(12) United States Patent
`Malloy et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`US008062063B2
`
`(54) CABLE CONNECTOR HAVING A BIASING
`ELEMENT
`
`(56)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Allen L. Malloy, Elmira Heights, NY
`(US); Julio Rodrigues, Collierville, TN
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Belden Inc., St. Louis, MO (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.No.: 12/568,160
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Sep. 28, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2010/0081321A1
`
`Apr. 1, 2010
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/101,185, filed on Sep.
`30, 2008, provisional application No. 61/101,191,
`filed on Sep. 30, 2008, provisional application No.
`61/155,246,
`filed on Feb. 25, 2009, provisional
`application No. 61/155,249, filed on Feb. 25, 2009,
`provisional application No. 61/155,250, filed on Feb.
`25, 2009, provisional application No. 61/155,252,
`filed on Feb. 25, 2009, provisional application No.
`61/155,289,
`filed on Feb. 25, 2009, provisional
`application No. 61/155,297, filed on Feb. 25, 2009,
`provisional application No. 61/175,613, filed on May
`5, 2009, provisional application No. 61/242,884, filed
`on Sep. 16, 2009.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H01R 9/05
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`...................................... .. 439/578; 439/584
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ .. 439/578,
`439/583, 584, 585
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
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`CA
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Notice 0fAll0wance for U.S. Appl. No. 12/568,179, mail date Mar.
`21, 2011, 10 pages.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Hae Moon Hyeon
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Foley & Lardner LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A coaxial cable connector for coupling a coaxial cable to a
`mating connector includes a connector body having a forward
`end and a rearward cable receiving end for receiving a cable.
`A nut is rotatably coupled to the forward end ofthe connector
`body. An annular post is disposed within the connector body,
`the post having a forward flanged base portion disposed
`within a rearward extent of the nut, the forward flanged base
`portion having a forward face. A biasing element is attached
`to the forward flanged base portion of the post and includes a
`deflectable portion extending outwardly in a forward direc-
`tion beyond the forward face of the post shoulder portion.
`
`9 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets
`
`10
`
`/‘
`
`173
`
`1710-1
`
`
`
`
`
`PPC Exhibit 2014
`
`Coming v. PPC
`|PR2016—O1569
`
`

`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`Page2
`
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`
`>>>D>>>>>D>>>>>D>>>>>D>D>>>>>>D>>>>>>D>>>>>>D>>>D>D>D>D>>>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>>D>>D>D>D>>D>D>D>D>D>>D>D>D>D>D>D>>D>D>
`
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`US 8,062,063 B2
`Page 3
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`RE37,153
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`6,358,077
`6,390,825
`D458,904
`D460,739
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`D461,166
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`D461,778
`D462,058
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`6,817,896
`6,830,479
`
`EE2EggEfigWEEV”/N/N/N/N/N/3V”/3‘/3“WEEEEEFUEEE>>>>>>>>>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>>>>>>>>D>D>D>D>D>D>>>>>>>>D>D>D>D>D>D>D>
`
`B1
`B2
`B2
`
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`

`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`Page 4
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`7,566,236 B2
`9/2009 Olbertz ......................... .. 607/37
`7,587,244 B2 *
`7/2010 Montena ..................... .. 439/277
`7,753,705 B2 *
`11/2010 Mathews
`7,828,595 B2
`11/2010 Mathews
`7,833,053 B2
`1/2002 Rodrigues et al.
`2002/0013088 A1
`3/2004 Kodaira
`2004/0048514 A1
`4/2004 Palinkas et al.
`2004/0077215 A1
`5/2004 Chee
`2004/0102089 A1
`11/2004 Hagmann et al.
`2004/0224552 A1
`11/2004 Liu
`2004/0229504 A1
`2/2005 Montena
`2005/0042919 A1
`7/2005 Montena
`2005/0164553 A1
`9/2005 Burris et al.
`2005/0208827 A1
`5/2006 Matthews
`2006/0110977 A1
`5/2008 Montena ..................... .. 439/578
`2008/0102696 A1*
`5/2008 Montena
`2008/0113554 A1
`2008/0311790 A1* 12/2008 Malloy et al.
`2010/0081321 A1
`4/2010 Malloy et al.
