Push-on connector interface

• US 7,347,726 B2
• Filed: 01/23/2004
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wlos, Jim
• Primary Examiner(s): Leon; Edwin A.
• Application Number:
  US10/707,912
• Publication Number:
  US 20050164551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,523 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-586, 439/675, 439/63
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency

Abstract

A push-on connector interface adapted for use with, for example, existing standardized threaded female connectors, for example SMA or Type N connectors. A plurality of spring fingers of the male connector body engage the, typically threaded, outer diameter surface of the female connector body. A sleeve within the male connector body is adapted to extend within a bore of the female connector body. A spring located, for example, within a groove on the sleeve deforms between the sleeve and an inner diameter surface of a bore within the female connector body. The connections formed by the bias of spring fingers and the deformation of the spring creating a reliable mechanical and electrical interconnection between the male and female connector bodies without use of the prior threaded collar.

Claims

1. A connector interface for connecting to a cylindrical female connector body having an outer diameter surface and a bore with an inner diameter surface, comprising:

a monolithic male connector body with a plurality of integral spring fingers biased, via an inward projection of the spring fingers, for an interference fit upon the outer diameter surface;

a front end portion of a sleeve of the male connector body insertable within the bore; and

a first spring located on an outer diameter of the sleeve;

the first spring dimensioned for direct contact between the inner diameter surface of the bore and the outer diameter of the sleeve.

2. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the first spring is located by a first groove formed in the outer diameter of the sleeve.

3. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the first spring is a canted coil spring.

4. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the first spring is dimensioned whereby the first spring elastically deforms between the sleeve and the inner diameter surface upon mating of the male connector body with the female connector body.

5. The connector interface of claim 1, further including a second groove located around the plurality of spring fingers;

and

a second spring positioned in the second groove biasing the plurality of spring fingers inward.

6. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the female connector is one of an SMA and a Type N connector.

7. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the female connector has a third groove located on the inner diameter surface;

the third groove adapted to align with the first groove when the male connector body is seated against the female connector.

8. The connector interface of claim 1, further including an inner conductor contact positioned coaxially within a sleeve bore by an insulator.

9. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed as a separate component press-fit into place within the male connector body.

10. The connector interface of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of spring fingers has an angled face.

11. The connector interface of claim 10, wherein the sleeve is press-fit within the male connector body up to an internally projecting shoulder of the male connector body.

12. A connector interface between a female connector and a male connector, comprising:

a plurality of spring fingers formed in a leading edge of a monolithic male connector body of the male connector;

a sleeve within the male connector; and

a first spring on an outer diameter of the sleeve;

the plurality of spring fingers biased, via an inward projection of the spring fingers, to engage an outer diameter surface of the female connector;

the sleeve insertable within a bore of the female connector, the first spring in direct contact with the sleeve and an inner diameter surface of the bore.

13. The connector interface of claim 12, wherein the first spring is located by a first groove formed in an outer diameter of the sleeve.

14. The connector interface of claim 12, further including a second groove located on an outer diameter of the male connector, around the plurality of spring fingers.

15. The connector interface of claim 12, wherein the female connector is one of an SMA and a Type N connector.

16. The connector interface of claim 12, wherein a third groove adapted to engage the first spring is located on the inner diameter surface of the bore.

17. The connector interface of claim 16, further including a second spring seated in the third groove;

the second spring further biasing the spring fingers towards the outer diameter surface of the female connector.