Eric Richard Hopkins

US Patent:

6891735, May 10, 2005

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/320249

Inventors:

Antonius Hultermans - Tilburg, NL
Jacob Arie Elenbaas - Heyningen, NL
Jeffrey Dean Shipe - Camp Hill PA, US
Eric James Hopkins - Newport PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

H05K007/00

US Classification:

361800, 361753, 439564, 439573, 385 55

Abstract:

An adapter using an electrically-conductive wall within the adapter to channel EMI emissions to ground. In a preferred embodiment, the adapter comprises: (a) an elongated housing having a first and second end and defining a first passageway extending axially from the first end toward the second end, and a second passageway extending axially from the second end toward the first end, each passageway configured to receive an optical connector plug; (b) an electrically-conductive wall traversing the adapter between the first and second passageways, the wall being sized to cover a substantial portion of the opening when the adapter is mounted to the chassis; and (c) at least one portion of the wall extending outside of the housing to electrically couple with the chassis of the computer system when the adapter is mounted to the chassis forming an electrically-conductive path between a point on the wall and the chassis.

US Patent:

7325976, Feb 5, 2008

Filed:

Oct 20, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/254356

Inventors:

Michael L. Gurreri - York PA, US
David D. Erdman - Hummelstown PA, US
Bryan T. Edwards - Camp Hill PA, US
Eric J. Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
David R. Baechtle - Dillsburg PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/38

US Classification:

385 58, 439680

Abstract:

A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

US Patent:

7553089, Jun 30, 2009

Filed:

Jun 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/818812

Inventors:

Michael Lawrence Gurreri - York PA, US
Douglas Harold Rohde - York PA, US
Eric James Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
David Donald Erdman - Hummelstown PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/36
G02B 6/38

US Classification:

385 78, 385 60, 385 77, 385 81

Abstract:

An optical connector which is suitable for connection to jacketed cable includes a housing and a ferrule assembly. The ferrule assembly includes a front portion having a first geometry, and the housing includes a receiving portion having a second geometry that mates with the first geometry to prevent rotation of the ferrule assembly relative to the housing. A spring biases the ferrule assembly forward to assist mating of the first and second geometries.

US Patent:

7651277, Jan 26, 2010

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/930751

Inventors:

Michael L. Gurreri - York PA, US
David D. Erdman - Hummelstown PA, US
Bryan T. Edwards - Camp Hill PA, US
Eric J. Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
David R. Baechtle - Dillsburg PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/38

US Classification:

385 58, 439680

Abstract:

A network comprising: (a) a plurality of different receptacles for facilitating an optical connection to different information networks requiring different access authorization, each different receptacle coupled to one and only one different information network, each receptacle having an inner surface with a first geometry, the first geometry comprising at least a slot, a certain number of receptacles having different first geometries in which the slots are in different positions; and (b) a plurality of different plugs for coupling with the different receptacles, each plug having a second geometry, the second geometry comprising at least a key in a certain position, the certain number of plugs having different second geometries in which the keys are in different positions, each different first geometry corresponding to one and only one second geometry such that the plugs and receptacles of corresponding first and second geometries are mating pairs.

US Patent:

7695198, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Mar 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/414038

Inventors:

David R. Baechtle - Dillsburg PA, US
Eric Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Berwyn PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/38
G02B 6/36

US Classification:

385 69, 385 55, 385 56, 385 58, 385 59, 385 60, 385 66, 385 68, 385 75, 385 76, 385 77, 385 78, 385 84, 385 86

Abstract:

A latch protection clip for a connector mounted at an end of a cable and having a latch extending from a connector housing to a distal end includes a clip body having fingers configured to engage the cable directly behind the connector housing to secure the clip body to the cable. The latch protection clip also includes a trigger extending from the clip body. The trigger has a lever arm extending from the clip body and a trigger handle at an end of the lever arm opposite the clip body. The trigger handle has an outer surface and at least one pocket recessed inward from the outer surface. Each pocket is configured to receive the distal end of a corresponding latch. The trigger is configured to actuate the latch in an actuation direction when the trigger handle is deflected toward the connector housing. The pocket restricts lateral movement of the latch in a direction transverse to the actuation direction of the latch.

US Patent:

7942591, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Apr 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/419655

Inventors:

Eric James Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
Robert Carl Briggs - Palmyra PA, US
Stephen James Miller - Dauphin PA, US

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Berwyn PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/38

US Classification:

385 86

Abstract:

A connector having a front and back orientation and comprising: (a) a cable having at least a jacket and an optical fiber; (b) a ferrule assembly comprising a rear portion for attachment to said jacket, and a ferrule defining a bore hole for containing said optical fiber; (c) a housing having a front portion configured for mating with a mating structure and a back portion configured for attachment to a boot; (d) a spring biasing said ferrule assembly forward in said housing; and (e) a boot secured to said back portion of said housing and extending rearward around said tight-jacketed cable, said boot having an internal channel large enough to allow axial movement of said ferrule assembly relative to said boot.

US Patent:

7988367, Aug 2, 2011

Filed:

Jan 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/017214

Inventors:

Michael Lawrence Gurreri - York PA, US
David Donald Erdman - Hummelstown PA, US
Eric James Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
Douglas Harold Rohde - York PA, US
Koen Verweyen - Zoutleeuw, BE
Daniel Daems - Gravenwezel, BE

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/36
G02B 6/38
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 53, 385 75, 385 78, 385139

Abstract:

A cap for a field-installable optical connector having a front and rear orientation, a housing, an axially-actuated clamping mechanism in the housing, and a ferrule assembly forward of the clamping mechanism and forwardly biased in the housing, the ferrule assembly comprising a holder and a ferrule extending from the holder, the cap comprising a front end defining a cavity for receiving the ferrule and having an outer surface defining at least part of a front-end geometry, a back end defining an opening through which the ferrule is received and a perimeter around the opening, the perimeter configured to contact the holder when the cap is pushed rearward in the housing, the front and back ends being unitary such that any rearward force on the front end is transferred to the back end and through the perimeter to the holder and a retention portion for contacting the housing to secure the cap to the housing.

US Patent:

8425125, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Jun 24, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/168328

Inventors:

Michael Lawrence Gurreri - York PA, US
David Donald Erdman - Hummelstown PA, US
Eric James Hopkins - Liverpool PA, US
Douglas Harold Rohde - York PA, US
Joen Verweyen - Zoutleeuw, BE
Daniel Daems - Gravenwezel, BE

Assignee:

Tyco Electronics Corporation - Middletown PA

International Classification:

G02B 6/36
G02B 6/38
G02B 6/00

US Classification:

385 53, 385 75, 385 78

Abstract:

A method of terminating a fiber in a connector having a front and rear orientation, a housing, a clamping mechanism in the housing, and a ferrule assembly forward of the clamping mechanism and comprising a holder and a ferrule extending from the holder, the method comprising covering the ferrule with a cap, inserting a fiber into the clamping mechanism from the rear of the connector, and while the cap is on the ferrule, actuating the clamping mechanism to secure the fiber to the connector by urging the cap rearward relative to the clamping mechanism.