Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member

• US 8,444,445 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2011
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Amidon, Jeremy, Hanson, Brian K., Montena, Noah, Purdy, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US13/072,350
• Publication Number:
  US 20110230089A1
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 439/792, 439583-585
• US Class Current: 439/792
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6584 formed by conductive elastomeric members, e.g. flat gaskets or O-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6593 the shield being composed of different pieces
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body a post engageable with connector body, wherein the post includes a flange, a coupling member, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the coupling member having a first end, an opposing second end portion, and an internal lip, a continuity member disposed only axially rearward of a surface of the internal lip of the coupling member that faces the flange, an outer sleeve engageable with the coupling member, the sleeve configured to rotate the coupling member, and a compression portion structurally integral with the connector body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the body when axially compressed is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable, 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 including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a forward facing flange surface, a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface, and a continuity post engaging surface extending from the lip surface, wherein the rearward post end is configured to be inserted into the end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield thereof to make electrical contact with the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable;

a connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a continuity body engaging surface configured to fit the continuity post engaging surface of the flange of the post when the connector body is positioned around a portion of the post;

a coupler configured to rotate relative to the post and the connector body, the coupler including a forward coupler end configured for fastening to an interface port and to move between a partially tightened coupler position on the interface port and a fully tightened coupler position on the interface port, a rearward coupler end, and an internal lip having a forward facing lip surface facing the forward coupler end and configured to rotate relative to the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and allow the post to pivot relative to the coupler, a rearward facing lip surface facing the rearward coupler end, and an intermediate surface between the forward facing lip surface and the rearward facing lip surface, the intermediate surface configured to fit the lip surface of the post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, the connector body, and the coupler, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts and electrically couples the post to the coupler at a position other than between the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing lip surface of the coupler, wherein the continuity member is configured to contact the rearward facing lip surface of the coupler and reside between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body;

an outer sleeve engageable with the coupler, the outer sleeve configured to rotate the coupler; and

a compression portion structurally integral with the connector body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the connector body when axially compressed.

2. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve extends to the first end of the coupler.

3. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve extends beyond the first end of the coupler, to guide the coupler onto the interface.

4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the outer sleeve includes an engagement member configured to mate with a retaining structure of the coupler.

5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, further comprising a radial restriction member, wherein at least some part of the radial restriction member is disposed radially extent of the compression portion to restrict radial expansion of the compression portion.

6. The coaxial cable connector of claim 5, wherein the radial restriction member comprises at least one strap positioned around at least a section of the compression portion.

7. The coaxial cable connector of claim 5, wherein the radial restriction member includes an inwardly extending lip.

8. A method of obtaining electrical continuity for a coaxial cable connection, the method comprising:

providing a coaxial cable connector including;

a post including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a forward facing flange surface, a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface, and a continuity post engaging surface extending from the lip surface, wherein the rearward post end is configured to be inserted into the end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield thereof to make electrical contact with the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable;

a connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a continuity body engaging surface configured to fit the continuity post engaging surface of the flange of the post when the connector body is positioned around a portion of the post;

a coupler configured to rotate relative to the post and the connector body, the coupler including a forward coupler end configured for fastening to an interface port and to move between a partially tightened coupler position on the interface port and a fully tightened coupler position on the interface port, a rearward coupler end, and an internal lip having a forward facing lip surface facing the forward coupler end and configured to rotate relative to the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and allow the post to pivot relative to the coupler, a rearward facing lip surface facing the rearward coupler end, and an intermediate surface between the forward facing lip surface and the rearward facing lip surface, the intermediate surface configured to fit the lip surface of the post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, the connector body, and the coupler, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts and electrically couples the post to the coupler at a position other than between the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing lip surface of the coupler, wherein the continuity member is configured to contact the rearward facing lip surface of the coupler and reside between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body; and

an outer sleeve engageable with the coupler, the outer sleeve configured to rotate the coupler; and

a compression portion structurally integral with the connector body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the connector body when axially compressed;

securely attaching a coaxial cable to the coaxial cable connector so that the grounding shield of the coaxial cable electrically contacts the post by axially compressing the compression portion so that the compression portion breaks away from the connector body and securely connects to the coaxial cable;

extending electrical continuity from the post through the continuity member to the coupler; and

fastening the coupler to a conductive interface port to complete the ground path and obtain electrical continuity in the cable connection.

9. A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable, 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 including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a forward facing flange surface, a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface, and a continuity post engaging surface extending from the lip surface, wherein the rearward post end is configured to be inserted into the end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield thereof to make electrical contact with the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable;

a connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a continuity body engaging surface configured to fit the continuity post engaging surface of the flange of the post when the connector body is positioned around a portion of the post;

a coupler configured to rotate relative to the post and the connector body, the coupler including a forward coupler end configured for fastening to an interface port and to move between a partially tightened coupler position on the interface port and a fully tightened coupler position on the interface port, a rearward coupler end, and an internal lip having a forward facing lip surface facing the forward coupler end and configured to rotate relative to the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and allow the post to pivot relative to the coupler, a rearward facing lip surface facing the rearward coupler end, and an intermediate surface between the forward facing lip surface and the rearward facing lip surface, the intermediate surface configured to fit the lip surface of the post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, the connector body, and the coupler, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts and electrically couples the post to the coupler at a position other than between the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing lip surface of the coupler, wherein the continuity member is configured to contact the rearward facing lip surface of the coupler and reside between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body; and

an outer sleeve engageable with the coupler, the outer sleeve configured to rotate the coupler.

10. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, further comprising a compression portion structurally integral with the connector body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the body when axially compressed.

11. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, further comprising a separate fastener member radially disposed over the connector body.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, further comprising a separate insertable compression sleeve configured to be inserted within an opening of the connector body proximate a rearward end of the connector body.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, wherein the outer sleeve extends to the first end of the coupler.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, wherein the outer sleeve extends beyond the first end of the coupler to guide the coupler onto the interface port.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, wherein the outer sleeve includes an engagement member configured to mate with a retaining structure of the coupler.

16. A coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable, 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 including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a forward facing flange surface, a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface, and a continuity post engaging surface extending from the lip surface, wherein the rearward post end is configured to be inserted into the end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield thereof to make electrical contact with the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable;

a connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a continuity body engaging surface configured to fit the continuity post engaging surface of the flange of the post when the connector body is positioned around a portion of the post;

a coupler configured to rotate relative to the post and the connector body, the coupler including a forward coupler end configured for fastening to an interface port and to move between a partially tightened coupler position on the interface port and a fully tightened coupler position on the interface port, a rearward coupler end, and an internal lip having a forward facing lip surface facing the forward coupler end and configured to rotate relative to the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and allow the post to pivot relative to the coupler, a rearward facing lip surface facing the rearward coupler end, and an intermediate surface between the forward facing lip surface and the rearward facing lip surface, the intermediate surface configured to fit the lip surface of the post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, the connector body, and the coupler, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts and electrically couples the post to the coupler at a position other than between the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing lip surface of the coupler, wherein the continuity member is configured to contact the rearward facing lip surface of the coupler and reside between a portion of the post and a portion of the connector body; and

a compression portion structurally integral with the connector body, wherein the compression portion is configured to break apart from the body when axially compressed.

17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 16, further comprising a radial restriction member, wherein at least some part of the radial restriction member is disposed radially extent of the compression portion to restrict radial expansion of the compression portion.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 17, wherein the radial restriction member comprises at least one strap positioned around at least a section of the compression portion.

19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 17, wherein the radial restriction member includes an inwardly extending lip.