Compression connector for coaxial cable and method of installation

• US 6,780,052 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2002
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Malak, Stephen, Montena, Noah
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCAMEY, ANN M
• Application Number:
  US10/309,677
• Publication Number:
  US 20040110416A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/582-585
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0518 Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule

Abstract

An F connector for mounting to the prepared end of a coaxial cable by compression of portions of the connector into tight frictional engagement with the cable. The body and compression ring of the usual F connector are incorporated in a unitary, one-piece body having three axial sections. The first section surrounds and frictionally engages the outer surface of the post stem in the usual manner. The second section is spaced from the stem to provide an annular space for the shielding and outer dielectric layers of the cable, also in the usual manner. A third section of the body is joined to the second section by an area of reduced thickness. In a first disclosed embodiment, the body fractures at the area of reduced thickness in response to an axial force applied to the third section in the direction of the second section. The wall thickness of the third section tapers outwardly from the area of reduced thickness, whereby movement of the third section between the inner surface of the second section and the outer surface of the cable by the axial force subsequent to fracture applies a radially compressive force to the cable and provides the desired tight frictional engagement of the connector and cable. In a second embodiment, the third section includes two, axially spaced areas of reduced thickness. The portions of the third section adjacent these reduced thickness areas are folded into the area between the second section and the cable as the axial force is applied, rather than being fractured.

Claims

1. A connector for mounting to an end portion of a coaxial cable, said connector comprising:

a) a threaded nut;

b) a hollow post having integral flange and stem portions, said stem having a predetermined outer diameter over at least an axial portion adjoining said flange;

c) means for rotatably securing said nut to said post;

d) a hollow, one piece body of predetermined material having opposite ends, a first axial section extending from one of said ends for a first distance and having a first inner diameter substantially equal to said stem outer diameter, a second axial section extending integrally from said first section for a second distance and having a second inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter over at least a portion of said second distance, and a third axial section extending integrally from said second section for a third axial distance to the other of said ends of said body, said first and second sections having walls not less than a predetermined thickness and said third section including at least one peripheral wall area having a thickness substantially less than said predetermined thickness; and

e) means for effecting tight frictional engagement between portions of said body and the outer surface of a cable extending into said connector by radial compression of said cable in response to application of axial force sufficient to move said other end of said body toward said one end;

wherein said axial force is so related to the properties of said predetermined material and said thickness of said peripheral wall area that said axial force completely fractures said body in the area of said peripheral wall area; and

wherein said means for effecting frictional engagement comprise a portion of said third section which is moved by said axial force between the inner surface of said second section and said cable outer surface subsequent to said fracture of said body.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said peripheral wall area is at the juncture of said second and third sections.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said third section includes two of said peripheral wall areas.

4. A connector for mounting to an end portion of a coaxial cable, said connector comprising:

a) a threaded nut;

b) a hollow post having integral flange and stem portions, said stem having a predetermined outer diameter over at least an axial portion adjoining said flange;

c) means for rotatably securing said nut to said post;

d) a hollow, one piece body of predetermined material having opposite ends, a first axial section extending from one of said ends for a first distance and having a first inner diameter substantially equal to said stem outer diameter, a second axial section extending integrally from said first section for a second distance and having a second inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter over at least a portion of said second distance, and a third axial section extending integrally from said second section for a third axial distance to the other of said ends of said body, said first and second sections having walls not less than a predetermined thickness and said third section including at least one peripheral wall area having a thickness substantially less than said predetermined thickness; and

e) means for effecting tight frictional engagement between portions of said body and the outer surface of a cable extending into said connector by radial compression of said cable in response to application of axial force sufficient to move said other end of said body toward said one end;

wherein said axial force is so related to the properties of said predetermined material and said thickness of said peripheral wall area that said axial force fractures said body in the area of said peripheral wall area;

wherein said means for effecting frictional engagement comprises a portion of said third section which is moved by said axial force between the inner surface of said second section and said cable outer surface subsequent to said fracture of said body; and

wherein said portion of said third section comprises a wall section tapering outwardly from said peripheral wall area toward said other end of said body.

