Coaxial cable connector having electrical continuity member

• US 9,660,398 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• 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 P., Amidon, Jeremy
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US14/134,892
• Publication Number:
  US 20140106592A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 439322, 439578, 439583-585, 439792
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6592 the conductive member being a shielded cable
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/40 specially adapted for high frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/05 for coaxial cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0521 Connection to outer conductor by action of a nut
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/0524 Connection to outer conductor by action of a clamping member, e.g. screw fastening means H01R9/0515 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49123 Co-axial cable
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector comprising a connector body; a post engageable with the connector body, wherein the post includes a flange; a nut, axially rotatable with respect to the post and the connector body, the nut having a first end and an opposing second end, wherein the nut includes an internal lip, and wherein a second end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the second end of the nut to the side of the lip of the nut facing the first end of the nut at a point nearest the second end of the nut, and a first end portion of the nut corresponds to the portion of the nut extending from the first end of the nut to the same point nearest the second end of the nut of the same side of the lip facing the first end of the nut; and a continuity member disposed within the second end portion of the nut and contacting the post and the nut, so that the continuity member extends electrical grounding continuity through the post and the nut is provided.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a body including a forward facing body surface, an outward facing body surface, and an inward facing body surface;

a post including a first flange step, a second flange step smaller than the first flange step, and an axially extending post surface, the second flange step having a rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface, the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface being configured to be spaced away from the forward facing body surface and extend along a direction parallel to the forward facing body surface so as to form an annular gap between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface, the axially extending post surface being configured to extend along a direction parallel to the inward facing body surface, and the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface being configured to exert an axial force toward the forward facing body surface such that the post and the body are configured to cooperatively engage a coaxial cable;

a coupler including an inward lip having a post engaging coupler surface configured to engage the first flange step of the post and a rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface, the coupler being configured to move between a first position, where the connector is fully tightened on an interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface is in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post, and a second position, where the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post;

a continuity member configured to be anchored in the annular gap formed between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to maintain continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface during operation of the connector, including when the connector is in the first position and when the connector is in the second position;

wherein the connector is configured to anchor the continuity member in the annular gap even when the connector is in a pre-installed state, where the connector has not yet engaged the interface port and where the connector has not yet engaged a coaxial cable;

wherein the coupler is configured to be coupled to an interface port;

wherein the annular gap is located rearward from post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler;

wherein forward comprises a direction toward the interface port and rearward comprises a direction away from the interface port; and

wherein the continuity member is configured to maintain continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface continuously during operation of the connector, including when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is in the first position, and even when the connector is the second position.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body when the connector is in the pre-installed state.

3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be clamped between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body when the connector is in the pre-installed state.

4. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to maintain the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface in an axially aligned position when the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface exerts the axial force toward the forward facing body surface and when the post and the body cooperatively engage the coaxial cable.

5. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is loosely tightened when the post engaging coupler surface is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post.

6. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that remains continuous over time during operation of the connector, even when the post and the coupler are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another during operation of the connector.

7. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that is not intermittent when the connector is loosely assembled.

8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that is not intermittent when the post and the coupler are not in electrical contact with one another.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that is not intermittent when the post and the coupler are not in direct electrical contact with one another.

10. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that is not interrupted when the connector is loosely assembled.

11. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that is not interrupted during operation of the connector even when the post and the coupler are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

12. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be anchored between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body so as to make non-intermittent electrical contact with rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post during operation of the connector.

13. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body are configured to face one another.

14. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body are configured to form complementary opposing surfaces.

15. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuous physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface comprises an electrical continuity path that is not intermittent during operation of the connector.

16. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion and a body contact portion that form an anchored portion sandwiched between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface of the body, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post and relative to the body, and the continuity member comprises a coupler contact portion that forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity member and to move relative to the post and the body when the connector is assembled.

17. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that does not extend along an axial direction.

18. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post.

19. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion, and the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity member between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity member relative to the post and the body when the connector is assembled.

20. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

21. The connector of claim 1, wherein the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface of the post and the forward facing body surface of the body are not perpendicular to each other.

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

23. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member 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.

24. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is fully tightened on the interface port when the post contacts the interface port.

25. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port when the post does not contact the interface port, and where the coupler is in contact with the interface port.

26. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post when the connector is assembled.

27. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post during operation of the connector.

28. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post when the connector is in the pre-installed state.

29. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member includes a base surface and a biasing surface extending from the base surface, the biasing surface being configured to exert an axial force against the coupler so as to maintain a continuity ground path between the continuity member and the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler during operation of the connector, and wherein the continuity ground path maintained during operation of the connector comprises maintaining the ground path over time, including when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

30. The connector of claim 29, wherein the base surface of the continuity member is configured to be anchored in the annular gap so as to maintain a continuous ground path between the continuity member and the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface at all times during operation of the connector, and wherein at all times during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

31. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post.

