Connector for coaxial cable with annularly corrugated outer conductor

• US 4,046,451 A
• Filed: 07/08/1976
• Issued: 09/06/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Juds, Richard C., Healy, Dennis M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lake, Roy
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bicks, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US05/703,462
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 174/21 C, 174/75 C, 174/88 C, 285/DIG. 4, 339/177 R, 339/ 177 E, 339/60 C, 339/94 C
• US Class Current: 439/583
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/564 Corrugated cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/566 Hollow cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 285/903 Corrugated

Abstract

A connector assembly for a coaxial cable having an annularly corrugated outer conductor has a first unitary clamping member which fits over the end of the coaxial cable and forms an inwardly extending bead at one end thereof for meshing with the last valley in the corrugated outer conductor, thereby locking the clamping member to the cable in the axial direction. One side of the bead also forms a first conically beveled clamping surface for engaging the outer surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor. When the clamping member is advanced over the cable during installation of the connector assembly, the bead cams a plurality of resilient segments in the beaded end of the clamping member outwardly to clear the crest of the corrugated outer conductor. The resilient segments are formed by a plurality of longitudinal slits, and the camming of these segments outwardly during installation of the clamping member permits the bead to pass over the crest of the corrugated outer conductor before it snaps into its locked position. A second conically beveled clamping surface, preferably formed as an integral part of the main body member of the connector, engages the inner surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor of the cable. Telescoping sleeves formed as integral parts of the clamping member and the body member are provided with cooperating threaded surfaces which serve to draw and hold the two clamping surfaces together against opposite surfaces of the outer conductor of the cable. An outwardly projecting bead on the clamping member minimizes the area of frictional engagement between the unthreaded surfaces of the two members to avoid rotation of the clamping member around the cable. The corrugated outer conductor is preferably cut off at substantially the apex of one of the crests of the corrugations so as to form an annular flared end on the outer conductor. An O-ring is seated in one of the valleys of the outer conductor and bears against the inner surface of the clamping member to provide a moisture seal between the outer conductor and the clamping member.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for a coaxial cable having an annularly corrugated outer conductor, said connector assembly comprising the combination of

a. a first unitary clamping member adapted to fit over the end of the coaxial cable and forming an inwardly extending bead at one end thereof for meshing with the last valley in the corrugated outer conductor and thereby locking the clamping member to the cable in the axial direction,

said bead forming a first conically beveled clamping surface for engaging the outer surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor,

said first clamping member having a plurality of longitudinal slits formed in the beaded end thereof and extending through and beyond said inwardly extending bead to form a plurality of resilient segments that can be displaced outwardly to permit said bead to pass over the crest of the corrugated outer conductor as the clamping member is advanced longitudinally over the end of the cable, the portion of said first clamping member extending beyond the ends of said slits having an inside diameter at least as great as the outside diameter of the crests of said outer conductor so that the solid portion of said first clamping member fits over said outer conductor,

b. a second clamping member forming a second conically beveled clamping surface for engaging the inner surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor of the cable,

c. and means for drawing and holding the two clamping surfaces together against opposite surfaces of the outer conductor of the cable.

2. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the locking bead on said first clamping member forms a cam surface for engaging the corrugated outer conductor and urging said resilient segments outwardly as the first clamping member is advanced over the crest of the corrugated outer conductor.

3. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 which includes an O-ring adapted to be seated in one of the valleys of the corrugated outer conductor and bearing against the inner surface of said first clamping member to provide a moisture seal between said outer conductor and said first clamping member.

4. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clamping surfaces are adapted to engage the inner and outer surfaces of a corrugated outer conductor that is cut off at substantially the apex of one of the crests of the corrugations so as to form an annular flared end on the outer conductor.

5. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said second conically beveled clamping surface is formed as an integral part of said second clamping member.

6. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second clamping members include integral telescoping sleeves with cooperating threaded surfaces which form said drawing and holding means.

7. A connector assembly as set forth in claim 6 which includes an outwardly extending bead on the outer surface of said first clamping member to minimize the area of frictional engagement between the unthreaded surfaces of said first and second clamping members.

8. A coaxial cable and connector assembly comprising the combination of

a. a coaxial cable having an annularly corrugated outer conductor,

b. a first unitary clamping member telescoped over the end of the coaxial cable and forming an inwardly extending bead at one end thereof meshing with the last valley in the corrugated outer conductor and thereby locking the clamping member to the cable in the axial direction,

said bead forming a first conically beveled clamping surface engaging the outer surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor,

said first clamping member having a plurality of longitudinal slits formed in the beaded end thereof and extending through and beyond said inwardly extending bead to form a plurality of resilient segments that can be displaced outwardly to permit said bead to pass over the crest of the corrugated outer conductor as the clamping member is advanced longitudinally over the end of the cable, the portion of said first clamping member extending beyond the ends of said slits having an inside diameter at least as great as the outside diameter of the crests of said outer conductor so that the solid portion of said first clamping member fits over said outer conductor,

c. a second clamping member forming a second conically beveled clamping surface for engaging the inner surface of the last crest in the corrugated outer conductor of the cable,

d. and means for holding the two clamping surfaces together against opposite surfaces of the outer conductor of the cable.

9. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein the locking bead on said first clamping member forms a cam surface for engaging the corrugated outer conductor and urging said resilient segments outwardly as the first clamping member is advanced over the crest of the corrugated outer conductor.

10. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 which includes an O-ring seated in one of the valleys of the corrugated outer conductor and bearing against the inner surface of said first clamping member to provide a moisture seal between said outer conductor and said first clamping member.

11. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said corrugated outer conductor is cut off at substantially the apex of one of the crests of the corrugations so as to form an annular flared end on the outer conductor.

12. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second conically beveled clamping surface is formed as an integral part of said second clamping member.

13. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first and second clamping members include integral telescoping sleeves with cooperating threaded surfaces which form said holding means.

14. A coaxial cable and connector assembly as set forth in claim 13 which includes an outwardly extending bead on the outer surface of said first clamping member to minimize the area of frictional engagement between the unthreaded surfaces of said first and second clamping members.