Continuity maintaining biasing member

• US 8,366,481 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2011
• Issued: 02/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Ehret, Trevor, Haube, Richard A., Montena, Noah, Zraik, Souheil
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US13/075,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20120252263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-584
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5025 one or more pieces being of resilient material
• 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 13/62 Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/16 for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/20 for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0527 Connection to outer conductor by action of a resilient member, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49174 Assembling terminal to elongated conductor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a connector body attached to the post, a coupling element attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end a second end, and a biasing member disposed within a cavity formed between the first end of the coupling element and the connector body to bias the coupling element against the post is provided. Moreover, a connector body having a biasing element, wherein the biasing element biases the coupling element against the post, is further provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the first end of the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a connector body, having a first end, a second end, and a body contact surface, the first end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable and the second end configured to be attached to the post, when the connector is in an assembled state;

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 portion, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element having a first end, a second end, an internal lip having a lip contact surface extending along a predominantly radial direction and facing the connector body, and an outer internal wall surface facing the post and extending along a predominantly axial direction, the lip contact surface and the outer internal wall surface being configured to, along with the body contact surface, at least partially define a cavity between the coupling element and the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled state; and

a biasing member configured to fit within the cavity and cooperate with the lip contact surface of the internal lip of the coupling element and the body contact surface of the connector body to exert a biasing force between the lip contact surface and the body contact surface, the biasing force being sufficient to urge the internal 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;

wherein the biasing force exerted by the biasing member helps facilitate an electrical ground path between the coupling element, the post, and the interface port, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port; and

wherein the biasing member is also configured to provide a physical seal between the coupling element and the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and

further

wherein the biasing member is made of substantially non-metallic and non-conductive material.

2. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member simultaneously contacts the outer internal wall of the coupling element and a surface of an annular recess of the connector body.

3. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member biases a lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange.

4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, further including:

a fastener member radially disposed over the connector body to radially compress the connector body onto the coaxial cable.

5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is resilient.

6. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is an over-sized O-ring having an axial dimension larger than the axial depth of the cavity between the body contact surface of the connector body and the internal lip of the coupling element.

7. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing member resists degradation and rust.

8. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

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 portion, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element having 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 including;

an integral body biasing element having a coupling element contact portion extending from the body and configured to contact the body with the connector is in the assembled state; and

an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along the 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.

9. The coaxial cable connector of claim 8, wherein the integral body biasing element includes a surface that extends a radial distance to engage the coupling element.

10. The coaxial cable connector of claim 8, wherein the integral body biasing element operates with the annular groove to permit the necessary deflection to bias the coupling element against the post.

11. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, wherein the surface of the integral body biasing element radially extends outward from the general axis of the connector past the inward lip of the coupling element, when the connector is in the assembled state.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 8, further including:

a fastener member radially disposed over the connector body to radially compress the connector body onto the coaxial cable.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 8, wherein the integral body biasing element biases the inward lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange of the post.

14. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable and facilitating electrical connection with a coaxial cable interface port having a conductive mating surface, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the connector comprising:

a tubular post having a first end configured to receive the center conductor and the dielectric of the coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, a second end, a flange proximate the second end, and a mating edge configured to contact the conductive surface of the interface port;

a connector body having a body contact surface, a first end configured to receive a prepared portion of the coaxial cable, and a second end configured to engage the tubular post;

a coupling element configured to rotate with respect to the post and threadably engage the interface port, so as to axially move between a first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on the interface port and only engaged with the interface port by two threads, and a second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port and where the conductive mating surface of the interface port makes initial contact with the mating edge of the tubular post, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element having;

a first end;

a second end;

an internal lip having a lip contact surface extending predominantly along a radial direction and facing the connector body; and

an outer internal wall surface extending predominantly along an axial direction;

the lip contact surface and the outer internal wall surface partially bounding and defining a cavity formed between the coupling element and the body contact surface of the connector body when the connector is in an assembled state; and

a means for exerting a biasing force between the contact surface of the lip of the coupling element and the body contact surface of the connector body, the biasing force being sufficient to urge the coupling element toward the flange of the tubular post when the coupling element is threaded onto the interface port between the first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on the interface port and only engaged with the interface port by two threads, and the second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port and where a mating edge of the interface port makes initial contact with the mating edge of the tubular post, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the tubular post even when the coupling element is not fully tightened relative to the interface port;

wherein the means for exerting a biasing force is configured to fit within the cavity formed between the coupling element and the connector body; and

wherein the means for exerting a biasing force also provides a physical seal between the coupling element and the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and

further

wherein the means for exerting a biasing force is made of a substantially non-metallic and non-conductive material.

15. The coaxial cable of claim 14, wherein the internal lip of the coupling element is biased toward the flange of the tubular post.

