Abstract:
A connector is provided including first and second connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors. A insert interposes the spring-biased fingers of an outer conductor basket of one of the connectors to prevent damage to the fingers in an unassembled condition/state, thereby ensuring electrical connectivity of the fingers in an assembled condition/state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional patent application of, and claims the benefit and priority of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/162,029 filed on May 15, 2015. The entire contents of such application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Telecommunications systems often employ hardline connectors for data transfer between telecom components, e.g., a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) and a telecommunications sector antenna. These hardline connectors often employ an arrangement of spring-biased fingers/elements for making the requisite electrical connections, e.g., signal or electrical ground connections, from one connector to an opposing connector. One type of connector, known as a Mini-Din Connector, employs a multi-fingered inner conductor socket surrounded by a multi-fingered outer connector basket which receive an inner conductor pin and an outer conductor sleeve, respectively, of an adjoining/opposing connector. 
         [0003]    The geometric similarity between connectors, in combination with the difficulty associated with physically making a connection, i.e., fifty (50) feet in the air, can cause Linemen to improperly/incorrectly join connectors. While improperly-mated connectors will not affect a viable telecommunications connection, an attempt to join the connectors can damage or, otherwise distort, at least one of the conductors. Particularly vulnerable are the fingers of the outer conductor basket. That is, should connectors be forcibly joined, the outer conductor sleeve of one connector can plastically deform the outer conductor basket of the Mini-Din connector. Inasmuch as the connector is often an integral component of an electronic component, i.e., the Remote Radio Unit, a seemingly small amount of damage to the integral connector can incapacitate a very costly piece of telecommunications equipment, e.g., ranging from 20K to 40K dollars, to replace. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need to overcome, or otherwise lessen the effects of, the disadvantages and shortcomings described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of Mini-Din 4.3-10 connector comprising (i) a first connector portion comprising a multi-fingered inner conductor socket surrounded by multi-fingered outer conductor basket, (ii) a second connector portion comprising an inner conductor pin surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve, and (iii) a collapsible protective insert disposed over the outer conductor basket inhibiting plastic deformation of the basket fingers to protect and support the outer conductor basket should a connector be improperly insert into the basket. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, partially broken away and sectioned view of the Mini-Din connector in an unassembled condition wherein an upper retention ring of the collapsible protective insert surrounds, protects, and supports the spring-biased fingers of the outer conductor basket. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partially broken away and sectioned view of the Mini-Din connector in a fully-assembled condition wherein the ring portion of the protective insert collapses downwardly or inwardly to allow the outer conductor basket fingers of the first connector portion to engage the outer conductor sleeve of the second connector portion. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of another embodiment of the Mini-Din 4.3-10 connector wherein a static insert is disposed over the inner conductor socket and into the outer conductor basket to block the ingress of an improperly-sized connector and the potential for damage to the basket fingers. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged, partially broken away and sectioned view of the Mini-Din connector in an unassembled condition wherein radial supports members project from an inner ring surrounding the inner conductor socket to the outer conductor basket fingers, the radial support members blocking the entrance of an improperly-sized outer conductor sleeve. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged, partially broken away and sectioned view of the Mini-Din connector in a fully-assembled condition wherein an outer conductor sleeve of the first connector portion slides axially past and along the outer peripheral edge of the radial support members to connect the first and second portions of the Mini-Din connector. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A connector is provided including first and second connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors. A insert interposes the spring-biased fingers of an outer conductor basket of one of the connectors to prevent damage to the fingers in an unassembled condition/state, thereby ensuring electrical connectivity of the fingers in an assembled condition/state. In one embodiment, a collapsible protective insert includes an insert ring disposed around the spring-biased fingers and a plurality of spiral springs projecting axially from one side of the insert ring. In an unassembled condition/state, the spiral springs maintain the position of the insert ring relative to the spring-biased fingers to mitigate plastic deformation of the fingers in a radially outboard direction. In an assembled condition/state, the spiral springs nest with the insert ring in response to a compressive load applied to the other side of the insert ring as the first and second connector portions are coupled. 
