CONNECTOR PRODUCING A BIASING FORCE
First Claim
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1. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
- a post comprising a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive the center conductive strand;
a coupling element configured to engage the post and configured to move between a first position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto an interface port, the post does not contact the interface port, and a second position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto the interface port, the post contacts the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element comprising a first end, a second end, and an inward lip; and
a connector body configured to engage the post and receive a coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body comprising;
an integral body biasing element comprising a coupling element contact portion configured to extend from the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and
an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along an axial direction,wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port as the coupling element is tightened on the interface port, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port,wherein the coupling element is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling element,wherein the post comprises a first component of the connector configured to make electrical contact with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened onto the interface port,wherein the inward lip of the coupling element comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling element,wherein the connector body comprises a second component of the connector that is securable to the post at a first connector body end of the connector body and is configured to receive a first portion of the coaxial cable at a second connector body end of the connector body,wherein the biasing force comprises a force selected from the group consisting of a spring force and a pushing force,wherein the integral body biasing element comprises an integral portion of the connector body that is configured to constantly exert the spring force by pushing against the coupling element, the integral body biasing element being formed of a single, unitary structure with the connector body,wherein the coupling element contact portion of the integral body biasing element comprises a second portion of the integral body biasing element that is configured to engage the coupling element,wherein the sufficiency of the biasing force comprises an adequate force to push the inward lip of the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post,wherein the annular groove comprises a narrow, ring-shaped channel formed by the connector body that is configured to allow;
(a) the integral body biasing element to be deflected within the narrow, ring-shaped channel; and
(b) the integral body biasing element to exert the constantly exerted spring force, andwherein the improving of the electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post comprises helping to maintain a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector includes, in one embodiment, a post, a coupling element configured to engage the post, and a connector body configured to engage the post. The connector body, in one embodiment, is configured to produce a biasing force.
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Citations
103 Claims
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1. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a post comprising a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive the center conductive strand; a coupling element configured to engage the post and configured to move between a first position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto an interface port, the post does not contact the interface port, and a second position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto the interface port, the post contacts the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element comprising a first end, a second end, and an inward lip; and a connector body configured to engage the post and receive a coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body comprising; an integral body biasing element comprising a coupling element contact portion configured to extend from the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along an axial direction, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port as the coupling element is tightened on the interface port, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port, wherein the coupling element is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling element, wherein the post comprises a first component of the connector configured to make electrical contact with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened onto the interface port, wherein the inward lip of the coupling element comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling element, wherein the connector body comprises a second component of the connector that is securable to the post at a first connector body end of the connector body and is configured to receive a first portion of the coaxial cable at a second connector body end of the connector body, wherein the biasing force comprises a force selected from the group consisting of a spring force and a pushing force, wherein the integral body biasing element comprises an integral portion of the connector body that is configured to constantly exert the spring force by pushing against the coupling element, the integral body biasing element being formed of a single, unitary structure with the connector body, wherein the coupling element contact portion of the integral body biasing element comprises a second portion of the integral body biasing element that is configured to engage the coupling element, wherein the sufficiency of the biasing force comprises an adequate force to push the inward lip of the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post, wherein the annular groove comprises a narrow, ring-shaped channel formed by the connector body that is configured to allow;
(a) the integral body biasing element to be deflected within the narrow, ring-shaped channel; and
(b) the integral body biasing element to exert the constantly exerted spring force, andwherein the improving of the electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post comprises helping to maintain a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a post comprising a first post end, a second post end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive the center conductive strand; a coupling element configured to engage the post and configured to move between a first position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto an interface port, the post does not contact the interface port, and a second position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto the interface port, the post contacts the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element comprising a first end, a second end, and an inward lip; and a connector body configured to engage the post and receive the coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body comprising; an integral body biasing element comprising a coupling element contact portion configured to extend from the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along an axial direction, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port as the coupling element is tightened on the interface port, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port, and wherein the coupling element is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a post comprising a flange, the post configured to receive the center conductive strand; a coupling means for coupling to an interface port, engaging the post, and axially moving between a first position, where the post does not engage the interface port, and a second position, where the post engages the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling means comprising an inward lip, the coupling means also comprising a contact means facing a rearward direction; and a body means for engaging the coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the body means comprising; a resilient biasing means for biasing the contact means of the coupling means when the connector is in the assembled state; and a deflection space means for allowing the resilient biasing means to flexibly deflect along an axial direction and exert a biasing force against the contact means of the coupling means sufficient to axially move the inward lip of the coupling means toward the flange of the post when the coupling means axially moves between the first position and the second position so as to improve electrical grounding continuity between the coupling means and the post even when the coupling means is not fully tightened relative to the interface port, wherein the coupling means is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling means, wherein the post comprises a first component of the connector configured to make electrical contact with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened onto the interface port, wherein the coupling means comprises a part selected from the group consisting of;
