Coaxial cable connectors with washers for preventing separation of mated connectors

• US 8,579,658 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Issued: 11/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PCT International Incorporated (Andes Industries Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: PCT International Incorporated (Andes Industries Incorporated)
• Inventors: Youtsey, Timothy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US13/213,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20120045933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 816 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-585, 439/322, 439/20, 439/23, 439/28, 298/57
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor

Abstract

Coaxial cable connectors including washers are described herein. A coaxial cable connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a conductive insert, a coupling nut, and a washer. The coupling nut can include a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding coaxial cable connector. The conductive insert can include an annular flange at least partially surrounded by the bore. The washer can be positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, and can be configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation between the coaxial cable connectors.

Claims

1. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein at least one of the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange includes an angled surface facing the washer, and wherein the angled surface is configured to drive the washer to expand radially outward toward the coupling nut when the conductive insert presses against the corresponding second coaxial cable connector.

2. The first coaxial cable connector of claim 1 wherein the washer has a circumference and opposing end portions separated by a gap, and wherein the washer is twisted along the circumference such that the end portions are out of plane with one another.

3. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein at least one of the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange includes an angled surface facing the washer, and wherein the angled surface is configured to drive the washer radially inward toward the conductive insert when the conductive insert presses against the corresponding second coaxial cable connector.

4. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein the washer includes an inner surface having a first width and an outer surface having a second width, and wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

5. The first coaxial cable connector of claim 4 wherein:

the coaxial cable connector is a male coaxial cable connector;

the corresponding second coaxial cable connector is a female coaxial cable connector;

the inner surface of the coupling nut is at least partially threaded to engage threads on the opposing female coaxial cable connector; and

the coupling nut and the annular flange include opposing surfaces angled inward toward the conductive insert.

6. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein the washer includes an inner surface having a first width and an outer surface having a second width, and wherein the first width is less than the second width.

7. The first coaxial cable connector of claim 6 wherein:

the coaxial cable connector is a male coaxial cable connector;

the corresponding second coaxial cable connector is a female coaxial cable connector;

the inner surface of the coupling nut is at least partially threaded to engage threads on the opposing female coaxial cable connector; and

the coupling nut and the annular flange include opposing surfaces angled outward toward the coupling nut.

8. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein the washer includes opposing end portions that define a gap between the opposing end portions, and wherein the washer is tapered between an outer surface and an inner surface.

9. A first coaxial cable connector, comprising:

a coupling nut having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding second coaxial cable connector;

a conductive insert having an annular flange positioned at least partially in the bore; and

a washer positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, wherein at least a portion of the washer is configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert, wherein the washer includes a body portion and opposing end portions separated by a gap, the opposing end portions being in a different plane than the body portion, and wherein the body portion and the end portions are configured to grip opposing surfaces of the annular flange and the coupling nut to resist rotation of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert.

10. The first coaxial cable connector of claim 9 wherein the washer includes a non-planar portion along a circumference of the washer, and wherein the body portion and the non-planar portion are configured to bear against opposing surfaces of the annular flange and the coupling nut when the conductive insert presses against the corresponding second coaxial cable connector.

11. A method of manufacturing a first coaxial cable connector, the method comprising:

positioning a washer around an annular flange of a conductive insert;

positioning the annular flange and the washer at least partially into a bore of a coupling nut, wherein opposing surfaces of the coupling nut and the annular flange form a groove in which the washer is retained, and wherein the washer is configured to restrict rotational movement of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert when the conductive insert is pressed against a corresponding second coaxial cable connector; and

forming an angled surface on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the annular flange and the coupling nut, wherein the angled surface is tapered inward toward the conductive insert.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

forming the washer to include a body portion and opposing end portions separated by a gap; and

forming at least one of the end portions out of plane with the body portion.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming a non-planar portion along a circumference of the washer.

14. A method of manufacturing a first coaxial cable connector, the method comprising:

positioning a washer around an annular flange of a conductive insert;

positioning the annular flange and the washer at least partially into a bore of a coupling nut, wherein opposing surfaces of the coupling nut and the annular flange form a groove in which the washer is retained, and wherein the washer is configured to restrict rotational movement of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert when the conductive insert is pressed against a corresponding second coaxial cable connector; and

forming an angled surface on at least one of the opposing surfaces of the annular flange and the coupling nut, wherein the angled surface is tapered outward toward the coupling nut.

15. A method of manufacturing a first coaxial cable connector, the method comprising:

positioning a washer around an annular flange of a conductive insert;

positioning the annular flange and the washer at least partially into a bore of a coupling nut, wherein opposing surfaces of the coupling nut and the annular flange form a groove in which the washer is retained, and wherein the washer is configured to restrict rotational movement of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert when the conductive insert is pressed against a corresponding second coaxial cable connector; and

forming the washer to include an inner surface having a first width and an outer surface having a second width less than the first width.

16. A method of manufacturing a first coaxial cable connector, the method comprising:

positioning a washer around an annular flange of a conductive insert;

positioning the annular flange and the washer at least partially into a bore of a coupling nut, wherein opposing surfaces of the coupling nut and the annular flange form a groove in which the washer is retained, and wherein the washer is configured to restrict rotational movement of the coupling nut with respect to the conductive insert when the conductive insert is pressed against a corresponding second coaxial cable connector; and

forming the washer to include an inner surface having a first width and an outer surface having a second width greater than the first width.