32. The connector of claim 31, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

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

34. The connector of claim 33, wherein the arched portion is curved.

35. The connector of claim 33, wherein the arched portion is not straight.

36. The connector of claim 33, wherein the arched portion is C-shaped.

37. The connector of claim 33, wherein the arched portion is not L-shaped.

38. The connector of claim 1, wherein the continuity member includes a base portion having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface configured to face toward the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post so as to remain sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the second flange step of the post during operation of the connector, and the second surface configured to face toward the forward facing body surface during operation of the connector.

39. The connector of claim 38, wherein the forward facing body surface is capable of being away spaced from the first surface of the base portion of the continuity member during operation of the connector.

40. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a body member including a forward facing body surface, an outward facing body surface, and an inward facing body surface;

a post member including a first flange step, and a second flange step smaller than the first flange step, the second flange step having a rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface, the connector being configured to form a gap between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface when the connector is assembled;

a coupler member including an inward lip having a post engaging coupler surface configured to engage the first flange step of the post member and a rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler member, the coupler member being configured to move between a first position, where the connector is fully tightened on an interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler member is in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post member, and a second position, where the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler member is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post member;

a continuity member configured to be anchored in the gap formed between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to maintain physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface non-intermittently during operation of the connector, including when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port;

wherein the connector is configured to anchor the continuity member in the gap even when the connector is in a pre-installed state, where the connector has not yet engaged the interface port and where the connector has not yet engaged a coaxial cable;

wherein the coupler member is configured to be coupled to an interface port;

wherein the gap is located rearward from the post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler member;

wherein forward comprises a direction toward the interface port and rearward comprises a direction away from the interface port;

wherein the continuity member is configured to maintain physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler member during operation of the connector; and

wherein during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler member moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

41. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface when the connector is assembled.

42. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface is configured to exert an axial force toward the forward facing body surface such that the post and the body cooperatively engage the coaxial cable when the connector is installed on the coaxial cable, and the continuity member is configured to maintain the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface in an axially aligned position when the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface exerts the axial force toward the forward facing body surface, when the post and the body cooperatively engage the coaxial cable, and when the connector is installed on the coaxial cable.

43. The connector of claim 40, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface is continuous and not intermittent during operation of the connector even when the connector is loosely assembled on the interface port.

44. The connector of claim 40, wherein the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port when the post engaging coupler surface is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post member.

45. The connector of claim 40, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that remains continuous and not intermittent during operation of the connector, even when the post and the coupler are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

46. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post member and the forward facing body surface of the body member are configured to face one another.

47. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post member and the forward facing body surface of the body member are configured to form complementary opposing surfaces.

48. The connector of claim 40, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface comprises an electrical continuity path that is continuous, uninterrupted, and not intermittent during operation of the connector.

49. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface of the post member.

50. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that does not extend along an axial direction.

51. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member comprises a post contact portion that is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post.

52. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion, and the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity member between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion relative to the post member and the body member when the connector is assembled.

53. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

54. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface are not perpendicular to each other.

55. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a resilient flexible portion configured to arch out from a plane of a post contact portion of the continuity member along a curved path.

56. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member 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.

57. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface during operation of the connector.

58. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface when the connector is in the pre-installed state, where the connector has not yet engaged the interface port and where the connector has not yet engaged the coaxial cable.

59. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member is configured to be clamped between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface when the connector is assembled.

60. The connector of claim 40, wherein the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface of the body member are parallel to one another when the connector is assembled.

61. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a base surface and a biasing surface extending from the base surface, the biasing surface being configured to exert an axial force against the coupler member so as to maintain a continuity ground path between the continuity member and the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler member during operation of the connector, and wherein during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

62. The connector of claim 61, wherein the base surface of the continuity member is configured to be anchored in the gap formed between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to maintain a continuity ground path between the continuity member and the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface constantly over time during operation of the connector, and wherein during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

63. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion that form an anchored portion sandwiched between the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post member and relative to the body member, and the continuity member also includes a coupler contact portion that forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity member and to move relative to the post member and the body member when the connector is assembled.

64. The connector of claim 63, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

65. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a post contact portion and an arched portion extending out of a plane of the post contact portion.

66. The connector of claim 65, wherein the arched portion is curved.

67. The connector of claim 40, wherein the continuity member includes a base portion having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface configured to face toward the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface so as to remain sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity member engaging post surface during operation of the connector, and the second surface configured to face toward the forward facing body surface during operation of the connector.

68. The connector of claim 67, wherein the forward facing body surface is capable of being away spaced from the first surface of the base portion of the continuity member during operation of the connector.

