Cable crimp tool

Abstract

A telecommunications device is disclosed. The telecommunications device includes a crimp tool assembly for crimping a center conductor of a cable to a center conductive pin. The crimp tool assembly includes an insert assembly which includes an insert that is configured to receive at least two different types of coaxial center conductive pins for crimping. The insert may also be color coded for identifying the manufacturer of the insert, the center conductive pin, the cable, etc.

Description

FIELD

This invention pertains to the telecommunications industry. More particularly, this invention pertains to a cable crimping tool.

BACKGROUND

Crimp tools for crimping the center conductor of a cable to a center conductive pin are known in the art. One such type of a crimp tool is an indent type. An indent type crimp tool includes radially arranged crimping indents (e.g., teeth) that come together to crimp the center conductor of the cable to the pin. The indent type crimp tool may have 4, 8, or 12 indents that are radially arranged around an opening. The center conductor of the cable and the pin are inserted into the opening and crimped by the indents. This type of a crimp tool is normally operated by manually squeezing a pair of handles together. An example indent type crimp tool is available from Platinum Tools Inc., and is sold under part #13010.

Different cable manufacturers produce different types of center conductive pins suited for their particular cables. The different manufacturers manufacture crimp tools with different inserts that are suited for their particular center conductive pins. For example, an insert may be shaped a certain way to control the depth of the center conductive pin within the insert, thus the location of the crimp, and/or may be shaped to only accept a certain type of a center conductive pin or a certain manufacturer's center conductive pin.

Improved insert assemblies for use with a crimp tool are desired.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a crimp tool assembly for crimping a center conductor of a cable to a conductive pin.

According to one inventive aspect, a crimp tool assembly includes a crimp tool insert that can be used to crimp two different types of center conductive pins to a center conductor of a cable.

According to another inventive aspect, the crimp tool assembly includes a crimp tool insert that may include certain visual indicia, such as color coding, for visual indication of certain types of information about the insert such as the manufacturer of the insert, the manufacturer of the center conductive pin being crimped, the manufacturer of the cable, etc.

According to another inventive aspect, the crimp tool assembly includes a crimp tool kit including a crimp tool, a crimp tool cap that is adapted for removably mounting on a head portion of the crimp tool, and a plurality of crimp tool inserts, wherein each insert is configured to be selectively and removably inserted within the head of the crimp tool for crimping the center conductor of a cable to a center conductive pin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a crimp tool assembly having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 1 shown in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a crimp tool insert of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the crimp tool insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the crimp tool insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a BNC type center conductive pin;

FIG. 12 shows the BNC type center conductive pin of FIG. 111 placed over a center conductor of a coaxial cable, the BNC type center conductive pin shown inserted within the crimp tool insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a LCC type center conductive pin;

FIG. 14 shows the LCC type center conductive pin of FIG. 13 placed over a center conductor of a coaxial cable, the LCC type center conductive pin shown inserted within the crimp tool insert of FIG. 7;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an F type center conductive pin;

FIG. 16 shows the F type center conductive pin of FIG. 15 placed over a center conductor of a coaxial cable, the F type center conductive pin shown inserted within a second embodiment of the crimp tool insert;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a crimp tool cap of the crimp tool assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the crimp tool cap of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the crimp tool cap of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary aspects of the present invention that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1-6 show a crimp tool assembly 100 having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Crimp tool assembly 100 includes a crimp tool 102 and a crimp tool insert assembly 104 that includes a crimp tool insert 106 and a crimp tool cap 108. Crimp tool assembly 100 is shown in an exploded configuration in FIG. 1. Crimp tool assembly 100 is shown in an assembled configuration in FIGS. 2-6.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, crimp tool 102, as depicted, may be an indent type crimp tool known in the art. An indent type crimp tool includes radially arranged crimping indents 110 (e.g., teeth) (see FIGS. 4 and 6) that are designed to come together when the handles 112 of the tool are squeezed. It should be noted that indents 110 are shown only diagrammatically in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 6, it being understood that those skilled in the art understand the nature of such an indent type crimp tool and how the indents operate. An indent type crimp tool may have 4, 8, or 12 indents. Indents 110 are radially arranged around an opening 114 at a head portion 116 of crimp tool 102. As will be discussed in further detail below, a center conductor 118 of a cable 120 and a center conductive pin 122 are inserted into opening 114 for crimping.

Head portion 116 of crimp tool 102 is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a top side 124 and a bottom side 126. Crimp tool 102 includes an insert nest 128 protruding from top side 124 of head 116. Insert nest 128 includes a throughhole 130 that communicates with opening 114 at bottom side 126 of head 116. Insert nest 128 receives insert 106 through hole 130 from top side 124 of head 116 (see FIGS. 1 and 6).

