(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Felps
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,305,963 B1
`*Oct. 23, 2001
`
`US006305963Bl
`
`(54) PUSH-LOCK BNC CONNECTOR
`
`3248154C1
`8814808U1
`
`4/1984 (DE) .
`2/1989
`
`Inventor:
`
`D_ Felps’ Colorado Springs,
`CO (US)
`
`.................................... ..
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(73) Assigned Agilent Technologies’ Inc” Palo Alto’
`CA (US)
`This. patent lssuéd on a Continued pros‘
`ecut1on application filed under 37 CFR
`1.53(d), and is subject to the twenty year
`patent
`term provisions of 35 Utstct
`154(a)(2).
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U'S'C' 154(b) by 0 days‘
`
`T.M.W., BNCS series, “One Touch Push/Pull Locking BNC
`Coaxial RF Connector
`(50 9/75 S2)/BNCS series”
`d
`d .
`Sl1“:1I]'1iri11ieElectronics Co., Ltd., Data Sheet for BNCS502—P()
`(undated)
`'
`.
`Stohewglls Corporation, Data Sheet
`.
`t
`2]l3iis)specification, Dec., 1988.
`.t d b
`.
`C1 e
`y exammer
`Primary Exami/1er—Hien Vu
`
`for BNCS502—P()
`
`*
`
`(21) Appl. No.2 08/699,023
`
`(22)
`
`Ffled;
`
`Aug_ 16, 1996
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 ....................................................... H01R 4/54
`UISI C].
`........................................... ..
`(58) Field of Search ................................... .. 439/310-315,
`439/319, 345, 317, 318; 29/817, 822, 849
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Alocking assembly for releasably locking together a mating
`connector pair comprises a housing having a central aperture
`therethrough and adapted to be mounted to the first eohhee_
`tor portion of the [Hating Connector pair. A locking Sleeve
`also having a central aperture is sized to receive the first
`connector portion and is also sized to be slidably received by
`the central aperture of the housing so that the locking sleeve
`can be rotated Within the housing from a locked position to
`
`pin associated with the second connector portion of the
`mating connector pair. Specifically, the locking pin engaging
`boss rotates the looking Sleeve to the unlocked position as
`the first eenneeter pertien is engaged with the eeeend
`Connector Onion The toekm
`in en a in
`boss also
`11
`th lp k.
`"1
`t b
`gt It’ d t
`ti gt i d
`.t.
`0
`a 0W5
`6 0“ lngseeve 0 “O as
`6 9° C P051 1°“
`when the firtsttand second connector portions are fully
`€Hgag€d.Ab1aS1I1g
`d€V1C€
`aSS0C1at€dW1th the 10C1<1I1g S1€€V€
`biases the locking sleeve to the locked position.
`
`5/1961 Hennessey, Jr. et al.
`.......... .. 439/314
`2,984,811 *
`
`7/1967 Rusiuyak ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 439/319
`3,332,052 *
`3/1973 Kerr ................................... .. 439/319
`3,719,918 *
`12/1983 LeCroy, Jr.
`....................... .. 324/72.5
`4,423,373
`6/1987 Thong . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 324/72.5
`4,672,306
`11/1987 Morland et al.
`...... 439/314
`4,708,661
`5/1991 Chism ........... ..
`.. 325/158P
`5,015,947
`3/1994 Cake et at
`324/158 P
`5,293,122
`5,474,466 * 12/1995 Sakuraoka et al.
`................ .. 439/319
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`3042185A1
`
`5/1981 (DE) .
`
`14 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 1/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 1/15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 1 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`(PRIORART)
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`F'lG.7
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 2/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 2/15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 3/15
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 3 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 4/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 4/15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`60
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`20
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`30
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`‘
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`I.\\\\11\i
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`1gm,“
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`16
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`¢|«—ss\\\\\\‘-
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 5/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 5/15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 5 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 6/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 6/15
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 23, 2001
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`Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 7/15
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`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 7/15
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`

`
`US 6,305,963 Bl
`
`1
`PUSH-LOCK BNC CONNECTOR
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to the field of electrical
`connectors and more specifically to BNC connectors.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`5
`
`2
`aligned with corresponding mating connectors adjacent the
`female BNC connector.
