Coaxial connector

Details Coaxial connector Coaxial connector

1999-07-29

2001-02-06

Nguyen, Khiem (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

Including or for use with coaxial cable

C439S675000, C362S147000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183297

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed toward coaxial cable connectors, and more particularly toward connectors for coaxial cable-hung light fixtures.
2. Background Art
Lighting is an important part of the aesthetics of an interior area, not only with respect to the light provided but respecting the appearance of the light fixtures themselves. Many different types of light fixtures are provided to suit many different types of styles and tastes.
One such type of lighting which is often used has light fixtures which hang from coaxial cables. These fixtures are very flexible in installations, as the hanging length may be cut to suit the particular room or area in which the installation is to occur. Further, such lights may be readily installed to either hang from individual ceiling mounted bases, or from a track (thereby allowing multiple light fixtures to be spaced along the track as desired both for appearance and lighting purposes).
One type of such lighting system which has been used is known as the FreeJack™ System. With these systems, the light fixture is connected to one end of a coaxial cable and a connector is secured to the other end of the coaxial cable, which connector may be quickly and easily connected to a mating ceiling mounted fixture to not only support the light fixture but also connect it to the power circuit. A connector used with such lighting systems typically includes a pair of base members with an insulating member therebetween and a central opening for the coaxial cable. During installation, the coaxial cable is cut to the desired overall length, a specified amount of the outer cable (typically forming a sheath around the cable) is trimmed from the end, and a specified amount of the insulation around the projecting portion of the inner cable is shaved off, at which point the cable end is inserted into the connector central opening with the exposed inner cable clamped in one base member to form an electrically conductive connection and the uncut end portion of the outer cable clamped in the other base member to form an electrically conductive connection to that other base member. While such light fixtures provide good operation and flexibility, the above described installation can encounter some problems. For example, stripping off the outer cable and insulation can be time consuming, and any error in doing so can result in an improper connection to the power circuit so that the light may not work properly. Further, it is possible when stripping off the outer cable and the insulation to also inadvertently cut off the end portion of the inner cable. If that occurs, the entire cable might be discarded and work in connecting it between the connector and light fixture be then repeated. Alternatively, the installer could repeat the process on the end of the remaining portion of the coaxial cable, in which case the light fixture will not hang down as far as desired. Either case is undesirable as both involve waste of time and materials, and in the later case might seriously damage the aesthetic appearance (particularly when the lighting involves multiple fixtures where even small variations in hanging distances can be very obvious and unattractive).
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a connector is provided for a coaxial cable having an conductive inner cable surrounded by a conductive outer cable with an insulator between the inner and outer cables. The conductor includes a conductive first base member having a first opening therethrough adapted to received the inner and outer cables therein, an insulating member secured to the first base member and having a second opening therethrough substantially in alignment with the first base member first opening, and a conductive second base member secured to the insulating member and conductively insulated from the first base member. The insulating member second opening is restricted relative to the first base member first opening whereby the second opening is adapted to receive the inner cable and the insulator and to block the outer cable from entry into the second opening. The second base member has a pocket substantially in alignment with the first and second openings and adapted to receive the inner cable and the insulator therein. A first clamping member is adapted to secure the outer cable when in the first base member opening, and a second clamping member is adapted to secure the inner cable when in the second base member pocket. The base members are adapted to connect to opposite sides of a power circuit.
In a preferred form of this aspect of the present invention, the second opening includes a tapered opening adjacent the first base member, the tapered opening being adapted to guide the inner cable and insulation into the second opening while blocking the outer cable.
In another preferred form, the first and second clamping members comprise set screws in threaded holes oriented substantially perpendicular to the orientation of a coaxial cable when connected thereto, the set screws being adapted to pinch the coaxial cable in the first base member opening and second base member pocket when received therein.
In still another preferred form, a transverse opening is provided in the second base member providing a visual opening into the pocket.
In yet another preferred form, the insulating member second opening is threaded and receives a threaded portion of the second base member therein, the threaded portion having a central opening extending to the pocket and adapted to receive the inner cable and insulator therethrough.
In another preferred form, the second clamping member is adapted to break through the insulator to create a conductive connection between the inner cable and the second base member when the inner cable is secured in the second clamping member.
In another aspect of the present invention, a hanging light is provided, including a light fixture having two terminals, a coaxial cable such as described above secured to the light fixture, and a connector secured to the coaxial cable such as described above, the connector being adapted to connect to two sides of a power circuit for operation of the light fixture.
Preferred forms such as described with the first aspect of the invention are also preferred forms with this aspect of the invention.
It is an object of the invention to provide a connector for a coaxial cable which may be easily used and installed.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3668612 (1972-06-01), Nepovim
patent: 4076367 (1978-02-01), Avins
patent: 4135776 (1979-01-01), Ailawadhi et al.
patent: 4241973 (1980-12-01), Mayer et al.
patent: 5232377 (1993-08-01), Leibfried, Jr.
patent: 5769662 (1998-06-01), Stabile et al.
patent: 6058230 (2000-05-01), Ward

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