16. The coaxial cable of claim 14, wherein the means continuously axially displaces the coupling element.

17. A method of facilitating electrical continuity through a coaxial cable connector, comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector including;

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to engage a connector body of the connector in a manner that permits the connector body to be firmly attached to the post when the connector is in an assembled condition;

a coupling element attached to the post in such a way that the coupling element can rotate a full 360 degrees around the post, the coupling element having a first end, a second end and a cavity, the cavity partially bounded defined by an internal lip and an outer internal wall of the coupling element and a body contact surface of the connector body, wherein the internal lip of the coupling element has a surface extending in a predominantly radial direction and facing the connector body, and wherein the outer internal wall has a surface extending in a predominantly axial direction and facing the post; and

a non-metallic and non-conductive biasing member disposed within the cavity so the biasing member contacts both the internal lip of the coupling element and the connector body and exerts axial force between the coupling element and the connector body to bias the coupling element toward the the post, wherein the biasing member is also disposed so as to exert a radial force against the outer internal wall of the coupler and form a physical seal between the coupling element and the connector body; and

achieving an electrically conductive path through the coupling element and the post of the connector, when the coupling element is biased against the post by the non-metallic and non-conductive biasing member, even when the coupling element has been threaded only by two rotational turns onto a corresponding interface port.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-metallic and non-conductive biasing member biases a lip of the coupling element and urges the lip of the coupling element toward the flange of the post.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the non-metallic and non-conductive biasing member is resilient.

20. A method of improving electrical continuity through a coaxial cable connector, comprising:

providing a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

operably attaching a coupling element to the post, the coupling element having a first end, a second end, and inward lip having a contact surface extending along a radial direction and facing away from the flange of the post when the connector is in an assembled state;

providing a connector body having a first end, a second end, and an integral resilient biasing member having a contact portion extending from the connector body and toward the internal lip of the coupling element when the connector is in the assembled state, the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body being operable with an annular groove of the connector body to allow the integral resilient biasing member to deflect along the axial direction; and

positioning the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body so that the integral resilient biasing member contacts the coupling element and exerts a biasing force on the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post urging the coupling element toward the flange of the post, when the connector is in the assembled state;

wherein the urging of the coupling element toward flange of the post as the integral resilient biasing member exerts a biasing force against the coupling element improves electrical contact between the coupling element and the post.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the integral resilient biasing member includes a surface that extends a radial distance outward beyond the radial extent of the internal lip of the coupling element.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the integral resilient biasing member operates with the annular groove to permit the necessary deflection to bias the coupling element against the post.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body biases the internal lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange of the post that faces the coupling element.

24. A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable and facilitating electrical connection with a coaxial cable interface port having a conductive surface, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the connector comprising:

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to receive the center conductor and the dielectric of the coaxial cable;

a connector body having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to receive a prepared portion of the coaxial cable and the second end configured to engage the post;

a coupling element rotatably attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end including a cavity and a second end configured to mate with an interface port, wherein the cavity of the coupling element is at least partially bounded by an internal lip of the coupling element, the internal lip having a lip contact surface that extends along a predominantly radial direction and faces the connector body and by an outer internal wall, the outer internal wall having a wall contact surface extending in an axial direction and facing a portion of the post; and

a biasing structure disposed axially rearward of the internal lip of the coupling element and contained within the cavity, the biasing member configured to constantly exert a biasing force on the contact surface of the internal lip of the coupling element so as to bias the coupling element towards the flange of the post and configured to exert a force on the wall contact surface of the outer internal wall to form a physical seal against the outer internal wall of the coupling element;

wherein the biasing structure is non-metallic and non-conductive and is also configured to form a physical seal against a portion of the connector body.

25. The coaxial cable connector of claim 24, wherein the biasing structure is resilient.

26. The coaxial cable connector of claim 24, wherein the biasing structure member is an over-sized O-ring having an axial dimension larger than the axial depth of the cavity between the connector body and the internal lip of the coupling element.

27. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a coupling element rotatably attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end including a cavity and a second end configured to mate with an interface port, wherein the cavity of the coupling element is at least partially bounded by a lip contact surface of an internal lip of the coupling element and by a wall contact surface of an outer internal wall of the coupling element;

a connector body having a first end configured to receive a prepared portion of a coaxial cable, a second end configured to be securely attached to the post, and an annular surface facing the cavity of the coupling element; and

a biasing O-ring located within the cavity between the coupling element and the connector body so as to make contact with the annular surface of the connector body, the lip contact surface of the internal lip of the coupling element and the wall contact surface of the outer internal wall of the coupling element, when the connector is in an assembled condition;

wherein the biasing O-ring biases the coupling element toward the flange of the post by providing a resilient force against the lip contact surface of the internal lip of the coupling element; and

wherein the biasing O-ring physically seals against the wall contact surface of the outer internal wall of the coupling element, while also physically sealing against the annular surface of the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled condition.

28. The coaxial cable connector of claim 27, wherein the biasing O-ring is resilient.

29. The coaxial cable connector of claim 27, wherein the biasing member is non-metallic and non-conductive.