Patent Publication Number: US-11043760-B2

Title: Push-on coaxial connector

Description:
PRIORITY AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
     This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/643,345 filed Jul. 6, 2017 which is a continuation U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/722,103 filed May 26, 2015 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,705,211 which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/035,872 filed Sep. 24, 2013 now U.S. Pat. No. 9,039,445 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/527,521 filed Jul. 10, 2012 and Ser. No. 13/374,378 filed Dec. 27, 2011 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,541, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and for all purposes. 
    
    
     This application incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,896 B1 which issued from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/380,327 filed Feb. 26, 2009. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Coaxial cable connectors are well-known in various applications including those of the satellite and cable television industry. Coaxial cable connectors including F-Type connectors used in consumer applications such as cable and satellite cable connectors are a source of service calls when service is interrupted by faulty and/or intermittent coaxial cable connections such as ones involving a junction between a male F-type connector terminating a coaxial cable and a female F-type port located on related equipment. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the electromechanical arts. In particular, the invention provides an electrical connector suitable for terminating a coaxial cable having a center conductor and a shield or ground conductor surrounding the center conductor. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
       FIG. 1  shows a prior art male F-type coaxial cable connector  100 . The connector includes a nut  102  with an annular flange  109  that rotatably engages a metal post  106 . The annular nut flange is positioned between a post flange  107  and a plastic body  104  affixed to the post. 
     The connector is for terminating a plastic jacketed coaxial cable having a central electrical conductor separated from a shield conductor such as a wire braid by a dielectric material. During installation, the post  106  is inserted between the dielectric material and the jacket, typically beneath a braid shield. 
     In this prior art connector, a connector rear shell  108  is for sliding over the body and fixing a coaxial cable (not shown) in a body cavity  111  via a ring member  113  carried by the rear shell. Cable/connector fixation occurs when the rear shell forces the ring member to wedge between the body and a coaxial cable inserted in the body. 
     As shown, the male F-type connector is for engaging a mating port  101 . Engagement, such that signal and ground electrical circuits incorporating respective center and shield conductors are continued from the male F-type connector to the mating port, is intended. Skilled artisans will appreciate that in this connector a continuous ground circuit is established when the flange  107  of the metal post  106  comes into contact with an end of the mating port&#39;s metal case  103 . Notably, such connectors lack the ground path continuity enhancements of the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides coaxial cable connectors such as a male F-type coaxial cable connector. Embodiments described herein include various features for improving electrical continuity. 
     A male F-type coaxial cable connector includes a nut, a body, a post, and a spacer. 
     In an embodiment, a male F-type coaxial cable connector comprises: a coaxially arranged nut, body, and post; the nut rotatably coupled with the body via the post; a forward spacer interposed between a post flange and a nut flange; the forward spacer bearing on the post flange and on the nut flange; a rearward spacer interposed between a body front face and the nut flange; and, the rearward spacer bearing on the body front face and on the nut flange. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures. These figures, incorporated herein and forming part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is prior art male F-type coaxial cable connector. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  shows a circuit table. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a force diagram. 
         FIG. 4A  is an enlarged exploded view of portions of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIGS. 4B-C  are enlarged exploded views of an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5A-G  are spacer cross sections. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged exploded view of portions of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIGS. 8A-H  are partial body cross-sections. 
         FIG. 9  is a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The disclosure provided in the following pages describes examples of some embodiments of the invention. The designs, figures, and descriptions are non-limiting examples of certain embodiments of the invention. For example, other embodiments of the disclosed device may or may not include the features described herein. Moreover, disclosed advantages and benefits may apply to only certain embodiments of the invention and should not be used to limit the disclosed inventions. 
     As used herein, coupled means directly or indirectly connected by a suitable means known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Coupled items may include interposed features such as, for example, A is coupled to C via B. Unless otherwise stated, the type of coupling, whether it be mechanical, electrical, fluid, optical, radiation, or other, is provided by the context in which the term is used. 
       FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment of the present invention  200 A. A male F-type coaxial cable connector  203  is shown adjacent to a prepared end of a coaxial cable  255 . 
