Abstract
A cable connector includes a male connector and a female connector. The male connector has a plurality of contacts disposed perimetrically or circumferentially coaxially along major axes of at least one peripheral surface or perimeter of the male connector. The female connector has a plurality of contacts disposed complementarily coaXially along major axes of at least one interior peripheral surface or perimeter of the female connector. Insertion of the male connector into the female connector allows for greater connectivity between cables because more contacts are accommodated coaXially along the connector length than the transverse dimension, as currently seen in the art. Greater bandwidth is therefore accommodated over a greater number of channels.
Claims
1. A cable connector comprising: a male connector having a plurality of contacts disposed along or in parallel with a major axis of the male connecter, each of said contacts disposed about a peripheral surface of the male connector; and a female connector configured to matingly receive the male connector therein, said female connector having a plurality of contacts disposed along or in parallel with a major axis of the female connector and configured to complementarily engage against the plurality of contacts disposed upon the male connector; wherein interconnection of the plurality of contacts enables transmission of data across a plurality of channels.
2. The cable connector of claim 1 wherein the plurality of contacts of the male connector is disposed upon a peripheral surface along or in parallel with a major axis of the male connector and wherein the plurality of complementary contacts of the female connector is disposed upon an interior surface along or in parallel with a major axis of the female connector.
3. The cable connector of claim 2 further comprising: a plurality of everted tiers disposed upon the male connector, said plurality of everted tiers having a decreasing transverse dimension from a maximum transverse dimension to a minimum transverse dimension; and a plurality of inverse tiers disposed upon the female connector configured to matingly receive each of the everted tiers of the male connecter; wherein the plurality of contacts of the male connector is disposed about the peripheral surface of each everted tier and wherein the plurality of contacts of the female connector is disposed in complementary positions about the peripheral surface of each inverted tier to enable constant contact between the plurality of contacts of the male and female connectors when the male connector is inserted into the female connector.
4. The cable connector of claim 3 wherein each of the plurality of contacts of the male connector is disposed interior to a corresponding channel having an aperture at a corresponding position upon an anterior surface of at least one tier, into which aperture a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts of the female connector slidingly engages when the male and female connectors are connected.
5. The cable connector of claim 3 wherein the plurality of everted tiers and the plurality of inverted tiers are arranged concentrically.
6. The cable connector of claim 4 wherein the plurality of everted tiers and the plurality of inverted tiers are arranged concentrically.
7. A concentric cable connector comprising: a male connector comprising at least one nonconducting everted tiers, said male connector having a plurality of contacts arranged around the perimeter or peripheral surface of the at least one everted tier; and a female connector configured to matingly receive the male connector, said female connector comprising at least one nonconductive inverted tier configured complementarily to the at least one everted tier, said female connector having a plurality of contacts arranged around the interior perimeter or interior peripheral surface of the at least one inverted tier in corresponding positions to engage against each contact of the male connector when the male connector is inserted into the female connector; wherein the concentric cable connector enables interconnection of a plurality of contacts for transmission of data across a plurality of channels.
8. The cable connector of claim 7 wherein the plurality of everted tiers and the plurality of inverted tiers are arranged concentrically.
9. A concentric cable connector comprising: a male connector comprising at least one nonconductive everted tier, said male connector having each of a plurality of contacts arranged interior to each of a plurality of channels interior to the at least one nonconductive everted tier, each of said plurality of channels having an aperture disposed upon an anterior surface of the at least one nonconductive everted tier; and a female connector configured to matingly receive the male connector, said female connector comprising at least one nonconductive inverted tier configured complementarily to the at least one everted tier, said female connector having a plurality of spring contacts arranged around the perimeter or peripheral surface of the at least one nonconductive inverted tier in corresponding positions whereby each of the plurality of spring contacts slidingly engages through a corresponding one of the apertures interior to a corresponding one of the plurality of channels to connect with a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts of male connector when the male connector is inserted into the receiving member; wherein the concentric cable connector enables interconnection of a plurality of contacts for transmission of data across a plurality of channels.
10. The cable connector of claim 9 wherein the plurality of everted tiers and the plurality of inverted tiers are arranged concentrically.
11. A cable connector comprising: a male connector having a peripheral surface, said male connector comprising: a plurality of conductors disposed interior to the male connector between an innermost position and an outermost position; a plurality of first bridge contacts, each of said plurality of first bridge contacts having: a contact surface disposed at or proximal to the peripheral surface; a connection surface disposed connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductors; a span configured between a minimum span and a maximum span, said span configured to connect the corresponding one of the plurality of conductors to the peripheral surface; a female connector having an interior peripheral surface disposed around a lumen to a depth, said female connector comprising: a plurality of conductors disposed interior to the female connector around the lumen between an innermost position and an outermost position; a plurality of second bridge contacts disposed complementarily with respect to the plurality of first bridge contacts disposed upon the male connector, each of said plurality of second bridge contacts having: a spring contact disposed at or proximal to the peripheral surface; a connection surface disposed connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of conductors; and a span configured between a minimum span and a maximum span, said span configured to connect the corresponding one of the plurality of conductors to the peripheral surface; wherein the male connector slidingly engages into the lumen of the female connector over the depth and the plurality of conductors interior to the male connector is connected to the plurality of conductors interior to the female connector via the plurality of first and second bridge contacts connecting in circumferential or perimetric configurations along parallel longitudinal axes.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a cable connector with the cable removed, illustrating male connector inserted into a female connector.
[0034] FIG. 2 is an end view of the example embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a side view of the example embodiment of FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section taken along the line 3A-3A of FIG. 3.
[0037] FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the example embodiment of FIG. 1 with the male connector separated from the female connector.
[0038] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a concentric cable connector having a five-tiered male connector and a five-tiered female connector.
[0039] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 with the male connector inserted into the female connector.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of a longitudinal section taken along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6.
[0041] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a longitudinal section taken along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7.
[0042] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a five-tiered male connector.
[0043] FIG. 11 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a five-tiered female connector.
[0044] FIG. 12 is a detail view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.
[0045] FIG. 13 is a detail view of a portion of the embodiment shown in FIG. 11.
[0046] FIG. 14 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a seven-tiered male connector about to be inserted into a seven-tiered female connector.
[0047] FIG. 15 is an elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 with the male connector inserted into the female connector.
[0048] FIG. 16 is a side elevation view in longitudinal section taken on along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.
[0049] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view in longitudinal section taken on along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15.
[0050] FIG. 18 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the female connector shown in FIG. 14.
[0051] FIG. 19 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the male connector shown in FIG. 14.
[0052] FIG. 20 is a detail view of a portion of the female connector shown in FIG. 18.
[0053] FIG. 21 is a detail view of a portion of the male connector shown in FIG. 19.
[0054] FIG. 22 is a detail view of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 15 wherein interconnection of the male and female connectors' contacts is shown.
[0055] FIG. 23 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of a single-tiered concentric cable connector with the male connector inserted into the female connector.
[0056] FIG. 24 is an elevation view of an example embodiment of the single-tiered concentric cable connector shown in FIG. 23 with the male connector disconnected from the female connector.
[0057] FIG. 25 is a side view of a longitudinal cross section taken along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 24.
[0058] FIG. 26 is a detail view of an example embodiment of the male connector shown in FIG. 24.
[0059] FIG. 27 is a detail view of an example embodiment of the female connector shown in FIG. 24.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 27 thereof, examples of the instant cable connector employing the principles and concepts of the present cable connector and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.
[0061] It is to be understood that the example embodiments depicted in the accompanying drawings are included to exemplify the novel and inventive features of the instant invention and are not intended to be limiting. The particular features are enumerated as example embodiments only, illustrative of scope intended by the accompanying claims. Thus, various exemplary embodiments are set forth illustrative of the overall concepts informing the invention whereby persons skilled in the art may better comprehend the scope implied by the claims. It should be recognized, therefore, that a plurality of tiers and other arrangements of parts depicted may be variously employed in alternative and alternate arrangements, shapes, configurations, lengths, depths, and adaptations, the overall concept of the cable connector notwithstanding. It is to be further understood that the term “concentric” as employed herein throughout includes embodiments wherein the conductors and/or contacts are arranged concentrically, whether across a plurality of tiers or not.
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment of the instant cable connector 10 is illustrated in elevation view with sheathing of cable removed to illustrate the interior conductors 20 (wires, fibers, fiber optics, or channels, or other means or combinations of means by which data or bandwidth may be selectively transmitted between at least two locations). Male connector 100 is shown connected inserted into female connector 200. In this example embodiment, attachment members 300 releasably secure male connector 100 in complementary engagement with female connector 200.
[0063] FIG. 2 illustrates the same example embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, in rear elevation view. The plurality of conductors 20 (or, as mentioned previously, wires, fibers, fiber optics, or channels, or other bodies or conveyances or combinations of bodies or conveyances suited to the transmission of data or bandwidth, whether electrically, magnetically, or electromagnetically) are shown on end with exterior sheathing removed. In this example embodiment, for the purposes of illustration only, there are sixteen conductors 20 terminating in male conductor 100. A seventeenth conductor 22 may likewise be included, centrally disposed therein. In an example embodiment contemplated herein, the sixteen conductors 20 are contemplated to be copper or electrical conductors and the central conductor 22 is contemplated to be fiber optic. However, the reverse or alternative or different arrangements are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, the foregoing illustrated for purposes of example only.
[0064] More or less conductors 20 may be arranged between insulating or nonconductive sections, as case may be, depending on the size of the conductors 20 compared to the size of the connector 100, 200. The number, therefore, is shown for the purposes of example only and is not intended to be limiting. Each of the conductors 20 is disposed via peripheral contact 102 to connect with a corresponding spring contact 202 disposed in complementary position interior to female connector 200. See, e.g., FIG. 4.
[0065] FIG. 3 illustrates a side elevation view of the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Female connector 200 includes collar members 250 disposed to orient complementary conductors 20 disposed terminating interior to female connector 200 to connect with associated spring contacts 202 which in turn contact with peripheral contacts 102 disposed upon or protruding from peripheral surface 104 of male connector 100. As shown in FIG. 4, in longitudinal section taken along the line 3A-3A in FIG. 3, example embodiment of male connector 100 includes wedge or plate peripheral contacts 102, crimped or connected endwise to associated conductors 20, to dispose contact 102 presented at, upon, proximal to, or emerging from peripheral surface 104 of male connector 100.
[0066] When male connector 100 is properly oriented, such that attachment members 300 properly engage to maintain male connector 100 docked into female connector 200, then each peripheral contact 102 engages against an associated spring contact 202 peripherally disposed around interior surface 204 of female connector 200. As shown in FIG. 4, each spring contact 202 is connected by bridge connector 252 to a corresponding conductor 20 whereby signals (or data or bandwidth) is transmissible between conductors 20 in male connector 100 and female connector 200.
[0067] Turning to FIG. 5, male connector 100 is shown separated from female connector 200. Guide channels 150, peripherally disposed on male connector 100, assist proper alignment, orientation, and fastening of male connector 100 into female connector 200 by requiring passage of attachment members 300 therethrough. If guide channels 150 are not aligned with attachment members 300, then interconnection will be physically prevented by attachment members 300 obstructing connection. In other words, in this example embodiment, attachment members 300 must align with guide channels 150 to connect with male connector 100. Additional means of selectively securing interconnection of male and female connector 100, 200 are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure, including, for example, hook and loop interfacing, hooks, clips, threads (wherein a partial rotation of the male connector relative to the female connector may effectuate mating contact), slidable collars devised to slidingly engage or lock male and female connectors 100, 200 together, among other mechanisms seen and contemplated in the art.
[0068] The example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 presents a male connector 100 having a cylindrical shape (or circular cross-section) with a single peripheral surface 104 wherein peripheral contacts 102 are disposed. Similarly, female connector 200 has one interior surface 204 devised to matingly engage with male connector 100. However, additional means of effectuating contact between a plurality of conductors 200 along a coaxial dimension, wherein the diameter or transverse dimension of the connector 100, 200 need not exceed the diameter or transverse dimension of the corresponding cable upon which the connector is installed, are contemplated as within scope of this disclosure. For example, in the example embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a multi-tiered concentric connector 10 is contemplated, wherein a greater plurality of conductors 20 is enabled to be interconnected in contact around a plurality of peripheral surfaces 104 disposed therein. It should be noted that connectors having additional complementary shapes, such as square, rectangular, or polygonal cross-sections, for example, are contemplated as included within scope of this disclosure.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, male connector 100 may include a plurality of everted tiers 106. In the example embodiment depicted, male connector 100 has five everted tiers, each of which present a peripheral or, in the example embodiment shown, circumferential surfaces 104 whereon a plurality of peripheral contacts 102 is disposed. For clarity of illustration, individual conductors 20 (wires, fibers, fiber optics, or channels, or other data or bandwidth conveyances) are not shown and exterior sheathing is likewise omitted.
[0070] Female connector 200 presents a complementary number of inverted tiers 206, each having an interior peripheral surface 204 whereon a corresponding plurality of, in this example embodiment, spring contacts 202 is disposed. When male connector 100 is inserted into female connector 200, each of the plurality of everted tiers 106 engages with each of the plurality of inverted tiers 206 whereby each of the plurality of peripheral contacts 102 is placed in contact or operational communication with each of the plurality of spring contacts 202.
