Patents by Inventor William D. McKittrick

William D. McKittrick 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).

  • Cross connect system for telecommunications systems
    Patent number: 5504654
    Abstract: A cross connect system for telecommunication wires reduces the required time to install and effect cross connections if the wire connections are made by hand and changes are made between circuits by unplugging a modular plug and plugging it in at a different position. The connector of the present invention has a terminal block accepting a plurality of plugs connected each to a pair of wires and the plugs fit onto the terminal block or can be stacked on each other for half tapping, testing or transferring. Protected plugs may be provided having overvoltage protection circuits, and jumper plugs may be stacked onto such protected plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George J. Knox, William D. McKittrick
  • Tip for forcing contacts to wipe against each other
    Patent number: 5378164
    Abstract: The contacts of an electrical connector are joined by the biasing force of the contact elements and in practice are separated by a probe to interconnect therebetween an additional circuit member. A probe which has a terminal end with an oblique surface to cause the wiping of the contact elements against each other at the interface during insertion or removal will improve contact and extend the life of the contact elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Vidacovich, Philip M. Smith, Richard J. Scherer, William D. McKittrick
  • Cross connect system for telecommunications systems
    Patent number: 5281163
    Abstract: A cross connect system for telecommunication wires reduces the required time to install and effect cross connections if the wire connections are made by hand and changes are made between circuits by unplugging a modular plug and plugging it in at a different position. The connector of the present invention has a terminal block accepting a plurality of plugs connected each to a pair of wires and the plugs fit onto the terminal block or can be stacked on each other for half tapping, testing or transferring. Protected plugs may be provided having overvoltage protection circuits, and jumper plugs may be stacked onto such protected plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George J. Knox, William D. McKittrick
  • Cross connect system for telecommunications systems
    Patent number: 5178558
    Abstract: A cross-connect connector for telecommunication systems reduces the required time to install and effect cross-connections if the wire connections are made by hand and changes are made between circuits by unplugging a modular plug and pluggng it in at a different position. The connector of the present invention has a terminal block accepting a plurality of plugs connected each to a pair of wires and the plugs fit onto the terminal block or can be stacked on each other for half tapping, testing or transferring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: George J. Knox, William D. McKittrick
  • Protected interconnect frame
    Patent number: D371134
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Duane H. Brosowske, William D. McKittrick, Jim R. Warren