COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR PIN CUTTING TOOL CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE ONE OR MORE PREDETERMINED CUT PIN LENGTH SETTINGS

Abstract

A tool configured to cut a pin of a cable connector that may include a cutter portion and a gauge portion. The cutter portion may be configured to receive a pin of a cable connector to be cut. The gauge portion may be configured to include a receiving portion that is configured to receive a pin of a cable connector. The gauge portion may be configured to rotate relative to the cutter portion around an axis. The gauge portion may include a gauge thickness dimension that is configured to correspond to a predetermined cut length of the pin. The gauge portion also may be configured to permit the cutter portion to cut the pin received by the receiving portion to at least one predetermined length that is needed for an installation so as to provide uniform electrical performance of the connector, which may be a coaxial or hardline connector.

Claims

1. A tool for cutting a pin of a connector, comprising: a cutter portion comprising: a first gripping portion that comprises a cutting portion; and a second gripping portion that is configured to be pivotally attached to the first gripping portion and comprises a cutting surface; a positioning portion that comprises a gauge portion; an attaching member that is configured to attach the positioning portion to the cutter portion; wherein the cutting surface is configured to position a pin of a connector to be cut between the cutting surface and the cutting portion; wherein the gauge portion comprises a receiving portion that is configured to receive a pin of a connector; wherein the attaching member is configured to extend along a central axis that extends along a central axis direction; wherein the positioning portion is configured to rotate relative to the cutter portion around the central axis during tool operation; wherein the gauge portion has a gauge thickness dimension that is configured to extend in a direction that is predominantly parallel to the central axis direction; wherein the gauge thickness dimension of the gauge portion is configured to correspond to a predetermined cut length of a pin of a connector; and wherein the gauge portion is configured to permit the cutter portion to cut a pin of a connector received by the receiving portion to a predetermined length that is needed for an installation so as to provide uniform electrical performance of the connector during operation of the connector.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the predetermined cut length equals the gauge thickness dimension of the gauge portion plus a distance between an edge of the cutting portion and the gauge portion.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a through hole that is configured to extend in a direction predominantly parallel to the central axis direction.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gauge portion comprises a first gauge portion, the positioning portion comprises a second gauge portion, and the second gauge portion comprises a second gauge thickness dimension that is different from the first gauge thickness dimension of the first gauge portion.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the positioning portion includes a marking portion that indicates a thickness of the gauge portion.

6. The tool of claim 5, wherein the marking portion is configured to provide a measurement of the predetermined cut length.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the positioning portion is configured to be rotated to align the receiving portion with a gap between the cutting portion and the cutting surface.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the gauge portion comprises a recess portion that is configured to allow at least a portion of the receiving portion to pass there through, and the recess portion is configured to receive a portion of a connector other than a pin.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping portions are configured to move toward each other such that the cutting portion cuts a pin of a connector against the cutting surface to reduce a length of a pin of a connector to the predetermined cut length.

10. The tool of claim 1, wherein the cutting portion is a cutting blade.

11. The tool of claim 1, wherein the connector is a coaxial cable connector.

12. The tool of claim 1, wherein the connector is a hardline connector.

13. A tool for cutting a pin of a connector, comprising: a cutter portion; a positioning portion comprising a gauge portion; wherein the cutter portion is configured to position a pin of a connector to be cut by the cutter portion; wherein the gauge portion comprises a receiving portion that is configured to receive a pin of a connector; wherein the positioning portion is configured to extend along an axis that extends along a positioning portion axis direction; wherein the positioning portion is configured to rotate relative to the cutter portion around the axis; wherein the gauge portion has a gauge thickness dimension that extends in a direction that is predominantly parallel to the positioning portion axis direction; wherein the gauge thickness dimension of the gauge portion is configured to correspond to a predetermined cut length of a pin of a connector; and wherein the gauge portion is configured to permit the cutter portion to cut a pin of a connector received by the receiving portion to a predetermined or preset length that is needed for a connector installation so as to provide uniform electrical performance of the connector.

14. The tool of claim 13, further comprising an attaching portion that is configured to attach the positioning portion to the cutter portion.

15. The tool of claim 13, wherein the cutter portion comprises a cutting portion that is configured to be pivotably attached to a cutting support portion.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the cutting portion is a cutting blade.

17. The tool of claim 13, wherein the predetermined cut length equals the thickness of the gauge portion plus a distance between a cutting edge of the cutting portion and the gauge portion.

18. The tool of claim 13, wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend in a direction that is predominantly parallel to the positioning portion axis direction.

19. The tool of claim 13, wherein the gauge portion comprises a first gauge portion having a first gauge thickness dimension, the positioning portion comprises a second gauge portion having a second gauge thickness dimension, and the first gauge thickness dimension is greater than the second gauge thickness dimension.

20. The tool of claim 13, wherein the connector is a coaxial cable connector.

21. The tool of claim 13, wherein the connector is a hardline connector.

22. A tool for cutting a pin of a connector, comprising: a cutter portion; a gauge portion; wherein the cutter portion is configured to receive a pin of a connector to be cut in the cutter portion; wherein the gauge portion is configured to include a receiving portion configured to receive a pin of a connector; wherein the positioning portion is configured to rotate relative to the cutter portion around a positioning portion axis that extends in a first direction; wherein gauge portion comprises a gauge thickness dimension that is configured to correspond to a predetermined cut length of a pin of a connector; and wherein the gauge portion is configured to permit the cutter portion to cut a pin of a connector received by the receiving portion to a predetermined length that is needed for an connector installation so as to provide uniform electrical performance of the connector.

23. The tool of claim 22, further comprising a positioning portion, and wherein the positioning portion comprises the gauge portion, the gauge portion comprises a first gauge portion; wherein the positioning portion comprises a second gauge portion, and wherein a thickness of the second gauge portion and the thickness of the first gauge portion are different.

24. The tool of claim 22, wherein the thickness of the gauge portion is in a direction parallel to the axis.

25. The tool of claim 22, wherein the cutter portion comprises a first gripping portion and a second gripping portion, and wherein the first and second gripping portions are configured to move toward each other such that a cutting blade cuts a pin of a connector against a cutting surface so as to reduce a length of a pin of a connector to the predetermined cut length.

26. The tool of claim 22, wherein the receiving portion is configured to extend in a direction at least predominantly parallel to the axis.

27. The tool of claim 22, wherein the connector is a coaxial cable connector.

28. The tool of claim 22, wherein the connector is a hardline connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplary hardline connector having a pin.

[0060] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cutting tool in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1.

[0062] FIG. 4 is a side view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1.

[0063] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1 showing a connector positioned in the tool.

[0064] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the cutting tool of FIG. 1 showing a connector positioned in the tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0065] A tool in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure has a positioning portion that has a plurality of gauge portions. The plurality of gauge portions facilitate cutting the pin to a predetermined length that is needed for a particular installation and therefore provides repeatability and uniformity of pin length that result in uniform electrical performance of the coaxial cable connector.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary connector 10 is depicted. The connector 10 is configured for hardline or semi-rigid coaxial cables. In this example, the connector 10 includes a front nut assembly 12 and a back nut assembly 14 that are configured to be removably connected to one another while providing both an electrical and mechanical connection therebetween.

[0067] A coaxial cable (not shown), for example, a hardline coaxial cable, is inserted into the rearward end of the back nut assembly 14 of the connector 10. Coaxial cables generally include a solid center conductor typically formed from a conductive metal, such as copper, copper clad aluminum, copper clad steel, or the like capable of conducting electrical signals therethrough. Surrounding the cable center conductor is a cable dielectric, which insulates the cable center conductor to minimize signal loss. The cable dielectric also maintains a spacing between the cable center conductor and a cable outer conductor or shield. The cable dielectric is often a plastic material, such as a polyethylene, a fluorinated plastic material, such as a polyethylene or a polytetrafluoroethylene, a fiberglass braid, or the like. The cable shield or outer conductor is typically made of metal, such as aluminum or copper, and is often extruded to form a hollow tubular structure with a solid wall having a smooth exterior surface. An insulative cable jacket may surround the cable outer conductor to further seal the coaxial cable. The cable jacket is typically made of plastic, such as polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0068] The connector 10 includes a plurality of components generally having a coaxial configuration about an axis defined by the center conductor of the coaxial cable. In this example, the front nut assembly 12 includes a front body housing supporting a pin assembly 20 therein. Specifically, the front nut assembly 12 is formed with an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the pin assembly 20 and is made from an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The front nut assembly 12 is formed with an external threaded portion 22 at its forward end that is configured to cooperate with devices located in the field that receive the forward end of the pin assembly 20. A portion of the exterior perimeter of the front nut assembly 12 may be provided with a hexagonal shape to accommodate the use of tools during installation of the connector 10. In this example, the pin assembly 20 includes a gripping portion 18 that receives and grips the center conductor of the coaxial cable, and a pin 16 that extends from the front nut assembly 12. The back nut assembly 14 of the connector 10 is provided, at its rearward end, with an axial bore dimensioned to receive the outside diameter of the coaxial cable in snug fitting relationship. The center conductor of the coaxial cable extends from the back nut assembly 14 into the gripping portion 18 of the pin assembly 20 such that an electrically conductive path is established between the center conductor of the coaxial cable and the pin 16.

[0069] In particular applications, an accurate and uniform length for the pin 16 is desirable for optimum performance of the connector 10. In particular, in applications where the connector 10 is used to transmit higher frequency signals (such as, for example, 3 GHz signals), a small difference between a desired (or specified) pin length and the actual cut pin length can result in a degradation in performance of the connector. As a result, a tool that allows a technician to accurately and quickly cut the pin 16 to the desired length can greatly reduce the chances for degradation of performance in a coaxial cable system while also increasing productivity.

[0070] FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of a coaxial cable pin cutting tool 100 having a selection mechanism that allows accurate selection of a cut pin length from a plurality of standard pin lengths. In this example, the tool 100 has a cutting portion 200 that includes a first gripping portion such as, for example, a first arm 210 and a second gripping portion such as, for example, a second arm 212 that are pivotably connected to each other by an attaching member 214. In some embodiments, the attaching member 214 includes a bolt 215, a washer 218 and a nut 216 (as shown in FIG. 2), or some other mechanism that connects the first arm 210 to the second arm 212 such that first arm 210 and the second arm 212 are pivotable relative to each other. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first arm 210 has a cutting blade 230 configured to cut pin 16. The second arm 212 has a cutting surface 232 that is positioned opposite to the cutting blade 230. The cutting surface 232 can, for example, be formed as a flat surface or as a second cutting blade. In operation, when the first arm 210 and the second arm 212 are moved toward each other by a user, the cutting blade 230 and the cutting surface 232 are moved toward each other to cut the pin 16. In some embodiments, the cutting blade 230 and the cutting surface 232 contact each other at a fully closed position of the tool 100. In other embodiments, the cutting blade 230 and the cutting surface 232 approach but do not contact each other at a fully closed position of the tool 100.

[0071] The tool 100 has a positioning portion 300 that provides a plurality of stops against which a user positions a portion of the connector 10 such as, for example, a forward surface of the front nut assembly 12 of the connector 10 (which corresponds to the base of the pin 16) to properly position the pin 16 in the tool 100 for cutting. In this example, positioning portion 300 has seven gauge portions 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 each having a different thickness in a direction parallel to a central axis of the bolt 215. Each of the gauge portions 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 has a receiving portion such as, for example, a through hole 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337 that is configured to receive the pin 16. In embodiments, one or more of the through holes is configured to extend in a direction parallel to (or predominantly parallel to) a rotational (or central) axis, extending for example along a central axis direction, of the positioning portion 300. The term “predominantly parallel to” in this context means within 10 degrees. The positioning portion 300 is configured to rotate relative to the first and second arms 210, 212 so that the desired through hole is aligned with between the cutting blade 230 and the cutting surface 232. In embodiments, all of the through holes 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337 are the same diameter, which is slightly larger than the standard diameter of the pin 16. In other embodiments, some or all of the through holes 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337 have a different diameter. For example, in applications where the pin 16 is to have a cut length corresponding to the gauge portions 321, 322, 323, and 324, the pin 16 may have a diameter of X and, accordingly, the through holes 331, 332, 333, and 334 would have a diameter slightly larger than diameter X. Continuing with this example, in applications where the pin 16 is to have a cut length corresponding to the gauge portions 325, 326, and 327, the pin 16 may have a diameter of Y and, accordingly, the through holes 335, 336, and 337 would have a diameter slightly larger than diameter Y. Although the above example specifies certain though holes having the same diameter, it is noted that other combinations of through hole diameters are also included in the disclosure.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the gauge portion 327 has a recess 357 in its surface that surrounds the through hole 337. The recess 357 is provided to allow a portion of particular connectors to be positioned below the surface of the gauge portion 327 so that a different portion of the connector contacts the surface of the gauge portion 327 and, therefore, determines the cutting length of the pin. Although the recess 357 is shown as a circular recess, the recess 357 can be shapes other than circular. Further, although only gauge portion 327 is shown having a recess, in other embodiments none, two, or more of the gauge portions have a recess.

[0073] In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the boundaries between the gauge portions 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 are right-angled steps. In other embodiments, one or more of the boundaries between the gauge portions 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327 are smooth transitions or have other shapes other than right-angled steps. Although the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes seven of the gauge portions 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, other examples include fewer or more of the gauge portions. For example, for applications for use with connectors 10 having a large front end of the front nut assembly 12, the positioning portion 300 may be limited to a smaller number, for example, four, of the gauge portions in order to allow the pin 16 to be fully inserted into the desired through hole.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a side view of the tool 100 showing a plurality of markings 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347 that indicate the length of the pin 16 after cutting when using the corresponding through hole 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337. In this example, the through holes 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337 correspond to cut pin lengths of ⅜″, 10 mm, ½″, 9/16″, ¾″, 1″, and 32 mm, respectively. Other embodiments have different markings corresponding to different cut pin lengths. Other embodiments have markings other than the linear measurement of the cut pin such as, for example, alpha-numeric symbols such as “1, 2, 3, 4 . . . ” or “A, B, C, D . . . ” that represent known lengths of the cut pin.

[0075] Operation of the tool 100 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Initially, the pin 16 of the connector 10 is inserted into the through hole that corresponds to the chosen cut length of the pin 16. In the example shown, the pin 16 is inserted into the through hole 333 in the gauge portion 323 of the positioning portion 300. The connector 10 is moved toward the gauge portion 323 to the point where a front surface of the front nut assembly 12 contacts the gauge portion 323 and the pin 16 is fully inserted into the through hole 333. The first arm 210 and the second arm 212 are then pressed toward each other by the user to bring the cutting blade 230 and the cutting surface 232 into contact with the pin 16. Continued pressure is applied to the first arm 210 and the second arm 212 until the pin is completely cut, which results in a cut length to the pin 16 being equal to the chosen length.

[0076] An advantage of the configuration of the tool 100 is that as long as the pin 16 is inserted into the correct through hole, the pin 16 cannot be cut too short. If the user fails to fully insert the pin 16 into the through hole (resulting in a longer than desired pin length), the user can simply insert the pin 16 fully into the through hole and cut the pin 16 a second time, which will result in the correct cut pin length.

[0077] Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0078] Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures will now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.