# US 2018/0026409 A1 · High frequency miniature connectors with canted coil springs and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0026409 A1 - Document ID: US20180026409A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/722,835 - Filed: 2017-10-02 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-08 - Assignees: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. - Applicants: Bal Seal Engineering, Inc. - Inventors: Jin Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180026409A1 ## CPC - H01R 24/40: specially adapted for high frequency - H01R 13/6277: {comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove} - H01R 43/16: for manufacturing contact members, e.g. by punching and by bending - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract Coaxial connecting devices used for transmitting high frequency electrical signals having two connector elements of generally cylindrical profile, and wherein each of the connector elements has an inner conductor, an insulator, and an outer conductor. In one of the two connector elements that may be of a male or a female orientation has two canted coil spring contacts where at least one of a first spring contact can be retained within at least one first spring groove within a second inner conductor and at least one of a second spring contact is retained within at least one second spring groove within a second outer conductor. The at least one second spring contact can be used as a simultaneous EMI shielding contact and latching, locking, or both latching and locking device. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-15. (canceled) ### Claim 16 A high frequency connecting apparatus comprising: a first connector element comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a first insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor; the first insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first connector element, wherein said first conductor of the first connector element comprises a first engagement tip; a second connector element comprising an first conductor, a second conductor, and a second insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor, the second insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the second connector element, wherein the first conductor of the second connector element comprises a second engagement tip; and a groove on the second conductor of the first connector element retaining a canted coil spring, the canted coil spring contacting the second conductor of the first connector element and the second conductor of the second connector element to engage the first connector element to the second connector element. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first engagement tip receives the second engagement tip in a state where the canted coil spring contacts the second conductor of the first connector element and the second conductor of the second connector element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canted coil spring is mounted to the groove of the second conductor of the second connector element prior to engaging the first connector element to the second connector element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the canted coil spring has a configuration with alternating coils with different coil dimensions. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 19, wherein the canted coil spring is retained within at least one metal spring handling ring. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first engagement tip comprises a male tip; and wherein the second engagement tip comprises a female tip comprising a bore receiving the male tip therein. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the second conductor of the first connector element surrounds the first conductor of the first connector element. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first insulator comprises a base and a sidewall projecting perpendicular to a surface of the base. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first conductor of the first connector element comprises a flange extending transverse to a connection axis of the first conductor, the flange corresponding to a recess in the base of the first insulator. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 23, wherein the second connector of the first connector element comprises a base and a sidewall, the base defining an interior lip for fitment with the first insulator. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first engagement tip has a bore and the second engagement tip has an elongated body, and wherein the canted coil spring is a radial canted coil spring. ### Claim 27 A method of manufacturing a high frequency connecting apparatus comprising: forming a first connector element comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a first insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor; the first insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first connector element, wherein said first conductor of the first connector element comprises a first engagement tip; forming a second connector element comprising an first conductor, an second conductor, and a second insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor, the second insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the second connector element, wherein the first conductor of the second connector element comprises a second engagement tip; and forming a groove on the second conductor of the first connector element and retaining a canted coil spring in the groove, the canted coil spring contacting the second conductor of the first connector element and the second conductor of the second connector element to engage the first connector element to the second connector element. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the first engagement tip receives the second engagement tip in a state where the canted coil spring contacts the first connector element and the second connector element. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the canted coil spring is mounted to the groove of the second conductor of the second connector element prior to engaging the first connector element to the second connector element. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the canted coil spring has a configuration with alternating coils with different coil dimensions. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The method of claim 30, wherein the canted coil spring is retained within at least one metal spring handling ring. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The method of claim 31, wherein the first engagement tip comprises a male tip; and wherein the second engagement tip comprises a female tip comprising a bore for receiving the male tip. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the second conductor of the first connector element surrounds the first conductor of the first connector element. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The method of claim 29, wherein the first insulator comprises a base and a sidewall projecting perpendicular to a surface of the base. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, wherein the first conductor of the first connector element comprises a flange extending transverse to a connection axis of the first conductor, the flange corresponding to a recess in the base of the first insulator. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The method of claim 34, wherein the second connector of the first connector element comprises a base and a sidewall, the base defining an interior lip for fitment with the first insulator. ### Claim 37 A high frequency connecting apparatus comprising: a first connector element comprising a first conductor, a second conductor, and a first insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor; the first insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the first connector element, the second conductor having a sidewall defining an exterior of the first connector element, wherein said first conductor of the first connector element comprises a first engagement tip; a second connector element comprising an first conductor, an second conductor, and a second insulator separating the first conductor from the second conductor, the second insulator fitted between the first conductor and the second conductor of the second connector element, wherein the first conductor of the second connector element comprises a second engagement tip; and a groove on an interior surface of the sidewall defining the exterior of the first connector element retaining a canted coil spring in the groove, the canted coil spring contacting the second conductor of the first connector element and the second conductor of the second connector element. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first insulator comprises a base and a sidewall projecting perpendicular to a surface of the base. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 37, wherein the first conductor of the first connector element comprises a flange extending transverse to a connection axis of the first conductor, the flange corresponding to a recess in the base of the first insulator. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The high frequency connecting apparatus of claim 37, wherein the second connector of the first connector element further comprises a base adjacent to the interior surface of the sidewall, the base defining an interior lip for fitment with the first insulator.