Connector and method of operation

• US 6,153,830 A
• Filed: 08/02/1997
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah P
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chau N.
• Application Number:
  US08/910,509
• Time in Patent Office: 1,214 Days
• Field of Search: 174/84 R, 174/88 C, 174/89, 439/578, 439/583, 439/584, 439/585, 439/394, 439/675, 439/877, 439/882, 439/98, 29/857, 29/863
• US Class Current: 174/88.00C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A connector includes a connector body, a post member, and a fastener member. In one embodiment, the connector provides for coupling a coaxial cable having a center conductor, an insulator core, an outer conductor, and a sheath to a terminal device. A nut coupled to either the connector body or post member can be used on the connector to make the connection to the device. The post member has a cavity that accepts the center conductor and insulator core of a coaxial cable. An outer cavity is formed by the connector body and the post member such that the outer conductor and the sheath of a coaxial cable are positioned therebetween. The fastener member, in a pre-installed first configuration is movably fastened onto the connector body. The fastener member can be moved toward the nut into a second configuration in which the fastener member coacts with the connector body so that the connector sealingly grips the coaxial cable.

Claims

1. A method of positioning a connector on a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductor, an insulator core, an outer conductor, and a sheath, comprising:

(a) providing a connector in a first preassembled configuration comprising;

(a1) a post member defining an inner first cavity, the post member having a first opening and a second opening each communicating with the inner first cavity, the post member further including a base proximate the second opening, a ridge proximate the second opening, and a protrusion disposed on an outer annular surface thereof;

(a2) a connector body configured and dimensioned for an interference fit with the post member and also securely coupled to the post member by the protrusion, the post member and the connector body defining an outer first cavity therebetween, the connector body including a flange and a detent disposed on its outer surface and a plurality of annular serrations disposed on its inner surface; and

(a3) a fastener member defining an inner second cavity having a first opening and a second opening each communicating with the inner second cavity, the fastener member having an internal groove on its inner surface that is coupled onto the detent of the connector body in the first preassembled configuration such that the fastener member is fastened onto the connector body prior to coupling to the coaxial cable;

(a4) a nut member having a first shoulder coupled to the base of the post member and a second shoulder abutting the flange of the connector body for reinforcing the connector body and for accepting a tool;

(b) preparing an end of the coaxial cable by separating the center conductor and insulator core from the outer conductor and sheath;

(c) inserting the prepared coaxial cable end through the second opening of the fastener member until it abuts the ridge of the post member such that the center conductor of the prepared coaxial cable end extends out of the second opening of the post member;

(d) using the tool that engages the second shoulder of the nut member, forcibly sliding the fastener member from the preassembled first configuration, to an assembled second configuration such that the fastener member concentrically compresses at least a portion of the connector body inwardly and such that the post member and the annular serrations of the connector body provide a continuous seal and grip on the outer conductor and sheath of the coaxial cable.