         [0013]    In another embodiment, a static insert comprises a plurality of radial members projecting from an inner ring disposed around an inner conductor of the first connector. In this embodiment, a radial gap is produced between an outer peripheral edge of the radial members and the compliant fingers of the first connector. In an unassembled condition/state, the static insert prevents ingress of an improperly-sized outer conductor sleeve. In an assembled condition, a cylindrical sleeve of the second connector slides into the radial gap to make electrical contact with the spring-biased fingers of the first connector. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following describes a Mini-DIN connector and a protective insert for mitigating damage to the multi-fingered spring-biased outer conductor basket of the Mini-DIN connector. While the insert is particularly useful for Mini-DIN connectors, it should be appreciated that the protective insert, and the teachings associate therewith are applicable to a wide-variety of telecommunications/signal connectors. The protective insert  20  of the present disclosure has utility when the Mini-DIN Connector is unassembled, or is being prepared for assembly. Specifically, the insert  20  prevents damage to a Mini-DIN connector, i.e., one half of the connector, in the event that a connector of a different size or variety is forcibly urged into engagement with the Mini-DIN connector. As such, a costly error may be obviated through the use of the protective insert. 
         [0015]    In  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a connector  10  is depicted including first and second connectors  12  and  14  each having an inner conductor  16  and an outer conductor  18 . An insert  20  is disposed in combination with the internal conductor  16  to protect the conductor  16  in an unassembled condition/state to ensure the connectivity of the conductor  16  with an opposing conductor (not seen in the perspective view shown) in an assembled condition/state. In the described embodiment and referring to  FIG. 2 , the connector is a mini-DIN connector  10  having a multi-fingered inner conductor socket  24  and a multi-fingered outer conductor basket  26 . A mini-DIN connector of the type described may have an impedance of about fifty Ohms (50Ω) with a frequency range of between about one Kilo-Hertz (0.1 GHz) to about six Giga-Hertz (6 GHz.) Such mini-DIN connectors are available for purchase under the model designations 4.1/9.5 mini-DIN from JMA Wireless Inc., located in Liverpool, state of New York. 
         [0016]    The individual fingers  30  of the inner conductor socket  24  are spring-biased inwardly such that the fingers  30  of the socket  24  may collectively capture or frictionally engage an inner conductor pin  40  of the second connector  14 . The individual fingers  32  of the outer conductor basket  26  are spring-biased outwardly such that the fingers  32  of the basket  26  may collectively capture or frictionally engage an outer conductor sleeve  44  of the second connector  14 . The outer conductor sleeve  44  defines an annular opening or space between the female threads  42  of the second connector  14  and the radially outboard peripheral surface of the outer conductor sleeve  44 . The annular opening receives and accommodates the male threads  46  of the outer conductor  18 . More specifically, the male-threaded outer conductor  18  of the first connector  12  threadably axially engages the female-threaded outer conductor sleeve  45  of the second connector  14 . As the male-threaded outer conductor  18  of the first connector  12  engages the female-threaded outer conductor sleeve  45  of the second connector  14 , the connectors are sealed from moisture/FOD by inner and outer O-rings  21 ,  23 . The inner O-ring  21  seals the mating interface between the radially outboard peripheral surface of the first conductor  18  while the outer O-ring  23  seals the mating interface between the radial inboard peripheral surface of the second connector  14 . 
         [0017]    In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the insert  20  comprises a collapsible protective insert  20  having an insert ring  34  and a plurality of spiral spring fingers  36  projecting to one side of the insert ring  34 . In the described embodiment, the protective insert  20  is fabricated from a non-conductive (i.e., low-dielectric), low modulus, plastic, thermoplastic, or phenolic material which may be injection or blow molded. The spiral spring fingers  36  are integrally formed with the insert ring  34  such that the spiral springs  36  project at an angle relative to a geometric plane defined by the insert ring  34 . Specifically, each spiral spring defines an angle within a range of between about five degrees (5°) to about forty-five degrees (45°). 
