Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR WITH INTEGRAL CONTINUITY
CONTACTING PORTION
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
of U.S. Provisional
Application Serial No. 61/601,821 filed on February 22, 2012 the content of
which is relied
upon.
[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 120
of U.S. Application
No. 13/652,969, filed on October 16, 2012 the content of which is relied upon.
[0003] This application is related to U.S. Application No. 13/198,765, filed
August 5, 2011,
entitled "Coaxial Cable Connector with Radio Frequency Interference and
Grounding Shield".
BACKGROUND
Field of the Disclosure
[0004] The disclosure relates generally to coaxial cable connectors, and
particularly to a
coaxial cable connector having an integral contacting portion that is
monolithic with another
coaxial cable connector component and provides for continuity between a
coaxial cable and
an appliance equipment connection port for radio frequency interference (RFI)
and
grounding shielding other than by a separate continuity member, regardless of
the tightness
of the coupling of the coaxial cable connector to the appliance equipment
connection port,
and without restricting the movement of the coupler of the coaxial cable
connector when
being attached to the appliance equipment connection.
Technical Background
[0005] Coaxial cable connectors, such as type F connectors, are used to attach
coaxial cable to
another object or appliance, e.g., a television set, DVD player, modem or
other electronic
communication device having a terminal adapted to engage the connector. The
terminal of the
appliance includes an inner conductor and a surrounding outer conductor.
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[0006] Coaxial cable includes a center conductor for transmitting a signal.
The center conductor
is surrounded by a dielectric material, and the dielectric material is
surrounded by an outer
conductor. The outer conductor may be in the form of a conductive foil and/or
braided sheath.
The outer conductor is typically maintained at ground potential to shield the
signal transmitted
by the center conductor from stray noise, and to maintain a continuous,
desired impedance over
the signal path. The outer conductor is usually surrounded by a plastic cable
jacket that
electrically insulates, and mechanically protects, the outer conductor. Prior
to installing a coaxial
connector onto an end of the coaxial cable, the end of the coaxial cable is
typically prepared by
stripping off the end portion of the jacket to expose the end portion of the
outer conductor.
Similarly, it is common to strip off a portion of the dielectric to expose the
end portion of the
center conductor.
[0007] Coaxial cable connectors of the type known in the trade as "F
connectors" often include a
tubular post designed to slide over the dielectric material, and under the
outer conductor of the
coaxial cable, at the prepared end of the coaxial cable. If the outer
conductor of the cable
includes a braided sheath, then the exposed braided sheath is usually folded
back over the cable
jacket. The cable jacket and folded-back outer conductor extend generally
around the outside of
the tubular post and are typically received in an outer body of the connector.
The outer body of
the connector is often fixedly secured to the tubular post. A coupler is
typically rotatably secured
around the tubular post and includes an internally-threaded region for
engaging external threads
formed on the outer conductor of the appliance terminal. Alternatively or
additionally, the
coupler may friction fit, screw and/or latch on to the outer conductor of the
appliance terminal.
[0008] When connecting the end of a coaxial cable to a terminal of a
television set, equipment
box, modem, computer or other appliance, it is important to achieve a reliable
electrical
connection between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the outer
conductor of the
appliance terminal. Typically, this goal is usually achieved by ensuring that
the coupler of the
connector is fully tightened over the connection port of the appliance. When
fully tightened, the
head of the tubular post of the connector directly engages the edge of the
outer conductor of the
appliance port, thereby making a direct electrical ground connection between
the outer conductor
of the appliance port and the tubular post. The tubular post is engaged with
the outer conductor
of the coaxial cable.
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[0009] The increased use of self-install kits provided to home owners by some
CATV system
operators has resulted in customer complaints due to poor picture quality in
video systems and/or
poor data performance in computer/internet systems. Additionally, CATV system
operators
have found upstream data problems induced by entrance of unwanted RF signals
into their
systems. Complaints of this nature result in CATV system operators having to
send a technician
to address the issue. Frequently, it is reported by the technician that the
cause of the problem is
due to a loose F connector fitting, sometimes as a result of inadequate
installation of the self-
install kit by the homeowner. An improperly installed or loose connector may
result in poor
signal transfer because there are discontinuities along the electrical path
between the devices,
resulting in ingress of undesired radio frequency ("RF") signals where RF
energy from an
external source or sources may enter the connector/cable arrangement causing a
signal to noise
ratio problem resulting in an unacceptable picture or data performance. Many
of the current state
of the art F connectors rely on intimate contact between the F male connector
interface and the F
female connector interface. If, for some reason, the connector interfaces are
allowed to pull apart
from each other, such as in the case of a loose F male coupler, an interface
"gap" may result. If
not otherwise protected this gap can be a point of RF ingress as previously
described.