`Consequently, a need exists for an improved connector
`which solves or at least ameliorates some of the problems
`associated with conventional twist-lock BNC connectors,
`but that retains the advantages associated with such connec-
`tors. Ideally, such an improved connector should retain the
`ability to be locked to the female portion of the connector,
`but without requiring excessive manual dexterity on the part
`10 of the user and without requiring a large amount of space
`between the BNC connector and adjacent connectors or
`components. Additional utility could be achieved if the
`improved BNC connector could be used with conventional
`female BNC connectors. Still other advantages could be
`realized if such an improved connector would provide for a
`15 guaranteed radial alignment between the panel and the
`attached cable or pod housing.
`SUMMARY OF 1HE INVENTION
`Accordingly, a locking assembly for releasably locking
`together a mating connector pair according to the present
`invention may comprise a housing having a central aperture
`and configured to be mounted to the first connector portion
`of the mating connector pair. A locking sleeve also having a
`central aperture is sized to receive the first connector portion
`and is also sized to be slidably received by the central
`aperture of the housing so that the locking sleeve can be
`rotated within the housing from a locked position to an
`unlocked position. The locking sleeve also includes a lock(cid:173)
`ing pin engaging boss for releasably engaging a locking pin
`associated with the second connector portion of the mating
`connector pair. Specifically, the locking pin engaging boss
`rotates the locking sleeve to the disengaged position as the
`first connector portion is engaged with the second connector
`portion. The locking pin engaging boss also allows the
`locking sleeve to be rotated to the locked position when the
`35 first and second connector portions are fully engaged. A
`biasing device associated with the locking sleeve biases the
`locking sleeve to the locked position.
`Also disclosed is a push-lock connector assembly for
`releasably locking together a mating BNC connector pair.
`The push-lock connector comprises a male BNC center
`terminal and a housing sized to receive the male BNC center
`terminal. The housing also includes a substantially circular
`opening at one end that is sized to receive the sleeve
`associated with the female BNC connector. The circular
`opening also includes a pair of alignment notches positioned
`at substantially diametrically opposed positions to receive
`the locking pins located on the sleeve of the female BNC
`connector. A locking sleeve having a central aperture is sized
`to be received by the housing so that the central aperture of
`the locking sleeve is substantially aligned with the circular
`opening in the housing. The locking sleeve is also sized so
`that it can be rotated within the housing from a locked
`position to an unlocked position. The locking sleeve
`includes a pair of locking pin engaging bosses positioned
`within the central aperture at substantially diametrically
`opposed positions. The pair of locking pin engaging bosses
`cause the locking sleeve to rotate to the disengaged position
`as the push-lock connector assembly is moved axially along
`the sleeve of the female BNC connector. They also allow the
`locking sleeve to be rotated to the locked position when the
`male BNC center terminal is fully engaged with the female
`BNC connector. A biasing device associated with the lock(cid:173)
`ing sleeve biases said locking sleeve to the locked position.
`
`Various kinds of electrical connectors exist and have been
`used for decades to provide a removable electrical connec(cid:173)
`tion between various types of electrical components and
`devices. One such kind of removable electrical connector is
`known as a BNC or Bayonet Neil-Concelman connector.
`BNC connectors were developed many years ago and are
`typically used to connect coaxial (i.e., two conductor)
`cables, frequently in low-power, radio-frequency, and test
`applications, although they may be used in other applica(cid:173)
`tions as well.
`Referring to FIG. 1, a typical BNC connector may com(cid:173)
`prise a female connector assembly 11 and a male connector 20
`assembly 13 that are designed to be engaged and disengaged
`with one another. The female connector assembly 11
`includes a sleeve 15 that surrounds a female receptacle 21
`designed to receive the center conductor 23 of the male
`connector assembly 13. The sleeve 15 also includes a pair of 25
`diametrically opposed engagement pins 17, 19 that extend
`radially outward from the sleeve 15. The male connector
`assembly 13 includes a male BNC center terminal33 having
`a center conductor 23. The male center terminal 33 and
`conductor 23 are designed to be received by the sleeve 15 30
`and female receptacle 21, respectively. The male connector
`assembly 13 also includes a locking collar 29 having a pair
`of slots 25, 27 that are adapted to engage the engagement
`pins 17, 19 on the female connector 11 to lock the connectors
`together.
