US3699504A - Open barrel coaxial cable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing a coaxial cable terminal, wherein, a sleeve of dielectric material supports a coaxial cable center conductor in electrically isolated relationship with respect to a conducting sleeve. The outer conducting shield of the coaxial cable is terminated to the conducting sleeve and the center conductor of the cable is electrically connected to a terminal externally of both the conducting sleeve and the dielectric sleeve. Ears extending from the conducting sleeve are adapted for forming a crimped open barrel which encircles and retains the outer conducting shield electrically to the conducting sleeve.

Description

United States Patent Huber [54] ()PEN BARREL COAXIAL CABLE TERMINAL [72] Inventor: John Henry Huber, Harrisburg, Pa. [73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa. [22] Filed: Feb. 17, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 116,056

[52] U. S. Cl ....339 l 77 R, 339/276 T [51] Int. Cl. .T-I0ir 11/08 [58] Field of Search.. ..339/l77, 276

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,295,094 12/1966 De Lyon et al. ..339/177 R 3,539,976 11/1970 Reynolds ..339/l77 E FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1,178,919 10/1964 Germany ..339/276 T 51 Oct. 17, 1972 Primary Examiner--Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney-William J. Keating, Ronald D. Grefe, Gerald K. Kita, Frederick W. Raring and Jay L. Seitchik [57] ABSTRACT Method and apparatus for providing a coaxial cable terminal, wherein, a sleeve of dielectric material supports a coaxial cable center conductor in electrically isolated relationship with respect to a conducting sleeve. The outer conducting shield of the coaxial cable is terminated to the conducting sleeve and the center conductor of the cable is electrically connected to a terminal externally of both the conducting sleeve and the dielectric sleeve. Ears extending from the conducting sleeve are adapted for forming a crimped open barrel which encircles and retains the outer conducting shield electrically to the conducting sleeve.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEUUBI 17 I972 3,699,504

sum 10F 2 T J INVENTOR JOHN HENRY HUBER BY GERALD K. KITA OPEN BARREL COAXIAL CABLE TERMINAL The present invention relates to a coaxial cable terminal, and more specifically, to method and apparatus for providing an open barrel terminal and a center contact terminal externally of the open barrel termination for a coaxial cable.

It is often desired to provide a coaxial cable with a low profile terminal. It is also desirable to provide a receptacle-type or other specialized terminal for a coaxial cable center conductor. The present invention accordingly provides method and apparatus for a low profile open barrel type terminal receiving the outer conducting shield of a coaxial cable, and for providing a center conductor terminal externally of the open barrel termination which attains the objective of a low profile connection. A further advantage residing in the invention is that the external terminal for the center conductor may advantageously comprise a receptacletype terminal or other desired specialized application terminal.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide. a low profile open barrel terminal for a coaxial cable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide method and apparatus for a coaxial cable terminal wherein the terminal for the cable center conductor is established externally of the terminal for the cable outer conductor shield.

Another object of the present invention is to provide method and apparatus for a low profile coaxial cable terminal wherein the terminal for the center conductor of the cable is unshielded by the remaining portions of the terminal.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon perusal of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective of a stamped and formed terminal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and provided specifically for connection to the outer conducting shield of a coaxial cable with a low profile, openbarrel crimp, and further illustrating an alternative integral alignment portion;

FIG. 2 is an exploded enlarged perspective of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 together with a dielectric sleeve and a preferred embodiment of a terminal specially provided for connection to the center conductor of a coaxial cable, all of which parts illustrated in exploded configuration may be assembled to form a completed low profile terminal for a coaxial cable;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a plurality of terminals according to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, terminated respectively to coaxial cables and arranged in relatively closely spaced relationship within respective cavities of a housing;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevation with parts in section and with parts broken away to illustrate a completed termination utilizing the terminal according to the apparatus and method of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged elevation with parts partially in section illustrating a typical application of the present invention in the form of a low profile termination, with the alignment portion of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 lockingly retaining the low profile termination internally of a housing cavity.

