Port seizing cable connector nut and assembly

• US 8,152,551 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2010
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Zraik, Souheil
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US12/841,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20120021642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 439/322, 439/321, 439/578, 439/585
• US Class Current: 439/322
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/111 co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49123 Co-axial cable

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector includes a connector body having a first end and a second end, a coupling nut freely rotatable and disposed in relation to the first end of the connector body and a post having a first end and a second end, the post further including a open-ended port retaining portion. The coupling nut includes an internal threaded portion and is disposed in overlaying relation relative to the port retaining portion, which is configured for engaging an external port. The port retaining portion defines a locking collet that prevents loosening of the engaged port, while still guaranteeing electrical continuity without requiring excessive tightening of the connector.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body;

a coupling nut freely rotatable about a primary axis of said connector, said coupling nut including an internal threaded portion configured for engaging a threaded surface of an external port; and

a post having a pair of opposing ends, one of said ends being secured within said connector body and the opposing end having a open-ended port retaining portion, onto which said coupling nut is disposed in overlaying relation and into which the threaded surface of said external port is drawn by securing engagement of said coupling nut.

2. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said open-ended port retaining portion is made from an electrically conductive material such that electrical continuity is created when said interface port is initially received by said open-ended port retaining portion.

3. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said open-ended port retaining portion is a socket having substantially peripheral wall and a cylindrical receiving cavity, said peripheral wall having a plurality of slots extending axially from said open end, said slots defining a series of spring fingers further defining a locking collet.

4. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said connector is a compression-type coaxial cable connector.

5. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said open-ended port retaining portion is made from brass.

6. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the internal threaded portion of said coupling nut is distally adjacent to said open-ended port retaining portion.

7. A connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said post is secured to said connector body and said coupling nut is rotatably secured to the exterior of said open-ended port retaining section.

8. A connector as recited in claim 7, wherein one of said coupling nut and said open-ended port retaining portion includes an annular ring-like section sized for fitting within a groove formed in the other of said nut and retaining portion so as to prevent axial movement of said coupling nut relative to said post, but permitting free rotation of said coupling nut.

9. A connector as recited in claim 1, further including a compression member for securing a coaxial cable end to said connector body.

10. A connector as recited in claim 9, wherein said compression member is a compression sleeve.

11. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body having a first end, a second end and a center passageway therethrough;

a post having a first end and a second end, said first end having an open-ended port retaining portion, and said second end being disposed within the first end of said connector body for engaging a coaxial cable end; and

a coupling nut disposed in overlaying relation to the first end of said post, said coupling nut being axially secured to the exterior of said open-ended post retaining portion but freely rotatable about a primary axis of said connector, said coupling nut including an internal threaded portion configured for engaging an exterior threaded surface of an external port, wherein said open-ended port retaining portion defines a locking collet into which said port is drawn by initial securing threaded engagement between said coupling nut and said external port.

12. A connector as recited in claim 11, wherein said internal threaded portion of said coupling nut is distally adjacent to said open-ended port retaining portion.

13. A connector as recited in claim 11, including a compression member for securing said coaxial cable end to said connector body.

14. A connector as recited in claim 13, wherein said compression member is a compression sleeve disposed in overlaying relation axially over said connector body.

15. A connector as recited in claim 11, wherein said open-ended port retaining section is a socket having a peripheral wall and a cylindrical receiving cavity, said socket including a plurality of axial slots extending from a distal open end of said peripheral wall, defining a plurality of spring fingers.

16. A connector as recited in claim 11, wherein said connector is a compression-type coaxial cable connector.

17. A connector as recited in claim 11, wherein said open-ended port retaining portion is made from an electrically conductive material such that electrical continuity is realized between an interface port and said connector when said port is not fully tightened.

18. A connector as recited in claim 11, wherein one of said coupling nut and said open-ended port retaining portion includes an annular ring-like section sized for fitting within a groove formed in the other of said coupling nut and said open-ended retaining portion to prevent axial movement of said coupling nut relative to said post, while permitting free rotation of said coupling nut.

19. A method of manufacturing a coaxial cable connector, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a connector body, said connector body having a hollow interior;

disposing one end of a post within said connector body;

axially securing said post, wherein an opposite end of said post includes an open-ended port retaining portion;

axially attaching a coupling nut in overlaying relation onto said open-ended port retaining portion, but permitting said coupling nut to be freely rotatable about said port retaining portion;

said coupling nut including a threaded portion distally adjacent said open-ended port retaining portion, said port retaining portion defining a locking collet for securing an interface port.