Coaxial cable continuity connector

A coaxial connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an equipment appliance port or terminal is disclosed. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor is disclosed. The coaxial cable connector comprises a body, a coupler rotatably attached to the body, and a post secured to the body. The post has a structural feature. A grounding member is disposed between the post and the coupler in the structural feature. The grounding member establishes an electrical grounding path which may be maintained between coupler and post, including, when the coupler is not tightly fastened to a terminal and without restricting rotation of coupler relative to post.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates generally to coaxial cable connectors, and particularly to a coaxial cable connector having a continuity member.

2. Technical Background

Coaxial cable connectors, such as type F connectors, are used to attach coaxial cable to another object or appliance, e.g., a television set, DVD player, modem or other electronic communication device having a terminal adapted to engage the connector. The terminal of the appliance includes an inner conductor and a surrounding outer conductor.

Coaxial cable includes a center conductor for transmitting a signal. The center conductor is surrounded by a dielectric material, and the dielectric material is surrounded by an outer conductor. The outer conductor may be in the form of a conductive foil and/or braided sheath. The outer conductor is typically maintained at ground potential to shield the signal transmitted by the center conductor from stray noise, and to maintain a continuous, desired impedance over the signal path. The outer conductor is usually surrounded by a plastic cable jacket that electrically insulates, and mechanically protects, the outer conductor. Prior to installing a coaxial connector onto an end of the coaxial cable, the end of the coaxial cable is typically prepared by stripping off the end portion of the jacket to expose the end portion of the outer conductor. Similarly, it is common to strip off a portion of the dielectric to expose the end portion of the center conductor.

Coaxial cable connectors of the type known in the trade as “F connectors” often include a tubular post designed to slide over the dielectric material, and under the outer conductor of the coaxial cable, at the prepared end of the coaxial cable. If the outer conductor of the cable includes a braided sheath, then the exposed braided sheath is usually folded back over the cable jacket. The cable jacket and folded-back outer conductor extend generally around the outside of the tubular post and are typically received in an outer body of the connector. The outer body of the connector is often fixedly secured to the tubular post. A coupler is typically rotatably secured around the tubular post and includes an internally-threaded region for engaging external threads formed on the outer conductor of the appliance terminal. Alternatively or additionally, the coupler may friction fit, screw and/or latch on to the outer conductor of the appliance terminal.

When connecting the end of a coaxial cable to a terminal of a television set, equipment box, modem, computer or other appliance, it is important to achieve a reliable electrical connection between the outer conductor of the coaxial cable and the outer conductor of the appliance terminal. Typically, this goal is usually achieved by ensuring that the coupler of the connector is fully tightened over the connection port of the appliance. When fully tightened, the head of the tubular post of the connector directly engages the edge of the outer conductor of the appliance port, thereby making a direct electrical ground connection between the outer conductor of the appliance port and the tubular post. The tubular post is engaged with the outer conductor of the coaxial cable.

The increased use of self-install kits provided to home owners by some CATV system operators has resulted in customer complaints due to poor picture quality in video systems and/or poor data performance in computer/internet systems. Additionally, CATV system operators have found upstream data problems induced by entrance of unwanted RF signals into their systems. Complaints of this nature result in CATV system operators having to send a technician to address the issue. Often times it is reported by the technician that the cause of the problem is due to a loose F connector fitting, sometimes as a result of inadequate installation of the self-install kit by the homeowner. An improperly installed or loose connector may result in poor signal transfer because there are discontinuities along the electrical path between the devices, resulting in ingress of undesired radio frequency (“RF”) signals where RF energy from an external source or sources may enter the connector/cable arrangement causing a signal to noise ratio problem resulting in an unacceptable picture or data performance. Many of the current state of the art F connectors rely on intimate contact between the F male connector interface and the F female connector interface. If, for some reason, the connector interfaces are allowed to pull apart from each other, such as in the case of a loose F male coupler, an interface “gap” may result. If not otherwise protected this gap can be a point of RF ingress as previously described.

As mentioned above, the coupler is typically rotatably secured about the head of the tubular post. The head of the tubular post usually includes an enlarged shoulder, and the coupler typically includes an inwardly-directed flange for extending over and around the shoulder of the tubular post. In order not to interfere with free rotation of the coupler, manufacturers of such F-style connectors routinely make the outer diameter of the shoulder (at the head of the tubular post) of smaller dimension than the inner diameter of the central bore of the coupler. Likewise, manufacturers routinely make the inner diameter of the inwardly-directed flange of the coupler of larger dimension than the outer diameter of the non-shoulder portion of the tubular post, again to avoid interference with rotation of the coupler relative to the tubular post. In a loose connection system, wherein the coupler of the coaxial connector is not drawn tightly to the appliance port connector, an alternate ground path may fortuitously result from contact between the coupler and the tubular post, particularly if the coupler is not centered over, and axially aligned with, the tubular post. However, this alternate ground path is not stable, and can be disrupted as a result of vibrations, movement of the appliance, movement of the cable, or the like.

