COAXIAL CONNECTOR INCLUDING CLAMPING RAMPS AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

Abstract

The coaxial cable connector includes a connector housing defining a radially outer ramp portion. The coaxial cable connector may also include an insulator member in the connector housing. The insulator member defines a radially inner ramp portion aligned with the radially outer ramp portion. The coaxial cable connector may include a back nut defining an opposing ramp opposite the outer ramp portion so that the radially inner and outer ramp portions may flare an end of the outer conductor as the coaxial cable is advanced into the connector housing. At least the radial outer ramp portion may cooperate with the opposing ramp of the back nut to clamp the flared end of the outer conductor therebetween.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a coaxial cable connector installed onto an end of a coaxial cable having a smooth wall outer conductor in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector as shown in FIG. 1 installed onto an end of a coaxial cable having a corrugated outer conductor.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a coaxial cable connector installed onto an end of a coaxial cable in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevational view of a coring tool as may be applied to an end of a coaxial cable in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an interior portion of the coring tool shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an interior portion of the coring tool shown in FIG. 4.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable comprising a inner conductor, a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer, the coaxial cable connector comprising: a connector housing defining a radially outer ramp portion;an insulator member in said connector housing and defining a radially inner ramp portion aligned with said radially outer ramp portion; anda back nut defining an opposing ramp opposite at least said radially outer ramp portion so that said radially inner and outer ramp portions flare an end of the outer conductor as the coaxial cable is advanced into said connector housing, and so that at least said radially outer ramp portion cooperates with said opposing ramp to clamp the flared end of the outer conductor therebetween.

2. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said back nut has a gripping surface on an interior thereof for gripping and advancing the coaxial cable into said connector housing as said back nut is tightened onto said connector housing.

3. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 2 wherein said gripping surface comprises a threaded surface.

4. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said radially inner ramp portion defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

5. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said radially outer ramp portion defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

6. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said radially outer ramp portion defines a stair-stepped non-continuous ramp surface.

7. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said opposing ramp defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

8. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 wherein said opposing ramp defines a radiused point-contact ramp surface.

9. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 further comprising a contact carried by said insulator member for connecting to the inner conductor of the coaxial cable.

10. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 1 further comprising at least one sealing ring adjacent said back nut.

11. A coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable comprising a inner conductor, a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer, the coaxial cable connector comprising: a connector housing defining a radially outer ramp portion, said radially outer ramp portion defining a non-continuous ramp surface;an insulator member in said connector housing and defining a radially inner ramp portion aligned with said radially outer ramp portion; anda back nut defining an opposing ramp opposite at least said radially outer ramp portion so that said radially inner and outer ramp portions flare an end of the outer conductor as the coaxial cable is advanced into said connector housing, and so that at least said radially outer ramp portion cooperates with said opposing ramp to clamp the flared end of the outer conductor therebetween;said back nut having a gripping surface on an interior thereof for gripping and advancing the coaxial cable into said connector housing as said back nut is tightened onto said connector housing.

12. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 11 wherein said gripping surface comprises a threaded surface.

13. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 11 wherein said radially inner ramp portion defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

14. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 11 wherein said radially outer ramp portion defines a stair-stepped non-continuous ramp surface.

15. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 11 wherein said opposing ramp defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

16. The coaxial cable connector according to claim 11 wherein said opposing ramp defines a radiused point-contact ramp surface.

17. A method for making a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable comprising a inner conductor, a dielectric layer surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric layer, the method comprising: forming a connector housing defining a radially outer ramp portion;forming an insulator member to be positioned in the connector housing and defining a radially inner ramp portion aligned with the radially outer ramp portion; andforming a back nut defining an opposing ramp opposite at least the radially outer ramp portion so that the radially inner and outer ramp portions flare an end of the outer conductor as the coaxial cable is advanced into the connector housing, and so that at least the radially outer ramp portion cooperates with the opposing ramp to clamp the flared end of the outer conductor therebetween.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the back nut comprises forming the back nut to have a gripping surface on an interior thereof for gripping and advancing the coaxial cable into the connector housing as the back nut is tightened onto the connector housing.

19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the gripping surface comprises a threaded surface.

20. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the insulating member comprises forming the insulating member so that the radially inner ramp portion defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

21. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the connector housing comprises forming the connector housing so that the radially outer ramp portion defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

22. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the connector housing comprises forming the connector housing so that the radially outer ramp portion defines a stair-stepped non-continuous ramp surface.

23. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the back nut comprises forming the back nut so that the opposing ramp defines a smooth continuous ramp surface.

24. The method according to claim 17 wherein forming the back nut comprises forming the back nut so that the opposing ramp defines a radiused point-contact ramp surface.