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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
First Claim
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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.

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