# US 2021/0281024 A1 · Locking rf coaxial connector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0281024 A1 - Document ID: US20210281024A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/327,546 - Filed: 2021-05-21 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2018-11-28 - Assignees: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC - Applicants: Corning Optical Communications RF LLC - Inventors: Brian Lyle Kisling - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210281024A1 ## CPC - H01R 24/40: specially adapted for high frequency - H01R 4/48: utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member (H01R4/52 takes precedence) - H01R 9/05: for coaxial cables - H01R 13/20: Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together - H01R 13/465: {Identification means, e.g. labels, tags, markings (H01R9/2475, H01R9/2683 take precedence)} - H01R 13/6275: {Latching arms not integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 13/639: Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} - 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 RF coaxial connectors, configured for multiple locking engagements, include a male connector and a female connector. The male connector has a male connector central conductor, a male connector dielectric positionable over a section of the male connector central conductor, a male connector bushing positionable over the male connector dielectric and over a portion of the male connector central conductor, a male connector outer conductor positionable over the male connector dielectric and at least a portion of the male connector bushing, the male connector outer conductor. The female connector has a female connector central conductor, a female connector dielectric positionable over at least a portion of the female connector central conductor, a female connector outer conductor positionable over at least a portion of the female connector central conductor and the female connector dielectric, and a female connector locking element positionable over the female connector outer conductor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An RF coaxial connector, comprising: a male connector, comprising: a male connector central conductor, a male connector dielectric positionable over an outer surface of the male connector central conductor, a male connector bushing positionable adjacent to the male connector dielectric and over at least a portion of the male connector central conductor, and a male connector outer conductor positionable over an outer surface of the male connector dielectric and at least a portion of the male connector bushing, wherein the male connector outer conductor comprises a plurality of stepped inner surfaces and a radially outward extending locking feature, and wherein the plurality of stepped inner surfaces comprises a detent; and a female connector, comprising a female connector central conductor, a female connector dielectric positionable over the female connector central conductor, a female connector outer conductor positionable over at least a portion of the female connector central conductor and the female connector dielectric, the female connector outer conductor comprising a plurality of fingers, a female connector bushing positionable in an end opening of the female connector outer conductor, and a female connector locking element positionable over the female connector outer conductor, the female connector locking element comprising an inwardly extending annular element and a plurality of slotted fingers, with at least one of the plurality of slotted fingers comprising a radially inward extending locking feature, wherein the male connector and the female connector are configured to mate at a plurality of stages such that the male connector and the female connector are configured for multiple locking engagements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fingers of the female connector outer conductor are in snap-fit engagement with the detent of the male connector outer conductor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein at a fully-mated stage, the plurality of fingers of the female connector outer conductor mate with the detent of the male connector outer conductor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein at a fully-mated stage the radially outward extending locking feature of the male connector outer conductor engages with the radially inward extending locking feature of the female connector locking element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein the female connector central conductor further comprises a first end and a second end formed as female sockets. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The RF coaxial connector of claim 5, wherein each female socket comprises at least two slotted fingers configured to open radially outward and mate with a portion of a coaxial cable. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein the male connector central conductor comprises a first end configured as a female socket. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The RF coaxial connector of claim 7, wherein the first end comprises at least two slotted fingers. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The RF coaxial connector of claim 8, wherein the at least two slotted fingers of the male connector central conductor are configured to receive a coaxial cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The RF coaxial connector of claim 7, wherein the male connector central conductor further comprises a second end opposing the first end being formed as a pin element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The RF coaxial connector of claim 10, wherein the second end comprises a central conductor pin element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The RF coaxial connector of claim 10, wherein the male connector central conductor further comprises a medial central conductor portion connecting the first end and the second end, ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein the male connector bushing further comprises a plurality of stepped outer surfaces. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The RF coaxial connector of claim 13, wherein the plurality of stepped outer surfaces comprises a ring detent. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The RF coaxial connector of claim 14, wherein the ring detent is configured for mating with an identification ring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, wherein the RF coaxial connector further comprises an identification ring configured to couple with the male connector bushing. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The RF coaxial connector of claim 1, further comprising a locking ring positionable over a portion of the female connector, wherein the locking ring is configured to axially advance toward the male connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The RF coaxial connector of claim 17, wherein the locking ring is configured for positioning over an annual locking feature. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The RF coaxial connector of claim 17, wherein the locking ring is positionable over the plurality of fingers of the female connector outer conductor. ### Claim 20 An RF coaxial connector, comprising: a male connector, comprising: a male connector central conductor, a male connector dielectric positionable over an outer surface of the male connector central conductor, a male connector bushing positionable adjacent to the male connector dielectric and over at least a portion of the male connector central conductor, and a male connector outer conductor positionable over an outer surface of the male connector dielectric and at least a portion of the male connector bushing, wherein the male connector outer conductor comprises a plurality of stepped inner surfaces and a radially outward extending locking feature, and wherein the plurality of stepped inner surfaces comprises a detent; a female connector, comprising a female connector central conductor, a female connector dielectric positionable over the female connector central conductor, a female connector outer conductor positionable over at least a portion of the female connector central conductor and the female connector dielectric, the female connector outer conductor comprising a plurality of fingers, a female connector bushing positionable in an end opening of the female connector outer conductor, and a female connector locking element positionable over the female connector outer conductor, the female connector locking element comprising an inwardly extending annular element and a plurality of slotted fingers, with at least one of the plurality of slotted fingers comprising a radially inward extending locking feature, and a locking ring positionable over a portion of the female connector and configured to axially advance toward the male connector, wherein the male connector and the female connector are configured to mate at a plurality of stages such that the male connector and the female connector are configured for multiple locking engagements.