Patent ID: 8287310

Claim:
A connector for coupling the end of a coaxial cable to a port, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric surrounded by an outer conductor, and the outer conductor surrounded by a jacket, said connector comprising: a generally cylindrical body member having a first end, a second end, a rearward facing annular shoulder, a groove, and a tapered portion positioned axially between the rearward facing annular shoulder and the groove, wherein the first end of said cylindrical body member comprises a central bore for accepting the end of the coaxial cable; a coupling nut comprising a first end for rotatably engaging the second end of the cylindrical body member, an opposing second end with an internally threaded bore for engaging the port, and an annular shoulder in the form of an inward lip; and an electrically conductive retaining ring having a front end, a back end, and an internal diameter, wherein said conductive retaining ring is disposed about said generally cylindrical body member proximate to the second end thereof such that the internal diameter of the electrically conductive retaining ring contacts the tapered portion of the generally cylindrical body member, and the electrically conductive retaining ring is disposed within an inner surface of the coupling nut bounded in part by said annular shoulder for free spinning engagement of the coupling nut and the cylindrical body member.