Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a connector having a connector body. A housing mounts over the connector body. The housing is adapted for securing the connector to another element such as a piece of telecommunications equipment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to telecommunications connectors.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the telecommunications industry, connectors are used to interconnect cables to pieces of telecommunications equipment or to other circuitry (e.g., switches). U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,701, which is incorporated herein by reference, shows connectors  60  and  60 ′ mounted to the back wall of a digital cross-connect (DSX) module. In addition to modules, connectors are also frequently mounted to other structures such as telecommunications panels, frames, chassis, PC boards or other telecommunications components.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0003]    The present disclosure describes representative embodiments that include examples of how a number of inventive concepts can be practiced. It will be appreciated that the inventions can be used together or separately from one another. It will further be appreciated that the examples embodying the inventions are merely illustrative, and that variations can be made with respect to the depicted examples without departing from the broad scope of the inventions.  
           [0004]    An example embodiment disclosed herein relates to a connector having a connector body. The embodiment also includes a housing that mounts over the connector body. The housing is adapted for securing the connector to another element such as a piece of telecommunications equipment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various embodiments that are examples of how certain inventions can be put into practice. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a connector having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector of FIG. 2;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line  4 - 4  of FIG. 2;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the outer portion of one of the connector housing pieces of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interior side of the housing piece of FIG. 5;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 is a top view of the housing piece of FIG. 6;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the housing piece of FIG. 6;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 9 is a left side view of the housing piece of FIG. 6;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 10 is a front view of the housing piece of FIG. 6;  
         [0016]    FIGS.  11 - 13  show a sequence of steps for terminating a cable to the connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 14 illustrates aback module incorporating rear connectors having the same configuration as the connector of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative connector having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced;  
         [0019]    FIGS.  16 A- 16 C show a sequence of steps for inserting another alternative connector having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 17A and 17B show insertion steps for inserting a further alternative connector having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cluster mount connector configuration having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced; and  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another cluster mount configuration having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0023]    FIGS.  1 - 4  illustrate a connector  150  having features that are examples of how various inventive concepts disclosed herein can be practiced. The connector  150  includes a bulkhead  300  and a center conductor  316  supported within the bulkhead  300 . The bulkhead  300  can also be referred to as a “conductor support” since it functions to hold the conductor  316 , or a “connector body.” A housing  320  mounts about the bulkhead  300 . As will be described below, the housing  320  includes structure for securing the connector  150  to a piece of telecommunications equipment or other structure.  
         [0024]    A. Bulkhead  
         [0025]    Referring to FIG. 1, the bulkhead  300  of the connector  150  includes a connector sleeve  302  and a crimp-supporting sleeve  304 . The sleeves  302 ,  304  are positioned at opposite ends of the bulkhead  300 . The connector sleeve  302  is configured to provide a connection with a BNC type connector (Bayonet Normalized Connector). It will be appreciated that the sleeve can have different configurations to correspond to different styles of connectors such as TNC style connectors (Threaded Normalized Connectors) or 1.6/5.6 style connectors. The crimp-supporting sleeve  304  includes structure for enhancing a crimp (e.g., knurling, ridges, surface roughness, bumps, etc.).  
         [0026]    The bulkhead  300  also includes a housing mount  306  positioned between the sleeves  302 ,  304 . Preferably the housing mount  306  is integrally or unitarily formed as a single piece with the main body of the bulkhead  300 . The housing mount  306  includes a first flange  308  positioned adjacent the connector sleeve  302  and a second flange  310  positioned adjacent the crimp-supporting sleeve  304 . The flanges  308 ,  310  project outwardly from the main body of the bulkhead  300 . Each of the flanges  308 ,  310  has a generally square configuration. A gap  312  is located between the flanges  308 ,  310 . Flange  310  includes top and bottom key notches  314  (only the top notch is visible in FIG. 1).  
         [0027]    Referring to FIG. 4, the center conductor  316  of the connector  150  preferably mounts within the connector sleeve  302 . A dielectric spacer  318  is provided for centering the center conductor  316  within the connector sleeve  302 . When a BNC conventional connector (not shown) is coupled to the connector  150 , a center pin of the BNC connector fits within center conductor  316 , an outer conductor sleeve presses within the sleeve  302 , and a twist collar fits over sleeve  302  and receives tabs  317  of the bulkhead  300  to lock the connectors together. The sleeve  304  is hollow for receiving a cable terminated to the center conductor  316 .  
         [0028]    In one embodiment, the bulkhead  300  is constructed of a metal material such as zinc die cast alloy. However, it will be appreciated that other material can also be used.  
         [0029]    B. Housing  
         [0030]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the housing  320  of the connector  150  includes housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b . To promote manufacturing efficiency, it is preferred for the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  to have identical configurations. FIGS.  5 - 10  show various views of one of the housing pieces  322   a . Separate drawings for the housing piece  322   b  are not provided, since the two pieces are identical. In other embodiments, the housing pieces need not be identical. Further, in still other embodiments, more than two pieces can be provided, or the housing can be formed as a single, integral piece about the bulkhead  300 . In one embodiment, the housing is made of a dielectric plastic material such as polycarbonate. However, other materials could also be used.  
         [0031]    The housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  preferably have internal configurations that complement the outer configuration of the housing mount  306 . For example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and  10 , each of the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  includes first and second recesses  324 ,  326  for respectively receiving the first and second flanges  308 ,  310  of the bulkhead  300 . In the depicted embodiment, the recesses  324 ,  326  are generally square so as to match the shape of the flanges  310 ,  312 . Each of the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  also includes a shoulder  328  positioned between the recesses  324 ,  326 . The shoulder  328  is sized to fit within the gap  312  located between the flanges  308 ,  310 . While the flanges and recesses are depicted as being square, it will be appreciated that other shapes could also be used.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  also include key members  331  adapted to fit within the key notches  314  of the bulkhead  300  when the housing is mounted over the bulkhead  300 . Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, a core hole  333  is defined at the recess  324 . The hole  333  facilitates forming the pieces  322   a ,  322   b  using a molding process such as a plastic molding process.  
         [0033]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2,  6  and  7 , each of the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  includes a semi-circular recess  330  having a diameter that matches an outer diameter of the connector sleeve  302  of the bulkhead  300 . The housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  are also provided with structure for snap-fitting the pieces together. For example, the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  are also provided with resilient cantilever arms  332  (i.e. latches) and retaining shoulders  334 . As shown in FIG. 1, the cantilever arms  332  and the retaining shoulders  334  are positioned on opposite sides of each housing piece  332   a ,  332   b . Each cantilever arm  332  includes a free end including a retaining tab  336 . The retaining tabs  336  are shown including ramp surfaces  338 . The retaining shoulders  334  are preferably positioned within exterior slots  337  that are generally parallel with respect to the resilient cantilever arms  332 .  
         [0034]    To mount the housing  320  on the bulkhead  300 , the housing piece  322   a  is inserted downwardly over the housing mount  306  as shown by arrow  339  in FIG. 1, and the housing piece  322   b  is inserted upwardly over the housing mount  306  as indicated by arrow  340  in FIG. 1. As the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  are inserted into place, the flanges  308 ,  310  fit into recesses  324 ,  326  and the shoulders  328  fit into gap  312 . Also, the key members  331  fit within key notches  314 . When the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  are pushed together, the resilient cantilever arms  332  slide into the corresponding exterior slot  337  provided on the opposite housing piece. During the insertion process, the resilient cantilever arms  332  flex outwardly, with the assistance of ramp surfaces  338 , as the retaining tabs  336  enter the exterior slots  337 . When the retaining tabs  336  move past the retaining shoulders  334 , the inherent elasticity of the cantilever arms  332  causes the cantilever arms  332  to snap into a locked position. In the locked position, the retaining tabs  336  oppose or engage the retaining shoulders  334  to prevent the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  from being disconnected. If it is desired to disconnect the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b , the cantilever arms  332  can be manually flexed in an outward direction thereby allowing the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  to be pulled apart. FIG. 2 shows the resilient cantilever arms  332  snapped into the locking position such that the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  are coupled about the bulkhead  300 .  
         [0035]    As used herein, the phrase “snap-fit connection” means a connection provided by a resilient member that flexes or deforms past a retaining structure and moves to a locking or retaining position by the inherent flexibility or elasticity of the resilient member. In the above described embodiment, the arms  332  move or “snap” past the shoulders  334  by the inherent bias of the arms  332 . The term snap-fit connection is not limited to resilient arms, but includes any structure (e.g., bumps, tabs, shoulders, etc.) that is deformed during insertion and moves to a retaining position by the inherent elasticity of the structure. In other embodiments, the housing pieces  322   a ,  322   b  can be coupled together by other types of connection techniques such as press-fit connections or adhesive connections.  
         [0036]    The complementary relationship between the interior of the housing  320  and the housing mount  306  of the bulkhead  300  is preferably configured to prevent relative rotation between the housing  320  and the bulkhead  300 . For example, the opposing flats of the flanges  308 ,  310  and the recesses  324 ,  326  prevent relative rotation between the housing  320  and the bulkhead  300 . Other configurations such as interlocks or engaging, non-circular shapes could also be used.  
         [0037]    The complementary shape of the interior of the housing  320  and housing mount  306  also prevents the housing  320  from being axially slid from the bulkhead  300 . For example, when the housing  320  is mounted about the bulkhead  300 , shoulders  328  are captured between flanges  308 ,  310  such that axial movement of the housing  320  relative the bulkhead  300  is limited or prevented.  
         [0038]    The housing  320  of the connector preferably includes structure for providing a snap-fit connection between the connector  150  and a piece of telecommunications equipment (e.g., a panel or a jack module such as jack module  120  shown in FIG. 14). As shown in FIGS.  11 - 13 , the housing  320  includes top and bottom resilient cantilever arms  360 . As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and  5 , each cantilever arm  360  includes first and second retaining tabs  362  and  364  that are separated by a gap  366 . The second tab  364  is located at the free end of the arm  360 , and the first tab  362  is located between the second tab  364  and the base end of the arm  360 . The first tab  362  includes a ramp surface  368 . The housing  320  also includes fixed retaining shoulders  370  located on opposite sides of each of the second tabs  364 .  
         [0039]    In the depicted embodiment, the top and bottom sides of the housing are shown having identical configurations. However, in other embodiments, different snap-fit configurations can be provided on the top and bottom sides of the connector. Further, in some embodiments, only one snap-fit structure may be provided. It will be appreciated that the snap-fit structure could be provided on the top, the bottom or either side of the housing  320 .  
         [0040]    C. Cable Termination  
         [0041]    To terminate a cable  342  within the connector  150 , the cable  342  is preferably stripped as shown in FIG. 11. In the stripped configuration, the cable  342  includes an exposed central wire  344 , an exposed cladding portion  346 , and an exposed reinforcing braid  348 . The exposed wire  344  is preferably crimped within the center conductor  316 . The center conductor  316  is positioned within the bulkhead  300  of the connector  150  as shown in FIG. 4. To mechanically secure the cable  342  to the connector  150 , the braided portion  348  is inserted over the crimp-supporting sleeve  304  of the bulkhead  300  as shown in FIG. 12. A ferrule  350  is then crimped over the braid  348 , as shown in FIG. 13, to hold the braided portion  348  in place.  
         [0042]    D. Jack Module  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 14 illustrates a jack module  120  that is an example of a piece of telecommunications equipment to which the connector  150  can be secured. The jack module  120  includes a housing  122  having a main frame  124 . The main frame  124  includes a front end  126  positioned opposite from a rear end  128 . A front jack mount  130  is mounted at the front end  126  of the main frame  124 . The front jack mount  130  includes pockets  132   a ,  132   b  for respectively receiving jack devices  134   a ,  134   b . Front ends of the pockets  132   a ,  132   b  are open, and back ends of the pockets  132   a ,  132   b  are closed by a rear wall  136  of the front jack mount  130 . Connector mounts  138  are defined within the rear wall  136 . The connector mounts  138  are adapted for receiving jack interface connectors  140   IN ,  140   OUT ,  140   X-IN ,  140   X-OUT  (collectively referred to with reference number  140 ). When the jack devices  134   a ,  134   b  are inserted within the pockets  132   a ,  132   b , connectors  142  corresponding to the jack devices  134   a ,  134   b  interconnect with the jack interface connectors  140 . The front side of the front jack mount  130  is enclosed by a removable front cover  144 .  
         [0044]    Referring still to FIG. 14, the rear end  128  of the main frame  124  includes a rear wall  129  having upper and lower connector mounting locations  146 ,  148 . The lower mounting location  148  is inset relative to the upper mounting location  146 . Rear connectors  150   X-OUT ,  150   X-IN ,  150   OUT  and  150   IN  (collectively referred to with reference number  150 ) are mounted at the rear end  128 . For example, connectors  150   X-OUT  and  150   X-IN  are mounted at the upper mounting location  146 , and connectors  150   OUT  and  150   IN  are mounted at the lower mounting location  148 . Connectors  150   X-OUT  and  150   X-IN  are adapted for providing cross-connections between modules while the connectors  150   OUT  and  150   IN  are adapted for providing connections to network elements (e.g., telecommunications equipment). As shown in FIG. 14, cables  152   X-OUT ,  152   X-IN ,  152   IN  and  152   OUT  (collectively referred to with reference number  152 ) electrically connect the jack devices  134   a ,  134   b  to the rear connectors  150 . For example, cable  152   X-OUT  connects connector  150   X-OUT  connector  140   X-OUT , cable  152   X-IN  connects connector  150   X-IN  connector  140   X-IN , cable  152   OUT  connects connector  150   OUT  to connector  140   OUT , and cable  152   IN  connects connector  150   IN  to connector  140   IN .  
         [0045]    Referring still to FIG. 14, the jack module  120  is also preferably equipped with a tracer lamp circuit. The tracer lamp circuit includes a tracer lamp such as a light emitting diode (LED)  156  mounted at the front of the module  120 . A tracer lamp switch  155  is positioned adjacent the LED  156 . The tracer lamp circuit also includes a pin jack housing  158  mounted at the upper mounting location  146  and a card edge connector  160  mounted at the lower mounting location  148 . A harness  162  electrically connects the card edge connector  160 , the pin jack housing  158 , and the switch  155  to the LED  156 . It will be appreciated that the pin jack housing  158  is adapted for connecting the tracer lamp circuit  154  to the tracer lamp circuit of a cross-connected jack module, and the card edge connector  160  is adapted for connecting the tracer lamp circuit  154  to power and ground.  
