Floating coaxial connector

• US 4,580,862 A
• Filed: 03/26/1984
• Issued: 04/08/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Limited
• Original Assignee: AMP Limited
• Inventors: Johnson, Erlon F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weidenfeld, Gil
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US06/593,454
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 339/64 R, 339/64 M, 339/177 R, 339/177 E, 339/101
• US Class Current: 439/248
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6315 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating connection for coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R12/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/52 mounted in or to a panel or structure

Abstract

According to the present invention, an electrical plug connector is mountable onto a panel member for matable connection with an electrical receptacle connector mounted on another panel member when the panel members are moved relative to one another. The plug connector includes a mounting member for mounting to the panel member and it has a hole therein. A plug body member includes a contact section, a terminating section and an intermediate section; the intermediate section is disposed in the hole, and the hole has a diameter larger than the intermediate section. A stop member extends outwardly from the intermediate section, and a spring member is disposed between the mounting member and the body member to normally maintain the stop member against the mounting member and to floatingly mount the body member to the mounting member so that the body member can move axially, radially and on a bias when the contact section matably engages a complementary contact section of the receptacle connector during movement of the panel members relative to one another.

Claims

1. A connector assembly for a conductor cable, comprising;

a connector body member, at least one contact member in the connector body member for connection with a corresponding conductor of a conductor cable, a mounting member, a wall on the mounting member, first mounting means for mounting the connector body member within the mounting member and to the wall and for mounting the connector body member for movement along its axis and transversely of its axis and angularly of its axis and with respect to the mounting member, and second mounting means projecting from the mounting member for mounting against a second wall and to align the connector body member with an opening in the second wall.

2. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 1, wherein, the second mounting means is a mounting flange.

3. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 1, wherein, the mounting member defines a clearance space encircling the connector body member within which the connector body member is moveable with respect to its axis.

4. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 1, wherein, the first mounting means comprises, an opening in the wall receiving the body member, spring engaging means on the connector body member, spring means on the connector body member and partially compressed between the spring engaging means and the wall, and retainer means on the connector body member seated against the wall.

5. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 4, wherein the mounting member defines a clearance space encircling the connector body member and within which the connector body member is moveable with respect to its axis.

6. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 1, wherein, the mounting member is in the form of a cup and the wall is a portion of the cup.

7. A connector assembly for a conductor cable comprising;

a connector body member having a front end extending in a forward direction for engagement with a complementary connector assembly, at least one contact member in the connector body member for connection with a corresponding conductor of a conductor cable, a mounting member encircling the connector body member and defining a clearance space within which the connector body member is moveable, a compressible spring surrounding the connector body member and resiliently biasing the connector body member for movement in a forward direction, retaining means on the connector body member for limiting movement of the connector body member in a forward direction, first mounting means including the retaining means and the spring for mounting the connector body member solely to a portion of the mounting member, and second mounting means for engaging against a wall and for aligning the connector body member with an opening in the wall.

8. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 7, wherein a mounting wall is provided on the mounting member, an opening is provided in the mounting wall and receives the connector body member, the retaining means is seated against the mounting wall, and the spring engages an opposite side of the mounting wall.

9. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 7, wherein, the connector body member has a section extending in a rearward direction and connecting with a corresponding second conductor of a conductor cable.

10. A connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 7, wherein, the mounting member is in the form of a cup, and the mounting wall is a portion of the cup.

11. The connector assembly for a conductor cable according to claim 8, wherein, the mounting member is in the form of a cup, and the mounting wall is a portion of the cup.