Cable TV end connector starter guide

• US 6,352,448 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 03/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Randall A. Holliday
• Inventors: Holliday, Randall A., Wong, Sheng Chia
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUONGCHI T
• Application Number:
  US09/657,711
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 439/585, 439/578, 439/528, 439/583, 439/683, 439/350, 439/584
• US Class Current: 439/585
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/22 Hand tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A guide for coaxial cable end connectors having a crimping ring at one end of the connector which receives the end of the coaxial cable, a cylindrical insert disposed in a central bore of the connector body and has a recessed portion for loose-fitting insertion of the cable to maintain centered to the body as the cable is advanced with the body. In one form, the guide is free to be removed from the body once the cable is fully inserted, and in another form has a tubular insert through which the cable is inserted and advanced into engagement with an extension pin with the tubular insert in surrounding relation to the extension pin. In one form, a starter plug supports an extension pin in the body and facing the male end of the cable so that the male end will advance the extension pin toward the opposite end of the connector body as the cable is advanced into the body.

Claims

1. In an end connector fitting for connecting a male end of a coaxial cable in centered relation to a hollow cylindrical connector body, said connector body including a sleeve member extending from one end thereof, the improvement comprising:

a starter guide of elongated cylindrical configuration slidably disposed in said connector body having a recessed portion at one end thereof in facing relation to said male end of said cable, said guide projecting axially through at least a portion of said sleeve, and said recessed portion being sized for loose-fitting insertion of said male end of said cable wherein said guide member is slidable away from said sleeve member and through said connector body in response to axial movement of said male end of said cable through said connector body.

2. In an end connector fitting according to claim 1 wherein said starter guide is of a length such that it will extend axially for the greater length of said sleeve when mounted in said connector body.

3. In an end connector fitting according to claim 1 wherein said starter guide is of tubular configuration and said male end of said cable is insertable through said starter guide.

4. In an end connector fitting according to claim 3 wherein an extension pin is mounted in axially spaced relation to said starter guide and said male end is slidable into engagement with an end of said extension pin.

5. In an end connector fitting according to claim 1 wherein said male end of said cable is defined by an elongated pin.

6. In an end connector fitting according to claim 2 wherein said recessed portion is in the form of a generally conical bore.

7. In an end connector fitting according to claim 6 wherein said starter guide is composed of an electrically non-conductive plastic material.

8. In an end connector fitting for connecting a male end of a coaxial cable in centered relation to a hollow cylindrical connector body having radially inner and outer spaced concentric sleeve members defining an annular space therebetween for insertion of one or more outer layers of said male end in said space, said sleeve members extending from one end of said body with a crimping ring disposed at one end of said sleeve members, the improvement comprising:

a starter guide of elongated configuration having a bore at one end in facing relation to said male end, said starter guide being dimensioned for slidable insertion into said inner of said sleeve members and to project axially therethrough, said bore being centered in relation to said inner of said sleeve members and dimensioned for loose-fitting insertion of said male end of said cable whereupon axial slidable advancement of said cable through said crimping ring and insertion of said outer layer(s) into said space said starter guide will follow slidable advancement of said male end through said connector body.

9. In an end connector fitting according to claim 8 wherein said bore is of generally conical configuration tapering away from said one end of said guide.

10. In an end connector fitting according to claim 8 wherein said guide is of a plastic material and in the form of a pin sized to frictionally engage an inner wall of said inner sleeve.

11. In an end connector fitting according to claim 8 wherein said starter guide is of tubular configuration and said male end of said cable is insertable through said starter guide.

12. In an end connector fitting according to claim 8 wherein an extension pin is mounted in axially spaced relation to said starter guide and said male end is slidable into engagement with an end of said extension pin.

13. In an end connector fitting according to claim 12 wherein said extension pin includes seizure prongs engageable with said male end.

14. In an end connector fitting for connecting a male end of a coaxial cable in centered relation to a connector body wherein said body includes a sleeve member extending from one end thereof, and a crimping ring extending from said sleeve, the improvement comprising:

a starter guide comprising an elongated tubular insert mounted in centered relation to said connector body for insertion of said male end therethrough and wherein said tubular insert is slidable through said connector body in response to axial movement of said cable into said connector body.

15. In an end connector fitting according to claim 14 wherein an extension pin is mounted in said connector body in axially spaced relation to said tubular insert at one end of said connector body opposite to insertion of said male end, said extension pin provided with a recessed portion at one end in facing relation to said tubular insert for insertion of said male end therein.

16. In an end connector fitting according to claim 15 wherein said tubular insert is slidable into surrounding relation to one end of said extension pin in response to axial advancement of said cable into said connector body.

17. In an end connector fitting according to claim 15 wherein support means of nonconductive material is disposed at said one end of said connector body for mounting said extension pin in centered relation to said connector body.

18. In an end connector fitting according to claim 17 wherein said extension pin is provided with prongs in surrounding relation to said recessed portion to frictionally engage said male end.

19. In an end connector fitting for mounting a male end of a coaxial cable in centered relation to an annular connector body having radially inner and outer spaced concentric sleeve members which define an annular space therebetween for insertion of one or more outer layers of said male end in said space, and a crimping ring projecting from one end of said sleeve members, the improvement comprising:

a starter guide of elongated cylindrical configuration slidably disposed in said connector body and having an electrically conductive extension pin at one end thereof in facing relation to said male end of said cable to be mounted therein, said extension pin being sized at one end for insertion of said male end of said cable, and limit stop means on said starter guide for limiting axial advancement of said extension pin to a predetermined position with respect to an opposite end of said connector body in response to axial advancement of said male end.

20. In a fitting according to claim 19 wherein said extension pin is inserted in loose-fitting relation to said starter guide, said starter guide being removable from said extension pin when said extension pin has reached its end limit of advancement through said connector body.

21. In a fitting according to claim 19 wherein said one end of said extension pin includes a pronged end portion and external shoulder means on said pronged end portion composed of insulating material to prevent shorting between a foil layer on said cable and said extension pin.

22. In a fitting according to claim 21 wherein said external shoulder means is in the form of a protective cap in pressfit relation to said pronged end portion, said cap having a central opening for insertion of said male end therethrough.

23. In a fitting according to claim 19 wherein said limit stop means is defined by an external shoulder between said starter guide and one end of said extension pin.

24. In a fitting according to claim 23 wherein said one end of said extension pin includes a pronged end portion for insertion of said male end therein.

25. In a fitting according to claim 24 wherein said starter guide includes a socket portion at one end for insertion of said pronged end portion of said extension pin.