Coaxial connector having a spring with tynes deflectable by a mating connector

A male coaxial cable connector includes spring with tines and a fastener wherein the spring is housed by the fastener and distal ends of the spring tines are arranged to provide a spring mouth.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The interface between male and female coaxial connectors requires good contact of the outer shield in order to both pass the RF signals with integrity as well as to not allow outside signals to penetrate the cable. This is solved in a variety of ways with RF coaxial connectors. One method used on such connectors as a BNC is to spring-load the grounding components of male and female side. Another method uses threaded male female interfaces requiring precise tightening to set torque levels to insure proper operation. It has been found to maintain the required RF performance that this threaded method requires both a high level of installation craft sensitivity as well as an environment that will not allow loosening over time due to vibration or temperature changes. The F type coaxial connector is used on consumer available applications where it cannot be assured the user will attempt to meet the tightening requirement. There is thus a need for a screw F-Type male connector that will insure electrical continuity despite a loosened male connector nut.

The F-Type male coaxial connectors typically use an inside-threaded front nut to connect the male F-Type connectors with a mating outside-threaded female F-Type connectors. When tight, the connector maintains a good coaxial cable outer ground/shield connection with the male connector's ferrule tube/post, outer body, and the female F-Type connector shaft. If the male nut is not fully tightened to the female connector, the ground connection between the cable and the connected device may be intermittent. Current methods to remedy this problem of a loose nut is to apply a spring behind the front tube face to spring the F male inner front tube face against the end face of the female. This method has prior art in the BNC and other spring loaded coaxial connectors. This behind-the-front post spring method has a disadvantage if the cable becomes off-axis due to a loose nut since the expected plane-to-plane interface is skewed and may limit conductivity.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIGS. 2-3show prior art coaxial cable connectors where springs and lock washers are used behind the ferrule-post face to keep the face connected to a female F-Type connector face.FIG. 1shows a different approach which has a continuity spring forward of the front ferrule face with its contact point facing radially inward against the female body but enclosed in a tube extended from the forward part of the ferrule post. (See U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,680 (the “'680” patent) which is incorporated herein in its entirety and for all purposes).

In the '680 patent, the approach to resolving the electrical continuity problem without the disadvantage of the spring loaded design extends a sleeve attached to the posts' forward end where an inward connection spring is located. This would electrically connect the spring to the tube via contact with the outer sleeve. The disadvantage to this approach is the need for an expensive, very large outer nut to contain the new internal sleeve. In addition, the F connector tightening tools and industry specifications generally require a standard hex nut with an 11 mm hex-hex dimension which is not possible with this inner sleeve design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An F-Type male coaxial cable connector includes a tined spring forming a spring mouth for receiving an end of a mating female F-Type connector.

In an embodiment, an F-Type male connector is for terminating a coaxial cable and the connector comprises: an electrically conductive spring having a plurality of tines extending from a spring base; the tines arranged such that they encircle an imaginary axis perpendicular to the spring base and passing through a center of the spring base; the spring engaging a coaxial cable connector ferrule; a mouth of the spring located in an imaginary plane defined by distal tips of the spring tines; and, insertion of a mating connector end into the spring mouth operative to lift the spring tines away from the axis and to provide an electric current path extending from a conductive outer surface of the mating connector to a ferrule engaging ground conductor of the coaxial cable.

In an embodiment, an F-Type male connector is for terminating a coaxial cable and the connector comprises: a coaxial cable connector ferrule having a cable end and a fastener end; an electrically conductive spring having a plurality of tines extending from a spring base; a fastener housing the spring, the spring and the fastener engaging the fastener end of the ferrule; the fastener and spring concentrically arranged about a central axis; a fastener mouth located at a distal end of the fastener and a spring mouth located adjacent to the fastener mouth, the spring mouth encircled by distal tips of the spring tines; and, insertion of a mating connector end into the spring mouth operative to lift the spring tines away from the central axis and to provide an electric current path extending from a conductive outer surface of the mating connector to a ferrule engaging ground conductor of the coaxial cable.

In some embodiments, the electrical continuity problem is solved by providing an inward facing spring mounted within an annular groove in the F-Type male nut. This spring maintains electrical and mechanical contact with the female F-Type outer body, the F-Type nut, and front facing ferrule post tube. The invention provides an F-Type interconnection system and/or method and may be used on the front interconnect section of most F-Type connectors despite its method of attaching the connector to the coaxial cable. The invention provides for RF and DC continuity between the female F-Type body and coaxial cable ground sheath via a conductive spring between said F-Type female body and F-Type male ferrule tube which is connected to the coaxial cable shield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The disclosure provided in the following pages describes examples of some embodiments of the invention. The designs, figures, and descriptions are non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the invention. For example, other embodiments of the disclosed device may or may not include the features described herein. Moreover, disclosed advantages and benefits may apply to only certain embodiments of the invention and should not be used to limit the disclosed inventions.

In the present invention, a male F-Type connector includes a spring. In various embodiments, the spring has spring tines and in various embodiments the spring provides for a continuous electrical ground circuit between the male connector and a mated female connector.

FIG. 4shows a male F-Type connector complete with a spring400. As shown in a connector cross-section404, a connector centerline x-x extends along a length of the connector and lies in a plane defining the illustrated connector cross-section. And, as shown in an end view402taken from a connector mating end415, a connector fastener mouth414provides an entryway for receiving a mating female connector (not shown).

The connector includes a fastener412and a connector body420that are coupled together by a central, electrically conductive inner ferrule418. A nut annular rim417encircles the ferrule and an adjacent body annular rim421encircles the ferrule, the nut rotatably engaging the ferrule.

A central passageway of the ferrule432extends between a ferrule exit within the fastener425and an opposed ferrule entrance (not shown). A ferrule exit end projection426has a peripheral surface427, encircles the ferrule exit, and defines a ferrule exit face429. Adjoining the ferrule exit end projection is a ferrule shoulder428.

Within the fastener412is a location for placing an electrically conductive spring such as a spring made from a spring steel or another suitable material. In various embodiments, a spring such as a bent tine spring441is located in a fastener cavity such as an annular fastener cavity452bounded by a radial outer wall456and forward and rear sidewalls450,454. A spring mouth446is for receiving a female F-Type connector threaded end via a nearby fastener mouth414. In some embodiments, the fastener mouth is threaded416.

Bent tine spring embodiments include those with tine mouth portions442joined at an angle with tine base portions444forming an inwardly projecting tine region460. The tine base joins the tine mouth portion with an annular tine rim448defining a circular tine neck443. Entry of the female threaded end (not shown) into the spring via the spring mouth446results in contact with the inwardly projecting tine regions and lifts the tines toward the cavity radial outer wall456.

As can be seen, the spring neck443encircles the ferrule projection426and provides a means for locating and/or fixing the spring441within the fastener412. In various embodiments, the spring neck is in intimate contact with the ferrule projection. For example, in some embodiments there is an interference fit between a circular spring neck and an inserted ferrule projection. In some embodiments, there is a weldment conductively interconnecting the spring and the ferrule418. And, in some embodiments, the spring neck has inwardly directed contacts, such as pointed projections, designed to enhance electrical contact.

FIG. 5shows a male F-Type connector complete with a spring500. As shown in a connector cross-section504, a connector centerline x-x extends along a length of the connector and lies in a plane defining the illustrated connector cross-section. And, as shown in an end view502taken from a connector mating end415, a connector fastener mouth414provides an entryway for receiving a mating female connector (not shown).

The connector includes a fastener412and a connector body420that are coupled together by a central, electrically conductive inner ferrule418. A nut annular rim417encircles the ferrule and an adjacent body annular rim421encircles the ferrule, and the nut rotatably engages the ferrule.

A central passageway of the ferrule432extends between a ferrule exit within the fastener425and an opposed ferrule entrance (not shown). A ferrule exit end projection426adjoins a ferrule shoulder428and has a radial slot462encircling the ferrule exit and adjacent to the ferrule shoulder. The ferrule exit end projection has a ferrule exit face429.

Within the fastener412is a location for placing an electrically conductive spring such as a spring made from a spring steel or another suitable material. In various embodiments, a spring such as a bent tine spring441is located in a fastener cavity such as an annular fastener cavity452bounded by a radial outer wall456and forward and rear sidewalls450,454. A spring mouth446is for receiving a female F-Type connector threaded end via a nearby fastener mouth414. In some embodiments, the fastener mouth is threaded416.

Bent tine spring embodiments include a tine mouth portion(s)442joined at an angle with tine base portions444forming an inwardly projecting tine region460. The tine base joins the tine mouth portion with an annular tine rim448defining a circular tine neck443. Entry of the female threaded end (not shown) into the spring via the spring mouth446results in contact with the inwardly projecting tine regions and lifts the tines toward the cavity radial outer wall456.

As can be seen, the spring neck443encircles the ferrule projection463and is captured within the ferrule slot462. The slot provides a means for locating and/or fixing the spring441within the fastener412. In various embodiments, the spring neck is in intimate contact with a wall(s) of the ferrule slot466,468,469. For example, in some embodiments there is an interference fit between a circular spring neck and wall(s) of the ferrule slot. In some embodiments, there is a weldment conductively interconnecting the spring and the ferrule418. And, in some embodiments, the spring neck has inwardly directed contact(s), such as pointed projections (not shown), designed to enhance electrical contact.

There are a number of means for forming the ferrule slot462. In some embodiments, the ferrule slot is cut in the ferrule. In some embodiments, the ferrule slot is formed by plastic deformation of the ferrule such as plastic deformation of a ferrule projection similar to the ferrule projection448ofFIG. 4. And in some embodiments, the ferrule slot is formed by other means persons of ordinary skill in the art recognize as suitable.

FIG. 6shows a mated connector pair600. A male F-Type connector604is mated with one end of a female connector such as a splice602(as shown). The mated connector pair illustrates operation of the spring in a male F-Type connector like that ofFIG. 4. Operation is similar in a male F-Type connector like that ofFIG. 5.

In various embodiments, the male F-Type connector604has an engaging mouth such as an internally threaded mouth portion612for engaging and advancing along an electrically conductive outer surface of a mating conductor such as a splice bearing external metallic threads616(as shown).

As seen, the female connector end624is inserted in the fastener of the male connector412. The female connector end is also inserted in the spring441,641; note details620,640illustrate two different spring designs. Detail620illustrates a spring design similar to those ofFIGS. 4 and 5while detail640illustrates a different spring design that will be discussed further infra.

Insertion of the female connector end624into the spring441causes the tines of the spring442,444(see alsoFIGS. 4 and 5) to be lifted as they press against the female connector end threaded outer surface616. An electric current path is thereby completed when the electrically conductive spring electrically couples the conductive splice threads with the electrically conductive ferrule418.

FIG. 7shows a compression connector including a spring700. Views of a connector cross-section704and a connector fastener end view702are provided. Similar toFIGS. 4 and 5, a central ferrule718engages a fastener712and a connector body720.

A spring741similar to that ofFIGS. 4 and 5is located in a fastener of a male F-Type connector712. A circular spring neck743encircles and/or engages a peripheral ferrule surface727of a ferrule end projection726for locating and/or fixing the spring in the connector. As described above, an inwardly projecting spring tine region760provides for contacting an outer surface of an insertable mating connector end (not shown, see for exampleFIG. 6).

The compression connector includes a body720engaging the ferrule718. Inserted through a compression barrel780, the body and barrel have external and internal features respectively such that sliding the barrel toward the ferrule's distal end causes a portion of the body wall786to be pushed in toward the ferrule and in some embodiments to be pushed in toward surface features such as ferrule barbs788. In an embodiment, the barrel has an internal chamfer784for smoothly engaging and compressing a diametrically enlarged body section790via an external ramp on the body782.

FIG. 8shows a second compression connector with a spring800. As shown in a connector partial cross-section804, a connector centerline x-x extends along a length of the connector and lies in a plane defining the illustrated connector cross-section. And, as shown in an end view802taken from a connector mating end815, a connector fastener mouth814provides an entryway for receiving a mating female connector (see similar spring engaging mating female connector in detail640ofFIG. 6).

The connector includes a fastener812and a connector body820that are coupled together by a central, electrically conductive inner ferrule818. A nut annular inner groove891receives a ferrule shoulder828and an adjacent body annular rim821encircles the ferrule, the nut rotatably engaging the ferrule.

A central passageway of the ferrule832extends between a ferrule exit within the fastener825and an opposed ferrule entrance893. A ferrule exit end projection826has a peripheral surface827, encircles the ferrule exit, and defines a ferrule exit face829. Adjoining the ferrule exit end projection is the ferrule shoulder828.

Partially bounded by the fastener812is a location for placing an electrically conductive spring such as a spring made from a spring steel or another suitable material. In various embodiments, a spring such as a bent tine spring841is located in a fastener cavity such as a substantially annular fastener cavity852bounded by a radial outer fastener wall856and a forward fastener wall850and rear a rear surface of the ferrule shoulder855. A spring mouth846is for receiving a female F-Type connector threaded end via a nearby fastener mouth814. In some embodiments, the fastener mouth is threaded816.

Straight tine spring embodiments include substantially straight tine segments842joined with a circular spring neck843. Entry of the female threaded end (See detail640ofFIG. 6for female connector mated with similar spring) into the spring via the spring mouth846results in contact with the spring tines842and lifts the tines toward the cavity radial outer wall856.

As can be seen, the spring neck843encircles the ferrule projection826and provides a means for locating and/or fixing the spring841within the fastener812. In various embodiments, the spring neck is in intimate contact with the ferrule projection. For example, in some embodiments there is an interference fit between a circular spring neck and an inserted ferrule projection. In some embodiments, there is a weldment conductively interconnecting the spring and the ferrule818. And, in some embodiments, the spring neck has inwardly directed contacts, such as pointed projections, designed to enhance electrical contact.

In various embodiments, the connector body includes one or more of: an external ramp882, a barrel internal chamfer884for smoothly engaging and compressing a diametrically enlarged body section890. And, in various embodiments, a portion of the body wall886is pushed in toward the ferrule. In some embodiments the body wall is pushed toward surface features such as ferrule barbs888.

In an embodiment, the barrel has an internal chamfer784for smoothly engaging and compressing a diametrically enlarged body section790via an external ramp on the body782.

In an embodiment, the barrel has an internal chamfer784for smoothly engaging and compressing a diametrically enlarged body section790via an external ramp on the body782.

FIG. 9shows various assemblies and partial assemblies of a compression connector with a spring900. At the top of the sheet, a fully assembled compression connector802,804with a spring841is shown800.

First partial assembly991shows a ferrule818with a ferrule exit end projection826prior to fitment of a spring841via engagement of a spring neck843with the ferrule exit end projection826.

Second partial assembly993shows the ferrule818with the spring841engaged with the ferrule exit end projection826.

Third partial assembly995shows the ferrule818with the spring841engaged with the ferrule exit end projection826, the body820engaged with the ferrule, and the barrel880engaging the body.

Third partial assembly995shows the ferrule818with the spring841engaged with the ferrule exit end projection826, the body820engaged with the ferrule, and the barrel880engaging the body.

Fourth partial assembly997shows the fastener812engaging the ferrule818, the spring841engaged with the ferrule exit end projection826, the body820engaged with the ferrule, and the barrel880engaging the body.

In operation, a connector404,504,604,704,804includes a fastener412,712,812and a spring441,641,741,841located within the fastener engages a mating female connector (SeeFIG. 6) that is inserted in the fastener. Electrically conductive parts including the spring and the ferrule provide an electrical circuit connecting a conductive surface of the mating female conductor to a ground conductor of a coaxial cable (not shown) that encircles and engages the ferrule418,718,818. U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,383 filed Jun. 21, 2000 is incorporated herein in its entirety and for all purposes including its description of coaxial cables, ferrules or posts, connector assemblies, and the like.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and equivalents thereof.