With more particular reference to FIG. I of the drawings, there is shown generally at l a preferred embodiment of a coaxial cable outer conductor terminal fabricated from a suitable conducting material provided with a pair of projectingdeformable ear portions 2 and 4 generally of rectangular configuration and integrally joined to each other along a common longitudinal dimension. A generally narrowrectangular web portion 6 is integral with and projects from the intersection ofportions 2 and 4. Integral with one end of theweb portion 6 is a generally cylindrical sleeve provided with alongitudinal seam 10, more particularly shown in FIG. 2. For example, theear portions 2 and 4, together with theweb portion 6 and thesleeve portion 8, may be stamped and formed from a single sheet of conducting material. Additionally, theear portions 2 and 4 may be integrally joined along a parting line indicated generally by thephantom line 12 to an optional terminal alignment and latching mechanism generally indicated at 14. Theoptional mechanism 14 may be advantageously stamped and formed from the same sheet material integral with theear portions 2 and 4 along the parting line 1.2. It is understood however, that theear portions 2 and 4 may be separated from themechanism 14 along theparting line 12, thereby eliminating the need for the mechanism.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, additional features according to the present invention will be described in detail. The relatively thin sidewall of thesleeve portion 8 is provided with opposedrectangular apertures 16 and 18. As shown in FIG. 2, theaperture 16 is contiguous with theseam 10. Theweb portion 6 is doubled back upon itself to orient thesleeve 8 generally between theear portions 2 and 4. Further with reference to FIG. 2, a reduced diametercylindrical end portion 20 of a sleeve, generally shown at 22 and advantageously formed from a suitable dielectric material, is provided with opposed projectingresilient buttons 24 and 26. Theend portion 20 is freely insertable within the open end of the sleeve 81, with thebuttons 24 and 26 respectively registering in and latching within theapertures 16 and 18, respectively. Theend portion 20 is thereby latchingly received in registration within thesleeve 8, with a portion of the dielectric sleeve protruding from thesleeve 8. Thedielectric sleeve 22 is additionally provided with acentral portion 28 of intermediate diameter and an enlargeddiameter end portion 30. A longitudinal slot is provided externally in the periphery of theportions 28 and 30 allowing alignment of thesleeve 22 with automatic inserting apparatus, now shown.

With further reference to FIG. 2, there is shown generally at 24, an additionalterminal portion for a center conductor of a coaxial cable. Theterminal portion 34 includes a reduced diametercylindrical sleeve portion 36 provided with alongitudinal seam 38, which sleeve is integral with and axially aligned with respect to a pair of laterally spacedear portions 40 and 42. In turn, the ear portions are integral with and longitudinally spaced with respect to a pair of adjacent and laterally spacedcantilever spring arms 44 and 46, which arms terminate in generally C-shaped end portions 48 and 50 disposed in back-to-back relationship and engaging each other. Generally, thespring arms 44 and 46 cooperate to form a receptacle type terminal,

although any desired special application terminal may be substituted for thespring arms 44 and 46.

With reference to FIG. 2, taken in conjunction with FIG. 4, thesleeve 36 is provided with a projectingdetent 52 on the sleeve periphery opposite thelongitudinal seam 38. Thesleeve portion 36 is freely insertable within theinner diameter portion 54 of thedielectric sleeve 22, with the detent 52 in registration with anaperture 56 provided within the enlargeddiameter end portion 30 of the dielectric-sleeve 22 and in communication with theinternal diameter portion 54 thereof. Such registration of the detent within theaperture 56 lockingly retains thesleeve portion 36 of theterminal 34 generally in concentric arrangement within thedielectric sleeve 22, with a portion of the terminal protruding from the dielectric sleeve.

As further shown in FIG. 4, thespring arms 44 and 46 extend and project longitudinally from thedielectric sleeve 22.

In operation, reference will be made to FIG. 4, wherein a coaxial cable generally indicated at 58 includes the usual generally cylindrical elongated dielectric portion, which is received internally of the conductingsleeve portion 8 and stopped against the terminal end of the reduced diameter portion of thedielectric sleeve 22. As shown in FIG. 4, theinner diameter portion 54 of thedielectric sleeve 22 communicates with a reduceddiameter bore 62 provided with a generally frusto-conical or otherwise flaredcounterbore 64 in the terminal end of the reduceddiameter portion 20. The coaxialcable center conductor 66 protrudes from the end of thedielectric portion 60 and is received freely through thecounterbore 64, the reduceddiameter portion 62 and theinner diameter portion 54 of thedielectric sleeve 22. Thecenter conductor 66 additionally is received between theupstanding ear portions 40 and 42 of theterminal 34 which ear portions are suitably wrapped in surrounding relationship over thecenter conductor 66 and crimped thereto in mechanical and electrical engagement. Thecoaxial cable 50 additionally includes the usual surroundingouter conductor shield 68 which extends past the terminal end of thedielectric portion 60 of the cable and which is received over the conductingsleeve 8. More specifically, thesleeve 8 is interposed between the surroundingouter conductor shield 68 and the generally cylindrical elongateddielectric portion 60. The terminal end of theshield 68 is stopped against theintermediate diameter portion 28 of thedielectric sleeve 22. Yet with reference to FIG. 4, thecoaxial cable 58 may additionally be provided with an outerdielectric shield 70 which terminates adjacent to the terminal end portion of the conductingsleeve 8.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, theupstanding ear portions 2 and 4 are suitably wrapped in encircling relationship over the protruding dielectric shield. Additionally, theear portions 2 and 4 extend beyond the end portion of the conductingsleeve 8 and are suitably wrapped in encircling relationship over the end portion of the outerdielectric sheath 70. The wrappedear portions 2 and 4 are then provided thereover with a series of compression crimps, generally indicated at 72 and preferably of corrugated configuration to prevent unwrapping of the crimped ear portions and further to provide an open barrel, low profile termination with the conductingsleeve portion 8 substantially retained in coaxial relationship therewith. As shown in FIG. 4, the open barrel crimp configuration substantially sealingly compresses over the dielectric sheath and mechanically and electrically engages the conductingsheath 68. Additionally, such open barrel crimp con figuration generally flattens the reverselybent web portion 6. As shown in FIG. 4, thedielectric sleeve 22 has a generallyrelieved portion 74 receiving theflattened web portion 6, thereby further insuring a low profile configuration for the termination. Additionally, the terminal 34 and its termination for thecenter conductor 66 is externally of the dielectric sleeve and the conductingsleeve 8, which further contributes to the low profile configuration and allows substitution 'of any desired special application terminal for the terminal 34 specifically disclosed.