`The female and male connectors 11 and 13 can be
`connected and locked together by first engaging the male
`BNC center terminal33 with the sleeve 15 and then rotating
`the locking collar 29 to the locked position. This twist-lock
`coupling action is a central feature of the BNC connector 40
`and allows a reliable electrical connection to be made
`without the danger of the female and male connectors 11 and
`13 from gradually working loose or from becoming acci(cid:173)
`dently unplugged.
`While such twist-lock BNC connectors provide a conve- 45
`nient and reliable means for electrically connecting various
`electronic components and devices, they are not without
`their disadvantages. For example, in a conventional twist(cid:173)
`lock BNC connector, sufficient space must be associated
`with the connector installation to allow the user's thumb and 50
`forefinger to push-on the male connector (e.g., 13) and then
`twist the locking collar (e.g., 29) to the locked position. If
`the BNC connector is aged or dirty, excessive friction
`between the locking collar and the body of the male center
`terminal (e.g., 33) or the sleeve (e.g., 15) of the female 55
`connector (e.g., 11) may make it difficult to twist the locking
`collar to the locked position, particularly if other connectors
`or components are located nearby. Another problem is that
`there is no guaranteed radial alignment between the locking
`collar and the cable (e.g., 31) or probe housing to which it 60
`is attached. That is, since the collar on the male connector
`portion is free to rotate 360°, no specific rotational alignment
`is guaranteed between the cable or probe housing and the
`panel to which it is attached. This can be a problem if the
`male BNC connector is associated with an "active" probe 65
`assembly having associated with it supplemental connectors
`(e.g., power or communication connectors) that need to be
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`Illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the
`invention are shown in the accompanying drawing in which:
`
`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 8/15
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`US 6,305,963 B1
`
`3
`FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a conventional male and
`female BNC connector pair;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a male push-lock BNC
`connector according to the present invention having a plu-
`rality of optional contact pins for transmitting supplemental
`electrical currents or signals through the connector;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a female BNC connector
`assembly also having a plurality of optional contact pads for
`transmitting supplemental electrical currents or signals
`through the connector;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the male
`push-lock BNC connector shown in FIG. 2 more clearly
`showing the arrangement of the locking sleeve, the align-
`ment sleeve, and the male BNC center terminal;
`FIG. 5 is a sectional view in elevation showing the
`engagement of the male push-lock BNC connector with a
`female BNC connector assembly;
`FIG. 6 is a rear view in elevation of the housing showing
`the arrangement of the locking sleeve and spring;
`FIG. 7 is a front view in elevation of the housing showing
`the arrangement of the locking sleeve and alignment sleeve;
`FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of another
`embodiment of the male push-lock BNC connector accord-
`ing to the present invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a front view in elevation of the push-lock BNC
`connector shown in FIG. 8.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Apush-lock BNC connector 10 according to the present
`invention is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 as it could be used
`
`to connect with a female BNC connector portion 12 shown
`in FIG. 3. In one preferred embodiment, the pushlock BNC
`connector 10 includes a plurality of contact pins 28 for
`making electrical contact with a plurality of corresponding
`contact pads 14 positioned adjacent the female BNC con-
`nector 12. The pins 28 and contact pads 14 allow for the
`transmission of supplemental electrical signals through the
`connector union, such as may be required for “active” probe
`assemblies,
`i.e., probe assemblies having on-board elec-
`tronic circuitry. Alternatively, and as will be described in
`greater detail below, the push-lock BNC connector 10 could
`also be used to connect with a conventional female BNC
`
`connector without such optional contact pads 14, such as the
`female BNC connector 11 shown in FIG. 1.
`
`Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, the push-lock BNC
`connector 10 essentially comprises a male BNC center
`terminal or connector portion 16 and a locking assembly 18
`which allows the male BNC center terminal 16 to be
`
`engaged with and locked to the female BNC connector 12
`(FIG. 3) by simply pushing the push-lock connector 10 onto
`the female connector 12. There is no need to rotate any
`locking collar to engage the locking pins 30, 32 on the sleeve
`34 of female connector 12. The connectors 10 and 12 can be
`
`uncoupled by simply moving the tab 60 on the locking collar
`22 to the unlocked position 61‘ (FIG. 6) i.e., in the direction
`of arrow 80.