         [0018]    In an unassembled condition/state, shown in  FIG. 2 , the spiral spring fingers  36  maintain the position and planar orientation of the insert ring  34  relative to the fingers  32  of the outer conductor basket  18 . The insert ring  34  may be positioned to circumscribe the outwardly biased fingers  32  proximal to the tip end of each spring-biased finger  32 , or positioned immediately below the shouldered lip  38  of each spring-biased finger  32 . In one embodiment, the diameter of the insert ring  34  is less than the diameter collectively defined by the lips  38  of the spring-biased fingers  32 . As such, the protective insert  20  is axially retained by the fingers  30  inasmuch as the geometry of the insert ring  32 , i.e., the diameter of the insert ring  32  vs. the radius of the spring fingers  30 , inhibits axial displacement in one direction, i.e., in an outward direction, past the shouldered lip  38  of each spring-biased finger  32 . Furthermore, the free-end of each spring-biased finger  32  may engage the annular base  39  of the outer conductor basket  18  to urge the insert ring  32  against the shouldered lip  38 . As such, the spring-biased fingers  32  produce a preload to prevent the protective insert from becoming dislodged from the first connector  12 . This configuration also facilitates assembly, and shipping/handling of the connector inasmuch as the insert  20  may be snapped into position, i.e., trapped by the shouldered lip  38  and the annular base  39 , in advance of shipping. 
         [0019]    In the unassembled condition or state, an improperly-mated connector may forcibly urge the spring-biased fingers  32  in a radially outboard direction. The insert ring  34  limits the motion of the spring-biased fingers  32  such that the displacement remains within the elastic range of the material properties, i.e., the material used to fabricate the spring-fingers  32 . In an assembled condition, the spiral springs  36  nest with the insert ring  34  in response to a compressive load applied to the other side of the ring  34  as the first and second connectors  12 ,  14  are coupled. As such, the shouldered lip  38  of each spring-biased finger  32  may electrically and mechanically couple the first and second connectors  12 ,  14 . 
         [0020]    In  FIGS. 4-6 , another embodiment of the connector  10  is illustrated wherein a motion-inhibiting static insert or stop  50  is disposed between the inner and outer conductors  16 ,  18  of the first and second connectors  12 ,  14 . The static insert  50  includes: (i) a central hub  56  disposed about the inner conductor  16  of the first connector  12 , (ii) a plurality of radial members  54  projecting from the inner ring  56 , and (iii) an outer ring disposed within a radial gap  60  (see  FIG. 5 ) between the outwardly biased spring fingers  32  of the inner conductor basket  18  and the male-threaded outer conductor portion of the first connector  12 . In this embodiment, the static insert  50  includes four (4) radial members  54 , however, the insert  50  may include as few as two (2) and as many as six (6) radial members  54 . Generally, the number should prevent a mismatched or improper connector (not shown) from inadvertently being insert in the radial area  64  between the hub  56  and the outer conductor basket  18 . Accordingly, at least one radial member  54  projects from the hub  56  and has a radial dimension which is selectively sized to prevent at least partial insertion of one of the connectors  12 ,  14  into the other of the connectors  12 ,  14 . 
         [0021]    As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, in an unassembled condition/state, the protective insert  50  prevents ingress of an improperly-sized outer conductor sleeve (not shown). That is, by inhibiting the inadvertent insertion of an improperly-sized outer conductor, the outwardly projecting spring fingers  32  cannot be plastically deformed in direction causing permanent connector damage. In an assembled condition, a cylindrical sleeve  44  of the second connector  14  slides into the radial gap  60  between the outwardly biased spring fingers  30  and the outer conductor sleeve to make electrical and mechanical contact with the spring-biased fingers  18  of the first connector  12 . 
         [0022]    The insert  50  inhibits insertion within the radial space  64  such that damage to the spring-biased fingers  18  cannot occur. The insert  50  can remain in place until the spring-biased fingers  18  can no longer properly engage or reliably capture the second connector  14 . 
         [0023]    Additional embodiments include any one of the embodiments described above, where one or more of its components, functionalities or structures is interchanged with, replaced by or augmented by one or more of the components, functionalities or structures of a different embodiment described above. 
         [0024]    It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 
         [0025]    Although several embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come to mind to which the disclosure pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein above, and that many modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims which follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the present disclosure, nor the claims which follow.