Abstract:
A connector assembly for quick connect/disconnect engagement between two or more segments of coaxial cables has a hollow housing for attaching to a first electrical conductor and a coupler for attaching to a second electrical conductor. The housing and the coupler move to a limited distance in a sliding relation to each other. A locking member is fitted between the housing and the coupler to lock position of the housing in relation to the coupler and disengage the housing from the coupler when needed. The locking member has a compression spring that normally urges the housing away from the coupler and locking balls fitted in cutouts made in the locking member. When the spring is compressed, the locking balls move from the cutouts into an annular groove formed in the inner wall of the housing, thus allowing a limited sliding movement of the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to couplings, and more particularly to a connector that can be used for connecting segments of coaxial cables together, or for connecting coaxial cables to televisions, video players, DVD players, and other types of electronic equipment. 
     Many types of electronic equipment are connected with coaxial cables. The coaxial cables conventionally have an electrically conductive core. The core must be electrically connected with a receptacle mounted on the body of the television, VCR, and other similar equipment. 
     The core is encased in a non-conductive insulation. Before connecting the cable to a piece of an electronic equipment, the electrician has to crimp the end of the cable and attach a connector that has a threaded nut for engaging with the threaded receptacle on the electronic equipment to establish the electrical connection. 
     However, the electrician must have certain experience to perform the task of preparing a segment of cable for use. A lay person wishing to connect an outdoor antenna or cable to the indoor television usually does not posses these skills. Also, a lay person may not want to invest in expensive tools that allow cable crimping. 
     Even further, the connectors being usually on the back of a television set are not easily reachable. To unthread the connectors and remove the coaxial cable from the back of a television set may be awkward. This task may be particularly troublesome for people having limited movement in their hands. For this reason, various devices have been designed to make easier the connection between the coaxial cable and the television or VCR receptacle. 
     One such device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,858,156 issued on Dec. 31, 1974 for “Universal Female Coaxial Connector”. The &#39;156 patent discloses a quick disconnect coupling that can be used for both push on and threaded connection. The device has a cylindrical outer conductor member with a flange and an insulating member inside. The outer conductor has two sections: the terminal threaded section, which extends one-third of the length of the connector member and a sleeve section with a resilient flap, which extends outwardly from the sleeve section. The free end of the sleeve has a diameter smaller than the adjacent threads, thereby utilizing the threads as a stop means when disengaging the connector. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,187 issued on Mar. 12, 1975 for “Quick Connect-Disconnect Coax Connector” discloses a connector perfectly suitable for radio frequency circuits. A single moveable working sleeve is used to work a standard jack into a circuit. The connector has a female portion with a hollow axial connecting terminal surrounded by an insulated sleeve. The insulator is held in place by an outer conductor cylinder and an inner working plug. The locking sleeve slightly moves on the outer conductor cylinder. The sleeve has locking fingers that engage in the slot of the outer cylinder. The male portion of the connector has an axial conductive extension for engaging the hollow connecting terminal of the female portion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,846 issued on Jul. 17, 1990 for “Quick Connect/Disconnect Microwave Connector” discloses the use of a plurality of fingers surrounding the coaxial line segment. The fingers have inwardly facing ridges that match with the corresponding screw thread of the couplings. A sleeve is slideably mounted on the housing body and is provided with an internal cam surface. When the coaxial line segment of the connector is pushed into the couplings, the finger moves, causing the ridges to interlock with the screw thread. The coaxial line segment moves in relation to the housing body with the help of a compression screw. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,194 issued on May 14, 1991 for “Connector for Antennas and Coaxial Cable” discloses a clamp, which is combined with a polyamide sleeve to form a compression body. The connector has a lead with a pin, which connects to the transmission device. A support clamp allows connection to the transmission device. The sleeve engages the support clamp coupling to cause compression and non-yielding engagement between the support assembly contact shoulder and the connector end surface. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,465 issued on Aug. 17, 1999 for “Machined Dual Spring Ring Connector for Coaxial Cable” discloses the use of a split spring ring carried by a plug member set in a peripheral groove. When the two connectors are joined, the ring is compressed, compressing the peripheral ring into the circumferential notch formed in the split ring. 
     While these designs work satisfactorily in many environments, there is a need for an improved quick connect/disconnect coupling that can be used with for connecting unprepared segments of coaxial cable together, as well as to quickly connect/disconnect the coaxial cable and the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a quick connect/disconnect coaxial cable connector. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a coupling that can be easily manipulated by people with restricted hand movement, while ensuring secure engagement of the coaxial cable with an electronic device. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cable connector that allows connecting segments of the cable without any specialized tools. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a provision of a connector adapted to connect two electrical conductors, such as two or more segments of a coaxial cable. The connector comprises housing with a central opening, which receives an insulating insert therein. A plurality of gripping fingers is positioned in the insert for gripping a first electrical conductor. The gripping fingers also engage an elongated pin that extends from the insert outside of the housing. 
     The connector assembly also comprises a coupler for engaging with the second electrical conductor and a means for locking or disengaging the housing from the coupler to permit the quick connect/disconnect of the two electrical conductors. The locking means is fitted between the coupler and the housing. The locking means comprises a hollow cylindrical body with a plurality of cutouts. Each cutout receives a locking ball when the housing is locked in its position in relation to the coupler. 
     A compression spring urges the housing away from the coupler when the spring is released and the locking balls are engaged in the cutouts. When the spring is compressed, a shoulder on the inner wall of the housing forces the balls out from the cutouts and into the annular groove in the inner wall of the housing. 
     By pushing the housing towards and away from the coupler, the user can easily connect and disconnect the two coaxial cables. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals, and wherein 
     FIG. 1 is side view of the quick connect/disconnect coaxial connector in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the quick connect/disconnect coaxial cable connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a detail exploded view showing the receiver housing and locking members used in the connector of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a detail view of the receiver housing showing the locking ball in a disengaged position and the ball retainer spring compressed. 
     FIG. 5 is a detail view showing the receiver housing with the locking ball in a locked position and the retainer spring released. 
     FIG. 6 is a detail view showing a side view of the coupler with a threaded female end. 
     FIG. 7 is a detail side view showing a male end for connection to a coaxial cable. 
     FIG. 8 is a detail side view showing a female end for attachment directly to a coaxial cable. 
     FIG. 9 is a detail cross-sectional view showing the receiver housing with an alternative insert member. 
     FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the receiver housing with the alternative coaxial cable insert. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings in more detail, the locking connector assembly of the present invention is designated by numeral  10 . The assembly  10  comprises a first end  12  adapted for connecting to a receptacle  14  mounted on a television, VCR or other similar electronic equipment. The mounting wall of the electronic equipment is schematically illustrated at  16  in FIG.  1 . 
     The assembly  10  comprises a second externally threaded end  18 , which is adapted for connection to a coaxial cable  20 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coaxial cable is provided with a conventional coupler component  22 , which allows the electrical conductor core  24  to extend outwardly. The component  22  has inner threads (not shown) in the portion  26 . The second end  18  of the assembly  10  is provided with threads  28  designed to match the threads of the conventional component  22  when a nut  30  is rotated, forcing the threads in the portion  26  to move over the threads  28 . 
     The assembly  10  comprises a receiver housing  32 , a ball retainer member  34 , and a coupler  36 . The ball retainer member  34  is provided with a first cylindrical portion  40  (FIG. 3) formed with ball receiving cutouts  42  therein. The first cylindrical portion  40  is sized and shaped to fit over at least a portion of a cylindrical portion  44  of the coupler  36 . 
     The ball retainer member  34  has an outwardly extending flange  46  that is unitary connected to the cylindrical portion  40  through an end bridge  48 . An annular space  50  is formed between the flange  46  and the exterior of the cylindrical portion  40 . A tension spring  52  is fitted in the annular space  50 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The spring  52  urges against an end  56  of the receiver housing  32  and against an outwardly extending shoulder  58  of the receiver housing  32 . The shoulder  58  is an annular shoulder formed by the body of the receiver housing  32 , as can be better seen in FIG.  3 . 
     The receiver housing  32  slides over the cylindrical wall  40  of the ball retainer member  34  such that an end  60  of the annular flange  46  abuts against an inclined shoulder  62  of the receiver housing  32  when the retainer spring  52  is compressed, as shown in more detail in FIG.  4 . 
     The interior wall of the receiver housing  32  is provided with a central opening  64 . The central opening  64  has a first elongated cylindrical cavity  66 , connected with a plurality of different diameter cutouts formed in the interior of the housing  32 . 
     An end  68  of the cylindrical portion  40  of the ball retainer member  34  contacts an inner shoulder  70  when the retainer spring  52  is compressed, as shown in FIG.  4 . An enlarged diameter annular groove  72  is formed in the central opening  64 . The annular groove  72  is adapted to receive a plurality of locking balls  74  mounted in the cutouts, or grooves  42  when the balls  74  are moved by the compression or release of the spring  52 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of this invention, three locking balls  74  are provided for fitting in the cutouts  42  and portions of the annular groove  72 . When the receiver housing  32  moves in relation to the ball retainer member  34 , the balls move between a disengaged position, as shown in FIG. 4 and a locked position, as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     The assembly  10  further comprises a pair of coaxial cable inserts mounted in the central opening  64 . A first insert, designated by numeral  80  in the drawings, is provided with a coaxial cable receiver  82  fitted into an insulated housing  84 . The cable receiver  82  is formed from an electrical conductive material, such as copper. The cable receiver  82  is enclosed in an insulating enclosure  84  formed from a non-conductive material. The tension fingers of the cable receiver  82  form a narrow passage  86  for receipt of the cable core  24 . When the conducting core, or wire  24  is inserted into the receiver  82 , the fingers press against the core  24  and establish an electrical connection with a signal conductor pin  88 , which extends from an interior of the insulating enclosure  84  to an exterior thereof. 
     The conductor pin  88  has a first end which engages the fingers of the cable receiver  82  inside the enclosure  84  and a second end, which extends a distance from the enclosure  84 . The signal conductor pin  88 , similarly to the coaxial cable receiver  82  is formed from an electrical conductive material. The insert  80  is fitted into the cavity  66  of the receiver housing  32 , as shown in FIGS. 2,  4  and  5 . 
     A second insert  90  is fitted in the central opening  92  of the coupler  36 . The second insert  90  is similar, in all respects, to the insert  80 . It is provided with compression fingers  91  for receiving the signal conductor pin  88  of the first insert  80 . An insulating enclosure  94  houses the fingers, or the pin receiving members  91  and an inner portion of a conductor pin  98 . The pin  98  transmits electrical signals from the core  24  of the coaxial cable  20  to the receptacle  14 . 
     The coupling member  36  is provided with inner threads  100  that are designed to mate with the threads  102  on the receptacle  14 . An exterior surface  104  of the end  12  can be provided with machined surfaces to allow engagement of the end  12  by a wrench or similar tool to facilitate rotation of the assembly  10  when engaging with the receptacle  14 . 
     FIGS. 2 and 5 show the locking ball in a locked position within the cutout  42  and the ball retainer spring  52  in a released position. When the user pushes the receiver housing  32  in the direction of the receptacle  14 , the spring  52  becomes compressed, allowing the locking balls  74  to slide out from the opening  42  along the inclined surface  106  and move into the groove  72  of the receiver housing  32 . At the same time, the end  68  of the cylindrical portion  40  comes into contact with an inner shoulder  70  of the receiver housing  32 , as shown in FIG.  4 . The locking balls are in a disengaged position. 
     By pushing again on the housing  32  and causing it to move axially in the direction of the receptacle  14 , the user can again move the locking balls into a locked position, thereby affecting a quick connect/disconnect function of the assembly  10 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the thread female end  12  and quick disconnect male end  110  of the assembly of the present invention. Also shown in FIG. 6, is an annular groove  112  for receiving a portion of the locking ball  74  (see, cross-sectional view of FIG.  2 ). As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the pin  98  of the insert  94  extends outside of the end  114  of the coupling member  36 . 
     FIGS. 7-10 show a second embodiment of the insert of quick connect/disconnect assembly in accordance with the present invention. This embodiment is particularly convenient for situations where two segments of coaxial cable need to be connected. Such cases may arise when a cable connector is outside of the building or does not have a crimped end component  26 . 
     As can be seen in the drawings, the quick connect/disconnect function of the assembly is performed by the mechanism, which is identical, in all respects, to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6. The locking balls  124  rest in cutouts  126  of a ball retainer  128 . A compression spring  130  is fitted between the ball retainer  128  and the receiver housing  132 . An annular groove  134  formed in the receiver housing  132  receives the locking balls  124  when the spring  130  is compressed, allowing the receiver housing  132  to slide into engagement with the inner wall  136  of the ball retainer  128 . 
     Fitted in the receiver housing  132  is a coaxial cable insert  140 . The insert  140  has one or more frustoconical projections  142  that fit between the central conductive core  24  of the coaxial cable  20  and an insulating covering. The insulation surrounding the core  24  becomes squeezed between the projections  142  and an interior wall  144  of the housing  132 . The interior of the housing  132  is provided with a restricted diameter portion formed by portion  146  of the interior wall  144  (FIG.  10 ). The wall portion  146  is defined on its exterior end by an annular shoulder  148  and, on its inner end, by a shoulder  150 . 
     The shoulder  150  engages the underside of a peripheral flange  152  of the insert  140 , as can be seen in FIG.  9 . The insert  140  thereby becomes fitted against the wall  146 , with a shoulder  150  preventing removal of the insert  140  through an end  154  of the central opening formed in the receiver housing  132 . 
     When using the embodiment with the cable insert  140 , there is no need to have a coupler  22  or crimp the edges of the cable  20 . The user simply peels off the excess insulating material to expose the core wire  24  that will fit through the insert  140 , extend through the receiver housing  132  and then—through he ball retainer and a male end  160  (FIG. 7) of the assembly. 
     The coupler  160  is particularly suitable for connection to a coaxial cable that might extend on the outside of the building. The male end coupler  160  similarly to the coupler  36  is provided with an annular groove  162  for receiving at least a portion of the locking ball  124 . An insert, similar to the insert  94 , may be positioned, if desired, inside the coupler  160 . The interior of the coupler  160  is provided with threads (not shown) adjacent to an end  164 . The exterior is provided with projections  166  to facilitate engagement of the coupler with the cable receptacle. 
     The assembly of the present invention is particularly beneficial for occasions where the screw on, similar to the coupler  22 , is not available. For instance, this occasional arises when the cable was purchased without the compression fitting that would normally come into contact with the outer shield of the cable. The compression fittings are difficult to install and need special equipment. 
     By avoiding the need for the compression fitting and by using the quick connect/disconnect assembly of the present invention, the user would not need to be trained as an electrical technician. The procedure would be simply to peel back the insulation exposing the center core wire and inserting it through the inserts fitted into the body of the receiver housing. 
     The ridges  142  come into contact with the inside of the insulating sleeve enclosing the core  24 . As a result, a positive connection is made between the outer insulating shield and the inner core member allowing to readily attach the two segments of the coaxial cable together. The need to purchase an expensive crimping tool can also be avoided, thereby providing substantial cost savings to a household owner. 
     The assembly of the present invention is made from conventional materials readily available on the market and can be inexpensively manufactured. The assembly is easily positioned over the connectable cable wires to provide a quick connect/disconnect function. 
     Many changes and modifications can be made in the design of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.