US2941028A - Solderless coaxial cable fitting - Google Patents

Description

June 14, 1960 G. G. EDLEN ErAL l 2,941,028

SOLDERLESS COAXIAL CABLE FITTING Filed Aug. 10, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l El? /f I 1;:2 T INVENTOR ATTORNEYS June 14, 1960 G. G. EDLEN EVAL 2,941,028

soLDERLEsscoAxIAL CABLE FITTING 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. l0, 1956 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O SOLDERLESS COAXIAL CABLE FITTING George G. Edlen, Silver Spring, Md., and Donald W.

Phipps, San Jose, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignp ments, to Phelps Dodge Copper Products Corporation,

New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 10, 195'6, Ser. No. 603,415

7 Claims. (Cl. 174-75) The present invention relates to terminal devices or end connectors for coaxial cable and in particular to a terminal device or end connector which mates with existing standard types of coaxial cable terminals or end connectors.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a readily and economically fabricated end connector for coaxial cables which may be quickly and easily applied thereto by unskilled personnel.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cable terminal device or end connector which may be securely and rmly attached to `the cable both mechanically and electrically by crimping.

`It is another object of the present invention to provide a coaxial cable .connector comprising essentially two hollowcylinders which may be slipped over the coaxialvcable -and crimped into operative engagement with each other,

and arhollow central terminal member supported by but insulated from one of the hollow cylinders for receiving the central conductor of the cable and which is electrically connected thereto by crimping.

`It is still lanother object of the present invention to provide acoaxial cable terminal device either of the female or male connector type which may be readily applied to the coaxial cable by unskilled personnel in a minimum ofrtime.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a male or female terminal device for coaxial cables having a threaded element .forsecurin-g a terminal device of one type to a terminal device of a mating type.

ltlis anothery object ofthe present invention to provide male and female connectors for coaxial cable which are substantially identical in structure except for the structure of the central terminal and the threaded and mating elements wfor securing the male and female connectors together.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a terminal device or end connector for coaxial cables having .a small number of parts of simple configuration and large tolerances which consequently may be fabricated by inexpensive stamping and drawing techniques and which do not require costly finishing operations such as machining, grinding, etc.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

fFig. l is a side view of a male connector of the present invention applied to a coaxial cable;

` Fig. 2 is a side view partially in longitudinal section of a male connector of the present invention applied to a coaxial cable;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of a coaxial cable with one element of a connector of the present invention applied thereto;

Fig. 4 is a side view partially in section of a female connector of the present invention illustrated juxtaposed to a male connector of the present invention;

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Fig. 5 is a side view of a male connector of the present invention adapted to cooperate with a cable of smaller diameter than the cables of Figs. 1-4;

Figs. 6A and 6B are respectively a side view and a transverse cross section taken on line B--B of the connector of the present invention illustrating a preferred form of crimped configuration employed to secure a terminal of .the present invention to an associated cable; and

Figs. 7A and 7B are respectively a side view and a transverse cross section taken on line A--A of another preferred form of crimped coniguration.

