[0001] The invention concerns a right-angle co-axial plug for cable, particularly suited
for antenna cables of car radios and similar, wherein the plug has the characteristic
of being suited to be applied also with automatic means to the terminal end of the
cable..
[0002] It is a known fact that car radios are connected to their antennas by means of co-axial
cables which carry the radio signal and which are connected with the car radio by
means of gudgeon pins, which are also co-axial, and which consist essentially of a
central cylindrical bar carrying the signal and of an external, co-axial cylindrical
body, which is electrically insulated from the central body and connected with the
earth of the circuit.
[0003] The standardization norms of said plugs have recently been changed and the international
standardization has suggested a new type of plug wherein the two co-axial contacts,
i.e. the gudgeon pin and the external cylindrical part concerning the earth are not
only co-axial but also inserted into the same annular space.
[0004] One of the reasons which has induced the manufacturer to develop this type of plug
is that the plug is substantially shortened, so that the overall dimensions and the
dimensions of the connection between the plug and the corresponding socket in the
car radio are reduced.
[0005] The plugs which have just been described are already circulating on the market, and
they are costly made by moulding the plastic plug around the already pre-arranged
cable.
[0006] This manufacturing technology, which undoubtedly presents some advantages, does not,
however, allow the assembly between the plug and the already peeled-off cable with
automatic machines.
[0007] In fact, in the mentioned case, the peeled-off cable must be placed under the mould
of the injection press, in order for the moulding process of the plastic part of the
plug to take place.
[0008] The purpose of the present invention is that of overcoming the just-mentioned drawbacks.
[0009] Specifically the purpose is that of realizing a co-axial plug with a right-angle
cable junction which can be applied to co-axial cables by means of automatic machines,
while avoiding to perform the moulding process under the press with the co-axial cable
inserted in the mould.
[0010] All the above-mentioned purposes are reached with the realization of a co-axial plug
with a right-angle junction for cables, particularly for co-axial cables, which presents
a support made of plastic material having an essentially cylindrical shape and with
a bored appendix suited to receive the cable with which it is to be connected, characterized
by the fact that it presents a metal annular contact consisting of at least two partially
cylindrical surfaces and included in the support of plastic material ending with a
thin band which connects and fastens the external part of the co-axial cable and is
further characterized in that the central gudgeon plug connecting with the co-axial
cable carrying the signal is forced into the central vertical hole moulded in the
plastic support.
[0011] Other characteristics and details of the invention will be better understood from
the description of a preferred form of execution, given by way of explanation only,
but which is not meant to limit the scope of the invention, such as it is illustrated
in the enclosed tables of drawing, where:
- Fig. 1 represents a cross-section of the plug of the invention;
- Fig. 2 is a top view of the plug of the invention;
- Fig. 3 shows the metal part of one of the two contacts of the plug.
[0012] With reference to the mentioned Figures of drawing, it can be observed that the co-axial
plug, indicated as a whole with 10, consists of a metal part 20, obtained from a flat
sheet by cutting and subsequent bending.
[0013] Said metal sheet 20 performs the external earth connection and for this reason it
is provided with two partially cylindrical, equal and symmetrical elements 21 facing
each other and being joined together at the bottom by a flat part of the thin plate
22.
[0014] Element 20 ends with the thin band 23 wherein the co-axial cable, already prepared
for the connection is inserted.
[0015] The metal element 20 thus shaped, as can be seen in Fig. 3, is inserted in the plastic
material moulding machine, so as to obtain unit 30, which can be seen in Fig. 1.
[0016] Said unit 30 presents included therein the metal element 20 and central to and co-axial
with element 20 it presents the blind hole 31 which lodges the central cylindrical
contact 40.
[0017] Element 30 made of plastic material presents a hole 32 with a profile having different
cross-sections and a horizontal axis which is suited to receive the part of the co-axial
cable 51 having the central wire 50 which is inserted as far as to reach the wall
of hole 31.
[0018] The external wire 52 of the co-axial cable 51, on the other hand, is fastened by
closing the thin band 23.
[0019] In the substance, when it is necessary to connect the plug of the invention with
the co-axial cable 51, after the cable has been peeled off, said cable is inserted
into hole 32 and the insertion continues until wire 50 reaches the wall of the vertical
hole 31.
[0020] The definite connection between plug 10 and the co-axial cable 51 is obtained by
inserting the little cylinder 40 into hole 31, so as to insure the electric contact
between the little cylinder 40 and wire 50 and, moreover, by tightening the thin band
23.
[0021] It can easily be understood that the above-mentioned operations can effectively be
performed with automatic machines, which perform the insertion of the central contact
40 and the closing of the thin band 23, once the co-axial cable has been properly
positioned.
[0022] The advantage arising from the possibility of performing the mechanical automatic
assembly of the plug and the co-axial cable is obvious: in fact with this process
the plugs can be manufactured, assembled and stocked separately from the cables, and
the cables, in turn, can be separately pre-packed according to different lengths and
according to different requirements, so that when it becomes necessary to prepare
a cable complete with plug, this can be done by drawing the already assembled plugs
from the stock and connecting it with the chosen cable.
[0023] It will be pointed out that, on the other hand, in the case of the present technique,
the plug is made with the cable already attached through moulding to the cable with
all the drawbacks connected therewith.
[0024] One instance will be mentioned: some types of cars require antenna cables differring
in length from other cars, so that it will be necessary to put together stocks of
plugs and cables according to the requirements. On the contrary, in the case of the
invention the plug can be manufactured and kept in stock in considerable quantities,
and can subsequently be connected with the required cables.
[0025] Execution variations may be applied during the manufacturing process with the purpose
of improving the construction. Said variations will, however, not exceed the scope
of the invention, such as it is described in the following claims.