Abstract:
A plug component for use with coaxial connector systems having a plug component and a threaded jack component is provided. This plug component includes a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact positioned around the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions; a body positioned around the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith; at least one biasing member positioned around the body, wherein the biasing member provides linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and a locking device positioned around the biasing member and the body, wherein the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for attaching the plug component to the jack component.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The described invention relates in general to connector systems for use with electronic devices, and more specifically to an improved plug for use with connector systems of the type commonly used to join cables together. 
   The Type N connector is a threaded connector used to join coaxial cables to one another. This connector was originally developed to provide a durable, weatherproof, medium-size radio frequency (RF) connector having consistent performance through 11 GHz and was one of the first connectors capable of carrying microwave-frequency signals. Currently, there are two basic families of Type N connectors: (i) the standard N (coaxial cable); and (ii) the corrugated N (helical and annular cable). The primary applications for these connectors are the termination of medium to miniature size coaxial cable, including RG-8, RG-58, RG-141, and RG-225. The N connector follows the MIL-C-39012 standard, defined by the US military, and comes in 50 and 75 ohm versions, the latter of which is used in the cable television industry. RF coaxial connectors are often considered to be the most important element in the “cable” system. 
   Current Type N connector systems include two basic components: a plug that utilizes a center pin (i.e., male gender); and a jack that utilizes a center socket (i.e., female gender), to which the plug is connected. Connecting these components to one another involves turning a collar included on the plug to engage threading included on the jack. Turning the collar typically involves the use of a somewhat unwieldy torque wrench. This wrench tightens the collar to a specific, predetermined torque value for ensuring that the ground plane has a proper connection. Because the use of the torque wrench is inconvenient, and may damage the plug if the wrench is improperly used, there is an ongoing need for an N connector system that does not require the use of a wrench. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The following provides a summary of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. This summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical aspects or elements of the present invention or to delineate its scope. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a connector system for use with coaxial cable is provided. This system includes a jack component and a plug component. The jack component further includes a first electrical contact; and a body for housing the first electrical contact, wherein the body further comprises a threaded area formed thereon. The plug component further includes: a second electrical contact adapted to engage the first electrical contact and establish a signal plane therewith; a third electrical contact circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the second electrical contact, wherein the third electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions formed at one end thereof; a body circumferentially disposed around at least a portion of the third electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the third electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith; at least one biasing member circumferentially disposed around the body, wherein the at least one biasing member provides axial force sufficient to urge the third electrical contact against the body of the jack component for forming a ground plane therewith; and a locking device circumferentially disposed around the biasing member and the body. A portion of the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for securely attaching the plug component to the jack component. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a plug component for use with connector systems having a plug component and a threaded jack component is provided. This plug component includes a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact positioned around the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions; a body positioned around the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith; at least one biasing member positioned around the body, wherein the biasing member provides linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and a locking device positioned around the biasing member and the body, wherein the locking device is adapted to mechanically engage the threaded area on the jack component for attaching the plug component to the jack component. 
   In yet another aspect of this invention, a plug component for use with coaxial connector systems having plug components and threaded jack components is provided. This plug component includes a first electrical contact; a second electrical contact positioned around the first electrical contact, wherein the second electrical contact further includes a plurality of outwardly-biased protrusions; a body positioned around the second electrical contact, wherein the body is adapted to receive the outwardly-biased protrusions formed on the second electrical contact and form a ground plane therewith; at least one biasing member positioned around the body, wherein the biasing member provides axial linear force sufficient to urge the second electrical contact against a jack component for maintaining a ground plane therewith; and a locking device positioned around the biasing member and the body. The locking device further includes a substantially cylindrical member having a plurality of flared grasping arms formed at one end thereof; and a moveable collar for engaging the plurality of grasping arms and applying radial compressive force thereto for securely attaching the plug component to the threaded jack component. 
   Additional features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, further embodiments of the invention are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and associated descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive in nature. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, schematically illustrate one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description given above and detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1A  is an exploded side view of a coaxial plug component in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled coaxial plug component of  FIG. 1A . 
       FIG. 1C  is a cross-sectional side view of the plug component of  FIG. 1A  mated with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 2A  is an exploded side view of a coaxial plug component in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled coaxial plug component of  FIG. 2A  showing the configuration of the plug component prior to the mating thereof with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled coaxial plug component of  FIG. 2A  showing the configuration of the plug component following the mating thereof with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional side view of the plug component of  FIG. 2A  mated with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 3A  is an exploded side view of a coaxial plug component in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled coaxial plug component of  FIG. 3A  showing the configuration of the plug component prior to the mating thereof with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional side view of the assembled coaxial plug component of  FIG. 3A  showing the configuration of the plug component following the mating thereof with a coaxial jack component. 
