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Connector producing a biasing force

  • US 9,595,776 B2
  • Filed: 02/05/2014
  • Issued: 03/14/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A connector attachable to a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising a center conductive strand surrounded by a dielectric, the connector comprising:

  • a post comprising a first end, a second end, and a flange, wherein the post is configured to receive the center conductive strand;

    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 comprising a first end, a second end, and an inward lip; and

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

    an integral body biasing element comprising a coupling element contact portion configured to extend from the connector body 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,wherein the coupling element is rotatable relative to the post while the biasing force is being exerted against the coupling element,wherein the post comprises a first component of the connector configured to make electrical contact with an outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the interface port when the connector is fully tightened onto the interface port,wherein the inward lip of the coupling element comprises an inward protrusion of the coupling element,wherein the connector body comprises a second component of the connector that is securable to the post at a first connector body end of the connector body and is configured to receive a first portion of the coaxial cable at a second connector body end of the connector body,wherein the biasing force comprises a force selected from the group consisting of a spring force and a pushing force,wherein the integral body biasing element comprises an integral portion of the connector body that is configured to constantly exert the spring force by pushing against the coupling element, the integral body biasing element being formed of a single, unitary structure with the connector body,wherein the coupling element contact portion of the integral body biasing element comprises a second portion of the integral body biasing element that is configured to engage the coupling element,wherein the sufficiency of the biasing force comprises an adequate force to push the inward lip of the coupling element in a direction toward the flange of the post,wherein the annular groove comprises a narrow, ring-shaped channel formed by the connector body that is configured to allow;

    (a) the integral body biasing element to be deflected within the narrow, ring-shaped channel; and

    (b) the integral body biasing element to exert the constantly exerted spring force, andwherein the improving of the electrical grounding reliability between the coupling element and the post comprises helping to maintain a reliable ground path through the coupling element and the post.

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