`............... .. 439/578
`2010/0081322 A1*
`4/2010 Malloy et al.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`47931
`10/1888
`1 1 17 587
`1 1/1951
`1 515 398
`11/1962
`1 191 880
`4/1965
`2 221 936
`5/1972
`2 225 764
`5/ 1972
`
`............... .. 439/583
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`
`DE
`DE
`DE
`DE
`EP
`EP
`EP
`EP
`FR
`FR
`FR
`FR
`FR
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`GB
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`2 261 973
`32 11 008 A1
`102289
`4128 551 A1
`0 072 104
`0 116 157
`0 167 738
`0 265 276 B1
`2 232 846
`2 234 680
`2 462 798
`4 494 508
`2 524 722
`589697
`1087228
`1 270 846
`2 019 665 A
`2 079 549 A
`2 331 634 A
`03071571
`03-280369
`10-228948
`2002075556
`WO 93/24973
`WO 96/08854
`WO 01/86756 A1
`
`12/1972
`10/1983
`7/1987
`3/1992
`2/1983
`8/1984
`1/1986
`4/1988
`6/1974
`6/1974
`2/1980
`5/1982
`10/1983
`3/1945
`10/1967
`4/1972
`10/1979
`1/1982
`5/1999
`3/1991
`12/1991
`8/1998
`3/2002
`12/1993
`3/1996
`11/2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`OfliceActi0n f0rU.S.App1. No. 12/568,149, mail date May 12, 201 1,
`8 pages’
`Statement of Substance of Interview, Terminal Disclaimer and State-
`mentUnder37CFR3.73(b)f0rU.S.Appl.N0.12/568,179,filedJun.
`30, 2011, 5 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 1 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`
`
`FIG. 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 2 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 3 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 4 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 5 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`V&».*~§€R>~7.k‘6!3?oI.*s."«‘!‘«".-.‘9s-.‘i<2'«‘»‘:¥~».
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 6 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`mm 6
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`p 0
`
`
`
`FIG. 8
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 7 of 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 8 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`810
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 9 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
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`FIG. 11
`
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 10 of 18
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 11 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 12 of 18
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 13 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`173
`FIG. 16
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 14 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 15 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`
`U.S. Patent
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 16 of 18
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`Nov. 22, 2011
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`Sheet 17 of 18
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`US 8,062,063 B2
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`FIG. 23
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 22, 2011
`
`Sheet 18 of 18
`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`FIG. 24
`
`

`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`1
`CABLE CONNECTOR HAVING A BIASING
`ELEMENT
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority under 35. U.S.C. §119,
`based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/101,
`185 filed Sep. 30, 2008, 61/101,191, filed Sep. 30, 2008,
`61/155,246, filed Feb. 25, 2009, 61/155,249, filed Feb. 25,
`2009, 61/155,250, filed Feb. 25, 2009, 61/155,252, filed Feb.
`25,2009, 61/155,289, filed Feb. 25, 2009, 61/155,297, filed
`Feb. 25, 2009, 61/175,613, filed May 5, 2009, and 61/242,
`884, filed Sep. 16, 2009, the disclosures of which are all
`hereby incorporated by reference herein.
`The present application is also related to co-pending U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 12/568,149, entitled “Cable Con-
`nector,” filed, Sep. 28, 2009, and U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 12/568,179, entitled “Cable Connector,” filed Sep. 28,
`2009, the disclosures of which are both hereby incorporated
`by reference herein.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Connectors are used to connect coaxial cables to various
`
`electronic devices, such as televisions, antennas, set-top
`boxes, satellite television receivers, etc. Conventional coaxial
`connectors generally include a connector body having an
`annular collar for accommodating a coaxial cable, an annular
`nut rotatably coupled to the collar for providing mechanical
`attachment of the connector to an external device, and an
`annular post interposed between the collar and the nut. The
`annular collar that receives the coaxial cable includes a cable
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`receiving end for insertably receiving a coaxial cable and, at
`the opposite end of the connector body, the annular nut
`includes an internally threaded end that permits screw
`threaded attachment of the body to an external device.
`This type of coaxial connector also typically includes a
`locking sleeve to secure the cable within the body of the
`coaxial connector. The locking sleeve, which is typically
`formed of a resilient plastic material,
`is securable to the
`connectorbody to secure the coaxial connector thereto. In this
`regard, the connector body typically includes some form of
`structure to cooperatively engage the locking sleeve. Such
`structure may include one or more recesses or detents formed 45
`on an inner annular surface of the connector body, which
`engages cooperating structure formed on an outer surface of
`the sleeve.
`
`40
`
`Conventional coaxial cables typically include a center con-
`ductor surrounded by an insulator. A conductive foil is dis- 50
`posed over the insulator and a braided conductive shield
`surrounds the foil-covered insulator. An outer insulative
`
`jacket surrounds the shield. In order to prepare the coaxial
`cable for termination with a connector, the outer jacket is
`stripped back exposing a portion of the braided conductive 55
`shield. The exposed braided conductive shield is folded back
`over the jacket. A portion of the insulator covered by the
`conductive foil extends outwardly from the jacket and a por-
`tion of the center conductor extends outwardly from within
`the insulator.
`
`60
`
`Upon assembly, a coaxial cable is inserted into the cable
`receiving end of the connector body and the annular post is
`forced between the foil covered insulator and the conductive
`
`shield of the cable. In this regard, the post is typically pro-
`vided with a radially enlarged barb to facilitate expansion of 65
`the cable jacket. The locking sleeve is then moved axially into
`the connector body to clamp the cable jacket against the post
`
`2
`
`barb providing both cable retention and a water-tight seal
`around the cable jacket. The connector can then be attached to
`an external device by tightening the internally threaded nut to
`an externally threaded terminal or port of the external device.
`The Society of Cable Telecommunication Engineers
`(SCTE) provides values for the amount of torque recom-
`mended for connecting such coaxial cable connectors to vari-
`ous external devices. Indeed, most cable television (CATV),
`multiple systems operator (MSO), satellite and telecommu-
`nication providers also require their installers to apply a
`torque requirement of 25 to 30 in/lb to secure the fittings
`against the interface (reference plane). The torque require-
`ment prevents loss of signals (egress) or introduction of
`unwanted signals (ingress) between the two mating surfaces
`of the male and female connectors, known in the field as the
`reference plane.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of
`a coaxial cable connector;
`FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodi-
`ment of the coaxial cable connector of the FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the biasing element of the
`connector shown in FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of an alternative embodi-
`
`ment of the coaxial cable connector of the present invention;
`FIGS. 5A and 5B are perspective views of the biasing
`element of the connector shown in FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of another alternative
`
`embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6B is a perspective view ofthe biasing element shown
`in FIG. 6A;
`FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of still another alternative
`
`embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 7B is a perspective view ofthe biasing element shown
`in FIG. 7A.
`
`FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
`embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 in an
`
`unconnected configuration;
`FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable con-
`
`nector of FIG. 8 in a connected configuration;
`FIG. 10A is an enlarged, isometric view of the exemplary
`biasing element of FIGS. 8 and 9;
`FIG. 10B is an enlarged axial view of the biasing element
`of FIG. 10A taken along line A of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
`biasing element;
`FIG. 12A is an enlarged, isometric view of an exemplary
`biasing element of FIG. 11;
`FIG. 12B is an enlarged axial view of the biasing element
`of FIG. 12A taken along line A of FIG. 8;
`FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of yet another exemplary
`biasing element of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 14A is an enlarged, isometric view of the biasing
`element of FIG. 13;
`FIG. 14B is an enlarged axial view of the biasing element
`of FIG. 14A taken along line A of FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
`embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 in an
`
`unconnected configuration;
`FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the coaxial cable
`
`connector of FIG. 15A in a connected configuration;
`FIG. 16 is an enlarged, isometric view of the biasing ele-
`ment of FIGS. 15A-15B;
`
`

`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`3
`FIGS. 17-22 are isometric illustrations of alternative
`
`implementations of biasing element for use with the coaxial
`cable connector of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional View of another exemplary
`embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of FIG. 1 in an
`
`unconnected configuration; and
`FIG. 24 is an enlarged cross-sectional View of the post of
`FIG. 23.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`A large number of home coaxial cable installations are
`often done by “do-it yourself’ laypersons who may not be
`familiar with torque standards associated with cable connec-
`tors. In these cases, the installer will typically hand-tighten
`the coaxial cable connectors instead ofusing a tool, which can
`result in the connectors not being properly seated, either upon
`initial installation, or after a period ofuse. Upon immediately
`receiving a poor signal,
`the customer typically calls the
`CATV, MSO, satellite or telecommunication provider to
`request repair service. Obviously, this is a cost concern for the
`CATV, MSO, satellite and telecommunication providers, who
`then have to send a repair technician to the customer’ s home.