[0010] As mentioned above, the coupler is typically rotatably secured about
the head of the
tubular post. The head of the tubular post usually includes an enlarged
shoulder, and the coupler
typically includes an inwardly-directed flange for extending over and around
the shoulder of the
tubular post. In order not to interfere with free rotation of the coupler,
manufacturers of such F-
style connectors routinely make the outer diameter of the shoulder (at the
head of the tubular
post) of smaller dimension than the inner diameter of the central bore of the
coupler. Likewise,
manufacturers routinely make the inner diameter of the inwardly-directed
flange of the coupler
of larger dimension than the outer diameter of the non-shoulder portion of the
tubular post, again
to avoid interference with rotation of the coupler relative to the tubular
post. In a loose
connection system, wherein the coupler of the coaxial connector is not drawn
tightly to the
appliance port connector, an alternate ground path may fortuitously result
from contact between
the coupler and the tubular post, particularly if the coupler is not centered
over, and axially
aligned with, the tubular post. However, this alternate ground path is not
stable, and can be
disrupted as a result of vibrations, movement of the appliance, movement of
the cable, or the
like.
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[0011] Alternatively, there are some cases in which such an alternate ground
path is provided by
fortuitous contact between the coupler and the outer body of the coaxial
connector, provided that
the outer body is formed from conductive material. This alternate ground path
is similarly
unstable, and may be interrupted by relative movement between the appliance
and the cable, or
by vibrations. Moreover, this alternate ground path does not exist at all if
the outer body of the
coaxial connector is constructed of non-conductive material. Such unstable
ground paths can
give rise to intermittent failures that are costly and time-consuming to
diagnose.
[0012] Coaxial cable connectors have attempted to address the above problems
by incorporating
a continuity member into the coaxial cable connector as a separate component.
In this regard,
Figure 1 illustrates a connector 1000 in the prior art having a coupler 2000,
a separate post 3000,
a separate continuity member 4000, and a body 5000. In connector 1000 the
separate continuity
member 4000 is captured between post 3000 and body 5000 and contacts at least
a portion of
coupler 2000. Coupler 2000 is preferably made of metal such as brass and
plated with a
conductive material such as nickel. Post 3000 is preferably made of metal such
as brass and
plated with a conductive material such as tin. Separate conductive member 4000
is preferably
made of metal such as phosphor bronze and plated with a conductive material
such as tin. Body
5000 is preferably made of metal such as brass and plated with a conductive
material such as
nickel.
SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Embodiments disclosed herein include a coaxial cable connector for
coupling an end of a
coaxial cable to a terminal. The connector has a coupler adapted to couple the
connector to a
terminal, a body assembled with the coupler and a post assembled with the
coupler and the body.
The post is adapted to receive an end of a coaxial cable. The coupler, the
body or the post has an
integral contacting portion. The contacting portion is monolithic with at
least a portion of at
least one of the coupler, the body, and the post. When the connector is
coupled to the terminal
and a coaxial cable is received by the body, the contacting portion provides
for electrical
continuity from an outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector
to the terminal
regardless of the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal.
Electrical continuity
means a DC contact resistance from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to
the equipment
port through the connector of less than about 3000 milliohms. Additionally,
electrical continuity
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from an outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector to the
terminal may be
provided other than by a separate continuity component. The contacting portion
is constructed
of a material having an elastic/plastic property allowing it to maintain
electrical and mechanical
contact notwithstanding any interstice between components of the connector
when assembled.
The contacting portion is formable and forms to a contour of at least one of
the body and the
coupler when the body at least partially assembles with the coupler. The
contacting portion may
form to at least a partially arcuate shape.
[0014] In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein include a coaxial
cable connector
having a coupler having a central bore and adapted to couple the connector to
a terminal, a body
having a central passage assembled with the coupler, and a post assembled with
the coupler and
the body. The post is disposed at least partially within the central passage
of the body and at
least partially within the central bore of the coupler. The body and the post
are adapted to
receive an end of a coaxial cable. The post has a contacting portion that
provides for
uninterrupted electrical continuity from an outer conductor of the coaxial
cable received by the
body and the post through the connector to the terminal coupled by the coupler
regardless of the
tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal. Electrical
continuity means a DC
contact resistance from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the
equipment port through
the connector of less than about 3000 milliohms. The contacting portion is
constructed from a
single piece of material with a portion of the post. The contacting portion is
constructed of a
material having an elastic/plastic property allowing it to maintain electrical
and mechanical
contact notwithstanding any interstice between components of the connector
when assembled.
The contacting portion is formable and forms to a contour of at least one of
the body and the
coupler when the post at least partially assembles with one of the body and
the coupler. The
contacting portion may form to at least a partially arcuate shape. The
contacting portion may be
a protrusion and may be radially projecting. Additionally or alternatively,
the contacting portion
may have a multi-cornered configuration. The contacting portion may form in
response to a
forming tool. The contacting portion may be segmented
[0015] In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein include a method of
providing
uninterrupted continuity in a coaxial cable connector. The method includes
providing
components of a coaxial cable connector. At least one of the components has a
formable
continuity portion which is monolithic with the at least one of the
components. The method also
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includes assembling the components to provide a coaxial cable connector. The
assembling forms
the electrical continuity portion to a contour of one of the other components.
The components
may be comprised from the group consisting of a coupler, a body, and a post.
Electrical
continuity means a DC contact resistance from the outer conductor of the
coaxial cable to the
equipment port through the connector of less than about 3000 milliohms. The
method further
includes receiving by one of the components a coaxial cable, and coupling by
one of the
components the coaxial cable connector to a terminal. The contacting portion
provides for
continuity from an outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector
to the terminal
other than by a separate component, and is regardless of the tightness of the
coupling of the
connector to the terminal. The contacting portion is constructed of a material
having an
elastic/plastic property allowing it to maintain electrical and mechanical
contact notwithstanding
any interstice between components when assembled.
[0016] In yet another aspect, embodiments disclosed herein include a coaxial
cable connector
for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to a terminal. The connector has a
coupler adapted to
couple the connector to a terminal and a body assembled with the coupler and
adapted to
receive an end of a coaxial cable. The coupler or the body has an integral
contacting portion.
The contacting portion is constructed from, and wherein the contacting portion
is monolithic
with at least a portion of at least one of the coupler and the body or a
portion thereof. When
the connector is coupled to the terminal and a coaxial cable is received by
the body, the
contacting portion provides for continuity from an outer conductor of the
coaxial cable
through the connector to the terminal other than by a separate component and
regardless of
the tightness of the coupling of the connector to the terminal. Electrical
continuity means a
DC contact resistance from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the
equipment port
through the connector of less than about 3000 milliohnis. The contacting
portion is
constructed of a material having an elastic/plastic property allowing it to
maintain electrical
and mechanical contact notwithstanding any interstice between components of
the connector
when assembled. The contacting portion is formable and forms to a contour of
at least one of
the body and the coupler when the body at least partially assembles with the
coupler. The
contacting portion may form to at least a partially arcuate shape.
[0017] Additional features and advantages are set out in the detailed
description which follows,
and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that
description or recognized
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by practicing the embodiments as described herein, including the detailed
description, the claims,
as well as the appended drawings.
[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the following
detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an
overview or
framework to understanding the nature and character of the claims. The
accompanying drawings
are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of
this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiment(s), and
together with the
description serve to explain principles and operation of the various
embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view of a coaxial cable connector in
the prior art;
[0020] Figure 2 is a side, cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of
a coaxial
connector comprising a post with a contacting portion providing an integral
RFI and grounding
shield;
[0021] Figure 3A is side, cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector
of Figure 2 in a
state of partial assembly;
[0022] Figure 3B is a partial, cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in a state of further assembly than as illustrated in
Figure 3A, and
illustrating the contacting portion of the post beginning to form to a contour
of the coupler;
[0023] Figure 3C is a partial, cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in a state of further assembly than as illustrated in
Figures 3A and 3B,
and illustrating the contacting portion of the post continuing to form to a
contour of the coupler;
[0024] Figure 3D is a partial, cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in a state of further assembly than as illustrated in
Figures 3A, 3B and 3C
and illustrating the contacting portion of the post forming to a contour of
the coupler;
[0025] Figure 4A is a partial, cross-sectional view of the post of the coaxial
cable connector of
Figure 2 in which the post is partially inserted into a forming tool;
[0026] Figure 4B is a partial, cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in which the post is inserted into the forming tool
further than as
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illustrated in Figure 4A using a forming tool and illustrating the contacting
portion of the post
beginning to form to a contour of the forming tool;
[0027] Figure 4C is a partial cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in in which the post is inserted into the forming tool
further than as
illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B illustrating the contacting portion of the
post continuing to form
to the contour of the forming tool;
[0028] Figure 4D is a partial cross-sectional detail view of the post of the
coaxial cable
connector of Figure 2 in which the post is fully inserted into the forming
tool and illustrating the
contacting portion of the post forming to the contour of the forming tool;
[0029] Figures 5A through 511 are front and side schematic views of exemplary
embodiments of
the contacting portions of the post;
[0030] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector comprising an integral pin, in the state of assembly with body
having a contacting
portion forming to a contour of the coupler;
[0031] Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable connector
illustrated in Figure 6
in a partial state of assembly illustrating the contacting portion of the body
and adapted to form
to a contour of the coupler;
[0032] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector comprising an integral pin, wherein the coupler rotates about a body
instead of a post
and the contacting portion is part of a component press fit into the body and
forming to a contour
of the coupler;
[0033] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector in a partial state of assembly and comprising an integral pin,
wherein the coupler
rotates about a body instead of a post and the contacting portion is part of a
component press
position in the body and forming to a contour of the coupler;
[0034] Figure 8A is a front and side detail view of the component having the
contacting portion
of the coaxial cable connector of Figure 8;
[0035] Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector comprising a post-less configuration, and a body having a contacting
portion forming
to a contour of the coupler;
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[0036] Figure 10 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector comprising a hex crimp body and a post having a contacting portion
forming to a
contour of the coupler;
[0037] Figure 11 is an isometric, schematic view of the post of the coaxial
cable connector of
Figure 2 wherein the post has a contacting portion in a formed state;
[0038] Figure 12 is an isometric, cross-sectional view of the post and the
coupler of the coaxial
cable connector of Figure 2 illustrating the contacting portion of the post
forming to a contour of
the coupler;
[0039] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a coupler with a contacting portion forming to a contour of
the post;
[0040] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a post with a contacting portion forming to a contour of the
coupler;
[0041] Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a post with a contacting portion forming to a contour behind
a lip in the
coupler toward the rear of the coaxial cable connector;
[0042] Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a post with a contacting portion forming to a contour behind
a lip in the
coupler toward the rear of the coaxial cable connector;
[0043] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a body with a contacting portion forming to a contour behind
a lip in the
coupler toward the rear of the coaxial cable connector;
[0044] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector having a post with a contacting portion forming to a contour of a
coupler with an
undercut;
[0045] Figure 18A is a partial, cross-sectional view of an exemplary
embodiment of a coaxial
cable connector having a post with a contacting portion forming to a contour
of a coupler with an
undercut having a prepared coaxial cable inserted in the coaxial cable
connector;
[0046] Figure 19 is a partial, cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of a coaxial
cable connector having a moveable post with a contacting portion wherein the
post is in a
forward position; and
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[0047] Figure 20 is a partial cross sectional view of the coaxial cable
connector of Figure 19
with the movable post in a rearward position and the contacting portion of the
movable post
forming to a contour of the coupler.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of
which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all
embodiments are shown.
