DURABLE RJ-45 DATA CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY

• US 20030100215A1
• Filed: 11/29/2001
• Published: 05/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neutrik AG (Neutrik USA Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Neutrik AG (Neutrik USA Inc.)
• Inventors: Bachman, Werner
• Granted Patent: US 6,582,248 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/462
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/516 Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing , hoods
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/533 Bases, cases made for use in extreme conditions, e.g. high temperature, radiation, vibration, corrosive environment, pressure H01R13/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/562 Bending-relieving
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/59 Threaded ferrule or bolt operating in a direction parallel to the cable or wire
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45

Abstract

A system for protecting a cable connector, and especially an RJ-45 cable connector, from damage or abuse during use with a chassis receptacle. A cylindrical carrier housing for the connector contains a transverse septum having a shaped opening for receiving and positioning the connector within the housing. A radially-compressible chuck on the cable compresses to grip the cable. A boot on the cable and protrudes from the housing through an overriding bushing threadedly connected to the housing. The boot isolates the cable from flexural stresses. When the bushing is tightened onto the housing, the boot is urged toward the housing, radially compressing the chuck onto the cable. Longitudinal stresses on the cable are therefore isolated from the connector and are transferred instead to the housing. A mating chassis receptacle is receivable of the connector and has an annular groove on an axial face thereof for receiving and rotationally positioning the housing for insertion into the receptacle. A releasable spring catch on the receptacle arrests the housing after electrical contacts between the connector and the receptacle have been established.

Claims

1. A durable data connector assembly for installation onto a cable connector and attached cable, comprising:

a) a housing having positioning means for positioning said cable connector at a predetermined location within said housing and having thread means formed on a surface thereof;

b) a radially-compressible chuck for urging said cable connector to said predetermined location and for gripping said cable;

c) a tapered boot for radially compressing said chuck; and

d) a threaded bushing for arresting said tapered boot and for mating to said threads on said housing in a threaded joint, the tightening of said joint compressing said bushing, boot, chuck, housing, and cable connector together to form said assembly.

2. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said positioning means includes a transverse septum within said housing.

3. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is formed of die-cast metal.

4. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said boot includes a slotted conical portion protrudable through said bushing to form a flexure relief for said cable.

5. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing is provided with a first longitudinal groove and said chuck is provided with a mating first longitudinal rib for preventing relative rotation between said housing and said chuck.

6. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cable connector is an RJ-45 connector.

7. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a chassis receptacle for matably receiving said connector assembly to complete at least one electrical connection therebetween.

8. An assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said housing is provided with a second longitudinal groove and said receptacle is provided with a mating second longitudinal rib for properly orienting said cable connector with respect to said receptacle during insertion of said connector into said receptacle.

9. An assembly in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a snap catch for removably attaching said connector assembly to said chassis receptacle.

10. An assembly in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a recess in said housing for receiving a resilient tab of said cable connector and for retaining said resilient tab in a depressed position within said recess.