Patent ID: 8323060

Claim:
A connector for coupling an end of a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable having a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric, the dielectric being surrounded by a conductive grounding shield, the conductive grounding shield being surrounded by a protective outer jacket, the connector comprising: a post including a forward post end, a rearward post end, and a flange having a forward facing flange surface, a rearward facing flange surface, a lip surface extending from the rearward facing flange surface, and a continuity post engaging surface extending from the lip surface, wherein the rearward post end is configured to be inserted into an end of the coaxial cable around the dielectric and under at least a portion of the conductive grounding shield thereof to make electrical contact with the conductive grounding shield of the coaxial cable; a connector body having a forward body end, a rearward body end, and a continuity body engaging surface configured to fit the continuity post engaging surface of the flange of the post when the connector body is positioned around a portion of the post; a coupler configured to rotate relative to the post and the connector body, the coupler including a forward coupler end configured for fastening to an interface port and to move between a partially tightened coupler position on the interface port and a fully tightened coupler position on the interface port, a rearward coupler end, and an internal lip having a forward facing lip surface facing the forward coupler end and configured to rotate relative to the rearward facing flange surface of the post and allow the post to pivot relative to the coupler, a rearward facing lip surface facing the rearward coupler end, and an intermediate surface between the forward facing lip surface and the rearward facing lip surface, the intermediate surface configured to fit the lip surface of the flange of the post that extends from the rearward facing flange surface of the flange of the post; and a continuity member disposed only rearward of the forward facing lip surface of the internal lip of the coupler, the continuity member having a continuity base portion extending between the continuity post engaging surface of the post and the continuity body engaging surface of the connector body, and a continuity contact surface configured to be biased against the rearward facing lip surface of the internal lip of the coupler so as to maintain electrical continuity between the coupler and the post when the coupler is in the partially tightened position on the interface port, even when the coupler is in the fully tightened position on the interface port, and even when the post moves relative to the coupler.