COAXIAL CONNECTOR WITH LOCKING SLEEVE FOR TERMINATING CABLE

• US 20110111626A1
• Filed: 11/12/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Original Assignee: Amphenol Corporation
• Inventors: Paglia, Richard, Gu, Minghua, Chen, Weixing
• Granted Patent: US 8,016,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/584
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A connector for terminating a coaxial cable that comprises a connector body that has a first end adapted to receive the coaxial cable and a second end adapted to couple with a mating connector. A locking sleeve that has an interface end is engageable with the first end of the connector body. The locking sleeve includes an outer engagement ring spaced from the interface end thereby defining an outer annular receiving area between the outer engagement ring and the interface end. The outer annular receiving area is configured to receive the first end of the connector body in an interference fit. The locking sleeve is axially moveable relative to the connector body between a holding position in which the locking sleeve is detachably coupled to the connector body and a locked position in which the locking sleeve is inseparably coupled to the connector body.

Claims

1. A connector for terminating a coaxial cable, comprising of:

a connector body having opposite first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive the coaxial cable and said second end being adapted to couple with a mating connector; and

a locking sleeve having an interface end that is engageable with said first end of said connector body, said locking sleeve including an outer engagement ring spaced from said interface end thereby defining an outer annular receiving area between said outer engagement ring and said interface end, said outer annular receiving area being configured to receive the first end of said connector body in an interference fit,

wherein said locking sleeve is axially moveable relative to said connector body between a holding position in which said locking sleeve is detachably coupled to said connector body and a locked position in which said locking sleeve is inseparably coupled to said connector body.

2. A connector according to claim 1, further comprising

a plurality of gripping members extending from an outer surface of said first end of said connector body, said plurality of gripping members being adapted to engage an inner surface of said outer engagement ring.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein

said plurality of gripping members are barbs.

4. A connector according to claim 1, further comprising

a plurality of frangible members extending between said outer engagement ring and said interface end of said locking sleeve.

5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein

said plurality of frangible members are a plurality of spaced radial tabs extending around said interface end of said locking sleeve.

6. A connector according to claim 1, further comprising

a coupling nut attached to said second end of said connector body.

7. A connector according to claim 1, wherein

an inner surface of said outer engagement ring is substantially smooth.

8. A connector according to claim 1, wherein

said first end of said connector body is received in said outer annular receiving area in an interference fit when said locking sleeve is in said holding position.

9. A connector according to claim 1, wherein

said connector body includes an inner annular rib that engages an annular shoulder of said locking sleeve when said locking sleeve is in said locked position.

10. A connector for terminating a coaxial cable, comprising of:

a connector body having opposite first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive the coaxial cable and said second end being adapted to couple with a mating connector; and

a locking sleeve having an interface end that is engageable with said first end of said connector body, said locking sleeve including an outer engagement ring spaced from said interface end and at least one frangible member disposed between said outer engagement ring and said interface end, said outer engagement ring being configured to engage said first end of said connector body in an interference fit,

wherein said locking sleeve is axially moveable relative to said connector body between a holding position in which said locking sleeve is detachably coupled to said connector body and a locked position in which said locking sleeve is inseparably coupled to said connector body.

11. A connector according to claim 10, wherein

said outer engagement ring and said interface end define an outer annular receiving area therebetween for receiving said first end of said connector body.

12. A connector according to claim 11, wherein

said first end of said connector body is received in said outer annular receiving area in an interference fit when said locking sleeve is in said holding position.

13. A connector according to claim 10, wherein

said connector body includes an inner annular rib that engages an annular shoulder of said locking sleeve when said locking sleeve is in said locked position.

14. A connector according to claim 10, wherein

said at least one frangible member is a tab.

15. A connector for terminating a coaxial cable, comprising of:

a connector body having opposite first and second ends, said first end being adapted to receive the coaxial cable and said second end being adapted to couple with a mating connector;

a plurality of gripping members extending from an outer surface of said first end of said connector body;

a locking sleeve having an interface end that is engageable with said first end of said connector body, said locking sleeve including an outer engagement ring spaced from said interface end, and an outer annular receiving area being defined between said outer engagement ring and said interface end of said locking sleeve, said outer annular receiving area being configured to receive the first end of said connector body such that said plurality of gripping members of said first end of said connector body engage an inner surface of said outer engagement ring in an interface fit; and

a plurality of frangible members extending between said interface end of said locking sleeve and said outer engagement ring,

wherein said locking sleeve is axially moveable relative to said connector body between a holding position in which said locking sleeve is detachably coupled to said connector body and a locked position in which said locking sleeve is inseparably coupled to said connector body.

16. A connector according to claim 15, wherein

said plurality of frangible members are a plurality of spaced radial tabs extending around said interface end of said locking sleeve.

17. A connector according to claim 15, wherein

said plurality of gripping members are a plurality of barbs.

18. A method for terminating a coaxial cable, comprising the steps of:

providing a connector including a connector body with opposite first and second ends and a locking sleeve with an interface end, an outer engagement ring, and at least one frangible member therebetween;

inserting an end of the coaxial cable through the locking sleeve;

inserting the end of the end of the coaxial cable through the connector body;

coupling the interface end of the locking sleeve with a first end of the connector body via an interference fit;

inserting the locking sleeve into the connector body; and

moving the locking sleeve axially relative to the connector body until the frangible member of the locking sleeve is severed, thereby detaching the outer engagement ring from the locking sleeve.

19. A method for terminating a coaxial cable according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

preparing an end of the coaxial cable before inserting the coaxial cable through the locking sleeve.

20. A method for terminating a coaxial cable according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

clamping the prepared end of the coaxial cable between the locking sleeve and an inner post of the connector body.

21. A method for terminating a coaxial cable according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

inserting the coaxial cable into the locking sleeve either before or after the step of coupling the locking sleeve with the connector body.

22. A method for terminating a coaxial cable according to claim 19, further comprising the step of:

wherein the step of coupling the interface end of the locking sleeve with a first end of the connector body via an interference fit includes coupling the outer engagement ring of the locking sleeve with an outer surface of the first end of the connector body.