Cover for cable connectors

• US 7,838,775 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/414,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20100248533A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 439521-523, 439/277, 439/519, 439/125, 439559-558, 174/138.F
• US Class Current: 174/138.00F
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency

Abstract

A cover/boot and a system of covers/boots for placement in sealed relation over a connector or pair of connectors that is or are adapted to terminate a cable or splice together a pair of cables, preferably cables that carry signals received by a receiving apparatus on a cell tower. The covers include a cable end that sealingly receives a cable therein, an elongated body that provides secure cover to a cable connector, and an end that abuts a bulkhead or sealingly engages with a second cover when used in a splicing application.

Claims

1. A cover for a connector adapted to terminate a cable, wherein the connector includes a body portion and a coupling element and is adapted to terminate in a bulkhead with a shank portion extending outwardly therefrom, said cover comprising:

a. a unitary elongated body member having cable and bulkhead ends, interior and exterior surfaces, said elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis; and

b. wherein said interior surface includes a first region adapted to cover at least a portion of the signal carrying cable and extending from said cable end to a first shoulder, said first region being of a minimum, first cross-sectional diameter and including a plurality of grooves formed therein, a second region adapted to cover at least the connector body portion and coupling element and that extends from said first shoulder to a second shoulder, said second region being of an minimum, second cross-sectional diameter that is greater than said minimum, first cross-sectional diameter, and a third region adapted to cover the shank portion and that extends from said second shoulder to said bulkhead end, said third region being of a minimum, third cross-sectional diameter that is greater than said minimum, second cross-sectional diameter.

2. The cover according to claim 1, wherein said cover is composed of a rubber material.

3. The cover according to claim 2, wherein said rubber material is a silicone rubber.

4. The cover according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of grooves extends in spaced parallel relation to the others.

5. The cover according to claim 4, further comprising at least one wing formed on said exterior surface.

6. The cover according to claim 1, further comprising at least one wing formed on said exterior surface.

7. A cover for a connector adapted to terminate a cable, wherein the connector includes a body portion and a coupling element and is adapted to terminate in a bulkhead having a shank portion extending outwardly therefrom, said cover comprising:

a. an elongated body member having cable and bulkhead ends, interior and exterior surfaces, said elongated body extending along a longitudinal axis; and

b. wherein said interior surface includes a first region adapted to cover at least a portion of the signal carrying cable and extending from said cable end to a first shoulder, said first region being of a minimum, first cross-sectional diameter, a second region adapted to cover at least the connector body portion and that extends from said first shoulder to a second shoulder, said second region being of an minimum, second cross-sectional diameter that is greater than said minimum, first cross-sectional diameter, a third region adapted to cover at least the coupling element and extending from said second shoulder to a third shoulder, said third region being of a minimum, third cross-sectional diameter that is larger than said second cross-sectional diameter, and a fourth region adapted to cover the shank portion and that extends from said third shoulder to said bulkhead end, said fourth region being of a minimum, fourth cross-sectional diameter that is greater than said minimum, third cross-sectional diameter.

8. The cover according to claim 7, wherein said cover is composed of a rubber material.

9. The cover according to claim 8, wherein said rubber material is a silicone rubber.

10. The cover according to claim 7, wherein said first region includes a plurality of grooves formed therein, wherein each of said grooves extends in spaced parallel relation to the others.

11. The cover according to claim 10, further comprising at least one wing formed on said exterior surface.

12. The cover according to claim 7, further comprising a ring formed on said exterior surface.

13. The cover according to claim 12, wherein said ring extends in a plane that is transverse to said longitudinal axis.