Coaxial cable connector with radio frequency interference and grounding shield

• US 9,190,744 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2012
• Issued: 11/17/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPC Broadband Incorporated (Belden Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Corning Optical Communications RF, LLC (Corning Incorporated)
• Inventors: Burris, Donald Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hien
• Application Number:
  US13/605,481
• Publication Number:
  US 20130065433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 439/578, 439/583
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6581 Shield structure
• 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

Abstract

A radio frequency interference (RFI) and grounding shield for a coaxial cable connector is disclosed. The shield comprises a circular inner segment and at least one arcuately shaped pre-formed cantilevered annular beam attached to the circular inner segment by a joining segment. The at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam extends angularly from a plane of the circular inner segment. The at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam applies a spring-force to a surface of the surface of a component of the coaxial cable connector establishing an electrically conductive path between the components. The at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam comprises an outer surface with a knife-like edge that provides a wiping action of surface oxides on component surfaces of the coaxial cable connector and allows for unrestricted movement when the coaxial cable connector is attached to an equipment connection port of an appliance.

Claims

1. An RFI and resilient grounding shield for a coaxial cable connector having a coupler and a body, the shield, comprising:

an inner segment, wherein the inner segment is configured to contact the body of the connector;

at least one pre-formed planar double ended cantilevered annular beam attached to the inner segment and angularly extending from a plane of the inner segment, wherein the at least one preformed cantilevered annular beam is configured to apply a spring-force to a surface of the coupler establishing an electrically conductive path between body and the coupler coaxial cable connector when the shield is positioned in the coaxial cable connector,

wherein the inner segment has an inner surface that defines an aperture and an outer surface of the body contacts the inner surface.

2. The shield of claim 1, wherein the inner segment is configured to friction fit to the connector body.

3. The shield of claim 1, wherein the inner segment is generally circular.

4. The shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam is arcuately shaped.

5. The shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam comprises an outer surface with an edge, and wherein the edge has a knife-like sharpness and provides a wiping action of surface oxides on the coupler of the coaxial cable connector.

6. The shield of claim 1, wherein the inner segment and the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam are metallic.

7. The shield of claim 6, wherein the inner segment and the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam are formed of phosphor bronze.

8. The shield of claim 1, further comprising a conductive material plating.

9. The shield of claim 8, wherein the conductive material plating is one of tin and tin-nickel.

10. The shield of claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam comprises a plurality of pre-formed cantilevered annular beams.

11. A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to an equipment port, the coaxial cable including a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric material, the dielectric material being surrounded by an outer conductor, the coaxial cable connector comprising:

a tubular post having a first end adapted to be inserted into the prepared end of the coaxial cable between the dielectric material and the outer conductor, and having a second end opposite the first end thereof;

a coupler having a first end rotatably secured over the second end of the tubular post, and having an opposing second end, the coupler including a central bore extending therethrough, a portion of the central bore proximate the second end of the coupler being adapted for engaging the equipment port;

a body secured to the tubular post and extending outwardly from the first end of the tubular post for receiving the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, the body comprising an inner surface generally facing the tubular post and an outer surface generally facing away from the tubular post;

a resilient, electrically-conductive shield having an inner segment and at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam exerting a spring-like force on the coupler, the inner segment comprising an inner surface defining a central aperture, the inner surface disposed about and in contact with the outer surface of the body, wherein the shield provides an electrically-conductive path between the body and the coupler, and wherein the shield remains captured and secured and provides the electrically-conductive path independent of the tightness of the coaxial cable connector.

12. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the shield is generally circular and the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam is planar and arcuately shaped.

13. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the second end of the tubular post has an enlarged shoulder comprising a first rearward facing annular shoulder and a second rearward facing annular shoulder.

14. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the coupler comprises a rearward facing annular surface, and wherein the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam exerts a spring-like force on the coupler at the rearward facing annular surface.

15. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the shield is resilient relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector and maintains an arcuately increased surface of sliding electrical contact between the shield and the rearward facing annular surface of the coupler.

16. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the at least one pre-formed cantilevered annular beam comprises an outer surface with an edge, and wherein the edge has a knife-like sharpness and provides a wiping action of surface oxides on a surface of the coupler.

17. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the shield provides for unrestricted rotation of the coupler.

18. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the shield maintains the electrically conductive path between the coaxial cable conductor and an equipment connection port of an appliance when the coupler is loosened from while in contact with the equipment connection port.

19. The coaxial cable connector of claim 11, wherein the shield provides the electrically-conductive path between the body and the coupler without contacting the tubular post.

20. The coaxial cable connector of claim 19, wherein the shield is prevented from contacting the tubular post via a clearance fit between the tubular post and the shield.