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`US007114990B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Bence et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`(54) COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR WITH
`GROUNDING MEMBER
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Bruce D. Bence, Glendale, AZ (US);
`Donald A. Burris, Peoria, AZ (US);
`Brian L. Kisling, Phoenix, AZ (US);
`John A. Kooiman, Mesa, AZ (US);
`William B. Lutz, Glendale, AZ (US);
`William F. McDade, Glendale, AZ
`(US); Thomas D. Miller, Peoria, AZ
`(US); Lee Yung Chuan, Sanchong
`(TW)
`
`(73) Assignee: Corning Gilbert Incorporated,
`Glendale, AZ (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.: 111043,844
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 25, 2005
`(Under 37 CFR 1.47)
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0166552 Al
`
`Jul. 27, 2006
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`HOJR 9105
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................................... 439/583; 439/322
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 439/578,
`439/583,584,320,322,314
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,665,371 A
`3,669,472 A *
`3,678,445 A
`3,686,623 A
`3,778,535 A *
`3,793,610 A
`3,835,443 A *
`
`511972 Cripps ...................... 339/90 C
`6/1972 Nadsady ...................... 285/87
`7/1972 Brancaleone ........... 339/143 R
`8/1972 Nijman ................... 339/177 E
`12/1973 Forney, Jr. ................ 174/88 C
`2/1974 Brishka .................... 339/74 R
`9/1974 Arnold et al.
`.............. 439/319
`
`4,106,839 A
`4,153,320 A
`4,389,081 A *
`4,506,943 A *
`4,525,017 A *
`4,531,805 A *
`4,545,637 A
`4,580,865 A
`4,634,213 A
`4,902,246 A
`4,938,718 A *
`5,030,126 A *
`5,137,471 A *
`5,380,211 A
`5,413,504 A
`5,683,263 A
`5,938,465 A
`5,957,716 A
`5,975,951 A *
`6,019,635 A
`
`8/1978 Cooper ................... 339/143 R
`5/1979 Townshend ............... 339/91 B
`6/1983 Gallusser et al ............ 439/320
`3/1985 Drogo ........................ 439/314
`6/1985 Schildkraut et al.
`........ 439/320
`7/1985 Werth ......................... 439/607
`10/1985 Bosshard et al.
`........... 339/177
`4/1986 Fryberger .............. 339/103 M
`1/1987 Larsson et al.
`.......... 339/275 T
`2/1990 Sarnchisen .................. 439/578
`7/1990 Guendel ..................... 439/680
`7/1991 Hanlon ....................... 439/320
`8/1992 Verespej et al ............. 439/585
`1/1995 Kawagauchi et al. ......... 439/74
`5/1995 Kloecker et al.
`........... 439/620
`11/1997 Hsu ........................... 439/319
`8/1999 Fox, Sr ....................... 439/350
`9/1999 Buckley et al. ............. 439/321
`11/1999 Burris et al. ................ 439/585
`212000 Nelson ....................... 439/583
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner-Tulsidas C. Patel
`Assistant Examiner-Vladimir Imas
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Joseph M. Homa; Marvin A.
`Glazer
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A coaxial cable connector includes tubular post, a coupler
`secured over an end of the tubular post for securing the
`connector to an appliance, and an outer body secured to the
`tubular post. An electrical grounding path is maintained
`between the coupler and the tubular post whether or not the
`coupler is tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical
`grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-con(cid:173)
`ductive grounding member disposed between the tubular
`post and the coupler. Alternatively, the connector includes
`conductive grease at a point where mating portions of the
`tubular post and coupler have closely matching dimensions.
`
`34 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`108
`
`CORNING EXHIBIT 1002
`
`

`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,332,815 Bl* 12/2001 Bruce ......................... 439/862
`5/2003 Montena ..................... 439/585
`6,558,194 Bl*
`6,572,419 Bl
`6/2003 Feye-Homann ............. 439/839
`
`6,683,253 Bl
`6,712,631 Bl
`6,716,062 Bl
`* cited by examiner
`
`1/2004 Lee ............................. 174/75
`3/2004 Youtsey ...................... 439/322
`412004 Palinkas et al.
