Cable connector with supported center conductor contact
A cable connector for a coaxial cable includes at one end a basket with circumferentially spaced fingers extending generally axially toward the other end of the cable connector. The fingers define a cavity that is positioned in surrounding relation to a inner conductive pin. Disposed in the cavity is a cylindrical collar which engages an inner wall of the fingers, along a substantial portion of their length, so as to bias them radially outwardly and prevent stresses that may otherwise occur when the fingers are inserted into the inner conductor of a coaxial cable.
1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:
a pin having at one end a terminal for establishing electrical contact with a mating terminal;
a basket having a base and having attached thereto a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers with slots therebetween, said fingers extending generally in a first direction parallel to the axis of said basket to define a basket cavity, such fingers being flexible radially outwardly so as to enable the establishment of electrical contact with an inner wall of a coaxial cable center conductor when axially installed therein, in a direction opposite to said first direction; and
a cylindrical collar disposed concentrically on a shank portion of said pin, said collar being composed of an elastic material, and being disposed, along with said pin, in said basket cavity such that, when said basket is inserted into said cable center conductor, said collar is caused to engage the inner wall of said fingers, over a substantial longitudinal portion thereof.
2. A coaxial cable connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said pin includes a radially extending flange at its other end and a radially extending shelf at an intermediate position thereon and further wherein said collar is disposed between said shelf and said flange.
3. A coaxial cable as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collar is composed of an elastomeric material.
4. A coaxial cable connector set forth in claim 3 , and such collar composed of silicone rubber.
5. A coaxial cable connector as set forth in claim 1 , and including an outer body and an insulator disposed concentrically therein, said insulator having an inner hub into which a said pin is concentrically disposed such that the insulator positions said pin within said body and electrically isolates it therefrom.
6. A coaxial cable connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein said pin includes a radially extending face which interfaces with a face of said insulator when the pin is installed in said insulator.
7. A coaxial cable connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein said basket has an opening in its base, and a securing pin is included to pass through said base opening and into said pin other end.
8. A method of manufacturing a coaxial cable connector comprising the steps of:
forming a pin having at one end a terminal for establishing electrical contact with a mating terminal;
forming a basket having a base and having attached thereto a plurality of circumferentially spaced fingers with slots therebetween, said fingers extending generally in a first direction parallel to the axis of said basket to define a basket cavity, such fingers being flexible radially outwardly so as to enable the establishment of electrical contact with an inner wall of a coaxial cable center conductor when axially installed therein, in a direction opposite to said first direction;
forming a cylindrical collar and installing it concentrically on a shank portion of said pin, said collar being composed of an elastic material; and
installing said collar and pin in said basket cavity such that, when said basket is inserted into said cable center conductor, said collar is caused to engage the inner wall of said fingers, over a substantial longitudinal portion thereof, so as to prevent undo stress that would otherwise occur in said fingers.
9. A method as set forth in claim 8 and including the steps of forming a radially extending flange on the other end of said pin, forming a radially extending shelf at an intermediate position thereon and installing said collar between said shelf and said flange.
10. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said collar is composed of an elastomeric material.
11. A method as set forth in claim 10 , and such collar composed of silicone rubber.
12. A method as set forth in claim 8 , and including the steps of providing an outer body and an insulator disposed concentrically therein, said insulator having an inner hub into which a said pin is concentrically installed such that the insulator positions said pin within said body and electrically isolates it therefrom.
13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said pin includes a radially extending face which interfaces with a face of said insulator when the pin is installed in said insulator.
14. A method as set forth in claim 8 and including the steps of providing an opening in said basket base, and securing said basket in place by passing a securing pin through said base opening and into said pin other end.