The present disclosure relates generally to the field of coaxial cable connectors used to connect coaxial cables to various electronic devices such as televisions, antennas, set-top boxes, and other devices. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to security devices configured to limit access to coaxial cable connectors.
Coaxial cable connectors are often used to provide media services to businesses and/or households, such as cable television programming, broadband internet, telephone services, and/or other types of services. Several connectors may be connected to a hub (e.g., trunk line or hard line) of connector ports configured to route or allocate resources over connected coaxial cables. If left unprotected, there is a risk that an unauthorized user may attempt to tamper with the connectors plugged into the hub. For example, an unauthorized user may attempt to unplug a connector in an effort to disrupt the service of a subscriber. Further, the unauthorized user may attempt to plug a different connector and cable into the port in an attempt to obtain services without providing payment to the service provider.
One embodiment relates to a shield for use with a coaxial cable connector. The shield comprises an outer shield configured to limit access to the coaxial cable connector. The coaxial cable connector comprises a fastener portion that is configured to be rotatable with respect to a body portion of the coaxial cable connector. The shield further comprises an adapter configured to be coupled to the outer shield. The adapter is configured to engage a side of the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector. The adapter is further configured to engage a tool configured to rotate the adapter such that, when engaged with both the tool and the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector, the adapter is configured to rotate the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector upon rotation of the adapter by the tool.
Another embodiment relates to a tool for connecting and disconnecting a coaxial cable connector protected by a security shield from a port. The security shield comprises a sleeve and an adapter having a plurality of adapter protrusions and a plurality of adapter slots between the adapter protrusions. The adapter has an opening formed therein into which a fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector fits such that, when the fastener portion is placed into the opening of the adapter, rotation of the adapter causes corresponding rotation of the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector. The tool comprises a body comprising a cylindrical portion at least partially surrounding a hollow cylindrical cavity. The body comprises an inner tool diameter that is greater than a maximum diameter of the coaxial cable connector and an outer tool diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the sleeve of the security shield. The tool further comprises a plurality of tool protrusions extending axially from an end of the body. Each of the tool protrusions is configured to fit within one of the adapter slots. The tool is configured to be moved between the sleeve and the coaxial cable connector in an axial direction until the tool protrusions are inserted into the adapter slots. The tool is configured to rotate the adapter through rotation of the tool protrusions against the adapter protrusions.
Another embodiment relates to a security system for use with a coaxial connector. The security system comprises an outer shield configured to limit access to the coaxial cable connector. The coaxial cable connector comprises a fastener portion that is configured to be rotatable with respect to a body portion of the coaxial cable connector. The security system further comprises an adapter configured to be coupled to the outer shield. The adapter has a cavity formed therein into which the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector can be advanced such that rotation of the adapter causes corresponding rotation of the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector. The adapter comprises a plurality of adapter projections. The security system further comprises a tool comprising a hollow cylindrical portion and a plurality of tool projections extending axially from an end of the hollow cylindrical portion. The tool is configured to be moved between the outer shield and the coaxial cable connector in an axial direction until the tool projections are inserted between the adapter projections. The tool is configured to rotate the adapter through rotation of the tool projections against the adapter projections.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:
Referring generally to the figures, security systems, including a shield, adapter, and/or tool, for limiting access to coaxial cable connectors are shown according to various exemplary embodiments. Security systems disclosed herein may allow authorized users (e.g., maintenance personnel of a service provider) to access and remove or tighten the coaxial cable connector by using a special tool configured for use with the security system while making the connector difficult for unauthorized users to access without the tool. Various security systems disclosed herein utilize an adapter configured to engage both the nut of the coaxial cable connector and the tool so that the user can rotate the tool, which results in rotation of the adapter, which in turn results in rotation of the nut of the connector. In some embodiments, security systems disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with coaxial cable connectors where a portion of the connector has a diameter greater than a length across a portion of the connector nut (e.g., a portion of the connector body has a diameter greater than a length between opposing flat sides or edges of the nut), such that it may be difficult for the tool to directly access and rotate the nut. In various embodiments, the security systems disclosed herein may be constructed from durable and/or inexpensive materials.
Referring now to
Connector 125 includes a fastener portion 130 (e.g., a nut portion) and a body portion 135. Fastener portion 130 includes an outer portion (e.g., a nut, such as a nut having a hexagonal shape) configured to be rotated by a hand or tool to rotate fastener portion 130 and a front inner portion having threads for mating with threads of port 110. Body portion 135 is configured to receive a coaxial cable and may include a collapsible portion or other device or mechanism for compressing a coaxial cable 140 into connector 125.
Connector 125 is advanced into shield 120 before it is connected to port 110. Shield 120 protects connector 125 from being connected and/or disconnected from port 110 by limiting the area between connector 125 and shield 120 in which a tool (e.g., a pliers, a wrench, etc.) may be inserted to rotate the outer portion of fastener portion 130. At least a front portion of tool 145 has an inner diameter that is larger than a maximum diameter of body portion 135 of connector 125 and an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of shield 120, such that the tool can be slid between shield 120 and body portion 135 to access fastener portion 130.
To tighten connector 125 onto port 110, tool 145 may be slid over cable 140 and advanced forward until tool 145 is in contact or engagement with fastener portion 130. Tool 145 may have a slot (e.g., an axial slot) having a diameter larger than a diameter of cable 140 to enable tool 145 to be slid over cable 140. Once tool 145 is advanced forward, a front portion of tool 145 (e.g., teeth, recesses, protrusions, projections, etc.) engage at least a portion of fastener portion 130 (e.g., one or more edges and/or one or more vertices of the nut-shaped outer surface) such that rotation of tool 145 results in corresponding rotation of fastener portion 130. Tool 145 may be rotated in a clockwise direction to cause fastener portion 130 to also rotate in a clockwise direction, causing threads of fastener portion 130 to advance onto the corresponding threads of port 110.