`
`The locking assembly 18 in one preferred embodiment
`may comprise a housing 20, a locking sleeve 22, a spring 24,
`and an alignment sleeve 26. The housing 20 has a central
`aperture 36 therethrough as well as a pair of alignment tabs
`38, 40 for engaging corresponding slots 64, 66 on the
`alignment sleeve 26. The housing 20 may be secured to a
`main connector body 42 of an active probe assembly (not
`shown) by any convenient means, such as by a pair of screws
`
`4
`44, 46. The housing 20 may also include a plurality of holes
`49 for receiving a corresponding plurality of connector pin
`sockets 48 mounted to the main connector body 42.
`The locking collar 22 is sized to be received by the central
`aperture 36 of housing 20 so that the locking collar 22 can
`be rotated within the housing 20 between a locked position
`61 and an unlocked position 61‘, as best seen in FIG. 6. In
`one embodiment, the locking collar 22 includes an elongate,
`cylindrically shaped body portion 50 having a pair of
`substantially diametrically opposed slots 52, 54, along with
`a pair of locking pin engaging bosses 56, 58. Locking collar
`22 may also include an integral tab 60 to allow the user to
`rotate the locking collar 22 to the unlocked position 61‘ by
`moving the tab 60 in the direction of arrow 80. A spring 24
`connected to the locking collar 22 biases the locking collar
`22 to the locked position 61.
`Locking assembly 18 also includes an alignment sleeve
`26 sized to be received by the central aperture 62 of the
`locking sleeve 22. The alignment sleeve 26 includes a pair
`of substantially diametrically opposed slots 64 and 66 for
`engaging the respective alignment tabs 38 and 40 of the
`housing 20. It also includes a pair of indexing slots 68 and
`70 for receiving the locking pins 30 and 32 located on the
`sleeve 34 of female connector portion 12 (FIG. 3). Indexing
`slots 68 and 70 also include a pair of clearance slots 72 and
`74 to provide clearance for the respective locking pin
`engaging bosses 56, 58 on the locking sleeve 22. The
`alignment sleeve 26 is also sized to slide over the male BNC
`center terminal 16, which itself may be secured to the main
`connector body 42 by any convenient means, such as by
`screw threads 98.
`
`The locking assembly 18 thus provides a means for
`lockably engaging the male BNC center terminal 16 to a
`conventional female BNC connector, such as the female
`connector portion 12 shown in FIG. 3. The engagement
`procedure is relatively simple, requiring only that the push-
`lock BNC connector assembly 10 be aligned with the sleeve
`34 of the female connector portion 12. More specifically, the
`connectors should be aligned so that the locking pins 30 and
`32 are aligned with the engagement slots 76, 78 (FIGS. 2 and
`7) defined between indexing slots 68, 70 of the alignment
`sleeve 26 and the locking pin engaging bosses 56, 58. The
`connectors can then be engaged by simply pushing the
`connector 10 over the female connector 12. As the connector
`
`10 moves along the sleeve 34 of the female connector 12, the
`locking pins 30, 32 engage the bosses 56, 58, which causes
`the locking sleeve 22 to rotate to the unlocked position 61‘
`(FIG. 6). Once the connector 10 is fully engaged, the spring
`24 returns the locking sleeve 22 to the locked position 61.
`The connector assembly 10 is then in locked engagement
`with the female connector portion 12.
`The push-lock BNC connector can be disengaged by
`simply moving the tab 60 in the direction of arrow 80 which
`rotates the locking sleeve 22 to the unlocked position 61‘
`(FIG. 6) and disengages the bosses 56 and 58 from the
`locking pins 30, 32. The connector 10 may then be with-
`drawn from the female connector portion 12.
`A significant advantage of the push-lock BNC connector
`10 according to the present
`invention is that
`it can be
`engaged with a female BNC connector without the need to
`manually rotate a locking collar to engage the locking pins
`on the female BNC connector. Instead, the two connectors
`can be engaged by simply pushing together the two con-
`nector portions 10 and 12. The connectors can be disengaged
`by simply moving the tab 60 in the direction of arrow 80
`which rotates the locking sleeve 22 to the unlocked position
`
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`US 6,305,963 B1
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`5
`61‘. The connector 10 can then be pulled away from the
`female connector portion 12. Consequently, the push-lock
`BNC connector does not require a significant amount of
`manual dexterity on the part of the user. Another advantage
`is that the connector 10 can be more easily used in instal-
`lations where there would otherwise be insufficient clear-
`ance to allow the user to manually rotate the locking collar
`of a conventional BNC connector.
`
`Still other advantages are associated with the alignment
`sleeve 26. For example, the alignment sleeve 26 provides a
`positive rotational index between the connector 10 and the
`female connector portion 12 before the connectors are
`engaged,
`thereby allowing any supplemental electrical
`connectors, such as contact pins 28, to be aligned without the
`need for a separate indexing system. Similarly, when the
`connector 10 is fully engaged and in the locked position, the
`alignment sleeve 26 prevents the connector 10 from rotating,
`thereby allowing a simple pin/contact pad arrangement to be
`used to transmit supplemental electrical signals through the
`connector.
`
`Having briefly described the push-lock BNC connector
`10, as well as some of its more significant features and
`advantages, the push-lock BNC connector according to the
`present invention will now be described in detail.
`Referring back now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the push-lock
`BNC connector 10 is shown as it could be used with an
`
`“active” probe assembly of the type commonly used with
`electronic test equipment (not shown), such as oscilloscopes
`or logic testers. In such an application, the push-lock BNC
`connector 10 may be incorporated into the main connector
`body 42 of the active probe assembly in the manner best
`seen in FIG. 4. The electronic circuitry (not shown) associ-
`ated with the active probe assembly may be connected to the
`electronic test equipment (not shown) associated with the
`female connector portion 12 by a plurality of electrically
`conductive pins 28 which make electrical contact with a
`plurality of corresponding contact pads 14 associated with
`the female connector portion 12 (FIG. 3). The pins 28 and
`contact pads 14 allow for the transmission of the supple-
`mental electrical signals required to operate the active probe
`assembly. However, it should be understood that the use of
`such additional electrical connectors, such as pins 28 and
`contact pads 14, are not required to achieve the objects of
`this invention and the push-lock BNC connector could be
`used just as easily with conventional plain female BNC
`connectors, such as the female connector 11 shown in FIG.
`1.
`
`The female connector portion 12 is best seen in FIG. 3 as
`it could comprise part of a front panel assembly 82 of an
`oscilloscope, logic tester, or other type of electronic device
`(not shown). The female connector portion 12 is of the
`conventional configuration and includes a female receptacle
`84 adapted to receive the center conductor 86 (FIGS. 4, 7)
`of the male BNC center terminal 16. Asleeve 34 surrounds
`
`the female receptacle 84 and makes electrical contact with
`the outer conductor 87 of the male BNC center terminal 16.
`
`The sleeve 34 also includes a pair of locking pins 30 and 32
`positioned in substantially diametrically opposed relation as
`best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5. Depending on the application, the
`female connector portion 12 may also include a plurality of
`contact pads 14 for making electrical contact with the pins
`28 contained on the push-lock connector assembly 10. Such
`an arrangement will allow for the transmission of supple-
`mental electrical signals through the connector 10, such as
`may be required for the operation of active probe assem-
`blies. In one preferred embodiment, the contact pads 14 may
`comprise part of a flexible printed wiring board (not shown)
`
`10
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`6
`of the type well-known in the art. However, other devices
`exist and could be substituted for
`the contact pad/pin
`arrangement shown and described herein without departing
`from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
`The details of the push-lock BNC connector assembly 10
`are best seen in FIG. 4 with occasional reference to FIGS. 2
`and 5-7. Essentially, the push-lock BNC connector assem-
`bly 10 comprises a conventional male BNC center terminal
`16 and a locking assembly 18 which may be mounted to the
`main connector body 42 of an active probe assembly. The
`male BNC center terminal 16 may be mounted to the main
`connector body 42 of the active probe assembly by any
`convenient means, such as by screw threads 98 and may be
`electrically connected to the electronic circuitry (not shown)
`contained within the main connector body 42 in the con-
`ventional manner. Electrical power and/or other electronic
`data signals may be provided to/from the electronic circuitry
`(not shown) contained in the main connector body 42 by the
`plurality of contact pins 28 (FIG. 2).
`In one preferred
`embodiment, the contact pins 28 are removable and are
`slidably received by corresponding contact pin sockets 48
`which extend from the main connector body 42. The contact
`pin sockets 48 are in turn connected to the electronic
`circuitry (not shown) mounted within the main connector
`body 42. The particular type of contact pins 28 and contact
`pin sockets 48 that may be used with the present invention
`are not critical and any of a number of commercially
`available contact pin/socket assemblies may be used without
`departing from the present invention. By way of example,
`one preferred embodiment utilizes a plurality of spring-
`loaded or “pogo” contact pins 28 and corresponding socket
`assemblies 48 available as respective model nos. S-2-J-4-G
`and R-2-R-P from Interconnect Devices, Inc., of Kansas
`City, Kans., although other types of pins and/or pin socket
`assemblies could also be used.