`Moreover, even when tightened according to the proper
`torque requirements, another problem with such prior art
`connectors is the connector’s tendency over time to become
`disconnected from the external device to which it is con-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`nected, due to forces such as vibrations, heat expansion, etc.
`Specifically,
`the internally threaded nut
`for providing
`mechanical attachment of the connector to an external device
`
`30
`
`has a tendency to back-off or loosen itself from the threaded
`port connection of the external device over time. Once the
`connector becomes sufliciently loosened, electrical connec-
`tion between the coaxial cable and the external device is
`
`broken, resulting in a failed condition.
`FIGS. 1-2 depict an exemplary coaxial cable connector 10
`consistent with embodiments described herein. As illustrated
`
`in FIG. 1, connector 10 may include a connector body 12, a
`locking sleeve 14, an armular post 16, and a rotatable nut 18.
`In one implementation, connector body 12 (also referred to
`as a “collar”) may include an elongated, cylindrical member,
`which can be made from plastic, metal, or any suitable mate-
`rial or combination of materials. Connector body 12 may
`include a forward end 20 operatively coupled to armular post
`16 and rotatable nut 18, and a cable receiving end 22 opposite
`to forward end 20. Cable receiving end 22 may be configured
`to insertably receive locking sleeve 14, as well as a prepared
`end of a coaxial cable 100 in the forward direction as shown
`
`by arrow A in FIG. 2. Cable receiving end 22 of connector
`body 12 may further include an inner sleeve engagement
`surface 24 for coupling with the locking sleeve 14. In some
`implementations, inner sleeve engagement surface 24 is pref-
`erably formed with a groove or recess 26, which cooperates
`with mating detent structure 28 provided on the outer surface
`of locking sleeve 14.
`Locking sleeve 14 may include a substantially tubularbody
`having a rearward cable receiving end 30 and an opposite
`forward connector insertion end 32, movably coupled to inner
`sleeve engagement surface 24 of the connector body 12. As
`mentioned above, the outer cylindrical surface of locking
`sleeve 14 may be configured to include a plurality ofridges or
`projections 28, which cooperate with groove or recess 26
`formed in inner sleeve engagement surface 24 of the connec-
`tor body 12 to allow for the movable connection of sleeve 14
`to the connector body 12, such that locking sleeve 14 is
`lockingly axially moveable along the direction of arrow A
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`toward the forward end 20 of the connector body 12 from a
`first position, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 to a second,
`axially advanced position (shown in FIG. 1). When in the first
`position, locking sleeve 14 may be loosely retained in con-
`nector 10. When in the second position, locking sleeve 14
`may be secured within connector 10. In some implementa-
`tions, locking sleeve 14 may be detachably removed from
`connector 10, e.g., during shipment, etc., by, for example,
`snappingly removing projections 28 from groove/recess 26.
`Prior to installation, locking sleeve 14 may be reattached to
`connector body 12 in the manner described above.
`In some additional implementations, locking sleeve 14
`may include a flanged head portion 34 disposed at the rear-
`ward cable receiving end 30 of locking sleeve 14. Head por-
`tion 34 may include an outer diameter larger than an inner
`diameter of the body 12 and may further include a forward
`facing perpendicular wall 36, which serves as an abutment
`surface against which the rearward end 22 of body 12 stops to
`prevent further insertion of locking sleeve 14 into body 12. A
`resilient, sealing O-ring 37 may be provided at forward facing
`perpendicular wall 36 to provide a substantially water-tight
`seal between locking sleeve 14 and connector body 12 upon
`insertion of the locking sleeve within the body and advance-
`ment from the first position (FIG. 2) to the second position
`(FIG. 1).
`As mentioned above, connector 10 may further include
`annular post 16 coupled to forward end 20 of connector body
`12. As illustrated in FIG. 2, armular post 16 may include a
`flanged base portion 38 at its forward end for securing the post
`within annular nut 18. Armular post 16 may also include an
`annular tubular extension 40 extending rearwardly within
`body 12 and terminating adjacent rearward end 22 of connec-
`tor body 12. In one embodiment, the rearward end of tubular
`extension 40 may include a radially outwardly extending
`ramped flange portion or “barb” 42 to enhance compression
`ofthe outer jacket of the coaxial cable and to secure the cable
`within connector 10. Tubular extension 40 of annular post 16,
`locking sleeve 14, and connector body 12 together define an
`annular chamber 44 for accommodating the jacket and shield
`of an inserted coaxial cable.
`
`As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, armular nut 18 may be
`rotatably coupled to forward end 20 of connector body 12.
`Armular nut 18 may include any number of attaching mecha-
`nisms, such as that of a hex nut, a knurled nut, a wing nut, or
`any other known attaching means, and may be rotatably
`coupled to connector body 12 for providing mechanical
`attachment of the connector 10 to an external device via a
`
`threaded relationship. As illustrated in FIG. 2, nut 18 may
`include an armular flange 45 configured to fix nut 18 axially
`relative to annular post 16 and connector body 12. In one
`implementation, a resilient sealing O-ring 46 may be posi-
`tioned in annular nut 18 to provide a water resistant seal
`between connector body 12, annular post 16, and annular nut
`18
`
`Connector 10 may be supplied in the assembled condition,
`as shown in the drawings, in which locking sleeve 14 is
`pre-installed inside rearward cable receiving end 22 of con-
`nector body 12. In such an assembled condition, a coaxial
`cable may be inserted through rearward cable receiving end
`30 oflocking sleeve 14 to engage armular post 16 of connector
`10 in the manner described above. In other implementations,
`locking sleeve 14 may be first slipped over the end of a coaxial
`cable and the cable (together with locking sleeve 14) may
`subsequently be inserted into rearward end 22 of connector
`body 12.
`In either case, once the prepared end of a coaxial cable is
`inserted into connector body 12 so that the cable jacket is
`
`

`
`US 8,062,063 B2
`
`5
`separated from the insulator by the sharp edge of annular post
`16, locking sleeve 14 may be moved axially forward in the
`direction of arrow A from the first position (shown in FIG. 2)
`to the second position (shown in FIG. 1). In some implemen-
`tations, advancing locking sleeve 14 from the first position to
`the second position may be accomplished with a suitable
`compression tool. As locking sleeve 14 is moved axially
`forward, the cable jacket is compressed within armular cham-
`ber 44 to secure the cable in connector 10. Once the cable is
`
`secured, connector 10 is ready for attachment to a port con-
`nector 48 (illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 15B), such as an F-81
`connector, of an external device.
`As illustrated below in relation to FIGS. 9 and 15B, port
`connector 48 may include a substantially cylindrical body 50
`having external threads 52 that match internal threads 54 of
`annular nut 18. As will be discussed in additional detail
`
`below, retention force between annular nut 18 and port con-
`nector 48 may be enhanced by providing a substantially con-
`stant load force on the port connector 48.
`As illustrated in FIG. 2, in an exemplary implementation,
`connector 10 may include a biasing element or spring 200
`extending outwardly beyond a forward face 56 of flanged
`base portion 38 of the post 16 for making resilient contact
`with a rearward face (element 58 in FIG. 9) of a mating
`connector port. Biasing element 200 may include a degree of
`flexure in that it is designed to deflect or deform in a rearward
`direction back toward forward face 56 offlanged base portion
`38. Thus, when nut 18 is tightened on a mating connector port,
`biasing element 200 is forced to compress to a certain degree
`as the rearward face of the coimector port makes contact with
`the biasing element. Such compression, or rearward deflec-
`tion is desirable so that, should nut 18 loosen and the rearward
`face of the mating connector port begin to back away from
`forward face 56 of the post, the resilience of biasing element
`200 will urge biasing element 200 to spring back to its initial
`form so that biasing element 200 will maintain contact with
`rearward face 58 of the mating connector port 48.
`Biasing element 200 can take various forms, but in each
`form biasing element 200 i