Patent US5242710A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4144404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coaxial cable connector and method of making a coaxial cable connection
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-08-18
•
Granted: 1979-03-13
•
Expires: 1996-08-18
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a connector and method of connecting electrical conductors or other substrates. It is particularly suited to making connections between coaxial cables, even those having different diameters. The connector is a shell comprising a hollow heat-recoverable member having two open ends, an electrically conductive deformable member disposed within the heat-recoverable member and a quantity of solder also disposed within the heat-recoverable member. To make a connection, the conductors are inserted into different ends of the sleeve and the assembly heated to cause recovery of the heat-recoverable member. The recovery force of the recoverable member deforms the deformable member into close contact with the conductors to provide mechanical strength to the connection and electrical contact between the conductors. The heat used to bring about recovery also fuses the solder to improve both the mechanical and electrical integrity of the connection.
Inventors
- 👤 Pierre De Groef
- 👤 Frank Selleslags
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 09:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L25/00; F16L25/10; B; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B29C61/0608; B29C61/0616; F16L47/00; F16L47/20; F16L47/22; H; H01; H01R; H01R4/00; H01R4/70; H01R4/72; H01R4/723; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/08; H02G15/18; H02G15/1806; B29K; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/06; B29K2105/08; B29K2105/0809; B29K2105/0827; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/0026; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S174/00; Y10S174/08; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49123; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A connector useful for electrically connecting electrical conductors comprising: a hollow heat-recoverable member having open ends; a quantity of solder within the hollow heat-recoverable member; and a deformable member comprising a metallic braid within the hollow heat-recoverable member, the deformable member comprising electrically conductive material and being infusible at the temperature to which, in use, the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, the deformable member being such that, at the temperature to which it is brought by said heating, it is deformed by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member upon recovery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A connector useful for electrically connecting electrical conductors comprising: a hollow heat-recoverable member having open ends; a quantity of solder within the hollow heat-recoverable member; and a deformable member comprising a metallic braid within the hollow heat-recoverable member, the deformable member comprising electrically conductive material and being infusible at the temperature to which, in use, the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, the deformable member being such that, at the temperature to which it is brought by said heating, it is deformed by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member upon recovery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connector of claim 1 wherein the solder is impregnated in the braid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
A connector of claim 2 wherein the braid is a tubular member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connector of claim 3 wherein the hollow heat-recoverable member is a sleeve.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector of claim 2 further comprising at least one ring of solder having a higher melting point than the solder impregnated in the braid, said solder ring being positioned between the braid and the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connector of claim 5 comprising two solder rings having a higher melting point than the solder impregnated in the braid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A connector of claim 1 which further comprises two rings of fusible thermoplastic material within the heat-recoverable member, each ring being positioned between and end of the deformable member and a respective open end of the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
109 words
A cable connector for electrically connecting coaxial cables having inner and outer coaxially arranged conductors comprising: an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, a heat-recoverable member being positioned over at least part of the shell, the heat-recoverable member containing a quantity of solder, at least one of the ends of the outer shell being deformable by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member at the temperature to which, in use, the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, said end being infusible at that temperature; and means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors of the cables.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
109 words
A cable connector for electrically connecting coaxial cables having inner and outer coaxially arranged conductors comprising: an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, a heat-recoverable member being positioned over at least part of the shell, the heat-recoverable member containing a quantity of solder, at least one of the ends of the outer shell being deformable by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member at the temperature to which, in use, the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, said end being infusible at that temperature; and means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors of the cables.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector of claim 8 wherein the means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors comprises an electrically conductive inner tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A connector of claim 9 wherein the inner tube is a crimp connector.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector of claim 9 which also comprises a heat-recoverable member for positioning over the electrically conductive inner tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connector of claim 8 wherein the means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors comprises an inner elongate electrically conductive member and an inner heat-recoverable member positioned over the inner elongate member, the inner heat-recoverable member also containing a quantity of solder.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A connector of claim 12 wherein the inner elongate member is a hollow tube having an aperture therein, the arrangement being such that on heating the solder melts and the inner heat-recoverable member recovers and exerts an inward force on the melted solder, causing it to flow through the aperture to form an electrical connection between the inner cable conductors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector of claim 13 wherein the aperture is a slit in the hollow tube.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
A connector of claim 14 wherein the aperture is a longitudinal slit in the hollow tube.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
A connector of claim 12 wherein cap-shaped spacers of electrically insulating material are mounted on the means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors, the spacers being adapted to maintain the said means at a predetermined distance from the outer shell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector of claim 8, wherein at least one of the ends of the outer shell comprises a metallic braid impregnated with solder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A connector of claim 17 which also comprises one or more rings of solder positioned within the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A connector of claim 17 which also comprises one or more rings of solder positioned between the braid and the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector of claim 8 wherein cap-shaped spacers of electrically insulating material are provided for maintaining the outer shell at a predetermined distance from the means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector of claim 8 wherein a portion of the outer shell is essentially non-deformable by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member when the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
58 words
A connector of claim 21 wherein the outer shell comprises a metallic sleeve having two open-ends, the sleeve being essentially non-deformable by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member when the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, and at least one end of the shell comprises solder-impregnated metallic braid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
A connector of claim 21 wherein the outer shell comprises a metallic sleeve having two open-ends, the sleeve being essentially non-deformable by the force exerted by the heat-recoverable member when the connector is heated to cause the heat-recoverable member to recover and the solder to fuse, and a length of solder-impregnated metallic braid disposed within said metallic sleeve, the ends of said braid extending beyond the ends of said sleeve.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A connector of claim 21 wherein the outer shell comprises two parts capable of being telescoped together.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
95 words
A cable connector for electrically connecting coaxial cables having coaxially arranged inner and outer conductors comprising: means for making and insulating an electrical connection between the inner conductors of the cables; an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, said ends comprising a deformable and electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder and having thereover a heat-recoverable member such that upon heating, the solder fuses and the heat-recoverable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell, said ends being infusible at that temperature.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
95 words
A cable connector for electrically connecting coaxial cables having coaxially arranged inner and outer conductors comprising: means for making and insulating an electrical connection between the inner conductors of the cables; an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, said ends comprising a deformable and electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder and having thereover a heat-recoverable member such that upon heating, the solder fuses and the heat-recoverable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell, said ends being infusible at that temperature.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cable connector according to claim 25 wherein the means for making an electrical connection between the inner conductors of the cable comprises a crimp connector.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cable connector according to claim 26 wherein the insulating means for said electrical connection is insulating tape.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cable connector according to claim 26 wherein said insulating means is a heat shrinkable tube.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
74 words
A cable connector according to claim 25 wherein said means for making and insulating an electrical connection between the inner conductors comprises a tube having an aperture therein, solder thereon and a heat shrinkable member thereover such that upon heating, the solder melts and the heat shrinkable member exerts an inward force on the tube and the melted solder causing the solder to flow through the aperture to electrically connect the inner cable conductors.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector according to claim 29 wherein the aperture is a slit in the tube.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector according to claim 29 wherein the tube with an aperture is electrically insulating.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector according to claim 29 wherein the tube having an aperture is electrically conductive.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector according to claim 29 wherein the tube having an aperture is undeformable by the shrinking force of the heat shrinkable member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector according to claim 29 wherein means are provided to space uniformly apart the tube having the aperture therein and the outer conductive shell.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A connector of claim 25 wherein the outer electrically conductive shell is a tube of metallic braid having solder impregnated therein.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
A connector of claim 25 wherein the center portion of the outer electrically conductive shell is essentially non-deformable under the force exerted by the shrinkage of the heat shrinkable member thereover.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
87 words
A connector according to claim 36 wherein the outer electrically conductive shell comprises two parts, each part comprising a first end portion for receiving the outer conductor of a cable which end portion is deformable under the recovery forces exerted by the recovery of a heat-shrinkable member thereover and a second end portion, at least one part comprising a second end portion which is non-deformable under the forces exerted by the recovery of the heat-recoverable member thereover, the second end portions being capable of being telescoped together.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector according to claim 25 wherein the outer electrically conductive shell comprises an electrically conductive tube non-deformable by the shrinking of the heat shrinkable tube positioned thereover having at either end a length of solder impregnated metallic braid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
48 words
A connector according to claim 25 wherein the outer electrically conductive shell comprises an electrically conductive tube non-deformable by the shrinking of the heat shrinkable tube positioned thereover having a length of tubular solder impregnated metallic braid disposed within and extending beyond either end of the non-deformable tube.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector according to claim 25 wherein the outer electrically conductive shell comprises an electrically conductive tube non-deformable by the shrinking of the heat shrinkable tube positioned thereover having a length of solder impregnated metallic braid disposed without and extending beyond the ends of the non-deformable tube.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of electrically connecting two cables, each of which comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor, which method comprises: electrically connecting and insulating the inner conductors of the cables; inserting the outer conductors of the cables into a deformable electrically conductive member having two open ends, said deformable electrically conductive member having in contact therewith a quantity of solder; positioning over said deformable member a hollow heat-shrinkable member having two open ends; and heating the heat-shrinkable member such that the solder melts and the heat-shrinkable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive member causing the deformable member to be deformed against the outer cable conductors and be soldered thereto.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of electrically connecting two cables, each of which comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor, which method comprises: electrically connecting and insulating the inner conductors of the cables; inserting the outer conductors of the cables into a deformable electrically conductive member having two open ends, said deformable electrically conductive member having in contact therewith a quantity of solder; positioning over said deformable member a hollow heat-shrinkable member having two open ends; and heating the heat-shrinkable member such that the solder melts and the heat-shrinkable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive member causing the deformable member to be deformed against the outer cable conductors and be soldered thereto.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 41 wherein the inner conductors are connected by crimping.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 41 comprising the step of fabricating the deformable member from a metallic braid.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 43 comprising the step of impregnating the metallic braid with solder.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method according to claim 41 wherein the inner conductor of each cable is inserted into a tube having an aperture therein and solder thereon, positioning a heat shrinkable member over the inner tube and heating the heat shrinkable member and the solder such that the solder melts and the heat shrinkable member exerts on inward force on the tube and the solder causing the solder to flow through the aperture and electrically connect the inner cable conductors.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 45 comprising the step of forming the aperture in the inner tube as a slit.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 41 comprising positioning means between the connection of the inner conductors and the outer conductors to uniformly space the connection between the inner conductors and the connection between the outer conductors at a predetermined distance from each other.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 41 comprising the steps of fabricating the deformable member from a metallic braid having solder impregnated therein, positioning said braid within a non-deformable electrically conducting hollow member having two open ends so that the ends of said braid extend beyond the ends of said non-deformable member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 41 comprising the steps of fabricating the deformable member as two lengths of hollow metallic braid having solder impregnated therein, and positioning said lengths of braid over opposite ends of a non-deformable electrically conductive member having two open ends.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 41 comprising positioning a pair of rings of fusible thermoplastic material between the deformable member and a respective open end of the heat-shrinkable member.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 41 comprising positioning at least one ring of solder having a higher melting point than the soldering contact with the deformable member between the deformable member and a heat-shrinkable member.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 51 which comprises positioning two solder rings having a higher melting point than the solder in contact with the deformable member between the deformable member and the heat-shrinkable member.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of electrically connecting two cables, each of which comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor, which method comprises: inserting the inner conductor of each of the cables into an inner electrically conductive member; electrically connecting the inner conductors; inserting the outer conductors of the cables into an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, said ends comprising a deformable electrically conductive member having in contact therewith a quantity of solder and having thereover an outer heat-recoverable member; and, heating the outer heat-recoverable member such that the solder melts and the heat-recoverable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive ends of the shell causing the ends to be deformed against the outer cable conductor and be soldered thereto.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of electrically connecting two cables, each of which comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor, which method comprises: inserting the inner conductor of each of the cables into an inner electrically conductive member; electrically connecting the inner conductors; inserting the outer conductors of the cables into an outer electrically conductive shell having two open ends, said ends comprising a deformable electrically conductive member having in contact therewith a quantity of solder and having thereover an outer heat-recoverable member; and, heating the outer heat-recoverable member such that the solder melts and the heat-recoverable member exerts an inward force upon the deformable electrically conductive ends of the shell causing the ends to be deformed against the outer cable conductor and be soldered thereto.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the inner member is a crimp connector and the inner conductors are electrically connected by crimping.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 54 which also comprises electrically insulating the crimped connection by heat recovering about it a heat recoverable electrically insulating member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 55 wherein the heating of said inner and outer heat-recoverable members is accomplished in a single heating step.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the inner member is a hollow tube having an aperture therein and provided with an inner heat recoverable member positioned thereover, the inner heat recoverable member also containing a quantity of solder and wherein the inner conductors are electrically connected by heating the inner heat recoverable member to cause it to recover and the solder to melt such that recovery of the inner heat recoverable member exerts an inward force on the melted solder causing it to flow through the aperture to form an electrical connection between the inner cable conductors.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 57 comprising forming the aperture as a slit in the hollow tube.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the inner member is non-deformable by the recovery forces of the inner heat recoverable member.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the heating of said inner and outer heat-recoverable members is accomplished in a single heating step.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the ends of the outer electrically conductive shell comprise a metallic braid having solder impregnated therein.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the center portion of the outer electrically conductive shell is essentially non-deformable under the forces exerted by recovery of the outer heat-recoverable member thereover.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 62 wherein the deformable end portions are of different size and the connected cables are of different dimensions.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 61 comprising positioning at least one ring of solder having a higher melting point than the solder-impregnated braid between the braid and the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 53 comprising positioning a tube of metallic braid having solder impregnated therein within a metallic tube which is non-deformable by the recovery forces of the outer heat-recoverable sleeve to form said outer electrically conductive shell, the arrangement being such that at least one end of the metallic braid protrudes beyond an end of the non-deformable metallic tube.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 53 comprising positioning two rings of fusible thermoplastic material between an end of the deformable member and a respective open end of the heat-recoverable member.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 53 comprising positioning the inner member and the outer conductive shell to be uniformly spaced from each other.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 67 comprising positioning cap-shaped spacers of electrically insulating material to maintain the outer shell at a predetermined distance from the inner member.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 53 wherein the outer conductive shell comprises two parts, each part comprising a first deformable end portion for receiving the outer conductors of one of the cables and a second end portion for positioning in telescopic relationship with the second end portion of the other part, at least one second end part being non-deformable under the recovery forces of the outer heat recoverable member.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cable connection between a pair of coaxial cables comprising: an inner tube having an aperture therein, solder thereon and a first heat-recovered member thereover, said inner tube having connected therein the inner conductors of the coaxial cable pair; an outer electrically conductive shell over the outer conductors of the coaxial cable pair, said shell having two open ends, said ends comprised of a deformable electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder, having thereover a second heat-recovered member, the second heat recovered member having pressed the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell into contact with the outer conductors.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
104 words
A cable connection between a pair of coaxial cables comprising: an inner tube having an aperture therein, solder thereon and a first heat-recovered member thereover, said inner tube having connected therein the inner conductors of the coaxial cable pair; an outer electrically conductive shell over the outer conductors of the coaxial cable pair, said shell having two open ends, said ends comprised of a deformable electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder, having thereover a second heat-recovered member, the second heat recovered member having pressed the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell into contact with the outer conductors.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cable connection between a pair of co-axial cables comprising: an inner tube and a first heat-recovered member, said inner tube having crimp-connected therein the inner conductors of the coaxial cable pair; an outer electrically conductive shell over the outer conductors of the coaxial cable pair, said shell having two open ends, said ends comprised of a deformable electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder, having thereover a second heat-recovered member, the second heat-recovered member having pressed the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell into contact with the outer conductors.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cable connection between a pair of co-axial cables comprising: an inner tube and a first heat-recovered member, said inner tube having crimp-connected therein the inner conductors of the coaxial cable pair; an outer electrically conductive shell over the outer conductors of the coaxial cable pair, said shell having two open ends, said ends comprised of a deformable electrically conductive material having in contact therewith a quantity of solder, having thereover a second heat-recovered member, the second heat-recovered member having pressed the deformable electrically conductive ends of the outer shell into contact with the outer conductors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-03-12 | 1982-09-11 | 1983-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-09-11 | 1987-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-12 | 1990-09-11 | 1991-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |