Patent Abstract:
A hollow cover boot formed of an elastomeric material includes, in merging succession, a cable collar, a main section, a transition section, and an interconnection section, wherein the main section has a diameter greater than the cable collar and the interconnection section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/906,134, filed Nov. 19, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a device for environmentally sealing and securing the interconnection between electrical cables. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Interconnection junctions, such as the interconnection between two cables or a cable and a piece of electronic equipment, may be subject to degradation from environmental factors such as moisture, vibration and repeated expansion and contraction from daily temperature changes. Outer sealing enclosures that surround or enclose an electrical interconnection have been used to protect such interconnections. Enclosures often apply rigid clamshell configurations that, once closed, may be difficult to open, especially when installed in exposed or remote locations, such as atop radio towers; gaskets or gel seals may be applied at the enclosure ends and/or along a sealing perimeter of the shell. 
     Elastic interconnection seals are also known. Elastic seals can be advantageous by virtue of being more easily installed over the typically uneven contours of an electrical interconnection. Exemplary configurations are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/646,952, filed Oct. 8, 2012, and Ser. No. 13/938,475, filed Jul. 10, 2013, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     SUMMARY 
     As a first aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to an interconnection junction comprising a trunk cable having a first connector at one end and a jumper cable having a second connector at one end. A hollow cover boot formed of an elastomeric material includes, in merging succession, a cable collar, a transition section, a main section, and an interconnection section, wherein the main section has a diameter greater than the cable collar and the interconnection section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar. A hollow cover formed of an elastomeric material includes, in merging succession, a cable section, a transition section, a main section, and an interconnection section, wherein the interconnection section has a diameter greater than the main section and the cable section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable section. The first connector and second connector are joined and reside within the main section and the interconnection section of the cover boot, and the interconnection section of the cover at least partially overlies the interconnection section of the cover boot. 
     As a second aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of protecting an interconnection junction between a first cable and a second cable, the first and second cables each terminating in, respectively, first and second connectors. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing the first and second cables, wherein the second cable is inserted into a hollow cover boot and a hollow cover, the cover boot being formed of an elastomeric material and including, in merging succession, a cable collar, a transition section, a main section, and an interconnection section, wherein the main section has a diameter greater than the cable collar and the interconnection section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar, the cover being formed of an elastomeric material and including, in merging succession, a cable section, a transition section, a main section, and an interconnection section, wherein the interconnection section has a diameter greater than the main section and the collar section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable section; (ii) joining the first connector to the second connector to form an electrical interconnection; (iii) advancing the cover boot on the second cable to cover the electrical connection, such that the first connector and second connector reside within the main section and the interconnection section of the cover boot and the cable collar engages the first cable; and (iv) advancing the cover on the second cable such that the interconnection section of the cover at least partially overlies the interconnection section of the cover boot, thereby sealing the electrical interconnection. 
     As a third aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a hollow cover boot formed of an elastomeric material, the cover boot comprising, in merging succession, a cable collar, a main section, a transition section, and an interconnection section, wherein the main section has a diameter greater than the cable collar and the interconnection section, and the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar. 
     As a fourth aspect, embodiments of the invention are directed to a hollow cover boot formed of an elastomeric material, the cover boot comprising, in merging succession, a cable collar, a transition section, a main section, and an interconnection section, wherein the main section has a diameter greater than the cable collar, the interconnection section has a diameter great than the main section, the transition section tapers between the main section and the cable collar, and the cable collar is oriented approximately 90 degrees from the interconnection section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cover boot for an interconnection junction according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the cover boot of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front section view of the cover boot of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cover to be used in conjunction with the cover boot of  FIG. 1  according to embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the cover of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front section view of the cover of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a front cutaway view showing the cover boot of  FIG. 1  used to protect an interconnection junction of a jumper cable and a trunk cable of a first configuration. 
         FIG. 8  is a front cutaway view of the interconnection of  FIG. 7  with the cover of  FIG. 4  added. 
         FIG. 9  is a front cutaway view showing the cover boot of  FIG. 1  used to protect an interconnection junction of a jumper cable and a trunk cable of a second configuration. 
         FIG. 10  is a front cutaway view of the interconnection of  FIG. 9  with the cover of  FIG. 4  added. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a cover boot for an interconnection junction according to alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the boot of  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top section view of the boot of  FIG. 11 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments that are pictured and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way and/or combination to provide many additional embodiments. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms that are used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when an element (e.g., a device, circuit, etc.) is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Referring now to the figures, a cover boot for an interconnection junction of coaxial connectors, designated broadly at  10 , is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . The boot  10  includes a generally cylindrical main section  12 . A generally cylindrical cable collar  14  is somewhat smaller in diameter than the main section  12 . One end of the main section  12  merges with a tapered transition section  16 , which in turn merges with the cable collar  14 . A diamond-shaped flange  20  extends radially outwardly from the free end of the cable collar  14 . The opposite end of the main section  12  includes a wall  13 , to which is attached a generally cylindrical interconnection section  18 . The interconnection section  18  is smaller in diameter than the main section  12  and may be smaller or larger in diameter than the cable collar  14 . A neck  19  (narrower still in diameter) extends from the free end of the interconnection section  18 . The resulting structure is hollow and defines a continuous bore  26  that passes through each of the substantially coaxial sections  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  19 . 
     Four fins  24  are positioned approximately circumferentially equidistant from each other on the outer surface of the main section  12  and transition section  16 . The fins  24  extend the length of the main section  12  and transition section  16  and project radially outwardly. Two axially-extending ribs  22  are positioned between each of the fins  24 . 
     The boot  10  may be formed of any number of materials, but is typically formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, that can recover to its original shape after significant deformation. The boot  10  is typically formed as a unitary member, and in particular may be formed via injection molding. 
     The boot  10  can be used in conjunction with a second cover (designated broadly at  30  and illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 ) to protect an interconnection of coaxial or other electrical connectors. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the cover  30  includes a generally cylindrical interconnection section  32  with a circumferential projection  33 . A diamond-shaped flange  34  is mounted to the interconnection section  32  via a short trunk  36 . A generally cylindrical main section  38  merges with the interconnection section  32  opposite the trunk  36 . The main section  38  is smaller in diameter than the interconnection section  32 . A tapered transition section  40  merges with the main section  38 ; in turn, a generally cylindrical cable section  42  merges with the transition section  40 . The cover  30  also includes two opposed axially-extending fins  45  that project radially outwardly and three axial ribs  44  between the fins  45  on each side. Thus, the hollow, generally coaxial sections of the cover  30  define a continuous bore  46 . 
     The cover  30  may be formed of any number of materials, but is typically formed of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, that can recover to its original shape after significant deformation. The cover  30  is typically formed as a unitary member, and in particular may be formed via injection molding. 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7-10 , the boot  10  and cover  30  can be employed together to enclose and protect an interconnection of coaxial connectors or other electrical, fiber optic and/or hybrid connectors.  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate one exemplary configuration for a coaxial connector  100  used on a trunk cable. More specifically, the connector  100  terminates the end of trunk cable  120 . The connector  100  includes a body  102  and a stem  104  that extends axially away from the body  102 . A nut  106  is rotatably captured on the stem  104 . A connector  150  terminates the end of a jumper cable  160 . The connector  150  includes a threaded stem (not shown) that extends away from the cable  160 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the nut  106  of the connector  100  is threaded onto the stem of the connector  150  to establish an electrical interconnection  170  between the trunk cable  120  and the jumper cable  160 . Such connectors are available from CommScope, Inc. (Hickory, N.C.) under the trade name POSITIVE STOP. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the boot  10  encloses the interconnection  170 . The body  102  of the connector  100  fills the interior of the main section  12  and the transition section  16 , which stretches to conform to the shape of the body  102 . The cable collar  14  encircles the trunk cable  120 . The interconnection section  18  encloses the stem  104  and nut  106  of the connector  100 . The neck  19  encloses the remainder of the connector  150 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the cover  30  can then be applied to the boot  10 . More specifically, the interconnection section  32  of the cover  30  fits over part of the interconnection  170 , with the flange  34  positioned adjacent the main section  12  of the boot  10 . The main section  38  and transition section  40  fit over the jumper cable  160 . Because the cover  30  overlies the interconnection section  18  and neck  19  of the boot  10 , a seal is formed over the interconnection  170  that can help to protect it from moisture and other environmental agents. 
     In practice, prior to interconnection of the jumper cable  160  with the trunk cable  120 , typically both the boot  10  and the cover  30  are inserted via their bores  26 ,  46  onto the jumper cable  160 . Although the boot  10  and cover  30  fit snugly onto the jumper cable  160  due to the sizing of the neck  19  and the cable section  42 , the boot  10  and cover  30  can slide along the length of the jumper cable  19  with some tugging by an operator. The boot  10  is positioned nearer the connector  150  than is the cover  30 . Once the jumper cable  160  is connected with the trunk cable  120  (via threading of the nut  106  of the connector  100  onto the threaded stem of the connector  150 ), the boot  10  is slipped over the interconnection into the position shown in FIG.  7 . The resilience and elasticity of the material of the boot  10  enable it to deform elastically to be slipped over the connectors  100 ,  150 . Once the boot  10  is in place, the interconnection section  32  of the cover  30  can be slipped over the neck  19  and interconnection section  18  of the boot  10  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the boot  10  and cover  30  can be used with coaxial cable interconnections of other configurations. The interconnection  270  shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  employs a somewhat different connector  200  on the trunk cable  220 . The connector  200  includes a body  202  that is somewhat shorter than the body  102  of the connector  100 , and the stem  204  that extends from the body  102  to support the nut  206  is much shorter. (Such a connector is available from CommScope, Inc. under the trade name EZ FIT). Thus, when the boot  10  is slipped over the connector  200  ( FIG. 9 ), the body  202  does not fill both the main section  12  and the transition section  16  of the boot  10 . When the cover  30  is subsequently slipped over the interconnection  270  of the connector  150  of the jumper cable  160  ( FIG. 10 ), the flange  34  abuts the main section  12  of the boot  10 , and the nut  206  and connector  150  reside within the trunk  36  and the main section  38  of the cover  30 . Thus, the same boot  10  and cover  30  can be used to protect interconnections whether the connector  100  or the connector  200  is employed as the termination of the trunk cable. 
       FIGS. 11-13  illustrate an alternative embodiment of a boot (designated broadly at  500 ) that can also be employed to protect cable interconnections. The boot  500  is configured to protect interconnections of cables that are oriented perpendicularly to each other (as opposed to being inline or coaxial, as is the case with the cables  120 ,  160  illustrated herein). The boot  500  includes a main section  512 , a generally cylindrical cable collar  514  that is somewhat smaller in diameter than the main section  512 , and a tapered transition section  516 , which is interposed between the cable collar  514  and the main section  512 . However, the interconnection section  518  is larger than the main section  512  and is oriented perpendicularly to the main section  512 . A neck  519  extends from the interconnection section  518 , and a flange  520  projects radially outwardly from the free end of the neck  519 . The result is a continuous bore  526  that veers 90 degrees between the cable collar  514  and the neck  519 . Such a boot can provide sealed protection for an interconnection of a jumper cable inserted into the cable collar  514  and a trunk cable inserted into the neck  519 . 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7