Referring specifically -to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying ldrawings a coaxial cable 1 has acentral conductor 2, preferably although not necessarily stranded, aconcentric layer 3 of insulating material, such as polyethylene, disposed about theinner conductor 2, a concentric stranded and preferably braidedouter conductor 4 encircling theinsulation 3 and anouter sheath 5 of insulating material. Theinsulation material 3 is shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, 6A and B, and 7A and B as being uniformly distributed between the two conductors and filling the space therebetween. A male connector or terminal generally designated by the reference numeral 6 includes an inner, conductive, thin-walled, hollow cylinder orsleeve 7 which may be slipped over thesheath 5. The conductor 1 is initially prepared as illustrated in Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings by removing predetermined portions of theinsulation 3 and thesheath 5 to provide a section of each of theouter conductor 4 and thecentral conductor 2 projecting beyond theinsulating members 3 and 5. The innerhollow cylinder 7 has an inwardly projecting flange 8 at its forward end which engages the end ofthesheath 5 and positively positions thecylinder 7 on the cable 1; the terms forward and rearward and the various forms thereof being employed hereinafter to designate respectively the ends of the various elements directed toward the illustrated end of the cable 1 and the main body of the cable 1. The braided conductor `4 may be unraveled or cut longitudinally so that it may be folded back over thecylinder 7. The connector 6 `further includes an outer conductive, thin-walled, hollow cylinder or sleeve 9 of such a diameter that it may be slipped over theinner cylinder 7 with theouter conductor 4 folded thereover. As shown in Fig. 2, the assembled cylinders orsleeves 7 and 9 and the portion of theouter conductor 4 sandwiched therebetween are located over the forward end of theinsulation sheath 5. The lforward end of the outer cylinder 9 (that is, .the end adjacent the end of the cable 1) is enlarged radially outwardlyv to provide an inner annular recess at 10. Disposed within .this recess and encircled by the outer cylinder 9 is a flatcircular disc 11 of high quality insulating material such as polyethylene which is retained in therecess 10 by an inwardly directed flange of the cylinder 9. The disc 11 is provided with anaperture 12 axially aligned with thecentral conductor 2 of the cable 1 which passes therethrough. An elongatedhollow pin 13 has an axially extending rear section 14 of reduced diameter which is disposed in .theaperture 12 of the disc 11; a portion of section 14 protruding through the rear of the disc 11 and being -aredoutwardly .to vfasten thepin 13 securely to `the disc y11. Thepin 13 is made tubular to -freely receive thecentralconductor 2 of the cable 1. Near the tip of the pin 13', is asection 15 of reduced diameter vwhich provides a thin-walled portion which can be readily deformed by any suitable tool to provide a good crimped connection both electrical and mechanical between thepin 13 andlthe conductor 2. The thin walled construction of the reducedportion 15 is such that the drawings produces a bulge illustrated in Fig. 1 which does notextend out lbey'ondUtlie greatest external diameter ofthezpin 13; Thus .the pin` IScaHmatewitha' bored and split central pin 16 of afemale connector 17 illustrated in Fig. 4,.without the deformed portion.y interteringl with' the connection even though the-portion' 1-.5has'ljeen 5 deformedsuiciently toinsuregeodielectricakand mechana ical contact between pin I3 andconductor i Ahollonv cylindrical: nut 1'8" hasi'rltcrrlalthreadsV 19. for engagement" with' a .tlircaded'sIeeVe 20'- of` the female' conductor 17i The' nut 1'8l extends rearwardly of the are'ds'ection 10" otth'e outer' cylinder 9; th'esection einV tending'belindfdared secti'on11'0"1iaving an internalidiameter greater than the outer cylinder 9 but of smaller diameter'tharr tli'efsectionl'O In consequence tlre'nut .18'rnay' be slid Bac-lc" along 4tire cable 1J butmayfnot'beA 15 removed .theretromwitliont first removing .the cylinder@A Aftertlre'mal'e connector'orterrninal: tli'asbeerr assemofi anys'uitable" design may be' disposed about tlre'cylin` der 9`reanwardly ot'v the section* 11T and' employed-v to de-A form` orA crimp thecylinders 7 and 9to secure Ithecorrnector G tothecablel Thef-orce appliedtothe cylinder# 9'v produces deformation thereof which4 clamps the folded' over `-portionof thebra'ided conductor' 4` securely. vbetween' the cylinders-Tand?. Tliederforming torceis transmitted through:conductor4i1esulting`in `deforrnationot thecylin'- der 7 whiclris crimped; into engagementwitlitlre cablel;

