Coaxial cable connector interface for preventing mating with incorrect connector

Abstract

A 4.3/10 coaxial connector configured to receive a mating 4.3/10 connector includes: an inner contact; a dielectric spacer; and an outer contact, the dielectric spacer separating the inner contact and the outer contact. The outer contact includes an outer wall and a plurality of spring fingers, the spring fingers configured to deflect radially inwardly when the mating 4.3/10 connector is mated. The connector further comprises blocking structure that prevents mating of a Mini-Din connector.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A coaxial connector, interconnectable with a mating coaxial connector, comprising:
 an inner contact defining a longitudinal axis;   an outer contact comprising an outer body and a plurality of spring fingers, the outer body having a first contact surface that is radially outward of the spring fingers, the spring fingers positioned to contact and exert radially-outward pressure on a finger contact surface of an outer conductor cylinder of the mating coaxial connector, and the first contact surface positioned to contact a second contact surface of the outer conductor cylinder of the mating coaxial connector that is radially outward of the spring contact surface; and   a dielectric sleeve positioned between the inner contact and the spring fingers, the sleeve having a free end that is substantially aligned with distal ends of the spring fingers.   
     
     
         2 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein the dielectric sleeve is configured and positioned to block a mismating connector. 
     
     
         3 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outer body is configured to mate with a rotatable nut that rotates relative to the outer body and the spring fingers. 
     
     
         4 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein a gap is defined between the first contact surface of the outer body and the spring fingers. 
     
     
         5 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outer body is not rotatable relative to the dielectric sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein the outer body is fixed relative to the inner contact. 
     
     
         7 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the spring fingers are positioned between the dielectric sleeve and the first contact surface. 
     
     
         8 . A coaxial connector, interconnectable with a mating coaxial connector, comprising:
 an inner contact defining a longitudinal axis;   an outer contact comprising an outer body and a plurality of spring fingers, the outer body having a first stop surface that is radially outward of the spring fingers, the spring fingers positioned to contact and exert radially-outward pressure on a finger contact portion of an outer conductor cylinder of the mating coaxial connector, and the first stop surface positioned to contact a second stop surface of the outer conductor cylinder of the mating coaxial connector, wherein engagement between the first and second stop surfaces prevents further relative axial movement between the mating connectors during mating, the second stop surface being radially outward of the finger contact portion; and   a dielectric sleeve positioned between the inner contact and the spring fingers, the sleeve having a free end that is substantially aligned with distal ends of the spring fingers.   
     
     
         9 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 8 , wherein the dielectric sleeve is configured and positioned to block a mismating connector. 
     
     
         10 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 8 , wherein the outer body is configured to mate with a rotatable nut that rotates relative to the outer body and the spring fingers. 
     
     
         11 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 9 , wherein the outer body is not rotatable relative to the dielectric sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 9 , wherein the outer body is fixed relative to the inner contact. 
     
     
         13 . A coaxial connector, interconnectable with a mating coaxial connector, comprising:
 an inner contact defining a longitudinal axis;   an outer contact comprising an outer body and a plurality of spring fingers, wherein the outer body at least partially encircles the spring fingers, the spring fingers positioned to contact and exert radially-outward pressure on a finger contact portion of an outer conductor cylinder of the mating coaxial connector, wherein the outer body includes features configured to engage a nut rotatable relative thereto so that the nut secures the mating connectors; and   a dielectric sleeve positioned between the inner contact and the spring fingers, the sleeve having a free end that is substantially aligned with distal ends of the spring fingers.   
     
     
         14 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 13 , wherein the dielectric sleeve is configured and positioned to block a mismating connector. 
     
     
         15 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 13 , wherein the outer body is not rotatable relative to the dielectric sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 13 , wherein the outer body is fixed relative to the inner contact. 
     
     
         17 . A coaxial connector, interconnectable with a mating coaxial connector, comprising:
 an inner contact defining a longitudinal axis;   a cylindrical outer body;   a plurality of spring fingers electrically connected and fixed relative to the outer body, wherein at least a portion of the of the spring fingers are positioned radially inward of the outer body such that a gap is formed therebetween; and   a dielectric sleeve positioned between the inner contact and the spring fingers, the sleeve having a free end that is substantially aligned with distal ends of the spring fingers.   
     
     
         18 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 17 , wherein the dielectric sleeve is configured and positioned to block a mismating connector. 
     
     
         19 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 17 , wherein the outer body is configured to mate with a rotatable nut that rotates relative to the outer body and the spring fingers. 
     
     
         20 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 17 , wherein the outer body is not rotatable relative to the dielectric sleeve. 
     
     
         21 . The coaxial connector defined in  claim 17 , wherein the outer body is fixed relative to the inner contact. 
     
     
         22 . An assembly of coaxial connectors, comprising a first coaxial connector mated with a second coaxial connector;
 wherein the first coaxial connector comprises:
 a first inner contact defining a longitudinal axis; 
 an outer contact comprising an outer body and a plurality of spring fingers, 
   wherein the outer body at least partially encircles the spring fingers; and
 a dielectric sleeve positioned between the first inner contact and the spring fingers, the sleeve having a free end that is substantially aligned with distal ends of the spring fingers; 
 wherein the second coaxial connector comprises: 
 a second inner contact; and 
 an outer conductor cylinder that encircles the second inner contact, the outer conductor cylinder including a finger contact portion; 
 wherein in a mated condition, the spring fingers exerted radially-outward pressure on the finger contact portion, and 
 wherein a nut rotatable relative to the outer body of the first connector and the outer conductor cylinder of the second connector secures the connectors in the mated condition.