TERMINAL CONNECTOR AND METHOD OF ATTACHING SAME TO COAXIAL CABLE

• US 3,828,305 A
• Filed: 03/30/1973
• Issued: 08/06/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard Shure Hogendobler
• Original Assignee: Richard Shure Hogendobler
• Inventors: Hogendobler, Richard Shure
• Primary Examiner(s): Gay, Bobby R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Staab, Lawrence J.
• Application Number:
  US05/346,541
• Time in Patent Office: 494 Days
• Field of Search: 29/628,629 174/75C,88C,89 339/177,276
• US Class Current: 439/585
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0518 Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule

Abstract

A coaxial cable terminal connector is disclosed along with a method of securing the terminal to the prepared end of a cable with a single crimping operation. The terminal includes a center contact one end of which is slotted and inserted into an axial bore of a dielectric member. The contact and member are placed in an inner ferrule member and positioned therein when the center contact of a stripped coaxial cable is inserted into the other end of the bore until a portion of the dielectric sleeve of the cable is also within the inner ferrule. An outer ferrule surrounds the inner furrule with the cable shielding therebetween. A single crimping operation both reduces the circular section of the terminal to secure the shielding between the ferrules and transmits sufficient force to encompassingly engage the center contact with the center conductor.

Claims

1. A terminal connector for coaxial cables of the type having a center conductor, an insulating sleeve surrounding said conductor, a shielding layer surrounding said sleeve, and an insulating layer enclosing said shield, said connection comprising:

a. a center contact having one end portion adapted to engage a mating terminal and a slotted opposite end portion adapted to receive said center conductor;

b. a cylindrical dielectric member having a conical recess in one end thereof and an axial bore extending from said recess through said member, said center contact mounted with force fit in said bore with its slotted end directed toward said recess;

c. an inner ferrule having a cylindrical body portion with integral outer and inner flanges radially extending outwardly and inwardly, respectively, from one end thereof, said dielectric member mounted in said body portion of said inner ferrule with said recess adjacent the other end of said body portion, said body portion adapted to receive said insulating sleeve of the coaxial cable therein abutting said dielectric member and to drive the latter into abutting contact with said inner flange, said shielding layer of said cable surrounding the outer surface of said body portion; and

d. a cylindrical outer ferrule encircling said shielding layer and said inner ferrule with one end of said outer ferrule abutting said outer flange of said inner ferrule, whereby said terminal connector is secured to said coaxial cable in a single operation by applying a crimping force to said outer ferrule at least adjacent said flanged end of said inner ferrule, with said crimping causing said slotted end portion of the center contact to encompassingly engage said center conductor, and adjacent the other end portion of said outer ferrule with said crimping causing said braided shield to be secured between said inner ferrule and said outer ferrule.

2. A terminal connector according to claim 1 wherein said body portion of said inner ferrule further comprises:

at least one inwardly directed dimple engaging said dielectric member and hold it within said body portion against free movement.

3. A terminal connector according to claim 1 wherein said body portion of said inner ferrule further comprises:

at least one annular serration on the outer surface thereof grippingly engaging said shielding layer.

4. A terminal connector according to claim 1 wherein said center contact is a plug or male contact.

5. A terminal connector according to claim 1 wherein said center contact is a receptacle or female contact.

6. A method for attaching a terminal connector to coaxial or shielded cable, of the type having an inner conductor concentrically surRounded by a dielectric shield, an outer conductor and an insulating layer, in a single crimping operation, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a terminal connector of the type having a center contact one end of which is profiled for mating with a cooperating contact and the other end of which is slotted across its diameter, a dielectric member having a conical recess in one end and an axial bore therethrough adapted to receive said center contact therein with said slotted end directed toward said recess, an inner ferrule having a body portion with integral outer and inner radial flanges on one end thereof and adapted to receive said dielectric member therein with said recess substantially aligned with the other end of said inner ferrule, and a cylindrical outer ferrule;

b. preparing said coaxial cable by stripping so that a portion of the center conductor is uncovered and a portion of said outer conductor is exposed and flared;

c. inserting the prepared end of said cable through said outer ferrule;

d. moving said cable and said terminal connector together axially so that said center conductor is guided by said conical recess and bore to lie within the slotted end of said center contact;

e. continuing said axial movement bringing said dielectric member and dielectric shield together in abutting relationship and driving said member against said inwardly directed radial flange of said inner ferrule while said flaired outer conductor slides over the outer surface of said inner ferrule;

f. sliding said outer ferrule over said outer conductor into abutting relationship with said outwardly directed flange of said inner ferrule; and

g. crimping said terminal connector to reduce the circular area thereof whereby crimping force is transmitted through said dielectric member to collapse the slotted end of said central contact into connection with said inner conductor.