Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member

• US 8,562,366 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 10/22/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Purdy, Eric, Montena, Noah, Amidon, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US13/652,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20130065435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 372 Days
• Field of Search: 439/792, 439583-585, 439/322, 439/578
• US Class Current: 439/322
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6592 the conductive member being a shielded cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• 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 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49123 Co-axial cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body; a post engageable with the connector body, wherein the post includes a flange; a nut, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end portion a second end portion, and an internal lip; and a continuity member disposed within the second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided.

Claims

1. A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an interface port, 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 body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of a coaxial cable;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including a outward flange having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, the post being comprised of a substantially conductive material sufficient to form an electrical grounding path;

a nut configured to rotate relative to the post and body, and axially move between a first axial position relative to the interface port and a second axial position relative to the interface port, the nut including;

a first end configured for coupling to an interface port;

an opposing second end; and

an inward protrusion comprising;

a forward facing nut surface;

a rearward facing nut surface; and

an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

wherein the nut is further configured to move between a first nut position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, the nut being made of a substantially conductive material sufficient to form an electrical grounding path;

an electrical grounding continuity member including;

a body contact portion configured to fit around an external surface of the body, maintain contact with the body, and maintain an continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the body, the body contact portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the body;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut, the nut contact portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut without forming a physical seal between the nut and the body; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive body contact portion when the nut moves between the first nut position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the body contact portion and the nut contact portion, the biasing portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the post contact portion and the nut contact portion; and

wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is configured to maintain a continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut when the nut is in the first nut position, when the nut is in the second nut position, and while the nut moves between the first nut position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the electrical grounding continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

6. The connector of claim 1, further including an elastic sealing member, positioned between the coupler and the connector body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

8. A method for connecting an end of a coaxial cable to an interface port, 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:

providing a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of a coaxial cable;

providing a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward flange having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface, the post being comprised of a substantially conductive material sufficient to form an electrical grounding path;

providing a nut having a first end configured for coupling to an interface port, an opposing second end, and an inward protrusion having a forward facing nut surface, a rearward facing nut surface, and an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

rotating the nut relative to the post and body, while axially moving the nut between a first axial position relative to the interface port and a second axial position relative to the interface port;

moving the nut between a first nut position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post;

providing an electrical grounding continuity member including;

a body contact portion configured to fit around an external surface of the body, maintain contact with the body, and maintain an continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the body, the body contact portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the body;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut the nut contact portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut without forming a physical seal between the nut and the body; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive body contact portion when the nut moves between the first position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the body contact portion and the nut contact portion, the biasing portion being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the body contact portion and the nut contact portion; and

wherein the electrical grounding continuity member maintains a continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut when the nut is in the first nut position, when the nut is in the second nut position, and while the nut moves between the first nut position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the electrical grounding continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of a fully metallic material.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of a substantially metallic material.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising positioning an elastic sealing member between the coupler and the connector body so as to form a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

16. A connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an interface port, the connector comprising:

a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward protrusion having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

a nut configured to rotate relative to the post and body, and axially move between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port, the nut including;

a first end configured for coupling to the interface port;

an opposing second end; and

an inward protrusion comprising;

a forward facing nut surface;

a rearward facing nut surface; and

an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

wherein the nut is further configured to move between a first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

an electrical grounding continuity member comprised of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material, the continuity member including;

a body contact portion configured to fit around an external surface of the body, and maintain an continuous electrical contact path with the body;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive body contact portion when the nut moves between the first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the body contact portion and the nut contact portion; and

wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is configured to maintain a continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut when the nut is in the first position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the second position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the electrical grounding continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

17. The connector of claim 16, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

18. The connector of claim 16, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

19. The connector of claim 16, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

20. The connector of claim 16, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

21. The connector of claim 16, further including an elastic sealing member, positioned between the coupler and the connector body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

22. The connector of claim 21, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

23. A method for connecting a coaxial cable to an interface port comprising:

providing a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of a coaxial cable;

providing a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward flange having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

providing a nut having a first end configured for coupling to an interface port, an opposing second end, and an inward protrusion having a forward facing nut surface, a rearward facing nut surface, and an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

rotating the nut relative to the post and body, and moving the nut between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port;

moving the nut between a first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

providing an electrical grounding continuity member comprised of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material, the continuity member including;

a body contact portion configured to fit around an external surface of the body, and maintain an continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the post contact portion;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive body contact portion when the nut moves between the first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post; and

wherein the electrical grounding continuity member maintains a continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut when the nut is in the first position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the second nut position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the electrical grounding continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises a substantially metallic material.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising positioning an elastic sealing member between the coupler and the connector body so as to form a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

