CONNECTOR HAVING A CONSTANT CONTACT POST
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`[0001]
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`This application is related to U.S. Patent Application S/N:
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`Attorney Docket No. PPC.6702-NY, filed on ___ entitled "Connector Having a
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`Constant Contact Nut,'' the contents of which are incorporated in its entirety.
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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`[0002]
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`The present invention relates to connectors used in coaxial cable
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`communication applications, and more specifically to embodiments of a coaxial cable
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`connector having a constant contact post that extends electrical continuity through the
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`connector.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0003]
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`Broadband communications have become an increasingly prevalent form
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`of electromagnetic information exchange and coaxial cables are common conduits for
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`transmission of broadband communications. Coaxial cables are typically designed so that
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`an electromagnetic field carrying communications signals exists only in the space
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`between inner and outer coaxial conductors of the cables. This allows coaxial cable runs
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`to be installed next to metal objects without the power losses that occur in other
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`transmission lines, and provides protection of the communications signals from external
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`electromagnetic interference. Connectors for coaxial cables are typically connected onto
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`complementary interface ports to electrically integrate coaxial cables to various electronic
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`devices and cable communication equipment. Connection is often made through rotating
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`PPC.6696-NY
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`CORNING EXHIBIT 1011
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`an internally threaded nut of the connector about a corresponding externally threaded
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`interface port. Fully tightening the threaded connection of the coaxial cable connector to
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`the interface port helps to ensure a ground connection between the connector and the
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`corresponding interface port. However, connectors are often times not properly tightened
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`or otherwise installed. Moreover, the structure of common connectors may permit loss of
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`ground and discontinuity of the electromagnetic shielding that is intended to be extended
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`from the cable, through the connector, and to the corresponding coaxial cable interface
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`port.
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`[0004]
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`Hence, a need exists for an improved connector having a constant contact
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`post for ensuring ground continuity through the connector, and establishing and
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`maintaining electrical and physical communication between the post and a port coupling
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`element.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`[0005]
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`A first general aspect of the invention provides a connector comprising a
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`connector body attached to a post, the post including a first end, a second end, and a
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`flange proximate the second end, a port coupling element attached to the post, wherein
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`the port coupling element is rotatable about the post, and a plurality of openings on the
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`post, the plurality of openings extending a distance toward the first end from the flange.
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`[0006]
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`A second general aspect of the invention provides a coaxial cable
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`connector comprising a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end and
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`an opposing second end, a port coupling element rotatable about the post, wherein the
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`port coupling element has an inner surface, and a plurality of engagement fingers
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`proximate the second end, wherein the plurality of engagement fingers are biased into a
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`position of interference with the inner surface of the port coupling element.
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`[0007]
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`A third general aspect of the invention provides a connector comprising a
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`connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, an opposing second end,
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`and a slotted flange, the slotted flange being resilient in a radial direction, and a port
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`coupling element attached to the post, wherein a positioning of the port coupling element
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`radially compresses the slotted flange, further wherein the slotted flange exerts an
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`opposing radial contact force against an inner wall of the port coupling element, wherein
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`the opposing radial contact force establishes and maintains physical and electrical contact
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`between the port coupling element and the post regardless of the axial position of the post
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`and the port coupling element.
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`[0008]
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`A fourth general aspect of the invention provides a method of maintaining
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`ground continuity in a connector providing a connector body attached to a post, the post
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`having a first end, an opposing second end, and a flange having a plurality of openings
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`positioned thereon, and biasing the flange in a position of interference with a port
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`coupling element, the port coupling element being attached to post.
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`[0009]
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`A fifth general aspect of the invention provides a method of maintaining
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`electrical continuity with a port comprising providing a connector body attached to a
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`post, the post having a first end and an opposing second end, a port coupling element
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`rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element has an internal surf ace, and a
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`plurality of engagement fingers proximate the second end, the plurality of engagement
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`fingers being resilient in a radial direction, and compressing the plurality of engagement
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`fingers in a radially inward direction, wherein the compression of the plurality of
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`engagement fingers by a positioning of the port coupling element results in the plurality
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`of engagement fingers exerting a radially outward force against the port coupling
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`element, wherein the radially outward force against the port coupling element establishes
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`and maintains physical and electrical continuity between the post and the port coupling
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`element regardless of the relative axial position between the post and the port coupling
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`element.
