Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity structure

• US 8,801,448 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2013
• Issued: 08/12/2014
• 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:
  US13/971,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20140030916A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/322, 439583-585, 439/792
• 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 connector is configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path. The connector, in one embodiment, has a body structure, a post structure, a coupler structure and a continuity structure.

Claims

1. A connector configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path of an outer conductor of a coaxial cable to an interface port when the connector is in an assembled state, when the connector is engaged with the interface port and the coaxial cable, and when the connector is in a loose state, the connector comprising:

a body structure having a forward portion, an opposing rearward portion, and a forward facing body portion;

a post structure configured to engage the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state, the post structure including an outwardly extending flange having a first step and a second step, the first step including a first rearward facing post portion, and the second step including a forward facing post portion and a second rearward facing post portion;

a coupler structure including a forward coupler portion configured to engage the interface port and an inwardly extending lip having a rearward facing coupler portion and a forward facing coupler portion configured to engage the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, the coupler structure being configured to move between a first assembled position, where the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure engages the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and forms a grounding path between the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure, and a second assembled position, where the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure does not engage the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and does not form a grounding path between the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and where the connector is in a loose state;

a continuity structure configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector and to the interface port when the connector is in an assembled state, when the connector is engaged with the interface port and the coaxial cable, and when the connector is in the loose state;

wherein the continuity structure comprises a fully conductive component configured to extend and maintain a consistent electrical grounding path from the coaxial cable, through the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure, and through the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state;

wherein the continuity structure is not configured to form an environmental seal;

wherein the continuity structure is configured to extend the electrical grounding continuity path of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the interface port when the coupler structure moves to the second assembled position, where the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure does not engage the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and does not form the electrical grounding continuity path between the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure;

wherein the continuity structure is located reward of the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure when the connector is in an assembled state;

wherein the body structure and the post structure are separate and distinct components of the connector, and are not formed as a single integral component of the connector;

wherein the continuity structure extends between the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure and forms a gap between the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to prevent the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure from contacting each other when the connector is in the unaltered, assembled state;

wherein the continuity structure extends between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure and forms a space between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to prevent the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure from contacting each other when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state;

wherein the continuity structure includes a coupler contact portion configured to contact the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a post contact portion configured to contact the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a body contact portion configured to contact the forward facing body portion of the body structure when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state;

wherein the continuity structure is configured to exert a biasing force to help maintain the consistent electrical grounding path from the coaxial cable, through the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure, and through the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in an assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state; and

wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is configured to be formed by the continuity structure when the connector is in the assembled state, the electrical grounding continuity path including;

a first ground path portion extending at least partially axially between the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and the coupler contact portion of the continuity structure;

a second ground path portion extending through the continuity structure; and

a third ground path portion extending at least partially axially between the post contact portion of the continuity structure and the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure is fully metal.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is continuous when the connecter is in the loose state.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in physical and electrical contact with one another.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not intermittent when the connector is in the loose state.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in electrical contact with one another.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path through the post contact portion of the continuity structure is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in direct physical and electrical contact with one another.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not interrupted when the connector is in the loose state.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not interrupted even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to form complementary opposing surfaces.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity structure form an anchored portion sandwiched between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post structure and relative to the body structure, and the coupler contact portion of the continuity structure forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity structure and to move relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state.

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the post contact portion of the continuity structure does not extend along an axial direction.

14. The connector of claim 1, wherein the post contact portion of the continuity structure is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post structure.

15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity structure relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state.

16. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

17. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are not perpendicular to each other.

18. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure includes a resilient flexible portion configured to arch out from a plane of the post contact portion of the continuity structure along a curved path.

19. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure includes a first resilient arcuate portion and a second resilient arcuate portion radially spaced from the first resilient arcuate portion, and the first and second resilient arcuate portions each extend between two radially spaced portions of the post contact portion and the body contact portion.

20. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first rearward facing portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure includes a post surface, and the post contact portion of the continuity structure is configured to fit the post surface.

21. The connector of claim 20, wherein the post surface of the first rearward facing portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure includes a curved portion.

22. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure is configured to be positioned behind the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and anchored between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to make non-intermittent electrical contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

23. The connector of claim 22, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to face one another.

24. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure is configured to make consistent contact with the post structure and the coupler structure so as to form electrical continuity between the post structure and the coupler structure on a rearward side of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure.

