Coaxial connector with a coupling body with grip fingers engaging a wedge of a stabilizing body

• US 7,927,135 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2010
• Issued: 04/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Andrew LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wlos, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US12/853,863
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-585, 439/775, 439/429, 298/28, 298/69
• US Class Current: 439/584
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/564 Corrugated cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A stabilizing coupling body assembly for a connector is provided with a monolithic coupling body dimensioned to couple with a cable end of a connector body of the connector. A plurality of grip fingers extends from a cable end of the coupling body, the grip fingers dimensioned for insertion within a bore of a stabilizing body. The stabilizing body is coupled to a cable end of the coupling body. A distal end of the grip fingers is proximate an annular wedge surface of the bore of the stabilizing body. The wedge surface is provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end. The grip fingers are driven radially inward as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body. Methods of manufacture include forming elements of the coupling body assembly via injection molding and/or machining.

Claims

1. A stabilizing coupling body assembly for a coaxial connector, comprising:

a monolithic coupling body dimensioned to couple at a connector end of the coupling body with a cable end of a coaxial connector body of the coaxial connector;

a plurality of grip fingers extending from a cable end of the coupling body, the grip fingers dimensioned for insertion within a bore of a stabilizing body;

the stabilizing body coupled to a cable end of the coupling body;

a distal end of the grip fingers dimensioned to engage an annular wedge surface of the bore of the stabilizing body;

the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end of the wedge surface and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end of the wedge surface;

whereby the distal end of the grip fingers contact and are driven radially inward by the wedge surface as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of the grip fingers is provided with a plurality of inward projecting protrusions.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the grip fingers are distributed circumferentially around a coupling body bore of the coupling body.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a length of the grip fingers is at least as long as a corrugation period of an outer conductor of a desired coaxial cable.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a sealing gasket seated on an outer diameter of the coupling body, axially positioned to seal against an inner diameter of the stabilizing body when the stabilizing body is in a coupled position upon the coupling body.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the stabilizing body is coupled to the coupling body via threads.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the threads are provided on an outer diameter of the coupling body and an inner diameter of the stabilizing body.

8. A method for manufacturing a stabilizing coupling body assembly for a coaxial connector, comprising the steps of:

forming a monolithic coupling body dimensioned to couple at a connector end of the coupling body with a cable end of a coaxial connector body of the connector;

a plurality of grip fingers extending from a cable end of the coupling body, the grip fingers dimensioned for insertion within a bore of a stabilizing body;

forming the stabilizing body dimensioned to couple to a cable end of the coupling body;

a distal end of the grip fingers proximate an annular wedge surface of the bore of the stabilizing body;

the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end of the wedge surface and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end of the wedge surface;

whereby the grip fingers are driven radially inward as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling body is formed by injection molding.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the stabilizing body is formed by injection molding.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling body is formed of a polymeric material.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling body is formed of a metal alloy.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the stabilizinb body is formed of a polymeric material.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the stabilizing body is formed of a polymeric material.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the coupling body and the stabilizing body are each formed with corresponding threads.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein a length of the grip fingers is at least as long as a corrugation period of an outer conductor of a desired coaxial cable.

17. A stabilizing coupling body assembly for a coaxial connector, comprising:

a monolithic coupling body dimensioned to couple at a connector end of the coupling body with a cable end of a coaxial connector body of the coaxial connector;

a plurality of grip fingers, distributed circumferentially around a bore of the coupling body, extending from a cable end of the coupling body, the grip fingers dimensioned for insertion within a bore of a stabilizing body;

the stabilizing body coupled to a cable end of the coupling body via threads;

a distal end of the grip fingers dimensioned to engage an annular wedge surface of the bore of the stabilizing body;

an inner diameter of the grip fingers is provided with a plurality of inward projecting protrusions;

a sealing gasket seated on an outer diameter of the coupling body, axially positioned to seal against an inner diameter of the stabilizing body when the stabilizing body is in a coupled position upon the coupling body;

the wedge surface provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end of the wedge surface and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end of the wedge surface;

whereby the distal end of the grip fingers contact and are driven radially inward by the wedge surface as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein a length of the grip fingers is at least as long as a corrugation period of an outer conductor of a desired coaxial cable.