Coaxial cable assembly connection structure and method

• US 8,262,408 B1
• Filed: 10/22/2008
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Distinct Intuitive Designs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Distinct Intuitive Designs, LLC
• Inventors: Kelly, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luebke, Renee
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel, Harshad
• Application Number:
  US12/288,782
• Time in Patent Office: 1,420 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/447, 439/585, 439/580, 439/606, 439/730, 439/738, 439/607.45, 439/607.5, 439/607.51, 439/932, 439/464, 439/471, 174/89, 174/DIG.8
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/72 using a heat shrinking insulating sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence

Abstract

A structure for the back end of repairable connectors, applicable for a variety of RF connectors, that facilitates superior mechanical and electrical characteristics of the resulting coax cable assembly. Also disclosed is a method of attaching one of various repairable connectors to coax cable that is both simple and stronger than existing methods. The outside insulation is removed from the end of the cable and the braiding is folded back out of the way. Depending on the number of layers of braiding, this step may be performed more than once. The dielectric surrounding the center conductor is then trimmed to expose the conductor. In one embodiment, a pin is soldered in-line with the center conductor. The connector is then placed on one end of the prepared cable and the braiding is unfolded. A band is then applied to secure the braiding against the connector, making a strong bond.

Claims

1. A connector for attachment to a coaxial cable to form a repairable cable assembly, the connector comprising:

a front coupler portion adapted for electrical and mechanical interconnection with an external device, rotatively connected to a rear connector portion for receiving and both electrically and mechanically connecting to a free end of a coaxial cable, said rear connector portion comprising;

i) a hollow, elongated barrel rotatively connected to, concentric with, and extending rearwardly from a rear edge of said front coupler portion, said hollow, elongated barrel comprising;

aa) a forward hollow barrel portion having a first proximal end, a first distal end, and a first diameter, said first proximal end being connected to said front coupler portion at a rear edge thereof, said forward barrel portion being concentric with said front coupler portion and having external threads circumferentially disposed on at least a portion of an external surface thereof, and teeth disposed axially on a distal end surface thereof, said distal end surface being substantially perpendicular to said thread-bearing external surface; and

bb) a rear barrel portion having a second proximal end, a second distal end, and a second diameter, said second diameter being smaller than said first diameter, said second proximal end being disposed adjacent said first distal end, said rear barrel portion being concentrically connected to said forward barrel portion, said rear barrel portion having a knurled pattern circumferentially disposed on at least a portion of an external surface, said knurled surface forming a braid band land area, and a raised, concentric lip disposed proximate said second distal end of said rear barrel portion, said raised concentric lip having an outside diameter larger than said second diameter to prevent rearward movement of a braid restraining apparatus surrounding said braid band land area; and

ii) a hollow connector back shell comprising axially disposed teeth for mechanical engagement with said teeth disposed axially on said distal end surface of said forward barrel portion, whereby said hollow connector back shell may be secured at a desired axial position relative to said forward barrel portion, said hollow connector back shell being removably engaged with said external threads of said inner connector portion.

2. The connector for attachment to a coaxial cable to form a repairable cable assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rear connector portion for connecting to a coaxial cable comprises features adapted to independently receive and retain at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material.

3. A high pull strength, repairable cable assembly, comprising:

a) a connector in accordance with claim 2; and

b) a coaxial cable comprising at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material and both electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

4. The connector for attachment to a coaxial cable to form a repairable cable assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said hollow connector back shell comprises internal threads sized and configured for threaded engagement with said external threads of said forward barrel portion, whereby said hollow connector back shell may be selectively removed from and reinstalled to said rear connector portion to facilitate repair of said repairable cable assembly.

5. A high pull strength, repairable cable assembly, comprising:

a) a connector in accordance with claim 4; and

b) a coaxial cable comprising at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material and both electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

6. The connector for attachment to a coaxial cable to form a repairable cable assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said braid restraining apparatus surrounding said braid band comprises a flexible band removably and completely encircling at least a portion of said braid band land area of said second barrel portion, and is formed from at least one of the materials selected from the group:

metal, polymer, Kevlar, plastic, shrink solder, and composites.

7. The connector for attachment to a coaxial cable to form a repairable cable assembly in accordance with claim 6, wherein said flexible band comprises a spring band.

8. A high pull strength, repairable cable assembly, comprising:

a) a connector in accordance with claim 7; and

b) a coaxial cable comprising at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material and both electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

9. A high pull strength, repairable cable assembly, comprising:

a) a connector in accordance with claim 6; and

b) a coaxial cable comprising at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material and both electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

10. A high pull strength, repairable cable assembly, comprising:

a) a connector in accordance with claim 1; and

b) a coaxial cable comprising at least two braided shield layers separated from one another by an insulating material and both electrically and mechanically connected thereto.