Opening 114 at bottom side 126 of head 116 receives the components that are to be crimped together. Once center conductive pin 122 is placed over center conductor 118 of cable 120, they are inserted into opening 114 from bottom side 126 of head 116, and crimped by indents 110. Indents 110 are activated by manually squeezing together handles 112. Handles 112 are biased apart by a spring 132.

Since the configuration and the operation of such an indent type crimp tool is known in the art, further details thereof will not be provided herein, it being understood that those skilled in the art understand the nature of such a tool and how it operates. As mentioned previously, an example of an indent type crimp tool is available from Platinum Tools Inc., and is sold under part #13010.

The crimp tool insert 106 of the crimp tool insert assembly 104 having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 7-10. Crimp tool insert 106 includes a generally cylindrical body 134 with a first open end 136 and a second closed end 138. In other embodiments, both the first and the second ends may be open ends. An insert with two open ends may be used, for example, to crimp the center conductor 118 of cable 120 to a longer center conductive pin that extends all the way through the insert.

Crimp tool insert body 134 includes a first section 140 and an integrally formed second section 142. First section 140 includes an outer diameter D_O1 that is smaller than the outer diameter D_O2 of second section 142. Crimp tool insert 106 is inserted into nest 128 on tool 102 with the first section 140 going in first. Once inserted, insert 106 is held in place by the crimp tool cap 108 that is mounted on nest 128. The inner surface 144 of the crimp tool cap 108 and the outer surface 146 of the nest 128 may have intermating threads 148, 150, respectively, for threadingly fastening cap 108 to nest 128.

As shown in FIG. 10, crimp tool insert 106 includes an inner cavity 152 with two different sections. A first cavity section 154 includes a diameter D_I1 and a length L_I1 and extends from first end 136 of body 134. A second cavity section 156 includes a diameter D_I2 and a length L_I2 and extends from the end of the first cavity section 154 toward closed second end 138 of insert 106. Diameter D_I1 of first cavity section 154 is greater than diameter D_I2 of second cavity section 156.

Diameters D_I1 and D_I2 and lengths L_I1 and L_I2 of first and second cavity sections 154, 156, respectively, of insert 106 are such that crimp tool insert 106 can accept two different types of center conductive pins 122 for crimping.

In FIG. 11, the center conductive pin 122 is depicted as a BNC type center conductive pin. The BNC type center conductive pin 122 is configured to be placed over the center conductor 118 of cable 120.

In the FIGS., cable 120 is depicted as a coaxial cable, it being understood that the crimp tool assembly 100 of the present invention may be used to crimp other types of cables. Coaxial cable 120 includes a center conductor 118 surrounded by an insulative cladding portion 160, which is surrounded by a conductive braided shield 162, which is surrounded by an insulative outer jacket 164.

As shown in FIG. 12, insert 106 is shaped such that the BNC type center conductive pin 122, placed over the center conductor 118 of cable 120, can only fit within the first cavity section 154 of insert 106 and not fit within second cavity section 156. In this manner, the depth of the BNC pin 122 within insert 106, and thus the crimp location, can be controlled. Diameter D_I1 of first cavity section 154 is slightly larger than the diameter D_B of the BNC type center conductive pin 122, providing a snug fit.

In FIG. 13, the center conductive pin 122 is depicted as an LCC type center conductive pin. As shown in FIG. 14, insert 106 is shaped such that the LCC type center conductive pin 122, which has a longer length than the BNC type pin 122, extends all the way through the inner cavity 152 of insert 106. Diameter D_I2 of second cavity section 156 is slightly larger than diameter D_L1 of the LCC type center conductive pin to provide a snug fit.

The same insert 106 can, thus, be used to crimp at least two different types of center conductive pins to a cable conductor by controlling the depth of the center conductive pins, and thus the crimp locations, within the insert 106. The approximate location of indents 110 of crimp tool 102 with respect to insert 106 can be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.

It should be understood that the insert may be designed to be able to receive more or fewer than two types of center conductive pins. Inner cavity 152 of the insert can be sized and shaped such that it can accept combinations of center conductive pins other than BNC and LCC. For example, in FIGS. 15-16, a second embodiment of an insert 206 is illustrated. Insert 206 is similar to insert 106 shown in FIGS. 11-14 except that, whereas insert 106 is configured to be used with a BNC type pin (FIGS. 11-12) and an LCC type (FIGS. 13-14) pin, insert 206 is configured to be used with a BNC type and an F type center conductive pin.

The crimp tool insert 106 of the crimp tool insert assembly 104 may include certain visual indicia for indicating certain types of information about the insert to a technician such as the manufacturer of the insert, the manufacturer of the center conductive pin being crimped, the manufacturer of the cable, etc.