Alternatively, there are some cases in which such an alternate ground path is provided by fortuitous contact between the coupler and the outer body of the coaxial connector, provided that the outer body is formed from conductive material. This alternate ground path is similarly unstable, and may be interrupted by relative movement between the appliance and the cable, or by vibrations. Moreover, this alternate ground path does not exist at all if the outer body of the coaxial connector is constructed of non-conductive material. Such unstable ground paths can give rise to intermittent failures that are costly and time-consuming to diagnose.

SUMMARY OF THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment disclosed herein relates to a coaxial connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an equipment appliance port or terminal. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor. The coaxial cable connector comprises a body, a coupler rotatably attached to the body, and a post secured to the body. The post has a structural feature. A grounding member is disposed between the post and the coupler in the structural feature. The grounding member establishes an electrical grounding path which may be maintained between coupler and post, including, when the coupler is not tightly fastened to an appliance port.

Another embodiment disclosed herein relates to a coaxial cable connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an equipment appliance port or terminal. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor. The connector has a body, a coupler rotatably attached to the body with the coupler having a lip with a forward facing surface, and a post secured to the body. The post has a first end, a head, a neck, and a second end, and a structural feature. A grounding member having an arcuate shape is disposed in and retained by the structural feature between the post and the coupler. The grounding member is resilient and biased toward coupler and establishes an electrical grounding path between the post and the coupler such that the electrical grounding path is maintained between the post and the coupler when the coupler is not tightly fastened to an appliance port. The structural feature may be a groove in the post or formed by a tapered portion and a first radial face of the post.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the detailed description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understanding the nature and character of the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments are shown. Indeed, the concepts may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting herein. Whenever possible, like reference numbers will be used to refer to like components or parts.

Coaxial cable connectors are used to couple a prepared end of a coaxial cable to a threaded female equipment connection port of an appliance. The coaxial cable provides an electrical and mechanical connection between the conductor of the coaxial connector and the conductor of the female equipment connection terminal port, and establishes a ground path from an outer conductor of the coaxial cable to the terminal or equipment appliance port.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a coaxial connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable to an equipment appliance port or terminal. The coaxial cable has an inner conductor, a dielectric surrounding the inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the dielectric, and a jacket surrounding the outer conductor. The coaxial cable connector comprises a body, a coupler rotatably attached to the body, and a post secured to the body. The post has a structural feature. A grounding member is disposed between the post and the coupler in the structural feature. The grounding member establishes and maintains an electrical grounding path between coupler and post, including, when the coupler is not tightly fastened to a terminal or equipment appliance port.

For purposes of this description, the term “forward” will be used to refer to a direction toward the portion of the coaxial cable connector that attaches to a terminal, including an equipment appliance port. The term “rearward” will be used to refer to a direction that is toward the portion of the coaxial cable connector that receives the coaxial cable. The term “terminal” will be used to refer to any type of connection medium to which the coaxial cable connector may be coupled, as non-limiting examples, an equipment appliance port, any other type of connection port, or an intermediate termination device.

FIG. 1illustrates a coaxial cable connector100having a post102, a grounding member104, a coupler106, a front end116and a back end118. Coupler106has a first bore108. a second bore110, a lip132with a forward facing surface134and a rearward facing surface136. First bore108may have a threaded portion112, and second bore110may have a tapered transition portion114. Post102has first end120, head130, neck138and second end121with coupler106rotatably secured over end120of post102for attaching the connector100to an appliance (not shown). Barbs123located on post102proximate second end121facilitate attaching coaxial cable to connector100which is discussed in more detail with reference toFIG. 7. Head130has bottom surface142, forward facing surface144and a rearward facing surface146. Body122secures to post102and shell124movably secures to body122such that shell124may slide over body122. Gripping member140friction fits in shell124. O-ring137may be positioned between coupler106and body122to provide environmental protection for the coaxial cable connector100. Body122may be made of brass, plated with nickel. Shell124also may be made of brass, plated with nickel. Post102may be metallic, for example, brass, with a tin plating. Coupler106may be metallic, for example, brass, and plated with nickel or with another non-corrosive material.