Indeed, the concepts may be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as
limiting herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will satisfy
applicable legal requirements. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will
be used to refer
to like components or parts.
[0049] Coaxial cable connectors are used to couple a prepared end of a coaxial
cable to a
threaded female equipment connection port of an appliance. The coaxial cable
connector may
have a post, a moveable post or be postless. In each case though, in addition
to providing an
electrical and mechanical connection between the conductor of the coaxial
connector and the
conductor of the female equipment connection port, the coaxial cable connector
provides a
ground path from an outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the equipment
connection port. The
outer conductor may be, as examples, a conductive foil or a braided sheath.
Maintaining a stable
ground path protects against the ingress of undesired radio frequency ("RF")
signals which may
degrade performance of the appliance. This is especially applicable when the
coaxial cable
connector is not fully tightened to the equipment connection port, either due
to not being
tightened upon initial installation or due to becoming loose after
installation.
[0050] For purposes of this description, the term "forward" will be used to
refer to a direction
toward the portion of the coaxial cable connector that attaches to a terminal,
such as an appliance
equipment port. The term "rearward" will be used to refer to a direction that
is toward the
portion of the coaxial cable connector that receives the coaxial cable. The
term "terminal" will
be used to refer to any type of connection medium to which the coaxial cable
connector may be
coupled, as examples, an appliance equipment port, any other type of
connection port, or an
intermediate termination device. Additionally, for purposes herein, electrical
continuity shall
mean DC contact resistance from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to
the equipment port
of less than about 3000 milliohms. Accordingly, a DC contact resistance of
more than about
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3000 milliohms shall be considered as indicating electrical discontinuity or
an open in the path
between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the equipment port.
[0051] Embodiments relate to a coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of
a coaxial cable to
a terminal. The connector has a coupler adapted to couple the connector to a
terminal and a body
assembled with the coupler and adapted to receive an end of a coaxial cable.
The coaxial cable
connector may also have a post. A contacting portion may be integral to one or
more of the
coupler, the body and/or the post. Moreover, the contacting portion may be
integral with a
component, that as non-limiting examples, may be one or more of the coupler,
the body or the
post, either individually or in combination. Additionally, the contacting
portion may be of
monolithic construction, being formed or constructed in a unitary fashion from
a single piece of
material, with that component or a portion of that component. In other words,
and as a non-
limiting example, if the contacting portion is of monolithic construction with
the post, the
contacting portion may be constructed from a single piece of material with the
post or a portion
of the post. Additionally, the contacting portion may have or be any shape,
including shapes that
may be flush or aligned with other portions of the coupler, the body, the
post, or another
component of the coaxial cable connector, or may protrude from the coupler,
the body, the post,
or another component of the coaxial cable connector.
[0052] Any portion of the coupler, body or post may be formed from any
electrically conductive
material, either a metal or a non-metal, provided that electrical continuity
is maintained from the
outer conductor of the coaxial cable through the connector to the equipment
port. Further, a non-
conductive material, as a non-limiting example, a polymer, with an
electrically conductive
coating or plating on a portion thereof may be used. Moreover, the body may be
completely
non-conductive, and electrical continuity from the outer conductor of the
coaxial cable through
the connector to the equipment port may be maintained through one or more of
the other
components of the coaxial cable connector.
[0053] The contacting portion may have any number of configurations, as non-
limiting
examples, partially or completely circular, single-cornered, or multi-
cornered. When the coaxial
cable connector is assembled, coupled to the terminal and a coaxial cable is
received by the
body, the contacting portion provides for electrical continuity from an outer
conductor of the
coaxial cable through the connector to the terminal other than by a separate
component and
regardless of the tightness or adequacy of the coupling of the connector to
the terminal. The
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contacting portion may, but does not have to be at least partially radially
projecting. The
contacting portion may be formable and form to a contour of at least one of
the body and the
coupler. The contacting portion may form to at least a partially arcuate
shape. Additionally
and/or alternatively, the contacting portion may form in response to a forming
tool. Further, a
lubricant or grease, in particular a conductive lubricant or grease, may be
applied to the
contacting portion.
[0054] Embodiments also relate to a method of providing uninterrupted
electrical continuity in a
coaxial cable connector. The method includes providing components of a coaxial
cable
connector. At least one of the components has a formable electrical continuity
portion. The
method also includes assembling the components to provide a coaxial cable
connector. The
assembling forms the electrical continuity portion to a contour of one of the
other components.
