Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member

• US 8,647,136 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• 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:
  US13/652,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20130072059A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 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 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 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, an opposing rearward end, and a forwardly facing surface, the reward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable;

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

a nut configured to 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 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 structured to permit movement 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 a continuous electrical contact path;

a continuity member including;

a conductive post contact portion located on a first side of a continuity member and configured to contact a portion of rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, maintain contact with the portion of the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between a continuity member and the post, the conductive post contact portion of the continuity member being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between a continuity member and the post;

a body contact portion located on a second side of a continuity member, the second side being opposite to the first side of a continuity member, the conductive post contact portion and the body contact portion being configured to extend between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the forward facing surface of the body;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact only with the rearward facing nut surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between a 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 a continuity member and the nut without forming an environmental seal between the nut and the body; and

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing nut 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 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, so that the continuity member acts to maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the conductive post 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 conductive post contact portion and the nut contact portion;

a sealing ring positioned between the nut and the body at a location rearwardly spaced from a continuity member, the sealing ring being formed of a substantially elastomeric and non-conductive material so as to form an environmental seal between the nut and body; and

wherein a continuity member is configured to maintain a continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut when the nut is in the first nut position, when the nut is in the second nut position, when the nut is attached to the interface port and in a first axial position relative to the interface port, and when the nut is attached to the interface port and in a second axial position relative to the interface port, such that a continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post and regardless of the axial position of the nut when the nut is axially attached to the interface port.

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

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the nut contacts the body.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the sealing ring is an O-ring.

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

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

7. A method of 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 method comprising:

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

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

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, the nut being made of a substantially conductive material sufficient to form the electrical grounding path having substantially the same electrical ground path properties of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable;

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 having substantially the same electrical ground path properties of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, a continuity member including;

a post contact portion located on a first side of the continuity member and configured to contact a portion of the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, maintain contact with the portion of the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the continuity member and the post, the post contact portion of the continuity member being made of a substantially conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material sufficient to form the continuous electrical contact path between the continuity member and the post, the first side of the continuity member facing a first direction;

a body contact portion located on a second side of the continuity member, the second side being opposite to the first side of the continuity member, the post contact portion and the body contact portion being configured to extend between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the forward facing surface of the body;

a body contact portion located on the second side of the continuity member, the second side facing a second direction opposite to the first direction of the first side of the continuity member, the post contact portion and the body contact portion being configured to extend between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the continuity member contact portion of the body;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact only with the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the 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 continuity member and the nut without forming an environmental 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 post 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 post 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;

positioning a sealing ring between the nut and the body at a location axially rearwardly spaced from the continuity member the sealing ring being formed of a substantially elastomeric and non-conductive material so as to form an environmental seal between the nut and body; and

wherein the continuity member is configured to maintain a continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut when the nut is in the first nut position, when the nut is in the second nut position, when the nut is attached to the interface port and in a first axial position relative to the interface port, and when the nut is attached to the interface port and in a second axial position relative to the interface port, such that the continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut regardless of the location of the nut relative to the post and regardless of the axial position of the nut when the nut is axially attached to the interface port.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the nut contacts the body.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the sealing ring is an O-ring.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to a connector.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

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

a body having a forward end, an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable, and a continuity member contact surface;

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

a nut configured to 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 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 continuity member comprised of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material, the continuity member including;

a post contact portion configured to fit contact a portion of the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, extend between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the continuity member contact surface of the body, and maintain and continuous electrical contact path with the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post;

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

wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is configured to maintain a continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut when the nut is in the first axial position, when the nut is in the second nut 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 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 post and the nut regardless of a location of the nut relative to the post when the connector is in an assembled state.

14. The connector of claim 13, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

15. The connector of claim 13, wherein the nut contacts the body.

16. The connector of claim 13, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to the connector.

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

18. The connector of claim 17, further comprising a sealing ring positioned between the nut and the body at a location rearwardly spaced from the electrical grounding continuity member, the sealing ring being formed of a substantially elastomeric and non-conductive material so as to form an environmental seal between the nut and body.

19. The connector of claim 18, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

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

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

providing a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward flange including a protrusion having 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 including 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,

the nut being configured to axially move between a first position relative to the interface port and a second position relative to the interface port,

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 the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post;

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

a conductive post contact portion configured to contact a portion of the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, extended between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and a continuity member contact surface of the body, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path with the rearward facing portion of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain a continuous electrical contact path between the 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 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 post contact portion and the nut contact portion; and

wherein the continuity member maintains a continuous electrical ground path between the post 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 the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the continuity member maintains the continuous electrical ground path between the post and the nut regardless of a location of the nut relative to the post.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is fully metal.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the nut contacts the body.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising providing a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to a connector.