In one particular embodiment, crimp tool insert 106 may be color-coded. By using a particular color for the insert 106 that is associated with certain types of information such as the manufacturer of the insert, etc., the crimp tool insert 106 provides visual indication of the information to a technician. For example, in one particular embodiment, insert 106 may be colored red, wherein the color red is associated with ADC Telecommunications, Inc. A technician using a red insert would then know that the insert within the tool is for crimping center conductive pins manufactured by ADC Telecommunications, Inc. In other embodiments, other colors that are used to designate other types of information may be used.

In some embodiments, a plurality of inserts, each one with a different color or a different visual indicia, may be sold as part of a kit that includes crimp tool 102 and crimp tool cap 108. In certain embodiments, the colors of the insert sold as a part of a kit may include red, black, yellow, blue, green, etc. The different colors or the different visual indicia of the inserts may represent different types of information. For example, inserts that can be used to crimp a BNC type pin may be a different color than the inserts that can be used to crimp an LCC type pin.

The inserts may be manufactured from different materials including metal. There are many applications that can be used in order to color the inserts including painting, powder coating, anodizing and various plating processes. The material of the insert will often determine what application is preferred for coloring. In one embodiment, the insert may be made out of aluminum, wherein the aluminum inserts may then be anodized to create a protective oxide layer on the outer surface. In this process, color dyes can be added (any color) to form a protective surface that meets the desired color.

Insert 106 provides visual identification even when insert 106 is within the insert nest 128 and cap the 108 has been threaded on the nest, as will be discussed below in more detail.

It should be noted that other types of visual means other than color-coding, such as certain marks, or other indicia may be used for the insert.

The crimp tool cap 108 of the crimp tool insert assembly 104 having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 17-20.

Crimp tool cap 108 includes a generally cylindrical body 170 with a first end 172 and a second end 174. As shown in FIG. 20, crimp tool cap 108 includes an inner cavity 176 that is sized to fit around the insert nest 128 of tool 102. Crimp tool cap 108 has an inner surface 144 that includes threads 148 that mate with threads 150 on outer surface 146 of insert nest 128. Crimp tool cap 108 has an outer surface 176 that includes flats 178. Flats 178 may assist in the fastening and unfastening of the cap 108 to and from insert nest 128. As depicted, in one embodiment, crimp tool cap 108 may have a hexagonal outer surface.

First end 172 of cap 108 includes an opening 180. Opening 180 is sized to receive the insert nest 128. Second end 174 of end cap 108 includes a smaller opening 182. Opening 182 is provided for crimping the center conductor 118 of cable 120 to a longer center conductive pin that extends all the way through cap 108.

Opening 182 also serves another purpose. Opening 182 allows insert 106 to be visible from within the nest 128 when the cap 108 has been placed on the nest 128 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 6). In this manner, the color of insert 106 or other indicia on insert 106 can be seen through opening 182 and insert 106 can provide visual identification even when it has been inserted within insert nest 128 and cap 108 has been threaded on.

Preferably, the color of cap 108 should be a color different than the color of the insert to provide visual differentiation. For the cap, different materials including different metals may be used. In certain embodiments, the cap may be made out of cold rolled steel (CRS). When the cap is made from CRS, a plating process using a zinc electroplate and yellow chromate passivation may be used which leaves the cap an iridescent yellow color. In certain other embodiments, other metals such as brass may be used for the cap. If brass is used, the cap may be plated with a Nickel finish.

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Claims

1. A crimp tool assembly comprising: a crimp tool including a head, a pair of handles, and a plurality of indents positioned on the head configured to crimp a conductor of a cable to another conductive member; a crimp tool insert that is inserted within the head of the crimp tool, the crimp insert including a first color; and a crimp tool cap that is mounted on the head of the crimp tool to hold the insert within the head of the crimp tool, the crimp tool cap including an opening at a first end through which the color of the crimp tool insert is visible once the crimp tool cap is mounted on the head of the crimp tool, the crimp tool cap having a second color different from the first color.

2. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the crimp tool cap includes an outer surface with flats.

3. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 2, wherein the crimp tool cap includes a hexagonal outer surface.

4. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first color of the crimp tool insert is red, and the second color of the crimp tool cap is iridescent yellow.

5. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the crimp tool cap and the head of the crimp tool include intermating threads.

6. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the crimp tool assembly is configured to crimp a coaxial cable.

7. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the crimp tool insert includes a generally cylindrical body with an outer surface and an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a first section with a first diameter and a second section with a second diameter that is different than the first diameter.

8. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 7, wherein the outer surface includes a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter that is different than the first outer diameter.