`............ 439/578
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`107
`
`600
`FIG. 6
`
`333
`
`605
`
`602
`
`105
`603
`601
`FIG. 6A FIG. 68 FIG. 6C
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`107
`
`700
`
`104
`702
`
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`
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`
`701
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`
`701
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`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`107
`
`108
`
`805
`
`800
`FIG. B
`
`802
`
`104
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`105
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`801
`FIG. BC
`
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`
`801
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`
`801
`FIG. BE
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`107
`
`900
`FIG. 9
`
`908
`
`901
`FIG. 9A
`
`906
`
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`
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`
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`
`1000
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`
`913
`
`914
`105
`
`104
`
`1001
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2006
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`- -------
`
`-
`
`1104
`
`1105
`
`1100
`FIG. 11
`~
`
`1105
`
`1112
`
`1108
`
`FIG. 11A
`
`1117
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`FIG. 118
`
`1101
`1114
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`
`1101
`FIG. 11C
`
`

`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`1
`COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR WITH
`GROUNDING MEMBER
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`This invention relates generally to electrical connectors,
`and more particularly to coaxial cable connectors capable of
`being connected to a terminal.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Coaxial cable connectors, such as type F connectors, are
`used to attach coaxial cable to another object or appliance,
`e.g., a television set or VCR having a terminal adapted to
`engage the connector. The terminal of the appliance includes
`an inner conductor and a surrounding outer conductor.
`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; this outer conductor may be in the form of
`a conductive foil and/or braided sheath. The outer conductor 20
`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 mechani- 25
`cally 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 bare the end portion of the outer
`conductor. Similarly, it is common to strip off a portion of 30
`the dielectric to expose the end portion of the center con(cid:173)
`ductor.
`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 con(cid:173)
`ductor 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 40
`tubular post and are typically received in an outer body of
`the connector; this outer body of the connector is usually
`fixedly secured to the tubular post. A coupler is rotatably
`secured around the tubular post and includes an intemally(cid:173)
`threaded region for engaging external threads formed on the 45
`outer conductor of the appliance terminal.
`When connecting the end of a coaxial cable to a terminal
`of a television set, equipment box, or other appliance, it is
`important to achieve a reliable electrical connection between
`the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the outer 50
`conductor of the appliance terminal. 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 55
`of the appliance port, thereby making a direct electrical
`ground connection between the outer conductor of the
`appliance port and the tubular post; in tum, the tubular post
`is engaged with the outer conductor of the coaxial cable.
`However, in many cases, it is difficult for an installer to 60
`reach the connection ports of the appliance with a wrench,
`and in some instances, it is even difficult for the installer to
`reach such connection ports with his or her fingers. As a
`result, it can often happen that type F connectors are not
`fully tightened to the appliance port. In such a loose con- 65
`nection system, wherein the coupler of the coaxial connector
`is not drawn tightly to the appliance port connector, a gap
`
`2
`exists between the outer conductor of the appliance port and
`the tubular post of the connector. Unless an alternate ground
`path exists, poor signal quality, and RFI leakage, will result.
`As mentioned above, the coupler is 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
`10 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
`15 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 con-
`nector 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.
`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
`35 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(cid:173)
`consuming to diagnose.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
`a coaxial cable connector for connecting a coaxial cable to
`a connection port of an appliance, the coaxial cable connec(cid:173)
`tor being of the type that includes a tubular post and a
`coupler, such as a rotatable coupler, which ensures a reliable
`ground connection between the tubular post of the connector
`and an outer conductor of the appliance port, even if the
`coupler is not fully tightened onto the appliance port.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide
`such a coaxial cable connector which maintains a reliable
`ground path between the coupler and the tubular post, at
`least following installation of such connector onto the end of
`a coaxial cable.
`It is still another object of the present invention to provide
`such a coaxial connector that can be manufactured economi(cid:173)
`cally.