InFIG. 1, coupler106is shown rotatably secured over end120of post102via a neck126of the body122. An electrical grounding path may be established and maintained between coupler106and post102, including, in particular, when the coupler106is not tightly fastened to the terminal using grounding member104, which is resilient and electrically-conductive. Grounding member104may be disposed between post102and coupler106in structural feature in post102, which is described in more detail with reference toFIG. 1A.

In this regard, as shown inFIG. 1A, structural feature in post102is shown as annular groove128in bottom surface142of head130of post102. Grounding member104is disposed about and retained by annular groove128in post102proximate tapered transition portion114and about head130of post102. Grounding member104is resilient and biased toward coupler106such that grounding member104contacts both post102and tapered transition portion114of coupler106. In this way, grounding member104establishes and maintains an electrically-conductive, stable ground path between coupler106and post102, including, in particular, when the coupler106is not tightly fastened to the terminal.

Referring also now toFIGS. 1B and 1C, details of grounding member104are shown. Grounding member104is shown as a spring member, or circlip, which may be constructed of a wire-type material. The spring action of the grounding member104serves to form a ground path from coupler106to tubular post102while allowing coupler106to rotate. Grounding member104is resilient and may be generally arcuately shaped, having first end152and second end154, and may extend around post102over an arc of at least 225 degrees. Further, grounding member104may extend for a full 360 degrees or more. Grounding member104may be in the form of a generally circular or generally non-circular broken ring, or C-shaped member, formed as by bending a strip of metal wire into an arc, or from a C-shaped metal clip. Additionally, grounding member104may be in the form of a partial helical shape such that first end152and second end154are offset. Grounding member104may be made of stainless steel wire having a wire diameter of between 0.010-inch and 0.020-inch, such as, about 0.016-inch. Grounding member104may be constructed of stainless steel, and, therefore, may not be plated for corrosion resistance.

FIG. 2illustrates a coaxial cable connector200. Wherever possible, the same numbers for the same components as used for coaxial cable connector100, will be used to describe coaxial cable connector200. Additionally, components with the same or similar function as in coaxial cable connector100may not be described again with respect to coaxial cable connector200. In at least one aspect, coaxial cable connector200differs from coaxial cable connector100in that coaxial cable connector200comprises coupler206not having a second bore110with a tapered transition portion114. Instead, coupler206comprises straight bore208. Coupler206is shown rotatably secured over end120of post102via a neck126of the body122. The electrical grounding path may be established by grounding member104, which is resilient and electrically-conductive. In this way, an electrical grounding path may be established and maintained between coupler206and post102, including, in particular, when the coupler206is not tightly fastened to the terminal. Grounding member104may be disposed between post102and coupler206in structural feature in post102, a detail of which is shown inFIG. 2A.

Referring now toFIG. 2A, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IA, structural feature in post102is an annular groove128. Grounding member104is disposed about and retained by annular groove128in post102proximate straight bore208and about head130of the post102, and may be a spring member, or circlip, as described with reference toFIGS. 1B and 1C. Grounding member104is resilient and biased toward coupler206, such that grounding member104contacts both post102and coupler206. In this way, grounding member104establishes and maintains an electrically-conductive, stable ground path between coupler206and post102, including, in particular, when the coupler206is not tightly fastened to the terminal.

FIG. 3illustrates coaxial cable connector300. Wherever possible, the same numbers for the same components as used for coaxial cable connector100, will be used to describe coaxial cable connector300. Additionally, components with the same or similar function as in coaxial cable connector100may not be described again with respect to coaxial cable connector300. Coaxial cable connector300includes coupler206, post302, and grounding member304, with coupler206having straight bore208. In at least one aspect, coaxial cable connector300differs from coaxial cable connector100in that rearward facing surface146of head130of post302has a structural feature such that grounding member304may be positioned between rearward facing surface146of head130and forward facing surface134of lip132, which is described in more detail with reference to FIG. IA.

In this regard, as shown inFIG. 3A, the structural feature is a circumferential groove328in the rearward facing surface146of head130of post302. Grounding member304has ring348which may position around and be press-fit to neck138of post302. The ring348fits into and is retained by the circumferential groove328such that ring348may be “sandwiched” between the post302and the coupler206to provide a bearing surface between the coupler206and the post302when the coupler206is fully tightened against a terminal. Annular beam350extends from ring348and contacts forward facing surface134of lip132and may be a resilient, spring-like extension from ring348. In this way, when coupler206is not fully tightened on a terminal, annular beam350of grounding member304maintains contact between post302and forward facing surface134of lip132of coupler206.