(a) a nut; and
(b) another element configured to allow the connector to be attached to the interface port,wherein the inward lip of the coupling means comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling means, wherein the contact means of the coupling means comprises a surface of the coupling means that the resilient biasing means pushes against, wherein the body means comprises a second component of the connector that is securable to the post at a first body means end of the body means and is configured to receive a first portion of the coaxial cable at a second body means end of the body means, wherein the biasing force comprises a force selected from the group consisting of a spring force and a pushing force, wherein the resilient biasing means comprises an integral portion of the body means that is configured to constantly exert the spring force by pushing against the coupling means, wherein the sufficiency of the biasing force comprises an adequate force to push the inward lip of the coupling means in a direction toward the flange of the post, wherein the deflection space means comprises a narrow, ring-shaped channel formed by the body means that is configured to allow;
(a) the resilient biasing means to be deflected within the narrow, ring-shaped channel; and
(b) the resilient biasing means to exert the constantly exerted spring force, andwherein the improving of the electrical grounding continuity between the coupling means and the post comprises helping to maintain a reliable ground path through the coupling means and the post. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a post comprising a flange, the post configured to receive the center conductive strand; a coupling means for coupling to an interface port, engaging the post, and axially moving between a first position, where the post does not engage the interface port, and a second position, where the post engages the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling means comprising an inward lip, the coupling means also comprising a contact means facing a rearward direction; and a body means for engaging the coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the body means comprising; a resilient biasing means for biasing the contact means of the coupling means when the connector is in the assembled state; and a deflection space means for allowing the resilient biasing means to flexibly deflect along an axial direction and exert a biasing force against the contact means of the coupling means sufficient to axially move the inward lip of the coupling means toward the flange of the post when the coupling means axially moves between the first position and the second position so as to improve electrical grounding continuity between the coupling means and the post even when the coupling means is not fully tightened relative to the interface port, wherein the coupling means is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling means. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a threaded nut configured to engage an interface port and move between a first position, where the threaded nut is partially threaded on the interface port, and a second position, where the threaded nut is fully threaded on the interface port, the threaded nut comprising an inward lip, the threaded nut also comprising a radial contact surface facing away from the interface port when the threaded nut is engaged with the interface port; a post rotatably attached to the threaded nut, the post comprising a flange; and a connector body configured to engage the post when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body comprising; an integral biasing structure comprising an integral body biasing element, the integral biasing structure comprising a first surface extending a radial distance with respect to a general axis of the connector, wherein the integral biasing structure is configured to facilitate biasing engagement with the radial contact surface of the threaded nut when the connector is in the assembled state; and a groove located axially rearward of the integral biasing structure and configured to permit axial deflection of the integral biasing structure to provide a biasing force against the radial contact surface of the threaded nut sufficient to move the inward lip of the threaded nut toward the flange of the post until the threaded nut is fully threaded onto the interface port and the post makes constant, physical and electrical contact with the interface port, wherein the threaded nut is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the threaded nut, wherein the post comprises a first component of the connector configured to make electrical contact with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened onto the interface port, wherein the inward lip of the threaded nut comprises an inward protrusion of the threaded nut, wherein the radial contact surface of the threaded nut comprises a surface of the threaded nut that the integral biasing structure pushes against, wherein the connector body comprises a component of the connector that is securable to the post at a first connector body end of the connector body and is configured to receive a first portion of the coaxial cable at a second connector body end of the connector body, wherein the biasing force comprises a force selected from the group consisting of a spring force and a pushing force, wherein the integral biasing structure comprises an integral portion of the connector body that is configured to constantly exert the spring force by pushing against the threaded nut, the integral biasing structure being formed as a single, unitary structure with the connector body, wherein the sufficiency of the biasing force comprises an adequate force to push the inward lip of the threaded nut in the direction of the flange of the post, and wherein the groove comprises a narrow, ring-shaped channel formed by the connector body that is configured to allow;
(a) the integral biasing structure to be deflected within the narrow, ring-shaped channel; and
(b) the integral biasing structure to constantly exert the spring force. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82)
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83. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:
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a threaded nut configured to engage an interface port and move between a first position, where the threaded nut is partially threaded on the interface port, and a second position, where the threaded nut is fully threaded on the interface port, the threaded nut comprising an inward lip, the threaded nut also comprising a radial contact surface facing away from the interface port when the threaded nut is engaged with the interface port; a post rotatably attached to the threaded nut, the post comprising a flange; and a connector body configured to engage the post when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body comprising; an integral biasing structure comprising an integral body biasing element, the integral biasing structure comprising a first surface extending a radial distance with respect to a general axis of the connector, wherein the integral biasing structure is configured to facilitate biasing engagement with the radial contact surface of the threaded nut when the connector is in the assembled state; and a groove located axially rearward of the integral biasing structure and configured to permit axial deflection of the integral biasing structure to provide a biasing force against the radial contact surface of the threaded nut sufficient to move the inward lip of the threaded nut toward the flange of the post until the threaded nut is fully threaded onto the interface port and the post makes constant, physical and electrical contact with the interface port, wherein the threaded nut is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the threaded nut. - View Dependent Claims (84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103)
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Specification