31. A connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an interface port, the connector comprising:

a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward protrusion having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

a nut configured to rotate relative to the post and body, and move between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port, the nut including;

a first end configured for coupling to the interface port;

an opposing second end; and

an inward protrusion comprising;

a forward facing nut surface;

a rearward facing nut surface; and

an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

wherein the nut is further configured to move between a first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

a continuous metallic electrical ground pathway extending rearwardly from a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion and toward a surface of the body when the connector is in the assembled state; and

wherein the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is configured to be maintained when the nut is in the first position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the second position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is maintained between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

32. The connector of claim 31, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is made of a fully metallic material.

33. The connector of claim 31, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is made of a substantially metallic material.

34. The connector of claim 31, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding continuity device.

35. The connector of claim 31, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

36. The connector of claim 31, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

37. The connector of claim 31, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding continuity member.

38. The connector of claim 37, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material.

39. The connector of claim 37, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises:

a post contact portion configured to fit around the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact pathway with the post;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain the continuous electrical contact pathway between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut when the connector is in the assembled state; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive post contact portion when the nut moves between the first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, so as to maintain the continuous electrical contact pathway between the post contact portion and the nut contact portion when the connector is in the assembled state.

40. The connector of claim 37, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

41. The connector of claim 31, further including an elastic sealing member, positioned between the coupler and the connector body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

42. The connector of claim 41, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

43. A method for coupling a coaxial cable to an interface port, the method comprising:

providing a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

providing a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward protrusion having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

providing a nut having a first end configured for coupling to the interface port, an opposing second end, and an inward protrusion having a forward facing nut surface, a rearward facing nut surface, and an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

rotating the nut relative to the post and the body, and moving the nut between a first position, and a second position;

moving the nut between a first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

arranging a continuous metallic electrical ground path so as to extend rearwardly from a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion and toward a surface of the body when the connector is in the assembled state; and

continuously maintaining the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway when the nut is in the first position, when the nut is in the second position, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the continuous metallic electrical ground path continues to extend between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

44. The connector of claim 43, wherein the continuous electrical grounding path is made of a fully metallic material.

45. The connector of claim 43, wherein the continuous electrical grounding path is made of a substantially metallic material.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the continuous electrical grounding path is formed by an electrical grounding continuity device.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten a coaxial cable to the connector.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

50. The method of claim 43, wherein the continuous electrical grounding path is formed by an electrical grounding continuity member.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises:

a post contact portion configured to fit around the post, and maintain the continuous electrical contact path with the post;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact only with a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain the continuous electrical contact path between the electrical grounding continuity member and the nut; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, allow the nut contact portion to move relative to the conductive post contact portion when the nut moves between the first nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and the second nut-to-post position, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing surface of the post, so as to maintain the continuous electrical contact path between the post contact portion and the nut contact portion.

53. The method of claim 43, further comprising providing an elastic sealing member, positioned between the coupler and the connector body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

55. A connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an interface port, the connector comprising:

a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward protrusion having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

a nut configured to rotate relative to the post and body, and move between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port, the nut including;

a first end configured for coupling to the interface port;

an opposing second end; and

an inward protrusion comprising;

a forward facing nut surface;

a rearward facing nut surface; and

an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

wherein the nut is further configured to move between a first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

a electrical grounding continuity member comprised of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material, the electrical grounding member located only rearward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion and toward a surface of the body when the connector is in the assembled state, wherein no portion of the electrical grounding continuity member is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut; and

wherein the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is configured to be maintained when the nut is in the first position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the second position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is maintained between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.

56. A connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an interface port, the connector comprising:

a body having a forward end and an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward protrusion having a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

a nut configured to rotate relative to the post and body, and move between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port, the nut including;

a first end configured for coupling to the interface port;

an opposing second end; and

an inward protrusion comprising;

a forward facing nut surface;

a rearward facing nut surface; and

an innermost nut surface extending between the forward facing nut surface and the rearward facing nut surface;

wherein the nut is further configured to move between a first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and a second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

a continuous metallic electrical ground pathway extending rearwardly from a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion and toward a surface of the body when the connector is in the assembled state, wherein no portion of the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is located either inside the connector body or inside the nut so as to be axially forward of a surface of the nut located rearward of the forward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut; and

wherein the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is configured to be maintained when the nut is in the first position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the second position relative to the interface port, when the nut is in the first nut-to-post position relative to the post, where the forward facing nut surface of the nut contacts the rearward facing surface of the post, and when the nut is in the second nut-to-post position relative to the post, where at least a portion of the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is maintained between the body and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post.