Coaxial connector with plunger
An electrical connector for use with coaxial cables includes a plunger urged to protrude from a case by a spring.
1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:
a connector body including a center pin for receiving the center conductor of a male connector;
a plunger urged by a spring to protrude from a connector body mouth at a connector body first end;
opposed first and second spring ends, the first spring end resting on a spring base affixed to the body and the second spring end resting on the plunger;
the spring surrounding an insulated portion of the center conductor wherein the spring is spaced apart from the insulated center conductor;
a connector body second end opposite the connector body first end and a connector middle therebetween, the spring base being located between the connector first end and the connector middle;
when the connector is not mated, the center pin is masked from extraneous signals, the spring is extended, and the plunger protrudes from the connector body mouth; and,
when the connector is mated, the center pin receives the center conductor of a male connector, the spring is compressed, and the plunger is moved toward the second end of the connector.
2. The connector of claim 1 further including:
a plunger flange located about midway between opposed plunger ends;
a cap that abuts the plunger flange; and,
a protruding nose formed by the cap and the plunger.
3. The connector of claim 2 further comprising:
a cap aperture for receiving the center conductor of a male connector;
the aperture large enough to allow insertion of the male connector center conductor and small enough to mask the center conductor from extraneous radio frequency signals.
4. The connector of claim 3 wherein:
the cap aperture has a minimum diameter that is 2 to 4 times the diameter of the male connector center conductor.
5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the cap is an electrical conductor and the spring base is a body shoulder.
6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the plunger passes through the spring base when the connector is mated with a male connector.
7. The connector of claim 2 further comprising;
a center conductor entryway providing access to the center pin, the entryway including an aperture in the cap having a diameter about equal to that of an aperture in the plunger.
8. The connector of claim 7 wherein the plunger slides along the center conductor when the spring is compressed.
9. The connector of claim 7 wherein the plunger is an electrical insulator.
10. The connector of claim 1 further comprising:
the spring inserted in the plunger; and
the spring surrounding an insulator that is fixed with respect to the center conductor.
11. The connector of claim 10 further comprising:
raised surfaces on a face of the plunger;
a mask fitted to the plunger face; and,
the raised surfaces protruding from openings in the mask.
12. The connector of claim 11 further comprising:
a mask skirt that encircles the plunger.
13. The connector of claim 12 wherein the mask is not an electrical conductor.
14. The connector of claim 13 wherein the plunger is an electrical conductor.