Connector with a locking mechanism, moveable collet, and floating contact means

• US 10,153,563 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2017
• Issued: 12/11/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PCT International Incorporated (Andes Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PCT International Incorporated (Andes Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Youtsey, Timothy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilman, Alexander
• Application Number:
  US15/711,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20180083374A1
• Time in Patent Office: 446 Days
• Field of Search: 439585
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0518 Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule

Abstract

A coaxial cable termination device including a barrel having opposed front and rear ends, a collet at the front end of the barrel, and a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement. The sleeve moves between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve urges compression of the collet. In some embodiments, a locking mechanism locks the sleeve into either of the advanced and retracted positions. In some embodiments, contact means carried loosely within the device maintain contact between the barrel and a mating post to which the device is applied.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable termination device comprising:

a barrel including opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel;

a collet at the front end of the barrel;

a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion and urges compression of the collet;

a locking mechanism which locks the sleeve into the advanced position, wherein the locking mechanism includes a visual indicator which is concealed when the sleeve is in the retracted position and which is exposed when the sleeve is in the advanced position; and

the locking mechanism includes an arm pivoted to the sleeve at a pivot for movement between an unlocked position of the arm and a locked position of the arm in which a tooth on the arm is disposed within the circumferential channel, and a lever opposite the arm from the pivot to release the arm from the locked position.

2. The termination device of claim 1, wherein movement of the sleeve over the barrel from the retracted position to the advanced position causes the locking mechanism to lock the sleeve in the advanced position.

3. The termination device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is arrangeable between a locked condition, in which the sleeve is prevented from moving out of the retracted position, and an unlocked condition, in which the sleeve is allowed to reciprocate between the advanced and retracted positions.

4. The termination device of claim 1, wherein

in the unlocked position of the arm, the arm is out of the circumferential channel.

5. The termination device of claim 1, wherein:

the tooth is aligned normal to the arm;

the lever carries the visual indicator;

the arm and lever rock about the pivot to move the tooth into and out of the circumferential channel, wherein when the tooth is within the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is exposed, and when the tooth is out of the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is hidden.

6. The termination device of claim 4, wherein the arm is biased toward the locked position.

7. A coaxial cable termination device comprising:

a barrel including opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel;

a collet at the front end of the barrel;

a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion and urges compression of the collet; and

a locking mechanism which locks the sleeve into the advanced position, the locking mechanism includes an arm pivoted to the sleeve at a pivot for movement between an unlocked position of the arm and a locked position of the arm in which a tooth on the arm is disposed within the circumferential channel, and a lever opposite the arm from the pivot to release the arm from the locked position;

wherein movement of the sleeve over the barrel from the retracted position to the advanced position causes the locking mechanism to lock the sleeve in the advanced position.

8. The termination device of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism is arrangeable between a locked condition, in which the sleeve is prevented from moving out of the retracted position, and an unlocked condition, in which the sleeve is allowed to reciprocate between the advanced and retracted positions.

9. The termination device of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism includes a visual indicator which is concealed when the sleeve is in the retracted position and which is exposed when the sleeve is in the advanced position.

10. The termination device of claim 7, wherein

in the unlocked position of the arm, the arm is out of the circumferential channel.