The components may be comprised from the group consisting of a coupler, a
body, and a post.
The method further includes receiving by one of the components a coaxial
cable, and coupling
by one of the components the coaxial cable connector to a terminal. The
contacting portion
provides for electrical continuity from an outer conductor of the coaxial
cable through the
connector to the terminal other than by a separate component, and is
regardless of the tightness
or adequacy of the coupling of the connector to the terminal.
[0055] Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment
of a coaxial
cable connector 100. The coaxial cable connector 100 has a front end 105, a
back end 195, a
coupler 200, a post 300, a body 500, a shell 600 and a gripping member 700.
The coupler
200 at least partially comprises a front end 205, a back end 295, a central
passage 210, a lip
215 with a forward facing surface 216 and a rearward facing surface 217, a
through-bore 220
formed by the lip 215, and a bore 230. Coupler 200 is preferably made of metal
such as
brass and plated with a conductive material such as nickel. Alternately or
additionally,
selected surfaces of the coupler 200 may be coated with conductive or non-
conductive
coatings or lubricants, or a combinations thereof. Post 300, may be tubular,
at least partially
comprises a front end 305, a back end 395, and a contacting portion 310. In
Figure 2,
Contacting portion 310 is shown as a protrusion integrally formed and
monolithic with post
300. Contacting portion 310 may, but does not have to be, radially projecting.
Post 300
may also comprise an enlarged shoulder 340, a collar portion 320, a through-
bore 325, a
rearward facing annular surface 330, and a barbed portion 335 proximate the
back end 395.
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The post 300 is preferably made of metal such as brass and plated with a
conductive material
such as tin. Additionally, the material, in an exemplary embodiment, may have
a suitable
spring characteristic permitting contacting portion 310 to be flexible, as
described below.
Alternately or additionally, selected surfaces of post 300 may be coated with
conductive or
non-conductive coatings or lubricants or a combination thereof Contacting
portion 310, as
noted above, is monolithic with post 300 and provides for electrical
continuity through the
connector 100 to an equipment port (not shown in Figure 2) to which connector
100 may be
coupled. In this manner, post 300 provides for a stable ground path through
the connector
100, and, thereby, electromagnetic shielding to protect against the ingress
and egress of RF
signals. Body 500 at least partially comprises a front end 505, a back end
595, and a central
passage 525. Body 500 is preferably made of metal such as brass and plated
with a
conductive material such as nickel. Shell 600 at least partially comprises a
front end 605, a
back end 695, and a central passage 625. Shell 600 is preferably made of metal
such as brass
and plated with a conductive material such as nickel. Gripping member 700 at
least partially
comprises a front end 705, a back end 795, and a central passage 725. Gripping
member 700
is preferably made of a suitable polymer material such as acetal or nylon. The
resin can be
selected from thermoplastics characterized by good fatigue life, low moisture
sensitivity,
high resistance to solvents and chemicals, and good electrical properties.
[00561 In Figure 2, coaxial cable connector 100 is shown in an unattached,
uncompressed state,
without a coaxial cable inserted therein. Coaxial cable connector 100 couples
a prepared end of
a coaxial cable to a terminal, such as a threaded female equipment appliance
connection port (not
shown in Figure 2). This will be discussed in more detail with reference to
Figure 18A. Shell
600 slideably attaches to body 500 at back end 595 of body 500. Coupler 200
attaches to coaxial
cable connector 100 at back end 295 of coupler 200. Coupler 200 may rotatably
attach to front
end 305 of post 300 while engaging body 500 by means of a press-fit. Front end
305 of post 300
positions in central passage 210 of coupler 200 and has a back end 395 which
is adapted to
extend into a coaxial cable. Proximate back end 395, post 300 has a barbed
portion 335
extending radially outwardly from post 300. An enlarged shoulder 340 at front
end 305 extends
inside the coupler 200. Enlarged shoulder 340 comprises a collar portion 320
and a rearward
facing annular surface 330. Collar portion 320 allows coupler 200 to rotate by
means of a
clearance fit with through-bore 220 of coupler 200. Rearward facing annular
surface 330 limits
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forward axial movement of the coupler 200 by engaging forward facing surface
216 of lip 215.
Coaxial cable connector 100 may also include a sealing ring 800 seated within
coupler 200 to
form a seal between coupler 200 and body 500.
[0057] Contacting portion 310 may be monolithic with or a unitized portion of
post 300. As
such, contacting portion 310 and post 300 or a portion of post 300 may be
constructed from a
single piece of material. The contacting portion 310 may contact coupler 200
at a position that is
forward of forward facing surface 216 of lip 215. In this way, contacting
portion 310 of post 300
provides an electrically conductive path between post 300, coupler 200 and
body 500. This
enables an electrically conductive path from coaxial cable through coaxial
cable connector 100
to terminal providing an electrical ground and a shield against RF ingress and
egress. Contacting
portion 310 is formable such that as the coaxial cable connector 100 is
assembled, contacting
portion 310 may form to a contour of coupler 200. In other words, coupler 200
forms or shapes
contacting portion 310 of post 300. The forming and shaping of the contacting
portion 310 may
have certain elastic/plastic properties based on the material of contacting
portion 310.