With reference to FIG. 5, one of many applications for the termination will be described in detail. With reference to the Figure, a single piece housing or, as shown specifically, a twopiece housing 74 is provided with acavity 76 therein. The completed termination may be slidably inserted within therecess 76 with the terminal 34 being freely received within adielectric sleeve 78 partially lining therecess 76 to prevent grounding of the terminal 34 against a sidewall of therecess 76. Thedielectric sleeve 22 is relatively larger in diameter than the open barrel crimp configuration of theear portions 2 and 4 and thereby serves to laterally support the finished termination against the sidewalls of therecess 76. It is particularly desirable in such application to include the locking and aligningportion 14 together with the completed termination as described. With reference to FIG. 1 taken in conjunction with FIG. 5, the details of the alternatively providedportion 14 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the

portion 14 is characterized by a pair of laterally spaced projectingflanges 80 and 82 which advantageously receive and laterally support a portion of thecoaxial cable 58 therebetween. Each flange is provided with a pair ofbuttons 84 which project from the surface of each flange. Additionally, each flange is provided with a pair of projectingtabs 86 each of which project from an opposed marginal edge of each flange.

As shown in FIG. 2, theflange portions 80 and 82 are connected together by anintegral web 88 generally contiguous with theear portions 2 and 4 along theparting line 12. Aresilient lance 90 is disposed generally between the laterally spaced flange portions and is integrally joined to theweb portion 88. Asecond web portion 92 integrally connects together theflanged portions 80 and 82. As shown in FIG. 3, with the termination viewed at its end, theweb portion 92 and the laterally spacedflanges 80 and 82 form a generally rectangular channel configuration. FIG. 3 additionally discloses the advantage of the described low profile termination which enables a plurality of like terminations to be located within closely spaced cavities of thehousing 74.

With reference to FIG. 5, the projectingtabs 86 engage against the face of thehousing 74 to prevent overinsertion of the terminal into the housing cavity. The projectingbuttons 84 slidably pass behind an integral lip 94 of the housing and lockingly engage behind the lip to prevent inadvertant withdrawal of the termination from the housing cavity. Theelongated lance 90 provides a resilient electrical contact which positively engages against the lip 94. The lance further provides a wiping action over the lip 94 upon insertion of the termination within the housing cavity.

Other modifications and embodiments of the present invention are to be covered by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, wherein: 1

What is claimed is:

l. A coaxial cable terminal comprising: a sleeve of conducting material, ear means on said sleeve for encircling and gripping a coaxial cable shield received over said sleeve, dielectric means in registration with said sleeve for receiving and supporting a center conductor of a coaxial cable, terminal means in registration with said dielectric means for receiving the center conductor, and means for electrically securing said terminal means to said center conductor externally of said dielectric means and externally of said sleeve.

2. The structure as recited inclaim 1, wherein said ear means and said sleeve are joined by an integral web, with said sleeve being received generally internally of said ear means.

3. The structure as recited inclaim 1, and further including: latching means on said dielectric means for retaining said dielectric means in registration with said sleeve, and latching means on said terminal means for retaining said terminal means in registration with said dielectric means.

4. The structure as recited inclaim 1, and further including: retaining and alignment means connected to said ear portions and receiving and laterally supporting a portion of a coaxial cable.

5. The structure as recited inclaim 1, wherein said dielectric means is relatively larger in circumference than said ear means.

Claims (5)

1. A coaxial cable terminal comprising: a sleeve of conducting material, ear means on said sleeve for encircling and gripping a coaxial cable shield received over said sleeve, dielectric means in registration with said sleeve for receiving and supporting a center conductor of a coaxial cable, terminal means in registration with said dielectric means for receiving the center conductor, and means for electrically securing said terminal means to said center conductor externally of said dielectric means and externally of said sleeve.

2. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said ear means and said sleeve are joined by an integral web, with said sleeve being received generally internally of said ear means.

3. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: latching means on said dielectric means for retaining said dielectric means in registration with said sleeve, and latching means on said terminal means for retaining said terminal means in registration with said dielectric means.

4. The structure as recited in claim 1, and further including: retaining and alignment means connected to said ear portions and receiving and laterally supporting a portion of a coaxial cable.

5. The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said dielectric means is relatively larger in circumference than said ear means.

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