Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member

• US 8,597,041 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• 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:
  US13/652,029
• Publication Number:
  US 20130034983A1
• Time in Patent Office: 414 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 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 and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip, and wherein a second end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the second end of the nut to the side of the lip of the nut facing the first end of the nut at a point nearest the second end of the nut, and a first end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the first end of the nut to the same point nearest the second end of the nut of the same side of the lip facing the first end of the nut; 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 method for forming a coaxial cable connector, 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, comprising:

providing a tubular post including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange, and a post continuity member engaging surface extending from the lip surface, the rearward post end configured to be inserted into an 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;

providing a connector body that is separate from the tubular post, when the connector is in an unassembled state, and, during assembly, positioning the connector body around a portion of the tubular post, the connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a body continuity member engaging surface configured to fit the post continuity member engaging surface of the tubular post;

providing a coupler configured to rotate relative to the tubular 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 more-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 tubular post and allow the tubular post to move axially 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 flange of the tubular post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the tubular post; and

providing an all metal continuity member, and positioning the continuity member in a location only rearward of the forward facing lip surface of the internal lip of the coupler, the continuity member having a continuity base portion extending between the post continuity member engaging surface of the tubular post and the body continuity member engaging surface of the connector body, and a continuity contact surface configured to be biased against the coupler so as to maintain an all metal electrical continuity path between the coupler and the tubular post when the coupler is partially tightened onto the interface port, when the coupler is more-fully tightened onto the interface port, and even when the tubular post moves relative to the coupler.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the coupler contacts the connector body.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising configuring at least a portion of the continuity member to flex and retain consistent physical and electrical contact with a conductive surface of the coupler, to help ensure continuity of an electrical path between the interface port and the coaxial cable, even when the coupler moves.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the connector body, so that movement of the cable fastener member with respect to the connector body helps secure engagement between the coaxial cable and the tubular post.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the cable fastener member is configured to act upon the connector body as it moves to help secure the cable to the tubular post.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the continuity member includes a disc-like portion and a resilient flexible portion connected to the disc-like portion and configured to arch away from a plane of the disc-like portion of the continuity member.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the continuity member includes a plurality of flexible portions, the plurality of flexible portions forming symmetrical portions each arched above the plane of the disc-like portion.

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

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

10. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a forward end that includes a nut, and an opposite rearward end;

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post has a flange that includes a forward facing surface that faces toward the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface that faces toward the rearward end of the connector, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post toward the rearward end of the connector, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the connector, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the nut and the post are configured to move away from and out of contact with each other when the connector is in an assembled state, and the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain a fully conductive electrical ground path through the post and the nut even when the nut and the post move away from and out of contact with each other and when the connector is in the assembled state.

11. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a forward end that includes a nut, and an opposite rearward end;

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post has a flange that includes a forward facing surface that faces the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface that faces the rearward end of the connector, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface toward the rearward end of the connector, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the connector, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the flange of the post.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the one or more conductive materials are selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the connector body.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the electrical continuity member comprises a continuous metallic component that is configured to form an electrical ground path through the nut, the continuous metallic component, and the post.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the electrical continuity member comprises a fully conductive component that extends and maintains an electrical ground path through the nut and the post.

16. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the continuity member consists essentially of one or more conductive materials.

17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 16, wherein the one or more conductive materials are selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut is substantially perpendicular to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post.

19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 18, wherein the axially extending surface of the flange of the post is substantially perpendicular to the radially extending surface of the flange of the post.

20. The coaxial cable connector of claim 19, wherein the forward facing surface of the flange of the post is substantially perpendicular to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post.

21. The coaxial cable connector of claim 20, wherein the forward facing surface of the flange of the post is substantially parallel to the radially extending surface of the flange of the post.

22. The coaxial cable connector of claim 21, wherein the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post is substantially parallel to the forward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut.

23. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the connector body is hollow and includes a first opening facing the forward end of the connector, and a second opening facing the rearward end of the connector.

24. The coaxial cable connector of claim 23, wherein the second opening of the connector body is configured to allow a coaxial cable to be inserted inside the connector body, the coaxial cable includes a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric is surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, and the conductive grounding shield is surrounded by an outer jacket.

25. The coaxial cable connector of claim 24, wherein the post includes a rearward end on an end of the post opposite from the forward facing surface of the flange, the rearward end of the post is configured to be inserted into an end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield.

26. The coaxial cable connector of claim 25, wherein the post is press fit into the first opening of the connector body.

27. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a forward end that includes a nut, and an opposite rearward end;

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post has a flange that includes a forward facing surface that faces toward the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface that faces toward the rearward end of the connector, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface toward the rearward end of the connector, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the connector, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the connector body; and

wherein the electrical continuity member is positioned between the connector body and the radially extending surface of the flange of the post.

28. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a forward end that includes a nut, and an opposite rearward end;

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post has a flange that includes a forward facing surface that faces the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface that faces the rearward end of the connector, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface toward the rearward end of the connector, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the connector, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the flange of the post proximate the axially extending surface of the flange of the post.

29. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a forward end that includes a nut, and an opposite rearward end;

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post has a flange that includes a forward facing surface that faces the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface that faces the rearward end of the connector, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface toward the rearward end of the connector, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface facing the forward end of the connector, a rearward facing surface facing the rearward end of the connector, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the flange of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the radially extending surface of the flange of the post.

30. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post includes a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

a nut, wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to extend a sufficiently conductive ground path through the nut and the post and maintain the ground path when the post and the nut move away from one another during operation of an assembled connector.

31. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post includes a forward facing post surface, a rearward facing post surface, an outer surface located between the forward and rearward facing post surfaces, an axially extending post surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outer surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing post surface, and a radially extending post surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending post surface;

a nut, wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the nut and the post are configured to move away from one another when the connector is in an assembled state, and the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain a fully metallic electrical ground path through the post and the nut even when the nut and the post move away from one another while the connector is in the assembled state.

32. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a connector body;

a post attached to the connector body, wherein the post and the connector body are separate non-integral components;

wherein the post includes a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, an outermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces, an axially extending surface that is located radially inward with respect to the outermost surface and that extends axially from the rearward facing surface, and a radially extending surface that extends radially inward from the axially extending surface;

a nut, wherein the nut is axially rotatable with respect to a common axis of the post and the connector body, and includes an inwardly projecting lip, wherein the inwardly projecting lip has a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and an innermost surface located between the forward and rearward facing surfaces of the inwardly projecting lip, wherein the innermost surface is located radially adjacent to the axially extending surface of the post;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, and the nut, wherein the electrical continuity member consists of one or more conductive materials and is configured to maintain consistent physical and electrical contact with the post and at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the inwardly projecting lip of the nut; and

wherein the nut and the post are configured to move out of contact with one another when the connector is in an assembled state, and the electrical continuity member comprises an integral metallic component that extends and maintains a continuous electrical ground path through the post and the nut even when the post and the nut move out of contact with one another while the connector is in the assembled state.

33. A connector comprising:

a connector body;

a post configured to engage with and attach to the connector body, the post having a flange, wherein the flange of the post has a forward facing surface and a rearward facing surface;

a nut configured to axially rotate relative to a common axis of the post and the connector body, the nut including an inward lip having a forward facing surface, a rearward facing surface, and an innermost portion between the forward facing surface and the rearward facing surface;

an electrical continuity member positioned to contact the post, the nut, and the body, and electrically couple the post to the nut at a position other than between the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post and the forward facing surface of the lip of the nut;

wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to contact the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut and extend between a portion of the post and a portion of the body;

wherein the rearward facing surface of the flange of the post is configured to face the forward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut when the connector is assembled;

wherein the post and the body are separate and distinct components of the connector, are not a single integral component, and are configured to be interlocked with one another to prevent axial movement of one relative to the other;

wherein the flange of the post comprises an radial projection of the post and the inward lip of the nut comprises an inward radial projection of the nut;

wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to extend between the nut and the body so as to form a physical gap between the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut and the body and prevent the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut from contacting a forward portion of the body proximate to the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut when the forward portion of the body and the rearward facing surface of the inward lip of the nut move toward each other and when the connector is in an assembled state;

wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to contact the nut while being positioned between the connector body and the post so as to extend electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut even when the nut is not fully tightened on an interface port;

wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to be biased against the nut when the connector is in the assembled state; and

wherein the nut and the post are configured to move away from and out of contact with each other when the connector is in the assembled state, and the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain a consistent electrical ground contact path through the post and the nut when the nut and the post move away from and out of contact with another and when the connector is in the assembled state.

34. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member comprises at least one fully conductive material selected from the group consisting of metals and metal alloys.

35. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the flange of the post.

36. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member contacts the flange of the post proximate an axially extending surface of the flange of the post.

37. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain a metallic electrical ground path through the nut and the post.

38. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member comprises a conductive component that is configured to extend and maintain a sufficiently conductive electrical ground path through the nut and the post.

39. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical continuity member is configured to extend a sufficiently conductive path through the nut and the post so as to form a reliable ground path even when the post and the nut move away from one another.

40. The connector of claim 33, wherein the nut and the post are configured to move away from and out of contact with each other when the connector is in the assembled state, and the electrical continuity member comprises a continuously metallic component configured to extend and maintain a continuously metallic electrical ground path through the post and the nut when the nut and the post move away from and out of contact with each other when the connector is in the assembled state.

41. The connector of claim 33, wherein the nut and the post are configured to move away from one another when the connector is in the assembled state, and the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain a continuously metallic electrical ground path through the post and the nut even when the nut and the post move away from one another when the connector is in the assembled state.

42. The connector of claim 33, wherein the nut and the post are configured to move out of contact with one another when the connector is in the assembled state, and the electrical continuity member is configured to extend and maintain an electrical ground path through the post and the nut and prevent the electrical ground path from being interrupted even when the post and the nut move out of contact with one another when the connector is in the assembled state.

43. The connector of claim 33, wherein the body comprises a first component of the connector, the nut comprises a second component of the connector, the post comprises a third component of the connector, and the electrical continuity member comprises a fourth component of the connector.

44. The connector of claim 33, wherein the body, the nut, the post, and the electrical continuity member each comprise separate and distinct components of the connector that are configured to interact with and move relative to each other when the body, the nut, the post, and the electrical continuity member are assembled together.

45. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity member comprises a metallic component that does not include a conductive coating.

46. The connector of claim 34, wherein the connector body is hollow and includes a first opening facing a forward end of the connector, and a second opening facing a rearward end of the connector.

47. The connector of claim 46, wherein the second opening of the connector body is configured to allow a coaxial cable to be inserted inside the connector body, the coaxial cable includes a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric is surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, and the conductive grounding shield is surrounded by an outer jacket.

48. The connector of claim 47, wherein the post includes a rearward end on an end of the post opposite from the forward facing surface of the flange, the rearward end of the post is configured to be inserted into an end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield.

49. The connector of claim 48, wherein the post is press fit into the first opening of the connector body.