Patent Publication Number: US-8112876-B2

Title: Method of compressing a connector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application claiming priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/056,685 filed on Feb. 11, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,271 issued on Nov. 2, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to the field of tools for connecting coaxial cable connectors to cable ends by compression. More particularly, this invention provides for a coaxial cable connector compression tool comprising a jaw configured to accommodate different sized connectors and a method of use thereof. 
     2. Related Art 
     Cable communications have become an increasingly prevalent form of electromagnetic information exchange and coaxial cables are common conduits for transmission of electromagnetic communications. Connectors for coaxial cables are typically connected onto cable ends to facilitate cable connection with complementary interface ports to electrically integrate coaxial cables to various electronic devices. Compression tools are useful in affixing the connectors to the cable ends because the tools provide increased mechanical advantage effective for securely compressing the connectors onto the cables. 
     There are many coaxial cable connector compression tools available for use in fastening coaxial cable connectors. Typically, connector compression tools can only accommodate one size of connector. In order to accommodate different sized connectors having different diameters and/or different lengths, typical connector compression tools include additional parts or components such as movable stops, flexible-hinged jaws, replaceable jaws and swiveling heads. Further, the tools often require springs, pivots, screws and other components to accommodate different sized connectors. These additional parts add complexity and cost to the connector compression tools. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the field of coaxial cable connector compression tools for an improved tool design. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a connector compression tool for use with coaxial cable connectors that offers improved reliability. 
     A first general aspect of the invention provides a connector compression tool comprising a handle, pivotally moveable from a second position to a first position, a body, wherein the body includes a first body portion moveable with respect to a second body portion such that the first and second body portions may operatively compress together when the handle is maneuvered to a first position, and a jaw, operably associated with the body, wherein the jaw includes a plurality of openings having different widths to accommodate connectors having different diameters. 
     A second general aspect of the invention provides a connector compression tool comprising a body, a handle, pivotally operable with the body, and a pair of jaws, relatively moveable toward and away from each other as the handle is pivoted, wherein the jaws retain connectors having different diameters by engaging the connectors via slots having multiple widths. 
     A third general aspect of the invention provides a connector compression tool comprising a handle operating with a body, wherein the body compresses together as the handle is maneuvered to a first position, and a set of jaws, wherein the jaws are moveable with respect to each other as the body is compressed, wherein the jaws have a fixed geometry and are configured with means for accommodating differently configured connectors having different diameters and different lengths. 
     A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a method of compressing a connector, the method comprising providing a connector compression tool, wherein the connector compression tool includes a handle, pivotally moveable from a second position to a first position, a body, configured to compress together when the handle is moved to the first position; and a jaw, operably associated with the body, wherein the jaw includes at least two centering openings having different widths to accommodate connectors having different diameters. The method further comprises placing a connector with the provided connector compression tool such that surfaces of the connector operatively engage centering portions of the jaw and compressing the connector by maneuvering the handle from the second position to the first position. 
     The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of various embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector compression tool, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a partially cut-away perspective view of an embodiment of connector compression tool, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a slotted jaw, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw having slots of variable width countersunk at the same depth, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw having slots of variable width countersunk at different depths, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw having slots of variable width counterbored at different depths, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector compression tool accommodating a larger connector; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector compression tool accommodating a smaller connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Although certain embodiments of the present invention will be shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of an embodiment. The features and advantages of the present invention are illustrated in detail in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. 
     As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100 , in accordance with the present invention. The connector compression tool  100  may comprise a handle  20  (e.g.  20   a ,  20   b ) wherein the handle  20 , such as handle  20   a , may be pivotally moveable in a direction O from a first position  60  to a second position  70  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Additionally, the handle  20   a  may be pivotally operable with a body  30 , such that pivotal operation of the handle  20   a  effectuates opening and closing of the body  30 , wherein a first body portion  32  may be moveable with respect to a second body portion  34  such that the first body portion  32  and second body portion  34  of the body  30  may operatively compress together when the handle  20   a  is maneuvered to a first position  60 . Moreover, when the handle  20   a  is moved from a first position  60  to a second position  70 , the second body portion  34  may move in a direction A with respect to the first body portion  32 . Furthermore, embodiments of the connector compression tool  100  may comprise a handle  20   b . It should be recognized that the handle  20   b  may be pivotally fashioned with respect to the body  30 , or may be operable with the body  30  such that the handle  20   b  remains pivotally static with respect to the body  30 . However, the handle  20   b  should be pivotal with respect to handle  20   a  and vice versa so that the two handles  20   a - b  may be maneuvered, in a direction, O between a first position  60  and a second position  70  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     With further reference to  FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100  may comprise a jaw  40   a  being configured to hold a connector. The jaw  40   a  may have a fixed geometry which may include two or more centering slots or openings, wherein the openings have different widths. The different widths of the slots on jaw  40   a  may accommodate differently configured connectors (such as connector  80  and connector  90 , shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  respectively) having different diameters. The geometry of the jaw  40   a  may be fixed so that the jaw  40   a  may not include additional parts or components such as movable stops, flexible-hinges, replaceable components, swiveling elements, springs, pivots, screws and other components to accommodate different sized connectors. Furthermore, the openings of jaw  40   a  may engage differently configured connectors via physical contact with the corresponding openings of jaw  40   a . An embodiment of a connector compression tool  100  may further comprise a jaw  40   b . The jaw  40   b  may work in conjunction with jaw  40   a  to facilitate compression of differently configured connectors. As such, the jaws  40   a - b  may act as a pair or set of holding devices comprising opposing parts of the connector compression tool  100  to hold and compress a connector. The pair of jaws  40   a - b  may be relatively moveable toward and away from each other as the handle  20   a  (and/or  20   b  depending on the embodied design) is pivoted to effectuate opening and closing of the first and second portions  32  and  34  body  30 . Moreover, the set of jaws  40   a - b  may be moveable with respect to each other as the body  30  and its various portions  32  and  34  are compressed. 
     Referring further to the drawings,  FIG. 2  depicts a partially cut-away perspective view of an embodiment of connector compression tool  100 , in accordance with the present invention. Some of the first body portion  32  of the body  30  was partially cut-away to more clearly show various elements of the tool  100 . As shown, handle  20   a  and handle  20   b  are pivotally spread apart in a second position  70 . The handles  20   a - b  may rotate about a pivot  24  of or operable with the body  30 . When the handles  20   a - b  are oriented in a second position  70  an operator may compress the body  30  by moving a rear second body portion  34  of the body  30  in a direction T toward a forward second body portion  32  of the body  30 . Further, the second body portion  34  of the body  30  may operate with an attached, physically associated, joined, linked, and/or connected, jaw  40   a . The jaw  40   a  may be connected to the second body portion  34  of the body  30  by a fastener  46  such as a bolt, screw or rivet, or may be fastened by welds, clips, geometrical sockets, or other positioning means. When operably positioned with the rear second body portion  34  of the body  30 , the jaw  40   a  may receive a portion of a connector. Accordingly, the proximity of the rear portion  34  where the jaw  40   a  may be located may include a slot or opening configured to accommodate the largest sized connector capable of being accommodated by the jaw  40   a . Furthermore, the first body portion  32  of the body  30  may operate with an attached jaw  40   b . The jaw  40   b  may be positioned proximate the first body portion  32  of the body  30  by a fastener  46  or other fastening means similar to those used to position the jaw  40   a  with the second body portion  34  of the body  30 . Moreover, the first body portion  32  of the body  30  may include a slot or opening configured to facilitate engagement of the jaw  40   b  with a connector when positioned with the first body portion  32  of the body  30  and accommodated by the jaw  40   b.    
     With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the connector  100  may operate such that pivotal contraction of the handles  20   a - b , in a direction C, from a second position  70  to a first position  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) works to maneuver jaw  40   a  operating with the rear second body portion  34  of the body  30  toward the opposing jaw  40   b  fashioned to the front first body portion  32  of the body  30 . The contracting movement of the body  30  and its various body portions  32  and  34 , operating with the handles  20   a - b , may be directionally assisted by movable trunnions, guide posts, push stems, or positioning pegs  36 . Furthermore, the several components of the connector compression tool  100  may be comprised of various materials useful in assisting the compression of an engaged connector (shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) by the tool  100  when the tool is moved to a first position  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). For example the entire connector compression tool  100  may be comprised of metal. Moreover, the body  30  of the tool  100  may be formed of metal, while the handles  20   a - b  may be comprised of a rigid plastic material. In addition, the handles  20   a - b  be may be fashioned from wood and the body  30  may be formed of a sturdy composite material, while the pivot  24  or movable trunnions, guide posts, push stems, or positioning pegs  36  may be comprised of metal. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that different embodiments of the connector compression tool  100  may incorporate various components formed of various materials suitable for effecting proper use and operant function of the tool in connecting, compressing, fastening, installing and engaging connectors configured with different sizes. 
     With further reference to the drawings,  FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a slotted jaw  40   c , in accordance with the present invention. The slotted jaw  40   c  may have a thickness λ. Those in the art may recognize that the thickness may vary throughout the jaw  40   c  according to various desired jaw performance characteristics. Moreover, the slotted jaw  40   c  may have a slot or slots extending through the thickness λ and being generally defined by dimensions θ 1 , θ 2 , ε 1 , ε 2 , α and β. The slot or slots extend from a single top  3  of the jaw  40   c . The dimension θ 1  may define the center of an opening  1  having a width ε 1  and being positioned a distance α from the top of the slotted jaw  40   c . The opening  1  may be geometrically compatible with a connector and may likewise accommodate the reception of the connector when oriented for compression by the connector compression tool  100  (see  FIG. 1 , see also generally  FIG. 7 ). The dimension θ 2  may define the center of an opening  2  having a width ε 2  and being positioned a distance  13  from the top of the slotted jaw  40   c . The opening  2  may be geometrically compatible with a connector that is smaller than the connector compatible with opening  1  and may likewise accommodate the reception of the smaller connector when the smaller connector is oriented for compression by the connector compression tool  100  (see  FIG. 1 , see also generally  FIG. 8 ). The slotted jaw  40   c  may be comprised of metals, hard plastics, rigid composites and/or other materials suitable for durable use in compressing variably sized connectors. Furthermore, the slotted jaw  40   c  may be formed by molding, casting, stamping, forging, cutting, turning, milling, drilling and/or other like methods of formation and/or any combination thereof. In addition, the slotted jaw  40   c  may include tapped holes  46  or other like formations suitable for facilitating fastening of the slotted jaw  40   c  on the connector compression tool  100  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     With still further reference to the drawings,  FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw  40   d  having slots of variable width countersunk at the same depth φ, in accordance with the present invention. The jaw  40   d  may be similar to the slotted jaw  40   c  in that the jaw  40   d  may have a slot or slots being generally defined by dimensions such as θ 1 , θ 2 , ε 1 , ε 2 , α and β (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The slot or slots extend from a single top  4  of the jaw  40   d . Accordingly, the jaw  40   d  may include features such as opening  1  and opening  2  facilitating the accommodation of connectors of variable size. However, the embodied jaw  40   d  may also include countersunk surfaces ω 1  and ω 2 , wherein the countersunk surfaces ω 1-2  both begin at a depth φ extending from an outer surface of the jaw  40   d . The counter sunk surfaces ω 1-2  may be centered respectively on centers such as centers θ 1  and θ 2  of openings  1  and  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Moreover, because each of the counter sunk surfaces ω 1  and ω 2  may be centered, the jaw  40   d  may act to center connectors accommodated by the slot or slots formed therein. Further, the centering may be accomplished where a connector having tapered edges may react with a counter sunk surface ω 1  or ω 2  to center the connector as it is compressed by the connector compression tool  100  (see generally,  FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     Referring even further still to the drawings,  FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw  40   a  (shown also in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) having slots of variable width countersunk at different depths, in accordance with the present invention. The jaw  40   a  may be similar to the slotted jaw  40   c  in that the jaw  40   a  may have a slot or slots being generally defined by dimensions such as θ 1 , θ 2 , ε 1 , ε 2 , α and β (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The slot or slots extend from a single top  5  of the jaw  40   a . Accordingly, the jaw  40   a  may include features such as opening  1  and opening  2  facilitating the accommodation of connectors of variable size. Moreover, the embodied jaw  40   a  may also may also be similar to jaw  40   d  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) in that the jaw  40   a  may include countersunk surfaces ω 1  and ω 2 . However, unlike the jaw  40   d , the countersunk surfaces ω 1-2  of jaw  40   a  may not both begin at a depth φ extending from an outer surface of the jaw  40   a . Rather, the countersunk surface ω 1  of jaw  40   a  may begin at a separate depth ρ extending from an outer surface of the jaw  40   a , while the countersunk surface ω 2  of jaw  40   a  may begin at a depth φ extending from an outer surface of the jaw  40   a . Those in the art should recognize that the respective depths ρ and φ at which countersunk surfaces ω 1-2  begin may vary in correlation with connectors of different sizes. Like the jaw  40   d , the counter sunk surfaces ω 1-2  of jaw  40   a  may be centered respectively on centers such as centers θ 1  and θ 2  of openings  1  and  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Moreover, because each of the counter sunk surfaces ω 1  and ω 2  may be centered, the jaw  40   a  may act to center connectors accommodated by the slot or slots formed therein. Further, the centering may be accomplished where connectors of different sizes having tapered edges may react with either of the counter sunk surfaces ω 1  or ω 2  to center the connectors as they are compressed by the connector compression tool  100  (see generally,  FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     With continued reference to the drawings,  FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a jaw  40   e  having slots of variable width counterbored at different depths, in accordance with the present invention. The jaw  40   e  may be similar to the slotted jaw  40   c  in that the jaw  40   e  may have a slot or slots being generally defined by dimensions such as θ 1 , θ 2 , ε 1 , ε 2 , α and β (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The slot or slots extend from a single top  6  of the jaw  40   e . Accordingly, the jaw  40   e  may include features such as opening  1  and opening  2  facilitating the accommodation of connectors of variable size. Moreover, the embodied jaw  40   e  may also may also be similar to jaw  40   a  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) in that the jaw  40   e  may include surfaces η and γ such as ω 1  and ω 2  of jaw  40   a , which may be centered respectively on centers such as centers θ 1  and θ 2  of openings  1  and  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). Furthermore, like the countersunk surfaces surfaces ω 1-2  of jaw  40   a  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), which may begin at separate respective depths such as ρ and φ, the surfaces η and γ of jaw  40   e  may also begin at separate respective depths η and γ extending from an outer surface of the jaw  40   e . However, unlike the countersunk surfaces ω 1-2  of jaw  40   a , the surfaces η and γ of jaw  40   e  may not be countersunk. Rather, the surfaces η and γ of jaw  40   e  may be counterbored. Because each of the counterbored surfaces η and γ of jaw  40   e  may positioned with respect to centers such as centers θ 1  and θ 2  of openings  1  and  2  (shown in  FIG. 3 ), the jaw  40   e  may act to center connectors accommodated by the slot or slots formed therein. Further, the centering of connectors may be accomplished where connectors of different sizes having squared edges may react with either of the counterbored surfaces η and γ of jaw  40   e  to center the connectors as they are compressed by the connector compression tool  100  (see generally,  FIGS. 7-8 ). 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3-6 , jaws  40   a - e  may be configured with means for accommodating differently configured connectors having different diameters and different lengths. The means may include the geometric design of the jaws  40   a - e , in that the jaws  40   a - e  contain two slots of differing widths. The slots may correspond to opening  1  and opening  2  and the widths may correspond to ε 1  and ε 2 . The differing widths allow two connector sizes of corresponding widths to be received by the jaws  40   a - e . Moreover, the slots of jaws  40   a - e  may be recessed to differing depths. The variable depth recess of the slots facilitates the accommodation of connectors of differing lengths. Moreover, slots of the jaws  40   a - e  may be further augmented to contain centering depressions, such as countersunk surfaces ω 1  and ω 2  and/or counterbored surfaces η and γ, wherein the centering depressions encompass more than 180° of the girth of a connector and center the connector as it is received with connector compression tool  100 . 
     Referring further to the drawings,  FIGS. 7-8  respectively depict perspective views of an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100  accommodating differently sized connectors, such as connector  80  and connector  90 . Specifically,  FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100  configured to receive a connector  80 . The connector  80  may include an outer surface having a larger diameter corresponding with widths and diameters of openings in jaws  40   a - b , such as opening  1  (shown if  FIG. 3 ). Further, connector  80  may have tapered edges  82   a  and  82   b  that may operate with countersunk surfaces of jaws  40   a - b , such as countersunk surface ω 1  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). It should be appreciated that jaw  40   b  may be an component symmetrical with jaw  40   a  in that it is a substantially mirrored element oriented in a reciprocal manner with respect to the connector compression tool  100  such that it may effectively receive connector  80 . However, other embodiments of connector compression tool  100  may include a jaw  40   b  that is not symmetrical with jaw  40   a  so as to accommodate corresponding other embodiments of connector  80  having differently configured surfaces of various sizes and shapes. For example, surface  82   b  of connector  80  may be a flat edge that operates with a counterbored surface of jaw  40   b . When connector  80  is received and accommodated by connector compression tool  100 , the handle  20  may be maneuvered, in a direction C, from a second position  70  to a first position  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) thereby compressing the connector  80  within the body  30  as the connector is compressed between the second body portion  34  contractually moving, in a direction T, toward the first body portion  32 . The connector  80  may be compressed such that portions of the connector  80  operably slide, move or squeeze together as the connector  80  is acted upon by the connector compression tool  100 . Those skilled in the art should recognize that the centering depressions or openings formed in jaws  40   a - b  may encompass more than 180° of the connector  80  girth. Moreover, as the connector  80  is encompassed by the components of the connector compression tool  100 , it may be retained during operation of the tool  100 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8  an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100  configured to receive a connector  90 . The connector  90  may include an outer surface having a smaller diameter corresponding with openings in jaws  40   a - b , such as opening  2  (shown if  FIG. 3 ). Further, connector  90  may have tapered edges  92   a  and  92   b  that may operate with countersunk surfaces of jaws  40   a - b , such as ω 2  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The connector  90  may also be shorter in length than connector  80 , and as such, the variance in the depth of recession of the slot or slots formed in jaws  40   a - b  (see  FIG. 5 ) may facilitate efficient accommodation of the smaller connector  90 . As received, the connector  90  may protrude through a slots or openings of the first and or second body portions  32  and/or  34  of the body  30 . Moreover, connector  90  may be compressed within and by the body  30  when second body portions  34  is moved, in a direction T, as the handles  20   a  and  20   b  are operatively moved, in a direction C, from a second position  70  to a first position  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). The connector  90  may be compressed such that portions of the connector  90  operably slide, move or squeeze together as the connector  90  is acted upon by the connector compression tool  100 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 8 , and further reference to FIGS.  1 , 5  and  7 , a method of compressing a connector is depicted. The method may comprise providing an embodiment of a connector compression tool  100 , wherein the connector compression tool  100  includes a handle  20   a , pivotally moveable from a second position  70  to a first position  60 . The provided connector compression tool  100  may further include a body  30 , configured to compress together when the handle  20   a  is moved to the first position  60 . Moreover, the connector compression tool  100  may include a jaw  40   a , operably associated with the body  30 , wherein the jaw  40   a  includes at least two centering openings  1  and  2  having different widths to accommodate differently configured connectors, such as connectors  80  and  90 , having different diameters. The method may further comprise placing a connector, such as connector  80  or  90 , with the connector compression tool  100  such that the surfaces, such as surfaces  82   a - b  or surfaces  92   a - b , of the connector  80  or  90 , operatively engage centering portions of the jaw  40   a . In addition, the method may include compressing the connector (such as connector  80  or connector  90 ) such that portions of the connector operably slide, move or squeeze together as the connector is acted upon by the connector compression tool  100  by maneuvering the handle  20   a  from the second position  70  to the first position  60 . 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.