Andrew Corporation

Larry Buenz

Tim Crawford

Tom McNamara

Jeffrey David Paynter

David Robert Low

John H Dykstra

James J Wlos

A spring contact for a coaxial connector includes a first ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the first ring and a second ring provided with a plurality of spring fingers extending toward a connector end of the second ring. The first ring and the second ring are nested together. The spring contact may be manufactured, for example, by stamping a pre-form ring from a planar metal sheet and then bending the spring fingers extending radially inward from an inner diameter of the pre-form ring to extend towards a connector end of the resulting spring contact.

Interleaved outer conductor spring contact for a coaxial connector

A stabilizing coupling body assembly for a coaxial connector is provided with a coupling body dimensioned to couple at a connector end of the coupling body with a cable end of the connector. A jacket grip of rigid material is retained between the coupling body and a stabilizing body coupled to a cable end of the coupling body. An outer diameter of the jacket grip abuts an annular wedge surface of the stabilizing body. The wedge surface is provided with a taper between a maximum diameter proximate a connector end of the jacket grip and a minimum diameter proximate a cable end of the annular wedge surface. The jacket grip is driven radially inward as the stabilizing body is advanced axially towards the coupling body. Methods of manufacture include forming elements of the coupling body assembly via injection molding.

Connector stabilizing coupling body assembly

A connector for coaxial cable, and a tool and method for connecting coaxial cable. The connector may have a projection configured to extend into a channel defined by an inner conductor of the coaxial cable and to engage an inner surface of the inner conductor; and a lip configured to engage an outer surface of the inner conductor when the projection extends into the channel. The lip and the projection configured to limit the movement of the inner conductor relative to the outer conductor. The tool and method may be used to displace insulation adjacent the lead end of the inner conductor or outer conductor to facilitate connection of the connector.

Coaxial cable connector and tool and method for connecting a coaxial cable

Method for connecting a 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 connector for coaxial cable, and a tool and method for connecting coaxial cable. The connector may have a projection configured to extend into a channel defined by an inner conductor of the coaxial cable and to engage an inner surface of the inner conductor; and a lip configured to engage an outer surface of the inner conductor when the projection extends into the channel. The lip and the projection configured to limit the movement of the inner conductor relative to the outer conductor. The tool and method may be used to displace insulation adjacent the lead end of the inner conductor or outer conductor to facilitate connection of the connector

An electrical connector for coaxial cable, the connector having a positive stop for a clamp nut. The clamp nut driving a means for compression which sandwiches a leading edge of the coaxial cable outer conductor between the connector body and the means for compression. The positive stop positioned to limit tightening of the clamp nut and thereby compression force upon the flared leading edge of the coaxial cable outer conductor to a desired maximum level. The means for compression, for example a circular coil spring may be deformable, allowing the connector to adapt to varying manufacturing tolerances of each connector component, yet still maintaining the maximum desired compression force limit. Thereby, the connector may be correctly installed without requiring use of a torque wrench to ensure proper compression force.

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Tinley Park, IL, United States of America

Larry Buenz