High temperature molded dielectric bead for coaxial connector

Claim 2

A dielectric support bead for maintaining a center conductor of a coaxial connector in spaced coaxial relationship to an outer conductor thereof, said support bead comprising a center support portion having a central through aperture extending axially therethrough, said central through aperture being dimensioned for pressfit engagement with the center conductor of the coaxial connector, a plurality of spaced apart outer support surfaces defining segments of a cylinder, said outer support surfaces having an external diameter for engagement with the outer conductor of the coaxial connector, said outer support sur-aces being maintained in spaced relationship to said inner support portion by support legs extending generally radially therebetween, a substantially annular shroud disposed around said inner support portion and defining an outer circumference having a radius substantially equal to the radius defined by said outer support surfaces, said shroud being operative to prevent contaminants from entering the coaxial connector at locations intermediate said support legs.

Claim 3

A dielectric support bead as in claim 1, wherein said dielectric support bead comprises opposed longitudinal ends, said shroud being disposed in proximity to one said longitudinal end of said dielectric support bead.

Claim 4

A dielectric support bead as in claim 1 wherein portions of said support bead intermediate adjacent support legs thereof are defined by generally continuous arcuate concave surfaces.

Claim 5

A dielectric support bead as in claim 3 wherein said concave arcuate surfaces define generally cylindrical surfaces having respective axes aligned substantially parallel to the axis of said central through aperture in said support bead.

Claim 6

A dielectric support bead as in claim 4 wherein the axes of the concave generally cylindrical surfaces between adjacent support legs are disposed at equal distances from the longitudinal axis of said support bead.

Claim 7

A dielectric support bead as in claim 5 wherein the distance between the longitudinal axis of said dielectric support bead and the axes of said concave generally cylindrical surfaces exceeds the radius defined by the outer support surfaces.

Claim 8

A dielectric support bead as in claim 1 further comprising generally annular undercuts adjacent the opposed longitudinal ends of said dielectric support bead.

Claim 9

A dielectric support bead as in claim 1, wherein said bead is unitarily molded from a plastic material.

Claim 10

A dielectric support bead as in claim 8 wherein the plastic material is ULTEM.

Claim 11

A high frequency coaxial connector for use in high temperature environments, said connector having a mating end for connection to a mating connector, and having an opposed end, said connector comprising: a center conductor one end of which is free and generally disposed at the mating end of said connector for engagement with said mating connector; an outer conductor spaced from said center conductor and disposed centrally thereabout; and an injection molded dielectric support bead formed from a plastic material, said support bead comprising a center support portion having a central through aperture extending axially therethrough, said central through aperture being pressfit over the center conductor of the coaxial connector, a plurality of spaced apart outer support surfaces defining segments of a cylinder, said outer support surfaces being radially disposed relative to the center support portion to be in engagement with the outer conductor of the coaxial connector, said outer support surfaces being maintained in spaced relationship to said inner support portion by respective support legs extending generally radially between the inner support portion and the associated outer support surface, a substantially annular shroud disposed around said inner support portion and defining an outer circumference having a radius substantially equal to the radius defined by said outer support surfaces, said shroud being operative to prevent contaminants from entering the coaxial connector at locations intermediate said support legs.

Claim 12

A high frequency coaxial connector for use in high temperature environments, said connector having a mating end for connection to a mating connector, and having an opposed end, said connector comprising: a center conductor one end of which is free and generally disposed at the mating end of said connector for engagement with said mating connector; an outer conductor spaced from said center conductor and disposed centrally thereabout; and an injection molded dielectric support bead formed from a plastic material, said support bead comprising a center support portion having a central through aperture extending axially therethrough, said central through aperture being pressfit over the center conductor of the coaxial connector, a plurality of spaced apart outer support surfaces defining segments of a cylinder, said outer support surfaces being radially disposed relative to the center support portion to be in engagement with the outer conductor of the coaxial connector, said outer support surfaces being maintained in spaced relationship to said inner support portion by respective support legs extending generally radially between the inner support portion and the associated outer support surface, a substantially annular shroud disposed around said inner support portion and defining an outer circumference having a radius substantially equal to the radius defined by said outer support surfaces, said shroud being operative to prevent contaminants from entering the coaxial connector at locations intermediate said support legs.

Claim 13

A coaxial connector as in claim 10 wherein said dielectric support bead comprises opposed longitudinal ends, said shroud being disposed in proximity to one said longitudinal end of said dielectric support bead.

Claim 14

A coaxial connector as in claim 10 wherein portions of said support bead intermediate adjacent support legs thereof are defined by generally continuous arcuate concave surfaces.

Claim 15

A coaxial connector as in claim 12 wherein said concave arcuate surfaces define generally cylindrical surfaces having respective axes aligned substantially parallel to the axis of the central through aperture in said support bead.

Claim 16

A coaxial connector as in claim 13 wherein the axes of the concave generally cylindrical surfaces between adjacent support legs are disposed at substantially equal distances from the longitudinal axis of said support bead.

Claim 17

A coaxial connector as in claim 14 wherein the distance between the longitudinal axis of said dielectric support bead and the axes of said concave generally cylindrical surfaces exceeds the radius defined by the outer support surfaces of the dielectric support bead.

Claim 18

A coaxial connector as in claim 10 wherein the dielectric support bead further comprises generally annular undercuts adjacent the opposed longitudinal ends thereof.

Claim 19

A coaxial connector as in claim 10 wherein the dielectric support bead is molded from ULTEM plastic.