QUICK DISCONNECT ENVIRONMENTALLY
SEALED RF CONNECTOR FOR HARDLINE
COAXIAL CABLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to the field of RF connectors for hardline coaxial cable and more specifically to quick disconnect environmentally sealed RF connectors for trunk and distribution coaxial cable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cable television distribution amplifiers or "nodes" typically have been constructed to include a weather and RF sealed housing and an RF amplifier module. The RF sealed housing provides the physical interface between the network distribution cable (called hardline cable due to the solid exposed outer conductor) and the RF amplifier module. The RF sealed housing, although environmentally sealed, allows heat generated inside the RF amplifier module to be conducted out to the environment.
Traditionally, the distribution cable is substantially permanently attached to the housing and covered with 25 heat shrink tubing to provide a waterproof seal. When a failure occurs in the RF amplifier module within the housing, thereby requiring its replacement, the RF module is unplugged and replaced with a spare RF module. However, the housing, because of its semi-permanent attachment to the distribution cable is not as easily replaced.
What is desired is a quick disconnect environmentally sealed RF connector for use in connecting a chassis housing with hardline coaxial cable. 35
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a quick disconnect environmentally sealed RF connector for use with hardline coaxial cable. In one embodiment the RF connector includes a chassis portion for mounting on a chassis and an adaptor portion for connection to a hardline coaxial cable. The adaptor portion and the chassis portion are configured to provide a quick disconnect electrical connection. The adaptor portion includes a locking 45 member for locking the chassis portion of the RF connector and the adaptor portion of the RF connector together once the two have been engaged. Prior to locking, the locking member permits the chassis portion of the connector and the adaptor portion of the connec- 50 tor to quickly engage and disengage. Following the engagement of the chassis portion of the connector with the adaptor portion of the connector, the threads of the locking member engage threads on the chassis portion and compress an o-ring seated in the chassis portion of 55 the connector so as to lock the adaptor portion to the chassis portion and provide an environmental seal.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through section line AA' of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of an embodiment of an adaptor portion of a quick disconnect environmentally sealed hardline coaxial cable RF connector of the invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded cross sectional view through section line BB' of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 positioned for mating with a hardline coaxial cable;
FIG. 6a is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 5 mated with a hardline coaxial cable;
FIG. 7 is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6a mated with a hardline coaxial cable and positioned for mating with the embodiment of the chassis portion of the invention shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. la is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6a mated with a hardline coaxial cable and mated with the embodiment of the chassis portion of the invention shown in FIG. 2 but prior to being locked in position;
FIG. lb is an assembled cross sectional view of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6a mated with a hardline coaxial cable and mated and locked with the embodiment of the chassis portion of the invention shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 is an assembled cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a chassis mounting portion of the invention; and
FIG. 8a is an assembled cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an adaptor of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION
In brief overview, the environmentally sealed quick disconnect RF connector for use with hardline coaxial cable includes a chassis mounting portion 6 (FIG. 1) for mounting on a chassis and an adaptor 8 (FIG. 3) for connecting and environmentally sealing the chassis mounting portion 8 to a hardline coaxial cable. In one embodiment, except as noted, the environmentally sealed quick disconnect RF connector is constructed of stainless steel.
Considering each portion of the connector separately and in detail, and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the chassis mounting portion 6 of the RF connector includes a chassis mounting portion body 10 defining a bore 12 extending through the chassis mounting portion body 10 from an adaptor engaging end 14 of an adaptor engaging portion 16 to a chassis engaging end 18 of a chassis engaging portion 20. The central region 22 of
the chassis mounting portion body 10 is in the form of a This invention is pointed out with particularity in the 60 nut to provide a gripping surface by which rotation of
appended claims. The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a chassis mounting portion of a quick disconnect environmentally sealed hardline coaxial cable RF connector of the invention;
the chassis mounting portion body 10 is accomplished as it is secured to a chassis wall.
The chassis mounting portion body 10 includes a pair of shoulders 24, 26 adjacent the central region 22. The chassis engaging portion 20 includes an externally threaded surface 28 which, in conjunction with a shoulder 24, forms an o-ring seat 30 within which is positioned a resilient o-ring 32.
