Patents by Inventor William G. Allen

William G. Allen 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).

  • Patent number: 10436984
    Abstract: An optical network comprises a fiber distribution cable and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly receives a plurality of optical fibers from the fiber distribution cable and distributes one or more individual fibers to one or more single fiber bare-fiber holders that hold and protect each single fiber prepared and configured for splicing via an individual splicing element. The splicing element includes an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove or channel configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Donald K. Larson, Daniel J. Treadwell, William G. Allen, Raman K. Selli, Victor J. Borer, Kathleen M. Humpal, Melissa A. Lackey, Brant U. Kolb, Paul D. Pennington, Mark J. Hendrickson, Wendy L. Thompson, Wayne S. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20180067261
    Abstract: An optical network comprises a fiber distribution cable and a terminal assembly. The terminal assembly receives a plurality of optical fibers from the fiber distribution cable and distributes one or more individual fibers to one or more single fiber bare-fiber holders that hold and protect each single fiber prepared and configured for splicing via an individual splicing element. The splicing element includes an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove or channel configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: William J. Clatanoff, Donald K. Larson, Daniel J. Treadwell, William G. Allen, Raman K. Selli, Victor J. Borer, Kathleen M. Humpal, Melissa A. Lackey, Brant U. Kolb, Paul D. Pennington, Mark J. Hendrickson, Wendy L. Thompson, Wayne S. Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20180067262
    Abstract: A splice element for splicing a first and a second optical fiber comprises an alignment mechanism having a base plate and a clamp plate. At least one of the base plate and clamp plate is formed from a silica material and at least one of the base plate and clamp plate includes an alignment groove configured to receive the first and second optical fibers in an end-to-end manner. The splice element also comprises an optical adhesive disposed in at least a portion of the alignment groove, wherein the optical adhesive is curable via actinic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, William J. Clatanoff, Daniel J. Treadwell, William G. Allen, Raman K. Selli, Kathleen M. Humpal, Melissa A. Lackey, Brant U. Kolb, Paul D. Pennington, Mark J. Hendrickson, Wendy L. Thompson, Wayne S. Mahoney
  • Patent number: 9748747
    Abstract: A device to strip the external coating layer off of a coated optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber coating removal device includes a one piece molded body having a first body portion connected to a second body portion by a flexible region and a blade secured in one of the first body portion and the second body portion wherein the blade includes a U-shaped slot having cutting edges on the inside of the slot, wherein the flexible portion allows the first and second body portions to move between an open state and a closed state for stripping an optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 9343886
    Abstract: A cable routing system is described. More specifically, described is a cable routing system that includes a main fiber channel configured to receive a drop fiber to allow it to fit within the main fiber channel, where the channel is surrounded by a discontinuous segmented duct, and the duct comprises a continuous flange structure to provide support for the system as it is installed on or fastened to a wall or other generally flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Victor J. Borer, Kurt H. Petersen, Wesley A. Raider, William V. Dower, Zachary M. Thompson, Daniel J. Treadwell, Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen
  • Publication number: 20160105009
    Abstract: An adhesive-backed communications media cable includes a duct having a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion includes an Ethernet over twisted pair communication line. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise with the conduit portion. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the flange such that the duct is mountable to a mounting surface via the adhesive layer. A system for distributing multiple communications media lines in a living unit includes a multimedia receptacle mountable on a wall or mounting surface and an adhesive-backed communications media duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Victor J. Borer, William G. Allen, Curtis L. Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20160099553
    Abstract: A device to strip the external coating layer off of a coated optical fiber is provided. The optical fiber coating removal device includes a one piece molded body having a first body portion connected to a second body portion by a flexible region and a blade secured in one of the first body portion and the second body portion wherein the blade includes a U-shaped slot having cutting edges on the inside of the slot, wherein the flexible portion allows the first and second body portions to move between an open state and a closed state for stripping an optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 9225154
    Abstract: An adhesive-backed communications media cable includes a duct having a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion includes an Ethernet over twisted pair communication line. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise with the conduit portion. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the flange such that the duct is mountable to a mounting surface via the adhesive layer. A system for distributing multiple communications media lines in a living unit includes a multimedia receptacle mountable on a wall or mounting surface and an adhesive-backed communications media duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Victor J. Borer, William G. Allen, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Charles F. Staley, Douglas B. Gundel, James G. Vana
  • Publication number: 20150171609
    Abstract: A cable routing system is described. More specifically, described is a cable routing system that includes a main fiber channel configured to receive a drop fiber to allow it to fit within the main fiber channel, where the channel is surrounded by a discontinuous segmented duct, and the duct comprises a continuous flange structure to provide support for the system as it is installed on or fastened to a wall or other generally flat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Linnea M. Wilkes, Victor J. Borer, Kurt H. Petersen, Wesley A. Raider, William V. Dower, Zachary M. Thompson, Daniel J. Treadwell, Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 8934751
    Abstract: An inlet device is described herein for inserting a telecommunication cable into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing, a retainer clip attached to the housing and a compression member. The housing can include a compressible portion at the second end of the housing. The retainer clip can secure the inlet device in a close fitting port of a telecommunication enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Simmons, William G. Allen, Robert W. Bunte
  • Patent number: 8876405
    Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Wesley A. Raider, Daniel J. Treadwell, Martin G. Afflerbaugh, David Gonzalez, Daniel H. Henderson, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 8879883
    Abstract: An inlet device is described for inserting a cable containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing with a strength member securing section configured to fasten at least one strength member to the housing. The inlet device further includes a fiber guide device. The inlet device may be used in a single fiber optical cable assembly or multi-fiber optical cable assembly. A method for preparing a cable assembly is also described. A telecommunications enclosure including an inlet device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen, Kenneth D. Rebers, Joseph M. Van Allen, George W. Parrett, Thomas E. Bludau
  • Publication number: 20140299645
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a device to cleave an optical fiber is provided. The device includes a base and a cover that is rotatably connected to the base. The base has a work surface and a mandrel disposed in the base and extending above the work surface. An optical fiber can be bent over a radiused surface of the mandrel and tensioned prior to cleaving. A shuttle is disposed in the cover over the mandrel, wherein the shuttle includes a flexible abrasive material that is configured to contact the optical fiber and create a flaw on a top surface of the optical fiber to initiate a crack in the optical fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward B. LURIE, William G. ALLEN, Zachary M. THOMPSON, Daniel H. HENDERSON, Ronald P. PEPIN, David GONZALEZ, Viktor HEINZ
  • Publication number: 20140133823
    Abstract: An inlet device is described herein for inserting a telecommunication cable into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing, a retainer clip attached to the housing and a compression member. The housing can include a compressible portion at the second end of the housing. The retainer clip can secure the inlet device in a close fitting port of a telecommunication enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard L. Simmons, William G. Allen, Robert W. Bunte
  • Publication number: 20130341085
    Abstract: An adhesive-backed communications media cable includes a duct having a conduit portion with a lengthwise bore formed therein. The conduit portion includes an Ethernet over twisted pair communication line. The duct also includes a flange extending lengthwise with the conduit portion. An adhesive layer is disposed on a surface of the flange such that the duct is mountable to a mounting surface via the adhesive layer. A system for distributing multiple communications media lines in a living unit includes a multimedia receptacle mountable on a wall or mounting surface and an adhesive-backed communications media duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Victor J. Borer, William G. Allen, Curtis L. Shoemaker, Charles F. Staley, Douglas B. Gundel, James G. Vana
  • Publication number: 20130028567
    Abstract: A high density optical fiber distribution system is disclosed which includes two columns of optical fiber termination blocks mounted on a standard telecommunication equipment rack. The rack includes a base and two vertical support members that define a bay. The optical fiber termination blocks are positioned on a front side of the rack and are mounted to one of the vertical support members by a mounting bracket. Each of the optical termination blocks includes a plurality of optical modules. The system can also include a vertical jumper slack storage portion adjacent to each column of optical fiber termination blocks, as well as a plurality of jumper routing troughs attached to a rear side of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen
  • Publication number: 20120328248
    Abstract: An LC format optical connector for terminating an optical fiber includes a housing configured to mate with an LC receptacle. A backbone is configured to engage an outer surface of the outer shell of the housing and includes a mounting structure that is configured to engage a boot. A collar body is retained between the outer shell and the backbone and includes a fiber stub disposed in a first portion of the collar body, the fiber stub being mounted in a ferrule. A mechanical splice is disposed in a second portion of the collar body, the mechanical splice configured to splice the fiber stub to the optical fiber. The backbone also includes a fiber jacket clamping portion to clamp a jacket portion that surrounds a portion of the optical fiber upon actuation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Donald K. Larson, Wesley A. Raider, Daniel J. Treadwell, Martin G. Afflerbaugh, David Gonzalez, Daniel H. Henderson, William G. Allen
  • Patent number: 8184939
    Abstract: An inlet device is described for inserting a cable containing optical fibers into a telecommunications enclosure. The inlet device includes a housing and an optical device holder. The optical device holder may be configured to hold an optical fiber spice and/or an optical device such as an optical splitter, coupler or a dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Rutesh D. Parikh, William G. Allen, Thomas E. Bludau
  • Patent number: 8071879
    Abstract: An adaptor for use with a telecommunications enclosure includes a body having a port extending therethrough from a first end of the body to a second end of the body. The first end of the body is configured for mounting within an opening of a telecommunications housing along a first axis. The port adjacent the second end of the adaptor is configured to receive a connection device receptacle therein along a second axis different from the first axis. A retention device is positioned adjacent the second end of the body and configured to retain a connection device receptacle within the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William G. Allen, Rutesh D. Parikh
  • Patent number: 8073302
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention described herein provides an enclosure for containing telecommunication lines and/or telecommunication line splices therein. In one embodiment, the enclosure comprises a housing wherein the housing is removeably securable to the base. The base includes an edge wall extending from the bottom plate of the base. A sealing member is disposed on an outer surface of the edge wall. The housing includes an outer side wall and an inner lip spaced apart from the outer side wall. When the housing is secured to the base, the edge wall of the base is inserted between the outer side wall and the inner lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William G. Allen, Rutesh D. Parikh