Patents by Inventor Steven Conrad ZIMMEL

Steven Conrad 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: 20250130378
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an epoxy tube for an optical fiber connector. The tube can be mounted to a ferrule hub by a snap fit connection. The connection between the tube and the ferrule hub allows for float of the epoxy tube where the epoxy tube is not rigidly attached to the hub. The epoxy tube can be configured to move about an arc of rotational circular movement while remaining linear such that the epoxy tube does not bend or transfer forces to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2024
    Publication date: April 24, 2025
    Inventors: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE
  • Publication number: 20250116826
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for connecting an optical fiber to a ferrule. The system and method facilitate the process of epoxying the optical fiber in a manner that avoid inadvertently adhering the fiber to the side of a connector housing, which can result in breakage of the optical fiber when in the field. The system and method provide a mechanism for easily epoxying the optical fiber to the ferrule while still allowing for some radial movement of the optical fiber within the connector housing, which is desirable. The system and method incorporate an end cap that centers the optical fiber in the connector housing during the connection process and also acts as a strain relief when in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL
  • Patent number: 12147080
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for connecting an optical fiber to a ferrule. The system and method facilitate the process of epoxying the optical fiber in a manner that avoid inadvertently adhering the fiber to the side of a connector housing, which can result in breakage of the optical fiber when in the field. The system and method provide a mechanism for easily epoxying the optical fiber to the ferrule while still allowing for sonic radial movement of the optical fiber within the connector housing, which is desirable. The system and method incorporate an end cap that centers the optical fiber in the connector housing during the connection process and also acts as a strain relief when in the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Steven Conrad Zimmel
  • Patent number: 12147081
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an epoxy tube for an optical fiber connector. The tube can be mounted to a ferrule hub by a snap fit connection. The connection between the tube and the ferrule hub allows for float of the epoxy tube where the epoxy tube is not rigidly attached to the hub. The epoxy tube can be configured to move about an arc of rotational circular movement while remaining linear such that the epoxy tube does not bend or transfer forces to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Patent number: 12019283
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic connectors with features that help eliminate the potential of a capillary effect or epoxy wicking. The fiber optic connector may include an epoxy tube with segments that define a pocket in an area that helps to prevent capillary action between components that are otherwise closely positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Patent number: 11846811
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector with a hub extension positioned on the hub of the connector. Prior to assembly of the connector with the rear boot, the hub and ferrule assembly can be pushed backward within the front and rear housings to clear an anti-rotation portion of the front housing and turned for tuning. After complete assembly of the rear boot, the hub extension bottoms out against the boot prior to the hub and ferrule assembly disengaging the anti-rotation portion of the front housing, thereby maintaining the tuned position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Publication number: 20230266539
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector including a ferrule assembly in which an optical fiber is secured by bonding material. The fiber optic connector includes a molded tube for facilitating injecting the bonding material into the ferrule assembly during manufacture of the fiber optic connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Connor Thomas Wilson, Steven Conrad Zimmel
  • Publication number: 20230185031
    Abstract: To install a connectorized cable assembly, a cable terminated at a connector core is pushed through a duct. The connector core has a maximum outer diameter of no more than 5 mm to facilitate passage of the connector core through the duct. A plug body is mounted over the connector core after the connector core exits the duct. No intermediate assembly steps are performed on the connector core between being pushed through the duct and being inserted into the plug body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Levi T. MERRICK, Yu LU, Steven Conrad ZIMMEL
  • Publication number: 20220357523
    Abstract: A fiber optic connector with a hub extension positioned on the hub of the connector. Prior to assembly of the connector with the rear boot, the hub and ferrule assembly can be pushed backward within the front and rear housings to clear an anti-rotation portion of the front housing and turned for tuning. After complete assembly of the rear boot, the hub extension bottoms out against the boot prior to the hub and ferrule assembly disengaging the anti-rotation portion of the front housing, thereby maintaining the tuned position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE
  • Publication number: 20220276451
    Abstract: Aspects and techniques of the present disclosure relate to fiber optic connectors with features that help eliminate the potential of a capillary effect or epoxy wicking. The fiber optic connector may include an epoxy tube with segments that define a pocket in an area that helps to prevent capillary action between components that are otherwise closely positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE
  • Publication number: 20220269014
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic connector designed to improve the insertion of an optical fiber within the fiber optic connector. The fiber optic connector may include a lead-in tube that makes the insertion of an optical fiber easier. That is, the lead-in tube may be molded over a ferrule hub to fully encapsulate a rear end thereof such that the optical fiber does not snag or hang up during insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Marlon E. HOLMQUIST, David Donald ERDMAN, Steven Conrad ZIMMEL
  • Publication number: 20220260788
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an epoxy tube for an optical fiber connector. The tube can be mounted to a ferrule hub by a snap fit connection. The connection between the tube and the ferrule hub allows for float of the epoxy tube where the epoxy tube is not rigidly attached to the hub. The epoxy tube can be configured to move about an arc of rotational circular movement while remaining linear such that the epoxy tube does not bend or transfer forces to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE
  • Publication number: 20220236495
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for connecting an optical fiber to a ferrule. The system and method facilitate the process of epoxying the optical fiber in a manner that avoid inadvertently adhering the fiber to the side of a connector housing, which can result in breakage of the optical fiber when in the field. The system and method provide a mechanism for easily epoxying the optical fiber to the ferrule while still allowing for sonic radial movement of the optical fiber within the connector housing, which is desirable. The system and method incorporate an end cap that centers the optical fiber in the connector housing during the connection process and also acts as a strain relief when in the field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL
  • Patent number: 11150412
    Abstract: Fiber optic connectors, connector assemblies, and associated methods having tuning features and aspects. The tuning features/aspects allow for a tuning mechanism of a rear housing to be moved axially between an anti-rotation region and a tuning chamber defined by a front housing. The rear housing is rotationally coupled to a ferrule assembly for tuning an optical fiber terminated at the ferrule assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad Zimmel, Gregory J. Schaible
  • Publication number: 20210033796
    Abstract: Fiber optic connectors, connector assemblies, and associated methods having tuning features and aspects. The tuning features/aspects allow for a tuning mechanism of a rear housing to be moved axially between an anti-rotation region and a tuning chamber defined by a front housing. The rear housing is rotationally coupled to a ferrule assembly for tuning an optical fiber terminated at the ferrule assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Steven Conrad ZIMMEL, Gregory J. SCHAIBLE