     Connector  203  parts include a nut or similar coupling  202  retained by a flange  207  of a hollow post  206  and a body  204  fixed to the post. An annular coupling or nut flange  270  encircles the post and lies between the post flange and the body. The annular coupling flange provides for rotation of the coupling with respect to the post. 
     The nut is made from an electrically conductive material and/or includes an electrically conductive material, for example in a composite structure or coated structure. And, as explained in connection with  FIGS. 8A-H  below, the body  204  includes an electrical body circuit borne by a non-electrically conducting substrate such as a plastic body substrate. 
     The connector  203  provides a means for terminating a jacketed  217  coaxial cable  255  having a central electrical conductor  219  separated from a conductive shield by a dielectric material  213 . In various embodiments, the conductive shield abuts the cable jacket and is formed from braided wire  215 . While some coaxial cables may have one or more foil layers beneath a braided wire shield, no foil layers are shown in  FIG. 2A  and references to “shield” herein, unless otherwise stated, refer to a wire braid shield  215 . During installation, the post  206  is inserted between the dielectric material and the shield. 
     A coaxial cable terminated with the connector  203  provides a means for mechanically and electrically engaging a mating port  201 . As with the prior art connector, this connector provides for continuation of signal and ground electrical circuits to the mating port when the devices are engaged. 
     However, unlike the prior art connector, the connector  203  of  FIG. 2A  does not rely on electrical contact between the post flange  207  and an end  272  of the mating connector&#39;s metal case  274 . Rather, as explained below, the connector includes a body circuit. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a table  200 B describing two circuits between a coaxial cable shield conductor and a mating port conductor such as a mating port&#39;s grounded case  274 . The circuits are a “body to post” circuit and an “ex post circuit.” As explained below, the “body to post” circuit refers to a circuit utilizing an electrically conductive post while the “ex post circuit” refers to a circuit that does not utilize an electrically conductive post. 
     In the body to post circuit  225 , the coaxial cable shield  215  contacts an electrically conductive post such as a metal post  206 . The body circuit borne by the non-conductive body interconnects the conductive post and conductive nut via an interconnect such as a body to nut contactor  205 . The electrically conductive nut  202  extends the circuit to the grounded case  274  of the mating port  201 . Notably, the nut  202  and the port  201  need only be in mechanical contact to establish a circuit between the shield  215  and the port case ground  274 . There is no requirement for the nut to be snugly and/or tightly engaged with the port  201  or for the post flange  207  to contact the port end  272 . 
     In the ex post circuit  235 , the post  206  is not included in the circuit. In particular, the coaxial cable shield  215  contacts the body circuit borne by the non-conductive body at one or more locations such as at a body inside wall  276  and/or a body inside end  278 . The plastic body&#39;s body circuit interconnects with the conductive nut via a body to nut contactor  205 . The electrically conductive nut  202  extends the circuit to the grounded case  274  of the mating port  201 . Notably, the nut  202  and the port  201  need only be in mechanical contact to establish a circuit between the shield  215  and the port case ground. There is no requirement for the nut to be snugly and/or tightly engaged with the mating port or for the post flange  207  to contact the port end  272 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows an embodiment of the invention with a post spacer  313  that electrically insulates and a nut contactor in the form of a body spacer  315  that electrically conducts  300 A. In various embodiments the post spacer functions include one or more of electrically insulating the post  306  from the nut  302 , sealing between the nut annular flange  370  and the post flange  307 , and biasing the nut. In various embodiments, body spacer functions include one or more of electrically conducting between the body and the nut, sealing between the body and the nut, and biasing the nut. 
     Connector parts include a nut or similar coupling  302  retained by a flange  307  of a hollow post  306  and a body  304  fixed to the post via a body neck  305 . An annular coupling flange  370  encircles the post and lies between the post flange and the body. The annular coupling flange provides for rotation of the coupling with respect to the post. 
     The nut  302  is made from an electrically conductive material and/or includes an electrically conductive material, for example an electrically conductive composite or coating. And, as further explained in connection with  FIGS. 8A-H  below, the body  304  includes an electrical body circuit borne by a plastic body substrate. 