`
`The locking assembly 18 comprises a housing 20, a
`locking sleeve 22, a spring 24, and an alignment sleeve 26.
`The arrangement
`is such that
`the housing 20 receives
`locking sleeve 22, which in turn receives the alignment
`sleeve 26. The entire locking assembly 18 fits over the outer
`sleeve 89 of the male BNC center terminal 16, as best seen
`in FIG. 5. In one preferred embodiment, the housing 20 is
`generally rectangular in shape, although other configurations
`are possible, and includes a central bore 36 therethrough
`sized to receive the cylindrical body portion 50 of locking
`sleeve 22. The central bore 36 also includes a pair of
`alignment tabs 38 and 40 positioned in generally diametri-
`cally opposed relation, as best seen in FIG. 4. Housing 20
`may be secured to the main connector body 42 of the active
`probe assembly (not shown) by any convenient fastener
`system, such as by a pair of screws 44, 46. If it is desired to
`provide the connector assembly 10 with supplemental elec-
`trical conductors, such as a plurality of contact pins 28 (FIG.
`2), the housing 20 should also include a plurality of holes 49
`(FIG. 4) sized and spaced to receive the contact pin sockets
`48 that extend from the main connector body 42.
`The housing assembly 20 may be made from any of a
`wide variety of materials, such as metals or plastics, suitable
`for the intended application. In one preferred embodiment,
`the housing assembly 20 is molded as single piece from ABS
`plastic, although other materials could also be used, as
`would be obvious to persons having ordinary skill in the art.
`The locking sleeve 22 comprises an elongate, cylindri-
`cally shaped body portion 50 having a central bore 62
`therethrough adapted to slidably receive the alignment
`sleeve 26. See FIGS. 4 and 5. The body portion 50 includes
`a pair of slots 52, 54 for engaging the alignment tabs 38 and
`
`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 10/15
`
`HUAWEI EX. 1009 - 10/15
`
`

`
`US 6,305,963 B1
`
`7
`40 on the housing 20. The slots 52 and 54 are wider than the
`alignment tabs 38 and 40 so that the locking sleeve 22 can
`be rotated between the locked position 61 and the unlocked
`position 61‘. See FIGS. 6 and 7.
`Locking sleeve 22 also includes a pair of locking pin
`engaging bosses 56 and 58 that engage the locking pins 30
`and 32 on the sleeve 34 of female connector portion 12. See
`FIGS. 3 and 5. The bosses 56 and 58 are essentially identical
`and are located at substantially diametrically opposed posi-
`tions within the central bore 62 so that they will engage the
`respective locking pins 30 and 32 on the sleeve 34 of the
`female connector assembly 12.
`Referring now specifically now to FIG. 4 and to boss 58,
`boss 58 includes an inclined ramp section 88 which termi-
`nates at an essentially transverse pin stop section 90. Boss 56
`is in every way identical to boss 58 and includes a ramp
`section 85 (FIG. 7) which terminates at a transverse pin stop
`(not shown). Bosses 56 and 58 are mirror images of one
`another so that the pins 30, 32 on the female connector
`assembly 12 engage the respective ramp sections (e.g., 88,
`85) as the locking sleeve 22 slides over the sleeve 34 of the
`female connector portion 12. As will be described in greater
`detail below, the engagement of the locking pins 30, 32 with
`the ramp sections (e.g., 88, 85) of the respective bosses 56,
`58 causes the locking sleeve 22 to rotate in the direction of
`arrow 80 to the unlocked position 61‘ (FIG. 6) as the
`connector assembly is moved over the sleeve 34 of female
`connector portion 12. When the connectors are fully
`engaged, the locking pins 30, 32 of the sleeve 34 of female
`connector 12 are engaged with the transverse pin stops (e.g.,
`90) of the respective locking pin engaging bosses 56, 58. See
`FIG. 5. The locking sleeve 22 also includes an integral tab
`60 to allow the user (not shown)
`to release a locked
`connector assembly by moving the tab 60 in the direction of
`arrow 80 which rotates the locking sleeve 22 to the unlocked
`position 61‘. See FIG. 6.
`The locking sleeve 22 may be made from any of a wide
`variety of materials, such as metals or plastics, that would be
`suitable for the intended application.
`In one preferred
`embodiment, the locking sleeve is made from a single piece
`of stainless steel, although other materials could also be
`used, as would be obvious to persons having ordinary skill
`in the art.
`
`The locking sleeve 22 is biased in the locked position 61
`(FIG. 6) by a spring 24 which engages a small hole 92 in the
`locking sleeve 22. See FIG. 4. The spring 24 fits within a
`recess 94 in housing 20, as is best seen in FIG. 6. The spring
`24 thus biases the locking sleeve in the locked position 61.
`It should be noted that a wide range of springs and other
`biasing devices well-known in the art could be used to bias
`the locking sleeve 22 in the locked position 61, as would be
`obvious to persons having ordinary skill
`in the art.
`Therefore, the present invention should not be regarded as
`limited to any one particular spring arrangement for biasing
`the locking sleeve 22 to the locked position 61.
`Referring back now to FIG. 4, the alignment sleeve 26 is
`generally cylindrically shaped and includes a central bore 96
`therethrough that is sized to receive the male BNC center
`terminal 16. The alignment sleeve 26 provides a defined
`rotational alignment
`for
`the connector portion 10 with
`respect to the female connector portion 12 and also prevents
`the connector assembly 10 from rotating on the female
`connector portion 12 once it is fully engaged and locked.
`Consequently, the push-lock BNC connector assembly 10
`can accommodate the pin 28 and pad 14 arrangement (FIGS.
`2 and 3) without the need for a separate indexing device to
`ensure that the various pins 28 contact the proper contact
`pads 14.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`Still referring to FIG. 4, the alignment sleeve 26 includes
`a pair of notches 64 and 66 that engage the respective
`alignment tabs 38 and 40 of the housing 20. The engagement
`of the notches 64, 66 with the tabs 38, 40 prevents the
`alignment sleeve 26 from rotating with respect to the hous-
`ing 20. Alignment sleeve 26 also includes a pair of indexing
`slots 68 and 70 for engaging the locking pins 30, 32 on the
`sleeve 34 of the female connector portion 12. A pair of
`clearance slots 72, 74 provide clearance for the locking pin
`engaging bosses 56, 58 on the locking sleeve 22 and allow
`the locking sleeve 22 to rotate between the locked position
`61 and the unlocked position 61‘ (FIG. 6).
`As was the case for the locking sleeve 22, the alignment
`sleeve 26 may be made from any of a wide range of
`materials that would be suitable for the expected application
`and environment. In one preferred embodiment, the align-
`ment sleeve 26 is made from a single piece of stainless steel,
`although other materials, such as plastic, could also be used.
`The entire locking assembly 18, comprising the housing
`20, locking sleeve 22, spring 24, and alignment sleeve 26,
`fits over the sleeve 89 of male BNC center terminal 16, as
`best seen in FIG. 5, and provides the male BNC center
`terminal 16 with a push-lock engagement with the female
`BNC connector assembly 12 (FIG. 3). In order to engage the
`connector assembly 10 with the female BNC connector
`assembly 12,
`the user (not shown) would first align the
`engagement slots 76, 78 (i.e., the slots defined between the
`engaging bosses 56, 58 and the indexing slots 68, 70) with
`the locking pins 30, 32 of the female connector 12. See
`FIGS. 2 and 7. This alignment defines the rotational align-
`ment between the connector assembly 10 and the female
`connector portion 12. Having so aligned the connectors, the
`operator would then push the connector assembly 10 over
`the sleeve 34 of the female connector 12. As this is done, the
`locking pins 30, 32 engage the ramp sections (e.g., 88, 85)
`of the respective locking pin engaging bosses 56, 58, which
`causes the locking sleeve 22 to rotate in the direction of
`arrow 80 against the pressure exerted by spring 24 (i.e.,
`toward the unlocked position 61‘). When the connector 10 is
`fully inserted on the female connector portion 12,
`the
`locking pins 30, 32 clear the ramp sections (e.g., 88, 85) of
`the bosses 56, 58, at which time the pressure exerted by
`spring 24 returns the locking sleeve 22 to the locked position
`61 (FIGS. 5 and 6). The locking pins 30, 32 are now engaged
`with the transverse pin stops (e.g., 90) of the