9. A crimp tool assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first cavity section has a longitudinal length that is different than the second cavity section.

10. A crimp tool insert comprising: a generally cylindrical body with an outer surface and an internal cavity defining a longitudinal opening extending from one end of the body, the internal cavity including a first cylindrical section with a first diameter adjacent to the one end and a second cylindrical section with a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter and disposed away from the one end, the outer surface having a first cylindrical shape with a first diameter located adjacent to the one end, the outer surface having a second cylindrical shape with a second diameter larger than the first diameter and disposed away from the one end.

11. A crimp tool insert according to claim 10, wherein the first cavity section has a longitudinal length that is different than the second cavity section.

12. A method of crimping a center conductor of a cable to a center conductive pin, the method comprising the steps of: providing a crimping tool including a head and a pair of handles, the head including an insert nest portion protruding from a first side and an opening at an opposite second side; providing a crimp tool insert; placing the crimp tool insert inside the insert nest; providing a crimp tool cap; fastening the crimp tool cap to the insert nest to hold the crimp tool insert within the insert nest; providing a first center conductive pin; providing a cable including a center conductor; placing the first center conductive pin over the center conductor of the cable; placing the first center conductive pin and the center conductor of the cable within the opening at the second side of the head of the crimp tool; crimping the first center conductive pin to the center conductor of the cable; removing the cable from the opening at the second side of the head of the crimp tool; providing a second center conductive pin that is a different style than the first center conductive pin; placing the second center conductive pin over a center conductor of a cable; placing the second center conductive pin and the center conductor of the cable within the opening at the second side of the head of the crimp tool; and crimping the second center conductive pin to the center conductor of the cable.

13. A method of assembling an insert assembly for a crimp tool, the method comprising the steps of: providing a crimping tool including a head and a pair of handles, the head including an insert nest protruding from a first side and an opening at an opposite second side; selecting a crimp tool insert of a first color from a plurality of different colored crimp tool inserts; placing the crimp tool insert within the insert nest; providing a crimp tool cap having a second color different from the first color of the crimp tool insert, the crimp tool cap including a first end and a second end wherein both the first end and the second end include openings; placing the crimp tool cap over the insert nest, wherein the insert nest is received within the opening at the first end of the crimp tool cap; and fastening the crimp tool cap to the insert nest to enclose the crimp tool insert within the insert nest, wherein the insert is visible within the insert nest through the opening at the second end of the crimp tool cap.

14. A crimp tool kit comprising: a crimp tool including a head, a pair of handles, and a plurality of indents positioned on the head configured to crimp a conductor of a cable to another conductive member; a crimp tool insert that is configured to be inserted within the head of the crimp tool, the crimp insert including a first color; and a crimp tool cap that is adapted to be mounted on the head of the crimp tool to hold the insert within the head of the crimp tool, the crimp tool cap including an opening at a first end through which the color of the crimp tool insert is visible once the crimp tool cap is mounted on the head of the crimp tool, the crimp tool cap having a second color different from the first color.

15. A crimp tool kit according to claim 14, wherein the crimp tool cap includes an outer surface with flats.

16. A crimp tool kit according to claim 15, wherein the crimp tool cap includes a hexagonal outer surface.

17. A crimp tool kit according to claim 14, wherein the first color of the crimp tool insert is red, and the second color of the crimp tool cap is iridescent yellow.

18. A crimp tool kit according to claim 14, wherein the crimp tool cap and the head of the crimp tool include intermating threads.

19. A crimp tool kit according to claim 14, wherein the crimp tool kit is configured to crimp a coaxial cable.

20. A crimp tool kit according to claim 14, wherein the crimp tool insert includes a generally cylindrical body with an outer surface and an internal cavity, the internal cavity including a first section with a first diameter and a second section with a second diameter that is different than the first diameter.

21. A crimp tool kit according to claim 20, wherein the outer surface includes a first section with a first outer diameter and a second section with a second outer diameter that is different than the first outer diameter.

22. A crimp tool kit according to claim 20, wherein the first cavity section has a longitudinal length that is different than the second cavity section.

23. A crimp tool kit comprising: a crimp tool including a head, a pair of handles, and a plurality of indents positioned on the head configured to crimp a conductor of a cable to another conductive member; a plurality of crimp tool inserts, each one configured to be selectively and removably inserted within the head of the crimp tool; and a crimp tool cap that is adapted to be removably mounted on the head of the crimp tool to hold the insert within the head of the crimp tool, the crimp tool cap including an outer surface with flats.

24. A crimp tool kit according to claim 23, wherein each insert of the plurality of inserts is of a different color.

25. A crimp tool kit according to claim 23, wherein the crimp tool cap includes a hexagonal outer surface.