Abstract:
The invention is directed to a clutching mechanism for a coax connector. The device comprises an extended nut having a standard connector contained within. The extended nut comprises internal threads and a first clutch face and the internal standard connector comprises a connector body having a second clutch face. In operation, the first clutch face and the second clutch face are engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. The device further comprises a compression sleeve between the nut and the connector body, serving to secure the cable to the connector.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to connectors, and more particularly, to a connecting assembly that can be used in place of a conventional nut to connect a cable to an externally threaded connecting port. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Numerous connecting assemblies are currently available for connecting a cable, such as a coaxial cable, to an externally threaded connecting port. Additionally, externally threaded connecting ports may be located either indoors or outdoors, and often vary considerably. 
     A commonly utilized assembly for connecting a cable to a port is a nut, aligned with, and rotated relative to, an externally threaded connecting port. This assembly configuration allows the installer to selectively secure the cable thereto and release the cable therefrom. Loosely connected cables are a common problem in connecting cables to ports. This problem persists outdoors on taps and splitters, as well as inside the home behind the TV. While a loose outdoor connection can create undesired broadcasting of the signal, or allow moisture to enter the cable to cause corrosion within the connection and the equipment, a loose indoor connection may allow electromagnetic interference of all types to degrade the signal, resulting in poor picture quality. 
     Whether indoors or outdoors, the aforementioned loose connections often require cable operators attention and visits to sites resulting from loose connections contribute substantially to a system&#39;s operating expense. Cable companies endeavor to teach various installation techniques to service professionals to assure the proper attachment of connectors. Such techniques typically include the use of a torque wrench, having a preset limit sufficient to ensure proper tightness. However, the use of a torque wrench may be inconvenient at the installation site, or simply foregone in the interest of time. As a result, the connectors may be inadequately tightened on the equipment ports. The typical technician is only able to achieve 2-5 in-lbs. of torque with fingers on a conventional 7/16 hex nut with the best of access. This is far below the recommended specification of 30 in-lbs., and sometimes not even enough to overcome thread roughness, thus leaving an actual gap between contacting surfaces of the port and connector. 
     Therefore, what is needed in the art is an apparatus and method for attaching a coax connector to a threaded port that requires no special tooling and allows the installer to generate more torque using only his hands thereby providing a better connection. 
     Additional what is needed in the art is an apparatus and method for attaching a cable to a connector that is relatively easy and requires no additional specialized tooling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a clutching mechanism for a coax connector. The device comprises an extended nut having a standard connector contained within. The extended nut comprises internal threads and a first clutch face and the internal standard connector comprises a connector body having a second clutch face. In operation, the first clutch face and the second clutch face are engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. The device further comprises a compression sleeve between the nut and the connector body, serving to secure the cable to the connector. Additionally, a variety of nuts having various external gripping surfaces are disclosed. 
     A particular embodiment of the present invention comprises a coax connector having a clutching mechanism comprising a nut and a connector body wherein said nut defines an internal cavity, and said connector body is contained partially within said cavity; said nut further comprises internal threads and a first clutch face; and said connector body further comprises a connector body having a second clutch face wherein the first clutch face and the second clutch face may be engaged by forcing the nut toward the connector body/cable, thereby serving as an interlocking mechanism. 
     Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of attaching a coax cable to a connector mechanism wherein said connector mechanism comprises a post, an extended nut, a connector body, an O-ring, and a compression sleeve, comprising the steps of: pushing a cable into the connector body thereby causing the connector body to engage the extended nut in a locked position; rotating the cable within the connector body to assure the cable is properly seated within the cable body; and advancing the compression sleeve toward the connector body thereby securing the cable to the connector mechanism. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus and method for attaching a coax connector to a threaded post that requires no special tooling and allows the installer to generate more torque using only his hands thereby providing a better connection. 
