US3297978A

US3297978A - Cable connector

Info

Publication number: US3297978A
Application number: US397397A
Authority: US
Inventors: Stark Frank Benjamin
Original assignee: AMP Inc
Current assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
Priority date: 1964-09-18
Filing date: 1964-09-18
Publication date: 1967-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-10
Also published as: NL6511934A; DE1465215A1; ES317507A1

Description

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. B. STARK CABLE CONNECTOR Jan. 10, 1967 Filed Sept. 18, 1964 F. B, ...STARK CABLE CONNECTQR Jan. 10?, 1967 5 Sheetsheet 2 Filed Sept. I8, 1964 Jan. l0, 1967 F. is.` STARK 3,297,978

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 18, 1964 5 SIxeets-Shee 3 I N VEN? UR.

FRANK BENJAM m STARK Jan. 10, 1967 F. B. STARK 3,297,978

CABLE CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet i INVIiN'UR.

FRANK BENAAMIN STARK BY anni, 777W 54M,

Jan. l0, 1967 F. B. STARK 3,297,978

CABLE CONNECTOR v Filed Sept. 18, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 [N VENTR.

FRANK Bim/mm STARK BY gum@ 7W uw United States Patent @dice 3,297,978 Patented? Jaa. in, rae? 3,297,97s CABLE CNNECTOR Frank Benjamin Stark, Wormleysburg, lPa., assigner to AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Fa. Filed Sept. I8, i964, Ser. No. 397,397 2 tlaims. (CI. 339-3177) This invention relates to a cable connector of improved construction and particularly to a connector construction adapted for use with smaller sizes of shielded and coaxial cable..

It is an object of the invention to provide a shielded and coaxial cable connector having features which facilitate assembly and manufacture of relatively small components.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cable connector featuring a novel dielectric insert which is readily assembled and anchored within the connector and which serves to anchor the central pin member thereof in a new way,

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel dielectric insert construction for coaxial or shielded connectors.

The prevailing practice used in the manufacture of coaxial or shielded cable connectors calls for an outer metallic shell member which serves as the outer coaxial conductor or shield, a dielectric and pin supporting insert secured within the shell and a center conductive pin member which serves as the center conductive path of coaxial and shielded devices.

Typically, the insert is made up of a number of separate molded or machined pieces of different ydiameters which are individually stacked within the conductive shell and secured therein by dimples or indentations placed in the shell after the inserts are properly aligned. Also, typically the center pin member, either before or after bein soldered or crimped to the center conductive lead of the cable, is wedged or forced within the dielectric insert to a proper position of alignment. Both of these steps are expensive and both require considerable hand labor. Because of the number of parts used and because of the accumulation of tolerances and inexactness of such assembly procedures a large number of the connectors turn out to be faulty during quality control checks, or, even worse, in actual use. The use of forced central pin members which employ flanges, tangs or barbs to anchor the members against axial displacement invariably results in damage to the dielectric insert.

The foregoing problems are aggravated as the size of the cable and connector therefor is reduced and in the subminiature ranges which may have center pin members of diameters on the order of twenty-five thousandths of an inch and dielectric inserts of diameters of the order of a hundredth of an inch, these problems have resulted in a generally unsatisfactory product.

The connector construction of the invention attains the foregoing objectives and overcomes the foregoing problems through the use of a dielectric insert which is molded in one piece with a rear and non-complex insulated portion being solidly formed and with a forward and relatively complex portion being formed in two halves hinged together along a common line. Recesses are provided in the forward portion to lock the center pin member and captivate such upon the halves of the insert being folded together and inserted within a shell member of the connector. With this approach, a rather exact assembly of connector components may be easily accomplished with little of the risk of misalignment possible with the various parts heretofore required. Because of this a connector which is superior electrically and mechanically to that heretofore available is provided.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a plan view showing plug and receptacle connector halves positioned apart but in alignment for assembly, such halves being terminated to shielded cables;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section of the connector halves of FIGURE 1 joined to provide a connection of cables; v

FIGURE 3 is a perspective of the plug half of the connector of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded and perspective View of the connector of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective of the receptacle of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded and perspective view of the connector of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the dielectric insert of the plug half of the connector of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is an end-on elevation of the insert of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation of the insert of FIG- URE 7;

FIGURE l0 is a plan view showing the outer conductive member of the plug half of the connector of the invention with the insert of FIGURES 7, 8 and 9 inserted and positioned therein;

FIGURE ll is a plan view of the insert 0f the receptacle half of the connector of the invention;

FIGURE 12 is an end-on .elevation of the insert of FIGURE ll;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation of the insert of FIG- URE l1;

FIGURE 14 is a plan view of the receptacle half of the connector of the invention showing the dielectric insert of FIGURES ll, l2 and 13 positioned and secured therein; and

FIGURE l5 is a perspective of the procedure employed to assemble the receptacle of the invention.

