Electrical connectors – Contact comprising cutter – Insulation cutter
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-08
2001-11-06
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Contact comprising cutter
Insulation cutter
C439S578000, C439S076100, C439S098000, C439S425000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312281
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to connectors, and more particularly, to a cable tap connector which diverts signals from one cable to another cable. The tap connector is compact, less expensive to manufacture, provides enhanced tuning and is easier to install.
A conventional cable tap connector, illustrated in
FIGS. 7 and 8
, is large, bulky, difficult to install, and space consuming. The connector includes two parts. A first part
300
functions as a mounting saddle. Generally, the first part has a flat bottom for connection with a desired surface S, and a top with a channel
302
for receiving the coaxial cable C. The second part
304
is essentially a reverse mirror image of the first part aside from the integral connector
306
mounted on the top surface. The first and second parts are connected by threaded fasteners
308
.
One major disadvantage of this prior art design is the size of the unit and difficulty of installation. In order to install the prior art tap connector, the cable must be pulled away from the mounting surface,
FIG. 8
, to fit the first part under the cable. Usually the cable must be entirely disconnected in order to mount the first part.
This consumes a large amount of installation time, thereby increasing costs. Occasionally, even if the cable is entirely disconnected, the tap connector cannot be installed because the installer will not be able to reattach the cable end connectors where necessary because the cable is too short with the tap installed. A cable would have to be installed and this is clearly problematic.
Another major disadvantage of the prior art tap connector is the integrated connector on the top surface,
FIGS. 7 and 8
. These tap connectors are most commonly installed in cable trunking or other narrow, space-limited confines such as a plenum or elevator shaft, FIG.
8
. The integrated connector of the prior art extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cable. The second cable must therefore also be connected in a perpendicular orientation unless the installer uses a more expensive ninety-degree fitting. Further, in order to maintain maximum performance, the second cable can only bend to the minimum bend radius R
m
limit. Accordingly, the prior art tap connector requires a significant amount of room perpendicular to the cable in order to properly turn the second cable to run parallel to the first cable.
Thus, there remains a need for a cable tap connector which has a compact, space-saving, low-profile, one-side attachment, convenient installation, minimal materials, and flexible entrance/exit design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention, a cable tap connector according to the present invention comprises a base, a cover and a passageway. The base is adapted to engage the outer covering of a first coaxial cable such that a contact pin may engage the conductor of the first cable. Accordingly, the signals are diverted to a second cable which extends through a passageway defined by cooperative association of the base and the cover.
It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a new cable tap connector that can be installed in situ without disturbing the first cable.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new tap connector having a compact, minimum perpendicular height profile.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new tap connector which significantly reduces materials and costs.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new tap connector with the second cable passageway parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first cable.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new tap connector with second cable passageway defined by a operative connection of the base and cover.
It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a new tap connector having unitary construction so that the connector only engages one side of the first cable and the other side of the first cable remains in its originally routed position, usually against a wall.
In a principal aspect of the present invention, the preferred embodiment is defined by a housing having a base, a cover, and a second cable. The base has an arcuate lower surface and a receptacle disposed on an upper surface. The lower surface has a boss extending into a channel. A bore extends through the boss into the receptacle. An exterior wall defines the receptacle which has a first part and a second part separated by a groove transverse to the longitudinal axis of the housing. A printed circuit board and contact pin are disposed within the first part. The cover includes a pocket defined by an exterior wall and has a first part and a second part separated by a groove. The base second part and the cover second part cooperatively define the passageway for the second coaxial cable. An annular resilient element connected to the second coaxial cable is received in the groove formed by cooperative association of the base and cover. A ground shield of the second cable may be attached to the printed circuit board and a conductor of the second cable is attached to the contact pin. The cover is attached to the base defining a volume including the receptacle and pocket which are sealed from exterior elements.
In another principal aspect of the present invention, another embodiment is defined by a housing having a base, a cover attached to the base, and a passageway cooperatively defined by the base and cover. The base includes a recess adapted to engage an outer covering of the first cable, a receptacle, a lower part of the passageway and means for attaching the base to the first cable. The channel includes a boss formed on a lower surface. The boss has a longitudinally-extending bore which is in communication with the receptacle. A substantially circumferential wall defines the receptacle and has a printed circuit board disposed therein. A contact pin extends through an aperture in the printed circuit board and the bore. The cover includes an upper part of the passageway and a pocket defined by a circumferential wall. Operative association between the base and cover cooperatively define the passageway in order to receive and retain the second cable.
These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference numerals identify like elements throughout.
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Andrew Corporation Catalog, No. 37, 1997, p. 725.
Andrew Corporation
Bradley Paula
Leon Edwin A.
Vedder Price Kaufman & Kammholz
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