US 7,507,116 B2
Coaxial cable connector with collapsible insert
Per Rasmussen Laerke, Vordingborg (Denmark); and Palle Sorensen, Hellerup (Denmark)
Assigned to Corning Gilbert Inc., Glendale, Ariz. (US)
Filed on Dec. 22, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/644,298.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/755476, filed on Dec. 29, 2005.
Prior Publication US 2007/0155233 A1, Jul. 05, 2007
Int. Cl. H01R 9/05 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 439—584  [439/578] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A connector for attaching to an end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a protective layer surrounding the outer conductor, the connector comprising:
an outer body comprising a rear end, an inwardly directed rear flange, a front end, a longitudinal axis, and an internal surface extending between the rear and front ends of the body, the internal surface defining a longitudinal opening, wherein the inwardly directed rear flange defines an forward facing shoulder in the internal surface; and
a collapsible insert disposed at least partially within the longitudinal opening of the outer body, the insert comprising an inner surface defining a longitudinal opening, an outer surface, a rear ferrule portion, a weakened portion adjacent the rear ferrule portion, a bushing portion adjacent the weakened portion, and a forward conducting portion disposed adjacent the bushing portion;
wherein, in an uncompressed state, the weakened portion is disposed between the ferrule portion and the bushing portion, and the bushing portion is longitudinally spaced away from the ferrule portion;
wherein, in a fully compressed state, the rear ferrule portion abuts the forward facing shoulder of the outer body, the weakened portion is deformed or broken, and at least a part of the bushing portion is sandwiched between the ferrule portion and the internal surface of the outer body, thereby urging the ferrule portion radially inwardly.