Abstract:
A grounding bracket for use with cable connectors, such as an F81 barrel connector, generally including a conductive body having a first major surface, a connector receiving area defined in the first major surface and adapted to receive the cable connector therein, and a latch member movably connected to the first major surface and positioned in communication with the connector receiving area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to grounding brackets, and more particularly to grounding brackets used in association with connectors for audio-visual signal carrying cables, such as coaxial cable barrel connectors. 
   Coaxial cable barrel connectors, such as F81 type barrel connectors, are used to link coaxial cables together within satellite, antenna, and cable television systems. Often, little thought is given to the F-81 barrel connector. However, satellite systems in particular, use high frequency signals, and the connectors must therefore have high frequency performance. As satellite services increase offerings, so too does the bandwidth of the satellite system to transport these services. As bandwidth is increased, higher frequencies are employed to transport additional video channels and this challenges the integrity of the F-81 connector. 
   Inconsistencies from connectors and components within the cable path reduce the quality of the satellite signal at the satellite receiver. In an ideal situation in a satellite communication, for instance, a cable would simply connect the satellite receiver to the satellite antenna. In reality, however, cable splices, wall plates and, grounding brackets/blocks exist between components in the satellite antenna system. Every splice positioned in the cable path adds a potential inconsistency to the cable link. As the inconsistencies increase, the satellite signal within the cable becomes distorted. Signal distortion increases until the satellite receiver fails to receive certain satellite channels—often first evident with the weaker satellite transponder signals. Therefore it is important to use an F-81 connector and associated components that imposes the smallest negative effect in the cable path. 
   Grounding brackets or blocks ensure a proper ground path between the drop cable and a ground wire. If there is corrosion of the bracket material or a gap in the connection between the cable connector and the bracket, improper grounding can result, degrading the quality of the signal being transported through the cables. Conventional grounding brackets/blocks include a barrel connector integral with the bracket (typically die cast), or a separate barrel connector and bracket that are permanently affixed to one another by a press fit. 
   With integral barrel blocks, inconvenience and/or unnecessary cost are incurred when a system encounters a variety of installation types with different numbers of lines, as with satellite television. Some subscribers choose service with only one receiver on the dish, while others get service with as many as four receivers, each with a line that must be grounded, while still others have two-line service. Ideally, the system would stock only one type of ground block, but installing a four-line block at sites which only require one or two is costly, and installing four single line blocks is a nuisance. 
   It is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a grounding bracket for use with signal carrying cable connectors that provide a secure and reliable ground connection for the cable connectors. 
   It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a grounding bracket that can accommodate a plurality of signal carrying cable connectors. 
   It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a grounding bracket that provides reliable engagement between the cable connector and the bracket. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a grounding bracket for use with cable connectors, such as an F81 barrel connector. The bracket generally comprises a conductive body comprising a first major surface, a connector receiving area defined in the first major surface and adapted to receive the cable connector therein, and a latch member movably connected to the first major surface and positioned in communication with the connector receiving area. The bracket further comprises a spring member connected in biased relation to the first major surface and in communication with said connector receiving area. The latch member effectively prohibits rotation of the connector once mounted in the block, while further serving to limit the lateral movement of the connector. The spring member assists in maintaining a solid ground connection between the bracket and the connector. 
   In an alternate aspect of the present invention, a grounding bracket is provided for use with cable connectors and the bracket generally comprises a conductive body comprising a first major surface, at least two connector receiving areas each defined in the first major surface and each adapted to respectively receive a cable connector therein, and at least two latch members each movably connected to the first major surface and each positioned in communication with a respective one of the at least two connector receiving areas. The bracket further comprises at least two spring members each connected in biased relation to the first major surface and each positioned in communication with a respective one of the at least two connector receiving areas. The at least two connector receiving areas defined in the first major surface may extend from a common edge of the first major surface, or from opposing major surfaces. Furthermore, the axes along which the receiving areas extend may be in parallel relation to one another (when extending from a common edge), co-axial with one another (when extending from opposing edges), or offset from one another. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will be more fully appreciated and understood by reading the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a cable connector shown seated within the bracket; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention without a cable connector shown in relation to the bracket; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the present invention within the encircled portion of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention&#39; 
       FIG. 4   a  is a cross-section view taken along section line  4   a - 4   a  of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of to present invention with portions of the cable connector and cable receiving area shown in cross-section; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, there is seen in  FIG. 1  a grounding bracket designated generally by reference numeral  10  comprising a first major surface  12  and a second major surface  14  that extends normally (or at any desired angle) from first major surface  12 . A clip  16  integrally extends from one edge of second major surface  14  and includes an aperture  18  formed therethrough to which a conventional grounding wire (not shown) may be anchored. Apertures  20  and  22  are also formed through major surface  14  to provide mounting holes through which a bolt or other fastener may be passed for purposes of securing bracket  10  in position. 
   A cable connector receiving area  24  is formed in first major surface  12 , and comprises an essentially U-shaped groove  26  that extends inwardly from one edge of first major surface  12 . Cable connector receiving area  24  is adapted to securely receive a cable connector  28 , such as an F81 barrel connector, therein. Bracket  10  includes two features which each increase the reliability and effectiveness of its grounding function: a latch (or locking tab)  30  and a spring contact  32  which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. 
