COAXIAL CONNECTOR WITH GROUNDING AND RETENTION

A cable connector including: a body; a nose having a forward nose portion, a rearward nose portion that is configured to be coupled with the body, and a recessed nose portion; a coupler configured to be coupled with the forward nose portion; a conductor configured to be supported in the body and the nose portion; and a biasing portion configured to be received in the recessed nose portion. The coupler is configured to be rotatably coupled to the nose; and the biasing portion is configured to biasingly provide an electrical ground path between the nose and the coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to connectors for terminating coaxial cable. More particularly, the present invention relates to axially compressible connectors for coaxial cables that provides a secure ground connection and retains a coupler to a post.

Coaxial cables are commonly used in the cable television industry to carry cable TV signals to television sets in homes, businesses, and other locations.

Exemplary flexible coaxial cables include a solid wire core or inner conductor, typically of copper or copper-clad aluminum, surrounded by a flexible tubular outer conductor. The outer conductor is also usually made of woven copper or aluminum. Dielectric material or insulation separates the inner and outer conductors. The outer conductor is covered with a cable jacket or sheath of plastic to provide protection against corrosion and weathering.

The ability of a connector to make a solid ground connection to the outer conductor of a device is required to achieve long term performance as well as facilitate proper signal transmission through the connector with minimal loss or disruption of the signal. It may be desirable to provide a connector that provides a secure contact between outer conductors in drop connectors and in coaxial connections to devices such as cable TV boxes, modems, and the like.

Threaded swivel cable connectors have been employed to provide a way to connect a cable to an interface port or other device without introducing a twist into the cable. These and other connectors can provide an electrically conductive connection between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and a coupler of the connector. However, this electrically conductive connection can be compromised by a poor contact between a housing of the coupler and other parts of the connector.

It may be desirable to provide a connector that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of connectors. That is, it may be desirable to provide a connector having a wave shaped biasing portion that is configured to provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, a wave shaped biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical ground path between a nose portion and a coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a coaxial cable connector including: a connector body having a rearward cable receiving end and a forward end opposite the rearward cable receiving end; a nose portion having a rearward end and a forward end, wherein the rearward end is configured to be coupled with the forward end of the connector body; a coupler configured to be coupled with the forward end of the nose portion; a post disposed within at least a portion of the connector body and the nose portion; and a wave shaped biasing portion configured to be received by at least a portion of a receiving groove in an outer surface at the forward end of the nose portion.

In embodiments, the coupler is configured to be rotatably coupled to the nose portion.

In embodiments, the coupler has an inward radial protrusion configured to extend radially inwardly, and the inward radial protrusion has a forward radial wall and a rearward radial wall.

In embodiments, the wave shaped biasing portion has a front radial side and a rear radial side and is configured to form less than a complete circle.

In embodiments, the wave shaped biasing portion is configured to have an undulating shape when not axially compressed such that the front and rear radial sides of the first wave spring are not planar surfaces.

In embodiments, the front and rear radial sides of the wave shaped biasing portion are parallel.

In embodiments, the wave shaped biasing portion is configured to have an inner diameter that is less than an outer diameter of the receiving groove when the wave shaped biasing portion is not mounted in the receiving groove.

In embodiments, wherein the wave shaped biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

In embodiments, the wave shaped biasing portion comprises a wave spring and further comprising a second wave shaped biasing portion that is configured to be received in the receiving groove.

In embodiments, the second wave shaped biasing portion includes a front radial side and a rear radial side and is configured to form less than a complete circle.

In embodiments, the second wave shaped biasing portion is configured to have an undulating shape when at rest such that the front and real radial sides of the second wave shaped biasing portion are not planar surfaces.

In embodiments, the front and rear radial sides of the second wave shaped biasing portion are parallel.

In embodiments, the second wave shaped biasing portion is configured to have an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the receiving groove when the second wave spring is not mounted in the receiving groove.

In embodiments, the second wave shaped biasing portion is configured such that a portion of the rear radial side of the second wave shaped biasing portion contacts the forward radial wall of the inward radial protrusion while simultaneously a portion of the front radial side of the second wave shaped biasing portion contacts a forward radial wall of the receiving groove so as to retain the coupler on the connector body.

