Snap-fit connector assembly

• US 7,335,058 B1
• Filed: 12/13/2006
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Corning Gilbert Incorporated (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burris, Donald Andrew, Lutz, William Bernard
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imas; Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US11/637,564
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/353, 439/357, 439/583, 439/584
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/508 assembled by a separate clip or spring
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence

Abstract

A coaxial connector assembly is disclosed herein for coupling a coaxial cable to a port. The coaxial connector assembly includes a connector member, a post, a locking member, and an adapter. The post comprises a shank and a post flange. The shank and the connector member are configured to be capable of sandwiching at least part of the cable so that the connector member grips the cable. The locking member comprises at least one forward extending resilient arm. The front portion of the adapter is configured to engage the port, and the back portion of the adapter is configured to receive the connector member. The resilient arms are configured to snap fit into the adapter, the resilient arms preferably being capable of release from the adapter, thereby releasably attaching the connector member to the adapter.

Claims

1. A coaxial connector assembly for coupling a coaxial cable to a port, the assembly comprising:

a connector member comprising a front end, a back end, and an outer surface;

a post comprising;

a shank, at least partially disposed inside the connector member, the shank being configured for insertion into the cable, wherein the shank and the connector member are capable of sandwiching the cable; and

a flange disposed outside the connector member;

a locking member disposed between the flange and the outer surface of the connector member, the locking member comprising at least two forward extending resilient arms; and

an adapter comprising a front portion, a back portion, an external surface, and an internal surface defining a through hole extending from the front end to the back end of the adapter, wherein the front portion of the adapter is configured to engage the port, and the back portion of the adapter is configured to receive the connector member, and wherein the resilient arms are configured to snap fit into the adapter, thereby releasably attaching the connector member to the adapter.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the at least two forward extending resilient arms comprise at least one pair of opposed forward extending resilient arms.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector member comprises a tubular body.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking member contacts the connector member.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the locking member comprises electrically conductive material, thereby providing an electrical path from the connector member to the adapter.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the shank is configured for insertion between a dielectric and an outer conductor of the cable.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector member comprises a crimpable portion capable of being crimped toward the shank of the post.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the post is provided with a through hole configured to allow a center conductor of the cable to protrude through the post and beyond the flange.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein a center portion of the port receives the center conductor of the cable, thereby electrically connecting the center portion of the port and the center conductor of the cable.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein the adapter is configured to threadably engage the port.

11. The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking member and the adapter contact each other to form an electrical path between the outer surface of the connector body and an outer surface of the port.

12. The connector of claim 1 wherein the internal surface of the adapter is provided with an internal recess configured to receive at least one of the resilient arms.

13. The connector of claim 12 wherein the resilient arms are biased radially outwardly and engage the internal surface of the adapter.

14. The connector of claim 1 wherein the locking member is trapped between the flange of the post and the connector member.

15. A combination of a coaxial cable and a coaxial connector assembly for coupling the coaxial cable to a port, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductor, wherein the assembly comprises:

a connector member comprising a front end, a back end, and an outer surface;

a post comprising;

a shank inserted into the cable, at least part of the shank being disposed inside the connector member, wherein at least part of the cable is sandwiched between the shank and the connector member, thereby securing the cable to the connector member; and

a flange disposed outside the connector member, wherein the center conductor of the cable protrudes forwardly beyond the flange;

a locking member disposed between the flange and the outer surface of the connector member, the locking member comprising at least one pair of opposed forward extending resilient arms, wherein the center conductor of the cable protrudes through the locking member; and

an adapter comprising a front portion, a back portion, an external surface, and an internal surface defining a through hole extending from the front end to the back end of the adapter;

wherein the front portion of the adapter is configured to engage the port, wherein the connector member is received in the back portion of the adapter, and wherein the resilient arms are snap fit onto the adapter, thereby releasably attaching the connector member to the adapter.

16. The connector of claim 15 wherein the locking member contacts the connector member.

17. The connector of claim 15 wherein the resilient arms are biased radially inwardly.

18. The connector of claim 15 wherein the resilient arms are biased radially outwardly.

19. The connector of claim 15 wherein the post is provided with a through hole, and wherein a portion of the cable is disposed within the through hole, and wherein the center conductor of the cable extends through the post and beyond the flange.

20. The connector of claim 15 wherein the locking member is trapped between the flange of the post and the connector member.