Coax connector having clutching mechanism

• US 20060240709A1
• Filed: 04/25/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah, Jackson, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,727,011 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables

Abstract

The invention is directed to a clutching mechanism for a coax connector. The device comprises an extended nut having a standard connector contained within. The extended nut comprises internal threads and a first clutch face and the internal standard connector comprises a connector body having a second clutch face. In operation, the first clutch face and the second clutch face are engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. The device further comprises a compression sleeve between the nut and the connector body, serving to secure the cable to the connector.

Claims

1. A coax connector having a clutching mechanism comprising:

a nut and a connector body wherein said nut defines an internal cavity, and said connector body is contained partially within said cavity;

said nut further comprises a first clutch face; and

said connector body further comprises a second clutch face wherein the first clutch face and the second clutch face may be engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism.

2. The coax connector of claim 1 further comprising a compression sleeve between said nut and said connector body, wherein said compression sleeve serves to secure said connector body to said cable.

3. The coax connector of claim 1 wherein said nut further comprises an outer surface having a plurality of grooves thereby providing an external gripping surface.

4. An assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port, said connector assembly comprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end comprises a internally threaded component and is adapted to receive a connector post, and said second is adapted to receive a connector body;

said connector body having an internal cavity adapted to receive said connector post through a first end, and a cable through a second end;

a clutching means for selectably locking said elongated body to said connector body; and

a crimping means for securing said cable to said connector body.

5. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 4 wherein said elongated body further comprises an outer surface having a gripping means for allowing an installer to firmly grip the elongated body.

6. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 5 wherein said gripping means is a plurality of longitudinal grooves distributed along the outer surface of the elongated body.

7. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 4 wherein said clutching means comprises a first clutch face on said inner surface of said elongated body, and a second clutch face on the outer surface of said connector body.

8. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 7 wherein said clutching means locks said elongated body with said connector body by advancing said connector body toward said first end of said elongated body, and releases said connector body from said elongated body by moving said connector body away from said first end of said elongated body.

9. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 4 wherein said crimping means for securing said cable to said connector body comprises a compression sleeve adapted to engage the outer surface of said connector body and said cable to thereby secure said cable within said connector body.

10. The assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded port of claim 9 wherein said compression sleeve comprises an internal bore having a substantially flanged end terminating at an annular lip, and said outer surface of said connecter body has a substantially annular groove, wherein advancing said compression sleeve upon said connector body serves to place said annular lip of said compression sleeve in locking engagement with said annular groove of said connector body.

11. A method of attaching a coax cable to a connector mechanism wherein said connector mechanism comprises a post, an extended nut, a connector body, an O-ring, and a compression sleeve, comprising the steps of:

pushing a cable into the connector body thereby causing the connector body to engage the extended nut in a locked position;

rotating the cable within the connector body to assure the cable is properly seated within the cable body; and

advancing the compression sleeve toward the connector body thereby securing the cable to the connector mechanism.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of disengaging the connector body from the extended nut to thereby allow the extended nut to rotate independently from the connector body and cable.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said extended nut further comprises an internal threaded segment and said cable and connector mechanism are connected to a port by advancing said internal threaded segment of said extended nut upon a threaded segment of a port.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said connector body has a first clutch face and the extended nut comprises a second clutch face, and opposing forces on said first clutch face and said second clutch face force said connector body into a lock position within said extended nut.