5. A connector for mounting to a terminal end of a coaxial cable having a central conductor, an inner layer of dielectric material contacting and surrounding said central conductor, a layer of conducting material contacting and surrounding said inner layer of dielectric material, a layer of woven mesh shielding material contacting and surrounding said conducting material, and an outer layer of dielectric material, said connector serving to connect said cable to a port of an item of video equipment for passage of electrical signals between said cable and said port, said connector comprising:

a) first means for threaded engagement of said connector to said port;

b) second means including a hollow, substantially cylindrical post for axial insertion between said layer of conducting material and said layer of shielding material; and

c) a body comprising an axially elongated, hollow wall having first and second ends, a first section extending from said first end with an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of a first axial length of said post, said first axial length extending through and frictionally engaged with said first section inner surface, a second section integrally adjoining said first section with an inner surface defining a diameter larger than the outer diameter of a second axial length of said post, said second axial length extending through said second section in spaced relation to said second section inner surface, and a third section integrally adjoining and extending from said second section to said second end and including at least one portion movable in response to application of axial force to transmit a radially compressive force to said cable, therein effecting tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable by movement of at least a part of said at least one movable portion between said second section inner surface and said woven mesh shielding layer.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said first means comprises an internally threaded nut.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said nut is freely rotatable with respect to said second means and said body.

8. The connector of claim 7 wherein said post comprises a stem portion which includes both said first and second axial lengths, and a flange portion formed integrally with and extending outwardly from one end of said stem portion.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein said third section includes an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to said diameter of said second section inner surface.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said second section has a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section adjoins said second section at a wall section having a reduced thickness substantially less than said predetermined dimension.

11. A connector for mounting to a terminal end of a coaxial cable having a central conductor, an inner layer of dielectric material contacting and surrounding said central conductor, a layer of conducting material contacting and surrounding said inner layer of dielectric material, a layer of woven mesh shielding material contacting and surrounding said conducting material, and an outer layer of dielectric material, said connector serving to connect said cable to a port of an item of video equipment for passage of electrical signals between said cable and said port, said connector comprising:

a) first means for threaded engagement of said connector to said port;

b) second means including a hollow, substantially cylindrical post for axial insertion between said layer of conducting material and said layer of shielding material; and

c) a body comprising an axially elongated, hollow wall having first and second ends, a first section extending from said first end with an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of a first axial length of said post, said first axial length extending through and fictionally engaged with said first section inner surface, a second section integrally adjoining said first section with an inner surface defining a diameter larger than the outer diameter of a second axial length of said post, said second axial length extending through said second section in spaced relation to said second section inner surface, and a third section integrally adjoining and extending from said second section to said second end and including at least one portion movable in response to application of axial force to transmit a radially compressive force to said cable, thereby effecting tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable;

wherein said first means comprises an internally threaded nut;

wherein said nut is freely rotatable with respect to said second means and said body;

wherein said post comprises a stem portion which includes both said first and second axial lengths, and a flange portion formed integrally with and extending outwardly from one end of said stem portion;

wherein said third section includes an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to said diameter of said second section inner surface;

wherein said second section has a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section adjoins said second section at a wall section having a reduced thickness substantially less than said predetermined dimension; and

wherein said third section has a wall thickness which increases from said reduced thickness toward said second end.

12. The connector of claim 11 wherein said reduced thickness is so related to the properties of the material from which said body means is formed that said axial force causes said body means to fracture at said reduced thickness of said wall.

13. The method of mounting a connector to a prepared terminal end of a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an inner layer of dielectric material, a conducting layer, a layer of woven mesh shielding material and an outer layer of dielectric material, said method comprising:

a) providing a post having a hollow, substantially cylindrical stem portion having a first, outer diameter, and a flange portion with a through, central opening integrally joined to and extending radially outwardly from one end of said stem portion;

b) assembling a threaded nut with said one end of said post for independent rotation with respect thereto;

c) providing an axially elongated, hollow body having first and second ends, a first section extending from said first end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said first diameter, a second section extending integrally from said first portion with a cylindrical internal surface of second diameter greater than said first diameter, and a third section extending integrally from said second section to said second end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said second diameter, said first and second sections having a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section including at least one peripheral area of reduced thickness;

