Snap-on coaxial plug

• US 7,455,550 B1
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Original Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation (TE Connectivity Ltd. (United Kingdom))
• Inventors: Sykes, Michael Timothy
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond; Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US12/029,837
• Time in Patent Office: 287 Days
• Field of Search: 439/583, 439/584, 439/578
• US Class Current: 439/584
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/506 assembled by snap action of the parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0527 Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring

Abstract

A plug component for use with coaxial connector systems having a plug component and a threaded jack component is provided. This plug component includes a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact positioned around the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions; a body positioned around the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith; at least one biasing member positioned around the body, wherein the biasing member provides linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and a locking device positioned around the biasing member and the body, wherein the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for attaching the plug component to the jack component.

Claims

1. A connector system, comprising:

(a) a jack component, wherein the jack component further includes;

(i) a first electrical contact; and

(ii) a body for housing the first electrical contact, wherein the body further comprises a threaded area formed thereon; and

(b) a plug component, wherein the plug component further includes;

(i) a second electrical contact adapted to engage the first electrical contact and establish a signal plane;

(ii) a third electrical contact circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the second electrical contact, wherein the third electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions formed at one end thereof;

(iii) a body circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the third electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the third electrical contact and form a ground plane;

(iv) at least one biasing member circumferentially disposed around the body, wherein the at least one biasing member provides axial force sufficient to urge the third electrical contact against the body of the jack component; and

(v) a locking device circumferentially disposed around the biasing member and the body, wherein a portion of the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for securely attaching the plug component to the jack component.

2. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the connector system is a coaxial connector system.

3. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the plug component further includes at least one dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the second electrical contact.

4. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the first electrical contact further comprises a socket and wherein the second electrical contact further comprises a pin, and wherein the socket and pin cooperate to transmit the signal plane between the jack component and the plug component.

5. The connector system of claim 1, wherein in the plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions on the third electrical contact are adapted to frictionally engage an inner portion of the body.

6. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member further comprises a crest-to-crest wave spring.

7. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the locking device further comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of grasping arms formed at one end thereof;

and a slidable collar for engaging the plurality of grasping arms and applying compressive radial force thereto for securely attaching the plug component to the jack component.

8. The connector system of claim 1, wherein the third contact is manufactured from at least one of phosphor bronze and beryllium copper and further comprises a conductive coating that includes at least one of gold, silver, nickel, and white bronze.

9. A plug component for use with connector systems having a plug component and a threaded jack component, comprising:

(a) a first electrical contact;

(b) a second electrical contact circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions formed at one end thereof;

(c) a body circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith;

(d) at least one biasing member circumferentially disposed around the body, wherein the at least one biasing member provides linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and

(e) a locking device circumferentially disposed around the biasing member and the body, wherein a portion of the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for securely attaching the plug component to the jack component.

10. The plug component of claim 9, further including at least one dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the first contact.

11. The plug component of claim 9, wherein the plug component is adapted for use with coaxial connector systems.

12. The plug component of claim 9, wherein the plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions on the second electrical contact are adapted to frictionally engage an inner portion of the body.

13. The plug component of claim 9, wherein the at least one biasing member further is a crest-to-crest wave spring or a spiral spring.

14. The plug component of claim 9, wherein the locking device further comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of grasping arms formed at one end thereof;

and a slidable collar for engaging the plurality of grasping arms and applying compressive radial force thereto for securely attaching the plug component to a jack component.

15. The plug component of claim 9, wherein the second contact is manufactured from at least one of phosphor bronze and beryllium copper and further comprises a conductive coating that includes at least one of gold, silver, nickel, and white bronze.

16. A plug component for use with connector systems having a plug component and a threaded jack component, comprising:

(a) a first electrical contact;

(b) a second electrical contact disposed around at least a portion of the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions formed at one end thereof;

(c) a body for housing at least a portion of the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith;

(d) at least one biasing member disposed around the body, wherein the at least one biasing member provides linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and

(e) a locking device disposed around the body, wherein the locking device further includes;

(i) a substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of outwardly flared grasping arms formed at one end thereof; and

(ii) a slidable collar for engaging the plurality of grasping arms and applying radial compressive force thereto for securing the plug component to the threaded jack component.

17. The plug component of claim 16, further including at least one dielectric material disposed around at least a portion of the first contact.

18. The plug component of claim 16, wherein the plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions on the second electrical contact are adapted to frictionally engage an inner portion of the body.

19. The plug component of claim 16, wherein the at least one biasing member further comprises a crest-to-crest wave spring.

20. The plug component of claim 16, wherein the second contact is manufactured from at least one of phosphor bronze and beryllium copper and further comprises a conductive coating that includes at least one of gold, silver, nickel, and white bronze.