Referring now toFIG. 3B, there is shown a perspective view of grounding member304having ring348and resilient, spring-type extension350. Grounding member304is resilient and is generally arcuately shaped and may have first end352and second end354. Grounding member304may extend over an arc of at least 225 degrees, and may extend for 360 degrees. Ring348may have first edge356and second edge358with width360between first edge356and second edge360. Width360may be about 0.020 inches. Annular beam350may be pre-formed and cantilevered extending radially from ring348. Additionally, grounding member304may have a plurality of pre-formed cantilevered annular beams350. The annular beam350is flexible, resilient, arcuately shaped and extend at approximately a 10 degree angle from the plane of the ring348. Annular beam350may have an outer surface362, an inner surface364and a slot366therebetween. Joining segments368may join the outer surface362to the inner surface364and, thereby, to ring348. The ring348defines a central aperture370, which may be an open through space. Ring348may position about neck138of post102such that neck138fits into central aperture370. At least one of the plurality of annular beams350contacts forward facing surface134of lip132of coupler106. In this way, a ground path is may be established and maintained between post102and coupler106. Grounding member304may be made from a metallic material, including as a non-limiting example, phosphor bronze. Additionally or alternatively, grounding member304may be un-plated or may be plated with a conductive material, as non-limiting examples, tin, tin-nickel or the like. Further, grounding member104may be constructed of stainless steel, and, therefore, may not be plated for corrosion resistance.

FIG. 4illustrates coaxial cable connector400. Wherever possible, the same numbers for the same components as used for coaxial cable connector100, will be used to describe coaxial cable connector400. Additionally, components with the same or similar function as in coaxial cable connector100may not be described again with respect to coaxial cable connector400. In at least one aspect, coaxial cable connector400differs from coaxial cable connector100in that coaxial cable connector400comprises a post402having tapered portion472between a first radial face474and a second radial face476, grounding member104, and coupler206. Additionally, coupler206comprises straight bore208. Coupler206is shown rotatably secured over end120of post402via a neck126of the body122. Grounding member104may be disposed between post402and coupler206in structural feature in post402formed by tapered portion472and first radial face474, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 4A. The electrical grounding path is established by grounding member104, which is resilient and electrically-conductive. In this way, the electrical grounding path may be maintained between coupler206and post402, including, in particular, when the coupler206is not tightly fastened to the terminal.

In this regard, as shown inFIG. 4A, grounding member104is disposed about tapered portion472and first radial face474proximate forward facing surface134of lip132and straight bore208of coupler206, and is retained about the head430of the post402by tapered portion472and first radial face474. In this way, grounding member104contacts both tapered portion472, first radial face474, forward facing surface134and straight bore208providing for an electrically-conductive path between post402and coupler206without restricting rotation of the coupler206relative to post402. Grounding member104may be a spring member, or circlip, disposed between coupler206and post402. The spring action of the grounding member104serves to establish a ground path from coupler206to the tubular post402while allowing coupler206to rotate and establishes and maintains a ground path between the coupler206and the post402, as is described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 1B and 1C, above.

FIG. 5illustrates coaxial cable connector500. Wherever possible, the same numbers for the same components as used for coaxial cable connector100, will be used to describe coaxial cable connector500. Additionally, components with the same or similar function as in coaxial cable connector100may not be described again with respect to coaxial cable connector500. In at least one aspect, coaxial cable connector500differs from coaxial cable connector100in that coaxial cable connector500comprises grounding member504having an overlapping structure (more than 360 degrees) with a circular cross-section. Additionally, coupler206comprises a straight bore208. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member504disposed between post102and coupler206and without restricting rotation of coupler206relative to post102.

Referring now toFIG. 5A, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IA, structural feature in post102is an annular groove128. Grounding member504may be disposed about and retained by annular groove128in post102proximate straight bore208and about head130of the post102. In this way, grounding member504may be retained about the head130of the post102by annular groove128in the post102. Annular groove128in post102as shown inFIG. 5Ais “deeper” than annular groove128shown in FIG. IA. This is to accommodate the overlapping structure of grounding member504. In this manner, grounding member504may contact a larger portion of the vertical walls of annular groove128in post102as compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IA. Grounding member504may be a spring member, or circlip, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 5Band may be resilient and biased toward coupler206, such that grounding member504contacts both post102and coupler206at straight bore208. The spring action of the grounding member504serves to form a ground path from the coupler206to post102while allowing the coupler206to rotate. In this way, grounding member504establishes an electrically-conductive, stable ground path between coupler206and post102without restricting rotation of coupler206relative to post102.