Contacting portion 310 deforms , upon assembly of the components of coaxial
cable connector
100, or, alternatively contacting portion 310 of post 300 may be pre-formed,
or partially
preformed to electrically contactedly fit with coupler 200 as explained in
greater detail with
reference to Figure 4A through Figure 4D, below. In this manner, post 300 is
secured within
coaxial cable connector 100, and contacting portion 310 establishes an
electrically conductive
path between body 500 and coupler 200. Further, the electrically conductive
path remains
established regardless of the tightness of the coaxial cable connector 100 on
the terminal due to
the elastic/plastic properties of contacting portion 310. This is due to
contacting portion 310
maintaining mechanical and electrical contact between components, in this
case, post 300 and
coupler 200, notwithstanding the size of any interstice between the components
of the coaxial
cable connector 100. In other words, contacting portion 310 is integral to and
maintains the
electrically conductive path established between post 300 and coupler 200 even
when the
coaxial cable connector 100 is loosened and/or partially disconnected from the
terminal,
provided there is some contact of coupler 200 with equipment port. Although
coaxial connector
100 in Figure 2 is an axial-compression type coaxial connector having a post
300, contacting
portion 310 may be integral to and monolithic with any type of coaxial cable
connector and any
other component of a coaxial cable connector, examples of which will be
discussed herein with
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reference to the embodiments. However, in all such exemplary embodiments,
contacting portion
310 provides for electrical continuity from an outer conductor of a coaxial
cable received by
coaxial cable connector 100 through coaxial cable connector 100 to a terminal,
without the need
for a separate component. Additionally, the contacting portion 310 provides
for electrical
continuity regardless of how tight or loose the coupler is to the terminal. In
other words,
contacting portion 310 provides for electrical continuity from the outer
conductor of the coaxial
cable to the terminal regardless and/or irrespective of the tightness or
adequacy of the coupling
of the coaxial cable connector 100 to the terminal. It is only necessary that
the coupler 200 be in
contact with the terminal.
[0058] Referring now to Figures 3A, 3B 3C and 3D, post 300 is illustrated in
different states of
assembly with coupler 200 and body 500. In Figure 3A, post 300 is illustrated
partially
assembled with coupler 200 and body 500 with contacting portion 310 of post
300, shown as a
protrusion, outside and forward of coupler 200. Contacting portion 310 may,
but does not have
to be, radially projecting. In Figure 3B, contacting portion 310 has begun to
advance into
coupler 200 and contacting portion 310 is beginning to form to a contour of
coupler 200. As
illustrated in Figure 3B, contacting portion 310 is forming to an arcuate or,
at least, a partially
arcuate shape. As post 300 is further advanced into coupler 200 as shown in
Figure 3C,
contacting portion 310 continues to form to the contour of coupler 200. When
assembled as
shown in Figure 3D, contacting portion 310 is forming to the contour of
coupler 200 and is
contactedly engaged with bore 230 accommodating tolerance variations with bore
230. In
Figure 3D coupler 200 has a face portion 202 that tapers. The face portion 202
guides the
contacting portion 310 to its formed state during assembly in a manner that
does not compromise
its structural integrity, and, thereby, its elastic/plastic property. Face
portion 202 may be or have
other structural features, as a non-limiting example, a curved edge, to guide
the contacting
portion 310. The flexible or resilient nature of the contacting portion 310 in
the formed state as
described above, permits coupler 200 to be easily rotated and yet maintain a
reliable electrically
conductive path. It should be understood, that contacting portion 310 is
formable and, as such,
may exist in an unformed and a formed state based on the elastic/plastic
property of the material
of contacting portion 310. As the coaxial cable connector 100 assembles
contacting portion 310
transition from an unformed state to a formed state.
[0059]
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[0060] Referring now to Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D the post 300 is illustrated
in different
states of insertion into a forming tool 900. In Figure 4A, post 300 is
illustrated partially inserted
in forming tool 900 with contacting portion 310 of post 300 shown as a
protrusion. Protrusion
may, but does not have to be radially projecting. In Figure 4B, contacting
portion 310 has
begun to advance into forming tool 900. As contacting portion 310 is advanced
into forming
tool 900, contact portion 310 begins flexibly forming to a contour of the
interior of forming tool
900. As illustrated in Figure 4B, contacting portion 310 is forming to an
arcuate or, at least, a
partially arcuate shape. As post 300 is further advanced into forming tool 900
as shown in Figure
4C, contacting portion 310 continues forming to the contour of the interior of
forming tool 900.
At a final stage of insertion as shown in Figure 4C contacting portion 310 is
fully formed to the
contour of forming tool 900, and has experienced deformation in the forming
process but retains
spring or resilient characteristics based on the elastic/plastic property of
the material of
contacting portion 310. Upon completion or partial completion of the forming
of contacting
portion 310, post 300 is removed from forming tool 900 and may be subsequently
installed in the
connector 100 or other types of coaxial cable connectors. This manner of
forming or shaping
contacting portion 310 to the contour of forming tool 900 may be useful to aid
in handling of
post 300 in subsequent manufacturing processes, such as plating for example.
