Self-terminating coaxial connector

• US 5,598,132 A
• Filed: 01/25/1996
• Issued: 01/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LRC Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Stabile, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): GENSLER, PAUL L
• Application Number:
  US08/591,385
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: 333/22 R, 333/260, 439/188, 439/578
• US Class Current: 333/22.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6616 with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7031 Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/46 comprising switches
• 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 provides for automatic termination of a coaxial cable. The connector includes an internal termination resistor which is only connected in series between the central conductor of a first cable and a grounded body of the connector when a second cable is not installed on the end of the connector. When a second cable is installed on the connector, the terminator resistor is disconnected from the grounded body, thereby removing the termination from the central conductor of the first cable.

Claims

1. A self-terminating coaxial connector comprising:

a body open on each of two ends, said body having a central bore disposed therethrough, a first end of said body for receiving a coaxial cable, a second end of said body having a mating area;

a first insulator having a central bore disposed therethrough, said first insulator movably disposed along a common longitudinal axis within said body, said first insulator having a recess from an outside surface thereof to said central bore of said first insulator;

a second insulator having a central bore disposed therethrough, said second insulator movably disposed along a common longitudinal axis within said body, a first end of said second insulator engaging a first end of said first insulator;

a spring, said spring disposed about said second insulator;

a terminal assembly, said terminal assembly comprising a tubular terminal disposed along a common longitudinal axis within said central bore of said first insulator and said central bore of said second insulator, said tubular terminal having a contact disposed at each end for receiving a center conductor of a cable;

a termination resistor disposed within said recess of said first insulator, said termination resistor having a first lead bonded to and electrically communicating with said tubular terminal;

an end cap open on each of two ends, said end cap having a central bore disposed therethrough, a first end of said end cap having a mating area cooperating with the mating area of said body, a second end of said end cap for receiving a distribution cable; and

said first insulator, said second insulator, said terminal assembly and said termination resistor being movably disposed between a first position and a second position within said connector.

2. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said first position comprises said spring biasing said first insulator, said second insulator, said terminal assembly, and said termination resistor toward said first end of said body whereby a second lead of said termination resistor is in electrical contact with said body.

3. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said second position comprises said first insulator, said second insulator, said terminal assembly, and said termination resistor are displaced toward a second end of said end cap by the addition of a coaxial cable to said first end of said body whereby a second lead of said termination resistor is disconnected from said body and a center conductor of the distribution cable is in electrical communication with a center conductor of the coaxial cable.

4. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said termination resistor is attached to said terminal by conductive epoxy.

5. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said end cap, said body and said terminal assembly are comprised of electrically conductive material.

6. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said end cap, said body and said terminal assembly are comprised of brass.

7. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said first insulator and said second insulator are comprised of an insulating material.

8. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said terminating resistor is a surface mount resistor.

9. The self-terminating coaxial connector of claim 1 wherein said terminating resistor is a 75 ohm resistor.