`These and other objects of the present invention will
`become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the
`description thereof proceeds.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Briefly described, the present invention relates to a
`coaxial cable connector comprising a tubular post, a coupler
`and a grounding means for providing an electrically con(cid:173)
`ductive path between the post and the coupler. In accordance
`
`

`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`4
`The coaxial connector of the present invention may also
`include a sealing ring seated within the coupler for rotatably
`engaging the body member to form a seal therebetween.
`In an alternate embodiment of the present invention,
`conductive grease is substituted for a discrete grounding
`member. In this embodiment, an outer dimension of a
`portion of the tubular post is caused to be commensurate
`with an inner dimension of an adjacent portion of the
`coupler. While the gap between such adjacent portions,
`coupled with the lubrication provided by the conductive
`grease, is sufficient to permit rotation of the coupler relative
`to the tubular post, the conductive grease nonetheless func(cid:173)
`tions to maintain reliable electrical coupling across such
`gap.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`3
`with a preferred embodiment thereof, the present invention
`relates to a coaxial cable connector for coupling a prepared
`end of a coaxial cable to a threaded female equipment port,
`and including a tubular post having a first end adapted to be
`inserted into the prepared end of the coaxial cable between
`the dielectric material and the outer conductor thereof. A
`coupler is rotatably secured over the second end of the
`tubular post, and includes a central bore, at least a portion of
`which is threaded for engaging the female equipment port.
`An outer body is secured to the tubular post and extends 10
`about the first end of the tubular post for receiving the outer
`conductor, and preferably the cable jacket, of the coaxial
`cable.
`In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
`resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member is dis- 15
`posed between the tubular post and the coupler. This ground(cid:173)
`ing member engages both the tubular post and the coupler
`for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween,
`but without restricting rotation of the coupler relative to the
`tubular post.
`For some preferred embodiments, the grounding member
`is generally arcuately shaped to extend around the tubular
`post over an arc of at least 225°, and may extend for a full
`360°. This arcuately shaped grounding member may be in
`the form of a generally circular broken ring, or C-shaped
`member, as by bending a strip of metal wire into an arc.
`Preferably, the grounding member has a shape that is out(cid:173)
`of-round, and more preferably oblong, rather than circular,
`in order to ensure reliable electrical contact with both the
`coupler and the tubular post. In order to retain the grounding
`member inside the coupler, the inner bore of the coupler may
`include an annular recess proximate to the end of the coupler
`that encircles the tubular post; at least portions of the
`grounding member are engaged with the annular recess to
`prevent the grounding member from being axially displaced 35
`within the coupler.
`As mentioned above, the tubular post may include an
`enlarged shoulder at the head thereof. In one preferred
`embodiment of the present invention, the grounding member
`surrounds the enlarged shoulder of the tubular post, at least
`when the coaxial cable connector is assembled onto the
`prepared end of a coaxial cable, whereby at least portions of
`the grounding member engage the outer surface of such
`enlarged shoulder.
`In one embodiment of the present invention, the ground(cid:173)
`ing member is generally circular and includes a plurality of
`projections extending outwardly therefrom for engaging the
`coupler. In another embodiment of the present invention, the
`grounding member is generally circular and includes a
`plurality of projections extending inwardly therefrom for
`engaging the tubular post.
`In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the
`tubular post includes an enlarged shoulder extending inside
`the coupler, and including a first radial face that faces the 55
`opposite end of the tubular post. The coupler includes a
`flange directed inwardly toward the tubular post; this
`inwardly directed flange including a second radial face that
`faces toward the connection port of the appliance to which
`the coaxial cable is to be connected. The grounding member 60
`is disposed between the first radial face and the second radial
`face. In this embodiment, the grounding member is resilient
`relative to the longitudinal axis of the connector, and is
`compressed between the first radial face and the second
`radial face to maintain sliding electrical contact between the 65
`shoulder of the tubular post (via its first radial face) and the
`flange of the coupler (via its second radial face).
`
`The present invention will be described with greater
`specificity and clarity with reference to the following draw-
`20 ings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an F connector in
`accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention,
`including a body and a coupling nut;
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the F connector of FIG. 1,
`25 including a preferred embodiment of a grounding member;
`FIG. 2Ais an enlarged plan view of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the grounding member of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the F connector of FIG.