ias'illustratedf in'v Figs; 6A andB and7A and'- B' The" deforrning torce should be appliedrelatively' slowly-f atndl should. be sustained for' .at least azshoizt" interval soY as` to" produce cold'ow of.' the' metal in cylinders7`- and' 9 `tliereby .to'iirsurea strongandpermanentmechanicaliconl nection ottlre terminaliito' thecablel and' funtlrertoinsure' agood electrical contact betweenL the cylinder 9"and` the braided:l conductor `l4i The mechanical? strength of. the" connection obtained between tlie'cai'ilel` andthe connector of tlietpresent invention is such*that'it'is'irnpossible" to pull the' 'connectorfrom tliecableby any'force' which. thecable"itselfktatrrjwithstand@l The'form of the" crinps developedin-tlre cylinders 7` and 9s may lie? of various shapes'- and; conventionally may conform t'othe 'congurations' illustrated; in Figs. 6K and Bland 7`A' andiBofthe accompanying drawings. Referring specilcllyto Figs..Y and; B, approximately the" rear` halves .of tle I cylinders Tandf9dare`deforn1e'd1into'a liexagonalsliape; This .formi of crimping' ll'aswth'e advantage' tlia't the tol required7 to produce tlredetrrnation is'relativelynnconrplieated 'Another-crimped configuration is' illustratedin Figs. 7A'. and"Bwliereiir'equallyspacedapproxinrately sernicircular circumferential grooves' 21v are .provided aboutlialf thecircnmterenceofthe cylinders 7 and' 9n while a second" set'of suoligrooves22a are provid'e'dahout tlieother hal'fi ovftlie ci'reunrfe'renciel of cylinders. 7 and 9 andare stag.- gered witli'respect'to" the' grooves'Zll` It. is apparent' from' tite abovethatt-he present inventior'rprovid'es aco'axialcable connector which maybe.' quickly. ari'd: readily applied'to a'y cableV with a' nlirnuni' offei'rt even'iby unsklle'dpersonnel. The'component'sf'ofL tl'le. connector' are few innuinber" and'm'ay berapidly` and' ec'orrorneallyI fabricated.. Specifically inasmuch the cylinders7 and9 have entremely'siinple shapes'thcy' mayube rapidly ffb'ricat'edby punching; stampingor erinY Iployiiig conver'itionaf metal' drawing' techniques' and" do" not` require niacliningY or'o'tlier expensive' finis-hing openy ationsY The present' invention" is noti limited to" the pjrovisitmoffa male connector l=l:u.t` relates to' female' coaxial com' nectors. Referring specifically t Fig. 4' of the accom.- pany drawings there is illustrated a Irialey connector" 6. andlafitemaleconnector 17'iwhich is engageable with the male.. connector 62 Theconstruction ofthe-female connector V17V is the-sameaslthat of. the. male connector 6 excepttor. the structurel ot thecentral terminal 13 and the.nut.19... In the female .connector 17`tle centralter# minal 16 is a lioHow-slotted!v cylinder' fabricated" fronti resilient material vso that themale pin 13 is resiliently gnasped thereby. The ternrina'lv 16 engages thev central conductor of its associated length of cable 1 and is secured thereto by `a reduced portion 15a similar toportion 15 of Fig. 2. Thehollow sleeve 20 of thefemale connector 17 is provided with external threads Z3 which engage with the internall'threa'ds' 19 of thenut 18. The internal jd'iarneterol theefonward portio'nfot.thea sleeve 20 is smaller than the diameter of the llared section. -The sleeveA 2U has afrearwart'il'y'y extending thin walled ofy larger" diameter. .than- .thesection 10"v of.'i cylinder 9'fand terminates at' its rearward? end inm anV inwardly. ita-red portion of smaller diameter than the section 'but of larger diameter than theA rnainnbody ofthe't cylinder'9l In consequence thesleeve 20 has axedlongitudinal position with respect -to the` cylinder 9 butinay be rotated with respect thereto to facilitate screwing thenut 18 and thesleeve 20 together. As thenut 18 andsleeve 20 are progressivelylrotatedl ttic pinJ 1"3'isI drawn intende-cylinder f6 and connection isi completed# between the two-I con dlct'ors';

""llilentale connector e and-female connector1171ortlieA present invention are not restricted .to use with one\ an* other lint asc' offsu'cli a configuration that theyma'yvbe mated wit'lif conventional connectors`r now4 on the market f and inicurrenttuse'f Thusthe:maleconnector"` 6 i's'suit'able foluse with a female connector such asl is: represented by'f'UlS militaryy designation SO`23`9 wliile the* female conmecton17F mayfbe employed with the correspon'dinigl maleconnector. i

The connectorsofthe presentiinventioniarefnotlirnited to*utili'z'atic'zon` with acabley of particular sizeor diameter but'` may; be employed' with" coaxial cables'L` of"A allt sizes. Referring-f specifically tolv'Fig'. 5 ofiv the accompanying: drawings; the: connector'Glisilliistrated as applied toa calile of approximatelytwolthirdtliediameter of .the cattle illustrated iaFigsf. 1"-4. All that isl .required for" adaptingj tlecorlnec'tors vtoth'is smallerfs'ize cableis toA reduce' the diameter of thecylinder 7 toapprox'irnatelyV thatot'; the'` calilea'ndftoredncethediameter ofthe mainfbody' ot .tlie cylinder 9i to'l that" of the foldedI over portio'n of'4 the" braiddc'onductor 4i; the ilared section f 1l] of thecylinder" 9may-be' 'ofthe same'dianieter regardlessofv the' diameter of the cable, and similarly for .thenut 18. Since coaxialL calilescomein onli/fa few standardsizesi i.e:, diameters, orilyj a few standard sizes of cylinders' 7 .and V9' arerequiredwto' provide a full stockl of connectors adaptedfr" utilisationA with coaxial* cablesV nowl in use.'