25. The connector of claim 24, wherein the electrical continuity is continuous, uninterrupted, and not intermittent when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

26. The connector of claim 1, wherein the post contact portion of the continuity structure extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the first step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure.

27. The connector of claim 26, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

28. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity structure includes an arched portion extending out of a plane of the post contact portion.

29. The connector of claim 28, wherein the arched portion is curved.

30. The connector of claim 28, wherein the arched portion is not straight.

31. The connector of claim 28, wherein the arched portion is C-shaped.

32. The connector of claim 28, wherein the arched portion is not L-shaped.

33. A connector configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path of an outer conductor of a coaxial cable to an interface port when the connector is in an assembled state, when the connector is engaged with the interface port and the coaxial cable, and when the connector is in a loose state, the connector comprising:

a body structure having a forward portion, an opposing rearward portion, and a forward facing body portion;

a post structure configured to engage the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state, the post structure including an outwardly extending flange having a first step and a second step, the first step including a first rearward facing post portion, and the second step including a forward facing post portion and a second rearward facing post portion;

a coupler structure including a forward coupler portion configured to engage the interface port, and an inwardly extending lip having a forward facing coupler portion and a rearward facing coupler portion, the forward facing coupler portion configured to engage the second rearward facing post portion of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, the coupler structure being configured to move between a first position, where the forward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure engages the second rearward facing post portion of the second step of the outwardly extending flange of the post structure and forms a ground path between the forward facing coupler portion and the second rearward facing post portion, and a second assembled position, where the forward facing coupler portion does not engage the second rearward facing post portion and does not form a ground path between the forward facing coupler portion and the second rearward facing post portion and where the connector is in the loose state;

a continuity structure configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path of an outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector and to an interface port when the connector is in an assembled state, when the connector is engaged with the interface port and the coaxial cable, and when the connector is in the loose state;

wherein the continuity structure comprises a conductive component configured to extend and maintain a consistent electrical ground path through the rearward facing coupler portion and the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in the assembled state; and

wherein the continuity structure is configured extend the electrical grounding continuity path of the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the interface port when the coupler structure moves to the second assembled position, where the forward facing coupler portion does not engage the second rearward facing post portion and does not form the ground path between the forward facing coupler portion and the second rearward facing post portion.

34. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure is not configured to form an environmental seal.

35. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure is located rearward from the forward facing coupler portion when the connector is in an assembled state.

36. The connector of claim 33, wherein the body structure and the post structure are separate and distinct components of the connector, and are not formed as a single integral component of the connector.

37. The connector of claim 33, wherein the outwardly extending flange of the post structure includes an intermediate portion extending along an axial direction between the first rearward facing post portion of the first step and the second rearward facing post portion of the second step.

38. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure extends between the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion and forms a gap between the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion so as to prevent the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion from contacting each other when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

39. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure extends between the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion and forms a gap between the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion so as to prevent the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion from contacting each other when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

40. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a coupler contact portion configured to engage the rearward facing coupler portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a post contact portion configured to engage the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a body contact portion configured to engage the forward facing body portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, and is configured to exert a biasing force to help maintain the consistent electrical grounding path from the coaxial cable, through the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure, and through the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

41. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure is fully metal.

42. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is continuous when the connector is in the loose state.

43. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in physical and electrical contact with one another.

44. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

45. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grinding continuity path is not intermittent when the connector is in the loose state.

46. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in electrical contact with one another.

47. The connector of claim 33, wherein the consistent electrical ground path through the first rearward facing post portion is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in direct physical and electrical contact with one another.

48. The connector of claim 33, wherein the consistent electrical ground path through the first rearward facing post portion is not interrupted when the connector is in the loose state.

49. The connector of claim 33, wherein the consistent electrical ground path through the first rearward facing post portion is not interrupted even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and the electrical contact with one another.

50. The connector of claim 33, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to for complementary opposing surfaces.

51. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion together configured to form an anchored portion sandwiched between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post structure and relative to the body structure, and the continuity structure includes a coupler contact portion that forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity structure and to move relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector in the assembled state.

52. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that does not extend along an axial direction.

53. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post structure.

54. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion facing away from the post contact portion, and the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity structure relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state.

55. The connector of claim 33, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

56. The connector of claim 33, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are not perpendicular to each other.

57. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion extending within a plane, and a resilient flexible portion configured to arch out from the plane of the post contact portion along a curve path.

58. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion, a body contact portion, a first resilient arcuate portion, and a second resilient arcuate portion radially spaced from the first resilient arcuate portion, and the first and second resilient arcuate portions each extend between two radially spaced portions of the post contact portion and the body contact portion.

59. The connector of claim 33, wherein the first rearward facing post portion includes a post surface, and the continuity structure includes a post contact portion configured to fit the post surface.

60. The connector of claim 59, wherein the post surface includes a curved portion.

61. The connector of claim 33, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is configured to be formed by the continuity structure when the connector is in an assembled state, the electrical grounding continuity path including:

a first ground path portion extending between the rearward facing coupler portion and a coupler contact portion of the continuity structure;

a second ground path portion extending through the continuity structure; and

a third ground path portion extending between a post contact portion of the continuity structure and the first rearward facing post portion.

62. The connector of claim 61, wherein the first ground path portion is configured to extend between the rearward facing coupler portion and the coupler contact portion of the continuity structure along an axial direction when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

63. The connector of claim 61, wherein the third ground path portion is configured to extend between the post contact portion of the continuity structure and the first rearward facing post portion along an axial direction when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

64. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure is configured to be positioned behind the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure and anchored between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to make non-intermittent electrical contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

65. The connector of claim 64, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure are configured to face one another.

66. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure is configured to make consistent contact with the post structure and the coupler structure so as to form electrical continuity between the post structure and the coupler structure on a rearward side of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure.

67. The connector of claim 66, wherein the electrical continuity is continuous, uninterrupted, and not intermittent when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

68. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure.

69. The connector of claim 68, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

70. The connector of claim 33, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contacting portion defining a radial plane, and an arched portion extending out of the radial plane defined by the post contacting portion.

71. The connector of claim 70, wherein the arched portion is curved.

72. The connector of claim 70, wherein the arched portion is not straight.

73. The connector of claim 70, wherein the arched portion is C-shaped.

74. The connector of claim 70, wherein the arched portion is not L-shaped.

75. A connector comprising:

a body structure having a continuity engaging body portion;

a post structure configured to engage the body structure when the connector is in an assembled state, the post structure including a forward facing post portion, a first rearward facing post portion, and a second rearward facing post portion;

a coupler structure including a forward facing coupler portion and a rearward facing coupler portion, the forward facing coupler portion configured to engage the second rearward facing post portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, the coupler structure being configured to move between a first position, where the forward facing coupler portion engages the second rearward facing post portion, and a second position, where the forward facing coupler portion does not engage the second rearward facing post portion and where the connector is in a loose state;

a continuity structure configured to extend an electrical grounding continuity path through the connector when the connector is in the loose state;

wherein the continuity structure comprises a metal component configured to extend and maintain a consistent electrical grounding continuity path of a coaxial cable through the rearward facing coupler portion and through the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in an assembled state; and

wherein the continuity structure is configured to extend the electrical grounding continuity path through the connector when the coupler structure moves to the second position, where the forward facing coupler portion of the coupler structure does not engage the second rearward facing post portion of the post structure and where the connector is in the loose state.

76. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure is not configured to form an environmental seal when the connector is in an assembled state.

77. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure is located behind the forward facing coupler portion when the connector is in an assembled state.

78. The connector of claim 75, wherein the body structure and the post structure are separate and distinct components of the connector, and are not formed as a single integral component of the connector.

79. The connector of claim 75, wherein the post structure includes an outwardly extending flange having an intermediate portion extending along an axial direction between the first rearward facing post portion and the second rearward facing post portion.

80. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure extends between the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion and forms a gap between the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion so as to prevent the rearward facing coupler portion and the forward facing body portion from contacting each other when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

81. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure extends between the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion and forms a gap between the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion so as to prevent the first rearward facing post portion and the forward facing body portion from contacting each other when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

82. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure is fully metal.

83. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a layer of conductive material.

84. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is continuous when the connector is in the loose state.

85. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in physical and electrical contact with one another.

86. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path remains continuous even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

87. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not intermittent when the connector is in the loose state.

88. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in electrical contact with one another.

89. The connector of claim 75, wherein the consistent electrical grounding path through the first rearward facing post portion is not intermittent when the post structure and the coupler structure are not in direct physical and electrical contact with one another.

90. The connector of claim 75, wherein the consistent electrical grounding path through the first rearward facing post portion is not interrupted when the connector is in the loose state.