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`[0010]
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`The foregoing and other features of construction and operation of the
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`invention will be more readily understood and fully appreciated from the following
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`detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`[0011]
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`Some of the embodiments of this invention will be described in detail,
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`with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members,
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`wherein:
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`FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of the
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`elements of an embodiment of a coaxial cable connector, in accordance with the present
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`invention;
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`FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a post, in accordance with
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`the present invention; and
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`FIG. 3 depicts a perspective cut-away view of an embodiment of a connector, in
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`accordance with the present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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`[0012]
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`Although certain embodiments of the present invention are shown and
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`described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications may
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`be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the
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`present invention will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the
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`materials thereof, the shapes thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are
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`disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present invention.
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`[0013]
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`As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, as used in
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`this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include
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`plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
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`[0014]
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`Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a coaxial
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`cable connector. The coaxial cable connector 100 may accept a prepared coaxial cable
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`10, and may be operably affixed to a coaxial cable 10 so that the cable 10 is securely
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`attached to the connector 100. The coaxial cable 10 may include a protective outer jacket
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`12, a conductive grounding shield 14, a dielectric foil layer 15, an interior dielectric 16
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`and a center conductor 18. The coaxial cable 10 may be prepared as embodied in FIG. 1
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`by removing the protective outer jacket 12 and drawing back the conductive grounding
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`shield 14 to expose a portion of the dielectric foil layer 15 surrounding the interior
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`dielectric 16. Further preparation of the embodied coaxial cable 10 may include stripping
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`the dielectric foil layer 15 and the dielectric 16 to expose a portion of the center
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`conductor 18. The protective outer jacket 12 is intended to protect the various
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`components of the coaxial cable 10 from damage which may result from exposure to dirt
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`or moisture and from corrosion. Moreover, the protective outer jacket 12 may serve in
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`some measure to secure the various components of the coaxial cable 10 in a contained
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`cable design that protects the cable 10 from damage related to movement during cable
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`installation. The conductive grounding shield 14 can be comprised of conductive
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`materials suitable for providing an electrical ground connection.
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`[0015]
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`Various embodiments of the shield 14 may be employed to screen
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`unwanted noise. For instance, the shield 14 may comprise a metal foil wrapped around
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`the dielectric 16, or several conductive strands formed in a continuous braid around the
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`dielectric 16. Combinations of foil and/or braided strands may be utilized wherein the
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`conductive shield 14 may comprise a foil layer, then a braided layer, and then a foil layer.
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`Those in the art will appreciate that various layer combinations may be implemented in
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`order for the conductive grounding shield 14 to effectuate an electromagnetic buffer
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`helping to prevent ingress of environmental noise that may disrupt broadband
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`communications. The dielectric 16 can be comprised of materials suitable for electrical
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`insulation. It should be noted that the various materials of which all the various
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`components of the coaxial cable 10 are comprised should have some degree of elasticity
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`allowing the cable 10 to flex or bend in accordance with traditional broadband
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`communications standards, installation methods and/or equipment. It should further be
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`recognized that the radial thickness of the coaxial cable 10, protective outer jacket 12,
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`conductive grounding shield 14, dielectric foil layer 15, interior dielectric 16 and/or
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`center conductor 18 may vary based upon generally recognized parameters corresponding
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`to broadband communication standards and/or equipment.
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`[0016]
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`Referring further to FIG. 1, the connector 100 is configured to attach to a
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`coaxial cable interface port, such as, for example, interface port 20. The coaxial cable
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`interface port 20 includes a conductive receptacle for receiving a portion of a coaxial
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`cable center conductor 18 sufficient to make adequate electrical contact. The coaxial
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`cable interface port 20 may further comprise a threaded exterior surface 23. It should be
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`recognized that the radial thickness and/or the length of the coaxial cable interface port
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`20 and/or the conductive receptacle of the port 20 may vary based upon generally
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`recognized parameters corresponding to broadband communication standards and/or
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`equipment. Moreover, the pitch and height of threads which may be formed upon the
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`threaded exterior surface 23 of the coaxial cable interface port 20 may also vary based
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`upon generally recognized parameters corresponding to broadband communication
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`standards and/or equipment. Furthermore, it should be noted that the interface port 20
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`may be formed of a single conductive material, multiple conductive materials, or may be
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`configured with both conductive and non-conductive materials corresponding to the
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`port's 20 operable electrical interface with a connector 100. However, the receptacle 22
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`of the interface port 20 should be formed of a conductive material. Further still, it will be
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`understood by those of ordinary skill that the interface port 20 may be embodied by a
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`connective interface component of a coaxial cable communications device, a television, a
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`modem, a computer port, a network receiver, or other communications modifying devices
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`such as a signal splitter, a cable line extender, a cable network module and/or the like.