   Bracket  10  comprises a latch (or locking tab)  30  that extends in cantilevered fashion downwardly from one edge of major surface  12  into the space defined by connector receiving area  24 . In the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings, latch  30  is fixed on only one edge to first major surface  12  and consists of a resilient strip of material, preferably stainless steel due to its resiliency and high corrosion resistant properties (although other metals could certainly be used as well), that extends angularly out of the plane of first major surface  12 . When a predetermined force (such as caused by a user&#39;s finger pushing on the free end of latch) is applied to latch  30 , it will bias to an essentially co-planar position relative to first major surface  12 , and when the force is released, it will return to its natural out of plane orientation. This structural orientation of latch  30  provides a locking function with respect to a connector  28  mounted to bracket  10 , as will be further described hereinafter. 
   Bracket  10  further comprises a spring contact  32  that is attached to and biased with respect to first major surface  12  and extends into the space defined by connector receiving area  24 . Spring contact  32  comprises a strip of conductive material, preferably stainless steel for the same reasons provided with respect to latch  30 , that is fixed to first major surface  12  at least at one of its ends (the preferred structure as illustrated in the drawings shows both of its ends being fixed to first major surface  12 , but it is certainly conceivable that only one end be fixed). In the preferred embodiment, spring contact  30  is naturally biased out of the plane in which first major surface  12  extends. With the application of a properly directed force, spring contact  32  will move into an essentially co-planar relation with first major surface  12 , and will naturally bias towards its out of plane orientation when the force is released. This structural orientation of spring contact  32  provides the function of ensuring strong contact between connector  28  and bracket  10  (and thereby maximize the potential for proper grounding of connector  28 ), as will be explained in further detail hereinafter. 
   In alternate embodiments of bracket  10  seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , two connector receiving areas  24 ,  24 ′ are provided. As the only difference between the primary embodiment and the alternate embodiments is the number and location of the connector receiving areas  24 ,  24 ′ the reference numerals used with the primary embodiment are used to refer to the same parts in the alternate embodiments (with a prime (&#39;) symbol designating duplicates of a common part). In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , the two connector receiving areas  24 ,  24 ′ both extend inwardly from a common edge of first major surface  12 , whereas in a third alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the two connector receiving areas  24 ,  24 ′ extend inwardly from two different edges (opposing edges in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 ), of first major surface  12 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 6 , latch members  30 ,  30 ′ and spring members  32 ,  32 ′ each extend along a respective longitudinal axis with each in spaced, parallel relation to the others. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , latch members  30 ,  30 ′ extend along a common longitudinal axis, and spring members  32 ,  32 ′ also extend along a common longitudinal axis. It should be understood, that bracket  10  can be modified to include as many connector receiving areas  24  in a single bracket as is desired, with the orientation of the bracket receiving areas being arranged in any desired configuration. 
   Bracket  10  is used effectively with a barrel connector  28  formed with two longitudinally spaced apart hex heads (or other shaped heads)  34 ,  36  that define a gap  38  therebetween. Gap  38  preferably includes opposing flat sections  40 ,  42  formed thereon. Connector  28  includes the conventional two female ends in which co-axial cable may be operatively inserted and fastened using the threaded connections provided thereon, but its mid-section comprises the two hex-heads  34 ,  36  which are adapted to straddle first major surface  12  with gap  38  being co-planar therewith. In other words, in attaching connector  28  to bracket  10 , gap  38  is slid into connector receiving area  24 ,  24 ′ with flats  40 ,  42  (see  FIG. 4   a ) being slid along the side edges of the receiving area to prevent rotation of connector  28  while engaged with receiving area  24 , and with hex-heads  34 ,  36  positioned on opposing sides of first major surface  12 . In sliding connector  28  down into receiving area  24 , latch  30  and spring contact  32  are both biased into essentially co-planar orientations relative to first major surface  12 , and within gap  38 , thereby providing the clearance for connector  28  to be fully seated within receiving area  24 . When fully seated within receiving area  24 , latch  30  will naturally bias out of the plane of first major surface  12  and into interfering relation with one of hex-heads  34 ,  36 , and spring contact  30  will flex outwardly into contacting relation with the inwardly facing surface of one of hex-heads  34 ,  36  which, in turn, forces the other of hex-heads  34 ,  36  into contacting relation with the exterior facing surface of first major surface  12 . While latch  30  effectively prevents inadvertent dislodgement of connector  28  away from bracket  10  by interfering with the lateral movement of the connector, spring contact  32  effectively maintains contact (and hence proper grounding) of connector  28  with bracket  10  by maintaining a constant bias that pushes hex head  34  or  36  into engagement with body  12 . Latch  30  further assists in preventing rotation of connector  28  while seated in receiving area  24 , thereby preventing the cables being spliced by connector  28  from becoming inadvertently loosened or otherwise disconnected through the rotation of the connector. 
   While the present invention has been described in relation to its embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention&#39;s full scope and spirit are not limited thereby but rather are defined by the appended claims.