Electrical connectors – Including or for use with coaxial cable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-01
2003-11-18
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Including or for use with coaxial cable
C439S616000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06648683
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and more specifically to a coaxial cable connector which is integrated with the device to which the cable is to be connected. The present quick connector requires only trimming of the coaxial cable end, whereupon the cable end is inserted into the connector and manipulated to lock it in place. The cable connection process provided by the present invention needs no tools once the cable end has been prepared, and is completely reversible.
2. Description of Related Art
Coaxial cable is commonly used for carrying electromagnetic signals in various environments. Such cable generally comprises a relatively thin and lightweight conductor surrounded circumferentially by a dielectric insulating material, with a braid or screen electrical shield therearound and an electrically insulating cover covering the shielding braid.
Such coaxial cable is commonly used for the local transmission of video signals from an incoming line or signal generator (computer, etc.) for cable and satellite television receivers, computer monitors, etc. The cable ends are prepared to expose the fine concentric conductor wire therein, and are conventionally assembled with various fittings which are crimped or otherwise attached to the cable end and then installed into a cooperating fitting on the device to which the cable is to be connected.
Certain standards for compatibility of fittings, tools used for assembly, etc. have been developed over the years. However, all of the various standards of which the present inventor is aware, require various tools for the preparation of the coaxial cable end and/or fitting to be installed upon the electrical component to which the cable is to be connected, or require relatively complex assembly of various small components at the electrical component and/or cable end. These requirements result in considerable cost for the various connecting components and hardware, the tools involved (crimping tools, etc.), and also the cost of the additional time involved by the technician to assemble the fittings and install the cable.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a quick connector for coaxial cable, which includes all of the connector componentry in an integral assembly with the electrical device to which the cable is to be connected. The device must require only trimming of the cable end, with connection achieved by inserting the cut cable end into the connector.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,920 issued on Jan. 30, 1968 to Ronald C. Laudig et al., titled “Coaxial Connector,” describes a relatively complex assembly for connecting two separate lengths of coaxial cable together. The Laudig et al. assembly requires that a series of components be permanently crimped in place upon each cable end, with the cable ends terminating in mating male and female connectors which are plugged together. The Laudig et al. connecting means requires considerable componentry and a relatively large amount of labor time for assembly, as well as various crimping and other tools for fabrication and assembly. In contrast, the present quick connector is provided preassembled with the electronic device at the time of manufacture, and requires no additional tools or labor for fabrication.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,988 issued on Jan. 13, 1970 to Luason L. Carnaghan, titled “In-Line Cable Connectors,” describes a relatively complex assembly of components which are field assembled to each of the ends of two mating coaxial cables to join the cables together. A third component is used between the two cable ends, even though the two cable ends comprise male-female connector pin means. The result is a complex assembly which requires a relatively large amount of time to assemble in the field, and which is not adaptable for use in connecting a cable end to a non-cable receptacle, in any event.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,453 issued on Jun. 19, 1973 to John D., Callaghan et al., titled “Adapter For Coaxial Cable Connector,” describes a cable connector assembly comprising an F-56 connector and an adapter for connecting either relatively larger diameter RG6/U coaxial cable, or smaller diameter RG59/U cable thereto. The Callaghan et al. adapter essentially comprises a sleeve which fits into the larger diameter receptacle of the F-56 connector, to adapt the connector for the smaller diameter RG59/U cable. Both the F-56 connector and the Callaghan et al. adapter include a barbed end for working between the dielectric and the outer conductor or shield, but the use of a conventional connector by Callaghan et al. requires that the connector be crimped about the outer diameter of the coaxial cable, unlike the present assembly. Moreover, Callaghan et al. require separate attachment of the conventional F56 connector to the electrical component to which the cable is to be connected, whereas the present connector is manufactured integrally with the electrical component.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,854 issued on Jan. 12, 1988 to Randolph E. Capp et al., titled “Low Profile Press Fit Connector,” describes a complex assembly comprising a conventional factory formed cable end and a socket therefor, for installing on a circuit board or the like. The Capp et al. socket cannot accept a bare coaxial cable end which has been trimmed for installation, as provided by the present quick connector invention. Moreover, the Capp et al. socket is not an integral part of an electrical or cable component, but rather must be installed thereon in the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,943 issued on Jan. 28, 1992 to Dennis E. Tarrant, titled “CATV Environmental F-Connector,” describes a coaxial cable end connector assembly which is swaged or crimped in place, with an attachment nut captured on the end of the connector assembly. The crimping requirement results in tools being required for the assembly, whereas a coaxial cable can be installed in the present connector with no tools being required, other than a knife or other cutting tool for cutting back the outer cover and exposing the central conductor. Moreover, the Tarrant assembly requires a mating male threaded connector on the cable receptacle structure to which the cable is to be connected, whereas the present connector is formed integrally with the cable receptacle structure and the cable itself is devoid of specialized attachment means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,863 issued on Jun. 23, 1992 to Albert H. Frederick et al., titled “Solderless Housing Interconnect For Miniature Semi-Rigid Coaxial Cable,” describes an assembly having a threaded sleeve which installs in a structure to hold a coaxial cable in place. The cable must be fabricated with the appropriate components, i.e., the threaded sleeve must be installed on the cable and a retainer soldered in place (contrary to the title of the patent) on the outer conductor of the cable, before installing the cable end. The need for tools (soldering iron or gun and tool for driving the threaded retainer) result in a considerably more labor intensive installation than that achieved by the present quick connector invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,382 issued on Sep. 8, 1992 to David M. Dickirson, titled “Molded Plastic Surface-Mountable Coaxial Connector,” describes a socket having a plated, electrically conductive contact surface for conducting electrical energy from the outer conductor or shield of a coaxial cable, to the printed circuit board. The Dickirson connector is not manufactured as a part of the circuit board, but is assembled therewith in the field, unlike the present quick connector invention. The means for securing the cable in the Dickirson connector, i.e., engaging a circumferential port with a tab cut from the outer conductor or shielding of the cable, is unlike that used with the present coaxial cable connector invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,993 issued on Nov. 10, 1992 to Richard G. Leibfried, Jr., titled “Retentio
Litman Richard C.
Ta Tho D.
Tsukerman Larisa
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