       FIG. 3D  is a cross-sectional side view of the plug component of  FIG. 3A  mated with a coaxial jack component. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the Figures. Reference numerals are used throughout the detailed description to refer to the various elements and structures. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form for purposes of simplifying the description. Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. 
   The present invention relates to a manual, single motion, snap-on plug component for use with a connector system. As previously indicated, a first general embodiment of this invention provides a coaxial connector system; a second general embodiment of this invention provides a plug component for use with a coaxial connector system; and a third general embodiment of this invention also provides a plug component for use with a coaxial connector system. With reference now to the Figures, one or more specific embodiments of this invention shall be described in greater detail. 
   With reference now to the Figures,  FIGS. 1A-C  provide various illustrative views of a connector system and plug component in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, plug component  100  includes rear body  110 , center pin contact  120 , dielectric material  130 , body  140 , lock washer  150 , outer contact  160 , collar  170 , spring  180 , and locking member  190 . One side of rear body  110  is adapted to receive center contact  120  and the other side of rear body  110  is crimped to the braid of a coaxial wire and secured with a ferrule. Crimping rear body  110  to the coaxial wire transfers the ground plane (see discussion below). Center contact  120  provides the signal path and is typically manufactured from conductive copper or other metals with properties similar to copper. Center contact  120  is typically soldered or crimped to a coaxial cable and is usually plated with a conductive material such as gold, silver, or nickel. The dielectric constant of dielectric material  130 , which is typically plastic or a similar material, establishes consistent impedance throughout plug component  100  and provides a bearing surface for center contact  120 . Cylindrical body  140  provides a mounting substrate for moveable collar  170  and locking member  190 . Cylindrical outer contact  160  provides a ground plane connection for plug component  100  and in this embodiment, outer contact  160  includes plurality of spring arms  162 . Spring arms  162  push radially outward against body  140  to transfer the ground plane through body  140  to the coaxial wire to which plug  100  is connected. Outer contact  160  is typically manufactured from a spring temper that includes phosphor bronze and/or beryllium copper and is plated with a conductive coating that may include gold, silver, nickel, and white bronze. As best shown in  FIG. 1B , spring  180  and lock washer  150  are circumferentially disposed around outer contact  160  when plug component  100  is properly assembled. 
     FIG. 1C  illustrates a connector system that includes plug component  100  and jack component  10 . Jack component  10  includes a body having an outer threaded portion  12  and an inner, air-containing chamber  16 , which houses center socket contact  14 , dielectric material  18 , and rear body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , when plug component  100  and jack component  10  are mated, a plurality of flared grasping arms  192 , which are formed at one end of locking member  190 , snap into the individual threads of threaded portion  12 . Collar  170  slides forward over locking member  190  for providing radial compressive force to grasping arms  192  and securely attaching plug component  100  to jack component  10 . Spring  180 , which may be a wave spring or other type of biasing member, is compressed when jack component  10  is inserted into plug component  100 . In this embodiment, spring  180  acts directly against lock washer  150  and urges outer contact  160  forward and against the body of jack component  10  for forming an efficient ground plane therewith. In this manner, spring  180  simulates, in a linear manner, the radial torque force provided by a traditional threaded connector. 
     FIGS. 2A-D  provide several views of a connector system and plug component in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, plug component  200  includes rear body  210 , center pin contact  220 , dielectric material  230 , body  240 , retainer  250 , outer contact  260 , collar  270 , biasing member or spring  280 , and locking member  290 . One side of rear body  210  is adapted to receive center contact  220  and the other side of rear body  210  is crimped to the braid of a coaxial wire and secured with a ferrule. Crimping rear body  210  to the coaxial wire transfers the ground plane. Center contact  220  provides the signal path and is typically manufactured from conductive copper or other metals with properties similar to copper. Center contact  220  is typically soldered or crimped to a coaxial cable and is usually plated with a conductive material such as gold, silver, or nickel. The dielectric constant of dielectric material  230 , which is typically plastic or a similar material, establishes consistent impedance throughout plug component  200  and provides a bearing surface for center contact  260 . Cylindrical body  240  provides a mounting substrate for moveable collar  270  and locking member  290 . Cylindrical outer contact  260  provides the ground plane connection for plug component  200  and in this embodiment, outer contact  260  includes plurality of flared spring arms  262 . Spring arms  262  push radially outward against the inner surface of jack  12  to transfer the ground plane through body  240  to the coaxial wire to which plug  200  is connected. Outer contact  260  is typically manufactured from a spring temper that includes phosphor bronze and/or beryllium copper and is plated with a conductive coating that may include gold, silver, nickel, and white bronze. As best shown in  FIGS. 2B-C , spring  280  and retainer  250  are circumferentially disposed around body  240  when plug component  200  is properly assembled. 
