COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR HAVING ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY MEMBER

• US 20120222302A1
• Filed: 04/30/2012
• Published: 09/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Purdy, Eric, Montena, Noah, Amidon, Jeremy
• Granted Patent: US 8,313,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/876
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6592 the conductive member being a shielded cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• 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 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49123 Co-axial cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A method of assembling a coaxial cable connector comprising positioning a portion of a post within a body, the post including a flange; positioning a coupler, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the coupler having a first end configured for coupling to an interface port and an opposing second end, and an internal lip having a first surface facing the first end of the coupler and a second surface facing the second end of the coupler; positioning a continuity member axially rearward of the second surface of the internal lip of the coupler; and wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is configured to extend about an external surface of the connector body and reside axially rearward of the coupler between the coupler and the connector body.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the method comprising:

providing a connector body;

providing a post having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including a flange having a forward facing surface configured to face an interface port when the connector is coupled to the interface port and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the post, wherein the rearward end of the post is configured to contact at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable when the cable is attached to the connector;

positioning a portion of the post within a portion of the connector body;

positioning a coupler, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the coupler having a forward end configured for coupling to the interface port, an opposing rearward end, and an internal lip having a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the coupler and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the coupler;

positioning a continuity member axially rearward of the forward facing surface of the internal lip of the coupler;

positioning at least a portion of the continuity member so as to extend about an external surface of the connector body, reside axially rearward of the forward facing surface of the internal lip of the coupler between the coupler and the connector body, and maintain electrical continuity when the connector body moves relative to the coupler; and

wherein the forward facing surface of the internal lip of the coupler is configured to rotate about the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning fastener member to act upon the connector body and help secure a coaxial cable to the post.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising positioning a sealing ring between the coupler and the connector body, wherein the sealing ring is configured to help prevent ingress of unwanted environmental contaminants into the connector.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuity member facilitates enhanced prevention of RF ingress into the coaxial cable connector near the second end of the coupler.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuity member extends electrical continuity between the coupler and the connector body.

6. A method of assembling a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the method comprising:

providing a connector body;

providing a post having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including a flange having a forward facing surface configured to face an interface port when the connector is coupled to the interface port and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the post, wherein the rearward end of the post is configured to contact at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable when the cable is attached to the connector;

positioning a portion of the post within a portion of the connector body;

positioning a coupler, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the coupler having a forward end configured for coupling to the interface port, an opposing rearward end, and an internal lip having a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the coupler and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the coupler;

positioning a continuity member axially rearward of the forward facing surface of the internal lip of the coupler;

positioning at least a portion of the continuity member so as to extend about an external surface of the connector body, reside axially rearward of the forward facing surface of the internal lip of the coupler between the coupler and the connector body, and maintain electrical continuity when the post moves relative to the coupler; and

wherein the continuity member resides between the coupler and the connector body, so that there is no contact between the coupler and the connector body when the connector is assembled.

7. A method of assembling a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the method comprising:

providing a connector body;

providing a post having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including a flange having a forward facing surface configured to face an interface port when the connector is coupled to the interface port and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the post, wherein the rearward end of the post is configured to contact at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable when the cable is attached to the connector;

arranging a portion of a post within a portion of the connector body;

positioning a nut so as to be rotatable relative to the post and the connector body, the nut including an inward lip, wherein the inward lip of the nut has a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and an innermost portion extending between the forward facing surface and the rearward facing surface;

positioning an electrical continuity member so as to contact the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut, extend between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body, electrically couple the post to the nut at a position other than between the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing surface of the lip of the nut, and maintain electrical continuity between the post and the nut when the post pivots relative to the nut; and

rotating the forward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut about the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post is tapered.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

inserting the rearward facing end of the post into an end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield so as to form an electrical connection with the conductive grounding shield; and

configuring the connector body so as to include a forward end facing the interface port when the connector is coupled to the interface port and a rearward end facing the coaxial cable when the coaxial cable is connected to the post, the connector body being configured to engage the post when the connector is assembled.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising configuring the continuity member so as to contact the forward end of the connector body when the post, coaxial cable, connector body, nut, and interface port are assembled.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising arranging the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post so as to face the forward facing surface of the lip of the nut when the post, coaxial cable, connector body, nut, and interface port are assembled.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the flange of the post includes a lip surface configured so as to extend from the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post and face the innermost surface of the lip of the nut when the post, connector body, and nut are assembled.

13. The method of claim 7, further comprising arranging the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post so as to face the forward facing surface of the lip of the nut when the post, connector body, and nut are assembled.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising positioning a sealing member between the nut and the connector body so as to provide an environmental seal.

15. The method of claim 7, further comprising arranging the continuity member so as to maintain contact with the nut while being positioned between the portion of the post and the portion of the connector body, and extend electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut even when the nut is not fully tightened on an interface port.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the portion of the post comprises an outer surface shaped to fit the portion of the connector body.

17. The method of claim 7, further comprising arranging the nut so as to engage a conductive interface port and move between a partially tightened position on the interface port and a fully tightened position on the interface port, and positioning the continuity member so as to facilitate the extension of an electrical ground path and provide electrical continuity, even when the nut is not fully tightened on the port.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein only a few threads of the nut are needed to be engaged around the interface port in the partially tightened position so as to extend electrical continuity through the nut, the continuity member, the post, and a cable shielding.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising configuring the continuity member so as to maintain electrical continuity when the nut is in both the partially tightened position on the interface port and in the fully tightened position on the interface port.

20. A method assembling a coaxial cable connector for a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the method comprising:

providing a post having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end including a flange having a forward facing surface configured to face an interface port when the connector is coupled to the interface port and a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the post, the rearward end of the post being arranged so as to be inserted into an end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield so as to form an electrical connection with the conductive grounding shield;

providing a connector body having a forward end and a rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable, the connector body being configured to engage the post when the connector is assembled;

positioning a portion of the post within the connector body;

providing a nut having a forward end configured for engaging the interface port, a rearward end, and an inward lip, wherein the inward lip of the nut has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the nut, a rearward facing surface facing the reward end of the nut, and an intermediate portion between the forward facing surface and the rearward facing surface;

positioning the nut so as to be axially rotatable relative to the post and the connector body;

rotating the forward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut about the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post; and

positioning an electrical continuity member so as to extend between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body, contact the post, contact the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut, electrically connect the post and the nut at a position other than between the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing surface of the lip of the nut, and maintain electrical continuity between the post and the nut when the post rotates relative to the nut.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the flange of the post includes a lip surface configured so as to extend from the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post and face the intermediate surface of the lip of the nut when the post, connector body, and nut are assembled.

22. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning a sealing member between the nut and the connector body so as to provide an environmental seal.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising arranging the continuity member so as to be biased against the nut and maintain electrical continuity between the post and the nut while the continuity member extends between the portion of the post and the portion of the connector body, and even when the nut is not fully tightened on the interface port.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the portion of the post comprises an outer surface shaped to fit the portion of the connector body.

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising arranging the nut so as to engage an interface port and move between a partially tightened position on the interface port and a fully tightened position on the interface port, and positioning the continuity member so as to facilitate the extension of an electrical ground path and provide electrical continuity, even when the nut is not fully tightened on the port.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein only a few threads of the nut are needed to be engaged around the interface port in the partially tightened position so as to extend electrical continuity through the nut, the continuity member, the post, and a cable shielding.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising configuring the continuity member so as to maintain electrical continuity when the nut is in both the partially tightened position on the interface port and in the fully tightened position on the interface port.