US2557130A - Socket member for coaxial connectors - Google Patents

Description

INVENTOF( ATTORNEY K. MCGEE ET AL SOCKET MEMBER FOR COAXIAL CONNECTORS Filed July 4, 1945 |5189 nui Fl G. l

June 19, 195i Fi G. 2 KENNETH MCGEE HARQLD uvANDERPool.

BY @Vw-@53. LL

Patented June 19, 1951 SOCKET MEMBER FOR COAXIAL CONNECTORS Kenneth McGee, Dayton, and Harold D. Vanderpool, Springfield, Ohio Application July 4, 1945, Serial No. 603,243

4 Claims.

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to us of any royalty thereon.

'I'he invention to be hereinafter described relates to coaxial connectors of the pin and socket type.

In present connectors of this type, where a coaxial line is involved, there are a number of serious objections and diiculties. With coaxial lines a common practice is to connect the usual outer ilexible braid conductor to a stationary and relatively xed tubular conductor element. 'I'he braid formation is decidedly extensible. The other or center conductor of the coaxial line, usually a rigid member such as a rod or tube, bared for a short distance, is connected, in well known manner, to a male pin or to a female socket. In assembling to complete the circuits there has been frequent difficulty `in completing connection to the center conductor. As a connector is coupled and circuit through the braid completed, the pin-and-socket elements for connecting the center conductor frequently do not cooperate as intended. Instead of the pin slipping into the socket so as to make a good electrical connection, the slight frictional resistance between the pin and socket is not overcome which results in the center conductor of the coaxial line being forced lengthwise back within the outer braid. In such cases the only electrical contact is at the contacting extremities of said pin and socket and there is nothing to retain them in such relation so as to maintain or continue such contact. As a result, in the connectors heretofore known, the connection of the center conductor is frequently incomplete, in-

adequate, and unreliable and, at times, wholly non-existent.

A further serious objection is that, in making such connections, according to known practices,

a considerable portion of the end of the center conductor must be bared or stripped of its insulation.

The main objects of the present invention are to overcome the above and other defects and disadvantages and provide a simple, efficient, compact and durable connector of the type stated,

in which there will be, at all times, adequate` larged scale in order to more clearly and adequately illustrate the details of the several parts. Throughout the several :figures of the drawings, like reference characters designate the same parts in the different views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central, longitudinal cross section through the female member of a connector adapted to join two lengths of coaxial cable; and

Fig. 2 is a like view through the cooperating male member.

For clearness, the usual outer metal shells, for the phenolic or similar inserts, have been omitted from the drawing as they form no part of the present invention.

Of the two cooperating members the socket or female member (Fig. 1) will first be described and then the corresponding pin or male member (Fig. 2).

A usual block or body I of phenolic or other insulating material, generally of cylindrical configuration, is provided. It is provided with a longitudinally disposed bore 2 which may be of any desired cross sectional outline or configuration, circular being preferred. One end of this bore (as the right end of Fig. l) may be of slightly increased diameter relatively to the remainder. The opposite end (the left end in Fig. 1) is provided with a circumferential abutment extending radially inwardly. This abutment along its inner circumference provides a stop shoulder 4f and a deecting, circumferential incline or funnel wall or surface 5 leading into the free end of said bore 2.

Within the bore 2 is snugly seated, either removably or in xed relation, a tubular conducting sleeve 6. In assembled relation, this tube extends approximately from shoulder 4 to a short distance beyond the inner end of the enlarged portion of bore 2. Up to the enlarged portion of bore 2 in assembled positions, sleeve 6 has the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of bore 2. Its radial thickness is approximately the radial width of stop shoulder 4.

Within the outer enlarged portion of bore 2 is disposed a cup shaped cap member 'l provided with a terminal internally threaded portion 8. The end of bore 6 extending into the enlargement of bore 2 is externally threaded as at 9 to cooperate with the, threaded portion 8. While the outside diameter of cap l' is equal to the inside diameter of the enlarged portion of bore 2 for a part of its length, that outside diameter does not continue throughout the entire length of the cap. That reduced. As shown in Fig. l, this reductionis to approximately the maximum outside diameter of sleeve '6,' providing an abrupt shoulder IE#v which, whenthe parts are fully assembled, will be iiush with and in the same plane as the adjacent end of block I. This two-part construction of tube and cap, or an equivalent construction or arrangement is desirable for practical and ready assembly in quantity production as. will more clearly appear hereinafter.

The outer or exposed end of cap l is provided with a short tubular collar I I concentric withthe cap and, in assembled relation, concentric withthe tube 6. In use, this collar II will have aD- proximately the same inside diameterr as the outside diameter of the insulated center conductor of the coaxial cable with which it is to be used.

Within-the assembled cap I and sleeve d is, disposed a socket or female tubular contact mem-- ber I2. It has the usual spring or resilient ngers I3. ItsV opposite` end is cored out longitudinally to form a bore I4, of slightly greater dian'lete.L than that of the center conductor I? of the coaxial cable with whichi-;l is to be used, suchbere being provided to-receive the said center con-v ductor of the cable. The inner or'remote endY ci bore Il!y is closed oli by a web, wall or partition I5. Slightly beyond that partitiona radial opening IE5, leading into` the bore Isl, is provided for soldering. In use, the baredendV section of the center` conductor I-'I- of the coaxial cable is seated in bore I4 and soldered therein and thereto-by solder I8. applied throughv the radial openu ing I6. The'tubular member i2 is securely and permanently anchored WithinV the cap l' adjacent end of the sleeve t by a body of insulating cement i9. By so.4 anchoring themember l2, it is impossiblefor that member to move relatively to" sleeve 6. By soldering or otherwise securely; anchoring thecenter conductor Il to the an` choredvmember I2, it becomes impossible for that end-of the center conductor i-lto move relatively toy any of the parts lor l2.

In assembling, the end of the outer fiexible braid Z of the coaxial cable is securedv in any suitablemanner, as by soldering to the tubular collar II'. In this Way, the coaxialV cable endy has boththe center and the cuter conductors Il', 2t" fixed or positively anchored relatively to each other, absolutely preventing retraction of the end of the center conductor.

A head slab 2lV of the same general type of materiales block I cooperates with block I. These twov parts, bloei; I' and slab 2i, are substantially thesame as inconventional equipment. Slab ZI is provided with a centrally disposed bore 2'? adapted to be concentrically alignedv with bore 2', bore 272 being of the same diameter the outside diameter of that part of cap l extending through slab 27|. Accordingly, when assembled, slab 2i will engage shoulder Iii'on cap l, retaining the assembly Within block I and slab 2l. The slab 2 IVV is held in operative position against block I by any suitable means, as by a conventional case or shell and spring washer which, as previously stated, have been omitted from the drawing for clearness.

vCooperating with the socket or female member, just described, is the corresponding male connector member. In general,the construction, arrangement and disposition of the various parts of this unit are very similar to those of said socket member.

-The pin or male member comprises a block or body |00 of insulating material of the same general type as that of block I. It is provided with a bore I 02 of substantially the same diameter as bore 2 to receive a cylindrical conducting tube IUI of substantially the same outside diameter as tube 6. The sleeve IIJI is only partially embedded in block Ill. The free end portion extending beyond block I is split, in Well known manner, to provide deectable resilient spring ngers |03. Fingers |03 are provided with centering, guiding and contact lugs IBA. As a means of adequately anchoring tube ISI in bore IIJZ, the tube is provided with a circumferential outwardly directed rib,A or shoulder IUS adapted to be seated in the enlarged end of bore 192. When properly assembled, shoulder |05 will be flush with the face of `block |60. Tube IBI, instead of being a separate piece from its cooperating cap is shown as integral therewith. As in the-socket memberg. a head block IBB is provided. This head block isi provided with a centrally disposed bore of they same inside diameter, as the outside diameter ofthe body of tube IDI and adapted to ber-concentrically aligned with bore |62. HeadY bloclr H" when assembled, may be maintained in operative position against block IUS. by its casingY or shellin the same way as slab 2l is maintained relativelyV In that position,V head blockY Illenl to block I. gages shoulder i and locks tube IBI in-position.Y

Tube IElI is formed with a tubular extension or collar I'l concentrically disposed relativelyto tube lill. This collar It? is provided-"as a'suit-r able means for connecting thebraided outer conductor of the coaxial cable tothe conducting tube IM.

tric sheath of a coaxial cable.

In assembling, a length ofthe end'of the center conductor is baredl and slipped into thetube Hi8,

takingV care that the dielectric sheath ofthe co` axial line is completely seated' in the'socketprev-iously formed in the insulating material IY I The extremities ofthe tube let andthe center conductor within it arethen soldered together'at' i095, In this pin member, as in the'socket member. Y the center conductor of the coaxial cable-is positively anchored in fixed 'position and lcan not'v possibly move orbe retractedrelatively tothe y outer braid. The outer braid is soldered in` usual# manner to collar IOI. v l

In both members sleeve and tube" mi, respec* tively provide complete shielding for those portions of the center conductors which extend be? yond the dielectric and outer iiexible conductorsy of the coaxial cables.

While, in quantity production, there mayy be y various ways and methods of manutactureand ase sembly, according to circumstances andthe indi vidual preferences or inclinations of the respec tive manufacturer or producer, one thoroughly acceptable way is along the following lines.. For 'Y the socket member, bare the requisite lengthenithe center conductor il, slip, the bared portion through the collar I Iy with the braid overlapping. the collar and secure the braid 20 to thecollarr This operation, at the saine. time, .inserts the center conductor into the endV of the` socket member I2. Nowysolder the. center conductor-at IS.- The insulating compound. Idanchorsmember. t2 in place.. Then assemble, cap I, and sleeve 6 ,5?

threading them together. Slip this assembly into the bore 2 to the point where the shoulder l0 lies flush with the face of block l. The inner end of sleeve 6 will then fall just within the radial abutment 3. Finally, assemble the slab 2| and body overlapping I and `apply the standard shell or casing in the well known manner. That completes the socket unit.

The pin or male unit is assembled in substantially the same way, the difference being that the tube |0| shoulder |05 and collar |07 may be made integrally, as the solder |09 is applied at the outer end of the tubular pin or male contact member |08 at a point beyond the open end of tube |0|. Accordingly, the step of assembling tube and collar is not involved.

In completing the circuits or electrical contacts, the pin member is plugged into the socket member. In this operation the lugs |04 of the fingers |03 as they engage the tapered surface 5 of abutment 3, ex fingers |03 inwardly far enough to pass abutment 3. Resilience of fingers |03 maintains contact between lugs |04 and conductor sleeve Continued inward movement carries the pin member |05 longitudinally within the resilient fingers I3 of the tubular member |2. Resilience of fingers |3 maintains contact with the pin member |08. It will be understood that the rounded soldered end 09 of the pin member |08 facilitates this assembly between elements I2 and |08. It hardly need be stated that the parts are so proportioned that, when assembled, blocks and |00 are actually or approximately in contact, the whole free length of parts IBI and |08, -extending beyond block |00 lying, respectively, within sleeve 6 and iingers i3 of tube i2.

From the above it will be obvious that the cen ter conductor, heretofore loose relatively to the outer braid, by this invention has been securely if anchored or xed in its relation to the braid and can not be retracted by any action in assembling the pin within its socket.

It is thought that the construction, operation and use of the invention will be clear from the preceding detailed description.

Changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and disposition of the various parts of the invention within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the eld of the invention and it is meant to include all such within this application wherein only one preferred construction and arrangement has been illustrated, purely by way of example and with no thought or intent to, in any degree, limit the invention thereby.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A connector member for a coaxial cable of the type comprising an internal conductor, a tubular dielectric surrounding said conductor, and a flexible external conductor surrounding said dielectric, said connector member comprising: an outer block of dielectric material, an outer tubular conductor mounted in said block and provided intermediate its ends with an external projection which extends into said block to lock the outer tubular conductor against forward longitudinal movement relative to the block, said external projection also forming `a shoulder which is flush with the rear surface of said block, `a head slab of dielectric material fitted about the outer tubular conductor with its forward face 'abutting said shoulder and said rear surface of the insulating block to lock the outer tubular conductor against rearward longitudinal movement relative to the block, the tubular conductor extending rearward through the head slab and formed with a tubular collar of reduced diameter at its rear end, the external conductor of said cable eX- tending over said collar and secured thereto, the internal conductor and tubular dielectric of the coaxial cable extending forward through said collar and into said outer tubular conductor, said internal conductor being bared forward of the collar, an adherent mass of dielectric material fixedly positioning said barcd internal conductor within said outer tubular conductor, and an inner tubular conductor xedly secured within said outer tubular conductor by said adherent dielectric mass, the forward end of said bared internal conductor of the coaxial cable being electrically and mechanically connect-od to said inner tubular conductor.

2. Structure as in claim 1 further characterized in that the outer dielectric block fits snugly about the outer tubular conductor throughout the extent thereof forward of said shoulder, the outer block extending slightly beyond the forward end of the outer tubular conductor, the front surface of said block being beveled adjacent the front end of the Outer tubular conductor to provide a sloping surface leading into the outer tubular conductor, and the inner tubular conductor being formed with a plurality of spring fingers which extend forward beyond its connection to the inner tubular conductor.

3. Structure as in claim 1 further characterized in that the outer tubular member extends forward beyond the outer dielectric block to form a plurality of spring fingers, a peripheral external projection formed at the forward end of said fingers, said inner tubular conductor extending forward beyond said spring fingers.

4. In an electrical connector, a dielectric sleeve formed with a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, an outer tube closely fitting within said bore, said tube being comprised of detachable elements, one of which extends rearwardly beyond said dielectric sleeve so as to be manually accessible, an electrical conductor extending through the rear extension into said tube, an adherent mass of dielectric material within said tube adjacent the rear tube extension xedly securing said conductor within said tube, an inner tubular conductor xedly secured to said adherent mass and extending forward thereof within the tube, said inner tubular conductor surrounding the forward end of said conductor and being electrically and mechanically connected thereto.

KENNETH MCGEE. HAROLD D. VANDERPOOL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,222,721 Bissell et al Apr. 17, 1917 1,237,358 Marr Aug. 21, 1917 1,762,203 Teipel June 10, 1930 1,929,202 Hahn Oct. 3, 1933 2,225,728 Weidenman Dec. 24, 1940 2,294,738 Bruno Sept. 1, 1942 2,379,942 Webber July 10, 1945 2,429,793 Benander Oct. 28, 1947

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