Gregory L Kuffel

US Patent:

6918704, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Jan 30, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/354273

Inventors:

Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B006/36

US Classification:

385 78, 385 53

Abstract:

A tunable fiber optic connector is disclosed. The connector includes a ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule and a ferrule holder for receiving the ferrule therein. The ferrule holder has a plurality of splines on the periphery of a front surface thereof, and a spring bears against a rear surface of the ferrule holder and applies a forward biasing force to the ferrule assembly. The connector also includes a housing having a central bore extending therethrough in which the ferrule assembly is located. The housing has at least one tuning arm within the bore for engaging the ferrule assembly, and the tuning arm allows the ferrule assembly to be tuned inside the housing without disengaging the ferrule assembly from the tuning arm. A method of assembling a tunable fiber optic connector is also disclosed.

US Patent:

7241056, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Jun 13, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/423817

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - Monee IL, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - New Lenox IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/36

US Classification:

385 60, 385 72, 385 76, 385 78, 385 81

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.

US Patent:

7654748, Feb 2, 2010

Filed:

Jun 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/761756

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - St. John IN, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - Mokena IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/36

US Classification:

385 60, 385 72, 385 78, 385 81

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough. The cam further includes a first camming profile that actuates a field fiber clamp and a second camming profile that actuates a buffer clamp. The connector may further include alignment flats and features for preventing rotation and axial movement of various components.

US Patent:

7891882, Feb 22, 2011

Filed:

Feb 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/697905

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - St. John IN, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - Mokena IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38

US Classification:

385 60, 385 56, 385 62, 385 63

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough. The cam further includes a first camming profile that actuates a field fiber clamp and a second camming profile that actuates a buffer clamp. The connector may further include alignment flats and features for preventing rotation and axial movement of various components.

US Patent:

8039745, Oct 18, 2011

Filed:

Jul 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/182643

Inventors:

Thomas M. Sedor - Orland Park IL, US
Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Jerry A. Wiltjer - Frankfort IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

H02G 15/02

US Classification:

174 74R, 174 78

Abstract:

A cable strain relief module assembly for securing a cable and providing strain relief is described. The cable strain relief module assembly includes a module and a twist nut. The module has a male threaded portion and the twist nut has a female threaded portion. A portion of a cable may be captivated between the male threaded portion of the module and the female portion of the twist nut when the module and twist nut are engaged.

US Patent:

8052333, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Jan 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/010952

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - St. John IN, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - New Lenox IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 60, 385 56, 385 58, 385147

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough. The cam further includes a first camming profile that actuates a field fiber clamp and a second camming profile that actuates a buffer clamp. The connector may further include alignment flats and features for preventing rotation and axial movement of various components.

US Patent:

8231282, Jul 31, 2012

Filed:

Nov 1, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/286877

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - St. John IN, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - New Lenox IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 60, 385 56, 385 58, 385147

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.

US Patent:

8348519, Jan 8, 2013

Filed:

Jul 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/542271

Inventors:

Gregory L. Kuffel - Plainfield IL, US
Samuel M. Marrs - Bradley IL, US
Shaun P. Brouwer - St John IN, US
Robert T. Fitzpatrick - New Lenox IL, US
Phillip J. Irwin - Mokena IL, US
Matthew M. Wagner - Park Forest IL, US

Assignee:

Panduit Corp. - Tinley Park IL

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 60, 385 56, 385 58, 385147

Abstract:

A re-terminable, no-crimp ST-type optical connector assembly includes a spring-loaded ferrule holder assembly and a reusable activation system for termination of the assembly. The optical connector can be terminated by a suitable cam activation tool. The connector includes a housing, such as a bayonet, matable to a mating adapter, a backbone retained within a rear of the housing, a ferrule holder provided within the backbone, and a cam provided between the ferrule holder and the backbone. The ferrule holder includes an alignment key exposed to mate with a cam activation tool to lock rotation of the ferrule holder relative to other connector components. The cam includes a cam activation cutout at a front face thereof that mates with a cam activation tool interface to enable rotation of the cam between de-activated and activated positions, the cam activation cutout also receiving the alignment key of the ferrule holder therethrough.