Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure – Member or portion thereof located between substructure and...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-11
2001-01-09
Saether, Flemming (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Threaded fastener locked to a discreet structure
Member or portion thereof located between substructure and...
C411S155000, C411S200000, C411S522000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06171039
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to locking mechanisms for connectors and, more particularly, to a mechanism to prevent rotation of a connector during connect and disconnect operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many connectors, such as SMA or SMC connectors, attach to mating connectors by means of threads or other means that require application of rotational force during connection and disconnection. Unless prevented in some manner, a connector will rotate due to the rotational force exerted when connecting or disconnecting mating connectors.
A persistent problem in the telecommunications industry is base station connectors that rotate when mating connectors are disconnected. These base station connectors extend through a wall (or panel) of the base station enclosure and allow an external cable to be electrically connected to the base station's internal electronics.
FIG. 1
, discussed below, shows a typical example of a connector
100
extending through a panel
120
of a base station. Base station connectors mate with another connector (a mating connector) that usually is attached to a coaxial cable of some sort. The base station connectors often have a soldered electrical connection on the internal side of the base station enclosure. Even a few degrees of rotation can be enough to break solder joints so it is very important to prevent the base station connector from rotating.
FIG. 1
shows a prior art method of preventing a connector
100
from rotating during connection or disconnection of mating connectors. Connector
100
has threads at one end for screwing into a threaded hole in panel
120
and at the other end for attaching a nut
110
. Nut
110
is then screwed down tight against panel
120
to prevent connector
100
from rotating. This method is commonly used but does not prevent rotation very well.
FIG. 2
shows a prior art method of preventing a connector
200
from rotating during connection or disconnection of mating connectors. Connector
200
has a rectangular flange
210
with screw holes
230
in each corner. Connector
200
inserts into a hole in panel
120
. It is held in place by screws inserted in each of the screw holes
230
. This method works well but requires drilling and thread tapping of four additional holes. Therefore this method is expensive, difficult to manufacture, and requires extra steps to attach connector
200
to panel
120
.
FIG. 3
shows a prior art method of preventing a connector
300
from rotating during connection or disconnection of mating connectors. Connector
300
has a flange
310
. When connector
300
is screwed into a threaded hole in panel
120
, flange
310
compresses O-ring
330
against panel
120
. Under ideal conditions, O-ring
330
provides enough frictional resistance to rotation that mating connectors can be connected or disconnected without causing connector
300
to rotate. When exposed to the elements in the field, the connector oxidizes. The oxidation causes the connector to bind when joined with its mate, requiring application of greater rotational connect/disconnect force than the O-ring
330
can resist. Thus this method does not prevent rotation under commonly encountered field conditions.
Additional general background, which helps to show the knowledge of those skilled in the art regarding the system context, and of variations and options for implementations, may be found in Catalog Number 82074 version 5-98 from AMP Incorporated, all of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A lock washer and method for preventing a connector from rotating when mating connectors are attached or detached. In the presently preferred embodiment, the disclosed connector locking mechanism incorporates an innovative lock washer that, in combination with a groove in a panel holding the connector, prevents rotation of the connector when a mating connector is twisted on or off.
In the presently preferred embodiment, a connector that is attached to a panel is prevented from rotating by the use of an innovative lock washer that fits in a groove in the panel. The lock washer has a keyhole-shaped cutout. Part of the cutout has approximately parallel edges. Another part of the cutout allows the lock washer to fit over the larger perimeter (meaning without flat regions) portion of connector. After the lock washer is on the connector, the lock washer slides so that the approximately parallel edges of the cutout are aligned over flat regions on the connector. Then a nut is screwed onto the connector, compressing the approximately parallel edges of the lock washer cutout against the flat regions on the connector. The groove in the panel prevents the lock washer (and thus the connector) from rotating during attachment/detachment of mating connectors.
REFERENCES:
patent: 824382 (1906-06-01), Quitman
patent: 995169 (1911-06-01), Murdock
patent: 1038528 (1912-09-01), Cookerley
patent: 1201501 (1916-10-01), Rice
patent: 1562691 (1925-11-01), De Graaf
patent: 3297916 (1967-01-01), Wright
patent: 4352583 (1982-10-01), Errichiello
patent: 4684284 (1987-08-01), Bradley
patent: 4842485 (1989-06-01), Pease
patent: 5628599 (1997-05-01), Eakin
patent: 121380 (1946-05-01), None
patent: 58973 (1912-01-01), None
Gnuschke Jerald J.
Nokia Telecommunications Oy
Rivers Brian T.
Saether Flemming
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