Compression connector with integral coupler

• US 20050170692A1
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noal
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,304 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0503 Connection between two cable ends
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A compression connector body for connecting a hardline cable to an equipment port is formed in two members coupled to each other by a coupling nut. A port-side member houses a conductive pin and associated elements, while a cable-side member is attached to the cable via a compression fit. With this arrangement, when servicing the equipment, the cable-side member and attached cable are removed from the port-side member without affecting the connection between the cable and the cable-side member. The port-side member is then disconnected from the equipment port. After servicing the equipment, the port-side member is reconnected to the equipment port, after which the cable-side member is reconnected to the port-side member, thus alleviating the need to cut and prepare a new length of cable for connection to the equipment port.

Claims

1. A cable connector, comprising:

a front body adapted to connect to an equipment port;

a back body adapted to receive a prepared end of a hardline coaxial cable;

a coupler nut retained on said back body which screws into said front body;

a conductive pin retained in said front body by an insulator, said conductive pin including a front end for connecting to said equipment port and a back end, wherein said back end includes a collet for connecting to and retaining a center conductor of said cable;

a mandrel retained in said back body;

means for connecting said cable to said back body;

a shoulder formed in a front end of said back body; and

a ridge on an inside of said coupler nut, wherein said coupler nut is retained on said back body between said shoulder of said back body and a shoulder of said mandrel.

2. A cable connector according to claim 1, wherein said means for connecting is a permanent compression fitting retained in said back body.

3. A cable connector according to claim 2, further comprising a thrust bearing disposed between said ridge and said shoulder of said mandrel.

4. A cable connector according to claim 3, wherein said collet includes a ring which enhances an interference fit between said collet and said center conductor of said cable.

5. A cable connector according to claim 4, further comprising a guide disposed within said front body, wherein a portion of said guide fits over said ring.

6. A cable connector according to claim 1, further comprising a thrust bearing disposed between said ridge and said shoulder of said mandrel.

7. A cable connector according to claim 1, wherein said collet includes a ring which enhances an interference fit between said collet and said center conductor of said cable.

8. A method of constructing a cable connector, comprising the steps of:

providing a front body adapted to connect to an equipment port;

adapting a back body to receive a prepared end of a hardline coaxial cable;

retaining a coupler nut retained on said back body which screws into said front body;

retaining a conductive pin in said front body by an insulator, said conductive pin including a front end for connecting to said equipment port and a back end, wherein said back end includes a collet for connecting to and retaining a center conductor of said cable;

retaining a mandrel in said back body;

connecting said cable to said back body;

forming a shoulder in a front end of said back body;

forming a ridge on an inside of said coupler nut; and

retaining said coupler nut on said back body between said shoulder of said back body and a shoulder of said mandrel.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of connecting includes using a permanent compression fitting retained in said back body.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of disposing a thrust bearing between said ridge and said shoulder of said mandrel.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of disposing a ring around an end of said collet which enhances an interference fit between said collet and said center conductor of said cable.

12. A method according to claim 11, further comprising disposing a guide within said front body, wherein a portion of said guide fits over said ring.

13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing a thrust bearing between said ridge and said shoulder of said mandrel.

14. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of disposing a ring around an end of said collet which enhances an interference fit between said collet and said center conductor of said cable.