US008075338B1
`
`(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Montena
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,075,338 B1
`Dec. 13, 2011
`
`(54) CONNECTOR HAVINGA CONSTANT
`CONTACT POST
`
`(75) Inventor: Noah Montena, Syracuse, NY (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: John Mezzalingua Associates, Inc.,
`East Syracuse, NY (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U~S~C~ 154(b) by 0 days'
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 12/906,503
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Oct. 18, 2010
`
`7/1965 Morello, Jr.
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`(Continued)
`
`CA
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2096710 A1
`11/1994
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`I t Cl
`51
`R /05
`(
`)
`(52) U 5 Cl
`
`2006 01
`(
`'
`)
`
`Digicon AVL Connector. ARRIS Group Inc. [online]. 3 pages.
`[retrieved on Apr. 22, 2010]. Retrieved from the Internet<URL:
`http://WWW.arrisi.com/special/digiconAVL.asp>.
`
`439/578
`
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ......... .. 4396784585
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner * Gary P. Paumen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm * Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A connector comprising a connector body attached to a post,
`the post including a ?rst end, a second end, and a ?ange
`proximate the second end, a port coupling element attached to
`the post, Wherein the port coupling element is rotatable about
`the post, and a plurality of openings on the post, the plurality
`of openings extending a distance toWard the ?rst end from the
`?ange. Furthermore, a method of maintaining ground conti
`nuity in a connector comprising the steps providing a connec
`tor body attached to a post, the post having a ?rst end, an
`opposing second end, and a ?ange having a plurality of open
`ings positioned thereon, andbiasing the ?ange in a position of
`interference With a port coupling element, the port coupling
`element being attached to post is also provided.
`
`21 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`CORNING EXHIBIT 1001
`
`

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`US 8,075,338 B1
`Page 2
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`

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`US 8,075,338 B1
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`
`

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`CN
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`201149936 Y ll/2008
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`2006081141 A1
`8/2006
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`U.S.Appl.No. 12/906,559,?led0ct. 18,2010.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 13, 2011
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`Sheet 1 0f 3
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`US 8,075,338 B1
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Dec. 13 2011
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`Sheet2 0f3
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`NOE
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`

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`US. Patent
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`US 8,075,338 B1
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`mmvE
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`

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`US 8,075,338 B1
`
`1
`CONNECTOR HAVINGA CONSTANT
`CONTACT POST
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is related to US. patent application Ser.
`No. 12/906,559, ?led on Oct. 18, 2010 entitled “Connector
`Having a Constant Contact Nut,” the contents of Which are
`incorporated in its entirety.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to connectors used in coaxial
`cable communication applications, and more speci?cally to
`embodiments of a coaxial cable connector having a constant
`contact post that extends electrical continuity through the
`connector.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`Broadband communications have become an increasingly
`prevalent form of electromagnetic information exchange and
`coaxial cables are common conduits for transmission of
`broadband communications. Coaxial cables are typically
`designed so that an electromagnetic ?eld carrying communi
`cations signals exists only in the space betWeen inner and
`outer coaxial conductors of the cables. This alloWs coaxial
`cable runs to be installed next to metal objects Without the
`poWer losses that occur in other transmission lines, and pro
`vides protection of the communications signals from external
`electromagnetic interference. Connectors for coaxial cables
`are typically connected onto complementary interface ports
`to electrically integrate coaxial cables to various electronic
`devices and cable communication equipment. Connection is
`often made through rotating an internally threaded nut of the
`connector about a corresponding externally threaded inter
`face port. Fully tightening the threaded connection of the
`coaxial cable connector to the interface port helps to ensure a
`ground connection betWeen the connector and the corre
`sponding interface port. HoWever, connectors are often times
`not properly tightened or otherWise installed. Moreover, the
`structure of common connectors may permit loss of ground
`and discontinuity of the electromagnetic shielding that is
`intended to be extended from the cable, through the connec
`tor, and to the corresponding coaxial cable interface port.
`Hence, a need exists for an improved connector having a
`constant contact post for ensuring ground continuity through
`the connector, and establishing and maintaining electrical and
`physical communicationbetWeen the post and a port coupling
`element.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A ?rst general aspect of the invention provides a connector
`comprising a connector body attached to a post, the post
`including a ?rst end, a second end, and a ?ange proximate the
`second end, a port coupling element attached to the post,
`Wherein the port coupling element is rotatable about the post,
`and a plurality of openings on the post, the plurality of open
`ings extending a distance toWard the ?rst end from the ?ange.
`A second general aspect of the invention provides a coaxial
`cable connector comprising a connector body attached to a
`post, the post having a ?rst end and an opposing second end,
`a port coupling element rotatable about the post, Wherein the
`port coupling element has an inner surface, and a plurality of
`engagement ?ngers proximate the second end, Wherein the
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`plurality of engagement ?ngers are biased into a position of
`interference With the inner surface of the port coupling ele
`ment.
`A third general aspect of the invention provides a connector
`comprising a connector body attached to a post, the post
`having a ?rst end, an opposing second end, and a slotted
`?ange, the slotted ?ange being resilient in a radial direction,
`and a port coupling element attached to the post, Wherein a
`positioning of the port coupling element radially compresses
`the slotted ?ange, further Wherein the slotted ?ange exerts an
`opposing radial contact force against an inner Wall of the port
`coupling element, Wherein the opposing radial contact force
`establishes and maintains physical and electrical contact
`betWeen the port coupling element and the post regardless of
`the axial position of the post and the port coupling element.
`A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a method
`of maintaining ground continuity in a connector providing a
`connector body attached to a post, the post having a ?rst end,
`an opposing second end, and a ?ange having a plurality of
`openings positioned thereon, and biasing the ?ange in a posi
`tion of interference With a port coupling element, the port
`coupling element being attached to post.
`A ?fth general aspect of the invention provides a method of
`maintaining electrical continuity With a port comprising pro
`viding a connector body attached to a post, the post having a
`?rst end and an opposing second end, a port coupling element
`rotatable about the post, Wherein the port coupling element
`has an internal surface, and a plurality of engagement ?ngers
`proximate the second end, the plurality of engagement ?ngers
`being resilient in a radial direction, and compressing the
`plurality of engagement ?ngers in a radially inWard direction,
`Wherein the compression of the plurality of engagement ?n
`gers by a positioning of the port coupling element results in
`the plurality of engagement ?ngers exerting a radially out
`Ward force against the port coupling element, Wherein the
`radially outWard force against the port coupling element
`establishes and maintains physical and electrical continuity
`betWeen the post and the port coupling element regardless of
`the relative axial position betWeen the post and the port cou
`pling element.
`The foregoing and other features of construction and
`operation of the invention Will be more readily understood
`and fully appreciated from the folloWing detailed disclosure,
`taken in conjunction With accompanying draWings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Some of the embodiments of this invention Will be
`described in detail, With reference to the folloWing ?gures,
`Wherein like designations denote like members, Wherein:
`FIG. 1 depicts an explodedperspective cut-aWay vieW of an
`embodiment of the elements of an embodiment of a coaxial
`cable connector, in accordance With the present invention;
`FIG. 2 depicts a perspective cut-aWay vieW of an embodi
`ment of a connector; and
`FIG. 3 depicts a perspective vieW of an embodiment of a
`post.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Although certain embodiments of the present invention are
`shoWn and described in detail, it should be understood that
`various changes and modi?cations may be made Without
`departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope
`of the present invention Will in no Way be limited to the
`number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the
`
`

