Daniel T Stephenson

US Patent:

6367984, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/438311

Inventors:

Daniel L. Stephenson - Lilburn GA
Steven E. Sheldon - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies, Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 53, 385 55, 385 76, 385 77, 385 78

Abstract:

A one-piece optical fiber adapter for coupling a first optical fiber connector to a second optical fiber connector is disclosed. The adapter is comprised of an elongate tubular one-piece body formed about a longitudinal axis, and has a first end and a spaced second end. The first end of the body is sized and shaped to receive any one of the several different types of optical fiber connectors therein, and the second end of the body is sized and shaped to also receive any one of the several differing types of optical fiber connectors therein. An elongate tubular alignment sleeve is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the body, and is received therein in a snap fit. In a first embodiment, an alignment sleeve holder is provided which is snap fit into the tubular body along the longitudinal axis thereof, the alignment sleeve being snap fit within the alignment sleeve holder. In a second embodiment, a stepped alignment sleeve used for coupling a 2. 5 millimeter diameter ferrule to a 1.

US Patent:

6402390, Jun 11, 2002

Filed:

Dec 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/210923

Inventors:

Jerry M. Anderson - Austell GA
Muhammed A. Shahid - Snellville GA
Daniel L. Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 71, 385 72

Abstract:

A V-groove adapter for interconnecting optical conductors includes V-grooves that are precisely aligned with respect to one another to provide a desired alignment of the respective cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves. By controlling the widths of the respective V-grooves and the axial alignment of the V-grooves with respect to one another, the cores of the optical conductors received within the respective V-grooves can be coaxially aligned or offset by predetermined distance with repeatable precision on the order of 1 m. The V-grooves are initially fabricated in a monocrystalline material. A metal layer is formed over the V-grooves in order to form an inverse replica of the V-grooves which is used as an insert in an injection mold so that the V-groove adapters can be mass produced using injection molding techniques.

US Patent:

6447172, Sep 10, 2002

Filed:

Apr 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282931

Inventors:

Daniel Lee Stephenson - Lilburn GA
Steven E. Sheldon - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 638

US Classification:

385 70, 385 58

Abstract:

An improved sleeve holder for use in an optical fiber buildout is disclosed. The sleeve holder comprises an elongate tubular body formed about a longitudinal axis, the body having a first end and a spaced second end. At least a first slot is defined in the first end of the body and extends longitudinally from the first end of the body toward the second end thereof. A first annular shoulder is defined within the first end of the body about the longitudinal axis, and a second annular shoulder, spaced from the first shoulder is defined within the second end of the body about the longitudinal axis. An annular mounting flange is formed on the exterior surface of the tubular body, intermediate the ends thereof, and extends outwardly and away therefrom. The mounting flange includes at least one, and preferably a pair of radially spaced snap-fit tabs sized and shaped to be received within a buildout cap in a snap-fit for ease of installation and removal when assembling, or changing out, the components of the optical fiber buildout.

US Patent:

6524014, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Apr 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/282926

Inventors:

Daniel Lee Stephenson - Lilburn GA
Steven E. Sheldon - Norcross GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 55, 385 53, 385 58, 385 59, 385134

Abstract:

A universal modular optical fiber buildout for use in coupling a first optical fiber cable to a second optical fiber cable is disclosed. The universal buildout includes a buildout base formed about a longitudinal axis, and a buildout cap for being received within the base. The buildout base is constructed and arranged to receive the first optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout caps at the second end thereof. In similar fashion, the buildout cap is constructed and arranged to receive the second optical fiber cable at a first end thereof, and is constructed and arranged to be received within a second end of any one of a plurality of the different types of buildout bases. The buildout cap is also provided with a latching arrangement for securing the cap to the base, the latching arrangement being comprised of two opposed resilient flanges sized and shaped to be received within the second end of the base, each flange having at least one locking tab formed as a part thereof. The buildout base has at least two opposed locking tabs constructed and arranged to cooperate with a respective one of the at least one locking tab of the two flanges so that the buildout cap is received in the buildout base in a snap-fit.

