CONNECTOR HAVING CONDUCTIVE MEMBER AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20090186505A1
• Filed: 03/30/2009
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Mathews, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 7,845,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/271
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5202 Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6584 formed by conductive elastomeric members, e.g. flat gaskets or O-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence

Abstract

A connector having a conductive member is provided, wherein the connector comprises a connector body capable of sealing and securing a coaxial cable, and further wherein the conductive member, such as an O-ring, physically seals the connector, electrically couples the connector and the coaxial cable, facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an equipment port, the coaxial cable including a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material being surrounded by an outer conductor, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a. a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into the prepared end of the coaxial cable between the dielectric material and the outer conductor, and having a second end opposite the first end thereof;

b. a coupler having a first end secured over the second end of the tubular post, and having an opposing second end, the coupler including a central bore extending therethrough, a portion of the central bore proximate the second end of the coupler being adapted for engaging the equipment port;

c. a body member secured to the tubular post and extending about the first end of the tubular post for receiving the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, wherein the body member contacts the coupler; and

d. a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding seal disposed between the tubular post and the coupler.

2. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the grounding seal contacts both the tubular post and the coupler for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween.

4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member includes a first end and a second end, said first end configured to deformably compress against and seal the received coaxial cable.

5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, wherein the body member is operatively attached to said post.

6. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, wherein the coupler is operatively attached to said post.

7. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, further including a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the first end of said connector body.

8. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, wherein the grounding conductive seal is located proximate the second end of the post and contacting said face, and further wherein the seal is configured to provide a shield for preventing ingress of environmental contaminates into the connector.

9. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member is made of a polymer.

10. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member is made of a bendable metal.

11. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member is made of a composite material that facilitates a semi-rigid, yet compliant outer surface.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member is conductive.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the body member is non-conductive.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the post is conductive.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the post is non-conductive.

17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 15, wherein the body member is made of a polymer.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 15, wherein the body member is made of a bendable metal.

20. The coaxial cable connector of claim 18, wherein the body member is made of a polymer.

21. The coaxial cable connector of claim 18, wherein the body member is made of a bendable metal.

3. The coaxial cable connector of claim 3, wherein said grounding seal is generally circular.

16. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an equipment port, the coaxial cable including a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material being surrounded by an outer conductor, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a. a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into the prepared end of the coaxial cable between the dielectric material and the outer conductor, and having a second end opposite the first end thereof;

b. a threaded coupler having a first end secured over the second end of the tubular post, and having an opposing second end, the coupler including a central bore extending therethrough, a portion of the central bore proximate the second end of the coupler being adapted for being threaded onto the equipment port;

c. a body member secured to the tubular post and extending about the first end of the tubular post for receiving the outer conductor of the coaxial cable; and

d. a conductive member positioned in a location between the post and the threaded coupler so as to make a physical seal and facilitate electrical coupling of the post and threaded coupler by extending therebetween an unbroken electrical circuit so that grounding is extended through the conductive member to the equipment port when coupled thereto.

19. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an equipment port, the coaxial cable including a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material being surrounded by an outer conductor, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a. a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into the prepared end of the coaxial cable between the dielectric material and the outer conductor, and having a second end opposite the first end thereof;

b. a coupler nut having a first end secured over the second end of the tubular post, and having an opposing second end, the coupler nut including a central bore extending therethrough, a portion of the central bore proximate the second end of the coupler nut being adapted for being coupled to the equipment port;

c. a body member secured to the tubular post and extending about the first end of the tubular post for receiving the outer conductor of the coaxial cable; and

d. a conductive member located to facilitate an annular seal between the coupler nut and the post thereby providing a physical barrier to ingress of unwanted environmental contaminates and facilitating an electrical connection of the conductive member and the equipment port, when coupled thereto, so as to effectuate a conductive seal when the conductive member is physically pressed against the coupled equipment port, thereby shielding against ingress of unwanted electromagnetic interference.