Additionally, use
of this method makes it possible to achieve various configurations of
contacting portion 310
formation as illustrated in Figures 5A through 5H.Figure 5A is a side
schematic view of an
exemplary embodiment of post 300 where contacting portion 310 is a radially
projecting
protrusion that completely circumscribes post 300. In this view, contacting
portion 310 is
formable but has not yet been formed to reflect a contour of coaxial cable
connector or forming
tool. Figure 5B is a front schematic view of the post 300 of Figure 5. Figure
5C is a side
schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of post 300 where contacting portion
310 has a
multi-cornered configuration. Contacting portion 310 may be a protrusion and
may, but does not
have to be, radially projecting. Although in Figure 5C contacting portion 310
is shown as tri-
cornered, contacting portion 310 can have any number of corner configurations,
as non-limiting
examples, two, three, four, or more. In Figure 5C, contacting portion 310 may
be formable but
has not yet been formed to reflect a contour of coaxial cable connector or
forming tool. Figure
5D is a front schematic view of post 300 of Figure 5C. Figure 5E is a side
schematic view of
post 300 where contacting portion 310 has a tri-cornered configuration. In
this view, contacting
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portion 310 is shown as being formed to a shape in which contacting portion
310 cants or slants
toward the front end 305 of post 300. Figure 5F is a front schematic view of
post 300 of Figure
5E. Figure 5G is a side schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of post 300
where
contacting portion 310 has a tri-cornered configuration. In this view
contacting portion 310 is
formed in a manner differing from Figure 5E in that indentations 311 in
contacting portion 310
result in a segmented or reduced arcuate shape 313. Figure 514 is a front
schematic view of post
300 of Figure 5G.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that contacting portion
310 as illustrated in
Figures 2-5H may be integral to and monolithic with post 300. Additionally,
contacting portion
310 may have or be any shape, including shapes that may be flush or aligned
with other portions
of post 300, or may have any number of configurations, as non-limiting
examples, configurations
ranging from completely circular to multi-cornered geometries, and still
perform its function of
providing electrical continuity. Further, contacting portion 310 may be
formable and formed to
any shape or in any direction.
[0062] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector 110 comprising an integral pin 805, wherein coupler 200 rotates
about body 500
instead of post 300 and contacting portion 510 is a protrusion from, integral
to and monolithic
with body 500 instead of post 300. In this regard, contacting portion 510 may
be a unitized
portion of body 500. As such, contacting portion 510 may be constructed with
body 500 or a
portion of body 500 from a single piece of material. Coaxial cable connector
110 is configured
to accept a coaxial cable. Contacting portion 510 may be formed to a contour
of coupler 200 as
coupler 200 is assembled with body 500 as illustrated in Figure 6A. Figure 6A
is a cross-
sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a coaxial cable connector 110 in
a state of partial
assembly. Contacting portion 510 has not been formed to a contour of the
coupler 200.
Assembling the coupler 200 with the body 500 forms the contacting portion 510
in a rearward
facing manner as opposed to a forward facing manner as is illustrated with the
contacting portion
310. However, as with contacting portion 310, the material of contacting
portion 510 has certain
elastic/plastic property which, as contacting portion 510 is formed provides
that contacting
portion 510 will press against the contour of the coupler 200 and maintain
mechanical and
electrical contact with coupler 200. Contacting portion 510 provides for
electrical continuity
from the outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the terminal regardless of
the tightness or
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adequacy of the coupling of the coaxial cable connector 100 to the terminal,
and regardless of the
tightness of the coaxial cable connector 100 on the terminal in the same way
as previously
described with respect to contacting portion 310. Additionally or
alternatively, contacting
portion 310 may be cantilevered or attached at only one end of a segment.
[0063] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector 111 comprising an integral pin 805, and a conductive component 400.
Coupler 200
rotates about body 500 instead of about a post, which is not present in
coaxial cable connector
111. Contacting portion 410 is shown as a protrusion and may be integral to,
monolithically
with and radially projecting from a conductive component 400 which is press
fit into body 500.
Contacting portion 410 may be a unitized portion of conductive component 400.
As such, the
contacting portion 410 may be constructed from a single piece of material with
conductive
component 400 or a portion of conductive component 400. As with contacting
portion 310, the
material of contacting portion 410 has certain elastic/plastic property which,
as contacting
portion 410 is formed provides that contacting portion 410 will press against
the contour of the
coupler 200 and maintain mechanical and electrical contact with coupler 200 as
conductive
component 400 inserts in coupler 200 when assembling body 500 with coupler 200
as previously
described.
[0064] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of
the coaxial cable
connector 111 comprising an integral pin 805, and a retaining ring 402. The
coupler 200 rotates
about body 500 instead of a post. Contacting portion 410 may be integral with
and radially
projecting from a retaining ring 402 which fits into a groove formed in body
500. The
contacting portion 410 may be a unitized portion of the retaining ring 402. As
such, the
contacting portion 410 may be constructed from a single piece of material with
the retaining ring
402 or a portion of the retaining ring 402. In this regard, Figure 8A
illustrates front and side
views of the retaining ring 402. In Figure 8A, contacting portion 410 is shown
as three
protrusions integral with and radially projecting from retaining ring 402. As
discussed above,
the material of contacting portion 410 has certain elastic/plastic property
which, as contacting
portion 410 is formed provides that contacting portion 410 will press against
the contour of the
coupler 200 and maintain mechanical and electrical contact with coupler 200 as
retaining ring
402 inserts in coupler 200 when assembling body 500 with coupler 200 as
previously described.