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

25. The method of claim 20, further comprising positioning a sealing ring between the nut and the body at a location rearwardly spaced from the electrical grounding continuity member, the sealing ring being formed of a substantially elastomeric and non-conductive material so as to form an environmental seal between the nut and body.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

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

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

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

a nut configured to move between a first position and a second position, 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 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 located rearwardly from the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and extending between the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the continuity contact portion of the body; and

wherein the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is configured to be maintained 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 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 post and the nut regardless of a location of the nut relative to the post.

28. The connector of claim 27, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed from a fully metallic material.

29. The connector of claim 27, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is comprised of a substantially metallic material.

30. The connector of claim 27, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding device.

31. The connector of claim 27, wherein the nut contacts the body.

32. The connector of claim 27, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to the connector.

33. The connector of claim 27, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

34. The connector of claim 27, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding continuity member.

35. The connector of claim 34, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material.

36. The connector of claim 34, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises:

a conductive post contact portion configured to contact a portion of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, and maintain the continuous electrical contact pathway with the post;

a nut contact portion configured to maintain contact with the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of the nut, and maintain the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway between the electrical grounding continuity member and the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion of 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 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 metallic electrical ground pathway between the conductive post contact portion and the nut contact portion.

37. The connector of claim 27, further including an elastic sealing member, positioned between a coupler and the body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

38. The connector of claim 37, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.

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

providing a body having a forward end, an opposing rearward end configured to receive a portion of the coaxial cable, and a continuity member contact surface;

providing a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward flange including a protrusion having 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, the nut configured to

axially move between a first position and a second position, and move

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 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 the rearward facing surface of the inward protrusion and to a contact point between the rearwardly facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post and the continuity member contact surface of the body; 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 the forward facing nut surface of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing surface of the post, such that the electrical ground path continues to extend between the post and the nut regardless of a location of the nut relative to the post.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding path is made of a fully metallic material.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is comprised of a substantially metallic material.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein the nut contacts the body.

43. The method of claim 39, further comprising providing a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to a connector.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding path is formed by an electrical grounding continuity member.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of an integrally conductive and substantially non-elastomeric material.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises:

the conductive post contact portion configured to contact the rearward facing surface of the protrusion of the outward flange of the post, and maintain the continuous electrical contact path with the post;

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

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

48. The method of claim 44, further comprising providing an elastic sealing member, positioned between a coupler and the body, the sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into a connector.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein a sealing member is an O-ring.

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

a body having a continuity member contact portion;

a post configured to engage the body, the post including an outward flange including a rearward facing portion;

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

a first end configured for coupling to the interface port; and

an inward protrusion having a forward facing nut portion, a rearward facing nut portion, and an innermost nut portion extending between the forward facing nut portion and the rearward facing nut portion;

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 the forward facing nut portion of the nut is spaced away from the rearward facing portion of the post;

a continuous metallic electrical ground pathway located rearwardly from the rearward facing portion of the inward protrusion of the nut, and configured to contact the rearward facing portion of the outward flange of the post while extending between the rearward facing portion of the outward flange of the post and the continuity contact portion of the body when the connector is in an assembled state; and

wherein the continuous metallic electrical ground pathway is configured to be maintained 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 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 rearward facing portion of the outward flange of the post and the nut regardless of a location of the nut relative to the post.

51. The connector of claim 50, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed from a fully metallic material.

52. The connector of claim 50, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is comprised of a substantially metallic material.

53. The connector of claim 50, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding device.

54. The connector of claim 50, wherein the nut contacts the body.

55. The connector of claim 50, wherein the connector includes a cable fastener member movably coupled to the body and configured to fasten the coaxial cable to the connector.

56. The connector of claim 50, wherein the body, post, nut, and electrical grounding continuity member are each made of a single, unitary structure.

57. The connector of claim 50, wherein the continuous metallic electrical grounding pathway is formed by an electrical grounding continuity member.

58. The connector of claim 57, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member is made of an integrally conductive and non-elastomeric material.

59. The connector of claim 57, wherein the electrical grounding continuity member comprises:

a conductive post contact portion configured to contact the rearward facing portion of the outward flange of the post, and maintain the continuous metallic electrical grounding path with the post;

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

a biasing portion configured to bias the nut contact portion against the rearward facing portion 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 portion of the nut contacts the rearward facing portion of the post, and the second nut-to-post position, where the forward facing nut portion of the nut is spaced away from and does not contact the rearward facing portion of the post, so as to maintain the continuous metallic electrical grounding path between the conductive post contact portion and the nut contact portion.

60. The connector of claim 50, further including an elastic sealing member, positioned between a coupler and the body, a sealing member providing a physical seal and barrier to ingress of environmental contaminants into the connector.

61. The connector of claim 60, wherein the sealing member is an O-ring.