     As discussed above, the connector  300 A provides a means for terminating a coaxial cable such as a jacketed  217  coaxial cable  255  having a central electrical conductor  219  separated from a shield conductor  215  by a dielectric material  213 . During installation, the post  306  is inserted between the dielectric material and the shield as described above. 
     A coaxial cable terminated with the connector  300 A provides a means for mechanically and electrically engaging a mating port  201 . As in  FIGS. 2A , B above, one or both of the “body to post” circuit and the “ex post circuit” provide an electrical interconnection between the shield conductor  215  of a terminated coaxial cable and a ground connection of a mated port such as a port case ground  274 . 
     As shown, the connector  300 A includes a body to nut contactor in the form of a conducting body spacer  315  that contacts and is between a body front face  328  and a nut trailing face  325  (second opposed surfaces,  325 ,  328 ). In various embodiments, conducting body spacer materials include any suitable electrically conducting materials and constructs such as constructs made from one or more of elastomers and plastics rendered electrically conductive through the use of conductive coatings and/or conductive materials included or suspended therein. See also selected plastics that are suited to application of electrically conductive materials and coatings discussed below. 
     The connector also includes an insulating post spacer  313  that contacts and is between a post flange rear face  321  and a nut flange front face  324  (first opposed surfaces,  321 ,  324 ). In various embodiments, the post spacer includes one or more suitable electrical insulating materials such as non-electrically conducting plastics. 
     In some embodiments, the insulating post spacer  313  is also an environmental seat And, in some embodiments, the spacers  313 ,  315  are resilient members which are deformable such that the spacers substantially recover an original uncompressed shape when deforming forces are removed. As skilled artisans will understand, resilient spacers are operable to exert opposed forces on the nut flange  370  such that movement of the nut flange tends to be followed by the contracting or expanding spacers. 
     See for example  FIG. 3B  showing the nut flange  370  acted on by opposed forces  300 B. Here, opposed post spacer force F 1 A and body spacer force F 1 B are shown acting on the nut flange. 
     In various embodiments, changes in post spacer axial dimension d1 match changes in the gap between the post flange rear face  321  and the nut flange forward face  324  such that the post spacer remains in contact with the opposed faces. Similarly, changes in body spacer axial dimension d2 match changes in the gap between the nut flange rear face  325  and the body front face  328  such that the body spacer remains in contact with the opposed faces. For example, in various embodiments the sum d1 plus d2 equals a constant. 
       FIG. 4A  shows an enlarged and partially exploded view of the spacers in situ  400 A. This view facilitates identification of the connector parts by separating them for illustrative purposes. Hence, the spacers  313 ,  315  are not shown in contact with adjacent surfaces. 
     As mentioned above, the post spacer  313  exerts a force F 1 A on the nut flange  370  forward face  323  and the body spacer  315  exerts a force F 1 B on the nut flange rear face  325 . In various embodiments, a force F 11 A that is opposite and substantially equal to F 1 A is exerted by the post spacer on the post flange rear face  321 . The forces F 1 A and F 11 A are applied by respective generally opposed post spacer faces  322 ,  323 . And, in various embodiments, a force F 11 B that is opposite and substantially equal to F 1 B is exerted by the body spacer on the body front face  328 . The forces F 1 B and F 11 B are applied by respective generally opposed body spacer faces  326 ,  327 . 
       FIGS. 4B-C  show embodiments  400 B,  400 C of a coaxial connector having a post spacer/seal  413  that provides a first compliant environmental seal. Environmental sealing includes any of sealing against ingress of water and other contaminants. In some embodiments a similar body spacer/seal  415  provides a second environmental seal. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a nut  402  in a position P 4 A, a post seal  413  is compressed. Here, the post seal is squeezed between a front face  424  of a nut flange  441  and a rear face  421  of a post flange  407 . As shown, the squeezed post seal deforms to fill a first void  435  between the nut and post flange and a second void  433  between the nut flange and a post mandrel  443 . When the post seal is squeezed in position P 4 A, a body seal  415  is allowed to expand but remains in contact with a nut flange rear face  425  and a body  404  front face  428 . 
