Coaxial cable connector

• US 10,211,547 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2015
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burris, Donald Andrew, Falster, Jimmy Valentin, Matzen, Michael Ole, Meister, Michael, Miller, Thomas Dewey
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Harcum, Marcus
• Application Number:
  US14/844,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20170069982A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 439584, 439585, 439578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/16 for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence

Abstract

Connectors and methods for attaching connectors to one or more cables and/or conduits are disclosed. The disclosed connectors and methods may secure an outer surface of the cable (e.g., an outer jacket of a cable) or conduit. A connector, for example, may include a coupler comprising an inner surface defining an coupler inner bore; a retainer comprising an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and insulator layer of a coaxial cable and an outer angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, the retainer disposed within the inner bore of the coupler; a hub engaged to the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler, the hub further comprising an outer angled forward facing surface at least partially opposing the outer angled rear facing surface of the retainer, wherein the outer angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the outer angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer between the outer angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the outer angled forward facing surface of the hub.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an insulator layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor layer surrounding the insulator layer, and an outer jacket, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a coupler;

a retainer;

a hub; and

a body, wherein

the coupler comprises an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore,

the retainer is disposed inside the hub within the coupler inner bore and comprises a first forward end, a second rearward end, an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a prepared end of the coaxial cable, and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable,

the hub is engaged with the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler and further comprising a first forward end, a second rear end, and an angled forward facing surface opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer to define a gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub,

the first forward end of the hub is rearward of the first forward end of the retainer and the gap between angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub is disposed within the coupler inner bore,

the body comprises a forward end, a rear end, and an inner surface defining an inner bore extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rear end, the body is disposed at least partially radially externally to a rearward portion of the hub and engages the hub at the forward end, the inner bore is configured to receive the prepared end of the coaxial cable,

the retainer is configured to be driven inside of the hub to trap and compress the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable in the gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub, and

the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub.

9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises an outer annular groove disposed along an outer surface of the retainer and the hub comprises an inwardly extending flange engaged with the outer annular groove of the retainer.

12. The connector of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises an integral continuity element.

13. The connector of claim 1 wherein the retainer comprises a protrusion extending from the retainer, the protrusion configured to be interposed between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer.

14. The connector of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises a plurality of slots each having at least two edges, the edges configured to frictionally engage the inner surface of the body.

15. The connector of claim 1 wherein the hub comprises at least one barb configured to frictionally engage the inner surface of the body.

16. The connector of claim 1 wherein a rear end of the hub is flared to engage an inner surface of the body.

2. A coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an insulator layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor layer surrounding the insulator layer, and an outer jacket, wherein the coaxial cable connector comprises:

a coupler comprising an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore;

a retainer comprising an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a coaxial cable and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable, the retainer disposed within the inner bore of the coupler;

a hub engaged to the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler, the hub further comprising an angled forward facing surface at least partially opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer;

a body comprising a forward end, a rear end and an inner surface defining a body inner bore extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rear end, the body engaged to the hub generally at the forward end of the body, wherein the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub;

a collar comprising a forward end and a rear end and an inner surface defining a collar inner bore, the collar disposed at least partially outside the body and configured to move axially with respect to the body; and

a gripping member disposed within the collar inner bore at least partially adjacent to the rear end of the body.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the body comprises a first forward shoulder, a second rear shoulder and an outer surface extending between the first forward shoulder and the second rear shoulder, the first forward shoulder and second rear shoulder extending radially outwardly from the outer surface.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein the collar comprises an inwardly extending flange disposed between the first forward shoulder and the second rear shoulder.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the collar is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the body with the inwardly extending flange of the collar disposed between the first forward shoulder and second rear shoulder of the body.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein the collar comprises a surface extending inwardly from the inner surface of the collar into the collar inner bore, the gripping member disposed adjacent the surface.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein the surface of the collar is configured to move the gripping member at least partially into the body when the collar is moved longitudinally toward the body.

8. The connector of claim 6 wherein the gripping member is adapted to secure the outer jacket of the coaxial cable within the body.

10. A coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an insulator layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor layer surrounding the insulator layer, and an outer jacket, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a coupler;

a retainer;

a hub; and

a body, wherein

the coupler comprises an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore,

the retainer is disposed inside the hub within the coupler inner bore and comprises a first forward end, a second rearward end, an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a prepared end of the coaxial cable, and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable,

the hub is engaged with the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler the hub and further comprising a first forward end, a second rear end, and an angled forward facing surface at least partially opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer to define a gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub,

the first forward end of the hub is rearward of the first forward end of the retainer and the gap between angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub is disposed within the coupler inner bore,

the body is disposed at least partially radially externally to a rearward portion of the hub and comprises an inner bore configured to receive the prepared end of the coaxial cable,

the retainer is configured to be driven inside of the hub to trap and compress the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable in the gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub,

the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub, and

the connector comprises an O ring disposed between the coupler and body.

