Continuity maintaining biasing member

• US 9,017,101 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2013
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Inventors: Ehret, Trevor, Haube, Richard A., Montena, Noah, Zraik, Souheil
• Primary Examiner(s): Hammond, Briggitte R
• Application Number:
  US13/758,586
• Publication Number:
  US 20130183857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 439578-584
• US Class Current: 439/578
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5202 Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors of trolley lines B60M1/28
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• 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 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector comprising a post, a coupling element configured to engage the post, and a connector body configured to engage the post and receive the coaxial cable, when the connector is in an assembled state, the connector body including: an integral body biasing element having a coupling element contact portion, and an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along the axial direction, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

a coupling element configured to engage the post and configured to move between a first position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto an interface port, the post does not contact the interface port, and a second position, where, as the coupling element is tightened onto the interface port, the post contacts the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling element having a first end, a second end and an inward lip; and

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

an integral body biasing element having a coupling element contact portion extending from the connector body and configured to contact the coupling element when the connector is in the assembled state; and

an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along an axial direction;

wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force against the coupling element sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port as the coupling element is tightened on the interface port, so as to improve electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post, even when the post is not in contact with the interface port.

2. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element includes a surface that extends a radial distance to engage the coupling element.

3. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element operates with the annular groove to permit deflection necessary to bias the coupling element against the post.

4. The coaxial cable connector of claim 2, wherein the surface of the integral body biasing element radially extends outward from a general axis of the connector past the inward lip of the coupling element, when the connector is in the assembled state.

5. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, further including:

a fastener member radially disposed over the connector body to radially compress the connector body onto the coaxial cable.

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

11. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to push the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port when the coupling element is tightened on the interface port.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to push the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post before the post contacts the interface port when the coupling element is being tightened on the interface port.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to push the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post after the post contacts the interface port and after the coupling element is tightened on the interface port.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body has a one-piece construction.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form the electrical grounding gap between an inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post.

16. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip protrudes inwardly.

17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein when a separation force is exerted so as to try to push the coupling element and the post away from one another, the biasing force prevents an electrical grounding continuity interruption between the coupling element and the post when the biasing force is greater than the separation force.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form an electrical grounding gap between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post.

19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form a physical gap between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post.

20. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force.

21. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein an electrical grounding interruption is formed when a separation force exerted between the coupling element and the post is greater than the biasing force.

22. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein an electrical grounding interruption is formed when a separation force is greater than the biasing force so as to separate the coupling element and the post.

23. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein an electrical grounding interruption is not formed when a separation force is less than the biasing force so as to separate the coupling element and the post.

24. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein when a connector component separation force is greater than the biasing force, an electrical grounding interruption is formed between the coupling element and the post.

25. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein when a connector component separation force is less than the biasing force, an electrical grounding interruption is not formed between the coupling element and the post.

26. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force comprises a spring force.

27. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force comprises a constantly applied spring force when the coupling element is threaded on the interface port.

28. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the biasing force comprises a constantly applied spring force when the coupling element is not fully tightened on the interface port.

29. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to push the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port when the coupling element is threaded on the interface port.

30. The coaxial cable connector of claim 26, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the spring force against the coupling element so as to push the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post at least until the post contacts the interface port when the coupling element is threaded on the interface port.

31. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to prevent a continuity interrupting gap from forming between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post when the coupling element is not fully tightened on the interface port.

32. The coaxial cable connector of claim 31, wherein the biasing force prevents the continuity interrupting gap from forming between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post when the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form the continuity interrupting gap.

33. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to prevent a ground continuity interruption from occurring when the coupling element is not fully tightened on the interface port.

34. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the biasing force prevents the ground continuity interruption from occurring when the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form the continuity interrupting gap.

35. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when a ground path between the coupling element and the post is directly or indirectly interrupted.

36. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling element and the post are not in direct electrical contact with one another.

37. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling element and the post are not in indirect electrical contact with one another.

38. The coaxial cable connector of claim 33, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling element and the post are not indirectly electrically coupled to one another.

39. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to prevent an electrical grounding gap from forming between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post when the coupling element is not fully tightened on the interface port.

40. The coaxial cable connector of claim 39, wherein the biasing force prevents the electrical grounding gap from forming between the inward lip of the coupling element and the flange of the post when the biasing force exerted against the coupling element is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling element or the post to try to form the electrical grounding gap.

41. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element comprises a single unitary structure.

42. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element comprises a resilient portion.

43. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion is configured to flex between an undeformed state and a deformed state.

44. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion is configured to flex between an original shape and a deformed shape.

45. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion has an original shape and is configured to return to its original shape after being flexed.

46. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion has an original shape and is configured to return to its original shape after being depressed.

47. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion has an original shape and is configured to return to its original shape after being deformed.

48. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion is configured to regain its original position after being compressed.

49. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion is configured to regain its original position after being flexed.

50. The coaxial cable connector of claim 42, wherein the resilient portion is not configured to be permanently deformed.

51. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to extend an axial distance toward a forward direction.

52. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to extend along an axial distance toward a forward direction.

53. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to deflect along an axial distance.

54. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a body portion and the integral body biasing element is configured to extend from the body portion.

55. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a body portion and the integral body biasing element is configured to extend from the body portion toward a forward direction.

56. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector body includes a body portion and the integral body biasing element includes a surface configured to extend from the body portion along a generally axial direction and along a generally radial direction.

57. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to move in the axial direction.

58. The coaxial cable connector of claim 57, wherein the axial direction is not limited to a perfectly axial direction.

59. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is not configured to deflect only along the axial direction.

60. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to deflect in a generally axial direction.

61. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to axially flex.

62. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to axially and radially deflect.

63. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to move between a first position and a second position axially spaced from the first position.

64. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position spaced from the first position.

65. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the annular groove comprises a ring-shaped channel formed by the connector body.

66. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the annular groove has a V-shape.

67. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the annular groove is not limited to a V-shaped groove.

68. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the annular groove comprises a channel extending around at least a portion of the connector body.

69. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to be deflected toward and away from the annular groove.

70. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to be deflected toward the annular groove when a force exerted against the integral body biasing element is greater than the biasing force exerted by the integral body biasing element against the coupling element.

71. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability by maintaining a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post.

72. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability by maintaining a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post when the biasing force prevents a grounding interruption from occurring.

73. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability by maintaining a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post when the biasing force prevents a grounding interruption from occurring either directly or indirectly between the coupling element and the post.

74. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element includes an inward facing coupling element surface, the post includes an outward facing post surface, and the inward facing coupling element surface and the outward facing post surface are configured to form a gap between the inward facing coupling element surface and the outward facing post surface when the connector is in the assembled state.

75. The coaxial cable connector of claim 74, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post without closing the gap formed between the inward facing coupling element surface and the outward facing post surface.

76. The coaxial cable connector of claim 74, wherein the biasing force urges the inward lip of the coupling element along the axial direction away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post.

77. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element includes an inward facing coupling element surface, the post includes an outward facing post surface, and the inward facing coupling element surface and the outward facing post surface are configured to form an annular space when the connector is in the assembled state.

78. The coaxial cable connector of claim 77, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling element so as to urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post without closing the annular space formed between the inward facing coupling element surface and the outward facing post surface.

79. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein sufficient to axially urge the inward lip of the coupling element away from the connector body and toward the flange of the post comprises exerting an adequate amount of force necessary to push the inward lip of the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post.

80. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling element.

81. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip comprises a protrusion of the coupling element that extends inwardly along a radial distance.

82. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element includes an inward facing surface and the inward lip comprises a protrusion of the coupling element that extends inwardly from the inward facing surface.

83. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element includes an inward facing surface and the inward lip comprises a protrusion of the coupling element that extends inwardly along a radial distance away from the inward facing surface.

84. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip of the coupling element is configured to movably couple the coupling element to the post while allowing the coupling element to rotate when the connector is in an assembled state.

85. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip of the coupling element is configured to movably couple the coupling element to the post without preventing the coupling element from rotating when the connector is in an assembled state.

86. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the inward lip of the coupling element is configured to engage the flange of the post so as to prevent axial movement of the coupling element relative to the post without preventing the coupling element from rotating when the connector is in an assembled state.

87. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element includes an inward facing coupling element surface, the inward lip comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling element that extends inward from the inward facing coupler surface, the post includes an outward facing post surface, and the flange of the post comprises an outward protrusion of the post that extends outward from the outward facing post surface.

88. The coaxial cable connector of claim 87, wherein the inward protrusion of the coupling element is configured to engage the outward protrusion of the post so as to prevent axial movement of the coupling element relative to post without preventing the coupling element from rotating when the connector is in an assembled state.

89. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the post comprises a component of the connector that is configured to make electrical contact with a conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port.

90. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a non-metallic and non-conductive material.

91. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element includes a non-metallic and non-conductive material.

92. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a material that is not limited to a fully non-metallic and non-conductive material.

93. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a combination of conductive and non-conductive materials.

94. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to help prevent a gap between the coupling element and the post from allowing electrical grounding continuity to be interrupted by maintaining an electrical connection between the coupling element and the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state and even when the post is not in contact with the interface port.

95. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to help prevent electrical grounding continuity from being interrupted by maintaining an electrical connection between the coupling element and the connector body when the connector is in the assembled state and even when the post is not in contact with the interface port.

96. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling element is threaded on the interface port.

97. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling element is tightened on the interface port.

98. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post receives the coaxial cable.

99. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post receives the coaxial cable and when the coupling element is threaded on the interface port.

100. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling element is fully tightened onto the interface port.

101. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling element is loosely tightened onto the interface port.

102. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post is not in contact with the interface port.

103. The coaxial cable connector of claim 1, wherein the coupling element and the post are configured to move relative to one another when the connector is in the assembled state.

104. The coaxial cable connector of claim 103, wherein the coupling element and the post are configured to rotate relative to one another when the connector is in the assembled state.

105. The coaxial cable connector of claim 103, wherein the coupling element and the post are configured to axially move relative to one another when the connector is in the assembled state.

7. A method of improving electrical continuity through a coaxial cable connector, comprising:

providing a post having a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable;

operably attaching a coupling element to the post, the coupling element having a first end, a second end, and an inward lip having a contact surface extending along a radial direction and facing away from the flange of the post when the connector is in an assembled state;

providing a connector body having a first end, a second end, and an integral resilient biasing member having a contact portion extending from the connector body and toward the inward lip of the coupling element when the connector is in the assembled state, the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body being operable with an annular groove of the connector body to allow the integral resilient biasing member to deflect along an axial direction; and

positioning the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body so that the integral resilient biasing member contacts the coupling element and exerts a biasing force on the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post urging the coupling element toward the flange of the post, when the connector is in the assembled state;

wherein the urging of the coupling element toward the flange of the post as the integral resilient biasing member exerts the biasing force against the coupling element improves electrical contact between the coupling element and the post.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the integral resilient biasing member includes a surface that extends a radial distance outward beyond a radial extent of the inward lip of the coupling element.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the integral resilient biasing member operates with the annular groove to permit deflection necessary to bias the coupling element against the post.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the integral resilient biasing member of the connector body biases the inward lip of the coupling element against a surface of the flange of the post that faces the coupling element.

106. A connector comprising:

a post member having an outward flange projection, the post member being configured to at least partially receive a coaxial cable;

a coupling member configured to engage the post member to move between a first position, where the post member does not contact an interface port, and a second position, where the post member contacts the interface port, the second position being axially spaced from the first position, the coupling member having an inward lip projection; and

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

an integral body biasing element having a coupling member contact portion configured to contact the coupling member when the connector is in the assembled state; and

an annular groove configured to allow the integral body biasing element to deflect along an axial direction; and

wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert a biasing force toward the coupling member to axially urge the inward lip projection of the coupling member away from the body member and toward the outward flange projection of the post member at least until the post member contacts the interface port when the coupling member is tightened on the interface port, so as to maintain electrical grounding reliability between the coupling member and the post member, even when the post member is not in contact with the interface port.

107. The connector of claim 106, wherein the body member includes a base portion and the integral body biasing element extends away from the base portion to engage the coupling member when the connector is in the assembled state.

108. The connector of claim 106, wherein the annular groove is shaped to allow the integral body biasing portion to deflect so as to bias the coupling member toward the post member.

109. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element includes a surface that extends outward from a general axis of the connector past the inward lip projection of the coupling member when the connector is in the assembled state.

110. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element causes the inward lip projection of the coupling member to be biased against the outward flange projection of the post member when the connector is in the assembled state.

111. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element biases the inward lip projection of the coupling member against a surface of the outward flange projection of the post member.

112. The connector of claim 106, wherein the biasing force exerted against the coupling member is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling member or the post member to try to form a continuity interrupting gap between the inward lip projection of the coupling member and the outward flange projection of the post member.

113. The connector of claim 106, wherein when a separation force is exerted between the coupling member and the post member away from one another, the biasing force prevents an electrical grounding continuity interruption between the coupling member and the post member when the biasing force is greater than the separation force.

114. The connector of claim 106, wherein the biasing force comprises a spring force.

115. The connector of claim 106, wherein the biasing force comprises a constantly applied spring force when the coupling member is threaded on the interface port.

116. The connector of claim 106, wherein the biasing force comprises a constantly applied spring force when the coupling member is not fully tightened on the interface port.

117. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling member so as to prevent a continuity interrupting gap from forming between the inward lip projection of the coupling member and the outward flange projection of the post member when the coupling member is not fully tightened on the interface port.

