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).
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Publication number: 20240097386Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventor: Wayne C Hopkinson
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Patent number: 11870190Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20220371252Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. HAYES, Ted Q. COBB, JR., Douglas R. BRAKE, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Thomas M. FAISON
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Patent number: 11424052Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Patent number: 11410800Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: CommScope Technologies LLCInventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. Hayes, Ted Q. Cobb, Jr., Douglas R. Brake, David A. Wiebelhaus, Thomas M. Faison
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Publication number: 20210375505Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Douglas R. BRAKE, Robert A. WESSELS, Jr., Wayne C. HOPKINSON
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Publication number: 20210328393Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Inventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson, JR.
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Publication number: 20210158996Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. HAYES, Ted Q. COBB, JR., Douglas R. BRAKE, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Thomas M. FAISON
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Publication number: 20200185127Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
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Patent number: 10601208Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventor: Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Patent number: 10573430Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20190123529Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: Wayne C. HOPKINSON
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Publication number: 20180261359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Robert A. WESSELS, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
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Patent number: 9978480Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Publication number: 20160343473Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Robert A. Wessels, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON
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Patent number: 9418775Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Robert A. Wessels, Jr., David A. Wiebelhaus, Trent M. Hayes, Wayne C. Hopkinson
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Patent number: 9390838Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Wayne C. Hopkinson, Trent M. Hayes
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Publication number: 20140262425Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Wayne C. HOPKINSON, Trent M. HAYES
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Publication number: 20140262411Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Wayne C. HOPKINSON, Trent M. HAYES, David A. WIEBELHAUS, Daniel J. PARKE, Douglas R. BRAKE
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Publication number: 20140238721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: CommScope, Inc. of North CarolinaInventors: Robert A. WESSELS, JR., David A. WIEBELHAUS, Trent M. HAYES, Wayne C. HOPKINSON