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`US 8,075,338 B1
`
`3
`shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are
`disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the
`present invention.
`As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted
`that, as used in this speci?cation and the appended claims, the
`singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents,
`unless the context clearly dictates otherWise.
`Referring to the draWings, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment
`of a coaxial cable connector. The coaxial cable connector 100
`may accept a prepared coaxial cable 10, and may be operably
`a?ixed to a coaxial cable 10 so that the cable 10 is securely
`attached to the connector 100. The coaxial cable 10 may
`include a protective outer jacket 12, a conductive grounding
`shield 14, a dielectric foil layer 15, an interior dielectric 16
`and a center conductor 18. The coaxial cable 10 may be
`prepared as embodied in FIG. 1 by removing the protective
`outer jacket 12 and draWing back the conductive grounding
`shield 14 to expose a portion of the dielectric foil layer 15
`surrounding the interior dielectric 16. Further preparation of
`the embodied coaxial cable 10 may include stripping the
`dielectric foil layer 15 and the dielectric 16 to expose a por
`tion of the center conductor 18. The protective outer jacket 12
`is intended to protect the various components of the coaxial
`cable 10 from damage Which may result from exposure to dirt
`or moisture and from corrosion. Moreover, the protective
`outer jacket 12 may serve in some measure to secure the
`various components of the coaxial cable 10 in a contained
`cable design that protects the cable 10 from damage related to
`movement during cable installation. The conductive ground
`ing shield 14 can be comprised of conductive materials suit
`able for providing an electrical ground connection.
`Various embodiments of the shield 14 may be employed to
`screen unWanted noise. For instance, the shield 14 may com
`prise a metal foil Wrapped around the dielectric 16, or several
`conductive strands formed in a continuous braid around the
`dielectric 16. Combinations of foil and/ or braided strands
`may be utiliZed Wherein the conductive shield 14 may com
`prise a foil layer, then a braided layer, and then a foil layer.
`Those in the art Will appreciate that various layer combina
`tions may be implemented in order for the conductive ground
`ing shield 14 to effectuate an electromagnetic buffer helping
`to prevent ingress of environmental noise that may disrupt
`broadband communications. The dielectric 16 can be com
`prised of materials suitable for electrical insulation. It should
`be noted that the various materials of Which all the various
`components of the coaxial cable 10 are comprised should
`have some degree of elasticity alloWing the cable 10 to ?ex or
`bend in accordance With traditional broadband communica
`tions standards, installation methods and/or equipment. It
`should further be recogniZed that the radial thickness of the
`coaxial cable 10, protective outer jacket 12, conductive
`grounding shield 14, dielectric foil layer 15, interior dielectric
`16 and/or center conductor 18 may vary based upon generally
`recogniZed parameters corresponding to broadband commu
`nication standards and/or equipment.
`Referring further to FIG. 1, the connector 100 is con?gured
`to attach to a coaxial cable interface port, such as, for
`example, interface port 20. The coaxial cable interface port 20
`includes a conductive receptacle for receiving a portion of a
`coaxial cable center conductor 18 suf?cient to make adequate
`electrical contact. The coaxial cable interface port 20 may
`further comprise a threaded exterior surface 23. It should be
`recogniZed that the radial thickness and/or the length of the
`coaxial cable interface port 20 and/or the conductive recep
`tacle of the port 20 may vary based upon generally recogniZed
`parameters corresponding to broadband communication
`standards and/or equipment. Moreover, the pitch and height
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`of threads Which may be formed upon the threaded exterior
`surface 23 of the coaxial cable interface port 20 may also vary
`based upon generally recogniZed parameters corresponding
