Device configured to provide an enhanced coaxial cable connection

Abstract

A device for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step. The device may include a body portion configured to receive a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable and a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with the non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion during operation.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTDEVICE CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE AN ENHANCED COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTION CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLCIATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.63 / 739,790, filed December 30, 2024, which is currently pending, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to coaxial connectors, and more particularly to a device that is configured to provide an enhanced coaxial cable connection.BACKGROUND

[0003] Conventional hardline coaxial connectors require the cable to be prepared before being assembled to the connector. Preparation of a hardline cable for connectorization typically requires a set of specialized tools (that differs based on the size and brand of the cable), a trained hand, and, for higher performing connectors, a degree of precision in this process. For example, preparing a cable for connectorization may require one or more specialized tool preparation steps, such as (a) stripping away the outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, (b) removing dielectric material between the center conductor and the outer conductor portion using a coring tool, (c) cutting back the outer conductor portion, and (d) cleaning off residual dielectric material on the center conductor.

[0004] All of these steps are important to ensure that the connector is properly installed and the signal is efficiently transmitted through it with minimal loss. This also, however, allows for human error to be the cause of network issues since it requires expertise and a meticulous technician.

[0005] Further, conventional hardline connectors are designed around the industry belief that the center conductor of a hardline cable must be adequately secured (e.g., gripped by a collet / seizure bushing assembly). The reasoning for this original requirement of center conductor retention is the (relatively) significant difference between the thermal expansion rates of aluminum and solid copper, as the outer conductor portion of a typical hardline cable is made of aluminum, while the center conductor was typically made of solid copper. This allowed for a significant differenceAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTin the change in length of the two cable components over a very long range of cable during a large temperature shift, which would cause issues with the connection if the center conductor was not adequately secured (i.e., the center conductor could lose connection entirely, dropping the signal if the difference length changes was great enough). However, many modern cables are manufactured such that the center conductor is no longer solid copper, but instead copper clad aluminum, which is at most 15% copper, and has a very similar coefficient of thermal expansion to the aluminum used in the outer conductor portion. To add to this, many modern cables are manufactured with chemical bonding between the outer conductor portion, the dielectric foam, and the center conductor, which makes them even less likely to separate over long lengths of cable.

[0006] It may be desirable to provide a connector that could connect to a cable that does not require special preparation for connectorization, which would allow a less seasoned technician or a technician who is missing the proper tools to still perform a good installation. Further, it may be desirable to provide a hardline connector that does not provide axial retention of the center conductor of the cable and rather contacts the center conductor in an electrically efficient way to an enhanced coaxial cable connection. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a connector structurally configured to connect to coaxial cable having a terminal end to provide a simplified connection to the coaxial cable.SUMMARY

[0007] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a device for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step.

[0008] In some embodiments, the device may include a body portion configured to receive a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable. In some embodiments, the device may include a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with the non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion during operation.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT

[0009] t In some embodiments, the body portion may include a first body portion and a second body portion configured to be coupled with the first body portion, and wherein the pin end portion of the conductive pin portion configured to extend from the first body portion.

[0010] In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging portion may include a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housing portion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion toward the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable.

[0011] In some embodiments, the engagement portion may include a forward end portion received in at least a portion of the housing portion and a rearward end portion extending from the housing portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the biasing portion may be positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and configured to engage the forward end portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rearward end portion may include a center conductor engaging surface portion configured to engage the center conductor during operation.

[0014] In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging surface portion may have a first cross-sectional area and the center conductor portion has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-section area.

[0015] In some embodiments, the engagement portion may be configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axis of the first body portion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first body portion may include a nonconductive pin insulating portion configured to electrically insulate the conductive pin portion from a first body housing portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the conductive pin portion may have a distal end portion configured to extend from a first end portion of the first body housing portion and proximal end portion opposite the distal end portion and including the center conductor engaging portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, the device may include a compression portion having a mandrel portion, a ramping portion, and a clamping portion. In some embodiments, the mandrel portion may include an edge portion configured to push through a dielectric portion of the coaxial cable. In some embodiments, the ramping portion may be configured to be moved forward relative to the clamping portion such that theAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTclamping portion radially compresses an outer conductor portion of the coaxial cable onto the mandrel portion during operation.