       FIG. 4C  shows nut  402  in position P 41 A where the body seal  415  is compressed. Here, the body seal is squeezed between a nut flange rear face  425  and the body front face  428 . As shown, the squeezed body seal deforms radially outward into a third void  431  between nut flange rear face and body front face. The body seal also deforms into a fourth void  437  between the nut flange and post mandrel  443 . In position P 41 A the post seal  413  is allowed to expand but remains in contact with a post flange rear face  421  and the nut flange front face  424 . 
     As skilled artisans will appreciate, position P 4 A will result when advancing the nut  402  on a mating port  201  brings the post flange  407  into contact with the port end  272  such that the post seal  413  is squeezed between the nut and the post flange. In similar fashion, position P 41 A will result when backing the nut off of the mating port allows the post seal to expand while the body seal  415  is compressed as the post flange tends to return to an equilibrium position. 
     Suitable materials for the post spacer include non-conductive resilient elastomers and plastics. Depending upon factors such as spacer shape, environment of use, freedom of nut rotation, sealing capability, compressibility, and durability, suitable materials can be selected. For example, suitable materials will typically include natural and synthetic rubbers, saturated and unsaturated rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, silicone, fluorosilicone, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), polyurethane, poly vinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), low density polyethylene (LDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and similar materials. 
       FIGS. 5A-G  show various cross sections of annular spacers  500 A-G. With an appropriate selection of materials, these spacer cross-sections provide alternative designs for both the post spacer  313  and the body spacer  315 . 
     The rectangle like cross-section  500 A of  FIG. 5A  provides opposed surfaces  501 ,  502  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The square like cross-section  500 B of  FIG. 5B  provides opposed surfaces  511 ,  512  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The parallelogram like cross-section  500 C of  FIG. 5C  provides opposed surfaces  521 ,  522  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The trapezoid like cross-section  500 D of  FIG. 5D  provides opposed surfaces  531 ,  532  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The superposed rectangle and truncated triangle (6-sided) like cross-section  500 E of  FIG. 5E  provides opposed surfaces  541 ,  542  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The circular cross-section  500 F of  FIG. 5F  provides opposed arc-like surfaces  551 ,  552  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . 
     The composite rectangle like cross-section  500 G of  FIG. 5G  provides opposed surfaces  567 ,  569  for engaging respective first opposed surfaces  321 ,  324  and/or second opposed surfaces  325 ,  328 . As shown, this spacer provides a composite or “sandwiched” structure having outer layers  562 ,  564  presenting respective outer surfaces  567 ,  569  and a central layer  563  between the outer layers. Such structures provide means to independently adjust features such as compressibility, resiliency and surface friction. For example, a post spacer  313  design using a multi-layer structure like that of  FIG. 5G  might employ a central rubber layer and outer layers made of an ABS or PVC type plastic. Such a structure can offer a relatively more compressible center between relatively lower surface friction outer layers. 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the invention with a post spacer that electrically insulates and a nut contactor in the form of a deformable body part that conducts electricity  600 . In various embodiments the post spacer functions  313  include one or more of electrically insulating the post  306  from the nut  302 , sealing between the nut annular flange  370  and the post flange  307 , and biasing the nut. In various embodiments, the deformable body part  605  functions include one or more of electrically conducting between the body and the nut, sealing between the body and the nut, and biasing the nut. 
     Connector parts include a nut or similar coupling  302  retained by a flange  307  of a hollow post  306  and a body  604  fixed to the post. An annular coupling flange  370  encircles the post and lies between the post flange and the body. The annular coupling flange provides for rotation of the coupling with respect to the post. 
     The nut  302  is made from an electrically conductive material and/or includes an electrically conductive material, for example an electrically conductive composite or coating. And, as further explained in connection with  FIGS. 8A-H  below, the body  604  includes a body electrical circuit borne by a body plastic substrate. 
     As discussed above, the connector  600  provides a means for terminating a coaxial cable such as a jacketed  217  coaxial cable  255  having a central electrical conductor  219  separated from a shield conductor  215  by a dielectric material  213 . During installation, the post  306  is inserted between the dielectric material and the shield. 