d) assembling said post with said body by passing said stem through said first section with said first section inner surface substantially in contact with a first axial portion of said stem and said second section inner surface in spaced relation with a second axial portion of said stern;

e) inserting a prepared end of a coaxial cable into said connector from said end of said body and advancing said cable to insert a portion of said stem between said conducting layer and said shielding layer with portions of said inner dielectric layer and said conducting layer positioned within said stem and portions of said shielding layer and said outer dielectric layer positioned in the space between the outside of said stem and the inner surface of said second and third sections; and

f) applying an axial force to said body causing movement of said third section in the direction of said second section between said inner surface of said second section and said shielding layer of said cable therein effecting tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said axial force fractures said body at said peripheral area of reduced thickness.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said peripheral area of reduced thickness is at the juncture of said second and third sections.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein said third section includes two, axially spaced peripheral areas of reduced thickness.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein portions of said third section adjacent said areas of reduced thickness are folded to a position between said inner surface of said second section and the outer surface of said outer dielectric layer of said cable in response to said axial force, thereby applying a radially compressive force to said cable and effecting said tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable.

18. A method of mounting a connector to a prepared terminal end of a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an inner layer of dielectric material, a conducting layer, a layer of woven mesh shielding material and an outer layer of dielectric material, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a post having a hollow, substantially cylindrical stem portion having a first, outer diameter, and a flange portion with a through, central opening integrally joined to and extending radially outwardly from one end of said stem portion;

b) assembling a threaded nut with said one end of said post for independent rotation with respect thereto;

c) providing an axially elongated, hollow body having first and second ends, a first section extending from said first end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said first diameter, a second section extending integrally from said first portion with a cylindrical internal surface of second diameter greater than said first diameter, and a third section extending integrally from said second section to said second end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said second diameter, said first and second sections having a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section including at least one peripheral area of reduced thickness;

d) assembling said post with said body by passing said stem through said first section with said first section inner surface substantially in contact with a first axial portion of said stem and said second section inner surface in spaced relation with a second axial portion of said stem;

e) inserting a prepared end of a coaxial cable into said connector from said end of said body and advancing said cable to insert a portion of said stem between said conducting layer and said shielding layer with portions of said inner dielectric layer and said conducting layer positioned within said stem and portions of said shielding layer and said outer dielectric layer positioned in the space between the outside of said stem and the inner surface of said second and third sections; and

f) applying an axial force to said body causing movement of said third section in the direction of said second section and effecting tight fictional engagement of said connector and said cable;

wherein said axial force fractures said body at said peripheral area of reduced thickness.

wherein said peripheral area of reduced thickness is at the juncture of said second and third sections; and

wherein the outer surface of said third section tapers outwardly from said area of reduced thickness toward said second end, and said axial force moves of a portion of said third section between said inner surface of said second section and the outer surface of said outer dielectric layer of said cable, thereby applying a radially compressive force to said cable and effecting said tight frictional engagement of said connector and cable.

19. A connector body for use with a coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a hollow, one-piece body of predetermined material having opposite ends, a first axial section extending from one of said ends for a first distance and having a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of a stem of a hollow post which fits inside at least a portion of said first axial section, a second axial section extending integrally from said first section for a second distance and having a second inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter over at least a portion of said second distance, and a third axial section extending integrally from said second section for a third axial distance to the other of said ends of said body, said first and second sections having walls not less than a predetermined thickness and said third section including at least one peripheral wall area having a thickness substantially less than said predetermined thickness; and

means for effecting tight frictional engagement between portions of said body and an outer surface of a cable extending into said body by radial compression of said cable in response to application of axial force sufficient to move said other end of said body toward said one end;

wherein said axial force is so related to the properties of said predetermined material and said thickness of said peripheral wall area that said axial force completely fractures said body in an area of said peripheral wall area; and

wherein said means for effecting frictional engagement comprise a portion of said third section which is moved by said axial force between said inner surface of said second section and said cable outer surface subsequent to said fracture of said body.

20. A connector body according to claim 19, wherein said portion of said third section comprises a wall section tapering outwardly from said peripheral wall area toward said other end of said body.

