with the first and second ends of the tubing and the fiber constrained with respect to each other such that fiber and the tubing are approximately the same length when the cable is at a first temperature. The tubing is made of a material which contracts more than the optical fiber when the cable is exposed to temperatures below the first temperature, such that the fiber is longer than the tubing and excess fiber length is formed. An intermediate portion of the tubing permits the excess fiber length to accumulate without bending in a radius smaller than a minimum bend radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20120230647
    Abstract: A telecommunications assembly including a housing and a plurality of modules mounted within the housing. The modules includes a rear face in which is mounted at least one fiber optic connector. Within an interior of the housing are positioned at least one fiber optic adapters. Inserting the module through a front opening of the housing at a mounting location positions the connector of the module for insertion into and mating with the adapter of the housing. The adapters within the interior of the housing are integrally formed as part of a removable adapter assembly. A method of mounting a telecommunications module within a chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven C. Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20120170896
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a front housing having sidewalls each defining a slot and a rear insert with a pair of locking flanges extending radially away, the locking flanges configured to snap-fit into the slots, each locking flange defining a front face and a rear face, the radially outermost portion of the rear face defining an edge, the edge being the rearmost extending portion of the locking flange. Another fiber optic connector includes a front housing defining a front opening at a front end, a circular rear opening at a rear end, and an internal cavity extending therebetween. A rear insert including a generally cylindrical front portion is inserted into the front housing through the circular rear opening, the front portion defining at least one longitudinal flat configured to reduce the overall diameter of the generally cylindrical front portion configured to be inserted into the front housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Kenneth Allen Skluzacek, Michael D. Schroeder, Michael James Ott, Randall Wendland, Ponharith Nhep, Steven C. Zimmel
  • Patent number: 8184940
    Abstract: A housing including a plurality of openings for receiving fiber optic connectors and protecting the polished end face of the connectors from damage while the connectors are stored within a telecommunications connection cabinet. A module with a plurality of optical fiber cables connected to a first optical fiber cable and terminated by a fiber optic connector. Each of the connectors are inserted within openings in a connector holder for storage and protection until the cables need to be connected to a customer equipment cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor D. Smith, Michael K. Barth, Soutsada Vongseng, Steven C. Zimmel