[11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,426,127
`
`Jan. 17, 1984
`
`.......... .. 339/258 R
`2/1978 McConnell et al.
`4,072,392
`8/1978 Cooper ..................... .. 339/ 143 R
`4,106,839
`4,128,293 12/1978 Paoli
`. . . .. .
`. . ... 339/258 R
`4,248,492 2/1981 Snyder ................... .. 339/89 M
`4,278,317
`7/1981 Gallussner et al.
`339/258 R
`4,326,768
`4/1982 Punako ......................... .. 339/143 R
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner—Eugene F. Desmond
`Assistant Examiner-—David L. Pirlot
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—-—Hayes, Davis & Soloway
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACI‘
`
`A coaxial connector comprising a male half of conven-
`tional construction and a female half having an annular
`electrical contact member which is a spring and which
`functions to provide continuous annular outer conduc-
`tor electrical contact and RFI suppression. The annular
`spring member provides continuous annular outer con-
`ductor contact even during slight conductor misalign-
`ment or matched pairs not totally seated.
`
`11 Claims, 17 Drawing Figures
`
`United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Kubota
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`[73]
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[53]
`
`[56]
`
`COAXIAL CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY
`
`Inventor:
`
`James Kubota, Amherst, N.H.
`
`Assignee: Omni Spectra, Inc., Merrimack, N.H.
`
`Appl. No.: 324,113
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 23, 1981
`
`Int. Cl.3 ........................................... .. H01R 17/18
`U.S. Cl.
`......................... .. 339/177 R; 339/252 R;
`339/256 RT; 339/DIG. 3
`Field of Search ........... .. 339/177 R, 177 E, 89 C,
`339/90 C, DIG. 3, 256 R, 252 R, 258 R, 258
`RR, 259 R, 255 R, 255 RT, 256 RT
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Merchant .
`Melcher ............................ .. 339/143
`Brancaleone .
`.. 339/143 R
`Boliver .. .... . .. .
`.. . . .. 339/258 R
`Spinner .
`.... .. 339/117 R
`Herrmann ................. .. 339/117 R
`
`
`
`1,321,934 11/1919
`2,762,025
`9/1956
`3,678,445
`7/1972
`3,678,451 7/1972
`3,792,419 2/1974
`3,871,735
`3/1975
`
`22
`
`
`
`
`A
`'6‘
`
`
`'
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`j’ ,,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CORNING EXHIBIT 1032
`
`CORNING EXHIBIT 1032
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 17, 1984
`
`Sheet 1 of4
`
`4,426,127
`
`
`
`I
`
`.
`
`I
`
`
`
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`
`1,11‘;
`II/I111///4
`
`'
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`
`‘
`
`,
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 17, 1984
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`4,426,127
`
`
`
`
`
`
`-~3
`
`
`
`
`
`33
`
`F/G60
`
`40
`
`35
`
`.28
`
`5? ’“ 54
`
`
`
`F/G. 6b
`
`35
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 17, 1984
`
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`4,426,127
`
`26
`
`
`
`
`
`34
`
` .
`
`
`
`30
`
`22
`
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` '
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jan. 17, 1984
`
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`4,426,127
`
`76
`
`24
`
`
` '
`
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`
`
`
`

`
`1
`
`COAXIAL CONNECI‘OR ASSEMBLY
`
`4,426, 127
`
`The present invention relates to electrical connector
`assemblies, and more particularly, to quick connect/dis-
`connect connector assemblies for electrically coupling
`two components or modules together or to gain access
`to a certain point in an electronic circuit assembly. The
`invention has particular application as so-called “plug-
`gable connectors” for coaxial transmission lines, and
`will be described in connection with such application. It
`will be understood, however, that the quick connect-
`/disconnect connector assembly of the present inven-
`tion may be employed in other electronic environments
`such as for electrically coupling racks and panels, back
`planes, component modules to mother boards, compo-
`nent module to component module or other electronic
`systems packaging.
`A principal requirement for a pluggable electrical
`connector assembly is to provide a convenient connec-
`tion means which effects an acceptably low disturbance
`of the electrical signals being transmitted or carried
`between the coupled components. Typically, electrical
`connector assembly performance characteristics can
`heavily influence total electrical systems performance.
`Quick disconnects permit rapid access for maintenance
`or repair functions. Accordingly, the art has directed
`much attention to the design of electrical connector
`assemblies.
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`improved quick connect/disconnect electrical connec-
`tor assembly characterized by low signal disturbance
`and/or signal attenuation. Another object of the present
`invention is to provide an improved quick connect/dis-
`connect electrical connector assembly of the foregoing
`type and characterized by low engagement/disengage-
`ment forces.
`Briefly described, the present invention provides a
`novel pluggable connector assembly for electrically
`coupling two ends of a coaxial circuit configuration,
`each characterized by an inner conductor positioned
`within an outer conductive shield surrounding the inner
`conductor, and comprising a male connector assembly
`and a mating female connector assembly. The male
`connector assembly is of conventional construction and
`typically comprises a male plug assembly in the form of
`an electrically conductive inner conduct pin member
`for electrical connection to a coaxial circuit inner con-
`ductor, and an electrically conductive outer conductor
`member, electrically isolated from and surrounding the
`electrically conductive inner conductor pin member, in
`part, for electrical connection to the coaxial circuit
`outer conductor/shield. The female connector assem-
`bly comprises a female receptacle assembly having a
`bore of generally complementary profile for accommo-
`dating the male plug assembly, and including an electri-
`cally conductive inner conductive contact assembly for
`receiving and contacting the male plug assembly inner
`conductor pin member and for electrical connection to
`a coaxial circuit inner conductor, and an electrically
`conductive outer conductor contact member electri-
`cally isolated from and surrounding the electrically
`conductive inner conductor contact assembly, in part,
`for receiving and contacting the male plug assembly
`outer conductor member and for electrical connection
`to a coaxial circuit outer conductor/shield. The female
`receptacle assembly inner conductor contact assembly
`comprises an electrically conductive slotted metallic
`
`2
`contact member of convention construction, and an
`electrically conductive metallic hood member sur-
`rounding the slotted Contact member and electrically
`connected thereto. In a preferred embodiment of the
`invention the hood member has a generally inwardly
`directed integral annular flange portion which provides
`continuous, i.e. circumferential (360°) substantially con-
`stant diameter continuation of mated inner conductors.
`The female-receptacle assembly outer contact member
`comprises an electrically conductive spring contact
`member having a generally outwardly flared integral
`slotted flange portion at one end thereof, and a gener-
`ally inwardly flared slotted flange portion at the other
`-end thereof. The female receptacle assembly outer
`contact member is dimensioned and shaped so as to
`completely surround the plug member outer contact, i.e
`provide continuous (360°) substantially constant diame-
`ter continuation of mated outer contacts, while at the
`same time provide very low engagement/disengage-
`ment forces whereby to permit convenient connection
`and disconnection of the male and female connector
`assemblies.
`Still other features and many of the attendant advan-
`tages of the invention are set forth or rendered obvious
`by the following detailed description which is to be
`considered together with the accompanying drawings
`wherein like numbers denote similar parts, and wherein
`FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in cross-section of an
`electrical connector assembly made in accordance with
`the present invention and showing a male plug assembly
`mated with a female receptacle assembly;
`FIG. 2 is a side elevational view in cross-section of
`the connector assembly of FIG. 1, and showing the
`male plug assembly disengaged from the female recep-
`tacle assembly;
`FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational view in cross-sec-
`tion, and showing certain details of the outer contact
`member of the female receptacle assembly of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is an enlarged elevational View in cross-sec-
`tion, and showing still further details of the structure of
`FIG. 3;
`FIG. 5 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 4, taken
`along the plane 5-5;
`FIG. 6a is an enlarged elevational view in cross-sec-
`tion, and showing details of the contacting members of
`the connector assembly of FIG. 1 with the male plug
`assembly and female receptacle assembly marginally
`engaged;
`FIG. 6b is a view similar to FIG. 6a, but showing the
`male plug assembly and female receptacle assembly
`normally engaged;
`FIG. 6c is a View similar to FIG. 611, but showing the
`male plug assembly and female receptacle assembly
`fully engaged;
`FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view, partly in
`cross-section, and showing details the inner conductor
`contact assembly the female receptacle assembly of
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 7, taken
`along the plane of 7-7;
`FIG. 9a is an enlarged elevational view in cross-sec-
`tion, and showing details of the inner conductors of
`FIG. 1 with the male plug assembly and female recepta-
`cle assembly marginally engaged;
`FIG. 9b is a view similar to FIG. 9a, but showing the
`male plug assembly and female receptacle assembly
`normally engaged;
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`40
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`65
`
`

`
`3
`FIG. 9c is a view similar to FIG. 9a, but showing the
`male plug assembly and female receptacle assembly
`fully engaged;
`FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view in cross-
`section, and showing details of an alternative construc-
`tion of female receptacle assembly inner conductor
`contact assembly in accordance with the present inven-
`tion;
`FIG. 11 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 10,
`taken along the plane of 10-10;
`FIG. 12 is an enlarged side elevational view in cross-
`section and showing details of yet another construction
`of female receptacle assembly inner conductor contact
`assembly in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 13 is an end view of the structure of FIG. 12,
`taken along the plane of 13-13.
`One embodiment of electrical connector assembly
`made in accordance with the present invention is shown
`in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. (For convenience of
`illustration only a portion of the connector assembly is
`shown in the drawings.) The connector assembly com-
`prises a male plug assembly 20 and a mating female
`receptacle assembly 22. Male plug assembly 20 is of
`conventional construction and comprises an electrically
`conductive inner conductor pin member 24 of circular
`cross-section for electrical connection, in known man-
`ner,
`to the inner conductor of a coaxial circuit (not
`shown), and an electrically conductive outer conductor
`member 26 of circular cross-section for electrical con-
`nection,
`in known manner to the outer conductor/-
`shield of a coaxial circuit (not shown). The inner con-
`ductor pin member 24 and outer conductor member 26
`are electrically isolated from one another by an annular
`spacer 28 formed of a suitable dielectric material. Al-
`though this annular spacer is illustrated as a thin head, it
`can completely or partially fill the annular space. Fur-
`ther details of male plug assembly 20 have been omitted
`as they are not believed necessary for an understanding
`of the present invention.
`Female receptacle assembly 22 comprises a generally
`cylindrical outer housing member 30 formed of electri-
`cally conductive material and having a blind bore or
`hole 32 of generally complementary profile for accom-
`modating male plug assembly 20. Referring in particular
`to FIGS. 3 to 5 a resiliently deformable electrical con-
`ductive spring contact member 34, made of metal or a
`conductive elastomer such as metal filled rubber or the
`like, in the form of a generally short cylindrical body,
`flared outwardly at one end 36 thereof, and inwardly at
`its outer end 38, i.e., crown-like shaped, is fitted within
`housing member 30 with the spring contact member 34
`outwardly flared end 36 captured within an annular
`groove 42 formed in the inner wall surface 40 of hous-
`ing member 30, and with the spring Contact member 34
`inwardly flared end 38 adjacent to or seated against an
`internal end wall 44 of housing member 30. Referring in
`particular to FIGS. 4 and 5 a plurality of slots 46 and 48
`are formed in spring contact member 34 flared ends 36
`and 38, respectively, for facilitating shaping of the
`spring contact member 34 flared ends 36 and 38, and for
`increasing relative flexibility of the spring contact mem-
`ber 34 for reasons as will become clear from the descrip-
`tion following.
`Spring member 34 is dimensioned and shaped in gen-
`eral conformity with bore 32, but with a portion 39 of
`the spring contact member 34 normally displaced in
`part from contact with the bore internal profile. As will
`be described in detail hereinafter, upon engagement of
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,426, 127
`
`4
`the male plug assembly 20 electrically conductive outer
`conductor member 26 flexible spring contact member
`34 flexes outwardly at portion 39 to more closely con-
`form to the receptacle bore interior profile. Spring
`contact member 34 should also be dimensioned and
`shaped so as to permit minimum physical interference
`with but close fit on the male plug assembly 20 outer
`conductor contact member 26 when the male and fe-
`male connector assemblies are mated to one another.
`
`Tolerances are selected so as to provide desired low
`engagement/disengagement forces taking into account
`the relative sizes of the mating members and the coeffi-
`cient of elasticity of flexible spring contact member 34,
`while assuring continuous circumferential (360°) electri-
`cal contact between the mated parts as will be described
`in detail hereinbelow.
`
`FIGS. 6:: to 6c, illustrate male plug assembly 20 in-
`serted into female receptacle assembly 22 under varying
`conditions of mating. For making a connection, male
`plug assembly 20 is inserted fitted into female receptacle
`assembly 22. As seen in FIG. 6a, spring contact member
`34 outwardly flared end 36 permits initial entry of the
`male plug outer conductor contact member 26. Contin-
`ued insertion of the male plug assembly causes spring
`contact member 34 to flex and to eventually lay flat on
`the female receptacle inner wll surface 40. Continued
`insertion of the male plug assembly urges the contacting
`parts surfaces together in wiping engagement so as to
`clear away any foreign matter on the contacting sur-
`faces and to break through any thin insulating films
`(oxides) that may have formed on the contacting sur-
`faces.
`Referring specifically to FIG. 611, there is illustrated a
`male plug assembly 20 and female receptacle assembly
`22 made in accordance with the present invention just
`marginally engaged, i.e. with the male and female as-
`semblies unseated by a gap 50. Notwithstanding only
`relatively marginal engagment of the male and female
`connectors, it will be seen that minimum electric shield-
`ing conditions required for low radio frequency inter-
`ference and/or electromagnetic interference are satis-
`fied by the existence of substantial mating surfaces 51
`between male plug outer conductor contact member 26
`and spring contact member 34, and between receptacle
`inner wall surface 40 and spring contact member 34. In
`other words, flexible spring contact member 34 pro-
`vides
`continuous
`circumferential
`(360°)
`electrical
`Contact between male plug assembly 20 and female
`receptacle assembly 22 so that radio frequency interfer-
`ence and/or electromagnetic interference is minimized
`even through the male plug and female receptacle as-
`semblies are not fully engaged.
`FIG. 6b illustrates the male plug assembly and female
`receptacle assembly in accordance with the present
`invention under normal mating engagement. As seen in
`FIG. 6b the male plug and female receptacle assemblies
`are now sufficiently engaged so that spring Contact
`member 34 can engage wall contact surface 44 of the
`female receptacle assembly,
`i.e., at reverse bend 52,
`while edge surface 54 contacts the leading end surface
`56 of male plug assembly outer conductor contact sur-
`face 26 thus providing substantially uniform circumfer-
`ential (360°) contact between male plug assembly 20 and
`female receptacle assembly 22 at additional points. Ad-
`ditionally spring contact member 34 flared end 38 now
`partially fills gap 50 so as to further minimize signal
`disruptions resulting in improved signal
`transmission
`efficiency.
`
`

`
`5
`FIG. 6c illustrates male plug assembly 20 fully seated
`within female receptacle assembly 22. As seen in FIG.
`6c, when the male plug assembly 20 is full seated within
`female receptacle assembly 22 spring contact member
`34 is captured between and in substantially continuous
`electrical contact with the engaged male and female
`connector assemblies. This results in substantially uni-
`form continuous (360°) maximum electrical contact
`between male plug assembly 20 outer conductor mem-
`ber 26 and the female receptacle assembly 22 outer
`member 30 and thus provides an electrically uninter-
`rupted outer conductor shield connect between the
`mated plug and female receptacle assemblies which
`improves signal transmission efflciency with minimum
`RFI/EMI.
`FIG. 7 and 8 illustrate certain details of the female
`connector assembly 22 inner conductor contact assem-
`bly construction. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 female
`receptacle assembly 22 inner conductor contact
`in-
`cludes a slotted inner socket contact 60 of conventional
`construction. The latter is electrically isolated from the
`receptacle assembly 22 outer housing member 30 by an
`annular spacer 61 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) formed of a suit-
`able dielectric material, and is surrounded by a resil-
`iently flexible generally cylindrical electrically conduc-
`tive hood member 62 formed of metal or an electrically
`conductive elastomer. Slotted socket contact 60 and ‘
`hood member 62 are of close fit and are electrically
`connected to one another, e.g. along surface 64. An
`inwardly directed integral flange 66 is formed at the
`other end of hood member 62. Socket contact 60 and
`hood member 62 are close fitted axially and are near
`coincident at their entry ends 68 and 70, and are dimen-
`sioned so as to accommodate male plug connector 20
`inner conductor pin member 24 (see FIG. 2). As seen
`particularly in FIG. 8, hood member 62 flange 66 is
`slotted at 72, the purpose of which is to permit ready
`flexing of the flange end, the reason for which will
`become clear from the description following.
`FIGS. 9a to 9c illustrate male plug assembly 20 inner
`conductor pin member 24 inserted into female recepta-
`cle assembly 22 inner conductor contact assembly
`under varying degrees of mating. As before male plug
`assembly 20 is inserted into the female plug assembly 22.
`FIG. 911 illustrates male plug assembly 20 and receptacle
`assembly 22 just marginally engaged. As seen in FIG.
`9a,
`inserting inner conductor pin member 24 slightly
`into socket contact 60, pin member 24 will make solid
`electrical contact with the leading inner edge surfaces
`74 of slotted contact 60, while hood member 62 pro-
`vides substantially uniform circumferential (360°) elec-
`trical surround of the mated inner conductors.
`Referring to FIG. 9b,
`inserting male connector as-
`sembly 20 further into female receptacle assembly 22
`produces electrical contact of leading edge 76 of hood
`member 62 with pin member 24 at surface 78. Electrical
`contact between edge 76 and pin surface 78 also is en-
`hanced by the sliding (wiping) action of hood member
`62 on pin surface 78. Contacting surfaces 76 and 78 also
`provide substantially uniform circumferential
`(360°)
`electrical contact, and the hood flange 66 fills the gap 80
`between the inner conductor members of male plug
`assembly 20 and female receptacle assembly 22 so as to
`further minimize signal disruptions.
`FIG. 9c illustrates optimum inner conductor mating
`between male plug assembly 20 and female receptacle
`assembly 22. As seen in FIG. 9c, inserting male connec-
`tor assembly 20 further into female receptacle assembly
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,426,127
`
`l0
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`6
`22 brings hood member 62 and pin member 24 outer
`surface in substantial coincidence, completely filling
`gap 80, and resulting in substantially continuous electri-
`cal contact of the inner conductor member of male plug
`assembly 20 and female receptacle assembly 22.
`As should be clear from the foregoing the instant
`invention provides improved low engagement force
`quick
`connect/disconnect
`(pluggable) , connectors.
`Moreover, connector engagement
`forces may be
`readily tailored by suitable selection of materials and
`member tolerances, i.e., so as to permit multiple connec-
`tions to be simultaneously engaged or disengaged. If
`desired, one or both of the mating connectors can be
`float-mounted to achieve self-alignment for multiple
`connector matings. Furthermore, the connectors of the
`present invention provide superior R.F. performance
`due to continuous circumferential
`(360°) electrical
`contact even when the mating connectors are mis-
`aligned, or mated pairs not seated totally, i.e., as illus-
`trated in FIGS. 6a and 6b and 9a and 9b. The continu-
`ous electrical contacts provided by the instant invention
`result
`in uniform symmetrical electrical phase front
`(planar wave) propagating through the mated connec-
`tor parts, and low RFI (Radio Frequency Interference)-
`/EMI (Electromagnetic Interference). The resulting
`minimum electrical disturbance results in greater trans-
`mission efficiency and lower VSWR (Voltage Standing
`Wave Ratio).
`Certain changes may be made in the foregoing prod-
`uct without departing from the spirit and scope of in-
`vention herein described. For example, male plug as-
`sembly 20 and female receptacle assembly 22 and the
`various mating parts thereof have been described as
`being of generally circular cross-section; however, they
`can be of square, rectangular or other suitable mating
`shapes. Moreover, hood member 62 need not be slotted
`adjacent its flanged end, but rather may simply com-
`prise a folded over continuous integral flange 82 as
`shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Alternatively, flange may be
`omitted from the hood member so that the hood mem-
`ber simply comprises a cylindrical metallic body 84 as
`shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Still other changes will be
`obvious to one skilled in the art.
`I claim:
`
`1. A connector assembly of the pluggable type for
`electrically coupling two ends of a coaxial circuit con-
`figuration including (A) a male plug assembly compris-
`ing (1) an electrically conductive inner conductor pin
`member for electrical connection to a coaxial circuit
`inner conductor, and (2) an electrically conductive
`outer conductor member, electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive pin member in
`part, and (B) a mating female receptacle assembly hav-
`ing a bore of generally complementary profile for ac-
`commodating said male plug assembly, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly comprising (1) an electrically con-
`ductive inner conductor contact member for receiving
`and contacting said male plug assembly inner conductor
`pin member, (2) an electrically conductive outer con-
`ductor contact member electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive inner conduc-
`tor contact assembly in part, for receiving and contact-
`ing said male plug assembly outer contact member, said
`female receptacle assembly outer conductor contact
`member having a resiliently flexible spring contact
`member which is (a) normally displaced in part from
`contact with said receptacle bore interior profile, and
`which, upon engagement of said male plug assembly
`
`

`
`7
`electrically conductive outer conductor member (b)
`flexes outwardly to more closely conform to said recep-
`tacle bore interior profile, and which, upon continued
`insertion of said male plug assembly (c) presses progres-
`sively into engagement with said male plug assembly
`electrically conductive outer conductor member, and
`(3) an electrically conductive hood member electrically
`connected to and surrounding, in part, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly inner conductor contact member,
`said resiliently flexible spring contact member having a
`generally outwardly directed integral flange at the male
`plug engaging end thereof, and a generally inwardly
`directed integral flange at the other end thereof, and
`said female receptacle assembly having an annular
`groove formed therein for accommodating said out-
`wardly directed flange.
`2. A connector assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said resiliently flexible spring contact member
`is slotted adjacent its flanged ends thereby forming
`contact fingers.
`3. A connector assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said resiliently flexible spring contact member
`comprises a spring metal.
`4. A connector assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said electrically conductive hood member has
`a generally inwardly directed integral flange which
`terminates near the male plug engaging end of its associ-
`ated electrically conductive inner conductive contact
`member.
`5. A connector assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said electrically conductive hood member
`comprises a metal.
`6. A connector assembly of the pluggable type for
`electrically coupling two ends of a coaxial circuit con-
`figuration including (A) a male plug assembly compris-
`ing (I) an electrically conductive inner conductor pin
`member for electrical connection to a coaxial circuit
`inner conductor, and (2) an electrically conductive
`outer conductor member, electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive pin member in
`part, and (B) a mating female receptacle assembly hav-
`ing a bore of generally complementary profile for ac-
`commodating said male plug assembly, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly comprising (1) an electrically con-
`ductive inner conductor contact member for receiving
`and contacting said male plug assembly inner conductor
`pin member, (2) an electrically conductive outer con-
`ductor contact member electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive inner conduc-
`tor contact assembly in part, for receiving and contact-
`ing said male plug assembly outer contact member, said
`female receptacle assembly outer conductor contact
`member having a resiliently flexible spring contact
`member which is (a) normally displaced in part from
`contact with said receptacle bore interior profile, and
`which, upon engagement of said male plug assembly
`electrically conductive outer conductor member (b)
`flexes outwardly to more closely conform to said recep-
`tacle bore interior profile, and which, upon continued
`insertion of said male plug assembly (c) presses progres-
`sively into engagement with said male plug assembly
`electrically conductive outer conductor member, and
`(3) an electrically conductive hood member electrically
`connected to and surrounding, in part, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly inner conductor contact member,
`said resiliently flexible spring contact member compris-
`ing an electrically conductive elastomer.
`7. A connector assembly of the pluggable type for
`electrically coupling two ends of a coaxial circuit con-
`figuration including (A) a male plug assembly compris-
`ing (1) an electrically conductive inner conductor pin
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,426,127
`
`8
`member for electrical connection to a coaxial circuit
`inner conductor, and (2) an electrically conductive
`outer conductor member, electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive pin member in
`part, and (B) a mating female receptacle assembly hav-
`ing a bore of generally complementary profile for ac-
`commodating said male plug assembly, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly comprising (1) an electrically con-
`ductive inner conductor contact member for receiving
`and contacting said male plug assembly inner conductor
`pin member, (2) an electrically conductive outer con-
`ductor contact member electrically isolated from and
`surrounding said electrically conductive inner conduc-
`tor contact assembly in part, for receiving and contact-
`ing said male plug assembly outer contact member, said
`female receptacle assembly outer conductor contact
`member having a resiliently flexible spring contact
`member which is (a) normally displaced in part from
`contact with said receptacle bore interior profile, and
`which, upon engagement of said male plug assembly
`electrically conductive outer conductor member (b)
`flexes outwardly to more closely conform to said recep-
`tacle bore interior profile, and which, upon continued
`insertion of said male plug assembly (c) presses progres-
`sively into engagement with said male plug assembly
`electrically conductive outer conductor member, and
`(3) an electrically conductive hood member electrically
`connected to and surrounding, in part, said female re-
`ceptacle assembly inner conductor contact member,
`said electrically conductive hood member being slotted
`adjacent its flanged end thereby forming contact fin-
`gers.
`8. A connector assembly according to claim 1,
`wherein said electrically conductive hood member
`comprises an electrically conductive elastomer.
`9. A connector assembly according to any one of
`claims 1, 2, 3, 6, 4, 7, 5 or 8, the improvement wherein
`said mating inner contact members and said mating
`outer contact members, respectively, are generally cir-
`cular in cross section.
`10. The female half of a coaxial connector for use
`with a male half, and comprising (1) an electrically
`conductive circular outer conduit of generally circular
`cross-section, bored to receive and mating with the
`male half thereof, (2) an electrically conductive socket
`therein of generally circular cross-section adapted to
`receive and mate with an inner conductive generally
`cylindrical pin centrally disposed in said male half, (3)
`an electrical insulator supporting said socket within and
`spaced from said outer conduit but leaving the ends of
`said socket and outer conduit free, (4) and electrically
`conductive sheath surrounding and in contact with said
`socket,
`in part, and having an outer end adapted to
`make substantially 360° contact with the cylindrical
`surface of said cylindrical pin, and (5) a generally cylin-
`drical electrically conductive spring sleeve retained
`within the bore of said outer conduit and in electrical
`contact therewith, the walls, of said sleeve being in-
`wardly curved when uncompressed, and dimensioned
`such that upon the insertion of the male half therein,
`said sleeve makes substantially 360° contact thereabout,
`said sleeve having an outwardly directed integral slot-
`ted flange at its outer end and an inwardly directed
`integral slotted flange at its inner end, and said electri-
`cally conductive outer circuit having a circumferential
`groove for accommodating said outwardly directed
`flange.
`11. The female half according to claim 10, wherein
`said sheath has an inwardly directed integral slotted
`flange at its outer end.*
`*
`*
`*
`*