21. A connector body according to claim 19, wherein said third section includes an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to said second inner diameter.

22. A connector body according to claim 19, wherein said third section adjoins said second section at a wall section having a reduced thickness substantially less than said predetermined dimension.

23. A connector body according to claim 19, wherein said peripheral wall area is at the juncture of said second and third sections.

24. A connector body according to claim 23, wherein said third section includes two of said peripheral wall areas.

25. A connector body for use with a coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a hollow, one-piece body of predetermined material having opposite ends, a first axial section extending from one of said ends for a first distance and having a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of a stem of a hollow post which fits inside at least a portion of said first axial section, a second axial section extending integrally from said first section for a second distance and having a second inner diameter larger than said first inner diameter over at least a portion of said second distance, and a third axial section extending integrally from said second section for a third axial distance to the other of said ends of said body;

said first and second sections having walls not less than a predetermined thickness and said third section including at least one peripheral wall area having a thickness substantially less than said predetermined thickness;

said third section including at least one portion movable in response to application of axial force to transmit a radially compressive force to said cable, thereby effecting tight frictional engagement of said connector body to a cable;

wherein said third section includes an inner surface defining a diameter substantially equal to an inner surface of said second section;

wherein said second section has a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section adjoins said second section at a wall section having a reduced thickness substantially less than said predetermined dimension; and

wherein said third section has a wall thickness which increases from said reduced, thickness toward said second end.

26. A connector body according to claim 25, wherein said axial force is so related to the properties of said predetermined material and said thickness of said peripheral wall area that said axial force completely fractures said body in an area of said peripheral wall area.

27. A connector body according to claim 25 wherein said reduced thickness is so related to the properties of the material from which said body means is formed that said axial force causes said body means to fracture at said reduced thickness of said wall.

28. A method of mounting a connector body to a prepared end of a coaxial cable having an inner conductor, an inner layer of dielectric material, a conducting layer, a layer of woven mesh shielding material and an outer layer of dielectric material, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a post having a hollow, substantially cylindrical stem portion having a first, outer diameter, and a flange portion with a through, central opening integrally joined to and extending radially outwardly from one end of said stem portion;

providing an axially elongated, hollow body having first and second ends, a first section extending from said first end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said first diameter, a second section extending integrally from said first portion with a cylindrical internal surface of second diameter greater than said first diameter, and a third section extending integrally from said second section to said second end with a cylindrical internal surface of diameter substantially equal to said second diameter, said first and second sections having a wall thickness not less than a predetermined dimension and said third section including at least one peripheral area of reduced thickness;

inserting said prepared end of said coaxial cable into said connector body from said end of said body and advancing said cable to insert a portion of said stem between said conducting layer and said shielding layer with portions of said inner dielectric layer and said conducting layer positioned within said stem and portions of said shielding layer and said outer dielectric layer positioned in the space between the outside of said stem and the inner surface of said second and third sections; and

applying an axial force to said body causing movement of at least a portion of said third section in the direction of said second section between said inner surface of said second section and said shielding layer of said cable therein effecting tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein:

said axial force fractures said body at said peripheral area of reduced thickness;

said peripheral area of reduced thickness is at the juncture of said second and third sections; and

an outer surface of said third section tapers outwardly from said area of reduced thickness toward said second end, and said axial force moves of a portion of said third section between said inner surface of said second section and the outer surface of said outer dielectric layer of said cable, thereby applying a radially compressive force to said cable and effecting said tight frictional engagement of said connector and cable.

30. A method according to claim 28 wherein said axial force fractures said body at said peripheral area of reduced thickness.

31. A method according to claim 30 wherein said peripheral area of reduced thickness is at the juncture of said second and third sections.

32. A method according to claim 28 wherein said third section includes two, axially spaced peripheral areas of reduced thickness.

33. A method according to claim 32 wherein portions of said third section adjacent said areas of reduced thickness are folded to a position between said inner surface of said second section and the outer surface of said outer dielectric layer of said cable in response to said axial force, thereby applying a radially compressive force to said cable and effecting said tight frictional engagement of said connector and said cable.