[0019] In some embodiments, the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection may be configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a non-cut-back, and a nonresidual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) in order to strip away an outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor portion and an outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, a device may be configured for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection without requiring the use of special coaxial cable preparation tool preparation steps to form a stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared cable end portion.

[0021] In some embodiments, the device may include a first body portion and a second body portion configured to be coupled with the first body portion and to receive a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable during operation.

[0022] In some embodiments, the device may include a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the first body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an electrical connection between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion during operation.

[0023] In some embodiments, the device may include a compression portion having a mandrel portion, a ramping portion, and a clamping portion.

[0024] In some embodiments, the mandrel portion may include an edge portion configured to push through a dielectric portion of the coaxial cable.

[0025] In some embodiments, the ramping portion may be configured to engage the clamping portion when the second body portion is coupled with the first body portion so as to cause the clamping portion to radially compress an outer conductor portion of the coaxial cable onto the mandrel portion during assembly.

[0026] In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging portion may include a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housing portion and configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axisAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTof the first body portion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion against the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to provide an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, non-cutback, and non-cleanly shaped prepared hardline cable end portion without requiring the use of specialized coaxial cable tool preparation steps to form a stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared cable end portion.

[0027] In some embodiments, the engagement portion may include a forward end portion received within the housing portion and a rearward end portion extending from the housing portion. In some embodiments, the rearward end portion may include a center conductor engaging surface portion structurally configured to engage the center conductor portion, and wherein the biasing portion is positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and configured to engage the forward end portion.

[0028] In some embodiments, the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection may be configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a non-cut-back, and a nonresidual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) without having to strip away an outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor and the outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.

[0029] In some embodiments, a device maybe configured for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step to form a stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion.

[0030] In some embodiments, the device may include a first body portion, a second body portion configured to be couple with the first body portion and to receive a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable, and a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the first body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable to make an electrical connection between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion.

[0031] In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging portion may include a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housingAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTportion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion against the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step to form a stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion.

[0032] In some embodiments, the engagement portion may include a forward end portion received configured to be receive in at least a portion of the housing portion and a rearward end portion configured to extend from the housing portion.

[0033] In some embodiments, the rearward end portion may include a center conductor engaging surface portion configured to engage the center conductor during operation.

[0034] In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging surface portion may have a first cross-sectional area and the center conductor portion has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-section area.

[0035] In some embodiments, the biasing portion may be positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and may be configured to biasingly engage the forward end portion.

[0036] In some embodiments, the engagement portion may be configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axis of the first body portion.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first body portion may include a nonconductive pin insulating portion configured to electrically insulate the conductive pin portion from a first body housing portion, and wherein the conductive pin portion has a distal end portion configured to extend from a first end portion of the first body housing portion and proximal end portion opposite the distal end portion and including the center conductor engaging portion.

[0038] In some embodiments, the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection may be configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a non-cut-back, and a nonresidual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) in order to strip away an outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor portion and an outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT

[0039] Various aspects of the system, as well as other embodiments, objects, features and advantages of this disclosure, will be apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present teachings and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present teachings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a side section view of an example coaxial connector and cable in an unconnected state.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a side section view of the coaxial connector and cable of FIG. 1 in an assembled state.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments and methods of the present disclosure, which constitute the best modes of practicing the present disclosure presently known to the inventors. The figures are not necessarily to scale. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for any aspect of the present disclosure and / or as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0044] It is also to be understood that this present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may, of course, vary. Furthermore, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0045] It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a,” “an,” and “the” comprise plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, reference to a component in the singular is intended to comprise a plurality of components.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT

[0046] Embodiments of the disclosure provide a coaxial connector device that is configured to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, non-cored, a non-cut-back, and / or a non-residual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion 1000 of a coaxial cable that is formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) in order to form a suitable prepared terminal end portion of the coaxial cable, without having to (a) strip away the outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, (b) remove dielectric material between the center conductor and the outer conductor portion using a coring tool, (c) cut-back the outer conductor portion, and / or (d) clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 1 -2, an exemplary hardline coaxial connector 100 in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure is illustrated. In some embodiments, the connector 100 may be a two-piece (or two body) style connector configured to terminate hardline or semi-rigid coaxial cables. In other embodiments, however, the connector can be a three-piece (or three body) style connector. In some embodiments, the connector 100 may include a first body portion (e.g., a front body portion) 112 and a second body portion (e.g., a back body or back nut portion) 114 that are configured to be removably connected to one another.