Referring now to FIGURE l the plug half Ztl of a coaxial shielded connector is positioned for insertion and mating with a receptacle half 32. Half 32 includes in the embodiment shown, means to secure such half to a panel I9. By plugging 20 into 32 and threading the outer shell thereof over the threading of 32, coaxial or shielded cables are joined. Thus, in FIGURE 2 with the connector halves mated together, the inner and outer conductive paths of cables )lil and 10 are electrically and mechanically connected. Each of the cables may be seen in FIGURE 2 to include, referring to cable half It), a center conductor I2, a dielectric sheath I4, an outer conductor 16 and a protective outer sheath 18. The outer conductive path 16 is joined to the opposite cable through a conductive shell of Ztl to a conductive shell of 3d. The center conductive path is extended from the end of I2 via a central pin member in 20 and its contact with a male pin member in connector half 32 to the central conductor 12.

FIGURES 3 and 5 show among other things, the technique of termination to the cable outer conductor and such is substantially identical in both plug 2t) and receptacle 32 to include a metallic ferrule 26 positioned over a rear extension of the connector half and crimped inwardly as at 26a and 26h. The crimp 26a serves to force the conductor I6 into engagement with the outer surface including small serrations as shown in FIGURE 2, of the extension 22d of shell 22 and the crimp 26b serves to provide cable support. The center pin members of each half are attached to the conductor l2 by a crimp shown in FIGURE 2 as 30b applied to pin member 30; a similar crimp being applied to the pin 44 of half 32.

In FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 the detailed construction of the plug half of the connector of the invention can be seen. The shell member 22 includes a central barrel or shell 22a having a pair of apertures 2lb therein adapted to facilitate entry of crimping dies for the crimping operation of the central pin member. Adjacent the rear portion of 22a is an outer tiange 22C suitably threaded to accommodate the interior threading of plug sleeve 24. To the rear -of 22e is the extension 22d which serves to accommodate the crimping ferrule in its termination of the cable outer conductor I6. Forwardly of 22a is a sleeve of reduced diameter 22e which defines a bore 22f extending through the shell. The outer sleeve 24- is adapted to fit up over the shell as indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3 and is provided with knurling shown as 24e to facilitate threading the connector onto the receptacle half 32. The crimping ferrule 26 is crimped inwardly over the braid and over 22d as described.

Included Within 22 is a dielectric insert 28 which extends from a point of protrusion defined by the beveled flange 28a back through the shell into and through the bore of 22d. The insert 2S includes a body 2SC having an aperture 28d therethrough to permit entry o f the crimping dies which are inserted through 22b of 22. Extending from the body is a sleeve portion 28e which tits in against the inner surface of 22d and has an inner bore adapted to accommodate the dielectric sheath of the cable shown as 14 in FIGURE 2. The forward beveled end 28a includes slots 28b which have a function to be described relative to the receptacle and FIGURE 15. Insert 28 houses and captivates a pin member 39 against axial displacement relative to the assembly. This pin member includes a forward bifurcated spring portion 30a, a body portion 3011 and a flange 30C which is entrapped within 2S as indicated in FIGURE 2.

The receptacle 32 is comprised as indicated in FIG-

URES

2, and 6 of a shell 34 having a central body portion 34a threaded as at 34h and having flats provided thereon as at 34d. The threading 3411 is relieved in the center as at 34C to reduce the thickness of the shell for reasons to be covered hereinafter. To the rear of the threaded portion of 32 is a tiange 34e whech serves to lock the connector half within the board 19 as indicated in FIGURE 1 and to the rear of 34e is an extension 34) which serves to accommodate the forward portion of the ferrule 36 in its termination to the cable outer conductor. A locking washer 3S and a nut 40 are shown positioned on the receptacle in FIGURE 5 and such serve the function shown in FIGURE 1, A dielectric insert 42 is provided which fits within the shell 34 in the manner shown in FIGURE 2. The insert 42 includes a body portion 42a, a central aperture 2b and a relatively fiat forward face 42C. A rear portion 42d is provided which fits down within 34f of the sleeve extension and has an inner bore to accommodate the dielectric sheath of the cable. Slots 42b are provided in the face 42C having a function to be described. A central pin member 44 is fitted within and captivated by insert 42; this pin member includes a forward portion 44a adapted to iit within 30 as in FIGURE 1 and a rear flange i4-b which cooperates with 42.

