Abstract:
A locking electrical connector is provided including a connector shell extending along a longitudinal axis, an outer contact held in the connector shell and having a mating end formed with retention beams that are deflectable radially outward from the longitudinal axis, and a collar located about the outer contact and the connector shell being slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector shell between locked and unlocked positions. The collar has a blocking surface that is positioned to align with and block radially outward deflection of the retention beams when the collar is in the locked position. The blocking surface is moved, when the collar is in the unlocked position, to a position at which the collar permits radial outward deflection of the retention beams.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Certain embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a connector for maintaining electrical mating contact between electronic components. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector locking assembly for maintaining mating contact between an antenna and a conductive socket.  
           [0002]    Many cars include radio antennas that are located on the roof of the car. The antenna typically is connected to, and delivers an electric signal to, a conductive socket located within the car between the roof of the car and a fabric headliner. The conductive socket extends through a hole in the roof to the antenna. The antenna and the conductive socket are secured to each other in mating contact by a connector locking assembly. The connector locking assembly is configured to be manually operated to release the antenna.  
           [0003]    The typical connector locking assembly includes an outer contact, a dielectric, and a rear shell that are located on the car roof and centered over the hole. The outer contact is cylindrical and includes retention beams arranged concentrically around the dielectric, which is also cylindrical. Outer ends of the retention beams are bent to form a ring like rim that extends radially inward from main body of the retention beams. The antenna includes a base holding a connection jack that has a cylindrical wall with a receiving groove extending about a perimeter of the cylindrical wall. The receiving groove is arranged to receive the rim of the retention beams. The antenna is mounted to the connector locking assembly by inserting the cylindrical wall of the connection jack into a cylindrical chamber defined by the retention beams. The cylindrical walls of the connection jack have an outer diameter that is generally similar to the inner diameter of the rim of the retention beams, and thus the cylindrical walls cause the retention beams to expand circumferentially outward as the connection jack is inserted into the outer contact until the rim engages the receiving groove.  
           [0004]    The conductive socket includes a body and a head, and both are situated within the dielectric, such that the head engages the connector jack when the connection jack is fully inserted into the outer contact. The antenna may be disengaged from the conductive socket by pulling the connection jack out of the outer contact.  
           [0005]    The typical connector locking assembly suffers from certain drawbacks. The connection jack may be easily disengaged from the outer contact and thus lose electrical contact with the conductive socket. When the connection jack is positioned within the outer contact, the wall of the connection jack pushes the retention beams outward. Because the retention beams are constantly pushed outward when the connection jack is positioned within the outer contact, the retention beams may become permanently bent outward and thereafter only loosely retain the connection jack in contact with the conductive socket or even release the connection jack entirely from the outer contact.  
           [0006]    Thus a need exists for a connector locking assembly that better retains the connection jack of the antenna and permits reliable repeated connection and disconnection.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Certain embodiments provide a locking electrical connector that includes a connector shell extending along a longitudinal axis and an outer contact that is held in the connector shell with the outer contact having a mating end formed with retention beams that are deflectable radially outward from the longitudinal axis. The locking electrical connector also includes a collar that is located about the outer contact and the connector shell. The collar is slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the connector shell between locked and unlocked positions. The collar has a blocking surface that is positioned to align with and block radially outward deflection of the retention beams when the collar is in the locked position. The blocking surface is moved, when the collar is in the unlocked position, to a position at which the collar permits radial outward deflection of the retention beams.  
           [0008]    Certain embodiments also provide a locking coaxial connector that includes a shell extending along a longitudinal axis, inner and outer contacts held by the shell and arranged along the longitudinal axis, and a dielectric core held by the shell to separate the inner and outer contacts. The locking coaxial connector also includes a collar located about the outer contact. The collar is slidable along the longitudinal axis relative to the outer contact between locked and unlocked positions. The outer contact is movable in a radial direction transverse to the longitudinal axis. The collar encloses the outer contact when in the locked position to prevent radial outward movement of the outer contact and the collar exposes the outer contact to permit radial outward movement of the outer contact when the collar is in the unlocked position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector locking assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the connector locking assembly of FIG. 1 and a center conductive socket according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 illustrates a side sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in FIG. 1 of the connector locking assembly.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a side sectional view of the collar of FIG. 1 in more detail.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the outer contact of FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 illustrates a side sectional view of the outer contact taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5 and a mating jack according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the connector locking assembly of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 illustrates a side sectional view of the rear shell of FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a connector locking assembly  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The connector locking assembly  10  includes a collar  15  having a generally cylindrical shape and aligned to extend along a longitudinal axis  40 . The collar  15  encloses an outer contact  20  that is attached to a rear shell  35 . The collar  15  is slidable in the direction of arrow  17  relative to the outer contact  20 , such that as the collar  15  moves in the direction of arrow  17 , a contact section  62  within the outer contact  20  projects beyond a rim  100  of the collar  15 . In this manner, the outer contact  20  is exposed beyond the rim  100  of the collar  15  in order to facilitate engagement with a cylindrical mating jack as explained below in more detail.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the connector locking assembly  10  of FIG. 1 and a center conductive socket  41 . The outer contact  20  surrounds a tubular shaped dielectric core  25  that also extends along the longitudinal axis  40 . The dielectric core  25  includes a hollow core  27  that receives the center conductive socket  41 . The center conductive socket  41  is hollow and cylindrical and includes a securing base  42 , an exterior wall  43 , and a tapered contact head  44 . The securing base  42  is formed integral with, and extends circumferentially outward from the exterior wall  43 . The securing base  42  has an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of the exterior wall  43  which forms a ring shaped retention wall  52 . The securing base  42  and exterior wall  43  retain the center conductive socket  41  within the dielectric core  25  of FIGS. 1 and 2. The contact head  44  is secured to the exterior wall  43  opposite to the securing base  42  and tapers at an outer end  48  to a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the exterior wall  43 .  
         [0019]    The outer end  48  of the contact head  44  includes a circular reception port  46  with an inner diameter formed by two tapered semi-cylindrical halves  47 . The halves  47  contact each other proximate the outer end  48  and are separated by a triangular gap from each other proximate to an end joining the exterior wall  43 . The halves  47  are bendable circumferentially outward. When the center conductive socket  41  is properly positioned into the dielectric core  25 , the reception port  46  is aligned to receive a cylindrical contact portion (not shown) of the mating jack  145  (FIG. 6) that is removably insertable into the connector locking assembly  10 . The contact portion has an outer diameter similar to the inner diameter of the reception port  46 , in order that, as the contact portion enters the reception port  46 , the contact portion pushes the halves  47  circumferentially outward. Because the center conductive socket  41  is secured within the dielectric core  25 , the outward expansion of the halves  47  is limited and resisted by the dielectric core  25 , and thus the dielectric core  25  holds the contact portion and the reception port  46  in electrical contact.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 3 illustrates a side sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  in FIG. 1 of the connector locking assembly  10 , while FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the connector locking assembly  10  of FIG. 1. The various elements and components of FIG. 3 are illustrated separately and in more detail in the subsequent FIGS.  4 - 8 . The connector locking assembly  10  generally includes the collar  15  that encloses the outer contact  20  which in turn encloses the dielectric core  25  arranged concentrically within the outer contact  20  and along the longitudinal axis  40 . The hollow core  27  extends along a length of the dielectric core  25 .  
         [0021]    The collar  15  partially encloses the rear shell  35  while a rear end  36  of the rear shell  35  extends beyond a rear end  37  of the collar  15 . The rear shell  35  includes a contact capture section  180  that partially receives the outer contact  20  and the dielectric core  25 . An intermediate portion of the rear shell  35  is surrounded by a spring retention assembly  30  including a spring  33 , washers  32  and  34 , and a locking collar  31 . Opposite ends of the spring  33  are held between the washers  32  and  34 . The locking collar  31  fits within the rear end  37  of the collar  15  to hold the washer  32  and the spring  33  within the rear end  37  of the collar  15 .  
         [0022]    During operation, a user grips the collar  15  and the rear shell  35  and induces relative motion therebetween by sliding the collar  15  in the direction of arrow A relative to the rear shell  35 . As the collar  15  moves, the outer contact  20  is exposed beyond the rim  100  to facilitate connection with the mating jack  145  (FIG. 6) described below. As the collar  15  moves in the direction of arrow A relative to the rear shell  35 , washers  32  and  34  are biased toward one another, thereby compressing the spring  33 . Once the mating jack  145  (FIG. 6) is inserted into the connector locking assembly  10 , the collar  15  is released and the spring  33  expands to force the washer  34  in the direction of arrow B relative to the washer  32 . As the spring  33  expands, it similarly drives the collar  15  forward in the direction of arrow B until returning to an initial state at which the outer contact  20  is entirely enclosed within the collar  15 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 illustrates a side sectional view of the collar  15  of FIG. 1 in more detail. The collar  15  is generally cylindrical and includes a sleeve  95  having the rim  100 . The sleeve  95  includes chambers  106  and  116  having different diameters defined by interior surfaces  105  and  110  of the sleeve  95 . The interior surface  105  joins the interior surface  110  at a ledge  115  that extends radially from the interior surface  105  to the interior surface  110 . The interior surface  105  encircles and contacts a portion of the rear shell  35  (FIGS. 1, 3, and  8 ). The chamber  106  receives the outer contact  20  (shown in detail in FIGS. 5 and 6). The chamber  116  encircles and retains the rear shell  35  and the spring retention assembly  30  of FIG. 3. The locking collar  31  of the spring retention assembly  30  is welded to the interior surface  110  and the spring retention assembly  30  extends along the interior surface  110  from a second end to the ledge  115 , which engages and resists the washer  34 . As an operator slides the collar  15  in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3, the interior surface  105  slides along the rear shell  35 . As the collar  15  slides in the direction of arrow A, the ledge  115  pushes, and is resisted by, the spring retention assembly  30 , and the outer contact  20  is exposed. The exposed outer contact  20  is free to expand circumferentially outward while receiving or releasing the mating jack  145  (FIG. 6).  
         [0024]    With continued reference to FIG. 4, the rim  100  is formed integral with, and extends radially inward from, the sleeve  95 . The rim  100  has a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the interior surface  105  that defines a ring shaped contact surface  120 . The contact surface  120  engages the outer contact  20  and resists the circumferentially outward expansion of the outer contact  20  when the collar  15  is in its final locked position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the outer contact  20  of FIG. 1, while FIG. 6 illustrates a side sectional view of the outer contact  20  taken along line  6 - 6  in FIG. 5 and a mating jack  145 . The outer contact  20  is generally cylindrical and includes a wall  45  having integral curved retention beams  50  at one end thereof. The retention beams  50  are separated from each other by gaps  55  and are aligned in a ring. The retention beams  50  share a first inner diameter  57  (FIG. 5) with the wall  45  that is generally similar to an outer diameter  146  measured about a wall  148  of the mating jack  145 . The retention beams  50  have a retention portion  51  that is crimped radially inward about the perimeter of the wall  45  to form a securing ridge  60 . The securing ridge  60  forms a second smaller inner diameter  59  (FIG. 5) within the outer contact  20 . The securing ridge  60  is configured to fit into a groove  142  about the perimeter of the mating jack  145 . Because the retention beams  50  are aligned cylindrically and separated by the gaps  55 , the retention beams  50  may be biased circumferentially outward when exposed beyond the rim  100  of the collar  15  (FIGS. 1 and 4). Therefore, when the collar  15  is slidably moved in the direction of arrow A (FIG. 3) exposing the outer contact  20 , the mating jack  145  may be inserted into the outer contact  20  in the direction of arrow C with the wall  148  of the mating jack  145  engaging and pushing the securing ridge  60 , and thus the retention beams  50 , radially outward until the groove  142  and the securing ridge  60  engage one another. The retention beams  50  then return to an unbiased position, and the collar  15  is slidably positioned back over the outer contact  20  in order that the rim  100  holds the retention beams  50  radially inward.  
         [0026]    The retention beams  50  define the rectangular contact section  62  that is flared outward from the securing ridge  60  beyond the outer diameter of the wall  45 . The contact section  62  assists alignment with a lead end of the mating jack  145  during mating. The contact section  62  includes a stop pad  64  that faces radially outward and extends about the perimeter of the contact section  62 . When the rim  100  is positioned in a locking position around the outer contact  20 , the stop pad  64  engages the contact surface  120  of the collar  15  (FIG. 4). Thus, once the mating jack  145  is retained within the outer contact  20 , when the wall  148  of the mating jack  145  attempts to push the retention beams  50  circumferentially outward, the contact surface  120  of the collar  15  engages and resists movement of the retention beams  50 , holding the retention beams  50  inward and preventing the mating jack from disengaging from the outer contact  20 .  
         [0027]    The wall  45  includes two ring-like protrusions  65  and two corresponding interior cavities  75  proximate a rear end  67  of the wall  45 . The protrusions  65  wrap around and extend circumferentially outward and inward from the wall  45 . The interior cavities  75  catch and hold the rear shell  35  (FIGS. 1,3, and  8 ), thereby retaining the outer contact  20  on the rear shell  35 .  
         [0028]    The wall  45  also includes rectangular retention tabs  85  that are formed integrally with, and are bent radially inward from, the wall  45 . The retention tabs  85  are perpendicular to the wall  45  and retain the dielectric core  25  (FIG. 3) within the rear shell  35 .  
         [0029]    Returning to FIGS. 3 and 7, the dielectric core  25  is non-conductive and generally cylindrical in shape. The hollow core  27  has opposed open ends  147  and  149 . The dielectric core  25  is formed in a staged manner with a thin wall portion  130  and a thick wall portion  135 . The thin wall portion  130  has a smaller outer diameter than the thick wall portion  135 . The thin and thick wall portions  130  and  135  join at a ring shaped retention ledge  150  that extends in a radial direction. The end  149  of the hollow core  27  opens into a longer chamber  159  to form a socket retention wall  160  about the end  149 .  
         [0030]    The dielectric core  25  is positioned within the collar  15  with the thick wall portion  135  encircled by, and retained within, the rear shell  35  and the thin wall portion  130  suspended concentrically within, and spaced apart from, the outer contact  20 . A space  131  is provided between the thin wall portion  130  and the outer contact  20 . A space  133  is provided between the outer contact  20  and the collar  15 . The retention tabs  85  of the outer contact  20  engage and retain the retention ledge  150  of the dielectric core  25 , thus holding the thick wall portion  135  within the rear shell  35 .  
         [0031]    The dielectric core  25  retains the center conductive socket  41  of FIG. 3 within the connector locking assembly  10 . The exterior wall  43  and the contact head  44  of the center conductive socket  41  are enclosed within the thin wall portion  130 . The securing base  42  of the center conductive socket  41  is generally the shape of, and may be retained within, the chamber  159  with the retention wall  52  of the center conductive socket  41  engaging the socket retention wall  160  of the dielectric core  25 . In operation, the dielectric core  25  receives the contact portion (not shown) of the mating jack  145  (FIG. 6) through the end  147  as the mating jack  145  is removably inserted into the connector locking assembly  10  in the direction of arrow A. When the mating jack  145  is fully inserted into the connector locking assembly  10 , the contact portion is received by, and in electrical contact with, the contact head  44  of the center conductive socket  41 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 illustrates a side sectional view of the rear shell  35  of FIG. 1. The rear shell  35  includes the cylindrical contact capture section  180  that joins a cylindrical body section  185  that joins a cylindrical recessed section  190 . The rear shell  35  includes a passageway  197  extending therebetween. The passageway  197  opens at one end into a chamber  198 . The contact capture section  180 , the body section  185 , and the recessed section  190  have different decreasing outer diameters about first, second, and third exterior walls  200 ,  205 , and  210 , respectively. A ring shaped retention wall  215  is provided at the intersection between the second exterior wall  205  and the first exterior wall  200 . The retention wall  215  is aligned along the ledge  115  of the collar  15  (FIG. 4) and resists movement of the washer  34  in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 3).  
         [0033]    The contact capture section  180  also includes a cylindrical recess  222  arranged concentrically between the first exterior wall  200  and the chamber  198 . The recess  222  includes two ring shaped retention protrusions  240  that are formed integral with, and extend outward from an inner recess surface  230 . The retention protrusions  240  are similar in size to the interior cavities  75  of the outer contact  20  of FIGS. 5 and 6. The outer contact  20  is positioned within the recess  222  with the interior cavities  75  engaging and retaining the retention protrusions  240 , holding the outer contact  20  within the recess  222  of the rear shell  35  (as shown in FIG. 3).  
         [0034]    The body section  185  includes a triangular retention barb  245  that is formed integral with, and extends circumferentially outward from, the second exterior wall  205  so as to have a greater outer diameter than the second exterior wall  205 . The retention barb  245  engages the washer  32 , and thus retains the spring retention assembly  30  against the retention wall  215  (FIG. 3). The retention barb  245  also prevents the locking collar  31  from sliding along the second exterior wall  205  in the direction of arrow B (FIG. 3) and thus maintains the collar  15  appropriately positioned around the outer contact  20 .  
         [0035]    The recessed section  190  is generally tube shaped and extends downward through a roof (not shown) of a car to a headliner (not shown) of a car. The recessed section  190  is positioned through the roof so that a gap exists between the roof and the body section  185 , allowing the collar  15  to be slidably positioned in the direction of arrow A without the rear end  37  of the collar  15  (FIG. 3) contacting the roof. The center conductive socket  41  of FIG. 2 is slidably positioned inside the passageway  197  of the recessed section  190  and the body section  185  into the hollow core  27  of the dielectric core  25  (FIG. 3). The center conductive socket  41  may include other electronic components (not shown) that extend from the center conductive socket  41  through the passageway  197  and into the headliner of the car.  
         [0036]    The connector locking assembly  10  confers several benefits. First, the collar  15  encircles and secures the retention beams  50  of the outer contact  20  so that the retention beams  50  do not expand circumferentially outward when retaining the mating jack  145 . Therefore, the mating jack  145  may not easily be disengaged from the outer contact  20 . Secondly, the connector locking assembly  10  utilizes a spring-and-washer based spring retention assembly  30 . The spring retention assembly  30  allows for the collar  15  to be slidably positioned to expose the outer contact  20  for receiving or releasing the mating jack  145 , and the spring retention assembly  30  also maintains the unbiased collar  15  securely around the outer contact  20 .  
         [0037]    While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.