69. A coaxial cable connector comprising:

a body means including a forward facing body surface, an outward facing body surface, and an inward facing body surface;

a post means including a first flange step, and a second flange step smaller than the first flange step, the second flange step having a rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface, the post means and body means being configured for forming a gap between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface when the connector is assembled;

a coupler means including an inward lip having a post engaging coupler surface configured to engage the first flange step of the post means and a rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler means, the coupler means being configured for moving between a first position, where the connector is fully tightened on an interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler means is in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post means, and a second position, where the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port and where the post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler means is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post means;

a continuity means configured for being anchored in the gap formed between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to continuously and non-intermittently maintain physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface during operation of the connector, including when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port;

wherein the connector is configured to anchor the continuity means in the gap even when the connector is in a pre-installed state, where the connector has not yet engaged an interface port and where the connector has not yet engaged a coaxial cable;

wherein the coupler means is configured to be coupled to an interface port;

wherein the gap is located rearward from post engaging coupler surface of the inward lip of the coupler means;

wherein forward comprises a direction toward the interface port and rearward comprises a direction away from the interface port;

wherein the continuity means is configured for maintaining physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler means non-intermittently during operation of the connector; and

wherein non-intermittently during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler means moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

70. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means is configured to be sandwiched against the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface non-intermittently during operation of the connector and even when the connector is in the pre-installed state, where the connector has not yet engaged the interface port and where the connector has not yet engaged the coaxial cable.

71. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means is configured for being clamped between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface.

72. The connector of claim 71, wherein the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface of the body means are parallel to one another when the connector is assembled.

73. The connector of claim 69, wherein the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface is configured to exert an axial force toward the forward facing body surface such that the post means and the body means cooperatively engage the coaxial cable when the connector is installed on the coaxial cable, and the continuity means is configured to maintain the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface in an axially aligned position when the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface exerts the axial force toward the forward facing body surface, when the post means and the body means cooperatively engage the coaxial cable, and when the connector is installed on the coaxial cable.

74. The connector of claim 69, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface is continuous and not intermittent even when the connector is loosely assembled.

75. The connector of claim 69, wherein the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port when the post engaging coupler surface is not in electrical contact with the first flange step of the post means.

76. The connector of claim 69, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface comprises an electrical grounding continuity path that remains continuous and not intermittent during operation of the connector, and wherein continuous and not intermittent during operation of the connector comprises even when the post means and the coupler means are in intermittent physical and electrical contact with one another.

77. The connector of claim 69, wherein the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface are configured to face one another.

78. The connector of claim 69, wherein the physical and electrical contact with the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface comprises an electrical continuity path that is continuous, uninterrupted, and not intermittent during operation of the connector.

79. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion that form an anchored portion sandwiched between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface, the anchored portion being configured to be secured in a fixed axial position relative to the post means and relative to the body means, and the continuity means also includes a coupler contact portion that forms a non-anchored portion configured to move relative to the anchored portion of the continuity means and to move relative to the post means and the body means when the connector is assembled.

80. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means comprises a post contact portion that does not extend along an axial direction.

81. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means comprises a post contact portion that is not configured to make axial lengthwise contact with the post means.

82. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means includes a post contact portion and a body contact portion, and the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface are configured to face each other and lengthwise fit the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity means between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to axially secure the post contact portion and the body contact portion of the continuity means relative to the post means and the body means when the connector is assembled.

83. The connector of claim 69, wherein the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface comprise opposing complementary surfaces that face each other.

84. The connector of claim 69, wherein the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface are not perpendicular to each other.

85. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means includes a resilient flexible portion configured to arch out from a plane of a post contact portion of the continuity means along a curved path.

86. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means 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.

87. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means further includes a collar means for clamping the continuity means between an inward facing surface of the body means and an outward facing surface of the post means.

88. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means further includes a collar, and wherein the post means and the body means define a continuity collar groove means for clamping the collar of the continuity means between the post means and the body means when the connector is assembled.

89. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means does not include a collar.

90. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means comprises a forward facing post means engaging surface inwardly extending to a first edge, a rearward facing body means engaging surface inwardly extending to a second edge, and an inward facing surface extending between the first and second edges, and wherein the inward facing surface is located forward from the forward facing body surface of the body means.

91. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means includes a base surface and a biasing surface extending from the base surface, the biasing surface being configured to exert an axial force against the coupler means so as to maintain a continuity ground path between the continuity means and the rearward facing continuity engaging coupler surface of the coupler means continuously over time during operation of the connector, and wherein during operation of the connector comprises when the coupler means moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely on the interface port.

92. The connector of claim 91, wherein the base surface of the continuity means is configured to be anchored in the gap formed between the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface and the forward facing body surface so as to maintain a continuity ground path between the continuity means and the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface during operation of the connector, including when the coupler moves between the first and second positions, when the connector is fully tightened on the interface port, and even when the connector is loosely tightened on the interface port.

93. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means comprises a post contact portion that extends along a radial direction and has a radial length so as to make radial lengthwise contact with the rearward facing continuity means engaging post surface of the post means.

94. The connector of claim 93, wherein the radial lengthwise contact does not comprise a point contact.

95. The connector of claim 69, wherein the continuity means includes a post contact portion and an arched portion extending out of a plane of the post contact portion.

96. The connector of claim 95, wherein the arched portion is curved.