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`[0017] With continued reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a coaxial cable
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`connector 100 may comprise a port coupling element 30, a post 40 having a flange 44, a
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`connector body 50, and a fastener member 60. In another embodiment, connector 100
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`may comprise a connector body 50 attached to a post 40, the post 40 including a first end
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`41, a second end 42, and a flange 44 proximate the second end 42, a port coupling
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`element 30 attached to the post 40, wherein the port coupling element 30 is rotatable
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`about the post 40, and a plurality of openings 140 on the post 40, the plurality of
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`openings 140 extending a distance toward the first end 41 from the flange 44. In an
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`alternative embodiment, connector 100 may comprise a connector body 50 attached to a
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`post 40, the post 40 having a first end 41 and an opposing second end 42, a port coupling
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`element 30 rotatable about the post, wherein the port coupling element 30 has an inner
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`surface 35, and a plurality of engagement fingers 145 proximate the second end 42,
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`wherein the plurality of engagement fingers 145 are biased into a position of interference
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`with the inner surface 35 of the port coupling element 30. In another exemplary
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`embodiment, the connector 100 may comprise a connector body 50 attached to a post 40,
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`the post 40 having a first end 41, an opposing second end 42, and a slotted flange 44, the
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`slotted flange 44 being resilient in a radial direction, and a port coupling element 30
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`attached to the post 40, wherein a positioning of the port coupling element 30 radially
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`compresses the slotted flange 44, further wherein the slotted flange 44 exerts an opposing
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`radial contact force against an inner wall 35 of the port coupling element 30, wherein the
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`opposing radial contact force establishes and maintains physical and electrical contact
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`between the port coupling element 30 and the post 40 regardless of the axial position of
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`the post 40 and the port coupling element 30.
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`[0018]
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`Furthermore, the port coupling element 30, or threaded nut 30, of
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`embodiments of a coaxial cable connector 100 has a first end 31 and opposing second
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`end 32. The threaded nut 30 may be rotatably secured to the post 40 to allow for
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`rotational movement about the post. For example, the threaded nut 30 may freely rotate,
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`or spin, about the stationary post 40. The threaded nut 30 may comprise an internal lip
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`34 located proximate, or otherwise near to the second end 32 and configured to hinder
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`axial movement of the post 40. The threaded nut 30 may also comprise internal threading
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`33 extending axially from the edge of first end 31 a distance sufficient to provide
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`operably effective threadable contact with the external threads 23 of a standard coaxial
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`cable interface port 20. The structural configuration of the nut 30 may vary according to
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`accommodate different functionality of a coaxial cable connector 100. For instance, the
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`first end 31 of the nut 30 may include internal and/or external structures such as ridges
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`grooves, curves, detents, slots, openings, chamfers, or other structural features, etc.,
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`which may facilitate the operable joining of an environmental sealing member, such as an
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`water-tight seal, that may help prevent ingress of environmental contaminants at the first
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`end 31 of a nut 30, when mated with an interface port 20. Moreover, the second end 32,
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`of the nut 30 may extend a significant axial distance to reside radially extent of the
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`connector body 50, although the extended portion of the nut 30 need not contact the
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`connector body 50. The nut 30, or port coupling element, includes a generally axial
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`opening, as shown in FIG.I, and has an inner surface 35 which may include internal
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`threading 33. The inner surface 35 of nut 30 may also be an inner wall, inside surface,
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`and the like. In another embodiment of the inner surface 35, the inside diameter of the
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`nut 30 at any point along the surface may be considered the inner surface 35 of the nut.
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`In many embodiments of connector 100, the post 40 contacts the inner surface 35 of the
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`nut 30 proximate the internal lip 34.
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`[0019]
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`The threaded nut 30 may be formed of conductive materials facilitating
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`grounding through the nut 30. Accordingly the nut 30 may be configured to extend an
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`electromagnetic buffer by electrically contacting conductive surfaces of an interface port
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`20 when a connector 100 is advanced onto the port 20. In addition, the threaded nut 30
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`may be formed of both conductive and non-conductive materials. For example the
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`external surface of the nut 30 may be formed of a polymer, while the remainder of the nut
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`30 may be comprised of a metal or other conductive material. The threaded nut 30 may
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`be formed of metals or polymers or other materials that would facilitate a rigidly formed
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`nut body. Manufacture of the threaded nut 30 may include casting, extruding, cutting,
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`knurling, turning, tapping, drilling, injection molding, blow molding, or other fabrication
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`methods that may provide efficient production of the component. Those in the art should
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`appreciate the various embodiments of the nut 30 may also comprise a coupler member
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`having no threads, but being dimensioned for operable connection to a corresponding to
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`an interface port, such as interface port 20.