     An additional advantage of the present invention is that it provides an apparatus and method for attaching a cable to a connector that is relatively easy and requires no additional specialized tooling. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become apparent and be more completely understood by reference to the following description of one embodiment of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1 . is an exploded perspective view illustrating elements of a first embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an assembled first embodiment according to the present invention with portions broken away; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an assembled first embodiment according to the present invention with portions broken away; 
         FIG. 4 . is an exploded perspective view illustrating elements of a second embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5 . is a perspective view illustrating the connector body of the second embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6 . is a perspective view illustrating the nut body of the second embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7 . is a perspective view illustrating the nut body in communication with connector body and end nut of the second embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are perspective views illustrating nut bodies of additional embodiments of the Coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view illustrating elements of a first embodiment of the Coax connector clutching mechanism  100  of the present invention is shown. The assembly comprises a post member  110 , a nut body  102 , an O-ring  114 , a connector body  108 , and a compression sleeve  112 . 
     The post member comprises a base segment  116  and a stem segment  118 . Additionally, the post member  110  comprises a substantially cylindrical bore  134  through its axial length adapted to receive a coaxial cable (not shown). The base segment  116  of the post member  110  further comprises flanged end  136  and annular groove  138  separated by substantially annular segment  140 . As will be better understood in the description of  FIG. 2 , the post member is adapted to be received within the nut body  102  and connector body  108 . Additionally the stem segment  118  comprises an elongated cylindrical bore  134  and an outer surface  142  for receiving and retaining the aforementioned a coaxial cable (not shown). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the nut body  102  includes a first end  126  and a second end  124 , wherein the inner surface of the first end comprises a threaded segment  104 . The threaded segment  104  is adapted to be received by an externally threaded connector (not shown). Furthermore, the first end  126  is adapted to receive the post member  110 , thereby permitting the post member  110  to rotate freely within said nut body  102 . The nut body  102  further comprises an annular lip  144  adjacent to the threaded section which communicates with the flanged end  136  of the base  116  of the post member  110  when post member is within the nut body as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, the inner surface of the nut body  202  includes at least one internal clutch face  220  which will be discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the connector body  108  has a first end  128  wherein said first end further comprises a connector body clutch face  106 . Additionally, the connector body comprises a second end  129 , wherein the outer surface of the second end further comprises an annular groove  130  and annular ledge  132 . The groove  130  and annular ledge  132  serve to receive an annular lip  146  protruding inward on a first end  148  of the compression sleeve  112 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a view of the nut body in the “free’ position with the connector body, and in the ‘locked’ position with the connector body are shown respectively. In operation, the clutch face  120  of the nut body  102  mates with a similar clutch face  106  of the connector body  108 . The nut body  102  serves two functions. Upon installing the cable (not shown) on the connector body  108 , the installer may hold the nut body  102  firmly with one hand, and push the cable in at the other end  129  of the connector body  108 . The opposing forces of the cable being pushed and the installer&#39;s hand firmly holding the nut body  102 , cause the clutch faces  106  and  120  to mechanically engage in a lock position as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . While the nut body  102  and connector body  108  are in the locked position, the installer may alternately rotate the prepared cable (not shown) clockwise and counter clockwise, thereby properly seating the cable in the connector body  108 . With the cable seated in the connector body  108 , compression sleeve  112  may now be advanced forward on the connector body, thereby securing the cable to the connector  100 . Referring once again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the method of securing the compression sleeve  112  to the connector body  108  may be better understood. As described above, the clutch/connector body  108  comprises a second end  129 , wherein the outer surface of the second end further comprises an annular groove  130  and annular ledge  132 . The groove  130  and annular ledge  132  serve to receive an annular lip  146  protruding inward on a first end  148  of the compression sleeve  112 . 
