Compression connector for coaxial cable

• US 20060014425A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RF Industries, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah
• Granted Patent: US 7,029,326 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/623 Casing or ring with helicoidal groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• 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

A coaxial cable compression connector includes a connector body having a first end and a second end, and an internal passageway. The compression connector further includes a tubular post having a first end configured for engagement with the conductive grounding sheath of the coaxial cable and a second end configured for engagement with the internal passageway of the body. The connector further includes a compression member. The first end of the compression member includes an outer surface and a tapered inner surface, the outer surface is configured for engagement with a portion of the internal passageway at the first end of the body. The connector further includes a ring member which is configured for engagement with the tapered inner surface of the compression member.

Claims

1. A compression connector for the end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the compression connector comprising:

a body including a first end and a second end, the body defining an internal passageway;

a tubular post having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for insertion between the conductive grounding sheath and the dielectric of the coaxial cable, a portion of the second end of the tubular post configured for engagement with the body at a portion of the internal passageway;

a compression member having a first end and a second end, the first end including an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface configured for engagement with a portion of the internal passageway at the first end of the body;

a ring member having first end, a second end and a cylindrical inner surface, the ring member first end configured for engagement with the inner surface of the compression member;

a mandrel disposed within the internal passageway at the second end of the body, the mandrel adapted to receive the center conductor of the coaxial cable and thereby establish electrical connectivity between the mandrel and the center conductor; and

a spacer disposed between the mandrel and the body, the spacer engaging both the mandrel and the body and holding each apart from one another in a predetermined position, whereby the central conductor is electrically isolated from the conductive grounding sheath and the body.

3. The compression connector of claim 1 further including a threaded member disposed proximate to the second end of the body;

4. The compression connector of claim 3 wherein the threaded member includes internal threads.

5. The compression connector of claim 3 wherein the threaded member includes external threads.

6. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the compression member includes a peripherally extending ridge configured for engagement with a compression tool.

7. The compression connector of claim 3 wherein the threaded member is configured for rotation about the body.

8. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the ring member is comprised of a deformable material.

9. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the ring member is substantially disposed within the first end of the terminal end.

10. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the ring member includes a tapered inner surface.

11. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the first end of the tubular post includes an external barb.

12. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the ring member includes a tapered outer surface configured for engagement with the substantially conical surface inner surface of the compression member.

13. The compression connector of claim 1 wherein the compression connector includes a terminal end, the terminal end being chosen from the group of connector ends including a BNC connector, a TNC connector, an F-type connector, an RCA-type connector, a DIN male connector, a DIN female connector, an N male connector, an N female connector, an SMA male connector and an SMA female connector.

2. (canceled)

14. A compression connector for the end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conducting grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the compression connector comprising:

a body including a first end and a second end, the body defining an internal passageway;

a tubular post having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for engagement with the conductive grounding sheath, a portion of the second end of the post configured for engagement with the body between the first and the second end of the internal passageway;

a compression member having a first end and a second end, the compression member moveable from a first position at the first end of the body to a second position within the body, the first end including an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface configured for engagement with a portion of the internal passageway at the first end of the body; and

a compression element having a first end, a second end and an inner surface, the compression element first end configured for engagement with the inner surface of the compression member,

wherein the inner surface of the compression member is configured to cause the compression element to radially inwardly change shape upon advancement of the compression member from the first position to the second position.

15. The compression connector of claim 14 further including:

a mandrel disposed within the internal passageway at the second end of the body, the mandrel adapted to receive the center conductor of the coaxial cable and thereby establish electrical connectivity between the mandrel and the center conductor; and

a spacer disposed between the mandrel and the body, the spacer engaging both the mandrel and the body and holding each apart from one another in a predetermined position, whereby the central conductor is electrically isolated from the conductive grounding sheath and the body.

16. The compression connector of claim 15 further including a threaded member disposed proximate to the second end of the body;

17. The compression connector of claim 16 wherein the threaded member includes internal threads.

18. The compression connector of claim 16 wherein the threaded member includes external threads.

19. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the second end of said compression member includes a peripherally extending ridge is configured for engagement with a compression tool.

20. The compression connector of claim 16 wherein the threaded member is configured for rotation about the body.

21. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the compression element is comprised of a deformable material.

22. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the compression element is substantially disposed within the first end of the terminal end.

23. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the compression element includes a tapered inner surface.

24. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the first end of the tubular post includes an external barb.

25. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the compression element includes a tapered outer surface configured for engagement with the substantially conical surface inner surface of the compression member.

26. The compression connector of claim 14 wherein the compression connector includes a terminal end, the terminal end being chosen from the group of connector ends including a BNC connector, a TNC connector, an F-type connector, an RCA-type connector, a DIN male connector, a DIN female connector, an N male connector, an N female connector, an SMA male connector and an SMA female connector.

27. A compression connector for the end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the compression connector comprising:

a connector body having a first end;

a second end; and

a longitudinally extending passageway including at least one shoulder;

a compression sleeve wedge configured for slideable engagement within the passageway of the connector body, the compression sleeve wedge including a ramped inner surface;

a compression ring disposed between the connector body and the compression wedge, the compression ring disposed adjacent to the compression wedge, the compression ring configured to receive the outer surface of the protective outer jacket, the compression ring including an outer surface configured for engagement with the ramped inner surface; and

a post at least partially disposed within the connector body, the post configured to abut the compression ring, the post including an end configured for insertion between the grounding sheath and the dielectric layer.

28. The compression connector of claim 27 further including a terminal.

29. The compression connector of claim 27 wherein the connector body includes a terminal end wherein the terminal end is chosen from the group of connector ends including a BNC connector, an F-type connector, an RCA-type connector, a DIN male connector, a DIN female connector, an N male connector, an N female connector, an SMA male connector and an SMA female connector.

30. The compression connector of claim 29 wherein the terminal includes a threaded member.

31. The compression connector of claim 30 wherein the threaded member includes an externally threaded region.

32. The compression connector of claim 30 wherein the threaded member includes an internally threaded region.

33. The compression connector of claim 27 wherein the compression ring is comprised of a deformable material.

34. The compression connector of claim 27 wherein the compression ring is substantially disposed within the first end of the connector body.

35. The compression connector of claim 27 wherein the compression ring includes a tapered inner surface.

36. The compression connector of claim 27 wherein the first end of the post includes an external barb.

37-41. -41. (canceled)

42. A preassembled compression connector for the end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the compression connector comprising:

a body including a first end and a second end, the body defining an internal passageway;

a tubular post having a first end and a second end, the first end configured for engagement with at least a portion of the conductive grounding sheath, a portion of the second end of the tubular post configured for engagement with the body at a portion of the internal passageway;

a compression member having a first end and a second end, the first end including an outer surface and a tapered inner surface, the outer surface configured for engagement with a portion of the internal passageway at the first end of the body;

a ring member having first end, a second end and a cylindrical inner surface, the ring member first end configured for engagement with the tapered inner surface of the compression member;

a mandrel disposed within the internal passageway at the second end of the body, the mandrel adapted to receive the center conductor of the coaxial cable and thereby establish electrical connectivity between the mandrel and the center conductor; and

a spacer disposed between the mandrel and the body, said spacer electrically isolating the central conductor isolated from the body.

43. A method for installing a compression connector on the end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric layer, the dielectric layer being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a connector in a first preassembled configuration, the connector including;

a connector body defining an internal passageway;

a post member configured and dimensioned for insertion into the internal passageway of the connector body, the post member dimensioned for an interference fit with the connector body, the post member defining an inner first cavity, the post member having a first opening and a second opening each communicating with the inner first cavity, the post member further including a base proximate the second opening, a ridge proximate the second opening, and a protrusion disposed on an outer annular surface thereof, the post member and the connector body defining a first cavity therebetween;

a compression ring disposed in the first cavity, the compression ring configured and dimensioned to receive the an end of the coaxial cable; and

a compression wedge disposed in a first position proximate to the compression ring thereby allowing the compression ring to receive the end of the coaxial cable;

preparing an end of the coaxial cable by separating the center conductor and insulator core from the outer conductor and sheath;

inserting the prepared coaxial cable end into the connector such that the base of the post member is disposed between the dielectric layer and the conductive grounding sheath of the coaxial cable and the compression ring is proximate to the protective outer jacket

using a tool that engages the compression wedge and the connector body, forcibly sliding the compression wedge from the preassembled first configuration, to an assembled second configuration such that the compression wedge concentrically compresses at least a portion of the compression ring inwardly and such that the post member and the compression ring provide a continuous seal and grip on the outer conductor and sheath of the coaxial cable.