Tap connector

• US 6,312,281 B1
• Filed: 01/08/2001
• Issued: 11/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEON, EDWIN A
• Application Number:
  US09/756,623
• Time in Patent Office: 302 Days
• Field of Search: 439/394, 439/578, 439/76.1, 439/98, 439/418, 439/425, 439/100
• US Class Current: 439/394
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0509 Tapping connections

Abstract

An improved connector for diverting signals from a first cable to a second cable including a housing having a base, a cover attached to the base, and a passageway defined by the base and cover. The base includes a channel which engages an outer cover of said first cable, a receptacle, and a device to attach the base to the first cable. The channel includes a boss which has a longitudinally extending bore which is in communication with the receptacle. The base includes a lower part of the passageway. The receptacle is defined by a substantially circumferential wall. A printed circuit board is disposed within the receptacle. A contact pin extends through an aperture in the printed circuit board and the bore, and contacts a conductor of the first cable for electrical communication between the first and cond cables. The cover includes an upper part of the passageway and a pocket which is defined by a substantially circumferential wall. Operative association of the base and cover cooperatively define the passageway to receive and retain the second cable.

Claims

1. A connector for diverting signals from a first cable to a second cable, comprising:

a housing having a base, a cover attached to said base and a passageway defined by cooperative association of said base and said cover;

said base including a channel adapted to engage an outer cover of said first cable, a receptacle, a lower part of said passageway, and means for attaching said base to said first cable;

said channel including a boss extending from a lower surface;

said boss including a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of said boss and in communication with said receptacle;

said receptacle defined by a substantially circumferential wall and includes a printed circuit board adapted for connection to a ground shield of a second cable;

a contact pin extending through an aperture in said printed circuit board and said bore, and adapted for communication at a first end to a conductor of said second cable and to contact a conductor of said first cable at a second end so that electrical communication is provided between said first cable and said second cable; and

said cover and a pocket defined by a substantially circumferential wall for contact with said receptacle wall including an upper part of said passageway,

whereby operative association between said base and cover cooperatively define said passageway such that said second cable is disposed and retained therein.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1, further including a tuning collar disposed about said contact pin.

3. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes a locking band engaging said housing and said first coaxial cable.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes at least one channel formed in said housing for engaging a locking band encircling said first coaxial cable and said channel.

5. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said passageway has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said first cable.

6. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said passageway has a longitudinal axis oblique to a longitudinal axis of said first cable.

7. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said passageway has a first end longitudinally aligned with a second end.

8. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said passageway has a first end oblique to a second end.

9. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for attaching includes an adhesive disposed within said channel.

10. The connector as received in claim 9, wherein said adhesive material includes double-sided tape.

11. The connector as recited in claim 1, further including a groove formed at a second end of said passageway which is adapted to receive a resilient member formed on said second cable.

12. The connector as recited in claim 11, wherein said groove is disposed adjacent a front wall end of said receptacle.

13. The connector as recited in claim 1, further including a tuning block disposed about said second cable having a lower part and an upper part, wherein said lower part is disposed in said receptacle and said upper part is disposed in said pocket.

14. The connector as recited in claim 13, wherein said tuning block is disposed adjacent second end of said passageway.

15. A low-profile junction for tapping a signal from a first cable and providing electrical communication with a device responsive to said signal, comprising:

a housing and a second cable;

said housing including a base and a cover;

said base including a recess defined by a lower surface and ends, and a receptacle;

said recess having a depth, and adapted to complimentarily engage the first cable;

said lower surface having a boss extending into said recess;

said boss including a bore extending along a longitudinal axis of said boss and in communication with said receptacle;

said receptacle formed on an upper surface of said base and defined by a wall;

a contact pin extending through the bore in the boss, connected at a first end to the second cable and adapted to contact a conductor of the first cable at a second end, such that the first and second cables are in communication;

said receptacle including a first part and a second part separated by a groove;

said cover including a pocket defined by a wall and including a first part and a second part separated by a groove; and

said base second part and said cover second part operatively associated to cooperatively define a passageway for said second cable parallel to a longitudinal axis of said first cable at a location from said ends less than thrice said depth.

16. The junction as recited in claim 15, wherein said passageway has a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of said housing.

17. The junction as recited in claim 15, wherein said passageway has a longitudinal axis oblique to a longitudinal axis of said housing.

18. The junction as recited in claim 15, wherein said lower surface has an adhesive for attaching said junction to the first cable.

19. The junction as recited in claim 15, wherein said second cable includes an annular resilient element which is operatively associated with said base and cover grooves in order to seal a volume defined by the operative association of said base and cover first parts.

20. The junction as recited in claim 15, wherein said housing further includes at least one securing apparatus for further positive attachment of said junction to the first cable.