         [0046]    The jack module is also disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. (not yet assigned) entitled Digital Switching Cross-Connect Module, which has attorney docket No. 2316.1362US01 and was filed on a date concurrent herewith, and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0047]    E. Connector Mounting Technique  
         [0048]    Referring to FIG. 14, the connectors  150  are connected to the rear wall  129  of the jack module  120  by inserting the housings rearwardly through openings  196 . As the connectors  150  are inserted rearwardly through the openings  196 , the ramped surfaces  368  of the top and bottom tabs  362  contact top and bottom edges  365 ,  367  that define the openings  196 . The contact between the ramped surfaces  368  and the top and bottom edges  365 ,  367  of the openings  196  causes the cantilever arms  360  to flex inwardly. After the first tabs  362  have moved completely through the openings  196 , the cantilever arms  360  snap outwardly such that the top and bottom edges  365 ,  367  are captured in the gap  366  between the first and second tabs  362 ,  364 . As so positioned, the second tabs  364  as well as the fixed retaining shoulders  370  engage the front side of the rear wall  129 , and the first tabs  362  engage the back side of the rear wall  129 . By flexing the cantilever arms inwardly while pushing the connectors  150  in a forward direction, the connectors  150  can be removed from the openings  196 .  
         [0049]    The depicted connector embodiment is adapted to be snap-fit into the openings  196  by pushing the connector in a rearward direction. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the snap-fit configuration can be modified to allow the connectors to be inserted in a forward direction from the rear side of the jack module.  
         [0050]    F. Alternative Configurations  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 15 shows an alternative housing  320 ′ adapted to fit over bulkhead  300 . The housing  320 ′ has the same configuration as the housing  320 , except pieces  322   a  and  322   b  are jointed by a living hinge  367 .  
         [0052]    FIGS.  16 A- 16 C show an alternative connector  450  having a housing  420  adapted to mount over bulkhead  300 . The housing  420  includes a modified snap-fit structure for connecting the connector  450  to a piece of telecommunications equipment  455 . The modified snap fit structure includes a bump or tab  421  that projects outwardly from the main body of the housing  420 . The tab  421  cooperates with bumps  457  of the equipment to provide the snap-fit connection. The bumps  457  project into an opening  459  defined by the equipment  455 . By inserting the connector  450  into the opening as shown in FIG. 16B, and turning the connector  450  to a position where the tab  421  snaps between the bumps  457 , the connector  450  is locked in place. It will be appreciated that either the housing  420  or the opening  459  are preferably rounded (i.e., radiused) to allow for the housing  420  to be rotated within the opening  459 .  
         [0053]    [0053]FIGS. 17A and 17B show an alternative connector  550  having a housing  520  that mounts over bulkhead  300 . Connector  550  mounts to a piece of telecommunications equipment  555  by sliding the connector  550  though an open side  551  of an opening  553  defined by the equipment  555 . The housing  520  can include slots or grooves (not shown) for receiving edges  559 ,  561  of the opening  553 . Alternatively, if the edges  559 ,  561  are defined by a relatively hard material such as sheet metal, and the housing  520  is made of a softer material such as plastic, grooves need not be provided in the housing  520  as the edges  559 ,  561  will self-cut grooves in the plastic during the insertion process. To facilitate insertion, in an alternative embodiment, the edges  559 ,  561  can be angled so as to converge as the edges  559 ,  561  extend away from the open side  551  of the opening  553 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 18 shows an alternative connector configuration having a cluster mount of connectors. The configuration includes a housing  620  having four interconnected pieces  622   a ,  622   b ,  622   c  and  622   d . The pieces  622   a - 622   d  can be interconnected by snap-fit connections as previously described. One bulkhead  300  is mounted between pieces  622   a  and  622   b , and another bulkhead  300  is mounted between pieces  622   b  and  622   c . A card edge connector  651  is mounted between pieces  622   c  and  622   d . Pieces  622   a  and  622   d  are preferably provided with latches  653  for providing a snap-fit connection with a piece of telecommunications equipment. FIG. 19 shows a cluster configuration that is the same as the one depicted in FIG. 18, except the card edge connector  651  has been replaced with a pin jack  751 . It will be appreciated that the number and type of connectors provided in the cluster can be varied.  
         [0055]    The connectors disclosed herein is adapted for use in a coaxial system. However, it will be appreciated that the various inventive aspects are applicable to other types of connectors as well. It will be appreciated that many embodiments of the inventions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions.