Connector seal device
AssigneePpc Broadband, Inc.
InventorsAndrew Haberek, Christopher P. Natoli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector seal device includes, in one embodiment, a seal body extendable along an axis and configured to receive an end of a coupler. The coupler is configured to be rotatably coupled to a coaxial cable connector, and the seal body is configured to engage a portion of the coupler to establish a first environmental seal between the seal body and the coupler. The connector seal device also includes a seal neck integral with the seal body configured to extend along the axis beyond the end of the coupler. The seal neck is configured to engage an interface port to establish a second environmental seal between the seal neck and the interface port.
Claims20
A connector seal device comprising:
- a unitary structure resulting from a process of molding a material onto a coupler, wherein the coupler is configured to be rotatably coupled to a connector body of a coaxial cable connector, the coupler comprising an exterior surface, the exterior surface comprising a first irregularity, the unitary structure comprising:
- a seal body extendable along an axis, the seal body configured to receive an end of the coupler, the seal body configured to apply a radial force acting on the coupler so as to establish a first environmental seal between the seal body and the coupler, the seal body comprising a retention portion having an interior surface, the interior surface comprising a second irregularity, the second irregularity being configured to mate with the first irregularity, the seal body comprising a tactile characteristic configured to facilitate rotation of the coupler by gripping the seal body;
- and
- a seal neck configured to extend along the axis beyond the end of the coupler, the seal neck having a flexible interior surface configured to engage an interface port so as to establish a second environmental seal between the seal neck and the interface port.
A connector seal device comprising:
- a seal body extendable along an axis, the seal body configured to receive a forward end of a coupler, wherein the coupler is configured to be rotatably coupled to a coaxial cable connector, the seal body being configured to engage a portion of the coupler so as to establish a first environmental seal between the seal body and the coupler;
- and
- a seal neck which is integral with the seal body, the seal neck configured to extend along the axis beyond the end of the coupler, the seal neck configured to engage an interface port so as to establish a second environmental seal between the seal neck and the interface port.
A cable connector seal assembly comprising:
- a coupling member configured to mechanically engage a coaxial cable interface port at a forward end of the coupling member, the coupling member having a seal retention portion proximate the forward end of the coupling member, the seal retention portion comprising an irregular exterior surface;
- and
- a seal device having a unitary structure, the seal device having a rearward portion disposed around the exterior surface of the seal retention portion and exerting a sealing force that is biased against the exterior surface in an inward radial direction so as to frictionally engage the retention portion,
- wherein the seal device comprises a forward portion, and wherein the forward portion of the seal device is configured to surround and seal the coaxial cable interface port to establish an environmental seal when the coupling member is mechanically engaged with the coaxial cable interface port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.