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`[0020]
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`Referring still to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a connector 100 may include a
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`post 40. The post 40 comprises a first end 41 and opposing second end 42. Furthermore,
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`the post 40 comprises a flange 44, such as an externally extending annular protrusion,
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`located at the second end 42 of the post 40. The flange 44 may include a tapered surface
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`facing the first end 41 of the post 40. Further still, an embodiment of the post 40 may
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`include a surface feature 4 7 such as a lip or protrusion that may engage a portion of a
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`connector body 50 to secure axial movement of the post 40 relative to the connector body
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`50. However, the post may not include such a surface feature 47, and the coaxial cable
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`connector 100 may rely on press-fitting and friction-fitting forces and/or other component
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`structures to help retain the post 40 in secure location both axially and rotationally
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`relative to the connector body 50. The location proximate or otherwise near where the
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`connector body is secured relative to the post 40 may include surface features 43, such as
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`ridges, grooves, protrusions, or knurling, which may enhance the secure location of the
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`post 40 with respect to the connector body 50. Additionally, the post 40 includes a
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`mating edge 46, which may be configured to make physical and electrical contact with a
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`corresponding mating edge of an interface port 20. The post 40 should be formed such
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`that portions of a prepared coaxial cable 10 including the dielectric foil layer 15, the
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`dielectric 16 and center conductor 18 can pass axially into the second end 42 and/or
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`through a portion of the tube-like body of the post 40. Moreover, the post 40 should be
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`dimensioned such that the post 40 may be inserted into an end of the prepared coaxial
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`cable 10, around the dielectric foil layer 15 surrounding the dielectric 16 and under the
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`protective outer jacket 12 and conductive grounding shield 14. Accordingly, where an
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`embodiment of the post 40 may be inserted into an end of the prepared coaxial cable 10
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`under the drawn back conductive grounding shield 14, substantial physical and/or
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`electrical contact with the shield 14 may be accomplished thereby facilitating grounding
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`through the post 40. The post 40 may be formed of metals or other conductive materials
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`that would facilitate a rigidly formed post body. In addition, the post 40 may be formed
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`of a combination of both conductive and non-conductive materials. For example, a metal
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`coating or layer may be applied to a polymer of other non-conductive material.
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`Manufacture of the post 40 may include casting, extruding, cutting, turning, drilling,
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`knurling, injection molding, spraying, blow molding, component overmolding, or other
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`fabrication methods that may provide efficient production of the component.
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`[0021] With continued reference to FIG.I, post 40 includes a plurality of slots
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`140 positioned somewhere on or around the post 40 proximate or otherwise near the
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`second end 42. A plurality of slots 140 may be a plurality of openings, spaces, voids,
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`apertures, holes, cuts, channels, grooves, and the like, positioned on the flange 44 and a
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`portion of the post 40 proximate or otherwise near the second end 42 of the post 40. For
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`instance, the slots 140 can be axially aligned with the post 40; moreover, the slots 140
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`can axially extend through the flange 44 a distance from the second end 42 towards the
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`first end 41.
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`In one embodiment, the slots 140 extend from the second end 42 to
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`proximate or otherwise near the surface feature 4 7. In other embodiments, the slots 140
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`may extend to proximate or otherwise near a third of the length of the post 40. In many
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`embodiments, the distance the slots axially extend through the flange 44 may vary,
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`depending on the amount of deflection sought when compressed and/or the amount of
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`any reactive radially outward force needed to establish and maintain physical and
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`electrical continuity with the port coupling element 30. A post 40 having slots 140
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`axially extending too far along the post 40 toward the first end 41 may risk a partial or
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`significant loss in the structural integrity of the post 40, and may not achieve the suitable
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`amount of radial force to bias it into a position of interference with the port coupling
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`element 30. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the slots 130 can be used to
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`make the nut 30 resilient in the radial direction; therefore, slots 130 may vary in size,
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`shape, appearance, and the like. The nut 30 may be made resilient without introducing
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`voids between portions of the nut 30. For example, instead of voids, such as slots 140, the
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`post 40 may have portions separated by webbing, spacers, meshing, flexible material,
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`netting, and the like.
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`[0022]
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`Furthermore, the width of the slots 140 may vary based upon generally
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`recognized parameters corresponding to broadband communication standards and/or
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`equipment. A decrease in the width of the slots 140 can lead to increase in surf ace area
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`of the outer edges 45 of the flange 44, and vice versa. The outer edges 45 of the flange
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`44 can make physical contact with an inner surface 35 of the port coupling element 30;
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`therefore, the width of the slots 140 should be balanced with the amount of desired
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`surface area of the outer edges 45 of the flange 44. One having ordinary skill in the art
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`should also consider the structural properties of the materials used to manufacture the
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`post 40, the flange 44, and other connector 100 components, such as the modulus of
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`elasticity of the material, ductility, yield strength, and the like, to determine the
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`dimensions (i.e. length, width, depth) and the number of slots 140 positioned on the post
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`40. Ostensibly, the slots 140 have a depth equal to the thickness of the post 40 (i.e. from
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`the inner surface of the post 40 to outer surface of the post 40). In other words, the slots
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`140 can be spaces where portions of the flange 44 and the post 40 have been removed,
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`extruded, cut, extracted, etc. Moreover, the number of slots 140 and the axial length of
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`the slots 140 should be optimized to provide the best balance of reliable interference, or
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`contact, with the nut 30. Other factors to consider may be achieving reduced drag, and
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`keeping down any costs associated with the manufacture, production, and operation of
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`the connector 100.
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`[0023]
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`In an alternative embodiment, the post 40 may include two slots 140,
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`positioned relatively near each other, creating a single flexible finger. The reduction of
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`slots 140 to include only two, generally narrow slots would increase the overall strength
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`of the component. However, the single flexible finger created by the two slots 140 may
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`still be resilient such that it radially expands inward due to interference with a nut 30,
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`constantly exerting a radially outward force against the nut 30. Those skilled in the art
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`should appreciate that the same effect may be achieved with more than two slots 140,
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`keeping to an overall low number of total slots 140.
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`[0024]
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`Referring still to FIG .1, slotting the post flange 44 makes it resilient in the
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`radial direction. For example, the flange 44 may flex, deflect, move, bend, etc., in a
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`radially outward direction and a radially inward direction. The slots 140 allow the flange
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`44 to radially compress (i.e. radially inward direction) from an initial position when
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`subjected to an external force, such as the inner surface 35 of the nut 30 (while operably
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`configured). One example of an initial position of the flange 44 may be a slightly
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`expanded position, wherein the attachment of the nut 30 to the post 40 may require or
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`result in a slight compression of the flange 44. Because the post flange 44 having a
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`plurality of slots 140 is resilient, flexible, capable of deflection, etc. in the radial
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`directions (e.g. radially inward and outward), the flange 44 may be biased into a position
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`of interference with the nut 30. For instance, the operable attachment of the nut 30 to the
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`post 40 may slightly compress the flange 44 from an expanded, initial position, or rest
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`position, in a radially inward direction via the contact being made between the outer edge
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`45 of the flange 44 and the inner surface 35 of the nut 30. Accordingly, the resilient
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`flange 44 may flex back, or "spring" back, exerting a constant outward radial force (i.e. a
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`biasing force, reactive force, etc.) against the inner surface 35 of the nut 30 to return to its
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`initial position of rest, prior to the slight compression. The constant outward radial force
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`exerted by the flange 44 against the inner surface 35 of the port coupling element 30
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`establishes and maintains electrical continuity between the post 40 and port coupling
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`element 30, regardless of their axial position. The deflection, or movement, of the flange
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`44 in a radially inward direction based on any compression from the port coupling
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`element 30 need not be significant or readily apparent; a slight deflection of the flange 44
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`in a radially inward direction is sufficient to prompt a constant radially outward force due
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`to the biasing relationship between the flange 44 and the inner surface 35 of the port
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`coupling element 30.
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`[0025]
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`In one embodiment of connector 100, the outer diameter of the flange 44
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`may be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the nut 30 proximate or otherwise near
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`the second end 32, which may require, or result in, a slight compression of the flange 44
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`when the nut 30 is attached to the post 40. While operably configured, the constant
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`biasing force of the outer edges 45 of the flange 44 against the inner surface 35 of the nut
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`30 can establish and maintain physical and electrical contact between the post 40 and the
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`nut 30, as depicted in FIG.2. The constant biasing force against the surface of the nut 30
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`helps establish and maintain physical and electrical continuity between the post 40 and
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`the nut 30 in installation situations where it may be undesirable to fully tighten the
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`connector 100 to a port, similar to interface port 20, for example, a consumer device
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`where there may be a concern of the port 20 fracturing or breaking. Additionally, the
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`constant biasing force of the slotted flange 44 helps establish and maintain physical and
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`electrical continuity in situations where a connector 100 is unintentionally not fully
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`tightened to a port 20. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that physical and
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`electrical continuity between the post 40 and the port coupling element 30 is desirable in
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`situations involving connector 100 other than those described herein.
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`[0026] With reference to FIGs.3, and continued reference to FIG.I, an another
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`embodiment of connector 100 includes a post 40 having a first end 41, a second end 42,
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`and a plurality of engagement fingers 145 proximate or otherwise near the second end 42.
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`Engagement fingers 145 can be portions of the post 40 proximate or otherwise near the
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`second end 42 that are separated, or spaced apart, by slots 140 running axially through
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`the flange 44 and a portion of the post 40 proximate or otherwise near the second end 42.
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`Engagement fingers 145 may also be resilient members, biasing members, fingers,
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`biasing fingers, post fingers, teeth, engagement teeth, post teeth, expanding members,
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`flexible members, and the like. The number of engagement fingers 145 depends on the
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`number of slots 140 positioned on the post 40. For example, if the post 40 has six slots
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`140 axially extending from the second end 42, six engagement fingers 145 would be
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`formed. Moreover, the engagement fingers 145 spaced apart by slots 140, or openings,
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`are resilient in the radial directions (e.g. radially inward and outward). In one non(cid:173)
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`limiting example, as the nut 30 is operably attached to the post 40, the engagement
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`fingers 145 may slightly compress radially inward to accommodate the attachment of the
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`nut 30. When the nut 30 is attached to the post 40 (i.e. while operably configured), the
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`resilient engagement fingers 145 should flex, expand, or "spring" back in a radially
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`outward direction, applying a constant radial contact force with the nut 30, in particular,
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`the inner surface 35 of the nut 30. The constant radial contact force applied by the
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`engagement fingers 145 against the inside surface of the nut 30 may establish and
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`maintain physical and electrical continuity between the post 40 and the nut 30. In many
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`embodiments, the outer edges 45 of the engagement fingers 145 contact the inner surface
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`35 of the nut 30. In another embodiment, the engagement fingers 145 are in a biasing
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`relationship with the port coupling element.
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`[0027]
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`Referring again to FIG.I, embodiments of a coaxial cable connector, such
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`as connector 100, may include a connector body 50. The connector body 50 may
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`comprise a first end 51 and opposing second end 52. Moreover, the connector body may
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`include a post mounting portion 57 proximate or otherwise near the first end 51 of the
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`PPC.6696-NY
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`16
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`body 50, the post mounting portion 57 configured to securely locate the body 50 relative
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`to a portion of the outer surface of post 40, so that the connector body 50 is axially
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`secured with respect to the post 40, in a manner that prevents the two components from
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`moving with respect to each other in a direction parallel to the axis of the connector 100.
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`In addition, the connector body 50 may include an outer annular recess 58 located
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`proximate or near the first end 51 of the connector body 50. Furthermore, the connector
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`body 50 may include a semi-rigid, yet compliant outer surface 55, wherein the outer
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`surface 55 may be configured to form an annular seal when the second end 52 is
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`deformably compressed against a received coaxial cable 10 by operation of a fastener
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`member 60. The connector body 50 may include an external annular detent 53 located
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`proximate or close to the second end 52 of the connector body 50. Further still, the
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`connector body 50 may include internal surface features, such as annular serrations
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`formed near or proximate the internal surface of the second end 52 of the connector body
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`50 and configured to enhance frictional restraint and gripping of an inserted and received
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`coaxial cable 10, through tooth-like interaction with the cable. The connector body 50
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`may be formed of materials such as plastics, polymers, bendable metals or composite
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`materials that facilitate a semi-rigid, yet compliant outer surface 55. Further, the
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`connector body 50 may be formed of conductive or non-conductive materials or a
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`combination thereof. Manufacture of the connector body 50 may include casting,
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`extruding, cutting, turning, drilling, knurling, injection molding, spraying, blow molding,
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`component overmolding, combinations thereof, or other fabrication methods that may
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`provide efficient production of the componen