Electrical connectors – Screw coupling part engaged or disengaged without rotary motion
Reexamination Certificate
2003-07-07
2004-08-03
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Screw coupling part engaged or disengaged without rotary motion
C439S578000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06769926
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to connectors and, more particularly, to a connecting assembly that can be used in place of a conventional nut to connect a cable to an externally threaded connecting port.
2. Background Art
A myriad of connecting assemblies are currently available for connecting a cable, such as a coaxial cable, to an externally threaded connecting port. The nature of the structure having the externally threaded connecting port may vary considerably. For example, the connecting port may be at a drop or splice location.
One of the most commonly utilized connecting structures in the cable industry is a nut that is aligned with, and rotated relative to, an externally threaded connecting port to selectively secure the cable thereto and release the cable therefrom.
In certain environments, the requirement to repeatedly turn a nut is awkward and undesirably time consuming. As an alternative to a threaded connection, many different connecting assemblies are offered which permit operation by translation of the connecting assembly parallel to the axis of the externally threaded connecting port. In one form, a cylindrical sleeve is formed with circumferentially spaced, axially extending, slits which produce a plurality of independently movable fingers. Such a structure is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,906, to Szegda. The tenacity of the grip of such a connecting assembly upon the externally threaded connecting port is determined by the captive compressive force between diametrically opposite fingers. This type of connecting assembly has the drawback that it may be inadvertently separated from the externally threaded connecting port. The individual fingers are also prone to being deformed, which may affect the holding capacity.
Many different connecting assemblies utilize the aforementioned deformable finger arrangement and additionally employ a locking ring which surrounds, and is axially movable relative to, the fingers to bias the fingers radially inwardly so as to more positively grip the externally threaded connecting port. A number of these connecting assemblies have fingers which include a projection which is pressed by the locking ring to radially between adjacent thread turns so as place surfaces on the finger projections and threads in axially confronting relationship. So long as this confronting relationship is maintained, the connecting assembly cannot be axially separated from the externally threaded connecting port.
Many of these connecting assemblies function such as a collet. That is, a force from the locking ring is rigidly transmitted through the fingers to the externally threaded connecting port. While the connection through this connecting assembly may be positively maintained, this type of connecting assembly is generally designed for a specific diameter of externally threaded connected port and may not function adequately if the diameter thereof is appreciably less than, or greater than, the specific diameter for which the connecting assembly is designed. Examples of this type of structure are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,452,316, to Panek et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,846, to Guimond et al.
Designers of cable connectors continue to seek out cable connecting assemblies that can be simply operated, produce a secure holding force between the connecting assembly and a cooperating externally threaded connecting port, and accommodate a range of diameters for an externally threaded connecting port with which the connecting assembly is to be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention is directed to an assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded connecting port. The connecting assembly has a tubular fitting with a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive a cable. The second end is adapted to engage an externally threaded connecting port to secure the connecting assembly to the externally threaded connecting port. The connecting assembly has a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction. A first finger in the plurality of fingers has an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong that projects generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first axial location on the first finger. A locking member is movable axially relative to the first finger between first and second positions. The locking member has a surface that cooperates with a surface on the first finger to produce a bias force on the first finger radially inwardly relative to the central axis as the locking member is moved from the first position into the second position. The bias force is produced on the first finger between the first location and the connected end of the first finger.
In one form, the prong is substantially straight and projects in a line that is nonparallel to the central axis.
The first finger may be folded at the free end to define the prong.
In one form, the first axial location is at the free end of the first finger.
In one form, there is a sleeve assembly at the first end of the tubular fitting for receiving a cable and the locking member abuts to the sleeve assembly with the locking member in the first position so as to prevent movement of the locking member from the second position to past the first position.
In one form, the locking member has a radially inwardly projecting bead that abuts to the sleeve assembly with the locking member in the first position.
The locking member may surround a portion of the sleeve assembly.
In one form, the locking member surface has an annular shape with a diameter that changes along an axial extent thereof.
The locking member may have a cylindrical shape that extends continuously around the plurality of fingers.
In one form, the locking member is made from a plastic material.
In one form, the prong projects in a line and terminates at a free edge which is substantially straight and extends transversely to the line at which the prong projects.
In one form, the free edge is pointed.
The fingers in the plurality of fingers may have substantially the same configuration as the first finger.
In one form, the prong projects in a line and is flexible relative to the first finger to change the orientation of the line relative to the first finger.
In one form, the prong resides radially inside of the first finger.
The invention is further directed to an assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded connecting port and having a tubular fitting with a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends. The first end is adapted to receive a cable. The second end is adapted to engage an externally threaded connecting port to secure the connecting assembly to the externally threaded connecting port. The connecting assembly has a plurality of fingers projecting generally in a first axial direction. The first finger in the plurality of fingers has an axial length between axially spaced connected and free ends and a prong projecting generally oppositely to the first axial direction from a first location on the first finger. The locking member is movable between first and second positions. The locking member produces a bias force on the first finger that moves at least a part of the first finger radially inwardly relative to the central axis as the locking member is moved from the first position into the second position. The prong projects in a line and is flexible relative to the first finger to change the orientation of the line relative to the first finger.
The first finger may be folded at the free end to define the prong.
The first axial location may be at the free end of the first finger.
In one form, the bias force is produced on the first finger between the first location and the connected end of the first finger. In one form, the locking member has an annular shape and is movable axially between the first and second positions.
The fingers in the plurality of fingers may have substantially the same configuration as the first finger.
In one form, the pron
Harvey James R.
John Mezzalingua Associates Inc.
Ta Tho D.
LandOfFree
Assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Assembly for connecting a cable to an externally threaded... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3342996