`to broadband communication standards and/or equipment.
`Furthermore, it should be noted that the interface port 20 may
`be formed of a single conductive material, multiple conduc
`tive materials, or may be con?gured With both conductive and
`non-conductive materials corresponding to the port’s 20
`operable electrical interface With a connector 100. HoWever,
`the receptacle 22 of the interface port 20 should be formed of
`a conductive material. Further still, it Will be understood by
`those of ordinary skill that the interface port 20 may be
`embodied by a connective interface component of a coaxial
`cable communications device, a television, a modem, a com
`puter port, a netWork receiver, or other communications
`modifying devices such as a signal splitter, a cable line
`extender, a cable netWork module and/or the like.
`With continued reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a
`coaxial cable connector 100 may comprise a port coupling
`element 30, a post 40 having a ?ange 44, a connectorbody 50,
`and a fastener member 60. In another embodiment, connector
`100 may comprise a connector body 50 attached to a post 40,
`the post 40 including a ?rst end 41, a second end 42, and a
`?ange 44 proximate the second end 42, a port coupling ele
`ment 30 attached to the post 40, Wherein the port coupling
`element 30 is rotatable about the post 40, and a plurality of
`openings 140 on the post 40, the plurality of openings 140
`extending a distance toWard the ?rst end 41 from the ?ange
`44. In an alternative embodiment, connector 100 may com
`prise a connector body 50 attached to a post 40, the post 40
`having a ?rst end 41 and an opposing second end 42, a port
`coupling element 3 0 rotatable about the post, Wherein the port
`coupling element 30 has an inner surface 35, and a plurality of
`engagement ?ngers 145 proximate the second end 42,
`Wherein the plurality of engagement ?ngers 145 are biased
`into a position of interference With the inner surface 35 of the
`port coupling element 30. In another exemplary embodiment,
`the connector 100 may comprise a connector body 50
`attached to a post 40, the post 40 having a ?rst end 41, an
`opposing second end 42, and a slotted ?ange 44, the slotted
`?ange 44 being resilient in a radial direction, and a port
`coupling element 30 attached to the post 40, Wherein a posi
`tioning of the port coupling element 30 radially compresses
`the slotted ?ange 44, further Wherein the slotted ?ange 44
`exerts an opposing radial contact force against an inner Wall
`35 of the port coupling element 30, Wherein the opposing
`radial contact force establishes and maintains physical and
`electrical contact betWeen the port coupling element 30 and
`the post 40 regardless of the axial position of the post 40 and
`the port coupling element 30.
`Furthermore, the port coupling element 30, or threaded nut
`30, of embodiments of a coaxial cable connector 100 has a
`?rst end 31 and opposing second end 32. The threaded nut 30
`may be rotatably secured to the post 40 to alloW for rotational
`movement about the post. For example, the threaded nut 30
`may freely rotate, or spin, about the stationary post 40. The
`threaded nut 30 may comprise an internal lip 34 located
`proximate, or otherWise near to the second end 32 and con
`?gured to hinder axial movement of the post 40. The threaded
`nut 30 may also comprise internal threading 33 extending
`axially from the edge of ?rst end 31 a distance suf?cient to
`provide operably effective threadable contact With the exter
`nal threads 23 of a standard coaxial cable interface port 20.
`The structural con?guration of the nut 3 0 may vary according
`to accommodate different functionality of a coaxial cable
`connector 100. For instance, the ?rst end 31 of the nut 30 may
`include internal and/ or external structures such as ridges
`
`

`
`US 8,075,338 B1
`
`5
`grooves, curves, detents, slots, openings, chamfers, or other
`structural features, etc., Which may facilitate the operable
`joining of an environmental sealing member, such as an
`Water-tight seal, that may help prevent ingress of environmen
`tal contaminants at the ?rst end 31 of a nut 30, When mated
`With an interface port 20. Moreover, the second end 32, of the
`nut 30 may extend a signi?cant axial distance to reside radi
`ally extent of the connector body 50, although the exten