As can be visualized from the plug and receptacle engagement depicted in FIGURE 2, the pin members each include well dened flange surfaces which are fitted into recesses of the dielectric inserts of each connector half. This is accomplished without the damage to the insert material typically occasioned with prior art devices by a forced insertion of the piu within the insert.

Viewing FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, the insert for the plug half is shown in an open position as it appears following production. Preferably, the piece 28 is molded of material having dielectric characteristics such as polypropylene. The forward portion, beginning with the beveled nose 23a is formed in two halves such that both the interior and exterior can be made in the flat. The rear portion 23e is formed full round or solid and is joined at the forward portion by a flange Zf which dares to the closed diameter of the forward portion. The forming of the rear portion solidly is preferred to better support the dielectric during assembly insertion and to provide a the center conductor of the cable.

smooth surface of entry for the cable dielectric to prevent such from being inadvertently pulled back off of Furthermore, in the subminiature sizes, the relatively thin walls of 28e, in conjunction with its length, make a solid piece desirable from a standpoint of structural integrity. To the rear of the beveled end 28a in each half is a recess 281" which serves to accommodate the spring portion 39a of the center pin Contact, a pin support portion 23h formed by a Vrecess of lesser diameter and a relieved portion 23d which forms the other half of an aperture to permit crimping of the center pin contact. To the rear of 23d is a further recessed portion 2Sg accommodating the volume of the pin flange which is made to lit snugly therewithin. The upper half is substantially identical to the lower half and is hinged thereto by webs 28k and 231 with a relief portion therebetween which forms the opposing aperture for die entry into the point wherein the pin is crimped. Extending within the beveled portion are slots 28d to accommodate a forked member shown as F in FIGURE 15, which is utilized to orient the insert with respect to the crimping aperture 22]) and shell 22.

In assembly the insert is folded together around the center pin member 30 and is inserted within the shell 22 with the forked member F being manipulated to twist the insert into proper position of alignment with respect to apertures 221:. In this position a further member H is brought down through the aperture 22b to hold the center pin in position and small indentations are made around the periphery of the shell 22, such being shown as 22g, which lock the insert to the shell and in position. Thereafter, the cable is inserted with the braid drawn up over 22d of the shell and the inner conductor inserted within the center pin member with the crimps then being applied to the pin and ferrule.

FIGURES 11-14 show a similar part for the receptacle to include an insert 42 having a forward portion 42a faced as at 42C and recessed as at 4.2i to accommodate the pin member of such half. A rear recess 42g is provided in each of the halves of the forward portion to hold the pin flange 5b and webs 42k and 421 are provided which hold the two halves structurally together. The rear portion of the insert includes a sleeve 42e which joins the forward portion through a flange 421i In a similar manner the forward portion 42a is provided with slots 42b which cooperate with the tynes of F for insertion in orientation of the insert in the shell 34 of the receptacle connector half. The relieved portion 34e heretofore discussed in the threading 34h permits a metal thinness sufficient to accommodate staking or indentations shown as 341' to lock the insert within the receptacle shell in the same manner as indentations 22g in the connector plug half.

Thus, with respect to halves 2t) and 32 each is provided with an insert which includes a halved forward portion to permit housing or captivation of the central pin member without forced insertion which will damage the insert material. Further, by the provision of the insert recesses which cooperate with surfaces of the pin members, the pins are secured against axial displacement and adequately supported in an aligned position. The solidly formed rear portions of each of the inserts serve as an aligning means so that the insert is properly secured within the shell and further serve to guide the cable dielectric into a proper position and to insulate the center conductor from the connector shell.

Changes in construction will occur to those skilled in the art and various apparently different modifications and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only.

What is claimed is:

1. In a connector assembly for use with coaxial cable of the type having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric sheath and an outer conductor, the combination comprising a pair of connector halves each comprised of an outer tubular member of conductive material having a bore extending therethrough, a dielectric insert tted therein and a center contact member held in said insert, said center contact member including `a bore to receive the cable center conductor, the forward portion of said halves being adapted for intermating and the rearward portion of said halves being adapted to be fitted beneath the outer conductor of the cable and terminated thereto by a ferrule applied over said outer conductor and over said rearward portion, the said lrearward portions having an inner bore less in diameter than that of the bore of the said forward portions, each of said dielectric inserts being adapted to be inserted from the forward portion of each half into each half, each insert including a rearward portion of an outer diameter to be fitted into the rearward portion of the tubular member of each half, said rearward portion of said insert being solidly formed into a sleeve configuration having an outer diameter to engage theinner surface of the rearward portion of the tubular member and an inner diameter approximating the diameter of the dielectric sheath of the cable, each of said inserts having adjacent the said rearward portion a forward portion comprised of two halves hinged on one side and adapted to be folded together to form a configuration to tit within the forward portion of the tubular member of each half and be supported by the inner surface thereof, the said halves of the forward portion of the insert including receses adapted to receive a said center contact member and support said center contact member centrally Within said tubular member and to captivate `such member against axial displacement when the halves `of said insert are folded together and said insert is inserted within a connector half tubular member, the said insert serving to support and guide the insertion of the coaxial cable dielectric sheath and center conductor within said tubular member and lto guide the center conductor within the center contact member thereof.