     With the connector assemble fully assembled, the installer may move the nut away from the connector body, thereby disengaging the clutch faces  106  and  120 , to rotatably attach the nut body  102  to the interface port (not shown) without turning the cable. The extended length of the nut body  102  also provides a manageable surface for the installer to grasp and apply greater torque in tightening the nut body  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4-7 , an additional embodiment of the present invention is shown. The post member  210  of this embodiment  200  is substantially similar to the previous embodiment, comprising a base segment  216  and a stem segment  218 . Additionally, the post member  210  comprises a substantially cylindrical bore  234  through its axial length adapted to receive a coaxial cable (not shown). The base segment  216  of the post member  210  further comprises flanged end  236  and annular groove  238  separated by substantially annular segment  240 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the connector body  208  has a first end  228  wherein said first end further comprises at least one connector body clutch face  206 . Additionally, the connector body  208  comprises a second end  229 , wherein the outer surface of the second end further comprises an external threaded portion  230 . As will be described in greater detail in the following paragraphs, the external threaded portion  230  of the connector body  208  is adapted to threadedly engage an internal threaded segment  252  of end nut  250 . 
     The collar member  212 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , has a substantially cylindrical body and an annular bore  248  throughout its axial length. The annular bore  248  is adapted to receive a coaxial cable (not shown), and the outer surface  249  of the substantial cylindrical body is adapted to fit within the inner cavity of the connector body  208 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the nut body  202  includes a first end  226  and a second end  224 , wherein inner surface of the first end comprises a threaded segment  204 . The threaded segment  204  is adapted to be received by an externally threaded connector (not shown). Furthermore, the first end  226  is adapted to receive the post member  210 , thereby permitting the post member  210  to rotate freely within said nut body  202 . The nut body  202  further comprises an annular lip  244  adjacent to the threaded section  204  which shall communicate with the flanged end  236  of the base  216  of the post member  210  inserted within the nut body  202 . As illustrated, the inner surface of the nut body  202  includes at least one internal clutch face  220  which will be discussed in greater detail in the following paragraphs. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4  and for the first time to  FIG. 7 , the device is assembled by feeding the post member  210  through the first opening  211  in the nut body  202  as described above. O-ring  214  and connector body  208  are then inserted into the cavity  213  at the second end  215  of the nut body  202 . The collar member  212  is adapted to be received within the cavity  217  of the connector body  208 . With the aforementioned components in place, the threaded segment  252  of end nut  250  is advanced upon the threaded segment  230  of the connector body  208 . 
     In operation, the clutch face  220  of the nut body  202  mates with a similar clutch face  206  of the connector body  208 . The nut body  202  serves two functions. Upon installing the cable (not shown) on the connector body  208 , the installer may hold the nut body  202  firmly with one hand, and push the cable in at the other end  229  of the end nut  250 . The opposing forces of the cable being pushed and the installer&#39;s hand firmly holding the nut body  202 , cause the clutch faces  206  and  220  to mechanically engage in a lock position (not shown). While the nut body  202  and connector body  208  are in the locked position, the installer may alternately rotate the prepared cable (not shown) clockwise and counter clockwise, thereby properly seating the cable in the connector body  208 . With the cable seated in the connector body  208 , the threaded segment of the end nut  250  may now be advanced forward onto the threaded segment of the connector body  230 , thereby securing the cable to the connector  200 . A view of the end nut  250  threadedly attached to the nut body  202  and connector body  208  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     With the connector assemble  200  fully assembled, the installer may move the nut body  202  away from the connector body  208 , thereby disengaging the clutch faces  206  and  220 , to rotatably attach the nut body  202  to the interface port (not shown) without turning the cable. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , perspective views illustrating nut bodies of additional embodiments of the coax connector clutching mechanism of the present invention are shown.  FIG. 8  illustrates an elongated nut body  300  having a plurality of longitudinal grooves  302  on the outer surface  304 .  FIG. 9  illustrates a further embodiment of a nut body  400  of the present invention wherein the outer surface  402  comprises a hexagonal gripping means  404  and a plurality of grooves  406  running along the outer surface. 
     While this invention has been described as having particular embodiments, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention using the general principles disclosed herein. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.