Patents by Inventor Wayne C. Hopkinson

Wayne C. Hopkinson 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: 20240097386
    Abstract: To reduce sparks and arcing if an RJ plug is removed from an RJ jack while a PoE signal is present, the plug includes conductive metal blades. Each blade includes a first portion to conduct electrical signals and/or power (SAOP) between the blade and a wire within the plug. Each blade includes a second portion and a spaced third portion to conduct SAOP between the blade and a contact within a jack. A first electrical resistance value between the second portion and the first portion is at least 5% greater as compared to a second electrical resistance value between the third portion and the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventor: Wayne C Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 11870190
    Abstract: To reduce sparks and arcing if an RJ plug is removed from an RJ jack while a PoE signal is present, the jack includes contact terminals for making electrical contact with blades of the plug. At least two primary contact terminals have first engagement portions positioned a first distance from the opening. At least one secondary and/or tertiary contact terminal has a second and/or third engagement portion, which is positioned less than the first distance from the opening. The engagement portions are the last portions of the contact terminals to make electrical contact with corresponding blades of the plug upon removal of the plug. At least one of the first engagement portions is formed of a first material different from a second material used to form at least one of the second or third engagement portions. One of the materials is formed to resist damage from sparks better than the other material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Publication number: 20220371252
    Abstract: A dielectric isolator for a twisted pair cable includes a body formed as an elongate strip with a top surface, bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. A first slot is formed in the first side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. A second slot is formed in the second side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. During cable manufacturing, first and second wedges open the first and second slots. First and second twisted pairs are inserted into the first and second opened slots, respectively. Third and fourth twisted pairs reside at the top and bottom surface, respectively. The isolator has the cost and reel storage savings of a flat separator tape, while simultaneously providing the internal crosstalk performance of the isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. HAYES, Ted Q. COBB, JR., Douglas R. BRAKE, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Thomas M. FAISON
  • Patent number: 11424052
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second twisted pairs, as well as, first and second dielectric tapes. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a cross sectional shape, which presents first and second recessed portions; the first dielectric tape is different in shape or material content as compared to a second dielectric tape; the insulated conductors of the first and second twisted pairs are identical in appearance, while the first and second dielectric tapes are different in appearance; and/or the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 11410800
    Abstract: A dielectric isolator for a twisted pair cable includes a body formed as an elongate strip with a top surface, bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. A first slot is formed in the first side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. A second slot is formed in the second side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. During cable manufacturing, first and second wedges open the first and second slots. First and second twisted pairs are inserted into the first and second opened slots, respectively. Third and fourth twisted pairs reside at the top and bottom surface, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. Hayes, Ted Q. Cobb, Jr., Douglas R. Brake, David A. Wiebelhaus, Thomas M. Faison
  • Publication number: 20210375505
    Abstract: A cable with a plurality of twisted pair wires arranged in a core. The cable also has a floating shield that surrounds the core. The floating shielding includes an electrically connective layer enclosed between inner and outer dielectric layers. The cable also includes a jacket that surrounds the floating shield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas R. BRAKE, Robert A. WESSELS, Jr., Wayne C. HOPKINSON
  • Publication number: 20210328393
    Abstract: To reduce sparks and arcing if an RJ plug is removed from an RJ jack while a PoE signal is present, the jack includes contact terminals for making electrical contact with blades of the plug. At least two primary contact terminals have first engagement portions positioned a first distance from the opening. At least one secondary and/or tertiary contact terminal has a second and/or third engagement portion, which is positioned less than the first distance from the opening. The engagement portions are the last portions of the contact terminals to make electrical contact with corresponding blades of the plug upon removal of the plug. At least one of the first engagement portions is formed of a first material different from a second material used to form at least one of the second or third engagement portions. One of the materials is formed to resist damage from sparks better than the other material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210158996
    Abstract: A dielectric isolator for a twisted pair cable includes a body formed as an elongate strip with a top surface, bottom surface, a first side edge and a second side edge. A first slot is formed in the first side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. A second slot is formed in the second side edge and extends at least half way toward the center of the isolator. During cable manufacturing, first and second wedges open the first and second slots. First and second twisted pairs are inserted into the first and second opened slots, respectively. Third and fourth twisted pairs reside at the top and bottom surface, respectively. The isolator has the cost and reel storage savings of a flat separator tape, while simultaneously providing the internal crosstalk performance of the isolator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2021
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. HAYES, Ted Q. COBB, JR., Douglas R. BRAKE, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Thomas M. FAISON
  • Publication number: 20200185127
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second twisted pairs, as well as, first and second dielectric tapes. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a cross sectional shape, which presents first and second recessed portions; the first dielectric tape is different in shape or material content as compared to a second dielectric tape; the insulated conductors of the first and second twisted pairs are identical in appearance, while the first and second dielectric tapes are different in appearance; and/or the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
  • Patent number: 10601208
    Abstract: A cable tray includes first and second opposite tray walls and at least one divider arrangement between the tray walls. The divider arrangement includes first and second divider walls joined to each other with a cooling volume between them. A first cable channel is defined between the first tray wall and the first divider wall. A second cable channel is spaced from the first cable channel by the cooling volume and is defined between the second divider wall and at least one of the second tray wall or an additional divider wall. The tray can be used in methods of laying cable. The tray can be part of a ladder rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 10573430
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Publication number: 20190123529
    Abstract: A cable tray includes first and second opposite tray walls and at least one divider arrangement between the tray walls. The divider arrangement includes first and second divider walls joined to each other with a cooling volume between them. A first cable channel is defined between the first tray wall and the first divider wall. A second cable channel is spaced from the first cable channel by the cooling volume and is defined between the second divider wall and at least one of the second tray wall or an additional divider wall. The tray can be used in methods of laying cable. The tray can be part of a ladder rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventor: Wayne C. HOPKINSON
  • Publication number: 20180261359
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Inventors: Robert A. WESSELS, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
  • Patent number: 9978480
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Publication number: 20160343473
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
  • Patent number: 9418775
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
  • Patent number: 9390838
    Abstract: A cable includes a spacer surrounding a cable core. The cable core includes four twisted pairs. A separator is disposed amongst the twisted pairs. The separator may be formed with three layers, wherein a middle layer is conductive and outer layers are nonconductive. A jacket surrounds the spacer, and a shielding layer may reside between the jacket and the spacer. The spacer may be formed of plural fibers or a polymer. Preferably, the spacer presents a lower dielectric constant per unit volume than the jacket. The separator may have a tape shape or a plus shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20140262425
    Abstract: A cable includes a spacer surrounding a cable core. The cable core includes four twisted pairs. A separator is disposed amongst the twisted pairs. The separator may be formed with three layers, wherein a middle layer is conductive and outer layers are nonconductive. A jacket surrounds the spacer, and a shielding layer may reside between the jacket and the spacer. The spacer may be formed of plural fibers or a polymer. Preferably, the spacer presents a lower dielectric constant per unit volume than the jacket. The separator may have a tape shape or a plus shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Wayne C. HOPKINSON, Trent M. HAYES
  • Publication number: 20140262411
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding a cable core. The cable core includes four twisted pairs. One or more S-shaped separators are disposed amongst the twisted pairs. The S-Shaped separators may be formed with two layers or three layers, wherein at least one layer is conductive. Where two S-shaped separators are disposed within the cable, a third conductive tape may be used to electrically connect the first and second S-shaped separators. In alternative embodiments, one or both ends of an S-shaped separator make electrical contact to mid-portions of the separator to create one or two shielding cambers within the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Wayne C. HOPKINSON, Trent M. HAYES, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Daniel J. PARKE, Douglas R. BRAKE
  • Publication number: 20140238721
    Abstract: A cable includes a jacket surrounding first and second insulated conductors and a first dielectric tape, wherein the first insulated conductor is twisted with the second insulated conductor with the first dielectric tape residing therebetween to form a first twisted pair. The cable's jacket may also surround additional twisted pairs, which are similarly formed. In alternative or supplemental embodiments of the invention, the first dielectric tape has a hollow core possessing a gas or material with a lower dielectric constant and/or at least a first side of said first dielectric tape facing to said first insulated conductor includes a plurality of ridges and valleys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North Carolina
    Inventors: Robert A. WESSELS, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON