Abstract:
A tool mountable to a connector is provided. The tool includes a first member having a first end, a second end and a cutout, and a second member having a first end, a second end and a cutout. A hinge positions the first member and the second member such that the cutout of the first member and the cutout of the second member define an open area. The hinge allows relative motion between the first member and the second member such that the first member and the second member alternatively reach an open position and a closed position. A biasing member urges the first member and the second member to the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention is directed to a tool usable with a connecting device mounted on a transmission cable. More specifically, this invention is directed to a tool to assist removing a connector, such as a backnut, from a transmission cable.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Conventional transmission cables used in radio frequency communications include coaxial cables. Coaxial cables include an outer conductor surrounding a longitudinal dielectric material, and an inner conductor. The outer conductor is corrugated to enhance flexibility, and is surrounded by an insulating sheath. In operation, connectors couple the coaxial cable with other pieces of communication equipment. Specifically, the cable is coupled to the communication equipment by exposing the cable&#39;s corrugated outer conductor and mounting a connector to the exposed conductor. The connector is then coupled with the communication equipment, thereby securely linking together the coaxial cable and the communication equipment.  
         [0005]     In general, the connector is mounted to the cable&#39;s exposed outer conductor by introducing the connector over an exposed end of the cable, then sliding the connector longitudinally along the cable in a forward direction toward the opposite end until the connector reaches a desired position. The connector interacts with the cable&#39;s corrugations in such a manner that the connector is free to slide in only the forward direction toward the opposite end. However, because the connector can move in only the forward direction along the cable, removing the connector from the cable requires the cable to be cut. Specifically, the cable must be cut at a position in advance of the connector, then the connector is moved along the cable in the forward direction to the cut and, ultimately, the connector is removed from the cable.  
         [0006]     Cutting the cable is highly undesirable and results in unwanted waste of materials and time. Thus, a need exists for a tool that allows a connector to be removed from a cable without cutting the cable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In a first aspect of the present invention, a tool is provided. The tool is mountable to a connector and includes a first member having a first end, a second end and a cutout, and a second member having a first end, a second end and a cutout. A hinge positions the first member and the second member such that the cutout of the first member and the cutout of the second member define an open area. The hinge allows relative motion between the first member and the second member such that the first member and the second member alternatively reach an open position and a closed position. A biasing member urges the first member and the second member to the closed position.  
         [0008]     In another aspect of the invention, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a cable and communication equipment. A connector connects the cable with the communication equipment. The connector has a first member having a first end, a second end and a cutout, and a second member having a first end, a second end and a cutout. A hinge positions the first member and the second member such that the cutout of the first member and the cutout of the second member define an open area. The hinge allows relative motion between the first member and the second member such that the first member and the second member alternatively reach an open position and a closed position. Additionally, a biasing member urges the first member and the second member to the closed position.  
         [0009]     In yet another embodiment, a method of mounting a tool to a connector is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a first member having a first end, a second end and a cutout, and providing a second member having a first end, a second end and a cutout. The method further includes the step of positioning the first member and the second member such that the cutout of the first member and the cutout of the second member define an open area. The first member and the second member alternatively reach an open position and a closed position. The method further includes the step of urging the first member and the second member to a predetermined position.  
         [0010]     In a further embodiment, a tool in combination with a connector for attaching the connector to a coaxial cable is provided. The cable has an inner conductor, a dielectric insulator surrounding the inner conductor and a corrugated outer conductor. The connector includes a collet having a plurality of resilient fingers extending in a first direction, and an outer body. The outer body surrounds the collet and is movable therealong between an extended position in which the resilient fingers are expandable outwardly, and a retracted position in which the resilient fingers are restrained from expanding outwardly. The outer body is mateable with another connector. In the extended position the connector can move along the corrugated outer conductor in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and in the retracted position the connector can not move in the forward direction and the reverse direction. The tool comprises a retaining member attachable to the connector for retaining the collet in the extended position.  
         [0011]     In yet another embodiment, a method for attaching a connector to a coaxial cable is provided. The cable includes an inner conductor, a dielectric insulator surrounding the inner conductor and a corrugated outer conductor. The connector includes a collet having a plurality of resilient fingers extending in a first direction, and an outer body surrounding the collet and movable therealong between an extended position in which the resilient fingers are expandable outwardly, and a retracted position in which the resilient fingers are restrained from expanding outwardly. The outer body is mateable with another connector. In the extended position the connector can move along the corrugated outer conductor in a forward direction and a reverse direction, whereas in the retracted position the connector can not move in the forward direction and the reverse direction. The method includes the step of retaining the collet in the extended position to allow the connector to be moved in the forward direction and the reverse direction. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  illustrates a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted to a connector on a cable.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted to a connector.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     As explained below in detail, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for simple and efficient removal of a connector, such as a backnut device, from a cable. The present invention includes the tool  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . The tool  1  is removably mounted on the body  2  of a connector  3  such that the connector  3  may be moved in both a forward and a reverse direction along a cable  4 . See,  FIG. 1 . Of course, the invention is not limited solely to the specific embodiments and features described below, and the embodiments and features discussed below may be modified without departing from the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates the connector  3  mounted to the cable  4 . The cable  4  includes a corrugated outer conductor  5  which may be surrounded by an outer insulating sheath (not shown). The outer insulating sheath is removed for installation of the connector  3 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the connector  3  includes the body  2  with a leading end  6  having external threads  7  for mating with another connector. Disposed co-axially and partially within the body  2  is a collet  8  having resilient fingers  9  extending partially beyond the leading end  6  of the body  2 . The resilient fingers  9  are flexible extensions including a distal end having an enlarged portion  10  and a face  11 . The enlarged portion  10  is configured to extend into troughs  12  of the corrugations in the outer conductor  5 , and the resilient fingers  9  are sufficiently flexible that the resilient fingers  9  may deflect and permit the enlarged portion  10  to ride over peaks  13  of the corrugations as the connector  3  moves along the cable  4  in a forward direction—to the left in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]     In more detail, the collet  8  is allowed sufficient axial movement within the body  2  such that, in an extended position ( FIG. 1 ), the resilient fingers  9  extend relatively far beyond the leading end  6  of the body  2 . The resilient fingers  9  are thereby free to move radially to the longitudinal axis  14  of the cable  4 . The longitudinal axis  14  is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . When the body  2  of the connector  3  is urged along the cable  4  in the forward direction away from the resilient fingers  9 , the resilient fingers  9  ride over the peaks  13  of the outer conductor  5 &#39;s corrugations as the connector  3  moves along the cable  4 . The connector  3  is thereby moved in a forward direction along the cable  4 . However, if the connector  3  is urged along the cable  4  in a reverse direction toward the resilient fingers  9 , the body  2  moves relative to the collet  8  such that the body  2  advances along the collet  8  and the collet  8  reaches a retracted position within the body  2 . In the retracted position, the resilient fingers  9  extend a relatively short distance beyond the leading end  6 , so that the leading end  6  of the body  2  restrains the resilient fingers  9  from expanding radially outwardly of the cable  4 . In this manner the resilient fingers  9  are fixed in the troughs  12  of the outer conductor  5  and are prevented from riding over the peaks  13  of the outer conductor  5 . The connector  3  is thereby prevented from moving in the reverse direction along the cable  4 .  
         [0018]     The tool  1  cooperates with the connector  3  to prevent the resilient fingers  9  from being constrained by the leading end  6  of the body  2 , allowing the connector  3  to be moved along the cable  4  in both the forward and reverse directions. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the tool  1  includes a body  15  having a main plate  16  and a secondary plate  17 . The main plate  16  has a first end  18  and a second end  19 , and the secondary plate  17  has a first end  20  and a second end  21 . Further, each of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  has a cutout that is generally configured in an arc such that when the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  are disposed adjacent one another they define a generally circular space  22 . The generally circular space  22  is the same size, or slightly larger, than the outer diameter of the collet  8 . Additionally, an inner edge of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  has a tapered contour  26  that generally reduces the thickness of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17 . The contour  26  may extend entirely around the circumference of inner edge or may extend around only a portion of the circumference. In a preferred embodiment, each of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  have a generally “C” shaped configuration that combine to form a ring shape, as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]     The main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  are coupled together by a hinge  23 . The hinge  23  positions the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  such that the cutout of the main plate  16  and the cutout of the secondary plate  17  define the generally circular space  22 . The hinge  23  allows the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  to pivot about their respective first ends  18  and  20 , while still maintaining positions that define the generally circular space  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In a preferred embodiment, the hinge  23  is constructed of a short length of metallic plate that spans the respective first ends  18  and  20  of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17 . The hinge  23  is secured to the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  using pins  24 . The pins  24  hold the hinge  23  such that the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  may rotate relatively to one another. Of course, it is understood that alternative hinge designs may be used, as discussed below.  
         [0020]     For ease of manufacture, one or more of the main plate  16 , the secondary plate  17  and the hinge  23  may be made of sheet metal. For example, the main plate  16 , the secondary plate  17  and the hinge  23  may be 0.062 thick sheet metal. Of course the invention is not limited to such materials and dimensions, and the above noted components may be constructed of any other suitable material such as plastic or a metal alloy, and may have any other suitable dimensions.  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second end  19  of the main plate  16  and the second end  21  of the secondary plate  17  are coupled together with a spring  25 . The spring  25  biases the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  together, while still permitting relative movement about their respective first ends  18  and  20 . The main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  may thus be manually pivoted relative to one another to an open position at which the generally circular space  22  is relatively large. When the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  are not being manually manipulated, the spring  25  maintains the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  in a closed position making the generally circular space  22  relatively small.  
         [0022]     Manually rotating the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  to the open position permits the tool  1  to be mounted to the connector  3 . As previously noted, in the open position the generally circular space  22  becomes relatively large. The tool  1  may then be coupled with the connector  3  by sliding the tool  1  over the resilient fingers  9  and positioning the tool  1  such that the contour  26  contacts the face  11  of the resilient fingers  9 . By this arrangement the resilient fingers  9  are at least partially seated within the contour  26 . Thus, the tool  1  is disposed between the leading end  6  of the connector  3  and the face  11  of the resilient fingers  9 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . After the tool  1  is positioned, the spring  25  biases the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17  to remain in a closed position. The tool  1  is thus securely held between the face  11  of the resilient fingers  9  and the leading end  6  of the connector  3 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the tool  1  limits movement of the body  2  of the connector  3  relative to the collet  8  so that the collet  8  is retained in the extended position—i.e., the collet  8  cannot become retracted within the body  2 . Consequently, the connector  3  does not constrain the resilient fingers  9  from moving perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis  14  of the cable  4  and the resilient fingers  9  remain free to ride over the peaks  13  of the corrugations. The connector  3  is thus free to be moved along the cable  4  in both the forward and reverse directions.  
         [0023]     In operation, the tool  1  is secured to the connector  3  to retain the collet  8  in the extended position of  FIG. 1 . The cable  4  is prepared to receive the connector  3  by exposing the cable  4 &#39;s corrugated outer conductor  5 . The connector  3  is then positioned adjacent an exposed end of the cable  4 , then moved in a forward direction over the exposed end of the outer conductor  5  and along the cable  4  to a desired position. The resilient fingers  9  extend beyond the leading end  6  of the body  2  such that the resilient fingers  9  are not prevented from riding over the peaks  13  of the corrugated outer conductor  5  as the connector  3  moves along the outer conductor  5 . As previously noted, the tool  1  allows the connector  3  to also be moved in a reverse direction along the corrugated outer conductor  5 . Specifically, when the body  2  of the connector  3  is urged in a direction toward the resilient fingers  9 , the tool  1  prevents the body  2  of connector  3  from restraining the resilient fingers  9 . Consequently, the connector  3  may be moved either forward or backward along the cable  4 . Thus, if an operator wishes to remove the connector  4  from the cable, the operator does not need to cut the cable  4  at a position forward of the connector  3  in order to permit the connector  3  to slide off the cable  4 . Instead, the tool  1  allows the operator to easily move the connector  3  in a backward direction along the cable  4  to the exposed end at which the connector  3  was originally introduced onto the cable  4 .  
         [0024]     When mounted to the cable  4 , the connector  3  joins the cable  4  to other communication components. For example, the connector  3  may join the cable  4  to an antenna, base station equipment, or to any other equipment incorporated into a communication system.  
         [0025]     Features of the present invention have been described above with respect to a preferred embodiment. The invention is not limited to such an embodiment and other embodiments are also within the scope of the invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment the tool  1  is formed from one continuous piece of flexible material, such as a suitable plastic, and is configured in a generally “C” like shape. In such an embodiment there is no need for the hinge  23 , pins  24  and spring  25 . Instead, the flexible material is sufficiently resilient that the operator may separate the open ends of the tool  1  such that the tool  1  is in an open position when the tool  1  is mounted or removed from the connector  3 . The resilient material then maintains the open ends of the tool  1  in a closed position when the operator is not urging the open ends of the tool  1  apart. Of course, the tool  1  may be formed from a flexible material other than plastic, and may be configured in something other than a “C” shape such as a ring shape with a small removed section allowing the annulus to be twisted open. Thus, any materials which permit an operator to urge the tool  1  into open position, and which maintain the tool  1  in a closed position when not in the open position, are acceptable.  
         [0026]     In yet another embodiment, the spring  25  may be located adjacent the hinge  23 , spanning the respective first ends  18  and  20  of the main plate  16  and the secondary plate  17 . In this configuration, the spring  25  may be positioned between the circular space  22  and the hinge  23  such that the spring  25  is in tension when the main plate  16  and secondary plate  17  are in the open position. The spring  25  may also be positioned such that the hinge  23  is located between the spring  25  and the circular space  22  and the spring  25  is in compression when the main plate  16  and secondary plate  17  are in the open position. Further, the spring may be designed into the hinge in a conventional manner.  
         [0027]     Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, it will be understood that this description is merely for illustration purposes. Various modifications of and equivalent structure corresponding to the disclosed aspects of the preferred embodiments in addition to those described above may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention which is defined in the following claims. The scope of the claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass such modifications and equivalent structures.