# US 12,009,616 B2 · Cluster RF connector with biasing interface

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- Number: US 12,009,616 B2
- Document ID: US12009616B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/186,952
- Filed: 2021-02-26
- Published: 2021-11-11
- Granted: 2024-06-11
- Earliest claimed: 2020-05-08
- Assignees: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.
- Applicants: John Mezzalingua Associates, LLC
- Inventors: Thomas Urtz; Jeremy Benn; Christopher Natoli; Shawn Chawgo
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009616B2

## CPC

- H01R 13/518: for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
- H01R 13/5205: {Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet (H01R13/5221 takes precedence)}
- H01R 13/5219: {Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal}
- H01R 13/62: Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R 13/625: Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
- H01R 24/40: specially adapted for high frequency
- H01R 25/003: {the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables}
- H01R 13/6456: {comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector}
- H01R 2103/00: Two poles
- H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS

## Abstract

A cluster connector and cluster port for simultaneously engaging multiple RF connectors with a corresponding plurality of RF ports, wherein the cluster port may be coupled to an RF antenna or radio. The cluster port has a plurality of receiving interfaces wherein each of the receiving interfaces has an axial biasing element that enables simultaneous connection with a plurality of coupling interfaces, wherein each of the coupling interfaces is coupled to the end of an RF cable. The cluster connector of the disclosure also enables selective removal, replacement of one RF cable, and the corresponding coupling interface, without impacting other cables/coupling interfaces.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A cluster connector, comprising:
a primary connector body having a plurality of connector apertures;
a plurality of coupling interfaces, each coupling interface corresponding to a jumper, each of the coupling interfaces disposed at least partly within a corresponding connector aperture, each of the coupling interfaces having a jumper lock mechanism disposed on an outer surface; and
a secondary connector body including a hard mate lock; and
wherein each jumper lock mechanism enables removal of the corresponding jumper without disturbing the other jumpers.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cluster connector of claim 1, wherein the jumper lock mechanism comprises an O-ring seal, wherein the O-ring seal engages with an inner surface of the corresponding connect or aperture.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cluster connector of claim 1, wherein the hard mate lock comprises a coupling nut that is rotatably coupled to the secondary connector body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cluster connector of claim 1, further comprising an axial biasing means.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cluster connector of claim 1, wherein each coupling interface comprises an axial biasing element configured to apply an axial pressure on each of the coupling interfaces in a direction toward a receiving interface.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The cluster connector of claim 5, wherein the axial biasing element comprises a spring.

### Claim 7

A cluster connector, comprising:
a primary body having a plurality of apertures; and
a plurality of jumpers, each jumper corresponding to an aperture, each jumper having an RF plug and a coupling interface, and an axial biasing element disposed between the RF plug and the coupling interface, the RF plug and coupling interface configured to translate axially relative to one another over a zone of axial deflection,
wherein each coupling interface is configured to allow removal and insertion of a corresponding jumper without affecting operation of each of the other plurality of jumpers.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The cluster connector of claim 7, further comprising a hard mate lock disposed on an outer surface of the coupling interface.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The cluster connector of claim 7, wherein the axial biasing element has a deflection force that is greater than a force required to mechanically engage the RF plug and a corresponding receiving interface to create an RF connection.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The cluster connector of claim 7, wherein the axial biasing element is disposed within a cavity defined by the RF plug and the coupling interface.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The cluster connector of claim 10, wherein the axial biasing element comprises an elastomer under compression.