CONNECTOR HAVING A NUT-BODY CONTINUITY ELEMENT AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

• US 20120122329A1
• Filed: 01/28/2011
• Published: 05/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah
• Granted Patent: US 8,337,229 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 13/5221 having cable sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/646 specially adapted for high-frequency, e.g. structures providing an impedance match or phase match non-coaxed protective earth or shield arrangements H01R13/648; coaxed connectors specially adapted for high frequency H01R24/40
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/655 with earth brace
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/20 for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0503 Connection between two cable ends
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0512 Connections to an additional grounding conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A connector having a nut-body continuity element is provided, wherein the nut-body continuity element electrically couples a nut and a connector body, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the nut and the connector body. Furthermore, the nut-body continuity element facilitates grounding through the connector, and renders an electromagnetic shield preventing ingress of unwanted environmental noise.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, wherein the connector body has a first end and a second end;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, the port coupling element separated from the connector body by a distance; and

a continuity element positioned between the port coupling element and the connector body proximate the second end of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical continuity between the connector body and the port coupling element.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity element has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacting the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the connector body.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity element has at least one protrusion to facilitate the contact of the port coupling element and the connector body.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity element is resilient.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity element includes a bended configuration, such that the first surface of the continuity element is axially separated from the second surface of the continuity element.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity element includes an elliptical configuration, such that the first surface of the continuity element is radially separated from the second surface of the continuity element.

25. The connector of claim 1, further comprising:

a conductive member located proximate the continuity element, the continuity element residing within a first cavity of the port coupling element, the conductive member residing within a second cavity of the port coupling element.

7. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body includes an annular outer recess proximate the second end;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal lip; and

a continuity element having a first surface axially separated from a second surface, the first surface contacting the internal lip of the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the outer annular recess of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element facilitates grounding of a coaxial cable through the connector.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the continuity element is a metal wave washer.

9. The connector of claim 7, further comprising:

a conductive member located proximate the continuity element, the continuity element residing within a first cavity of the port coupling element, the conductive member residing within a second cavity of the port coupling element.

10. The connector of claim 7, wherein the continuity element is resilient.

11. The connector of claim 7, wherein the continuity element contacts a mating edge of the port coupling element.

12. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the connector body having a first end and opposing second end, wherein the connector body includes an annular outer recess proximate the second end;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal lip; and

a means for establishing and maintaining physical and electrical communication between the connector body and the port coupling element.

13. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body includes an annular outer recess proximate the second end;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an inner surface; and

a continuity element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacting the inner surface of the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the outer annular recess of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical communication between the port coupling element and the connector body in a radial direction.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the continuity element has an elliptical configuration such that the continuity element has a major radius and a minor radius, the major radius being associated with a point on the first surface of the continuity element contacting the port coupling element, and the minor radius being associated a point on the second surface of the continuity element contacting the connector body.

15. The connector of claim 13, further comprising:

a sealing member located proximate a second end portion of the port coupling element proximate the internal lip of the port coupling element; and

a conductive mating member, located proximate the second end of the post, wherein the conductive member facilitates grounding of the coaxial cable;

wherein the conductive mating member completes a shield preventing ingress of electromagnetic noise into the connector.

16. The connector of claim 13, wherein the continuity member is resilient.

17. The connector of claim 13, wherein the first surface of the continuity element contacts an annular internal wall of the port coupling element.

18. A method for facilitating grounding of a coaxial cable through the connector, comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector, the coaxial cable connector including;

a connector body attached to a post, wherein the connector body has a first end and a second end, and a port coupling element rotatable about the post, the port coupling element separated from the connector body by a distance; and

disposing a continuity element positioned between the port coupling element and the connector body proximate the second end of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical continuity between the connector body and the port coupling element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuity element has a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacting the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the connector body.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuity element has at least one protrusion to facilitate the contact of the port coupling element and the connector body.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuity element is resilient.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuity element includes a bended configuration, such that the first surface of the continuity element is axially separated from the second surface of the continuity element.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the continuity element includes an elliptical configuration, such that the first surface of the continuity element is radially separated from the second surface of the continuity element.

24. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

advancing the port coupling element of the connector onto an interface port to ground the connector.

26. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, wherein the connector body has a first end and a second end;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, the port coupling element separated from at least a portion of the connector body by a distance; and

a continuity element positioned between the port coupling element and the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical continuity between the connector body and the port coupling element.

27. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body includes an outer surface;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post; and

a continuity element having a first surface axially separated from a second surface, the first surface contacting a surface of the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the outer surface of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element facilitates grounding of a coaxial cable through the connector.

28. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the connector body having a first end and a second end, wherein the connector body includes an outer surface;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an inner surface; and

a continuity element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface contacting the inner surface of the port coupling element and the second surface contacting the outer surface of the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical communication between the port coupling element and the connector body in a radial direction.

29. A method for facilitating grounding of a coaxial cable through the connector, comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector, the coaxial cable connector including;

a connector body attached to a post, wherein the connector body has a first end and a second end, and a port coupling element rotatable about the post, the port coupling element separated from at least a portion of the connector body by a distance; and

disposing a continuity element positioned between the port coupling element and the connector body;

wherein the continuity element establishes and maintains electrical continuity between the connector body and the port coupling element.