`1 through cut-line 3-3, and a side view of a prepared
`30 coaxial cable ready to be inserted into a back end of the F
`connector;
`FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the body of the F
`connector of FIG. 1 through cut-line 3-3;
`FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of a tubular post of the
`F connector of FIG. 1, through cut-line 3-3;
`FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of the coupling nut of
`the F connector of FIG. 1 through cut-line 3-3;
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the F connector of FIG.
`1 through cut-line 3-3, and cross-sectional view of the
`40 prepared coaxial cable fully inserted into the back end
`thereof, prior to axial compression of the F connector;
`FIG. 4A is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the F connector of FIG.
`1 through cut-line 3-3, and a cross-sectional view of the
`prepared coaxial cable fully inserted into the back end
`thereof, subsequent to axial compression of the F connector;
`FIG. SA is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 5;
`FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first alternate
`embodiment of an F connector having a first alternate
`grounding member;
`FIG. 6A is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 6B is a slightly enlarged side view of the first
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 6C is a slightly enlarged plan view of the first
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 6;
`FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second
`alternate embodiment of an F connector having a second
`alternate grounding member;
`FIG. 7A is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 7B is a slightly enlarged side view of the second
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 7C is a slightly enlarged plan view of the second
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 7;
`FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a third alternate
`embodiment of an F connector having a third alternate
`grounding member;
`
`50
`
`45
`
`

`
`US 7,114,990 B2
`
`5
`FIG. SA is a slightly enlarged side view of the third
`alternate grounding member of FIG. S;
`FIGS. SB-SE are slightly enlarged plan views of four
`styles of the third alternate grounding member of FIG. S;
`FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fourth 5
`alternate embodiment of an F connector having one of a
`fourth alternate grounding member and a fifth alternate
`grounding member;
`FIG. 9A is a slightly enlarged side view of the fourth
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 9B is a slightly enlarged plan view of the fourth
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 9C is a slightly enlarged side view of the fifth
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 9D is a slightly enlarged plan view of the fifth 15
`alternate grounding member of FIG. 9;
`FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of a fifth alternate
`embodiment of an F connector having conductive grease
`that acts as a grounding member;
`FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a front end of 20
`a sixth alternate embodiment of an F connector having a
`sixth alternate grounding member;
`FIG. llA is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 11;
`FIG. llB is a side view of the sixth alternate grounding
`member of FIG. 11;
`FIG. llC is a plan view of the sixth alternate grounding
`member of FIG. 11; and
`FIG. llD is a perspective view of the sixth alternate
`grounding member of FIG. 11.
`For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing 30
`figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and
`descriptions and details of well-known features and tech(cid:173)
`niques are omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the
`invention. Furthermore, elements in the drawing figures are
`not necessarily drawn to scale.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an F connector 100 in
`accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention.
`The F connector 100 (hereinafter, "connector") has a lon(cid:173)
`gitudinal axis 101. The connector has a front end 102 and a
`back end 103.
`FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the connector 100. The
`connector 100 includes tubular post 104, a coupling nut 105
`rotatably secured over an end 106 of the tubular post for
`securing the connector to an appliance (not shown), and a
`body lOS secured to the tubular post. A shell 107 and a label
`109 are secured to the body lOS. Preferably, the body lOS is
`made entirely of acetal plastic. Alternatively, the body lOS
`is made of brass, plated with nickel. The shell 107 adds
`strength to the plastic body lOS and protects the plastic body
`from ultraviolet light. The tubular post 104 is preferably
`metallic, and more preferably, made of brass, with a tin
`plating; as tin is more conductive than nickel. The coupling
`nut 105 is preferably metallic, and more preferably, formed
`from brass, plated with nickel or with another non-corrosive
`material.
`In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the coupling
`nut 105 is rotatably secured over an end 106 of the tubular
`post 104 via a neck 111 of the body lOS. Advantageously, an
`electrical grounding path is constantly maintained between
`the coupling nut 105 and the tubular post 104, including, in
`particular, when the coupling nut 105 of the connector 100
`is not tightly fastened to the appliance. The electrical
`grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-con-
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`6
`ductive grounding member 110 disposed between the tubu(cid:173)
`lar post 104 and the coupling nut 105.
`FIG. 2Ais an enlarged plan view of the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the grounding member 110. In the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention, the electrically-conductive
`grounding member 110 is disposed between the tubular post
`104 and the coupling nut 105. The grounding member 110
`contacts both the tubular post 104 and the coupling nut 105
`for providing an electrically-conductive path therebetween,
`10 but without restricting rotation of the coupling nut relative to
`the tubular post. A preferred embodiment of the grounding
`member 110 shown in FIG. 2A is a spring member, or
`circlip, disposed between the coupling nut 105 and the
`tubular post 104, which establishes a stable ground path
`between the coupling nut and the post, and which is pref(cid:173)
`erably constructed of a wire-type material. The grounding
`member 110 is retained in the coupling nut 105 by an
`annular recess 343 (see FIG. 3C) in the coupling nut. The
`spring action of the grounding member 110 serves to form
`a ground path from the coupling nut 105 to the tubular post
`104 while allowing the coupling nut 105 to rotate. The
`grounding member 110 is resilient and is generally arcuately
`shaped. The grounding member 110 extends around the
`tubular post 104 over an arc of at least 225°, and may extend
`25 for a full 360°. The arcuately shaped grounding member 110
`may be in the form of a generally circular broken ring, or
`C-shaped member, as by bending a strip of metal wire into
`an arc. Preferably, the grounding member 110 is a C-shaped
`metal clip that has an arcuate curvature that is non-circular.
`The grounding member 110 has a minimum diameter 201
`and a maximum diameter 203. Preferably, the grounding
`member 110 is made of stainless steel wire that has a wire
`diameter of between 0.010-inch and 0.020-inch; in a pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment, the wire diameter is about 0.016-inch.
`35 Stainless steel is a preferred metal for the grounding member
`110 because it need not be plated for corrosion resistance.
`FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100
`through cut-line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and a side view of a
`prepared coaxial cable 301 ready to be inserted into a back
`40 end 103 of the connector. The center conductor 302 of the
`coaxial cable 301 is surrounded by a dielectric material 303,
`and the dielectric material is surrounded by an outer con(cid:173)
`ductor 304 that may be in the form of a conductive foil
`and/or braided sheath. The outer conductor 304 is usually
`45 surrounded by a plastic cable jacket 305 that electrically
`insulates, and mechanically protects, the outer conductor.
`FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the body lOS of FIG.
`1 through cut-line 3-3. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of
`the tubular post 104 of FIG. 1 through cut-line 3-3. FIG.
`50 3C is a cross-sectional view of the coupling nut 105 of FIG.
`1 through cut-line 3-3. Referring now to FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B
`and 3C, the body lOS has a lip 310 at a front end of the body.
`The lip 310 has an outer diameter 311 and an inner diameter
`312. The coupling nut 105 is rotatably secured about a head
`55 330 at the front end of the tubular post 104. The head 330
`of the tubular post 104 usually includes an enlarged shoulder
`332. The coupling nut 105 typically includes an inwardly(cid:173)
`directed flange 340 that extends over and around the shoul(cid:173)
`der 332 of the tubular post 104. In order to retain the
`60 grounding member 110 inside the coupling nut 105, the
`inner, or central, bore 342 of the coupling nut 105 may
`include an arnmlar recess 343 that is proximate to the end of
`the coupling nut that encircles the tubular post 104. At least
`portions of the grounding member 110 are engaged with the
`65 annular recess 343 to prevent the grounding member from
`being axially displaced within the coupling nut 105. The
`tubular post 104 may include an enlarged shoulder 332 at the
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`US 7,114,990 B2
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`7
`head 330 thereof. The shoulder 332 has a first radial face 333
`that faces the back end of the tubular post 104. In one
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ground(cid:173)
`ing member 110 surrounds the enlarged shoulder 332 of the
`tubular post 104, at least when the connector 100 is 5
`assembled onto the prepared end of a coaxial cable 301. At
`least portions of the grounding member 110 contact the outer
`surface 334 of such enlarged shoulder 332.
`The coupling nut 1 OS has an inwardly-directed flange near
`the back end of the coupling nut. The coupling nut lOS has 10
`an inner diameter 341 at a back end of the coupling nut. In
`order to retain the back end of the coupling nut lOS on the
`front end of the body lOS, the inner diameter 341 of the
`coupling nut has a dimension less than the outer diameter of
`the lip 310 of the body lOS. In order not to interfere with free 15
`rotation of the coupling nut lOS, the outer diameter 336 of
`the shoulder 332 (at the head 330 of the tubular post 104) is
`of smaller dimension than the inner diameter 344 of the
`central bore of the coupling nut lOS. Likewise, the inner
`diameter 341 of the inwardly-directed flange 340 of the
`coupling nut lOS is of larger dimension than the outer
`diameter 337 of the non-shoulder portion 33S of the tubular
`post 104, again to avoid interference with rotation of the
`coupling nut lOS relative to the tubular post.
`FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100
`through cut-line 3-3, and cross-sectional view of the pre(cid:173)
`pared coaxial cable 301 fully inserted into the back end 103
`thereof, prior to axial compression of the connector. FIG. 4A
`is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 4. Referring now to
`FIGS. 4 and 4A, the resilient, electrically-conductive
`grounding member 110 is shown disposed between the
`tubular post 104 and the coupling nut lOS. The grounding
`member 110 is disposed in the annular recess 343 that
`encircles the tubular post 104.
`FIG. S is a cross-sectional view of the connector 100
`through cut-line 3-3, and a cross-sectional view of the
`prepared coaxial cable 301 fully inserted into the back end
`103 thereof, subsequent to axial compression of the connec(cid:173)
`tor. FIG. SA is an enlargement of a portion of FIG. S.
`Referring now to FIGS. S and SA, as a result of axial 40
`compression by a standard compression tool (not shown),
`the tubular post 104 slides (to the right in the drawings)
`relative to the other components of the connector 100 and
`relative to the cable 301, such that the shoulder 332 of the
`tubular post is radially inward of the grounding member 110.
`At least a portion of the grounding member 110 engages the
`coupling nut 1 OS at the annular recess 343 of the coupling
`nut, and at least another portion of the grounding member
`engages tubular post 104 at the shoulder 332 of the tubular
`post. The tubular post 104 is in electrical contact with the
`outer conductor 304 of the cable 301 along the back portion
`of the tubular post, and the coupling nut lOS may engage the
`outer conductor of an appliance port (not shown). Therefore,
`when the connector 100 is fastened to an appliance port,
`there is maintained an electrical grounding path between the
`outer conductor 304 of the cable 301 and the outer conductor
`of the appliance port, whether or not the coupling nut lOS of
`the connector is tightly fastened to the appliance port.
`FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a first alternate
`embodiment of a connector 600 having a first alternate
`grounding member 601 (see FIGS. 6A-6C), shown subse(cid:173)
`quent to axial compression. FIG. 6A is an enlargement of a
`portion of the first alternate embodiment of the connector
`600 showing a portion of the first alternate grounding
`member 601. FIG. 6B is a slightly enlarged side view of the
`first alternate grounding member 601. FIG. 6C is a slightly
`enlarged plan view of the first alternate grounding member
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`8
`601. Referring now to FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B and 6C, the first
`alternate grounding member 601 is a spring finger grounding
`member retained between the coupling nut lOS and the
`tubular post 104. The first alternate grounding member 601
`is constructed of a thin cross section of material such
`beryllium copper. The first alternate grounding member 601
`comprises a ring portion 602 and a plurality of fingers 603
`that project at approximately a 30° angle from the plane of
`the ring. The spring action of the fingers 603 extend to, and
`make contact with, a radial surface 604 near the back end of
`the coupling nut lOS that faces the front end of the coupling
`nut, which serve to connect a ground path from the coupling
`nut to the tubular post while allowing the coupling nut t