Andrew Corporation

John H Dykstra

James J Wlos

Jeffrey David Paynter

Vytas J Vaitkus

Larry Buenz

Joon Lee

James C Kirk

Jeff A Ferdina

Daniel E Bufanda

An electrical connector having a longitudinal axis with interface and cable ends for coaxial cable having an annular corrugated solid outer conductor. The connector having a body and an interface joined in an interference fit along the longitudinal axis of the connector. A spring finger ring within a bore of the body is rigidly connected to the body. The spring finger ring having a plurality of spring fingers extending towards an connector end; the spring fingers having an inward projecting bead at the connector end. The spring fingers positioned opposite an outer conductor groove open to the cable end, the outer conductor groove proximate the cable end of the interface.

Axial compression electrical connector for annular corrugated coaxial cable

A coaxial connector may be configured with multiple interleaved concentric threads that reduce connector assembly threading requirements. A cable sheath stripping feature may be incorporated into the connector, eliminating the need for a separate sheath stripping tool. Also, a pair of internal rings may be added which co-operate to couple the connector body with a rotatable inner coupling sleeve until a predetermined level of torque is applied whereupon complementary protrusions formed on the rings deform and slip past each other, protecting the connector from damage due to application of excessive torque and eliminating the need for torque wrenches during connector installation.

Coaxial cable connector installable with common tools

A coaxial connector may be configured with multiple interleaved concentric threads that reduce connector assembly threading requirements. A cable sheath stripping feature may be incorporated into the connector, eliminating the need for a separate sheath stripping tool. Also, over-tightening protection assemblies may be incorporated in the coupling and or rear clamp nuts. The over-tightening protection assemblies utilize first and second interlock surfaces which co-operate to couple the connector body with a rotatable inner coupling sleeve until a predetermined level of torque is applied whereupon complementary protrusions formed on the rings deflect and slip past each other, protecting the connector and or cable from damage due to application of excessive torque and eliminating the need for torque wrenches during connector installation. The first and second interlock surfaces may be formed directly in the coupling nut and inner coupling sleeve or may be separate finger and ramp rings coupled to each.

A coaxial connector of the type wherein an inner connector member of a female connector is adapted for secure engagement with a connector member of a male connector. The coaxial connector is positioned around the connector member of the male connector and the connector member of the female connector when the coaxial connector is in its locked position. A spring basket with an angular frontal surface is positioned around the connection member of the male connector. A sleeve with an angular internal surface for engaging the angular frontal surface of the spring basket is reciprically positioned around the spring basket and the connection member of the male connector. The sleeve has at least one locking groove that extends substantially parallel to the major axis along a portion of the body thereof. A spring nut is provided with a hollow front end disposed within the sleeve and at least one upstanding locking finger disposed within the at least one locking grove of the sleeve. A spring is partially disposed within the hollow front end of the spring nut, and the spring is positioned between the spring nut and the connection member of the male connector respectively such that when the spring nut is pushed in a forward axial direction relative to the sleeve to lock the coaxial connector, the spring is compressed and the internal angular surface of the sleeve engages the angular frontal surface of the spring basket forcing the spring basket to apply a radially inward force on the connection member of the female connector, holding the female connector in place. The spring provides an axial force on the connection member of the male connector and forces the connection member of the male connector into engagement with the connection member of the female connector.

Coaxial connector apparatus and method

A connector for connecting a coaxial cable to radio frequency (RF) equipment in which an inner contact is positioned inside a channel within a conductive metal body and an electrically insulating material is injected into the channel, thereby providing insulation between the contact and the metal body and retaining the contact in position within the body. Connecting a coaxial cable to RF equipment is simplified and soldering of the inner contact is avoided.

Connector for coaxial cables

A connector assembly for a coaxial cable having an outer conductor, an inner conductor, and a dielectric spacer between the two conductors. The connector comprises a generally cylindrical outer connector adapted to be mounted on the outer surface of an end portion of the outer conductor and having a hollow extension projecting in a generally axial direction beyond the end of the outer conductor. An electrically conductive contact ring is disposed within the hollow interior of the extension of the outer connector, and the ring is mounted for movement in a generally axial direction within and relative to the outer connector for engaging the end of the outer conductor. A generally cylindrical body member telescopes over the extension of the outer connector, and the body member and the outer connector have cooperating threaded surfaces for joining the two members. The body member includes an internal boss for engaging the contact ring and advancing the ring against the end of the outer conductor to crush an end portion of the outer conductor as the body member is threaded onto the outer connector. An inner connector is mounted within the body member for engaging the inner conductor as the body member is threaded onto the outer connector.

Connector for coaxial cable

A method of attaching a connector to a coaxial cable having concentric inner and outer conductors comprises the following steps. An end of the cable is prepared to expose a portion of the inner conductor and to expose a portion of the outer conductor. An insulative disc of the connector is installed onto the exposed portion of the inner conductor. An inner contact of the connector is installed onto the exposed portion of the inner conductor. A solder preform is installed onto the exposed portion of the outer conductor. A body member of the connector is installed over the solder preform onto the exposed portion of the outer conductor. To complete the cable assembly, the solder preform is melted to firmly attach the body member of the connector to the exposed portion of the outer conductor of the cable.

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Tinley Park, IL, United States of America

John H Dykstra