As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in
Some connectors, such as certain connectors configured to accept tri-shield or quad-shield cable (e.g., cable having three or four shielding layers), may have body portions that are larger in diameter than the fastener portions of the connectors in at least some angles or configurations. Security system 100 illustrated in
Referring now to
Security system 300 may be used to protect connector 315 against tampering when connected to a port (a port is not illustrated in
Security system 300 includes an outer shield 305 configured to limit access to connector 315 when attached to a port and an adapter 310 used to tighten and loosen connector 315 from the port. Adapter 310 may be coupled to shield 305 such that, when assembled, adapter 310 is maintained in a substantially constant position (e.g., axial position) with respect to shield 305 but rotates freely with respect to shield 305 (i.e., such that rotation of shield 305 does not result in rotation of adapter 310). Adapter 310 is designed to have a cavity or opening that receives an outer surface of fastener portion 320 of connector 315 and rotationally couples adapter 310 to fastener portion 320, such that rotation of adapter 310 results in corresponding rotation of fastener portion 320. The opening of adapter 310 may be designed to have a substantially similar shape to the corresponding outer surface of fastener portion 320 (e.g., a hexagonal shape) and/or may have a slightly larger diameter than fastener portion 320 (e.g., so that fastener portion 320 fits loosely enough in the opening of adapter 310 that it is easy for a user to advance fastener portion 320 into the opening but fits tightly enough for solid rotational coupling between adapter 310 and fastener portion 320).
Tool 335 may be used to tighten, loosen, and/or remove connector 315 from the port. Tool 335 may tighten or loosen connector 315 by rotating adapter 310, which in turn rotates fastener portion 320 of connector 315. Adapter 310 may include one or more protrusions, projections, teeth, poles, pillars, etc. and/or one or more recesses, slots, holes, openings, etc. configured for use in coupling adapter 310 to tool 335. In some embodiments, the protrusions may extend in an axial direction from a base of adapter 310. In other embodiments, the protrusions may extend in a radial direction outward from adapter 310. Tool 335 may have one or more corresponding protrusions 340 configured to operatively engage the protrusions of adapter 310 and/or to slide within the recesses or slots of adapter 310 to rotationally couple tool 335 to adapter 310, such that rotation of tool 335 causes corresponding rotation of adapter 310. In various embodiments, other methods of rotationally coupling adapter 310 and tool 335 may be used. In some embodiments, a portion (e.g., a rear portion, or portion opposite the end configured to be coupled to adapter 310) of tool 335 may be shaped in a manner designed to enable easy rotation of tool 335 by hand or using another tool, such as a wrench or pliers. For example, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, tool 335 has a hexagonally shaped end configured to enable easy rotation with a wrench.
To tighten connector 315 onto a port, connector 315 may be advanced forward until at least part of connector 315 (e.g., fastener portion 320) is within shield 305 (e.g., in an axial direction). Advancement of connector 315 continues until an outer surface of fastener portion 320 slides into the corresponding opening of adapter 310 and is rotationally coupled with adapter 310. Tool 335 is slid over cable 330 (e.g., using a slot 345 having a diameter larger than the diameter of cable 330) and advanced forward toward adapter 310. Tool 335 has an inner diameter that is larger than a maximum diameter of body portion 325 and an outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of shield 305. Tool 335 is advanced forward between outer shield 305 and connector 315 until tool protrusions 340 slide into the slots of adapter 310 and/or are engaged with the adapter protrusions, causing rotational coupling of adapter 310 and tool 335. Tool 335 may be rotated in a clockwise direction, causing adapter 310 to rotate in a clockwise direction, which in turn causes fastener portion 320 of connector 315 to rotate in a clockwise direction and thread onto the port. To loosen or remove connector 315 from the port, tool 335 can be turned in a counter-clockwise direction, causing corresponding rotation in adapter 310, which in turn causes corresponding rotation in fastener portion 320.
Referring now to
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In some embodiments, a method of securing a coaxial cable connector may include providing an outer shield configured to limit access to the coaxial cable connector. The coaxial cable connector comprises a fastener portion that is configured to be rotatable with respect to a body portion of the coaxial cable connector. The method may further include providing an adapter configured to be coupled to the outer shield. The adapter has a cavity formed therein into which the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector can be advanced such that rotation of the adapter causes corresponding rotation of the fastener portion of the coaxial cable connector. The adapter comprises a plurality of adapter projections. The method may further include providing a tool comprising a hollow cylindrical portion and a plurality of tool projections extending axially from an end of the hollow cylindrical portion. The tool is configured to be moved between the outer shield and the coaxial cable connector in an axial direction until the tool projections are inserted between the adapter projections. The tool is configured to rotate the adapter through rotation of the tool projections against the adapter projections.
In various embodiments, various components of the security systems disclosed herein, such as the shield, adapter, and/or tool, may be constructed from a durable and/or inexpensive material such as plastic, metal (e.g., brass), etc. In some embodiments, the tool and/or adapter may be constructed from plastic to limit the torque that could be applied by a user to the connector (e.g., to avoid damaging the connector and/or port). In some embodiments, the shield, adapter, and/or tool may be injection-molded.
It should be noted that the various features discussed herein with respect to the embodiments shown in the FIGURES may be used alone, or in combination, and all such features and combinations of features are within the scope of the present disclosure.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” shall mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Such joining may also relate to mechanical, fluid, or electrical relationship between the two components.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the coaxial cable connectors as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the embodiments. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20130017694 A1 | Jan 2013 | US |