F-type connector installation and removal tool

• US 6,817,272 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 11/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Holland Electronics LLC (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Holland Electronics
• Inventors: Holland, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THANH TAM T
• Application Number:
  US10/290,688
• Publication Number:
  US 20040092165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 811/19, 811/211, 811/242, 811/761, 811/761.5, 811/762, 811/86, 439/304, 439/306, 439/307
• US Class Current: 81/124.2
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629

Abstract

A tool operable for connecting a mail F-type coaxial cable connector having a connector ring rotatably mounted on a leading end thereof. The connector ring having a shaped outer surface. The tool includes a wrench portion and a grasping portion. The wrench portion includes a rigid, substantially tubular member having a leading end and a trailing end. An inner surface of the tubular member adjacent the leading end is dimensioned to matingly engage a portion of the shaped outer surface of the connector ring. The grasping portion having an annular leading end with a first outer diameter rigidly affixed to the trailing end of the wrench portion and an expanded annular trailing end having a second outer diameter that is greater than the first outer diameter.

Claims

1. A tool operable for connecting a male F-type coaxial cable connector having a connector ring rotatably mounted on a leading end thereof and a coaxial cable extending rearwardly from a trailing end thereof, to a female F-type connector, the connector ring having a threaded inner surface and a shaped outer surface with a first outer diameter, the tool comprising:

(a) a wrench portion comprising a rigid, substantially tubular member having a leading end, a trailing end and a hollow body portion therebetween, an inner surface of said body portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to said first outer diameter of the connector ring and being shaped to snugly conform to, and matingly engage, a portion of the shaped outer surface of the rotatably mounted connector ring, and a first slot in said body portion extending from said leading end to said trailing end; and

(b) a grasping portion comprising a hollow member having an annular leading end having a first outer diameter rigidly affixed to said trailing end of said wrench portion and an expanded annular trailing end having a second outer diameter, said trailing end of said grasping portion being spaced from said leading end of said grasping portion by a rigid spacer therebetween, said annular leading end and said annular trailing end of said grasping portion having a second slot therein and wherein aid second outer diameter of said grasping portion is greater than said inner diameter and wherein said grasping portion has an axial bore coextensive with a length thereof that flares outwardly from said leading end to said trailing end thereof.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein said rigid spacer comprises a slotted funnel.

3. The tool of claim 1 wherein said rigid spacer comprises an elongate strut.

4. The tool of claim 3 wherein said trailing end of said grasping portion comprises an annular ring.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein said annular ring has a slot therein.