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[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the contacting
portion 410 as illustrated
in Figures 6-8A may be integral to the body 500 or may be attached to or be
part of another
component 400, 402. Additionally, the contacting portion 410 may have or be
any shape,
including shapes that may be flush or aligned with other portions of the body
500 and/or another
component 400, 402, or may have any number of configurations, as non-limiting
examples,
configurations ranging from completely circular to multi-cornered geometries.
[0066] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector 112
that is a compression type of connector with no post. In other words, having a
post-less
configuration. The coupler 200 rotates about body 500 instead of a post. The
body 500
comprises contacting portion 510. The contacting portion 510 is integral with
the body 500. As
such, the contacting portion 510 may be constructed from a single piece of
material with the
body 500 or a portion of the body 500. The contacting portion 510 forms to a
contour of the
coupler 200 when the coupler 200 is assembled with the body 500.
[0067] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector 113
that is a hex-crimp type connector. The coaxial cable connector 113 comprises
a coupler 200, a
post 300 with a contacting portion 310 and a body 500. The contacting portion
310 is integral to
and monolithic with post 300. Contacting portion 310 may be unitized with post
300. As such,
contacting portion 310 may be constructed from a single piece of material with
post 300 or a
portion of post 300. Contacting portion 310 forms to a contour of coupler 200
when coupler 200
is assembled with body 500 and post 300. The coaxial cable connector 113
attaches to a coaxial
cable by means radially compressing body 500 with a tool or tools known in the
industry.
[0068] Figure 11 is an isometric schematic view of post 300 of coaxial cable
connector 100 in
Figure 2 with the contacting portion 310 formed to a position of a contour of
a coupler (not
shown).
[0069] Figure 12 is an isometric cross sectional view of post 300 and coupler
200 of connector
100 in Figure 2 illustrated assembled with the post 300. The contacting
portion 310 is formed to
a contour of the coupler 200.
[0070] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector 114
comprising a post 300 and a coupler 200 having a contacting portion 210.
Contacting portion 210
is shown as an inwardly directed protrusion. Contacting portion 210 is
integral to and monolithic
with coupler 200 and forms to a contour of post 300 when post 300 assembles
with coupler 200.
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Contacting portion 210 may be unitized with coupler 200. As such, contacting
portion 210 may
be constructed from a single piece of material with coupler 200 or a portion
of coupler 200.
Contacting portion 210 provides for electrical continuity from the outer
conductor of the coaxial
cable to the terminal regardless of the tightness or adequacy of the coupling
of the coaxial cable
connector 114 to the terminal, and regardless of the tightness of coaxial
cable connector 114 on
the terminal.
Contacting portion 210 may have or be any shape, including shapes that may be
flush or aligned
with other portions of coupler 200, or may have and/or be formed to any number
of
configurations, as non-limiting examples, configurations ranging from
completely circular to
multi-cornered geometries.
[0071] Figures 14, 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views of embodiments of
coaxial cable
connectors 115 with a post similar to post 300 comprising a contacting portion
310 as described
above such that the contacting portion 310 is shown as outwardly radially
projecting, which
forms to a contour of the coupler 200 at different locations of the coupler
200. Additionally, the
contacting portion 310 may contact the coupler 200 rearward of the lip 215,
for example as
shown in Figures 15 and 16õ which may be at the rearward facing surface 217 of
the lip 215,
for example as shown in Figure 15.
[0072] Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector 116
with a body 500 comprising a contacting portion 310, wherein the contacting
portion 310 is
shown as an outwardly directed protrusion from body 500 that forms to the
coupler 200.
[0073] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a coaxial cable
connector 117
having a post 300 with an integral contacting portion 310 and a coupler 200
with an undercut
231. The contacting portion 310 is shown as a protrusion that forms to the
contours of coupler
200 at the position of undercut 231. Figure 18A is a cross-sectional view of
the coaxial cable
connector 117 as shown in Figure 18 having a prepared coaxial cable inserted
in the coaxial
cable connector 117. The body 500 and the post 300 receive the coaxial cable
(Figure 18A).
The post 300 at the back end 395 is inserted between an outer conductor and a
dielectric layer of
the coaxial cable.
[0074] Figure 19 is a partial, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a
coaxial cable
connector 118 having a post 301 comprising an integral contacting portion 310.
The movable
post 301 is shown in a forward position with the contacting portion 310 not
formed by a contour
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of the coupler 200. Figure 20 is a partial, cross-sectional view of the
coaxial cable connector 118
shown in Figure 19 with the post 301 in a rearward position and the contacting
portion 310
forming to a contour of the coupler 200.
[0075] Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to
mind to one
skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the
teachings presented
in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to
be understood that
the description and claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments
disclosed and that
modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the
scope of the
appended claims. It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications
and variations of
the embodiments provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their
equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a
generic and
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
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