Continuity maintaining biasing member

• US 8,475,205 B2
• Filed: 12/24/2012
• Issued: 07/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Ehret, Trevor, Haube, Richard A., Montena, Noah, Zraik, Souheil
• Primary Examiner(s): HAMMOND, BRIGGITTE R
• Application Number:
  US13/726,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20130115812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 190 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 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 axially move between a first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on an interface port, and a second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element including an inward lip and a contact surface extending along a radial direction and facing a rearward direction; and

a connector body configured to engage the post and the coaxial cable when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body including;

an integral body biasing element having a contact portion extending from the body and toward a forward axial direction so as to contact the contact surface of the coupling element when the connector is in the assembled state; and

a groove located axially rearward of the integral body biasing element and 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 contact surface of the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element towards the flange of the post when the coupling element axially moves between the first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on the interface port, and the second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port, and at least until the post contacts the interface port, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post even when the coupling element is not fully tightened relative to the interface port; and

wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a substantially non-metallic and non-conductive material and is configured to improve electrical grounding continuity between the coupling element and the post without a need for a metallic conductive continuity member that is subject to corrosion and permanent deformation during operable engagement and disengagement with an interface port.

2. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a constant biasing force against the coupling element.

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

4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element extends a radial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is resilient and is configured to flex axially into a void formed by the groove.

6. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the post does not contact an interface port when the coupling element is in the first position, and the post does contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the second position.

7. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is located so as to contact a rearmost portion of the coupling element, when the connector is in the assembled state.

8. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element resists degradation and rust.

9. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force is exerted against the coupling element along the axial direction and toward a forward direction.

10. The coaxial cable connector of claim 9, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post only when the biasing force is greater than a counter force exerted against the coupling element along the axial direction and toward a rearward direction opposite from the forward direction.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force is exerted against the connector body along the axial direction and toward a rearward direction.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post only when the biasing force is greater than a counter force exerted against the connector body along the axial direction and toward a forward direction opposite from the rearward direction.

13. 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 including an integral resilient biasing member proximate a notch on the connector body, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is configured to flex relative to a void formed by the notch when a force is exerted against it;

a coupling element rotatably attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end including a biasing contact surface and a second end configured to mate with an interface port, wherein the biasing contact surface is configured to contact and bias against the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body, when the connector is in an assembled state; and

wherein the coupling element is configured to move between a first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on the interface port, and a second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, wherein a biasing force is exerted between the integral resilient biasing member and the biasing surface of the coupling element when the coupling element axially moves between the first position and the second position, at least until the post contacts the interface port, so that during movement of the coupling element between the first and the second positions the coupling element persistently contacts the post and improves electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post even when the coupling element is not fully tightened relative to the interface port.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the coupling element includes an internal lip.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the post does not contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the first position, and the post does contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the second position.

16. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member biases the internal lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange of the post.

17. The connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is configured to exert a constant biasing force against the coupling element.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member resists degradation and rust.

19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member extends a radial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

20. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member extends an axial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

21. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is located to contact a portion of the coupling element that is axially closest to the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled state.

22. The coaxial cable connector of claim 13, wherein the post does not contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the first position, and the post does contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the second position.

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

providing a coaxial cable connector including;

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 including an integral resilient biasing member proximate a groove, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is configured to flex into a void formed by the groove when a force is exerted against it; and

a coupling element rotatably attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end including a biasing contact surface and a second end configured to mate with an interface port, wherein the biasing contact surface is configured to contact and bias against the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body, when the connector is in an assembled state;

moving the coupling element between a first position, where the coupling element is partially tightened on the interface port, and a second position, where the coupling element is fully tightened on the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, wherein a biasing force is exerted between the integral resilient biasing member and the biasing surface of the coupling element when the coupling element axially moves between the first position and the second position, at least until the post contacts the interface port; 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 integral resilient biasing member, even when the coupling element is only partially tightened onto the interface port.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the coupling element includes an internal lip.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the integral resilient biasing member biases the internal lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange of the post.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is configured to exert a constant biasing force against the coupling element.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is made of a substantially non-metallic and non-conductive material.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the integral resilient biasing member resists degradation and rust.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the integral resilient biasing member extends a radial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein the integral resilient biasing member extends an axial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

31. The method of claim 23, wherein the post does not contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the first position, and the post does contact the interface port when the coupling element is in the second position.

32. The method of claim 23, wherein the integral resilient biasing member is located to contact a portion of the coupling element that is axially closest to the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled state.

33. 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 including an integral resilient biasing means proximate a void, wherein the integral resilient biasing means are configured to flex relative to the void when a force is exerted against the means;

a coupling means rotatably attached to the post, the coupling means having a first end including a biasing contact surface and a second end configured to mate with an interface port, wherein the biasing contact surface is configured to contact and bias against the integral resilient biasing means of the connector body, when the connector is in an assembled state; and

wherein the coupling means are configured to move between a first position, where the coupling means are partially tightened on the interface port, and a second position, where the coupling means are fully tightened on the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, wherein a biasing force is exerted between the integral resilient biasing means and the biasing surface of the coupling means when the coupling means axially move between the first position and the second position, at least until the post contacts the interface port, so that during movement of the coupling means between the first and the second positions the coupling means persistently contacts the post and improves electrical grounding reliability between the coupling means and the post even when the coupling means are not fully tightened relative to the interface port.

34. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the coupling means include an internal lip.

35. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the post does not contact the interface port when the coupling means are in the first position, and the post does contact the interface port when the coupling means are in the second position.

36. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means bias the internal lip of the coupling means toward the flange of the post.

37. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means are configured to exert a constant biasing force against the coupling means.

38. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means resist degradation and rust.

39. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means extend a radial distance to engage the coupling means.

40. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means extend an axial distance from the body to engage the coupling element.

41. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the integral resilient biasing means are located to contact a portion of the coupling means that is axially closest to the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled state.

42. 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 flange, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a connector body, having a body contact surface, wherein the connector body is configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable and is configured to be engaged with the post, when the connector is in an assembled state;

a nut configured to engage the post and axially move between a first position, where the nut is partially tightened on an interface port, and a second position, where the nut is fully tightened on the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the nut having an internal lip, the internal lip having a lip contact surface facing a rearward direction, and an outer internal wall surface extending along an axial direction substantially perpendicular to the radial direction, the lip contact surface and the outer internal wall surface intersecting to form a corner of an orthogonal cavity between the nut and the connector body, when the connector is in the assembled state; and

a biasing O-ring configured to fit within the cavity between the nut and the connector body, wherein the biasing O-ring has 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 nut, so as to be configured to exert a biasing force between the lip contact surface of the nut and the body contact surface of the body, the biasing force being sufficient to axially move the nut towards the flange of the post when the nut axially moves relative to the post between the first position, where the nut is partially tightened on the interface port, and the second position, where the nut is fully tightened on the interface port;

wherein the biasing force exerted by the biasing O-ring helps improve electrical grounding reliability between the nut, the post, and the interface port, even when the nut is not fully tightened relative to the interface port; and

wherein the biasing O-ring is also configured to provide a physical seal between the nut and the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state; and

further

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

43. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing O-ring biases the internal lip of the nut against a surface of the flange of the post.

44. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing O-ring is configured to exert a constant biasing force against the nut.

45. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing O-ring is resilient and is configured to exert a constant biasing force against the nut when the connector is in the assembled state and when the nut moves between the partially tightened position and the fully tightened position.

46. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing O-ring resists degradation and rust.

47. The connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing force is exerted against the nut along the axial direction and toward a forward direction.

48. The connector of claim 47, wherein the biasing O-ring is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability between the nut and the post only when the biasing force is greater than a counter force exerted against the nut along the axial direction and toward a rearward direction opposite from the forward direction.

49. The connector of claim 42, wherein the biasing force is exerted against the connector body along the axial direction and toward a rearward direction.

50. The connector of claim 49, wherein the biasing O-ring is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability between the nut and the post only when the biasing force is greater than a counter force exerted against the connector body along the axial direction and toward a forward direction opposite from the rearward direction.