US Patent:

6688781, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Mar 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/094928

Inventors:

Jerry Max Anderson - Austell GA
James C. Bandy - Duluth GA
Gregory Alen Sandels - Buford GA
Daniel Lee Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Fitel USA Corp. - Norcross GA

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

385 76, 385 78

Abstract:

An adapter for an optical fiber connector has a switch mounted therein and an actuation lever contained therein for actuating the switch to turn optical power on. The lever has an enlarged rear portion separated from a front portion by a flexible web. The adapter has an opening therein for receiving a connector plug which is masked by the enlarged portion of the lever when in the operative position. When a plug is to be inserted, the enlarged portion is bent up to unmask the opening. After the plug is inserted, the rear portion is aligned with the front portion of the lever and the lever slid forward to actuate the switch. In the forward position, the enlarged portion prevents access to the latching arm of the connector plug so that it cannot be removed while the power is on. The lever must be slid to the rear, turning off the power, before the connector can be removed. Latches maintain the lever in its forward, or Power On position, which can be overcome to permit sliding the lever to the rear, or Power Off position, before access to the connector plug latching arm can be had.

US Patent:

61888273, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Sep 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/148271

Inventors:

Daniel Lee Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 600
G02B 638

US Classification:

385140

Abstract:

An attenuator element for use between two optical fiber connector ferrules comprising an optical member having an outer periphery, a neck portion connected to the outer periphery of the optical member, a head portion connected to the neck portion, and a severable grip having a substantially planar body portion and a wedge portion attached to the body portion. The attenuator element can be manually manipulated by grasping the grip and placing the optical member in an appropriate apparatus at which point the grip can be manually broken off of the attenuator element. Typically, the grip is used to place the optical member of the attenuator element in a ferrule sleeve of a buildout system.

US Patent:

48727369, Oct 10, 1989

Filed:

Apr 19, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/183194

Inventors:

Clyde J. Myers - Stone Mountain GA
Daniel L. Stephenson - Norcross GA
Ruben Travieso - Duluth GA

Assignee:

American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 636

US Classification:

350 9620

Abstract:

A connector body (26) which terminates at least one transmission medium includes on each side thereof a cantilevered arm (66) having a latching nub (70) projecting from a free end of the arm. A release cover (80) having a gripping portion (88) oriented toward a cable input end (32) of the connector body is mounted slidably on the connector body with the latching nubs of the arms each projecting through a window (90) in the cover. Conductors in the connector body are connected to conductors of another connector or of a device by inserting the connector body and release cover into a coupling (100) or into a receptacle. The latching nubs of the arms protrude into openings (106--106) provided in a housing (102) of the coupling to secure the connector body thereto. In order to withdraw the connector body from the coupling, a user moves the cover slidably along the connector body toward the cable input end. Walls which define the windows of the cover cam against the latching nubs causing them to be depressed as the free ends of the arms are moved inwardly.

US Patent:

61888257, Feb 13, 2001

Filed:

Apr 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/292145

Inventors:

James C. Bandy - Duluth GA
Norman R. Lampert - Norcross GA
Steven E. Sheldon - Norcross GA
Daniel L. Stephenson - Lilburn GA

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies, Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

G02B 600
G02B 6245

US Classification:

385134

Abstract:

A dust cover for protecting a sleeve housing of a fiber optic adapter having opposed interior sidewalls is provided, which includes an elongate member having first and second opposed ends wherein the elongate member has a multifaceted outer surface with at least one planar surface for engaging the opposed interior sidewalls of the fiber optic adapter. The first end of the elongate member is sized and shaped to align the elongate member within the fiber optic adapter and receive the sleeve housing. The first end of the elongate member also includes a longitudinally extending central bore for receiving the sleeve housing and a plurality of landings, which are contiguous the longitudinally extending bore, and which are tapered toward the second end. The landings securely hold the sleeve housing within the central bore of the elongate member. With this arrangement, the dust cover prevents contamination to the optical fiber, is self-aligning, is accessible in panels having deep recesses, and is easily removable from fiber optic adapters, thereby overcoming limitations found in conventional dust covers.