     A coaxial cable terminated with the connector  600  provides a means for mechanically and electrically engaging a mating port  201 . As explained in connection with  FIGS. 2A , B above, one or both of the “body to post” circuit and the “ex post circuit” provide an electrical interconnection between the braid of a terminated coaxial cable shield  215  and a grounded case of a mated port  274  via a body to nut contactor  205 . 
     As shown, the connector  600  includes a body to nut contactor in the form of a deformable body part  605  with a front portion  606 . The portion of the deformable body part such as the front face contacts the nut at a location such as the nut flange back face  325 . 
     In various embodiments, the deformable body part  605  is resilient. And, in various embodiments, the deformable body part includes a portion of the body plastic substrate and a portion of the body circuit. See  FIGS. 8A-H  and the related description below including body circuit descriptions. 
     The connector also includes an insulating post spacer  313  that contacts and is between a post flange rear face  321  and a nut flange front face  324  (first opposed surfaces,  321 ,  324 ). In various embodiments, insulating post spacer materials include any suitable electrically insulating material such as non-electrically conducting plastics. 
     In various embodiments, the spacer  313  is a resilient member that is deformable such that the spacer substantially recovers an original uncompressed shape when deforming forces are removed. As skilled artisans will understand, a resilient spacer is operable to exert opposed forces on the nut flange  370  such that movement of the nut flange tends to be followed by the contracting or expanding spacer. So too does the deformable body part  605  tend to follow movement of the nut flange. 
     In various embodiments, changes in post spacer axial dimension d3 match changes in the gap between the post flange rear face  321  and the nut flange forward face  324  such that the post spacer remains in contact with the opposed faces. Similarly, changes in deformable body part dimension d4 match changes in the gap between the nut flange rear face  325  and a body reference line  607  adjacent to the deformable body part  605  such that the body remains in contact with the nut. 
       FIG. 7  shows an enlarged and partially exploded view of the spacer and deformable body part in situ  700 . This view facilitates identification of the connector parts by separating them for illustrative purposes. Hence, the spacer  313  and the deformable body part  605  are not shown in contact with adjacent surfaces. 
     As shown, the post spacer  313  exerts a force F 1 A on the nut flange  370  and the deformable body part exerts a force F 1 B on the nut flange. In various embodiments, a force F 11 A that is opposite and substantially equal to F 1 A is exerted by the post spacer on the flange back face  321 . The forces F 1 A and F 11 A are applied by respective generally opposed post spacer faces  322 ,  323 . Materials suited to the post spacer  313  are described above. Materials suited to the deformable body part are further described below. 
       FIGS. 8A-H  are partial body cross-sections  800 A-H. These cross-sections show illustrative embodiments of a body  604  including a non-electrically conducting substrate  890  and a body circuit borne by the substrate. A deformable body part  605  at one end of the body  604  provides a means for making a resilient electrical connection with a connector nut  302 . 
     Referring to body portion  800 A of  FIG. 8A , the deformable body part  605  of the body  604  includes a deformable end part. In various embodiments, a continuous or segmented body end flange  806  formed. And, in various embodiments the end flange is formed by one or more circumferentially arranged body grooves  808 . A contact point on the flange such as a raised contact  804  provides for a resilient nut  302  contacting action such as when the raised contact presses against the nut flange rear face  325 . In some embodiments wettable surfaces of the body are coated, for example during submersion, with an electrical conductor. Such a conductive coating application enables both of the above mentioned “body to post circuit” and the “ex post circuit.” In other embodiments, only portions of the wettable body surface bear an electrically conductive coating. 
     Referring to the body portion  800 B of  FIG. 8B , the figure illustrates the body of  FIG. 8A  with a first partial body coating that enables the body to post circuit and/or a second partial body coating that enables the ex post circuit. Coated body regions enabling the body to post circuit include body throat coating where the body grasps a metal post  813  interconnecting body forward end, inner coating  815  terminating at a nut contact point such as a raised contact  804  which may be electrically conductive or rendered conductive by the body circuit coating. Coated body regions enabling the ex post circuit include body inside wall coating  801  interconnecting with body trailing end coating  803  interconnecting with body outside wall coating  805  interconnecting with body groove coating  807  interconnecting with body flange periphery coating  809  interconnecting with body forward end, outer coating  811  terminating at a nut contact point such as a raised contact  804  which may be electrically conductive or rendered conductive by the body circuit coating. 
