COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR WITH WEATHER SEAL

• US 20140051275A1
• Filed: 08/15/2013
• Published: 02/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Thomas, Charles, Dean, Mike, Tremba, Timothy Noel, Hauver, Bruce, Watkins, Harold, Phillips, Roger, Derenthal, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 9,257,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/271
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut

Abstract

A connector is attachable to a coaxial cable. The connector, in one embodiment, has a connector body, a sleeve, a fastener and a seal assembly. At least part of the seal assembly is configured to be removeably coupled to the sleeve.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end configured to receive a coaxial cable;

a sleeve configured to be received at least partially within the connector body;

a fastener coupled to the forward end of the body and configured to fasten to a mating connector; and

a seal assembly, at least a portion of the seal assembly removeably coupled to the sleeve.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly comprises an interface seal configured to be coupled to an interface port.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the seal assembly comprises a sleeve seal configured to remain fixed to the sleeve when the interface seal is removed from the sleeve.

4. The connector of claim 3, further comprising a coupling member configured to detachably couple the interface seal to the sleeve seal.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the coupling member comprises a weakened area configured to tear upon a user applying a force and/or torque to the interface seal to detach the interface seal from the sleeve seal.

6. The connector of claim 2, wherein the interface seal comprises a first end configured to engage an interface port and a second end configured to engage the fastener when the fastener is coupled to the interface port.

7. The connector of claim 2, wherein the interface seal comprises a substantially constant inner diameter along the length of the interface seal.

8. The connector of claim 2, wherein the outer surface of the interface seal defines a frusto-conical shape.

9. The connector of claim 3, wherein the sleeve seal comprises an inner annular seal coupled to an outer annular seal via at least one connecting member.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the inner annular seal is configured to form a moisture seal between the sleeve and the coaxial cable and wherein the outer annular seal is configured to form a moisture seal between the sleeve and the connector body.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises an attachment ring defining an aperture, and wherein the seal assembly is received within the aperture of the attachment ring.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the attachment ring is an integrally molded portion of the sleeve.

13. The connector of claim 11, wherein the sleeve comprises a sleeve body, the attachment ring being detachable from the sleeve body at a weakened portion provided between the attachment ring and the sleeve body.

14. The connector of claim 1, wherein the seal assembly is removeably and slidably received on a rearward portion of the sleeve.

15. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end configured to receive a coaxial cable;

a sleeve configured to be received at least partially within the connector body;

a fastener coupled to the forward end of the body and configured to fasten to a mating connector; and

a post disposed at least partially within the connector body;

an annular seal disposed within the fastener and configured to engage a mating connector; and

a compressible member disposed at least partially between the body and the nut and configured to provide a biasing force acting between the body and the nut.

16. The connector of claim 15, wherein the sleeve comprises a collapsible portion configured to form a forward-tilting barb, the barb configured to engage the coaxial cable connector when the sleeve is moved forward relative to the connector body.

17. The connector of claim 15, wherein the fastener comprises a nut, wherein the nut comprises a first knurled portion and a second portion configured to receive a tool to tighten the fastener relative to a mating connector.

18. The connector of claim 15, further comprising an annular seal disposed about at least a portion of a collapsible section of the sleeve.

19. The connector of claim 15, wherein the compressible member comprises an annular wave washer configured to act between a rearward portion of the fastener and the body.

20. The connector of claim 15, further comprising a seal assembly detachably coupled to the sleeve.

21. The connector of claim 15, further comprising:

a center pin extension configured to receive a center conductor of the coaxial cable; and

a center pin guide configured to slidably guide the center pin extension within the connector body as the coaxial cable is received within the body, the center pin guide comprising an intermediate compliant portion configured to provide a retention force to removeably retain the center pin guide within the connector body.