Enhanced Coaxial Connector Continuity

• US 20140137393A1
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Perfectvision Manufacturing Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Perfectvision Manufacturing Incorporated
• Inventors: Chastain, Robert J., Shaw, Glen David
• Granted Patent: US 9,327,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/525.11
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/04 for assembling or disassembling parts
• 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 13/652 with earth pin, blade or socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49963 Threaded fastener

Abstract

Axially compressible, F-connectors for conventional installation tools for interconnection with coaxial cable include adaptations for establishing electrical continuity despite inadequate nut tightening. Each connector has a rigid nut, a post penetrating the nut, a tubular body, and an end cap. The conductive post coaxially extends through the connector, linking the nut and body. A post end penetrates the coaxial cable. The connector may have a circumferential groove defined in the end cap mounting an annular D-ring which tensions contact between the post and nut. The connector may comprise a continuity coil seated within a post groove in spring-loaded contact with the nut and the post for promoting continuity. The connector may comprise a pressure spring and an O-ring seated within a post groove in spring-loaded contact with the nut for promoting continuity.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining a constant continuity connection in a coaxial connector comprising:

providing a nut having an internal shoulder and an external shoulder;

mechanically coupling the nut to a post, the post having a flange;

providing a body having a front end with a circular groove facing the nut external shoulder;

inserting a resilient member into the body groove, the resilient member filling the groove and extending from the body front end; and

coaxially disposing the body over the post whereby the resilient member urges the nut to maintain contact between the nut internal shoulder and the post flange.

2. The method of claim 1 where the resilient member is a coil spring.

3. The method of claim 1 where the resilient member includes a coil spring and an O-ring.

4. The method of claim 1 where the resilient member is a D-ring.

5. A method for maintaining a constant continuity connection in a coaxial connector comprising:

providing a nut having an inner shoulder and an outer shoulder;

providing a post with a flange;

coaxially disposing the nut over the post adjacent to the post flange, whereby the nut rotates freely and the nut inner shoulder faces the post flange;

providing a body having a first end with a circular groove, the groove facing the outer shoulder of the nut;

providing a resilient circular ring having a first end with a radiused profile and a second end with a flat profile;

inserting the ring into the groove whereby the ring fills the groove and the first end of the ring protrudes from the groove; and

coaxially disposing the body over the post whereby the body first end faces the nut outer shoulder and the ring first end contacts the nut outer shoulder and urges the nut inner shoulder into contact with the post flange.

6. The method of claim 5 where the resilient circular ring urges the nut into contact with the post flange when the nut is loosely connected to a female connector.

7. The method of claim 5 including the step of sealing the connector from environmental ingress between the body first end and the nut outer shoulder.

8. A method for maintaining electrical contact and continuity in a coaxial connector comprising:

providing a nut having an inner surface;

rotatably coupling the nut to a post having a groove, the groove located adjacent to the nut inner surface;

providing a body;

coaxially positioning the body over the post;

fixing the body to the post; and

locating a continuity coil in the post groove.

9. The method of claim 8 where the continuity coil simultaneously contacts the post at a single point and the nut inner surface at a single point.

10. The method of claim 8 where the continuity coil simultaneously contacts the post at more than one point and the nut inner surface at more than one point.

11. The method of claim 8 including the step of inserting a sealing o-ring into a second post groove.