Connector having a constant contact post

• US 8,075,338 B1
• Filed: 10/18/2010
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US12/906,503
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-585
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• 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

Abstract

A connector comprising a connector body attached to a post, the post including a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, a port coupling element attached to the post, wherein the port coupling element is rotatable about the post, and a plurality of openings on the post, the plurality of openings extending a distance toward the first end from the flange. Furthermore, a method of maintaining ground continuity in a connector comprising the steps providing a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, an opposing second end, and a flange having a plurality of openings positioned thereon, and biasing the flange in a position of interference with a port coupling element, the port coupling element being attached to post is also provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post including a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end;

a port coupling element attached to the post, wherein the port coupling element is rotatable about the post; and

a plurality of openings on the post, the plurality of openings extending a distance toward the first end from the flange.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein an outer edge of the flange exerts a constant radial force against an inner surface of the port coupling element to establish and maintain physical and electrical continuity between the post and the port coupling element.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings are axially extending slots across the flange and a portion of the post which allow radial movement of the flange.

4. The connector of claim 1, further comprising:

a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the connector body sealingly compressing it against and affixing it to a coaxial cable.

5. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end and an opposing second end;

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

a plurality of engagement fingers proximate the second end, wherein the plurality of engagement fingers are biased into a position of interference with the inner surface of the port coupling element.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein an outer edge of each of the plurality of engagement fingers exerts a constant radial force against an inner surface of the port coupling element to establish and maintain physical and electrical continuity between the post and the port coupling element.

7. The connector of claim 5, further comprising:

a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the connector body sealingly compressing it against and affixing it to a coaxial cable.

8. The connector of claim 5, wherein the plurality of engagement fingers are spaced apart by axially aligned slots positioned on the post proximate the second end.

9. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, an opposing second end, and a slotted flange, the slotted flange being resilient in a radial direction; and

a port coupling element attached to the post, wherein a positioning of the port coupling element radially compresses the slotted flange, further wherein the slotted flange exerts an opposing radial contact force against an inner wall of the port coupling element;

wherein the opposing radial contact force establishes and maintains physical and electrical contact between the port coupling element and the post regardless of the axial position of the post and the port coupling element.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the slotted flange includes a plurality of axially aligned openings that space apart portions of the flange and the post.

11. The connector of claim 9, further comprising:

a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the connector body sealingly compressing it against and affixing it to a coaxial cable.

12. The connector of claim 9, wherein the opposing radial contact force is constant.

13. A method for maintaining ground continuity in a connector comprising:

providing a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, an opposing second end, and a flange having a plurality of openings positioned thereon; and

biasing the flange in a position of interference with a port coupling element, the port coupling element being attached to post.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein an outer edge of the flange exerts a constant radial contact force against the inner surface of the port coupling element.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the connector body sealingly compressing it against and affixing it to a coaxial cable.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the flange is resilient.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the plurality of openings are axially aligned slots, that space apart portions of the flange and the post.

18. A method for maintaining electrical continuity with a port comprising:

providing a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end and an opposing second end, a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal surface, and a plurality of engagement fingers proximate the second end, the plurality of engagement fingers being resilient in a radial direction; and

compressing the plurality of engagement fingers in a radially inward direction, wherein the compression of the plurality of engagement fingers by a positioning of the port coupling element results in the plurality of engagement fingers exerting a radially outward force against the port coupling element;

wherein the radially outward force against the port coupling element establishes and maintains physical and electrical continuity between the post and the port coupling element regardless of the relative axial position between the post and the port coupling element.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the outer edge of each of the plurality of engagement fingers constantly contact the internal surface of the port coupling element when the plurality of engagement fingers exert the radially outward force against the port coupling element.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

a fastener member, wherein the fastener member is configured to operate on and deform the connector body sealingly compressing it against and affixing it to a coaxial cable.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of engagement fingers are spaced apart by axially aligned slots positioned on the post proximate the second end.