[0048] In some embodiments, the connector 100 may be structurally configured to connect to a terminal or forward end 1001 (e.g., a clean, blunt cut end) of the coaxial cable 1000. For example, the terminal or forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 can be inserted into a rearward end portion 115 of the second body portion 114, through the second body portion 114, and into the first body portion 112. The coaxial cable 1000 generally includes a solid center conductor portion 1002 typically formed from a conductive metal, such as copper, copper clad aluminum, copper clad steel, or the like capable of conducting electrical signals therethrough. Surrounding the center conductor portion 1002 is a cable dielectric 1004, which insulates the cable center conductor to minimize signal loss. The cable dielectric 1004 also maintains a spacing between the center conductor portion 1002 and a cable outer conductor portion 1006. The cable dielectric 1004 is often a plastic material, such as a polyethylene, a fluorinated plastic material, such as a polyethylene or a polytetrafluoroethylene, a fiberglass braid, or the like. The cable shield or outer conductor portion 1006 is typically made of metal, such as aluminum or copper, and is often extruded to form a hollow tubular structure with a solid wall having a smooth exterior surface. An insulative outerAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTcable jacket 1008 surrounds the cable outer conductor portion 1006 to further seal the coaxial cable 1000. The outer cable jacket 1008 is typically made of plastic, such as polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0049] Conventionally, the coaxial cable 1000 is specially prepared for termination via a series of specialized tool preparation steps, such as by (1 ) stripping away a length of the outer jacket portion 1008, (2) removing a length of the cable dielectric 1004 from the forward end 1001 of the cable 1000 so as to leave a radial space between the center conductor portion 1002 and the outer conductor portion 1006, (4) cutting back a length of the outer conductor portion to expose the center conductor portion 1002 at the forward end 1001 , and (5) cleaning off any residual cable dielectric 1004 from the center conductor portion 1002 so as to form a stripped-removed-cut-back-and-clean-shaped coaxial cable prepared end portion (alternatively referred to as a “stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared end portion”). In FIG. 1 , however, the coaxial cable 1000 is not specially prepared via such a series of specialized tool preparation steps. Instead, for example, the forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 may simply have a blunt, flat, rectangularly shaped, or non-stripped, non-cut-back, and / or non-cleanly shaped prepared end portion (e.g., a blunt or rectangularly shaped cut shape extending perpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of the coaxial cable), which can be achieved with a pipe cutter tool, for example, without requiring the use of such specialized tool preparation steps to form such a stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared end portion.

[0050] In some embodiments, the connector 100 may include a plurality of components generally having a coaxial configuration about the longitudinal axis A defined by the center conductor portion 1002 of the coaxial cable 1000. In some embodiments, the first body portion 112 may include a first body housing portion 116 and a terminal pin portion 118 supported by the first body housing portion 116. The first body housing portion 116 may be formed with an axial bore 119 configured to cooperatively contain the terminal pin portion 118 and may be made from an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass or the like. In some embodiments, the first body housing portion 116 may include a threaded portion 120 at its forward end portion 121 and a rearward threaded portion 122 at its rearward end portion 123 opposite the forward threaded portion 120.

[0051] In some embodiments, the terminal pin portion 118 may include a conductive pin portion 180 extending through a pin insulating portion 182. TheAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTconductive pin portion 180 may include a pin end portion 181 and a center conductor engaging portion 183 opposite the pin end portion 181. In some embodiments, the pin insulating portion 182 may surrounds a portion of the conductive pin portion 180, excluding the center conductor engaging portion 183, and provides insulation between the conductive pin portion 180 and the conductive first body housing portion 116.

[0052] As illustrated, in some embodiments, the pin insulating portion 182 may be formed as inner and outer cylindrical walls connected to one another at a forward end by a radial wall and may include radially extending ribs between the inner and outer cylindrical walls that provide radial strength to the pin insulating portion 182. As shown, in some embodiments, the pin insulating portion 182 may extend from a rearward facing surface of an end wall at the forward end of the first body housing portion 116 to a forward facing surface at a forward end of the center conductor engaging portion 183. In some embodiments, the pin end portion 181 may extend out of the first body housing portion 116 from the forward end and is configured to be received by an interface port (not shown), as would be understood by persons skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the pin insulating portion 182 may be configured to assist with alignment of the conductive pin portion 180 with the center conductor portion 1002 of the cable 1000 being terminated with the connector 100.

[0053] The center conductor engaging portion 183 may be structurally configured to engage and form an electrical connection with the center conductor portion 1002 of the coaxial cable 1000 when the forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 is received within the first body portion 112. The center conductor engaging portion 183 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging portion 183 may include a housing portion 190, an engagement portion or plunger portion 192, and a biasing portion 194.

[0054] In some embodiments, the housing portion 190 may define a plunger receiving portion 196 (e.g., a chamber, cavity, recessed portion, etc.) structurally configured to receive at least a portion of the plunger portion 192. The housing portion 190 may include a closed end wall portion 197 and an open end portion 198 opposite the closed end wall portion 197 that at least partially define the plunger receiving portion 196. The engagement portion 192 may be structurally configured to move axially (e.g., slide) relative to the plunger receiving portion 196.

[0055] The engagement portion 192 may be configured in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the engagement portion 192 may include a forward end portionAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT200, a rearward end portion 202 opposite the forward end portion 200, and an intermediate portion 204 extending between the forward end portion 200 and a rearward end portion 202. In some embodiments, the forward end portion 200 may be received within the plunger receiving portion 196 with the intermediate portion 204 extending out of the open end portion 198.

[0056] In some embodiments, the forward end portion 200 may have an enlarged cross-section dimension (e.g., diameter) and the plunger receiving portion 196 may include a stop portion 206 (e.g., a radial shoulder portion) structurally configured to engage the forward end portion 200 of the engagement portion 192 to prevent the forward end portion 200 from exiting the open end portion 198.

[0057] In some embodiments, the rearward end portion 202 may include a center conductor engaging surface portion 208 structurally configured to engage a terminal end portion 1009 of the center conductor portion 1002. For example, in some embodiments, the center conductor engaging surface portion 208 may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging surface portion 208 may have a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of the center conductor portion 1002. In some embodiments, the rearward end portion 202 may have an enlarged cross-section dimension (e.g., diameter) relative to the intermediate portion 204. In some embodiments, the center conductor engaging surface portion 208 may include surface texturing (e.g., dimples, teeth, waviness, serrations, ridges, etc.).

[0058] In some embodiments, the biasing portion 194 may be structurally configured to bias the engagement portion 192 rearward (i.e., toward the coaxial cable) to facilitate good electrical contact between the center conductor portion 1002 and the center conductor engaging surface portion 208. For example, in some embodiments, the biasing portion 194 may be positioned within plunger receiving portion 196 between the closed end wall portion 197 and the forward end portion 200 of the engagement portion 192. The biasing portion 194 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the biasing portion 194 may include a spring, an elastomeric material, or other suitable biasing means. In the illustrated example, the biasing portion 194 includes a coil spring.

[0059] In some embodiments, the connector 100 may omit the biasing portion 194. For example, the center conductor engaging portion 183 may replace the engagementAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTportion 192 with a center conductor contact portion (now shown) (e.g., a pin contact) that is fixed relative to the conductive pin portion 180.

[0060] In some embodiments, the forward threaded portion 120 of the first body housing portion 116 may be configured to cooperate with devices located in the field that receive the pin end portion 181 of the conductive pin portion 180. In some embodiments, an O-ring 124 may be provided around the forward threaded portion 120 to improve the seal that is made with the device receiving the pin end portion 181 . In some embodiments, a portion of the exterior perimeter of the first body housing portion 116 may be provided with a hexagonal shape to accommodate the use of tools during installation. The rearward threaded portion 122 of the first body housing portion 116 may be configured to be threadedly coupled with the second body portion 114.

[0061] In some embodiments, the axial bore 119 at the rearward end portion 123 of the first body housing portion 116 may be configured to receive a compression portion 130 rotatably supported within the axial bore 119. In some embodiments, the compression portion 130 may include a mandrel portion 132, a ramping portion 134, and a clamping portion 136.

[0062] In some embodiments, the second body portion 114 of the connector 100 may include a back nut portion 129 (e.g. an end cap portion), a seal driving portion 143, a first seal portion 142 (e.g., an O-ring), and a second seal portion 145 (e.g., an O-ring) arranged in a coaxial relationship about the longitudinal axis A. In some embodiments, the first seal portion 142 may be configured to improve the seal between the back nut portion 129 and the coaxial cable 1000 upon assembly, and the second sealing portion 145 may be configured to improve the seal between the back nut portion 129 and the first body housing portion 116.

[0063] In some embodiments, the back nut portion 129 may be made from an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like. In some embodiments, the back nut portion 129 may include an externally threaded portion 131 at its forward end portion 133, which cooperates with the rearward threaded portion 122 of the first body portion 112 so that the first body portion 112 and the second body portion 114 may be threadedly coupled together. The exterior surface of the back nut portion 129 may be provided with a hexagonal shape to accommodate the use of tools to facilitate such threaded coupling.

[0064] In some embodiments, the back nut portion 129 and the seal driving portion 143 may be formed with an axial bore 146 dimensioned to receive the outside diameterAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTof the outer conductor portion 1006 of the cable 1000 (or the outside diameter of the outer jacket portion 1008 depending on the type of cable 1000 being used) in snug fitting relationship. In some embodiments, the axial bore 119 of the first body portion 112 may be structurally configured (e.g., dimensioned) to accommodate an outer diameter of the mandrel portion 132. In some embodiments, the axial bore 119 of the first body portion 112 may be configured to receive a forward flanged portion 154 of the mandrel portion 132 rearward of the plunger receiving portion 196.

[0065] The first body portion 112 may have an inner surface that includes an annular groove 148 configured to receive an annular notch 135 extending radially outward from an outer surface of the ramping portion 134 so as to limit rearward movement of the ramping portion 134, and thus the clamping portion 136, relative to the first body portion 112.

[0066] In some embodiments, the mandrel portion 132 may include rearward portion 151 and tubular body portion 152 terminating at the forward flanged portion 154 opposite the rearward portion 151. In some embodiments, the mandrel portion 132 may be made from metal. In some embodiments, the outside diameter of the tubular body portion 152 of the mandrel portion 132 may be dimensioned to be fitted within the inner diameter of the outer conductor portion 1006 of the coaxial cable 1000. In some embodiments, the inside diameter of the tubular body portion 152 may be dimensioned to provide a passageway to receive the center conductor portion 102 of the cable 1000.

[0067] In some embodiments, the mandrel portion 132 may include a rearward edge portion 153 structurally configured to cut through, or push aside, the cable dielectric 1004 when the cable 1000 is received onto the mandrel portion 132. For example, in some embodiments, the rearward edge portion 153 may have a sharp edge to cut into the cable dielectric 1004. In some embodiments, tubular body portion 152 of the mandrel portion 132 may include an external threaded or grooved portion 155 structurally configured to provide a mechanical advantage by allowing the connector 100 to be threaded onto the cable 1000. In some embodiments, the mandrel portion 132 may have an axial length that extends through the clamping portion 136 and into the back nut portion 129.

[0068] In some embodiments, the ramping portion 134 may be made from an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass. In some embodiments, the ramping portion 134 includes a rearward edge portion 160 structurally configuredAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTto engage an annular shoulder portion 149 of the back nut portion 129 and a forward end of the seal driving portion 143.

[0069] In some embodiments, the clamping portion 136 may be in the form of a split tube having a gap (not shown) extending the full length of the clamping portion 136. The gap (not shown) permits the diameter of the clamping portion 136 to be reduced more easily so that the clamp can be uniformly, radially compressed around the mandrel portion 132. In some embodiments, an inner surface portion 168 of the clamping portion 136 may be provided with structure to enhance gripping of the outer surface of the cable. Such structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0070] In some embodiments, the outer surface of the clamping portion 136 may include a circumferential ramped portion 162, which engages a forward end portion 170 of the ramping portion 134, opposite the rearward edge portion 160, upon forward axial movement of the ramping portion 134 to radially compress the clamping portion 136. In some embodiments, the ramped portion 162 defines a conical segment of the clamping portion 136 that tapers radially inwardly in the rearward direction. A rearward portion of the clamping portion 136 may be received in an axial bore of the ramping portion 134.