[0071] In this example embodiment, a greater density of conductors 20 can be incorporated relative to the example embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 above. More bandwidth, across a greater variety of channels, may therefore be accommodated through the example embodiment shown in FIG. 7. Of course, more or less tiers can increase or decrease the number or type of conductors 20 so arranged for data transmission.
[0072] FIG. 7 illustrates the example embodiment shown in FIG. 6 with male connector 100 inserted into female connector 200. As shown in FIG. 6, for clarity in representation, conductors 20 and exterior sheathing are omitted. Male and female connectors 100, 200 may be secured in position by means of a collar member (not shown) or other means of selective attachment devised to selectively maintain insertion of male connector 100 into female connector 200, or other attachment members (not shown) may be employed.
[0073] FIG. 8 illustrates a side elevation view of a longitudinal section taken along a medial axis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Again, conductors 20 and sheathing that would ordinarily inform each connector 100, 200, have been omitted from view for clarity in representation of the inventive features.
[0074] Male connector 100 presents a plurality of channels 108 wherein a corresponding plurality of conductors 20 is led to terminate at or proximal to a peripheral surface 104 of at least one tier 106. Conductor 20 (or fiber, fiber optic, channel, or other conveyance suited for the transmission of data or bandwidth, whether electrically or otherwise) is crimped to, or otherwise connected with, peripheral contact 102. Complementary conductors 20 are arranged peripherally and concentrically from complementary spring contacts 202 disposed in corresponding array around interior peripheral surfaces 204 of each corresponding inverted tier 206 in female connector 200.
[0075] FIG. 9 shows a side elevation view of a longitudinal cross section taken along a medial axis of the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 7. Here, male connector 100 is shown interconnected with female connector 200. Each spring contact 204 is therefore engaged against a corresponding peripheral contact 104 disposed in stepped array across the plurality of tiers 106. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate detail views of male connector 100 and female connector 200 exemplified in FIGS. 6 through 13. Any practical number of tiers 106, 206, of any shaped cross-section (e.g. square, rectangular, polygonal, etc.), is contemplated to be within scope of this disclosure.
[0076] FIGS. 14 through 21 illustrate an alternative example embodiment wherein spring contacts 202 disposed in female connector 200 are configured to be insertable into corresponding apertures 110 disposed upon anterior surfaces 105 of each corresponding tier 106 in male connector 100, wherein contact is effected between corresponding conductors 20 in male connector 100 disposed interior to each of a plurality of channels 108 therein.
[0077] In this embodiment, each spring contact 202 disposed within female connector 200 is projected anteriorly from connection with a corresponding conductor as a plurality of spring pins. See, e.g., FIG. 20. Male connector 100 includes anterior apertures 105 arranged around anterior surface 103 of each tier 106. See, e.g., FIGS. 19 and 21. Insertion of male connector 100 into female connector 200 aligns each of the plurality of spring pins 202 with a corresponding one of the plurality of anterior apertures 105, thereby guiding each said spring pin 202 into each corresponding channel 108 to connect with an associated interior contact 102 disposed terminating each conductor 20 interior to the male connector 100. See, e.g., FIGS. 16 and 17. See also FIG. 22. Since each channel 108 is insulating or nonconductive, possibility of cross channel connection or interference is minimized in this arrangement.
[0078] The example embodiment shown in FIGS. 23 through 27 contemplates an example embodiment wherein the conductors 20 are arranged in concentrically interior to a single tier comprising the connector 100, 200. In this example embodiment, contacts 102 disposed upon the terminus of each conductor 20 interior to male connector 100 vary in length, to bridge contact from each conductor 20 to the peripheral surface 104 of the connector 100. In this example embodiment, conductors 20 are arranged in concentric tiers interiorly, from an innermost tier 160 or ring to an outermost tier 162 or ring. Conductors 20 disposed around the innermost tier 160 connect with bridge contacts 102 that have maximum length. Conductors 20 disposed around the outermost tier 162 connect with bridge contacts 102 that have a minimum length. All bridge contacts 102 are disposed to connect or operationally communicate with spring contacts 202 complementarily disposed around the interior surface 204 of female connector 200.
[0079] Contacts 102, 202 are disposed along major axes in parallel along the length of each connector 100, 200. Thus, the connector 100, 200 may increase in length to accommodate more contacts 102, 202 between conductors 20 while maintaining a constant transverse dimension or diameter.