     Referring to the body portion  800 C of  FIG. 8C , the deformable body part  605  of the body  604  includes an electrically conductive body forward face wiper  832 . In some embodiments wettable surfaces of the body are coated, for example during submersion, with an electrical conductor. Such a conductive coating application enables both of the above mentioned “body to post circuit” and the “ex post circuit.” In other embodiments, only portions of the wettable body surface bear an electrically conductive coating. 
     Referring to the body portion  800 D of  FIG. 8D , the figure illustrates the body of  FIG. 8C  with a first partial body coating that enables the body to post circuit and/or a second partial body coating that enables the ex post circuit. Coated body regions enabling the body to post circuit include body throat coating where the body grasps a metal post  839  interconnecting body forward end, inner coating  841  terminating at the wiper. Coated body regions enabling the ex post circuit include body inside wall coating  831  interconnecting with body trailing end coating  833  interconnecting with body outside wall coating  835  interconnecting with body forward end, outer coating  837  terminating at the wiper. 
     Referring to body portion  800 E of  FIG. 8E , the deformable body part  605  of the body  604  includes an electrically conductive body forward face extension  852 . In some embodiments wettable surfaces of the body are coated, for example during submersion, with an electrical conductor. Such a conductive coating application enables both of the above mentioned “body to post circuit” and the “ex post circuit.” In other embodiments, only portions of the wettable body surface bear an electrically conductive coating. 
     Referring to the body portion  800 F of  FIG. 8F , the figure illustrates the body of  FIG. 8E  with a first partial body coating that enables the body to post circuit and/or a second partial body coating that enables the ex post circuit. Coated body regions enabling the body to post circuit include body throat coating where the body grasps a metal post  859  interconnecting body forward end, inner coating  861  terminating at the extension. Coated body regions enabling the ex post circuit include body inside wall coating  851  interconnecting with body trailing end coating  853  interconnecting with body outside wall coating  855  interconnecting with body forward end, outer coating  857  terminating at the extension. 
     Referring to the body portion  800 G of  FIG. 8G , the deformable body part  605  of the body  604  includes an electrically conductive slide  872  inserted in body end face cavity  874  and in some embodiments urged to protrude from the cavity by a resilient cavity packing member such as a spring or elastomer  876 . In various embodiments, one or more slides are used in respective cavities and in various embodiments a single circular slide is fitted in a cylindrical cavity. The protruding slide is designed to press against a nut as at the nut flange rear face  325 . In some embodiments wettable surfaces of the body are coated, for example during submersion, with an electrical conductor. Such a conductive coating application enables both of the above mentioned “body to post circuit” and the “ex post circuit.” In other embodiments, only portions of the wettable body surface bear an electrically conductive coating. 
     Referring to the body portion  80011  of  FIG. 811 , the figure illustrates the body of  FIG. 8G  with a first partial body coating that enables the body to post circuit and/or a second partial body coating that enables the ex post circuit. Coated body regions enabling the body to post circuit include body throat coating where the body grasps a metal post  881  interconnecting body forward end, inner coating  883 , interconnecting body cavity inner wall coating  885  which interconnects with the conductive slide  872 . In various embodiments, one or both of cavity back wall coating  889  and cavity outer wall coating  879  interconnect with cavity inner wall coating  885 . Coated body regions enabling the ex post circuit include body inside wall coating  871  interconnecting with body trailing end coating  873  interconnecting with body outside wall coating  875  interconnecting with body forward face outer coating  877  interconnecting with body cavity outer wall coating  879  which interconnects with the conductive slide  872 . In various embodiments, one or both of cavity back wall coating  889  and cavity inner wall coating  885  interconnect with cavity outer wall coating  879 . 
     Concerning the electrically conductive coatings mentioned above, plastics above are typically not electrical conductors but can be rendered conductive, for example through the use of admixed conductors and/or specialized conductive coatings. 
     The connector body  604  with a plastic substrate  890  can be rendered conductive using various coatings including conductive paints and metallizing coatings. Use of one or more of these processes enables electrical conductivity to be controlled such as through the selection of the conductive material used and/or the conductive cross-section of the finished conductor. As skilled artisans will appreciate, typical body circuits and coatings forming body circuits are, in various embodiments, thin by comparison to the average thickness of the substrate to which they are applied. 
