Coaxial cable connector with clamping insert

Abstract

A connector for coaxial cable is disclosed herein that has an outer body and a clamp insert. The clamp insert is mounted at the rear of the body and accepts an end of a coaxial cable. Both the front and rear ends of the insert are deformed radially inwardly when the body and the insert and compressed so as to grip the coaxial cable and form a seal. A related method for connecting the coaxial cable and connector is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view along the centerline of a first embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein, comprising a clamping insert in a rearward position.

FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the connector of FIG. 1 with a coaxial cable, shown in partial side cutaway view, partially inserted into the connector.

FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the connector of FIG. 1 with a coaxial cable, shown in partial side cutaway view, fully inserted into the connector.

FIG. 4 is a side cutaway view of the connector of FIG. 1 with a partial view of a tool used to compress the connector such that the clamping insert is in a forward position.

FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of the connector and cable of FIG. 6 after the tool has been removed and the clamping insert is in the forward position.

FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of the post of the connectors of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a side cutaway view of the clamping insert of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a side cutaway view along the centerline of a second embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein, comprising a clamping insert in a rearward position.

FIG. 9 is a side cutaway view of the clamping insert of FIG. 3.

FIG. 10 is a side cutaway view along the centerline of a third embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein, comprising a clamping insert in a rearward position.

FIG. 11 is a side cutaway view of the clamping insert of FIG. 3 in an uncompressed state.

FIG. 12 is a side elevated view of the clamping insert of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an end view of the clamping insert of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the clamping insert of FIG. 3 shown in a compressed state.

FIG. 15 is a side cutaway view along the centerline of a fourth embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein, comprising a clamping insert in a rearward position, the clamping insert comprising a means of retaining the clamping insert within the connector body, wherein the connector is shown in an open state.

FIG. 16 is a side cutaway view of the connector of FIG. 12 shown in a closed state.

Claims

1. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, a braided shield surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the braided shield, the connector comprising: a deformable clamp insert comprising a rear end, a front end, and an internal surface extending between the rear and front ends of the body, the internal surface defining a longitudinal hole;a hollow body comprising a rear end, a front end surrounding at least a portion of the clamp insert, and an inner surface defining a longitudinal hole extending between the rear and front ends of the hollow body, wherein the clamp insert is axially moveable within the hollow body between a rearward position and a forward position;a tubular post disposed at least partially within the longitudinal hole of the hollow body, the tubular post having a rear end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the tubular post and the internal surface of the insert define an annular cavity therebetween;wherein, in the rearward position, the rear end of the insert has a rear inner diameter, and the front end of the insert has a front inner diameter, and the insert has a rear portion with a rearward outer diameter;wherein the longitudinal hole at the rear end of the outer body has a rear body inner diameter smaller than the rearward outer diameter;wherein, in the forward position, the front end and rear end of the body are deformed radially inwardly, wherein at least part of the rear portion is disposed within the longitudinal hole of the body.

2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a coupler disposed proximate the front end of the body.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein, in the forward position, the rear end of the insert has a reduced rear inner diameter less than the rear inner diameter in the rearward position.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein, in the forward position, the front end of the insert has a reduced front inner diameter less than the front inner diameter in the rearward position.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the insert is circumferentially continuous.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the insert surrounds at least a portion of the tubular post in the forward position.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the body comprises a rearward facing tapered portion, and wherein the front end of the insert contacts the rearward facing tapered portion in the forward position.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rear portion of the insert further comprises an outer surface comprising a forward facing tapered portion having the rearward outer diameter.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the tubular post comprises a raised ridge.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the raised ridge is disposed forward of the rear end of the tubular post.

11. The combination of a coaxial cable and a connector for coupling an end of the coaxial cable to a terminal, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, a braided shield surrounding the outer conductor, and a jacket surrounding the braided shield, the connector comprising: a deformable clamp insert comprising a rear end, a front end, and an internal surface extending between the rear and front ends of the body, the internal surface defining a longitudinal hole, wherein the end of the cable is disposed within the longitudinal hole;a hollow body comprising a rear end, a front end surrounding at least a portion of the clamp insert, and an inner surface defining a longitudinal hole extending between the rear and front ends of the hollow body, wherein the clamp insert is axially moveable within the hollow body between a rearward position and a forward position; anda tubular post disposed at least partially within the longitudinal hole of the hollow body, the tubular post having a rear end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the tubular post and the internal surface of the insert define an annular cavity therebetween, wherein at least part of the tubular post is disposed between the outer conductor and the braided shield of the cable;wherein, in the rearward position, the rear end of the insert has a rear inner diameter, and the front end of the insert has a front inner diameter, and the insert has a rear portion with a rearward outer diameter;wherein the longitudinal hole at the rear end of the outer body has a rear body inner diameter smaller than the rearward outer diameter; andwherein, in the forward position, the front end and rear end of the body are deformed radially inwardly, wherein at least part of the rear portion is disposed within the longitudinal hole of the body, thereby causing the rear end of the insert to contact and compress the jacket of the cable, and thereby sandwiching the jacket and/or the braided shield between the post and the front end of the insert.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein, in the forward position, the rear end of the insert forms a 360° continuous seal around the jacket of the cable.

13. The combination of claim 11 wherein the braided shield is folded back over the jacket of the cable and the front end of the insert directly contacts the braided shield in the forward position.

14. The combination of claim 11 wherein the post further comprises a raised portion.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the jacket and/or braided shield is sandwiched between the front end of the insert and the raised portion of the post in the forward position.

16. A coaxial cable and connector assembly for coupling to a terminal, the assembly comprising: a coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, a braided shield surrounding the outer conductor, and a jacket surrounding the braided shield; anda connector comprising: a deformable clamp insert comprising a rear end, a front end, and an internal surface extending between the rear and front ends of the body, the internal surface defining a longitudinal hole, wherein the end of the cable is disposed within the longitudinal hole;a hollow body comprising a rear end, a front end surrounding at least a portion of the clamp insert, and an inner surface defining a longitudinal hole extending between the rear and front ends of the hollow body, wherein the clamp insert is axially moveable within the hollow body between a rearward position and a forward position; anda tubular post disposed at least partially within the longitudinal hole of the hollow body, the tubular post having a rear end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the outer surface of the tubular post and the internal surface of the insert define an annular cavity therebetween, wherein at least part of the tubular post is disposed between the outer conductor and the braided shield of the cable;wherein, in the rearward position, the rear end of the insert has a rear inner diameter, and the front end of the insert has a front inner diameter, and the insert has a rear portion with a rearward outer diameter;wherein the longitudinal hole at the rear end of the outer body has a rear body inner diameter smaller than the rearward outer diameter; andwherein, in the forward position, the front end and rear end of the body are deformed radially inwardly, wherein at least part of the rear portion is disposed within the longitudinal hole of the body, thereby causing the rear end of the insert to contact and compress the jacket of the cable, and thereby sandwiching the jacket and/or the braided shield between the post and the front end of the insert.

17. The assembly of claim 16 further comprising a coupler disposed proximate the front end of the body.