BNC Security Shield

The present invention relates to connector assemblies, in particular, connector assemblies preventing unauthorized access having rotatably secured coaxial cable connectors therein.

The unauthorized use of signals from circuits serviced by coaxial cables has traditionally been a problem for various industries, most significantly the CATV industry. It is therefore desirous to prevent the unauthorized equipment connection to or removal of access-inhibiting devices, such as dummy connectors, in a manner which cannot be easily overcome to gain access to that circuit. Previous attempts to limit circuit access have included protective connector coverings requiring the use of a mating installation tool inserted between the outer protective cover and the active connector portion. When the connector is used in harsh environments, the space between the two elements may accumulate dirt, making tool insertion difficult. Furthermore if the insertion tools must be placed over the coaxial cable or extend for any distance behind the connector, the connector assembly may not be practical in tight space installations. Therefore, it becomes important to provide a tamper-resistant connector which provides the durability and ease of use in all environments and equipment installations.

The present invention comprises a security shield applied over a BNC-style connector. The security shield contains an integral retaining spring which prevents removal of the shield after it is applied to the BNC connector, but allows free axial rotation over the connector. The security shield is applied by retracting the retaining spring with an insertion tool. Upon insertion in the security shield, the retaining springs lock with groove or recessed channel of the BNC connector, at which time the insertion tool is expelled from the security shield and no longer required. A connector installation tool is used to connect or disconnect the protected connector from a mating connector. The installation tool comprises a plier-like tool which grasps the connector by small-diameter protrusions extending inwardly and in opposition in the separation between the jaws. The jaws are expanded to accommodate the diameter of the security shield, and the inward-facing protrusions extend through the apertures in the security shield to grasp the BNC connector through a resilient spacer located within the security shield.

The connector having the security shield according to the present invention provides connection security to desired circuits, and can be easily operated by authorized personnel having the corresponding installation tool.

These and further features according to the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, together with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the security shield and BNC connector before assembly;

FIG. 2 shows the security shield in cross-section and retaining spring; and

FIG. 3 shows the installation tool according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The elements of FIG. 1 depict the security connector before assembly. The security connector, including a security shield 50, a BNC connector 70, is assembled with the aid of an insertion tool 60 having a curved surface 62 which is used to expand the retention spring 54 of FIG. 2. The connector 70 mates with the insertion tool 60, which are together passed through the central aperture of the security shield 50. The connector 70 has a recess 72 which receives the retaining spring 54, formed by the sharp lip 74 preventing disengagement of the security shield 50 from the connector 70. The retention spring 54 closes to grip the connector 70 in the recess 72. The insertion tool 60 is no longer needed, and may be discarded or stored for use in subsequent assemblies.

The security shield is shown in cross-section in FIG. 2, wherein the security shield 50 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 52 having a inwardly raised lip 56 which contains the front surface 76 of the connector 70. The retention spring 54 comprises a single U-shaped spring biased to seat within the recess 72 of the connector 70 when assembled. As described above the security shield 50 shown in FIG. 1 further includes a plurality of apertures 58 disposed radially about the connector 70 in the proximity 77 of a connector gripping surface 78. The apertures 58 are protected by a sleeve 53 comprising a resilient material, such as plastic, or other suitable material to allow the sleeve 52 to rotate freely over the connector 70. The sleeve 53 serves as a spacer. Moreover the thickness of the sleeve is selected to exclude instruments used to breach the security shield and as a protection device to keep out dirt particles from the connector.

An installation tool 80 is shown in FIG. 3, wherein the jaws 82 have a spacing 84 which is slightly greater than that corresponding to the diameter of the security shield 50. The jaws 82 include pins or protrusions 86 positioned inwardly and in opposition, having a diameter which is less than the apertures 58. When the tool 80 is placed about the assembled security connector such that the protrusions 86 enter the apertures 58, compression on the tool handles 88 will compress the protrusions 86, causing the sleeve 53 to grip the surface 78 of the connector 70 in the vicinity 77, supplying sufficient friction to allow useful torque in rotating the connector to secure or remove such connector from a mating connector (not shown), and further allowing the application of axial forces as well. The installation tool 80 is further designed to operate in limited spaces, wherein the jaws 82 are elevated from the plane of the handles 88 by an angle, 45 degrees in the present embodiment. When assembled and installed, the completed security connector prevents unauthorized access, and further restrains access from axially inserted tools by close spacing of the shield 53 to the diameter of the gripping surface 78.

Other embodiments and substitution of elements made by one skilled in the art are considered within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.