Self-terminating coaxial connector

• US 4,660,921 A
• Filed: 11/21/1985
• Issued: 04/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas & Betts International Incorporated (ABB Limited)
• Original Assignee: LRC Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hauver, Bruce C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desmond, Eugene F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pirlot, David
• Application Number:
  US06/800,539
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 339/177 R, 339/177 E, 339/147 R, 339/147 P, 339/42, 333/22 R, 333/260
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/719 specially adapted for high frequency, e.g. with filters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/944 Coaxial connector having circuit-interrupting provision effected by mating or having "dead" contact activated after mating

Abstract

A self-terminating coaxial connector is provided which is adapted to versatile use in local area network, CATV and other coaxial cable systems. The connector has the external appearance of a conventional coaxial connector and has the structure for providing the self-terminating operation contained within the connector housing. A slidable assembly is disposed within the connector body and includes an electrical contact element having contact ends confronting respective ends of the connector. A second conductive element is attached to and electrically connected to the first contact element and includes one or more outwardly extending finger portions which confront one or more respective chip resistors which are supported in respective openings of the body. A spring is provided within the body and is operative to urge the slidable assembly to an outward position in the absence of a plug attached to the outlet end. In this outward position the finger portions are in electrical connection with the chip resistor to provide termination of the connector by providing a matched impedance between the contact element and the grounded connector body. With a plug installed onto the outlet of the body, the slidable assembly is urged inwardly of the body to cause the finger portions to move out of electrical engagement with the resistor, thereby breaking the connection to the terminating resistor when the connector is attached to an associated coaxial plug for use.

Claims

1. A coaxial connector comprising:

a body of conductive material having a first end portion to which a coaxial plug is connectable, and a second end portion to which a coaxial plug is connectable;

a sleeve of electrically insulative material slidably disposed in the second end of the body and movable between an outer position and an inner position;

an electrical contact element disposed within the body and having contact ends confronting respective ends of the body for electrical connection to the center conductor of respective coaxial plugs;

a second contact element supported by and electrically connected to the first contact element;

the first contact element being disposed in the sleeve and movable therewith;

the second contact element having a finger portion which outwardly extends therefrom;

the body including a recess containing a resistor having one electrode in electrical contact with the body and a second electrode confronting the interior of the body, the finger portion of the second contact element confronting the second electrode of the resistor and selectively engagable therewith;

means within the body for biasing the sleeve into an outward position with an end of the sleeve extending axially outward of the second end of the body, the finger portion of the second contact element being in engagement with the second electrode of the resistor in this extended position to electrically terminate the first contact element;

the sleeve being slidably inward in the presence of a plug connected to the second end to cause movement of the finger portion out of contact with the second electrode of the resistor.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing means includes a spring disposed within the body and operative to urge the sleeve and contact elements into the normally outward position.

3. The connect of claim 1, wherein the biasing means includes an insulative element having a cylindrical portion disposed within the first end of the body and a flange portion disposed in a central portion of the body, and having a bore therethrough;

a spring disposed around the insulative element and operative to bear against the flange portion to urge the sleeve into the outward position;

the first contact element having a portion disposed in the bore of the insulative element.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the body has a first section containing the first end portion, and a second section containing the second end portion and attached to the first section.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the body includes a central portion having an integrally formed hex head.

6. The connector of claim 4, wherein the body includes an opening therethrough, including a cylindrical portion through the second end portion and an enlarged opening in a central portion of the body, the first end portion of the body being part of the first section.

7. A coaxial connector, comprising:

a body having a first end portion to which a coaxial plug is connectable, and a second end portion connectable to a coaxial cable;

a slidable assembly within the body including a first electrical contact element movable in concert with the slidable assembly and having contact ends confronting respective ends of the body, the slidable assembly including sleeve means of electrically insulative material having a bore therethrough in which the first electrical contact element is disposed and having cylindrical portions slidable within respective end portions of the body; and

a second contact element supported by and electrically connected to the first contact element and having at least one outwardly extending finger portion;

the body having at least one area containing a resistor having one electrode in electrical contact with the body and a second electrode confronting the interior of the body;

the finger portion of the second contact element confronting the second electrode of the resistor and selectively engageable therewith;

spring means within the body for biasing the slidable assembly into an outward position with an end of the slidable assembly extending outward of the first end of the body;

the slidable assembly in the outward position having the finger portion of the second contact element in electrical engagement with the second electrode of the resistor, and the slidable assembly in the inward position having the finger portion of the second contact element out of engagement with the second electrode of the resistor;

the slidable assembly being movable inward in the presence of the coaxial plug connected to the first end portion to cause movement of the finger portion out of engagement with the resistor.