In embodiments, the second wave shaped biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a coaxial cable connector including: a body portion having a rearward cable receiving body portion and a forward body portion opposite the rearward cable receiving body portion; a nose portion having a rearward nose portion configured to be coupled with the forward body portion and a forward nose portion that includes an outer nose surface that is configured to form a recessed nose portion; a coupler portion configured to be coupled with the forward nose portion; a conductor portion that is configured to be supported in at least a portion the connector body portion and the nose portion; and a biasing portion configured to be received in the recessed nose portion.

In embodiments, the coupler portion is configured to be rotatably coupled to the nose portion.

In embodiments, the coupler portion includes an inward radially protruding coupler portion that is configured to protrude radially inwardly.

In embodiments, the biasing portion is configured to have an undulating shape when not axially compressed.

In embodiments, the biasing portion includes a front biasing portion that is configured to contact the protrusion portion during operation of the connector and a rear biasing portion that is configured to contact the recess during operation of the connector.

In embodiments, the biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler portion so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler portion when the coupler portion is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler portion is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler portion is fully tightened to the interface port.

In embodiments, the biasing portion comprises a wave spring and is configured to have an inner diameter that is configured to be less than an outer diameter of the recessed nose portion when the biasing portion is not mounted in the recessed nose portion.

In embodiments, the front biasing portion and the rear biasing portion are configured to extent parallel to each other during operation of the biasing portion.

In embodiments, the protrusion portion includes a rearward radial wall protrusion portion and the front biasing portion is configured to contact the rearward radial wall protrusion portion so as to retain the coupler portion on the body portion during operation of the connector.

In embodiments, the biasing portion includes a front radial biasing side portion and a rear radial biasing side portion, and wherein the biasing portion is configured to form less than a complete circle.

In embodiments, the front radial biasing side portion and the rear radial biasing side portion of the biasing portion comprise non-planar surfaces.

In embodiments, the recessed nose portion comprises a groove.

In embodiments, the conductor portion comprises a post.

In embodiments, the biasing portion comprises a wave spring.

In embodiments, the biasing portion comprises a first biasing portion and further comprising a second biasing portion configured to be received in the recessed nose portion.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion includes a second front biasing portion and a second rear biasing portion, and the second biasing portion is configured to form an undulating shape when not axially compressed, and wherein the second rear biasing portion is configured to contact the protrusion portion while the second front biasing portion contacts the recessed nose portion so as to retain the coupler portion on the body portion.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion is configured to biasingly provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler portion so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler portion when the coupler portion is not connected to the interface port, when the coupler portion is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler portion is fully tightened to the interface port.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion comprises a wave spring.

In embodiments, the front biasing portion is configured to contact the protrusion portion during operation of the connector and the rear biasing portion is configured to simultaneously contact the recess during operation of the connector.

Embodiments of the disclosure include a cable connector including: a body portion having a forward body portion; a nose portion having a forward nose portion, a rearward nose portion that is configured to be coupled with the forward body portion, and a recessed nose portion; a coupler portion configured to be coupled with the forward nose portion; a conductor portion configured to be supported in at least part of the body portion and the nose portion; and a biasing portion configured to be received in at least a part of the recessed nose portion.

In embodiments, the coupler portion is configured to be rotatably coupled to the nose portion.

In embodiments, the biasing portion is configured to biasingly provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler portion so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler portion when the coupler portion is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler portion is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler portion is fully tightened to the interface port.

In embodiments, the coupler portion includes a protruding coupler portion that is configured to protrude in a radially inwardly direction.

In embodiments, the conductor portion comprises a recessed conductor portion.

In embodiments, the biasing portion includes a front biasing portion and a rear biasing portion, and the biasing portion is configured such that the front biasing portion is configured to contact the protruding coupler portion while the rear biasing portion is configured to contact the recessed nose portion so as to retain the coupler portion on the body portion.

In embodiments, the biasing portion is configured to have an undulating shape when not axially compressed.

In embodiments, the biasing portion comprises a first biasing portion and further comprising a second biasing portion that configured to be received in the recessed nose portion.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion is configured to have an undulating shape when not axially compressed.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion is configured to biasingly provide an electrical ground path between the nose portion and the coupler portion so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the coupler portion when the coupler portion is not connected to the interface port, when the coupler portion is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler portion is fully tightened to the interface port.

In embodiments, the second biasing portion comprises a wave spring.

In embodiments, the forward nose portion comprises the recessed nose portion.

Various aspects of the coaxial connector, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this disclosure, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In embodiments, a wave shaped biasing portion is configured to provide an electrical ground path between a nose portion and a coupler so as to improve an electrically conductive connection between an outer conductor of a coaxial cable and the coupler when the coupler is not connected to an interface port, when the coupler is loosely coupled to the interface port, and when the coupler is fully tightened to the interface port.

FIG.1shows a perspective view of an exemplary connector assembly10in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated.FIG.2shows a magnified view of the portion ofFIG.1marked as “A”. The connector10includes a body or body portion100and a coupler or coupler portion200that are configured to be connected to one another while providing both an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. In an assembled position, as shown inFIG.1, the coupler200has internal threads230configured to be threaded onto an interface port300(shown inFIGS.3and4) to couple the connector assembly10with the interface port300such that an electrical and mechanical connection is securely maintained.

FIG.1shows an example of various features of the connector assembly10. As shown inFIG.1, a compression portion102, for example, a compression sleeve or ring, at a rearward end of the connector100has an opening configured to receive a coaxial cable. The coaxial cable generally includes a solid center conductor typically formed from a conductive metal, such as copper, copper clad aluminum, copper clad steel, or the like capable of conducting electrical signals therethrough. Surrounding the cable center conductor is a cable dielectric, which insulates the cable center conductor to minimize signal loss. The cable dielectric also maintains a spacing between the cable center conductor and a cable outer conductor or shield. The cable dielectric is often a plastic material, such as a polyethylene, a fluorinated plastic material, such as a polyethylene or a polytetrafluoroethylene, a fiberglass braid, or the like. The cable shield or outer conductor is typically flexible and made of metal, such as aluminum or copper braid. An insulative cable jacket may surround the cable outer conductor to further seal the coaxial cable. The cable jacket is typically made of plastic, such as polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

The connector100includes a plurality of components generally having a coaxial configuration about an axis defined by the center conductor of the coaxial cable. A nose portion106receives a post112in an axial bore from a rearward direction which is opposite to the coupler200. The nose portion106is an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The post112is an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass, or the like and has a cylindrical portion134that extends in the rearward direction and includes an axial bore110. The post112has a flange136that is configured to engage the inner wall of the nose portion106. The flange136provides additional surface area of electrical contact with the nose portion106. The cylindrical portion134extends rearward from the flange136. In embodiments, an outer body portion104is axially and radially fixed to the post112. In embodiments, the outer body portion104is snap fit over a head of the post112and then the post112is press fit to the nose portion106. The cylindrical portion134has an engagement feature114along a portion of its length. When the coaxial cable is inserted into connector100, the cylindrical portion134penetrates the coaxial cable between the cable dielectric and the cable outer conductor or shield and the engagement feature114grips the cable outer conductor or shield. In an assembled state, the cylindrical portion134forms an electrically conductive connection with the outer conductor or shield.

The outer body104extends partially into the nose portion106and is limited in movement relative to the nose portion106in the axial direction. A knurled or other engaging interface can exist between the outer body104and the post112to prevent the post112from rotating relative to the outer body104.

The compression ring102extends axially partially onto the outer body104. The connector100includes a pin118that is received in a dielectric insulator116that is located in the nose portion106. The pin118has a center conductor connector130(such as a Mill-Max connector) configured to receive and make an electrically conductive connection with the cable center conductor of the coaxial cable. In an assembled state, the cable center conductor extends into a bore120of the pin118.

During connection of the coaxial cable to the connector100, the coaxial cable is inserted into the opening in the compression ring102and into contact with the post112. The leading edge of the cylindrical portion134separates the cable outer conductor or shield from the cable dielectric. As the coaxial cable is further inserted into the connector100, the cable center conductor enters the center conductor connector130and the bore120. In the assembled state, an electrically conductive path is formed from the cable center conductor through center conductor connector130and pin118. In the assembled state, an electrically conductive path is formed from the cable outer conductor or shield through the post112and the nose portion106.

In the example shown inFIG.1, an O-ring140is located between the outer body104and the nose portion106to provide additional protection from moisture and other contaminants.FIG.2shows a magnified view of the portion ofFIG.1marked as “A”. Referring toFIG.2, an O-ring150is located between the coupler200and the nose portion106to provide additional protection from moisture and other contaminants. The coupler200has a main body202that includes an inward radial protrusion204that extends from the main body202in an inward radial direction. The nose portion106has a lip166at its forward end that extends radially outward. An inner diameter of the inward radial protrusion204is at least as large as an outer diameter of the lip166of the nose portion106such that the lip166is adapted to pass through the inward radial protrusion204when the coupler main body202is assembled to the nose portion106. The nose portion106has an end surface170at its forward end (described in more detail below).

Also shown inFIG.2are a first biasing member410, for example, a first wave spring, and a second biasing member420, for example, a second wave spring. In the illustrated embodiment, the first wave spring410is located in an area206in the main body202, and the second wave spring420is located in an area208in the main body202. In this example, an inner diameter of the wave springs410,420is less than an outer diameter of a cylindrical portion160of the nose portion106. In an exemplary assembly process, the first wave spring410is pressed over the lip166on onto the cylindrical portion160. The forwards end of the nose portion (with the first wave spring410) is then pushed through the opening surrounded by the inward radial protrusion204. The second wave spring402is then pressed over the lip166onto the cylindrical portion160such that the inward radial protrusion204is located between the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420, as shown inFIG.2. This configuration results in the coupler200being mechanically and electrically connected to the nose portion106.

FIG.3shows a perspective view of the connector assembly10in an assembled state with the interface port300.FIG.4shows a magnified view of the portion ofFIG.3marked as “B”. The connector assembly10and the interface port300are configured to be removably connected to one another while providing both an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween. In an assembled position, as shown inFIG.3, the coupler200of the connector100is threaded onto the interface port300to hold the connector100and the interface port300together such that the electrical and mechanical connection is securely maintained. A “loosely coupled” state is understood to mean that the coupler200is partially coupled to the interface port300, but not completely tightened to the interface port300. A “fully tightened” state is understood to mean that the coupler200is completely tightened to the interface port300such as, for example, a threaded connection between the coupler200and the interface port300being tightened until an end of the interface port300contacts the end170of the nose portion106and the second wave spring420is compressed to a state where the radial sides of the second wave spring are planar.

WhileFIGS.1and2show the coupler200in an uncompressed state,FIGS.3and4show the coupler200in a compressed state. A careful comparison ofFIGS.2and4shows that inFIG.4the second wave spring420is compressed between a radial surface168of the lip166(seeFIG.7) and the inward radial protrusion204, while inFIG.2space exists between the second wave spring420and the inward radial protrusion204. The compressed state shown inFIGS.3and4is caused by the end170of the nose portion106being pushed to the right in the Figures by the interface port300. The undulating shape of the wave springs410,420minimizes the surface contact between radial surfaces (412,414,422,424, shown inFIGS.5and6) of the wave springs and the surfaces they contact. This minimal contact reduces the force required to tighten the coupler200to the nose portion106. WhileFIGS.3and4do not show details of the internal structure of the interface port300, it is noted that one or more internal structures of the interface port300press against the end170of the nose portion106when the coupler main body202is threaded onto the interface port300. This pressure on the end170of the nose portion106results in the nose portion106being moved to the right inFIGS.3and4relative to the coupler main body202, thus compressing the second wave spring420as shown inFIGS.3and4.

FIG.5shows an example of the first wave spring410having two radial surfaces412and414. In this example, the first wave spring410has a gap416that allows the first wave spring410to be expanded outwardly to, for example, allow the first wave spring410to be pressed over the lip166of the nose portion106during assembly.FIG.6shows an example of the second wave spring420having two radial surfaces422and424, and a gap426. In the example shown inFIGS.1-4, the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420are identical. In other examples, the first wave spring410is a different size and/or shape from the second wave spring420.

FIG.7is a partial perspective view of the forward end of the nose portion106.FIG.7shows the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420in position on the cylindrical portion160of the nose portion106. In this example, the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420contact a surface162of the cylindrical portion160along their entire inner surfaces such that a secure electrically conductive connection is made between both wave springs410,420and the cylindrical portion160(and thus the nose portion106). Also shown inFIG.7is a radial surface164of the nose portion106that forms a wall of the area206shown inFIGS.2and4.

FIG.8is a partial sectional perspective view of the forward end of the nose portion106and the coupler main body202in an assembled, uncompressed, state (as shown inFIGS.1and2).FIG.8shows the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420in position on the cylindrical portion160of the nose portion106. As inFIG.7, the first wave spring410and the second wave spring420contact the surface162of the cylindrical portion160along their entire inner surfaces. Also shown inFIG.8is the second wave spring420not contacting the radial surface168of the lip166. For clarity, O-ring150is not shown inFIG.8.

The described embodiments provide various advantages including a simple and reliable connection that provides a secure conductivity path from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the coupler200. The described embodiments provide this connection while also allowing connection without introducing a twist into the coaxial cable.

Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.