Connector having a continuity member

• US 8,167,636 B1
• Filed: 10/15/2010
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Montena, Noah
• Primary Examiner(s): DINH, PHUONG K
• Application Number:
  US12/905,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20120094530A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 439/322, 439/578, 439/320, 439/323, 439/313, 439/312, 439/314, 439/585, 439/95
• US Class Current: 439/322
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0527 Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body attached to a post, wherein the post includes a flange, a port coupling element rotatable about the post, and a continuity member positioned within a cavity, the cavity being located on an outer surface of the flange of the post, wherein the continuity member establishes and maintains electrical and physical contact between the post and the port coupling element. Furthermore, an associated method for maintaining ground continuity with a coaxial cable port is also provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, wherein the post includes a flange;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post; and

a continuity member positioned within a cavity, the cavity being located on an outer surface of the flange of the post;

wherein the continuity member establishes and maintains electrical and physical contact between the post and the port coupling element.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein a portion of the continuity member contacts a bottom surface of the cavity.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member has at least one wing and a base, further wherein the at least one wing protrudes from the base.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is resilient.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one wing deformably conforms to an internal lip of the port coupling element.

6. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end and opposing second end, wherein the post includes a flange proximate the second end of the post;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal lip; and

a continuity member positioned within a cavity located on an outer surface of the flange of the post, wherein a first portion of the continuity member physically and electrically contacts the coupling element and a second portion of the continuity member physically and electrically contacts the post; and

wherein the continuity member facilitates grounding of a coaxial cable through the connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the first portion of the continuity member deformably conforms to the internal lip of the port coupling element.

8. The connector of claim 6, further comprising:

a sealing member located proximate a second end portion of the port coupling element proximate the internal lip of the port coupling element.

9. The connector of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is resilient.

10. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body operably attached to a post, the post having a first end and opposing second end, wherein the post includes a flange having a first cavity located on the outer surface of the flange, wherein the first cavity accommodates a first portion of a continuity member, and a second cavity located on the post proximate a second end, wherein the second cavity accommodates a second portion of the continuity member; and

a port coupling element operably attached to the post, wherein the coupling element has an internal lip;

wherein the continuity member establishes and maintains physical and electrical contact between the port coupling element and the post.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein the first portion of the continuity member deformably conforms to the internal lip of the port coupling element.

12. The connector of claim 10, further comprising:

a sealing member located proximate a second end portion of the port coupling element proximate the internal lip of the port coupling element.

13. The connector of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is resilient.

14. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end and opposing second end, wherein the post includes a flange proximate the second end of the post;

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has a keyway located on an inner surface of threads of the port coupling element; and

a continuity member having a first portion in physical and electrical contact with an underside of the flange, wherein the first portion rotates about the flange, and a second portion in physical and electrical contact with a surface of the keyway at a location proximate an outer edge of the port coupling element.

15. The connector of claim 14, further comprising:

a sealing member located proximate a second end portion of the port coupling element proximate the internal lip of the port coupling element.

16. The connector of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the continuity member is resilient.

17. A method for maintaining ground continuity with a port comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector, the coaxial cable connector including;

a connector body rotatable about a post, the post having a first end and opposing second end, wherein the post includes a flange proximate the second end of the post,

a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal lip; and

a continuity member positioned within a cavity located on an outer surface of the flange of the post;

wherein a first portion of the continuity member physically and electrically contacts the port coupling element and a second portion of the continuity member physically and electrically contacts the post; and

advancing the port coupling element of the connector onto an interface port to ground the connector.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first portion of the continuity member deformably conforms to the internal lip of the coupling element.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a sealing member located proximate a second end portion of the port coupling element proximate the internal lip of the port coupling element.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the continuity member is resilient.