118. The connector of claim 117, wherein the biasing force prevents the continuity interrupting gap from forming between the inward lip projection of the coupling member and the outward flange projection of the post member when the biasing force exerted against the coupling member is greater than a separation force exerted against the coupling member or the post member to try to form the continuity interrupting gap.

119. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling member so as to prevent a ground continuity interruption from occurring when the coupling member is not fully tightened on the interface port.

120. The connector of claim 119, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when a ground path between the coupling member and the post member is directly or indirectly interrupted.

121. The connector of claim 119, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling member and the post member are not in direct electrical contact with one another.

122. The connector of claim 119, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling member and the post member are not in indirect electrical contact with one another.

123. The connector of claim 119, wherein the ground continuity interruption occurs when the coupling member and the post member are no longer electrically coupled to one another.

124. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element comprises a single unitary structure.

125. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element comprises a resilient portion.

126. The connector of claim 125, wherein the resilient portion is configured to flex between an undeformed state and a deformed state.

127. The connector of claim 125, wherein the resilient portion is configured to flex between an original shape and a deformed shape.

128. The connector of claim 125, wherein the resilient portion has an original shape and is configured to return to the original shape after being deformed.

129. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to deflect along an axial distance.

130. The connector of claim 106, wherein the body member includes a body portion and the integral body biasing element is configured to extend from the body portion toward a forward direction.

131. The connector of claim 106, wherein the axial direction is not limited to a perfectly axial direction.

132. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is not configured to deflect only along the axial direction.

133. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to move between a first position and a second position axially spaced from the first position.

134. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position spaced from the first position.

135. The connector of claim 106, wherein the annular groove comprises a ring-shaped channel formed by the body member.

136. The connector of claim 106, wherein the annular groove has a V-shape.

137. The connector of claim 106, wherein the annular groove is not limited to a V-shaped groove.

138. The connector of claim 106, wherein the annular groove comprises a channel extending around at least a portion of the body member.

139. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to be deflected toward the annular groove when a force exerted against the integral body biasing element is greater than the biasing force exerted by the integral body biasing element against the coupling member.

140. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability by maintaining a reliable ground path through the coupling member and the post member.

141. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to improve electrical grounding reliability by maintaining a consistent ground path through the coupling member and the post member when the biasing force prevents a grounding interruption from occurring.

142. The connector of claim 106, wherein the coupling member includes an inward facing coupling member surface, the post member includes an outward facing post surface, and the inward facing coupling member surface and the outward facing post surface are configured to form a space between the inward facing coupling member surface and the outward facing post surface when the connector is in the assembled state.

143. The connector of claim 142, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling member so as to urge the inward lip projection of the coupling member away from the body member and toward the outward flange projection of the post member without closing the space formed between the inward facing coupling member surface and the outward facing post surface.

144. The connector of claim 106, wherein the biasing force pushes the inward lip projection of the coupling member along an axial direction away from the body member and toward the outward flange projection of the post member without closing a space formed between the inward facing coupling member surface and the outward facing post surface when the connector is in the assembled state.

145. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is configured to exert the biasing force against the coupling member so as to urge the inward lip projection of the coupling member away from the body member and toward the outward flange projection of the post member without closing an annular space formed between the inward facing coupling member surface and the outward facing post surface.

146. The connector of claim 106, wherein the inward lip projection of the coupling member is configured to movably couple the coupling member to the post member without preventing the coupling member from rotating when the connector is in an assembled state.

147. The connector of claim 106, wherein the inward lip projection of the coupling member is configured to engage the outward flange projection of the post member so as to prevent axial movement of the coupling member relative to the post member without preventing the coupling member from rotating when the connector is in an assembled state.

148. The connector of claim 106, wherein the post member comprises a component of the connector that is configured to make electrical contact with a conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port.

149. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a non-metallic and non-conductive material.

150. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a material that is not limited to a fully non-metallic and fully non-conductive material.

151. The connector of claim 106, wherein the integral body biasing element is made of a combination of conductive and non-conductive materials.

152. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling member is threaded on the interface port.

153. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling member is tightened on the interface port.

154. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post member receives the coaxial cable.

155. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post member receives the coaxial cable and when the coupling member is threaded on the interface port.

156. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling member is fully tightened onto the interface port.

157. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the coupling member is loosely tightened onto the interface port.

158. The connector of claim 106, wherein the connector is in the assembled state when the post member is not in contact with the interface port.

159. The connector of claim 106, wherein the coupling member and the post member are configured to move relative to one another when the connector is in the assembled state.