2. The assembly of ,claim 1, wherein the tubular member of each connector half includes at least two crimping ports spaced apart and each insert includes a relief extending therethrough including the portion defining the hinge of the two halves of an insert which when aligned with said ports permits insertion of crimping dies within said connector half to crimp said center contact member to the cable center conductor.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,078,586 11/1913 Knaui 339-210X 1,910,306 5/1933 Pullon 339-210X 3,144,292 8/1964 Forney 339-276 X 3,221,290 11/1965 Stark et al 339--177 FOREIGN PATENTS 767,333 1/1957 Great Britain. 924,920 5/ 1963 Great Britain.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. W. DONALD MILLER, Examiner.

Claims

1. IN A CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR USE WITH COAXIAL CABLE OF THE TYPE HAVING A CENTER CONDUCTOR SURROUNDED BY A DIELECTRIC SHEATH AND AN OUTER CONDUCTOR, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A PAIR OF CONNECTOR HALVES EACH COMPRISED OF AN OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIAL HAVING A BORE EXTENDING THERETHROUGH, A DIELECTRIC INSERT FITTED THEREIN AND A CENTER CONTACT MEMBER HELD IN SAID INSERT, SAID CENTER CONTACT MEMBER INCLUDING A BORE TO RECEIVE THE CABLE CENTER CONDUCTOR, THE FORWARD PORTION OF SAID HALVES BEING ADAPTED FOR INTERMATING AND THE REARWARD PORTION OF SAID HALVES BEING ADAPTED TO BE FITTED BENEATH THE OUTER CONDUCTOR OF THE CABLE AND TERMINATED THERETO BY A FERRULE APPLIED OVER SAID OUTER CONDUCTOR AND OVER SAID REARWARD PORTION, THE SAID REARWARD PORTIONS HAVING AN INNER BORE LESS IN DIAMETER THAN THAT OF THE BORE OF THE SAID FORWARD PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID DIELECTRIC INSERTS BEING ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED FROM THE FORWARD PORTION OF EACH HALF INTO EACH HALF, EACH INSERT INCLUDING A REARWARD PORTION OF AN OUTER DIAMETER TO BE FITTED INTO THE REARWARD PORTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER OF EACH HALF, SAID REARWARD PORTION OF SAID INSERT BEING SOLIDLY FORMED INTO A SLEEVE CONFIGURATION HAVING AN OUTER DIAMETER TO ENGAGE THE INNER SURFACE OF THE REARWARD PORTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER AND AN INNER DIAMETER APPROXIMATING THE DIAMETER OF THE DIELECTRIC SHEATH OF THE CABLE, EACH OF SAID INSERTS HAVING ADJACENT THE SAID REARWARD PORTION A FORWARD PORTION COMPRISED OF TWO HALVES HINGED ON ONE SIDE AND ADAPTED TO BE FOLDED TOGETHER TO FORM A CONFIGURATION TO FIT WITHIN THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE TUBULAR MEMBER OF EACH HALF AND BE SUPPORTED BY THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF, THE SAID HALVES OF THE FORWARD PORTION OF THE INSERT INCLUDING RECESES ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A SAID CENTER CONTACT MEMBER AND SUPPORT SAID CENTER CONTACT MEMBER CENTRALLY WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND TO CAPTIVATE SUCH MEMBER AGAINST AXIAL DISPLACEMENT WHEN THE HALVES OF SAID INSERT ARE FOLDED TOGETHER AND SAID INSERT IS INSERTED WITHIN A CONNECTOR HALF TUBULAR MEMBER, THE SAID INSERT SERVING TO SUPPORT AND GUIDE THE INSERTION OF THE COAXIAL CABLE DIELECTRIC SHEATH AND CENTER CONDUCTOR WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND TO GUIDE THE CENTER CONDUCTOR WITHIN THE CENTER CONTACT MEMBER THEREOF.