RJ type modular connector for coaxial cables

• US 6,955,563 B1
• Filed: 02/08/2005
• Issued: 10/18/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Quinn F. Croan
• Original Assignee: Quinn F. Croan
• Inventors: Croan, Quinn F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R.
• Application Number:
  US10/906,192
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/583
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5837 specially adapted for accommodating various sized cables H01R13/5825 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6272 comprising a single latching arm
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/44 comprising impedance matching means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/564 Corrugated cables

Abstract

A connector employing a plug assembly and socket assembly for coaxial cables having apertures, conductive elements, mating surfaces and locking mechanisms to maintain the electrical characteristics of the cable joined to the plug and socket, to hold the plug and socket physically in connection with one another, and to establish and maintain the electrical characteristics of the cables through the connector. The plug is configured to attach to a coaxial cable in such a manner that: a) the center conductor of the coaxial cable extends through the plug assembly for engagement with mating conductors in the socket, and b) such that the shield of the cable is physically and electrically engaged by a conductive element extending through the plug which contacts the conductive elements within the socket. These two features establish electrical contact of the shield and center conductor into and through the connector. The connector includes a socket assembly having a receiving aperture formed therein for receiving the plug assembly. The socket assembly is configured to accept a second coaxial cable for electrically contacting the first coaxial cable when the plug is received in the receiving aperture, or, in the modified form, for connecting the first coaxial cable to terminal equipment. The socket assembly includes an outer conductor element that is electrically isolated from inner conductive elements of the socket assembly which provide electrical continuity for the inner conductor of the cables. The outer conductor and inner conductor of the plug assembly and socket assembly are electrically connected when the plug is received in the receiving aperture. The plug and socket assemblies incorporate a snap-fit, locking mechanism to retain the plug and socket assemblies in mechanical and electrical connection with each other.

Claims

1. A modular connector assembly for connecting coaxial cable together wherein said cable has radially inner and outer conductors separated by an annular dielectric, a tubular jacket encasing said outer conductor and a portion of said outer conductor being exposed at the end of said cable, said assembly comprising:

(a) a plug connector having radially inner and outer spaced coaxial sleeves, said inner sleeve being sized for insertion of said inner conductor and said annular dielectric therein, said outer sleeve being sized for insertion of said conductor and said jacket through one end of said connector between said inner and outer sleeves;

(b) said plug connector having a body with at least one locking tab, at least one locking release tab, guide surfaces, a central bore and a central counterbore;

(c) said plug connector having a hollow generally cylindrical portion, a tapered cone at one end of said cylindrical portion and a conductor member extending concentrically within said cylindrical portion;

(d) said cylindrical portion of said plug connector forming the outer conductor of said plug connector;

(e) a socket connector having radially inner and outer spaced coaxial sleeves, said inner sleeve being sized for insertion of said inner conductor and said annular dielectric therein, said outer sleeve being sized for insertion of said conductor and said jacket through one end of said connector between said inner and outer sleeves;

(f) said socket connector having a body with guide surfaces, mating cavity, at least one locking cavity, at least one locking tab release slot, a central bore and a central counterbore;

(g) said socket connector having a hollow generally cylindrical portion, a tapered counterbore at one end of said cylindrical portion and a central conductive member consisting of spring contacts and conductive element placed concentrically within said cylindrical portion;

(h) said cylindrical portion of said socket connector forming the outer conductor of said socket connector; and

(i) said outer conductors of said plug connector and said socket connector including complementary end portions for positively connecting said outer conductors positively.

2. A connector assembly according to claim 1, said plug assembly directly connecting to a coaxial cable and said socket assembly directly connecting to a coaxial cable.

3. A connector assembly according to claim 1, said plug connecting end portion and said socket connecting end portion having complementary mating cavities and guide surfaces.

4. A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein a tensioning device is employed in either the plug assembly or the socket assembly, said tensioning device being employed to maintain electrical and mechanical connection between said plug assembly and socket assembly.

5. A connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said plug assembly and socket assembly each employ a cylindrical conductive sleeve, wherein the conductive sleeve of the either the plug assembly or the socket assembly is movable longitudinally within its respective plug or socket body, and the complementary conductive sleeve is fixed within its respective plug or socket body.

6. A terminal connector assembly for connecting an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal wherein said cable has radially inner and outer conductors separated by an annular dielectric, a tubular jacket encasing said outer conductor and a portion of said outer conductor being exposed at the end of said cable, said assembly comprising:

(a) a plug connector having radially inner and outer spaced coaxial sleeves, said inner sleeve being sized for insertion of said inner conductor and said annular dielectric therein, said outer sleeve being sized for insertion of said conductor and said jacket through one end of said connector between said inner and outer sleeves;

(b) said plug connector having a body with at least one locking tab, at least one locking release tab, guide surfaces, a central bore and a central counterbore;

(c) said plug connector having a hollow generally cylindrical portion, a tapered cone at one end of said cylindrical portion and a conductor member extending concentrically within said cylindrical portion;

(d) said cylindrical portion of said plug connector forming the outer conductor of said plug connector;

(e) said socket connector having a body with guide surfaces, mating cavity, at least one locking cavity, at least one locking tab release slot, a central bore and a central counterbore;

(g) said socket connector having a hollow generally cylindrical portion, a tapered counterbore at one end of said cylindrical portion and a central conductive member consisting of spring contacts and conductive element placed concentrically within said cylindrical portion;

(h) said central conductive member extending through said socket body such that electrical connection may be made to said central conductor within a terminal device;

(i) said cylindrical portion of said socket connector forming the outer conductor of said socket connector;

(j) said outer conductor of said socket connector extending through said socket body such that electrical connection may be made to said central conductor within a terminal device, and

(k) said outer conductors of said plug connector and said socket connector including complementary end portions for positively connecting said outer conductors positively.

7. A terminal connector according to claim 6 wherein said plug assembly and socket assembly each employ a cylindrical conductive sleeve, wherein the conductive sleeve of the either the plug assembly or the socket assembly is movable longitudinally within its respective plug or socket body, and the complementary conductive sleeve is fixed within its respective plug or socket body.