Sure-grip RCA-type connector and method of use thereof

• US 7,462,068 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2007
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Amidon, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US11/695,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20080248688A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/675, 439/851, 439/858, 439/583, 439/352, 439/668
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency

Abstract

A sure-grip RCA-type coaxial cable connector is provided, wherein the connector comprises a connector body having an external surface upon which at least two gripping rings are securely located. Friction-enhancing surface features are positioned upon at least a portion of the external surface of the connector body between at least two of the gripping rings. Sure-grip fastening of the connector to an interface port is provided by gripping the connector so as to engage the gripping rings and the friction-enhancing surface features while maneuvering the connector onto an interface port.

Claims

1. An RCA-type connector comprising:

a mating end and opposing cable insertion end; and

a connector body extending between the mating end and cable insertion end;

wherein a portion of an exterior surface of the connector body includes friction-enhancing surface features located between a first gripping ring and a second gripping ring, said first and second gripping rings being externally positioned on the connector body.

2. The RCA-type connector of claim 1, wherein the mating end includes a shielding ring.

3. The RCA-type connector of claim 2, wherein the shielding ring is partially segmented into flexible sections.

4. The RCA-type connector of claim 2, wherein the shielding ring includes a mating edge having an internal annular chamfer.

5. The RCA-type connector of claim 1, wherein in the friction-enhancing surface features protrude from the exterior surface of the connector body.

6. The RCA-type connector of claim 1, wherein the friction-enhancing surface features comprise knurling.

7. The RCA-type connector of claim 1, wherein each of the first and the second gripping rings has an axial width slightly larger than an axial width corresponding to the portion of the exterior surface of the connector body including friction-enhancing surface features.

8. The RCA-type connector of claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping rings are formed of rubber-like material.

9. A sure-grip RCA-type coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body having an external surface upon which at least two gripping rings formed of rubber-like material are securely located; and

friction-enhancing surface features positioned upon at least a portion of the external surface of the connector body between at least two of the gripping rings.

10. The sure-grip RCA-type coaxial cable connector of claim 9, further including a shielding ring.

11. The sure-grip RCA-type coaxial cable connector of claim 10, wherein the shielding ring is partially segmented into flexible sections.

12. The sure-grip RCA-type coaxial cable connector of claim 10, wherein the shielding ring includes a mating edge having an internal annular chamfer.

13. The connector of claim 9, wherein in the friction-enhancing surface features protrude from the exterior surface of the connector body.

14. The connector of claim 9, wherein the friction-enhancing surface features comprise knurling.

15. The connector of claim 9, wherein each of the at least two gripping rings has an axial width slightly larger than an axial width corresponding to at least the portion of the exterior surface of the connector body having positioned thereon the friction-enhancing surface features.

16. A connector comprising:

an RCA-type mating end and an opposing cable insertion end;

a connector body having an external surface upon which at least a first gripping ring and a second gripping ring are securely located; and

means for enhancing the surface friction pertinent to a portion of the external surface of the connector body intermediate the first and second gripping rings.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the mating end includes a shielding ring partially segmented into flexible sections and having a mating edge with an internal annular chamfer.

18. A method for fastening an RCA-type connector to an interface port, said method comprising:

providing a connector, including a mating end and opposing cable insertion end, and a connector body having an external surface upon which a first gripping ring and a second gripping ring are securely located, wherein a portion of the exterior surface of the connector body includes friction-enhancing surface features located between the first and second gripping rings;

securely fastening a coaxial cable to the cable insertion end;

gripping the connector so as to engage the gripping rings and the friction-enhancing surface features; and

maneuvering the connector onto an interface port while maintaining a sure grip on the connector.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first and second gripping rings are formed of rubber-like material.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the connector further includes a shielding ring having flexible segments and an internal chamber chamfer upon a mating edge so that the ring fits snugly over the interface port as the connector is maneuvered thereon.