Connector and method of operation

• US 6,558,194 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2000
• Issued: 05/06/2003
• 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): LUEBKE, RENEE S
• Application Number:
  US09/621,975
• Publication Number:
  US 20020030329A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,019 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/583, 439/584, 439/585, D13/133
• US Class Current: 439/585
• 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 connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a threaded port, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, said connector comprising:

a. a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into an exposed end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric thereof and under the conductive grounding sheath thereof, said tubular post having an opposing second end;

b. a nut having a first end for rotatably engaging the second end of said tubular post and having an opposing second end with an internally threaded bore for threadedly engaging the threaded port;

c. a cylindrical body member having a first end and a second end, the first end of said cylindrical body member including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer wall of a first diameter and an inner wall, the inner wall bounding a first central bore extending about said tubular post, the second end of said cylindrical body member engaging said tubular post proximate the second end thereof, said cylindrical sleeve having an open rear end portion for receiving the outer jacket of the coaxial cable, said open rear end portion being deformable;

d. a compression ring having first and second opposing ends and having a central passageway extending therethrough between the first and second ends thereof, the first end of said compression ring having a first non-tapered internal bore of a diameter commensurate with the first diameter of the outer wall of said cylindrical sleeve for allowing the first end of said compression ring to extend over the first end of said cylindrical body member, the central passageway of said compression ring including an inwardly tapered annular wall leading from the first internal bore and narrowing to a reduced diameter as compared with the first diameter; and

e. said inwardly tapered annular wall causing said rear end portion of said cylindrical sleeve to be deformed inwardly toward said tubular post and against the jacket of the coaxial cable as said compression ring is advanced axially over the cylindrical body member toward the second end of said cylindrical body member.

2. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a threaded port, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a conductive grounding sheath, and the conductive grounding sheath being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, said connector comprising:

a. a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into an exposed end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric thereof and under the conductive grounding sheath thereof, said tubular post having an opposing second end;

b. a nut having a first end for rotatably engaging the second end of said tubular post and having an opposing second end with an internally threaded bore for threadedly engaging the threaded port;

c. a cylindrical body member having a first end and a second end, the first end of said cylindrical body member including a cylindrical sleeve having an outer wall of a first diameter and an inner wall, the inner wall bounding a first central bore extending about said tubular post, the second send of said cylindrical body member engaging said tubular post proximate the second end thereof, said cylindrical sleeve having an open rear end portion for receiving the outer jacket of the coaxial cable, said open rear end portion being deformable;

d. a compression ring having first and second opposing ends and having a central passageway extending therethrough between the first and second ends thereof, the first end of said compression ring having a first constant diameter internal bore of a diameter commensurate with the first diameter of the outer wall of said cylindrical sleeve for allowing the first end of said compression ring to extend over the first end of said cylindrical body member, the central passageway of said compression ring including an inwardly tapered annular wall leading from the first internal bore and narrowing to a reduced diameter as compared with the first diameter; and

e. said inwardly tapered annular wall causing said rear end portion of said cylindrical sleeve to be deformed inwardly toward said tubular post and against the jacket of the coaxial cable as said compression ring is advanced axially over the cylindrical body member toward the second end of said cylindrical body member.