Retention sleeve for coupling nut for coaxial cable connector and method for applying same

• US 5,161,993 A
• Filed: 03/03/1992
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Limited
• Original Assignee: AMP Limited
• Inventors: Leibfried, Richard G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US07/841,663
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310, 439/320, 439/321, 439/322, 439/578, 439/583, 439/584, 439/585
• US Class Current: 439/320
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/44 comprising impedance matching means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0518 Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule

Abstract

A coaxial connector (100) having a coupling nut (12) freely rotatable therearound has a rear stop defined by the forward end (152) of a retention sleeve (150) placed along the central section (128) of the outer conductive shell (120). The retention sleeve rearward end (160) defines a forward stop for a crimping ferrule (196) placed over the reduced diameter rearward shell section (134) and trapping an end of a shielding braid (184) therebetween to be crimped. The retention sleeve includes a rearward section (156) having an inner diameter incrementally less than the outer diameter of the central section (128) of the outer conductive shell so that the retention sleeve (150) is force fittable thereonto and self-retains thereon. A method of assembly includes pushing the retention sleeve forwardly onto the central shell section until the annular tool work end (172) abuts the rearwardly facing surface (144) defined between the central shell section (128) and the reduced diameter rearward shell section (134), thereby precisely positioning the retention sleeve along the outer conductive shell (120).

Claims

1. An improved coaxial connector of the type having a coupling nut secured about an outer conductive shell and freely rotatable thereabout for threaded coupling to a complementary coaxial connector to secure the connectors together to define an electrical coaxial connection therebetween, appliable to an end of a coaxial cable having a shielding braid to be electrically connected to a rearward end of the outer conductive shell by crimping about a reduced diameter rearward section thereof, the improvement comprising:

a retention sleeve insertable over said reduced diameter rearward section of said outer conductive shell from a rearward end thereof, to overlie a portion of a central section of said outer conductive shell, said retention sleeve having a forward end defining a rearward stop for said coupling nut for retention of said coupling nut about said outer conductive shell, and further having a rearward end defining a forward stop for a crimping ferrule during placement of said crimping ferrule about an end portion of said shielding braid of said cable overlying said reduced diameter rearward section of said outer conductive shell for crimping said shielding braid thereto,

said retention sleeve having a forward section having an inner diameter just larger than an outer diameter of said central section of said outer conductive shell, and further having a rearward section having an inner diameter incrementally smaller than an outer diameter of said reduced diameter rearward section of said outer conductive shell,

whereby when said retention sleeve is moved forwardly over said outer conductive shell from said rearward end thereof, said forward section coextends over said central shell section and said rearward section defines a force fit with said central shell section for self-retention thereon.

2. An improved coaxial connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said force fit has an axial length of about 0.050 inches.