rIi will be` apparent .that the embodiments' shown are onl'yexemplary and that various' modicationslcan be; made iii-A construction and arrangement? withini theiscopze ofE theinventionas defined inl tlie i appended clz'tiins.1

We--clainrc Y 1. In combination, a coaxial cable and a connectorse# cured" t'o 'anrendtlie'reofj" said cable comprising" a'n `inner conductor; a ilxilileouter co'rrdilctor coaxiallysurrcundi-sing' the inner conductor,l insulation matcrial n'ni'foninlyJ distrilnte'd between the; two-condi`1`ctor's'and-"lilliirgj the* space* therebetween, Y and; an'u insulationA` sheath surround ingf-s-aidf outerfconductorl; said" connector comprising aiv first hollow conductive sleeve positionedover'said sle'atb. adja'c'entl-y said? end ofi saidcablc, a'secondlollow c'o'ndctive'fsleev'e telescop'ed over." sa-idliirstA sleeve; ai lengthioff-1 said outer conductor' adjacent said en'd ot said' cab and stripped of said insulation she'ath.being-renfe'r'selyf4 foldetli and" sandifiricliedv betweeni said two telescoped sleeves, said assembledlsleevesand sandwohedouteroon dilctorh'e'ingcrimped.' overl sheathlclamping. said sandwiched? outerconductor-l between' saith sleeves andi clamping said assembled sleeves and sandwiched outer'V cond" ctor to-l said:L sheath", wherebyI said'l sheath y functions to protect said uniformly f distributed insulationl material: against deformation forces resulting troni' crimping'o't" said assemledtsleeves' and* sandwiched outer conductor, aridmechanical Aand electrical' couplingmeansFV carriedL by said second sleeve adapted to cooperate with a mating connector structure.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, said coupling means carried by said sleeve comprising an insulation button supported in that end of said second sleeve immediately adjacent said end of said cable, and an elongate hollow conductive pin mounted centrally in said button and receiving therein an extending end of said inner conductor.

3. In a combination as set forth inclaim 2, said pin having a reduced diameter portion crimped to said exn tending end of said inner conductor.

4. In a combination as set forth inclaim 2, said coupling means further comprising a mechanical coupling element carried by' said end of said second sleeve and extending substantially coaxially over at least a portion of said pin.

5. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, the crimp of said assembled sleeves and sandwiched outer conductor being circumambient thereof and being formed in a fashion to provide at least one sinuous curvature axially of the cable in the crimped portion of said assembled sleeves and sandwiched outer conductor.

6. In a combination as set forth in claim- 1, said coupling means including a mechanical coupling element carried by that end of said second sleeve immediately adjacent said end of said cable.

7. In combination, a coaxial cable and a connector secured to an end thereof; said cable comprising an inner conductor, a exible outer conductor coaxially surrounding said inner conductor, insulation material uniformly distributed between the two conductors and filling the space therebetween, and an insulation sheath surrounding said outer conductor; said connector comprising 'a rst hollow conductive sleeve positioned over said sheath adjacent said end of said cable, a second hollow conductive sleeve telescoped over said first sleeve, a length of said outer conductor adjacent said end of said cable and stripped ofsaid insulation sheath being reversely folded and sandwiched between said two telescoped sleeves, the assembled sleeves and sandwiched outer conductor being circumambiently crimped over said sheath to clamp said sandwiched outer` conductor between said sleeves circumambiently, and to clamp said assembled sleeves and sandwiched conductor to said cable, at least one sinuous curvature axially of the cable being formed in the crimped portion of said sleeves and sandwiched conductor, whereby said sheath functions to protect said uniformly distributed insulation material against deformation forces resulting from crimping of said assembled sleeves and sandwiched outer conductor, an insulation button supported in that end of said second sleeve immediately adjacent the end of said cable, an elongate hollow conductive pin mounted centrally in said button and receiving therein an extending end of said inner` conductor, and a mechanical coupling element carried by said end of said second sleeve and extending substantially coaxially over at least a portion of said pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,460,304 McGee Feb. 1, 1949 2,536,003 Dupre Dec. 26, 1950 2,544,554 Holmes Mar. 6, 1951 2,755,330 Ludwig et al. July 17, 1956 2,755,451 Smyers July 17, 1956 2,798,113 Koller et al July 2, 1957

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