Patent Publication Number: US-6710685-B1

Title: Waveguide interconnection system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/801,206 filed Mar. 7, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,875. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a waveguide interconnection system for effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of connection systems of known designs and configurations is known in the prior art. More specifically, connection systems of known designs and configurations previously devised and utilized for the purpose of connecting and disconnecting components through-known methods and apparatuses are known to consist basically of familiar, expected, and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which has been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,041 to Judkins, et al discloses a permanent waveguide connection for occasional use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,532 to Williams et al discloses a fast acting waveguide coupler. U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,136 to Forti et al discloses flanges and bodies for microwave waveguides components. Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,893 to Sciarrino discloses a waveguide interconnection system. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a waveguide interconnection system that allows for effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. 
     In this respect, the waveguide interconnection system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. 
     Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which can be used for effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in connection systems of known designs and configurations now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved waveguide interconnection system. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a improved waveguide interconnection system for effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. First provided is a male connector. The male connector has a first end of a generally cylindrical configuration with an outer face. The male connector also has a second end. A generally rectangular portion of the male connector extends inwardly with respect to the system with an inner face and four corners. The male connector further has a rectangular aperture extending through both the ends and faces. The second end has four male flanges extending radially in the corners of the second end. The flanges are also angularly displaced from each other by 90 degrees. The male flanges have end faces coplanar with the inner face of the second end. Recesses are formed between the flanges and have the same circumference as the first end. The male connector also has a bore positioned in a first flange. Next provided is a female connector. The female connector has a generally rectangular configuration with an inner face, an outer face, a plurality of side faces and a plurality of corners. The female connector also has an annular recessed ring in the inner face. The female connector further has a rectangular aperture extending through both faces of the female connector and aligning with the rectangular aperture of the male connector when in a locked state. The female connector has four L-shaped female receivers. Each receiver has a base coplanar with its associated side face and a lip extending horizontally towards its adjacent corner. The lip also has an arcuate edge configured to match the circumference of the recesses of the male connector. The lips of the female connector are adapted to accept the flanges of the male connector. The bases of the receivers are positioned adjacent to each corner such that when in the locked state the flanges of the male connector form a coplanar coupling with the receivers of the female connectors. Bores are positioned in a first corner of the female connector and passing through its associated lip aligning with the bores of the male connector when in the locked state. A pin is adapted to pass through the bores and hold the system in the locked state. An O-ring is next provided. The O-ring resides within the recessed ring of the female connector allowing for a snug fit when in the locked state. A pair of elastomeric cables are provided. The elastomeric cables are in rectangular configurations and are coupled to the rectangular aperture of the male and female connectors. A first cable of the pair forming a coplanar connection with the inner face of the female connector. A second cable of the pair is formed just short of the inner face of the male connector. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which has all of the advantages of the prior art connection systems and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which is of durable and reliable constructions. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved waveguide interconnection system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale, thereby making such waveguide interconnection system economically available. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a waveguide interconnection system for connecting and disconnecting components. 
     Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an interconnection system having mating male and female connectors. The male connector has a first end with an outer face and a second end with an inner face, an aperture passing through the center, radially extending flanges coplanar with the inner face and recesses formed between the flanges with a first circumference. The female connector has a central aperture passing there through, receivers with lips having an edge with the first circumference. When mated in the locked state, the flanges of the male connector form a coplanar coupling with the receivers of the female connector with the central apertures aligned and at least one bore passing through both connectors. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the new and improved waveguide interconnection system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the system taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the system shown in prior Figures. 
     FIG. 5 is perspective view of a support device as a component of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is side view of the present invention with an intermediate portion supporting a filter. 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective illustration of another embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is an end view of the FIG. 7 embodiment taken along line  8 — 8  of FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along line  9 — 9  of FIG.  8 . 
     FIG. 10 is an end view of the FIG. 7 embodiment prior to it being in the locked state. 
     FIG. 11 is an end view of the female connector taken along line  11 — 11  of FIG.  9 . 
     FIG. 12 is an end view of the male connector taken along line  12 — 12  of FIG.  9 . 
     The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various Figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-6 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved waveguide interconnection system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     The present invention, the waveguide interconnection system  10  is comprised of a plurality of components. Such components in their broadest context include a male connector, a female connector, an o-ring and a pair of elastomeric cables. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objectives. 
     First provided is a male connector  14 . The male connector has a first end  16  of a generally rectangular configuration. The first end has an outer face  18  and a plurality of side faces  20 . The male connector also has a second end  22 . The second end comprises a cylindrically shaped portion  24  extending inwardly with respect to the system. The second end has an inner face  26 . The male connector also has a rectangular aperture  28  extending through both the ends and faces. 
     The second end has four male flanges  30  extending generally radially with end faces  32  formed coplanar with the side faces of the first end. The flanges are coplanar with the inner face of the second end. Recesses  34  are formed between the flanges and the first end of the male connector. The flanges are angularly displaced from each other by 90 degrees. A plurality of bores  36  are positioned in the corners of the first end of the male connector. 
     Next provided is a female connector  40 . The female connector has a generally rectangular configuration with an inner face  42 , an outer face  44  and a plurality of side faces  46 . The female connector also has an annular recessed ring  48 . Further, the female connector has a rectangular aperture  50  extending through both faces of the female connector and aligning with the rectangular aperture of the male connector when in a locked state. 
     The female connector has four L-shaped female receivers  52 . Each female receiver has a base  60  being coplanar with its associated side face and a lip  62  extending towards the rectangular aperture. The lip also has an arcuate edge  64  configured to match the circumference of the cylindrically extending portion of the male connector. The lips extend tangentially from the bases forming recesses to accept the flanges of the male connector. The bases of the receivers are positioned 90 degrees from each other and are symmetrically located with respect to the central axis of the system. In this manner, when in the locked state, the flanges of the male connector form a rectangular coplanar surface with the receivers of the female connectors. A plurality of bores  68  are positioned in the corners of the female connector and aligning with the bores of the male connector when in the locked state. This allows for the use of threaded fasteners to extend through the aligned bores of the male and female fasteners for thereby achieving a more secure coupling. 
     Provided next is an o-ring  72 . The o-ring is provided to reside within the ring of the female connector allowing for a snug fit when in the locked state. 
     Also provided are a pair of elastomeric cables  76 ,  78 . The cables are in a rectangular configuration and coupled to the rectangular aperture of the male and female connectors. One cable forms a coplanar connection with the inner face of the female connector. The other cable is formed just short of the inner face of the male connector. The cables are formed with central rectangular apertures there through aligned with the apertures of the connectors for the passage of microwave transmissions. The cables are formed of an elastomeric material, plastic or rubber, natural or synthetic, or blends thereof. The cables are resilient so that they will return to their original shapes, normally linear, after a deforming force has been removes. The cables are also flexible so they may be deformed as when coupling or uncoupling the male and female connectors. 
     The system preferably includes a U-shaped support mechanism  80 . This U-shaped support mechanism has a top face  82  and a pair of parallel side faces  84  and is adapted to slide over the system when in the locked state. When covering the system the support mechanism faces come into contact with three faces of the system. Additionally, the top face has a hoop  86  attached thereto for being grasped during the removal and application of the support mechanism. 
     The system may further include an intermediate portion  88 . This intermediate portion has a female connector  90  adapted to couple with the male connector of the system. The intermediate portion also has a male connector  92  adapted to couple with the female connector of the system. The central region of the intermediate portion is adapted to support a filter  94  in the path of travel of microwave transmissions through the cables. The filter functions to modify the transmitted microwaves. 
     An additional embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 7 through 12. This embodiment is an improved waveguide interconnection system  100  for effecting the rapid connection and disconnection of facing components. First provided in this embodiment is a male connector  102 . The male connector has a first end  104  of a generally cylindrical configuration with an outer face  106 . The male connector also has a second end  108 . A generally rectangular portion of the male connector extends inwardly with respect to the system with an inner face  110  and four corners  112 . The male connector further has a rectangular aperture  114  extending through both the ends and faces. The second end has four male flanges  116  extending radially in the corners of the second end. The flanges are also angularly displaced from each other by 90 degrees. The male flanges have end faces  118  coplanar with the inner face of the second end. Recesses  120  are formed between the flanges and have the same circumference as the first end. The male connector also has a bore  122  positioned in a first flange  124 . 
     Next provided in this embodiment is a female connector  130 . The female connector has a generally rectangular configuration with an inner face  132 , an outer face  134 , a plurality of side faces  136  and a plurality of corners  138 . The female connector also has an annular recessed ring  140  in the inner face. The female connector further has a rectangular aperture  142  extending through both faces of the female connector and aligning with the rectangular aperture of the male connector when in a locked state. The female connector has four L-shaped female receivers  144 . Each receiver has a base  146  coplanar with its associated side face and a lip  148  extending horizontally towards its adjacent corner. The lip also has an arcuate edge  150  configured to match the circumference of the recesses of the male connector. The lips of the female connector are adapted to accept the flanges of the male connector. The bases of the receivers are positioned adjacent to each corner such that when in the locked state the flanges of the male connector form a coplanar coupling with the receivers of the female connectors. Bores  152  are positioned in a first corner  154  of the female connector and passing through its associated lip aligning with the bores of the male connector when in the locked state. A pin  156  is adapted to pass through the bores and hold the system in the locked state. 
     An O-ring  160  is provided. The O-ring resides within the recessed ring of the female connector allowing for a snug fit when in the locked state. 
     A pair of elastomeric cables  170  are provided. The elastomeric cables are in rectangular configurations and are coupled to the rectangular aperture of the male and female connectors. A first cable of the pair forming a coplanar connection with the inner face of the female connector. A second cable of the pair is formed just short of the inner face of the male connector. 
     As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.