Abstract: A house amplifier provides automatic gating to selectively block the return path signal in a cable network. The house amplifier includes ports connected to the cable network and to at least one home coaxial outlet. A forward signal path is coupled to pass a forward signal from the cable network. A reverse signal path is coupled to selectively pass a reverse signal from the home to the cable network. The reverse signal path includes a gate configured to block the reverse signal in response to a control signal. A detector circuit detects when the reverse signal is received and activates or deactivates the gate based on the detection. The detector circuit may include a timing circuit configured to provide a delay before deactivating the gate when the reverse signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: A jumper sleeve configured to be installed on an outer side of a male F-connector to facilitate easy connection of and maintain ground continuity across the male F-connector and a female F-connector. In one embodiment, a conductive element is installed on an inner surface of the jumper sleeve and conductively engages an outer surface of the male F-connector to maintain ground continuity across the male and female F-connectors.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of devices for preparing cables, such as devices for pulling back the shield on an end portion of a coaxial cable to prepare the end portion for attachment to a connector. A coaxial cable, with an exposed central conductor, a dielectric insulator, and a shield (e.g., a metallic shield) can be inserted into a bore of a shield pull-back device configured in accordance with the present disclosure. As the cable is inserted into the bore, one or more gripping members can engage the cable shield and pull it back evenly without damaging the central conductor or the dielectric insulator.

Abstract: A cable service provisioning device includes an integrated cable modem to enable a cable provider to send configuration commands. The device includes an input component that receives an input signal from a cable network and an output component that provides an output signal to a customer premises. The device further includes a cable modem configured to receive configuration commands from a cable head end, radio frequency filters configured to selectively pass a portion of the input signal; and a radio frequency switchboard coupled to the input component, the output component, and the one or more radio frequency filters. A processor is coupled to the cable modem and the radio frequency switchboard and is configured to control the radio frequency switchboard to selectively enable or disable individual radio frequency filters in response to the configuration commands received from the cable head end.

Abstract: A male coaxial connector according to the present invention comprises a conductive insert and a coupling nut. The conductive insert has a front end with an annular flange. The coupling nut includes an inner surface defining a bore, wherein the bore at least partially surrounds the conductive insert and is configured to receive a female coaxial connector. The coupling nut further includes a locking member extending from its inner surface. When the coupling nut of the male connector engages a female coaxial connector, the locking member is compressed against the flange of the insert and maintains a tension force between the male and female connectors to help prevent them from separating. The male coaxial connector can be configured to be coupled to an end of the coaxial cable by, for example, crimping or compression.

Abstract: A male coaxial connector of the present invention comprises a conductive insert and a coupling nut. The conductive insert has a front end with an annular flange. The coupling nut includes an inner surface defining a bore, wherein the bore at least partially surrounds the conductive insert and is configured to receive a female coaxial connector. The coupling nut further includes an annular flange extending from the inner surface. The male connector also includes a torque washer, preferably formed from fiber-reinforced rubber. The torque washer is disposed between the flange of the conductive insert and the flange of the coupling nut. When the coupling nut engages a female coaxial connector, the torque washer is compressed between the flange of the coupling nut and the flange of the insert. The compressed torque washer maintains a tension force between the male and female connectors to help prevent their separation.

Abstract: A male coaxial connector of the present invention comprises a conductive insert and a coupling nut. The conductive insert has a front end with an annular flange. The coupling nut includes an inner surface defining a bore, wherein the bore at least partially surrounds the conductive insert and is configured to receive a provided female coaxial connector. The coupling nut further includes a locking member extending from its inner surface. The male connector further comprises a torque washer formed from fiber-reinforced rubber and disposed between the flange of the conductive insert and the locking member. When the coupling nut engages a female coaxial connector, the locking member and the torque washer are compressed against the flange of the insert. The compressed locking member and the compressed torque washer each maintain a tension force between the male and female connectors to help prevent separation of the male and female connectors.

Abstract: Coaxial cable connectors including washers are described herein. A coaxial cable connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology includes a conductive insert, a coupling nut, and a washer. The coupling nut can include a first end portion, a second end portion, and an inner surface defining a bore for receiving a corresponding coaxial cable connector. The conductive insert can include an annular flange at least partially surrounded by the bore. The washer can be positioned between the second end portion of the coupling nut and the annular flange, and can be configured to press against at least one of the annular flange and the second end portion of the coupling nut to restrict rotation between the coaxial cable connectors.

