Electrical connector with grounding member
DCFirst Claim
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 thereofb. a coupler having a first end rotatably 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 is comprised of plastic, wherein the body member contacts the coupler; and
d. a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler, the grounding member contacting both the tubular post and the coupler for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
A coaxial cable connector includes tubular post, a coupler secured over an end of the tubular post for securing the connector to an appliance, and an outer body secured to the tubular post. An electrical grounding path is maintained between the coupler and the tubular post whether or not the coupler is tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler. Alternatively, the connector includes conductive grease at a point where mating portions of the tubular post and coupler have closely matching dimensions.
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Citations
17 Claims
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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:
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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 rotatably 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 is comprised of plastic, wherein the body member contacts the coupler; and d. a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler, the grounding member contacting both the tubular post and the coupler for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17)
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12. 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:
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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 rotatably 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 is comprised of plastic; and d. a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler, the grounding member contacting both the tubular post and the coupler for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween; wherein the tubular post includes an enlarged shoulder at the second end thereof extending inside the coupler, the enlarged shoulder including a first radial face that faces the first end of the tubular post, the coupler including a radially inwardly directed flange proximate the first end thereof directed inwardly toward the tubular post, the inwardly directed flange including a second radial face that faces the second end of the coupler, said grounding member being disposed between the first radial face and the second radial face for electrically coupling the tubular post to the coupler; and wherein the grounding member includes a central, generally circular body member disposed generally within a plane, the grounding member including a plurality of resilient spring fingers extending out of said plane and being compressed between the first radial face of the tubular post and the second radial face of the coupler. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. 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:
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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 rotatably 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 is comprised of plastic; and d. a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member disposed between the tubular post and the coupler, the grounding member contacting both the tubular post and the coupler for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween; wherein the grounding member includes; a. a circumferential metallic band extending between first and second opposing ends, the band having a generally circular shape, and approximating a section of a hollow cylinder, the first and second ends of the band being disposed generally proximate to each other and being directed generally toward one another, the band having first and second opposing side edges extending along its length; b. a first generally radial wall extending from the first side edge of the band in a first radial direction; and c. a second generally radial wall extending from the second side edge of the band generally in said first radial direction; wherein the band contacts a first one of the group of members that consists of the coupler and the tubular post, and wherein the first and second radial walls contact the second of the group of members that consists of the coupler and the tubular post.
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Specification