     FIG. 2D  illustrates a connector system that includes plug component  200  and jack component  10 . Jack component  10  includes a body having an outer threaded portion and an inner, air-containing chamber  16 , which houses center socket contact  14 , dielectric material  18 , and rear body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2D , when plug component  200  and jack component  10  are mated, a plurality of outwardly flared grasping arms  292 , which are formed at one end of locking member  290  snap into the individual threads of threaded portion  12 . Locking member  290  may be manufactured from phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or other similar metals. Collar  270  moves or slides forward over locking member  290  for providing radial compressive force to grasping arms  292  and securely attaching plug component  200  to jack component  10 . Spring  280 , which may be a crest-to-crest wave spring or other type of biasing member, is compressed when jack component  10  is inserted into plug component  200  (see  FIG. 2C ). In this embodiment, spring  280  acts directly against retainer  250  and urges outer contact  260  forward and against the body of jack component  10  for forming an efficient ground plane therewith. In this manner, spring  280  simulates, in a linear manner, the radial torque force provided by a traditional threaded connector without actually involving the use of a torque wrench. 
     FIGS. 3A-D  provide several views of a connector system and plug component in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, plug component  300  includes rear body  310 , center pin contact  320 , dielectric material  330 , body  340 , retainer  350 , outer contact  360 , collar  370 , biasing member or spring  380 , and locking member  390 . One side of rear body  310  is adapted to receive center contact  320  and the other side of rear body  310  is crimped to the braid of a coaxial wire and secured with a ferrule. Crimping rear body  310  to the coaxial wire transfers the ground plane. Center contact  320  provides the signal path and is typically manufactured from conductive copper or other metals with properties similar to copper. Center contact  320  is typically soldered or crimped to a coaxial cable and is usually plated with a conductive material such as gold, silver, or nickel. The dielectric constant of dielectric material  330 , which is typically plastic or a similar material, establishes consistent impedance throughout plug component  300  and provides a bearing surface for center contact  320 . Cylindrical body  340  provides a mounting substrate for moveable collar  370  and locking member  390 . Cylindrical outer contact  360  provides the ground plane connection for plug component  300  and in this embodiment, outer contact  360  includes both a solid portion and a plurality of individual spring arms  362  that engage body  340  in a “floating” manner. The length of spring arms  362  allows outer contact  360  to make sufficient contact with body  340  and transmit the ground plane regardless of improper or less than ideal mating between plug component  300  and jack component  10 . Outer contact  360  is typically manufactured from a spring temper that includes phosphor bronze and/or beryllium copper and is plated with a conductive coating that may include gold, silver, nickel, and/or white bronze. As best shown in  FIGS. 3B-C , spring  380  and retainer  350  are circumferentially disposed around body  340  when plug component  300  is properly assembled. 
     FIG. 3D  illustrates a connector system that includes plug component  300  and jack component  10 . Jack component  10  includes a body having an outer threaded portion and an inner chamber  16 , which houses center socket contact  14 , dielectric material  18 , and rear body  20 . As shown in  FIG. 3D , when plug component  300  and jack component  10  are mated, a plurality of outwardly flared grasping arms  392 , which are formed at one end of locking member  390  snap into the individual threads of threaded portion  12 . Locking member  390  may be manufactured from phosphor bronze, beryllium copper, or other similar metals. Collar  370  is then moved or slid forward over locking member  390  for providing radial compressive force to grasping arms  392  for securely attaching plug component  300  to jack component  10 . Thus, locking member  390  and collar  370  cooperate with one another to provide a locking device. Spring  380 , which may be a crest-to-crest wave spring or similar biasing device, is compressed when jack component  10  is inserted into plug component  300  (see  FIG. 3C ). In this embodiment, spring  380  acts directly against retainer  350  and urges outer contact  360  forward and against the body of jack component  10  for forming an efficient ground plane therewith. In this manner, spring  380  simulates, in a linear manner, the radial torque force provided by a traditional threaded connector without actually involving the use of a torque wrench. 
   While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of exemplary embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in certain detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to any of the specific details, representative devices and methods, and/or illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.