(12) United States Patent
`Palinkas et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,716,062 B1
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`US006716062B1
`
`(54) COAXIAL CABLE F CONNECTOR WITH
`IMPROVED RFI SEALING
`
`5,490,801 A
`5,501,616 A
`5,516,303 A
`
`2/1996 Fisher, Jr. et al.
`3/1996 Holliday
`5/1996 Yohn et al.
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Raymond Palinkas, Canastota, NY
`(US); Michael T. Fox, Syracuse, NY
`(US); N031‘ Momma’ Syracuse’ NY
`(US)
`
`_
`_
`.
`(73) Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.,
`East Syracuse, NY (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/277,756
`
`Oct 21: 2002
`Ffled3
`(22)
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................ .. H01R 9/05
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`...................... .. 439/578; 439/320; 439/700
`(58) Field of Search ............................... .. 439/578, 320,
`439/583_585’ 322’ 323’ 700’ 824’ 607’
`610
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U~S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,587,033 A
`6/1971 Bmrein
`3,680,034 A
`7/1972 Chow et al.
`439/322
`3,731,762 A as 12/1973 Quackenbush
`3,970,355 A *
`7/1976 Pitschi
`..................... .. 439/578
`4,174,875 A
`11/1979 Wilson et al.
`4,285,564 A
`8/1981 Spinner
`4»836a801 A
`6/1989 Ramirez
`439159651 A
`4/1990 B01.”
`4,941,846 A *
`7/1990 Guimond et al.
`5,011,432 A
`4/1991 Sucht et 211.
`5,217,393 A
`6/1993 Del Negro et 211.
`5,439,386 A
`8/1995 Ellis et al.
`
`......... .. 439/578
`
`5571:0253 A
`2
`5:746:617 A
`5,746,619 A
`5,769,652 A
`5,879,191 A
`5,921,793 A
`5,944,548 A
`6,053,777 A *
`.
`.
`* Clted by examlner
`
`11/1996 Szfigda
`gfirfizret al
`5/1998 Porter, Jr. et al.
`5/1998 Harting et al.
`6/1998 Wider
`3/1999 Bums
`7/1999 Phillips
`8/1999 Saito
`4/2000 Boyle ....................... .. 439/700
`
`Primary Examiner—Renee Luebke
`Assistant Examiner—Felix O. Figueroa
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Christopher R. Pastel;
`Hancock & ES‘ab‘°°k> LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`.
`.
`An F-type connector for mounting to a prepared terminal
`end of a coaxial cable for threaded engagement of a nut on
`the connector to a threaded shaft at a port on video equip-
`ment to which the coaxial cable is to be electrically con-
`nected. In the connector of the present invention, the nut is
`mounted for limited axial movement with respect to the post,
`body and compression ring. A CO1l spring biases the nut
`toward a rest position with respect to the other elements
`wherein not more than three revolutions of the nut into
`engagement with the shaft are necessary in order to bring the
`post of the connector into contact with the shaft on the
`equipment, providing a satisfactory coupling. Upon further
`revolution of the nut, the post and shaft remain in Contact as
`the nut moves axially away from the rest position with
`res ed to the other elements
`P
`
`"
`
`33 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
` IO
`
`PPC Exhibit 2010
`
`Coming v. PPC
`|PR2016—O1569
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 6, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
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`US 6,716,062 B1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 6, 2004
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`US 6,716,062 B1
`
`1
`COAXIAL CABLE F CONNECTOR WITH
`IMPROVED RFI SEALING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to F-type connectors used in
`CATV applications, and more specifically to structure pro-
`viding improved engagement of the RFI seal of such con-
`nectors against the connector face.
`The frequencies of RF signals transmitted through coaxial
`cables to a subscriber TV set are typically in the range of 5
`to 40 MHZ. This frequency range is plagued with noise
`ingress that degrades system performance. Studies have
`shown that
`the majority of ingress is related to poorly
`installed F connectors. These connectors are normally
`mounted upon the end of a coaxial cable for connection to
`a port on the television set. Connection is usually made by
`the subscriber in the home via an internally threaded nut of
`the connector and an externally threaded stub shaft sur-
`rounding the port. For fully threaded connection, ensuring
`the necessary abutment of the RFI seal of the cable against
`the equipment connector face, the nut must be rotated up to
`5 or 6 full revolutions. The typical, non-technical subscriber
`making the installation often fails to fully tighten the con-
`nector for one or both of two reasons:
`first,
`the visual
`performance functions may be obtained with a partial con-
`nection and, once the subscriber sees the video operating on
`the TV screen,
`it
`is assumed that
`the connection is
`satisfactory, and, secondly, the location of the equipment is
`often such that the subscriber must reach around and behind
`
`the equipment and thus cannot sec the port as the connector
`is being installed.
`It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
`an F-type connector for threaded engagement with a port on
`a TV set or other equipment receiving RF signals through a
`coaxial cable to which the connector is mounted wherein a
`
`secure RFI seal is obtained in a simplified manner.
`Another object is to provide an F-type connector having
`novel and improved features ensuring shielded connection to
`an input port and which is compatible with an end portion of
`a coaxial cable which has been prepared in an industry
`standard manner.
`
`A further object is to provide an F-type connector with
`enhanced ease of proper installation which is compatible
`with either compression or crimp attachment of the connec-
`tor to the coaxial cable.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part
`appear hereinafter.
`
`50
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The connector of the invention is disclosed in two
`
`embodiments each having a total of five elements, namely,
`a body, a nut, a post, a compression ring and a coil spring.
`The body, nut, post and compression ring are basically the
`same in structure and function as corresponding elements in
`conventional F connectors, and are mounted in similar
`manner upon the end of the coaxial cable. That is, the nut is
`connected to the flanged end of the post and is freely
`rotatable, although axially moveable, with respect thereto.
`The end of the cable is prepared for mounting to the
`connector by stripping away all covering layers from the
`central, rigid conductor for a first length, and stripping the
`braided, shielding layer and outer layer of dielectric material
`for a second length. The non-flanged end of the post is then
`forced between the aluminum conducting layer which sur-
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`rounds the inner layer of dielectric material and the braided
`layer until the end of the inner dielectric layer and surround-
`ing conducting layer are substantially coplanar with the
`surrounding, annular surface of the post. The relative axial
`positions of the nut and post are such that, in the typical case,
`six or seven full revolutions of the nut are required to bring
`the annular post surface into contact with the end of the stub
`shaft surrounding the port on the equipment to which the
`connector is attached; anything less than full contact of the
`connector post with the stub shaft, as previously mentioned,
`provides incomplete shielding and permits noise ingress.
`In the connector of the present invention, the additional
`element,
`i.e.,
`the coil spring, has opposite ends bearing
`against the underside of the post flange and a portion of the
`nut. The nut is axially movable to a limited degree with
`respect to the post (and other elements of the connector)
`between a first, or rest position, in which it is held by the
`spring prior to threading the nut onto the shaft, and a second
`position, wherein the nut is axially displaced by a maximum
`distance from the rest position. In the rest position, the
`threaded portion of the nut extends a short way, e.g., one or
`two thread revolutions, beyond the end of the inner dielectric
`layer and aluminum conducting layer of the coax cable and
`the surrounding, annular surface of the post. Thus, when the
`end of the nut is brought into contact with the end of the
`shaft, only one or two revolutions of the nut are required to
`establish contact of the post surface and shaft,
`thereby
`providing an acceptable degree of shielding to prevent
`ingress of noise and degradation of signal at the connector-
`equipment interface. However, the connector of the inven-
`tion permits further threaded engagement of the nut and
`shaft by compression of the spring upon continued rotation
`of the nut as the latter moves axially with respect to the post.
`In the first disclosed embodiment,
`the elements are
`assembled by inserting the non-flanged end of the post into
`the connector body until the latter abuts the underside of the
`flange, then placing the spring in surrounding relation to the
`body with one end contacting the underside of the flange,
`outwardly of the body. The nut is then placed over the post
`flange and spring with the inner end of the threaded portion
`of the nut contacting the post flange on the surface opposite
`a first end of the spring and the other, open end of the nut
`extending past the other end of the spring. This open end of
`the nut is then deformed, i.e., peened over, to a diameter less
`than that of the spring, whereby the ends of the spring are
`captured between the underside of the post flange and the
`deformed end of the nut. Axial movement of the nut relative
`
`to the post in a direction moving the threaded end of the nut
`away from the post, as when the nut is threaded onto the
`shaft of the equipment
`input port,
`thus compresses the
`spring. Conversely, when the threaded connection is
`removed, the spring moves the nut back to its aforemen-
`tioned rest position with respect to the post.
`In the second disclosed embodiment, the spring is cap-
`tured between the underside of the post flange and an
`integrally formed flange on the inside of the nut, spaced
`from the threaded portion thereof. In this case, the spring
`surrounds the post (rather than the body), the elements being
`assembled by placing the spring within the nut, one end of
`the spring contacting the ingral flange within the nut, then
`inserting the post through the nut and mounting the body
`upon the post below the nut. This embodiment has the
`advantage that no deforming or peening operation is
`required in assembly of the elements; however, a non-
`standard preparation of the end of the coax cable is required
`due to the spacing of the end of the body from the underside
`of the post flange.
`
`

`
`US 6,716,062 B1
`
`3
`The foregoing and other features of construction and
`operation of the invention will be more readily understood
`and fully appreciated from the following detailed disclosure,
`taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodi-
`ment of the elements of the connector of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded, side elevational view, in section, of
`the elements of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, with portions broken
`away, of the elements of FIGS. 1 and 2 in assembled
`condition, mounted upon one end of a coaxial cable;
`FIG. 3a is an enlargement of the circled portion of FIG.
`3 showing one of the elements in an initial configuration,
`prior to a mechanical forming operation;
`FIGS. 3b—3a' are side elevational views, with portions
`broken away, of the assembled elements of the connector
`with associated coaxial cable end and equipment port,
`showing three sequential, relative positions of the elements
`as the connector is threadedly engaged with a shaft on the
`TV receiver or other such equipment;
`FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second
`embodiment of the connector;
`FIG. 5 is an exploded, side elevational view, in section, of
`the elements of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 is a side elevational view, with portions broken
`away, of the elements of FIGS. 4 and 5 in assembled
`condition, mounted upon one end of a coaxial cable with
`certain elements in a first position of relative movement; and
`FIG. 7 is the same view as FIG. 6 with the elements in a
`
`second position of relative movement.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Elements of the preferred embodiment of the invention
`are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector of this embodi-
`ment being denoted generally by reference numeral 10.
`Connector 10 is made up of a total of five elements, namely,
`nut 12, post 14, coil spring 16, body 18 and compression ring
`20. Nut 12 includes internally threaded bore 22 at one end
`and cylindrical skirt 24 which in its initial form is of constant
`diameter, larger than that of bore 22, throughout its axial
`length. Flange 26 at one end of post 14 is integrally attached
`to stem portion 28,
`the flange and stem cooperatively
`defining constant diameter bore 30, extending fully through
`post 14. Spring 16 has upper and lower surfaces 32 and 34,
`respectively, in parallel planes spaced by a predetermined
`distance, i.e., spring 16 has a predetermined axial length in
`its undeformed condition. Body 18, which includes bores 36
`and 38 of different diameters, is made of a suitable elasto-
`meric material which is deformable under sufficient applied
`pressure. Compression ring 20 has an internal bore 39
`generally tapering from a larger diameter at one end 40 to a
`smaller diameter at end 42.
`
`It will be immediately recognized by those skilled in the
`art that the elements of the connector of the present inven-
`tion generally duplicate those of prior art F connectors, with
`the addition of the coil spring. That is, prior art connectors
`of this type include an internally threaded nut, a flanged post,
`a deformable body and an internally tapered compression
`ring. Typically, the post flange is positioned at the inner
`termination of the nut threads, the body surrounds the stem
`of the post, and the tapered, internal surface of the com-
`pression ring is moved axially on the body to radially
`compress the latter, thereby tightly engaging the outer layers
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`of the coaxial cable between the body and post. The end of
`the cable is “prepped” (i.e., portions of the various layers are
`cut and removed) according to industry standards prior to
`mounting thereon of the connector. After mounting,
`the
`center conductor of the coaxial cable extends forwardly of
`the connector to enter the opening and the female connector
`of the port to which the cable is connected. As previously
`noted, such prior art connectors often require 6 or 7 com-
`plete revolutions of the nut in order to achieve fully threaded
`engagement of the nut (connector) and the port of the
`equipment to which the cable is electrically connected, and
`failure to effect such fully threaded engagement degrades the
`quality of the RFI shield provided by firm engagement of the
`metal post and the threaded shaft defining the port.
`Elements of connector 10 are assembled with one another
`and mounted upon the end of a prepped coaxial cable in
`much the same manner as prior art F connectors with the
`notable exception of the inclusion of spring 16. In the
`presently described embodiment, after sliding post 14 into
`bore 36 of body 18 and placing ring 20 upon the body, spring
`16 is placed with surface 32 thereof contacting surface 26a,
`termed the underside, of post range 26 and the spring
`encircling portions of body 18 and compression ring 20.
`Skirt 24 of nut 12 initially has a uniform inside diameter
`substantially equal to or slightly larger than the outside
`diameter of flange 26. Nut 12 is slid over flange 26 until the
`inner surface surrounding threaded bore 22 contacts surface
`26b of flange 26. Skirt 24 includes annular portion 24a,
`having a thickness less than that of the major portion of the
`skirt and initially having an inside diameter equal to that of
`the rest of the skirt, as shown in FIG. 3a. The previously
`mentioned predetermined axial length of spring 16 is such
`that planar surface 34 is located within annular portion 24a
`when the elements are assembled as shown in FIG. 3. After
`
`spring 16 is so positioned, annular portion 24a is peened
`over, i.e., deformed, from its initial, straight configuration of
`FIG. 3a to the bent configuration of Figure 3. As described
`later in more detail, nut 12 may be moved axially relative to
`the other elements, causing compression of spring 16
`between surface 26a of flange 26 and annular portion 24a of
`skirt 24.
`
`Connector 10 is shown in FIG. 3, and FIGS. 3b—3a',
`mounted upon a terminal end of conventional coaxial cable
`44. Prior to mounting of the connector, cable 44 is prepped
`by cutting through outer layer 46 of dielectric material,
`braided metal layer 48, aluminum layer 50 and inner dielec-
`tric layer 52 at a predetermined distance from the end of the
`cable and removing the end portions of these layers to leave
`a predetermined length of the central conductor 54 bare.
`Layers 46 and 48 are then cut through at another predeter-
`mined position and the severed slug is removed. The cable
`is then inserted into the connector with layers 50 and 52
`essentially filling bore 30 of post 14; and the end surfaces of
`these layers substantially coplanar with surface 26b of flange
`26. The end of post 14 opposite flange 26 is forced between
`braided layer 48 and aluminum layer 50, leaving the end
`portions of layers 46 and 48 positioned in the space between
`the outside surface of post stem 28 and bore 38 body 18.
`Compression ring 20 is then moved, by a conventional
`compression tool (not shown), axially upon body 18 toward
`the left as viewed in FIG. 3. This radially compresses body
`18 and grips layers 46 and 48 tightly between the post and
`body, thereby mounting connector 10 upon cable 44 in an
`essentially permanent manner. It is again emphasized that
`the cable is prepped in an industry standard manner and the
`connector is mounted to the cable in conventional fashion.
`
`Turning now to FIGS. 3b—3d, connector 10 is shown in
`association with an externally threaded stub shaft 56 at a port
`
`

`
`US 6,716,062 B1
`
`5
`of a TV receiver or other such equipment. Shaft 56 is hollow
`and contains female contacts 58 for receiving the end of
`center conductor 54 of cable 44. In the position shown in
`FIG. 3b connector 10 has been moved to position threaded
`bore 22 in alignment with the end of shaft 56, preparatory to
`threaded engagement of the connector upon the shaft. In
`FIG. 3c, nut 12 has been rotated, e.g., a couple of
`revolutions, thereby moving connector 10 axially upon shaft
`56 by the distance indicted as D1 and bringing the end of
`shaft 56 into contact with surface 26b of flange 26. The
`metal-to-metal contact of shaft 56 and flange 26 provides
`acceptable RFI shielding and substantially eliminates noise
`ingress and signal degradation for the user who rotates the
`connector nut only until it is threadedly engaged with the
`shaft. However, a more secure connection may be obtained,
`in the sense that the nut is engaged over a longer axial
`portion of the shaft, by continued rotation of nut 12 to the
`position of FIG. 3a’. The nut has moved upon the shaft by the
`distance indicated as D2, although other elements of con-
`nector 10 have not moved relative to the shaft. The axial
`distance by which the nut has moved between FIGS. 3c and
`3d, i.e., the difference between distances D1 and D2, is the
`distance by which spring 16 has been compressed. As the nut
`travels axially on the shaft, annular portion 24a of skirt 24
`bears against end 34 of the spring and compresses the spring
`as end 32 is held stationary against surface 26a of flange 26.
`It is apparent that as nut 12 is rotated to remove it from shaft
`56 the elements will move in reverse order as spring 16
`returns to its rest position, moving nut 12 back into contact
`with surface 26b of flange 26.
`The connector is shown in a second embodiment, denoted
`generally by reference numeral 60, in FIGS. 4-7 Connector
`60 is formed from the same five elements as connector 10,
`20 namely post 62, coil spring 64, nut 66, body 68 and
`compression ring 70. However, the configurations of post 62
`and nut 66 are somewhat different than post 14 and nut 12
`of the previous embodiment and the manner of assembly of
`the two connectors is not the same. In addition to flange 72
`and stem 73, post 62 includes external shoulder 74, spaced
`a predetermined distance from surface 72a of the flange. Nut
`66 includes internally threaded bore 76 and integrally
`formed, internal flange 78 defining opening 80. In assembly
`of the elements, stem 73 of post 62 is passed through spring
`64 and nut 66 with the upper surface 82 of the spring bearing
`against surface 72a of post flange 72 and the lower spring
`surface 84 bearing against surface 78a of nut flange 78. Stem
`73 is passed through bore 86 of body 68 until the end of the
`body contacts shoulder 74. In this position, as seen in FIG.
`6, flange 78 and end portion 88 of nut 66 bears against an
`abutment surfaces of body 68. Compression ring 70 is
`placed over body 68 as in the previous embodiment.
`The same reference numerals are used in FIGS. 6 and 7
`
`for the coaxial cable and its various layers as in FIGS. 3 and
`3b—3d. Cable 44 is again prepped by removing all layers to
`provide a predetermined length of bare center conductor 54.
`However, the axial length of outer dielectric layer 46 and
`braided layer 48 which are removed is longer than in the
`“standard” prepped cable of the first embodiment. This is
`because body 68 bears against shoulder 74 rather than the
`underside of the post flange in order to place spring 64 in
`surrounding relation to the post, i.e., in the space between
`the post and nut, rather than to the body and compression
`ring. Thus,
`the present embodiment avoids the assembly
`operation of deforming or peening over the end of the nut,
`but has the disadvantage of requiring a non-standard prep of
`the cable.
`
`Connector 60 is shown in FIG. 7 in threaded engagement
`with shaft 90. Nut 66 has been rotated a number of times to
`
`6
`travel axially on the shaft while compressing spring 64
`between nut flange 78 and post flange 72. Nut 66 has moved
`an axial distance D with respect to the other elements of
`connector 60, and will move the same distance in the
`opposite direction, under the biasing force of spring 66, as
`the connector is removed from the shaft. It is apparent that
`only a very small amount of axial travel of nut 66 on shaft
`90, i.e., an amount produced by only one or two revolutions
`of the nut, is required to bring the end of the shaft into
`contact with surface 72b of post flange 72.
`From the foregoing it will be seen that the connector of
`the invention addresses a long standing problem in the art,
`i.e., the frequent failure of the typical, non-technical user to
`effect proper installation of an F-type coaxial cable connec-
`tor to a port (threaded shaft) on video equipment. The
`structure of the connector is such that positive ground
`contact between the connector and port and an effective RFI
`shield are provided with a minimal amount of threaded
`engagement of the connector and port. The first described
`embodiment of the connector accommodates a standard
`cable prep length, saving time in the manufacture of
`jumpers, as well as enhancing the product’s marketability as
`an individual connector since it does not require the pur-
`chase of non-standard prep tools. The skirt of the nut
`surrounding essentially the entire connector structure also
`affords greater ease of use since it provides a larger surface
`for finger grip, and it extends close to the back of the
`connector, allowing easier access when the connector is
`recessed into the back of the equipment. It should also be
`pointed out
`that
`threaded bores 22 and 76 of the two
`embodiments are of the same diameter, both being intended
`for threaded connection to the same shaft at the equipment
`port, i.e., shaft 90 is the same as shaft 56. This means that
`flange 26 of post 14 is of larger diameter than flange 72 of
`post 62, and the outer surface of nut 12 is larger than that of
`nut 66,
`thereby making manual manipulation of nut 12
`easier.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An F-type connector for mounting upon a terminal end
`of a coaxial cable having a bare central conductor extending
`a predetermined length from the planar end surface of an
`inner dielectric layer, said connector comprising:
`a) a post member having a hollow, substantially cylindri-
`cal stem portion with a central axis and first end
`surrounded by a metal flange having a planar annular
`surface perpendicular to said central axis;
`b) means for securely maintaining said post in assembled
`relation with said terminal end of said cable;
`c) a nut including an internally threaded bore sized for
`threaded engagement with a hollow, threaded shaft at a
`port on video equipment to which said cable is to be
`electrically coupled, said shaft having a metal, terminal
`end;
`d) means for mounting said nut in encircling relation to at
`least a portion of said post including said flange for free
`rotation and limited axial movement between first and
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`second positions relative to said post; and
`e) a spring biasing said nut toward said first position
`wherein said nut may be placed in alignment with said
`shaft and rotated not more than three revolutions to
`
`bring said terminal end of said shaft into contact, and
`thus RFI shielding relation, with said annular surface of
`said post, continued rotation of said nut moving said
`nut axially with respect to said post toward said second
`position against the biasing force of said spring.
`2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said means for
`
`maintaining said post in assembled relation with said ter-
`minal end of said cable comprise compression engagement
`means.
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`US 6,716,062 B1
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`7
`3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said compression
`engagement means include an elastomeric body and a com-
`pression ring axially movable with respect to said body to
`radially compress the latter into tightly gripping relation
`with said cable.
`4. The connector of claim 1 wherein said spring is a coil
`spring having opposite ends captured between portions of
`said post and said nut.
`5. The connector of claim 4 wherein said portion of said
`post is a surface of said flange on the side thereof opposite
`said annular surface.
`6. The connector of claim 5 wherein said threaded bore
`has a diameter substantially equal to that of said flange.
`7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said nut includes an
`internal flange and wherein said portion of said nut com-
`prises said internal flange.
`8. The connector of claim 5 wherein said threaded bore
`has a diameter less than that of said flange and wherein said
`nut includes a hollow skirt portion having an inside diameter
`slightly larger than said flange and a terminal, open end.
`9. The connector of claim 8 wherein said skirt is deformed
`inwardly about its entire periphery to a diameter less than
`said inside diameter at said open end, and said portion of
`said nut comprises said periphery of said open end.
`10. The connector of claim 9 and further including an
`elastomeric body encircling said stem portion of said post
`and a compression ring.
`11. The connector of claim 10 wherein said spring
`encircles at least portions of said body and said ring, being
`positioned in an annular space between said inside diameter
`of said skirt and outside surfaces of said body and compres-
`sion ring.
`12. An F-type connector for permanent mounting upon a
`terminal end of a conventional coaxial cable having a central
`conductor, an inner dielectric layer, a conductive layer, a
`shielding layer and an outer dielectric layer, said cable being
`prepared for mounting of said connector by stripping away
`all of said layers from a first, predetermined length of said
`central conductor and stripping away said shielding and
`outer dielectric layers from a second, predetermined length
`of said conductive layer in order to electrically connect said
`central conductor to contacts at a video equipment port
`surrounded by a threaded, metal shaft having an annular
`terminal end, said connector comprising:
`a) a metal post having a hollow, substantially cylindrical
`stem and a flange extending radially outwardly from
`one end of said stem, said flange having first and
`second, opposite, annular surfaces;
`b) a body portion of elastomeric material having an outer
`surface and a through bore with:
`i) a first portion having a diameter substantially equal
`to the outside diameter of said stem, said stem
`extending through and contacting said first portion of
`said bore over a first axial portion of said stem
`adjoining said second surface of said flange, and
`ii) a second portion having a cross section larger than
`said outside diameter of said stem, said second
`portion of said bore surrounding said stem in out-
`wardly spaced relation thereto over a second axial
`portion thereof to form a first annular cavity between
`said second axial portion of said stem and said
`second portion of said bore;
`c) a compression ring surrounding a portion of said body
`outer surface, said ring being axially movable upon
`said body to radially compress the latter into firm
`engagement with portions of said cable positioned
`within said annular cavity;
`a nut having a threaded bore at one end and a
`cylindrical skirt extending integrally from said one end
`
`d)
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`to an open end, said skirt having an inside diameter
`substantially equal to the diameter of said flange, said
`skirt surrounding said flange and portions of said body
`and ring inwardly spaced from said skirt to form a
`second annular cavity between said skirt and said
`inwardly spaced portions, said nut including an annular
`lip surrounding said open end and extending inwardly
`to a diameter less than said inside diameter of said skirt;
`and
`
`e) a coil spring disposed within said second annular cavity
`and having a first end contacting said second surface of
`said flange and a second end contacting said annular
`lip, said nut being axially movable with respect to said
`post, body and ring between a first position, toward
`which said nut is biased by said spring and wherein a
`first abutment portion of said nut engages a second
`abutment portion of said post, and a second position,
`wherein said spring is compressed to a length less than
`in said first position of said nut.
`13. The connector of claim 12 wherein said first abutment
`surface is an internal surface of said nut surrounding said
`threaded bore.
`14. The connector of claim 13 wherein said second
`abutment surface is said first surface of said flange.
`15. The connector of claim 12 wherein said first and
`second ends of said spring lie in parallel planes.
`16. The connector of claim 12 wherein said first and
`second surfaces of said flange lie in parallel planes.
`17. The connector of claim 12 wherein said first and
`second predetermined lengths correspond to industry-
`standard lengths for preparation of coaxial cable to be
`mounted to industry-standard F-type connectors.
`18. The method of fabricating and assembling an F-type
`connector for mounting upon an end portion of a coaxial
`cable, said method comprising:
`a) providing a post having a substantially cylindrical,
`hollow, post with first and second ends and an annular
`flange extending radially outwardly from said first end
`of said post to a first diameter, said flange having a first
`surface adjoining said second end of said post and a
`second surface, parallel to and facing oppositely from
`said first surface;
`b) providing a coil spring having opposite ends in parallel
`planes, and predetermined inner and outer diameters
`and undeformed axial length;
`c) providing a nut having an end portion with inner and
`outer surfaces surrounding a threaded bore and a skirt
`extending integrally from said end portion for a pre-
`determined axial distance to an open end, said skirt
`having a substantially cylindrical inner surface with a
`diameter not les