91. The connector of claim 75, wherein the consistent electrical grounding path through the first rearward facing post portion is not interrupted even when the post structure and the coupler structure are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

92. The connector of claim 75, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure are configured to form complementary opposing surfaces.

93. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that does not extend along an axial direction.

94. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post structure.

95. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that is configured to make radial lengthwise contact with the post structure.

96. The connector of claim 75, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

97. The connector of claim 75, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure are not perpendicular to each other.

98. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion extending within a plane, and a resilient flexible portion configured to arch out from the plane of the post contact portion along a curved path.

99. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion, a body contact portion, a first resilient arcuate portion, and a second resilient arcuate portion radially spaced from the first resilient arcuate portion, and the first and second resilient arcuate portions each extend between two radially spaced portions of the post contact portion and the body contact portion.

100. The connector of claim 75, wherein the post structure includes an outwardly extending flange.

101. The connector of claim 100, wherein the outwardly extending flange of the post structure includes a first step associated with the first rearward facing post portion and a second step associated with the second rearward facing post portion.

102. The connector of claim 75, wherein the first rearward facing post portion includes a post surface, and the continuity structure includes a post contact portion configured to fit the post surface.

103. The connector of claim 102, wherein the post surface includes a curved portion.

104. The connector of claim 75, wherein coupler structure includes an inwardly extending coupler lip.

105. The connector of claim 104, wherein the inwardly extending coupler lip is associated with the rearward facing coupler portion.

106. The connector of claim 104, wherein the continuity structure includes a coupler contact portion configured to engage the rearward facing coupler portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a post contact portion configured to engage the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, a body contact portion configured to engage the forward facing body portion when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state, and is configured to exert a biasing force to help maintain the consistent electrical grounding path from the coaxial cable, through the rearward facing coupler portion of the inwardly extending coupler lip of the coupler structure, and through the first rearward facing post portion when the connector is in an assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

107. The connector of claim 75, wherein the electrical grounding continuity path is configured to be formed by the continuity structure when the connector is in an assembled state, the electrical grounding continuity path including:

a first ground path portion extending between the rearward facing coupler portion and a coupler contact portion of the continuity structure;

a second ground path portion extending through the continuity structure; and

a third ground path portion extending between a post contact portion of the continuity structure and the first rearward facing post portion.

108. The connector of claim 107, wherein the first ground path portion is configured to extend between the rearward facing coupler portion and the coupler contact portion of the continuity structure along an axial direction when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

109. The connector of claim 107, wherein the third ground path portion is configured to extend between the post contact portion of the continuity structure and the first rearward facing post portion at least partially along an axial direction when the connector is in an unaltered, assembled state.

110. The connector of claim 75, wherein the coupler structure includes an inwardly extending coupler lip, and the continuity structure is configured to be positioned behind the inwardly extending coupler tip and anchored between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure so as to make non-intermittent electrical contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

111. The connector of claim 110, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure are configured to face one another.

112. The connector of claim 75, wherein the coupler structure includes an inwardly extending coupler lip having a rearward side, and the continuity structure is configured to make consistent contact with the post structure and the coupler structure so as to form electrical continuity between the post structure and the coupler structure on the rearward side of the inwardly extending lip of the coupler structure.

113. The connector of claim 112, wherein the electrical continuity is continuous, uninterrupted, and not intermittent when the connector is in the assembled state and when the connector is in the loose state.

114. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion together configured to form an anchored portion sandwiched between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post structure and relative to the body structure.

115. The connector of claim 114, wherein the continuity structure includes a coupler contact portion that forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity structure and to move relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state.

116. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion that extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure.

117. The connector of claim 116, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

118. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion facing away from the post contact portion.

119. The connector of claim 118, wherein the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the continuity engaging body portion of the body structure are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity structure between the first rearward facing post portion of the post structure and the forward facing body portion of the body structure so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity structure relative to the post structure and the body structure when the connector is in the assembled state.

120. The connector of claim 75, wherein the continuity structure includes a post contacting portion defining a radial plane, and an arched portion extending out of the radial plane defined by the post contacting portion.

121. The connector claim 120, wherein the arched portion is curved.

122. The connector of claim 120, wherein the arched portion is not straight.

123. The connector of claim 120, wherein the arched portion is C-shaped.

124. The connector of claim 120, wherein the arched portion is not L-shaped.