In this regard, as shown inFIG. 5B, grounding member504may be a spring member, or circlip, having an overlapping structure (more than 360 degrees) with a circular cross-section. Grounding member504may be resilient and is generally arcuately shaped extending over an arc of at least 360 degrees and may have first end552and second end554. Grounding member504may be constructed of a wire-type material and arcuately shaped in the form of a generally circular or non-circular broken ring, by bending a strip of metal wire into an arc. Grounding member504may be made of stainless steel wire that has a wire diameter of between 0.010-inch and 0.020-inch, such as a diameter of about 0.016-inch. Stainless steel may be used and, therefore, grounding member504may not be plated for corrosion resistance.

FIG. 6illustrates coaxial cable connector600. Wherever possible, the same numbers for the same components as used for coaxial cable connector100, will be used to describe coaxial cable connector600. Additionally, components with the same or similar function as in coaxial cable connector100may not be described again with respect to coaxial cable connector600. In at least one aspect, coaxial cable connector600differs from coaxial cable connector100in that coaxial cable coaxial cable connector600comprises grounding member604having a flat generally circular structure. Additionally, coaxial cable connector600comprises coupler206having a straight bore208. The electrical grounding path is provided by a resilient, electrically-conductive grounding member604disposed between post102and coupler206.

Referring now toFIG. 6A, similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IA, structural feature in post102is an annular groove128. Grounding member604is disposed about and retained by annular groove128in post102proximate straight bore208and about head130of the post102. Annular groove128in post102as shown inFIG. 6Amay be deeper than annular groove128shown inFIG. 1Ato accommodate the overlapping structure of grounding member604. In this way, grounding member604may contact a larger portion of the vertical walls of annular groove128in post102as compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. IA. Grounding member604may be a flat, circular structure having a spring action, as described in more detail with reference toFIG. 6Band may be resilient and biased toward coupler206, thereby contacting both post102and coupler206at straight bore208. In this way, grounding member604may establish and maintain an electrically-conductive, stable ground path between coupler206and post102, including, in particular, when the coupler206is not tightly fastened to the terminal and without restricting rotation of coupler206relative to post102.

As shown inFIG. 6B, grounding member604has a flat, generally arcuate structure with first end652and second end654, which may overlap. In other words, grounding member604may extend over an arc of at least 360 degrees or more. Grounding member604may have first edge656, second edge658with width660therebetween. Width660may be about 0.035 inches. The arcuately shaped grounding member604may be in the form of a generally arcuate flat ring that may or may not be generally circular. Grounding member604may be made of stainless steel material that has a thickness of between 0.005-inch and 0.020-inch and, preferably, about 0.005-inch. Stainless steel may be used and grounding member604may not be plated for corrosion resistance.

FIG. 7is a cross-sectional view of coaxial cable connector100having a prepared coaxial cable1000inserted therein and attached to terminal2000. Coaxial cable1000has a center conductor1002that is surrounded by a dielectric layer1004. Dielectric layer (or dielectric)1004may also have a foil or other metallic covering1006. Coaxial cable1000has a braided outer conductor1008which is covered and protected by a jacket1010. Typically, to prepare coaxial cable100for attachment to connector100, a portion of the center conductor1002is exposed. Jacket1010is trimmed back so that a portion of dielectric1004(and metallic covering1006) and braided outer conductor1008are exposed. Braided outer conductor1008is then folded back over jacket1010to expose dielectric1004(and the metallic covering1006if present).

Coaxial cable1000inserts through second end118of body122. In this way, body122and post102receive the coaxial cable1000. Post102at back end121is inserted between outer conductor1008and dielectric layer1004. Shell124is advanced toward coupler106forcing gripping member140between body122and jacket1010, securing coaxial cable1000in coaxial cable connector100. Additionally, post102, and particularly barbs123, establish contact with outer conductor1008providing for mechanical and electrical continuity between outer conductor1008and post102, and, thereby, coaxial cable connector100. In this way, electrical continuity, and accordingly a ground path and RFI shield, may be established and maintained from outer conductor1008of coaxial cable1000through post102, body122, grounding member104, and coupler106to terminal2000. It should be understood, that althoughFIG. 7illustrates coaxial cable connector100with coaxial cable1000inserted therein and attached to terminal2000, all coaxial cable connectors as set out herein, and modifications thereof, may be substituted for coaxial cable connector100in the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 7.

Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the description and claims are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

It is intended that the embodiments cover the modifications and variations of the embodiments provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.