11. A coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an insulator layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor layer surrounding the insulator layer, and an outer jacket, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a coupler;

a retainer;

a hub; and

a body, wherein

the coupler comprises an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore, wherein an extended portion of the coupler at least partially encircles a portion of the body,

the retainer is disposed inside the hub within the coupler inner bore and comprises a first forward end, a second rearward end, an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a prepared end of the coaxial cable, and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable,

the hub is engaged with the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler the hub and further comprising a first forward end, a second rear end, and an angled forward facing surface at least partially opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer to define a gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub,

the first forward end of the hub is rearward of the first forward end of the retainer and the gap between angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub is disposed within the coupler inner bore,

the body is disposed at least partially radially externally to a rearward portion of the hub and comprises an inner bore configured to receive the prepared end of the coaxial cable,

the retainer is configured to be driven inside of the hub to trap and compress the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable in the gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub, and

the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub.

17. A method for securing a cable or conduit in a coaxial cable connector comprising a coupler, a retainer, a hub, a body, a collar, and a gripping member, wherein:

the coupler comprises an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore;

the retainer is disposed inside the hub within the coupler inner bore and comprises a first forward end, a second rearward end, an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a prepared end of the coaxial cable, and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable;

the hub is engaged with the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler and further comprising a first forward end, a second rear end, and an angled forward facing surface opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer to define a gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub;

the first forward end of the hub is rearward of the first forward end of the retainer and the gap between angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub is disposed within the coupler inner bore;

the body is disposed at least partially radially externally to a rearward portion of the hub and comprises an inner bore configured to receive the prepared end of the coaxial cable;

the retainer is configured to be driven inside of the hub to trap and compress the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable in the gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub;

the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub;

the collar comprises a forward end and a rear end and an inner surface defining a collar inner bore, the collar disposed at least partially outside the body and configured to move axially with respect to the body;

the gripping member is disposed within the collar inner bore at least partially adjacent to the rear end of the body; and

the method comprises (i) inserting a coaxial cable through inner bores of the collar, the gripping member, the body, and the hub, an inner conductor and insulator of the coaxial cable extending through the retainer and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable extending between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub and (ii) sliding the collar relative to the body, the collar comprising a surface extending inwardly from an inner surface of the collar, the surface disposed adjacent to and contacting a rear end of the gripping member, the collar surface pushing the gripping member at least partially into a rear end of the body.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the body comprises a first forward shoulder, a second rear shoulder and an outer surface extending between the first forward shoulder and the second forward shoulder, the first forward shoulder and second rear shoulder extending radially outwardly from the outer surface.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein collar comprises an inwardly extending flange disposed between the first forward shoulder and the second rear shoulder.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the collar is configured to slide longitudinally with respect to the body with the inwardly extending flange of the collar disposed between the first forward shoulder and second rear shoulder of the body.

21. A coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, an insulator layer surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor layer surrounding the insulator layer, and an outer jacket, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a coupler;

a retainer;

a body; and

a hub, wherein

the coupler comprises an inner surface defining a coupler inner bore,

the retainer is disposed inside the hub within the coupler inner bore and comprises a first forward end, a second rearward end, an inner surface defining a retainer inner bore configured to receive the inner conductor and the insulator layer of a prepared end of the coaxial cable, and an angled rear facing surface configured to extend between the insulator layer and the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable,

the hub is engaged with the retainer and disposed at least partially within the inner bore of the coupler, the hub rotatably engaged with the coupler and further comprising a first forward end, a second rear end, and an angled forward facing surface opposing the angled rear facing surface of the retainer to define a gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub,

the first forward end of the hub is rearward of the first forward end of the retainer and the gap between angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub is disposed within the coupler inner bore,

the body is disposed at least partially radially externally to a rearward portion of the hub and comprises an inner bore configured to receive the prepared end of the coaxial cable;

the retainer is configured to be driven inside of the hub to trap and compress the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable in the gap between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub, and the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub are configured to secure the outer conductor layer of the coaxial cable between the angled rear facing surface of the retainer and the angled forward facing surface of the hub.