Abstract: A torque application device according to the present invention comprises a collar for engaging a fastener, a grip coupled to the collar such that a predetermined maximum torque can be applied to the collar to tighten the fastener, and a slip mechanism to prevent the likelihood that the maximum torque is exceeded. The device may further include an indicator (such as a visual, audible and/or tactile indicator) to indicate that the predetermined maximum torque has been applied.

Abstract: Connectors with locking mechanisms and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A connector in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a connector body having an inner surface defining a first bore and a collet movably received in the first bore. The collet can have an inner surface defining a second bore that is configured to receive a mating second connector. The connector can further include a locking mechanism that is operably coupled to the connector body and has an open position and a closed position. The collet is configured to operably engage the second connector when the locking mechanism is in the closed position and release the second connector when the locking mechanism in the open position.

Abstract: A compression tool for connecting end connectors to coaxial cable ends includes a die for supporting a cable thereon, a slider axially spaced from the die for compressing against an end connector, which is fitted around but not yet crimped onto the cable end, and a handle connected to the slider via an inner link. A push button on the handle can be selectively inserted in a front or a rear locating hole provided on the inner link. When the handle is pivotally turned downward, the push button forces the inner link forward while the inner link is pivotally turned about the push button, so that the slider connected to the inner link is pushed forward toward the die. By inserting the push button in the front or the rear locating hole, the slider can be pushed forward by a shorter or a longer length, respectively.

Abstract: A tool includes a first and a second socket wrench pivotally turnably connected to two ends of a link. Each of the first and second socket wrenches includes a wrench portion and a circular end portion having an axial slot extended through them. The wrench portion of the first socket wrench is internally formed of a hexagonally shaped portion for fitting around a hexagonally-shaped outer surface of a connecting ring of a male F connector to tighten or loosen the connecting ring to or from a female F connector, and the wrench portion of the second socket wrench is internally formed of a constant-torque shaped portion for fitting around the hexagonally-shaped outer surface of the connecting ring to prevent the tool from applying an excessive torque on the connecting ring when turning the same. The tool can be used without being hindered by bent or closely arranged cables.

Abstract: A torque application device according to aspects of the present invention comprises (1) a collar for engaging a fastener, (2) a grip coupled to the collar, the grip preferably configured to magnify torque applied to it and to transfer all or part of the magnified torque to the collar, and (3) a slip mechanism to help avoid applying more than a predetermined, maximum amount of torque. The device may further include an indicator (such as a visual, audible and/or tactile indicator) to indicate when a predetermined maximum torque has been reached.

Abstract: The VOIP drop amplifier connects end user equipment to a broadband system, such as that provided by a cable provider. The amplifier includes a splitter for connecting the cable signal to multiple output connectors, and RF amplifiers compensating for losses in the splitter and other passive components in the amplifier. The drop amplifier includes an input connection for accepting a broadband cable signal from a cable system and returning broadband signals to the cable system. The drop amplifier includes an amplification path connecting the input connection to the plurality of output connections through RF amplifiers and a splitter, and a bypass path that bypass the splitter and forward and reverse amplifiers in the amplification path to connect the input connection directly to the output connection for the essential circuits. A sensing circuit monitors the amplifiers and the supply voltages, and selects the bypass path when a failure is detected.

Abstract: The present invention is a line-mounted electronic device which converts an RF-electrical coaxial cable component tap to include optical transmitter and receiver capability while maintaining RF functionality. Invention retrofits to the baseplate of an existing circuit component tap without further modification to other in-place circuit components.

Abstract: A female to female CATV splice connector having a generally cylindrical conductive housing, an axially located conductive cable-engaging member or seizure element and a hollow, elongated insulating member surrounding the seizure element and which is fitted into the cylindrical housing. The conductive cable-engaging member is a female-female inner coaxial cable receptacle and has an elongated intermediate section, two conductive cable engaging units extending lengthwise from the ends of the intermediate section. The conductive cable-engaging member is made of a BeCu alloy which is corrosion resistant. The design of the elongated intermediate section exhibits superior electrical properties over prior connecting systems. More particularly, the elongated intermediate section is specifically sized to obtain good impedance matching at 75 ohms. The mass of the intermediate section determines capacitance, and the shape of this section determines the inductance of the unit.