     Common metallization methods include vacuum metallization/physical vapor deposition, arc and flame spraying, and plating/electroplating. Metallized transfer films may also be applied, for example by adhesion or shrinkage, to the surface of a substrate. Using these methods, plastic body substrates can be coated and/or partially coated with metals including copper, nickel, silver, gold, chrome, tin, graphite, and aluminum. Skilled artisans will appreciate that numerous plastic compositions can be plated with one or more of the methods mentioned above. For example, a acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polycarbonate, polyether imide (PEI), polystyrene, urethane, nylon, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), epoxy, xylex, xenoy, and polyphthalamide provide substrates suited for various applications. 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross-section of a ready for assembly coaxial cable connector  900 . The connector includes a coupling or nut  920 , a body  940  with a deformable body part  949  and a hollow post  960  rotatably engaged with the nut and fixedly engaged with the body at a body throat  943  of a body neck  942 . A nut annular flange  922  with a throat such as a stepped throat  923  encircles the post and lies between a post annular flange  962  and the body  940 . The nut annular flange presents first and second forward faces  924 ,  925  wherein the first forward face is radially outward of the second forward face. The nut annular flange also presents a rear face  926 . The post flange  962  presents a forward face  964  and a rear face  966 . 
     In various embodiments, an annular post spacer  901  encircles the post and is located between the post flange  962  and the nut flange  922 . As shown, the post spacer has a square or rectangular cross-section. However, the post spacer cross-section may be chosen as required to fit in the space bounded by the post  960  and the nut  920 . For example, the post spacer cross-section may take any suitable uncompressed shape such as a shape illustrated by  FIGS. 5A through 5G  and may be made from any one or more of the spacer materials mentioned above. As described above, some complaint spacers operate to fill adjoining voids when squeezed. 
     In various embodiments, a deformable body part  949  contacts the nut at a location such as the nut flange rear face  926 . The deformable body part provides a resilient body engagement with the nut. As shown, a body flange  946  adjacent to a circumferential groove  944  is in a plane normal to the connector axis X-X. The body flange is a deformable body part with a contact nub  948  extending therefrom and contacting the nut flange rear face in a resilient engagement. One of several exemplary deformable body parts may be chosen according to embodiments described above and shown in  FIGS. 8A-H . 
     The connector body  940  includes a plastic substrate  941  and a body circuit borne by the plastic substrate. As described above, the body circuit may include one or both of a “body to post circuit” and an “ex post circuit” implemented with any of the body circuits described above including the body circuits of  FIGS. 8A-H . Body circuits may be implemented with a suitable electrically conductive coating such as any one or more of the electrically conductive coatings mentioned above. 
     In operation, embodiments of the connectors  200 A,  300 A,  600 ,  900  disclosed herein provide for terminating a coaxial cable  255  and enabling transfer of radio frequency signals transported by the coaxial cable to a port mated  201  with the connector. Embodiments of the connector utilize one or both an insulating post spacer  313 ,  901  and a body to nut contactor such as a deformable body part  605 ,  949 . While the insulating post spacer blocks ground path continuity from the post  306 ,  960  to the nut  302 ,  920 , body circuit(s) render the otherwise non-conducting body  304 ,  604 ,  940  conductive and provide circuits including one or both of a “body to post circuit” and an “ex post circuit.” 
     In various embodiments, the nut flange  370 ,  922  is urged forward by the body to nut contactor  605 ,  949  and urged rearward by the resilient post spacer  313 ,  901 , the nut tends to remain in mechanical contact with the body and thus in electrical continuity with the body circuit(s). In a manner of speaking, the body to nut contactor and the post spacer follow the nut flange as it moves back and forth along the connector axis X-X. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed connector therefore provide a male F-type coaxial cable connector with enhanced ground continuity from coaxial cable braid to mating port ground contact while utilizing body circuits borne by an electrically non-conducting body substrate such as a plastic. 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in the form and details can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As such, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and equivalents thereof.