[0071] An example operation and installation of the connector 100 will now be described. In some embodiments, the first body portion 112 may be threadedly coupled with an interface port (not shown), by way of the threaded portion 120 of the first body housing portion 116. The end of the coaxial cable 1000 that is to be inserted through the second body portion 114 may be cut to have a clean, blunt end (if not already cut) without needing to specially prepare the end of the cable. The second body portion 114 may be slid over the clean, blunt cut forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000. The forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 may then be inserted into the first body portion 112. For example, the forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 may be pressed onto the mandrel portion 132 such that the outer conductor portion 1006 is received between the outer surface of the tubular body portion 152 of the mandrel portion 132 and the inner surface of the clamping portion 136. The rearward edge portion 153 of the mandrel portion 132 may facilitate this by cutting through, or pushing aside, the cable dielectric 1004 as the cable 1000 is pushed onto the mandrel portion 132.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT

[0072] In some embodiments, the cable 1000 is pushed onto the mandrel portion 132 until the forward end 1001 of the coaxial cable 1000 abuts the forward flanged portion 154 of the mandrel portion 132. As the cable 1000 is pushed onto the mandrel portion 132, the forward end 1001 of the cable 1000 engages the rearward end portion 202 of the engagement portion 192 and moves the engagement portion 192 forward relative to the plunger receiving portion 196 against a biasing force exerted by the biasing portion 194. When the forward end 1001 of the cable 1000 engages the rearward end portion 202 of the engagement portion 192, the center conductor engaging surface portion 208 engages the terminal end portion 1009 of the center conductor portion 1002 to make electrical connection with the center conductor portion 1002. The biasing portion 194 provides a biasing force to keep the center conductor engaging surface portion 208 engaged with the center conductor portion 1002. However, unlike conventional coaxial connectors, the center conductor portion 1002 is not gripped, by a collet for example, in order to secure the connection between the center conductor portion 1002 and the terminal pin portion 118. Instead, the electrical connection is maintained via the biasing portion 194 and the compression portion 130.

[0073] To secure the inserted cable 1000, the back nut portion 129 may be threadedly coupled to the first body portion 112. As the back nut portion 129 moves axially relative to the first body portion 112, the seal driving portion 143 and the annular shoulder portion 149 of the back nut portion 129 may urge the ramping portion 134 in a forward axial direction relative to the clamping portion 136 and the first body portion 112. The forward translation of the ramping portion 134 causes (i) a forward tapered end of the clamping portion 136 to engage an oppositely tapered inner wall of the first body portion 112, (ii) the forward end portion 170 of the ramping portion 134 to engage the ramped portion 162 of the clamping portion 136, and / or (iii) a tapered inner surface of the clamping portion 136 to engage a rearward end of the clamping portion 136, thereby resulting in radial compression of the clamping portion 136 onto the outer conductor portion 1006 of the cable 1000 at multiple regions along a length of the clamping portion 136. The radial compression of the clamping portion 136 reduces the overall diameter of the clamping portion 136 and so that the inner surface portion 168 of the clamping portion 136 grips or bites down on the outer jacket portion 1008 and presses the outer jacket portion 1008 and the outer conductor portion 1006 against the mandrel portion 132. The axial movement of the back nut portion 129 relative to the first body portion 112 also urges the seal driving portion 143 in a rearward directionAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTto compress the first sealing portion 142 to provide an environmental seal between the back nut portion 129 and the outer conductor portion 1006 or the outer jacket portion 1008 of the cable 1000.

[0074] While at least one example, non-limiting embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims and the legal equivalents thereof.

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A device for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection without requiring the use of special coaxial cable preparation tool preparation steps to form a stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared cable end portion comprising:a first body portion;a second body portion configured to be coupled with the first body portion and to receive a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable during operation;a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the first body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an electrical connection between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion during operation;a compression portion having a mandrel portion, a ramping portion, and a clamping portion;wherein mandrel portion includes an edge portion configured to push through a dielectric portion of the coaxial cable;wherein the ramping portion is configured to engage the clamping portion when the second body portion is coupled with the first body portion so as to cause the clamping portion to radially compress an outer conductor portion of the coaxial cable onto the mandrel portion during assembly; and wherein the center conductor engaging portion includes a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housing portion and configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axis of the first body portion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion against the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to provide an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a nonstripped, non-cutback, and non-cleanly shaped prepared hardline cable end portion without requiring the use of specialized coaxial cable tool preparation steps to form a stripped, cut-back, and cleanly shaped prepared cable end portion.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion includes a forward end portion received within the housing portion and a rearward end portion extending from the housing portion, and wherein the rearward end portion includes a center conductor engaging surface portion structurally configured to engage the center conductor portion, and wherein the biasing portion is positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and configured to engage the forward end portion.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection is configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a non-cut-back, and a non-residual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) without having to strip away an outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor and the outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.

4. A device for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step to form a stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion, comprising:a first body portion;a second body portion configured to be couple with the first body portion and to receive a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable;a conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the first body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable to make an electrical connection between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion; and wherein the center conductor engaging portion includes a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housing portion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion against the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable preparedAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTend portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step to form a stripped, hardline cable prepared end portion.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the engagement portion includes a forward end portion received configured to be receive in at least a portion of the housing portion and a rearward end portion configured to extend from the housing portion, and wherein the rearward end portion includes a center conductor engaging surface portion configured to engage the center conductor during operation.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the center conductor engaging surface portion has a first cross-sectional area and the center conductor portion has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-section area.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the biasing portion is positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and configured to biasingly engage the forward end portion.

8. The device of any of claims 4-7, wherein the engagement portion is configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axis of the first body portion.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the first body portion includes a nonconductive pin insulating portion configured to electrically insulate the conductive pin portion from a first body housing portion, and wherein the conductive pin portion has a distal end portion configured to extend from a first end portion of the first body housing portion and proximal end portion opposite the distal end portion and including the center conductor engaging portion.

10. The device for claim 9, wherein the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection is configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a non-cut-back, and a non-residual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) in order to strip away an outerAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTjacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor portion and an outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.

11. A device for providing an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step, comprising:a body portion configured to receive a non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable without requiring the use of a specialized coaxial cable tool stripping preparation step a terminal end portion of a coaxial cable; anda conductive pin portion having a pin end portion configured to extend from the body portion and a center conductor engaging portion configured to engage a center conductor portion of the coaxial cable so as to form an enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection with the non-stripped, hardline cable prepared terminal end portion between the pin end portion and the center conductor portion during operation.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the body portion comprises a first body portion and a second body portion configured to be coupled with the first body portion, and wherein the pin end portion of the conductive pin portion configured to extend from the first body portion.

13. The device of claim 11 , wherein the center conductor engaging portion includes a housing portion, an engagement portion at least partially received in the housing portion, and a biasing portion configured to bias the engagement portion toward the center conductor portion of the coaxial cable.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the engagement portion includes a forward end portion received in at least a portion of the housing portion and a rearward end portion extending from the housing portion.Attorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCT15. The device of claim 14, wherein the biasing portion is positioned in at least a portion of the housing portion and configured to engage the forward end portion.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the rearward end portion includes a center conductor engaging surface portion configured to engage the center conductor during operation.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the center conductor engaging surface portion has a first cross-sectional area and the center conductor portion has a second cross-sectional area that is less than the first cross-section area.

18. The device of any of claims 12-17, wherein the engagement portion is configured to move relative to the housing portion along a longitudinal axis of the first body portion.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the first body portion includes a nonconductive pin insulating portion configured to electrically insulate the conductive pin portion from a first body housing portion.

20. The device for claim 19, wherein the conductive pin portion has a distal end portion configured to extend from a first end portion of the first body housing portion and proximal end portion opposite the distal end portion and including the center conductor engaging portion.

21. The device of claim 11 , further comprising a compression portion having a mandrel portion, a ramping portion, and a clamping portion, wherein the mandrel portion includes an edge portion configured to push through a dielectric portion of the coaxial cable, and wherein the ramping portion is configured to be moved forward relative to the clamping portion such that the clamping portion radially compresses an outer conductor portion of the coaxial cable onto the mandrel portion during operation.

22. The device of claim 11, wherein the enhanced hardline coaxial cable connection is configured to engage with a non-stripped, a non-cored, a nonAttorney Docket No. 0374.0619-PCTcut-back, and a non-residual dielectric cleaned prepared terminal end portion of a coaxial cable that is configured to have been formed without requiring the use of one or more specialized tool preparation step(s) in order to strip away an outer jacket from the terminal end of the cable using a jacket stripping tool, remove dielectric material between the center conductor portion and an outer conductor portion using a coring tool, cut-back the outer conductor portion, or clean off residual dielectric material on the center conductor portion.

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