KR101713179B1 - Coaxial connector and method of assembling one - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a linear electrical coaxial cable connector (2) for connecting first and second coaxial cables (8, 10) each comprising a core (16,24) and a shielding layer (20,28) First and second interengaging housing portions 68 and 70 for engaging the shielding layers 20 and 28 of the first and second cables 8 and 10, Shielding connecting means 38 for electrically interconnecting the two crimp ferrules 34 and 52 and the first and second shield layers 20 and 28 and the two cores 16 and 24 electrically First and second ferrule engaging means operable to respectively secure first and second ferrules (34, 52) to respective core connecting means (36, 64) and respective housing portions (68, 70) (76, 88).

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a coaxial connector and a method of assembling the coaxial connector.

The present invention relates to a linear connector for interconnecting two coaxial cables and a method for interconnecting two such cables.

Conventional straight connectors for connecting two coaxial cables generally comprise a pair of housing parts and the core and shields of one cable subassembly when the housing parts are interengaged The cable sub-assemblies within each of the housing components are mounted at the end of the cable so as to engage the cores and shields of the other cable sub-assemblies. Latches and terminal position assurance devices for rigidly engaging complementary core connection members of the terminal sub-assemblies result in thicker sub-assemblies. As a result, the overall external dimensions of the connector become larger than desired. One preferred object of the present invention is to reduce the overall size of the cable sub-assembly, and preferably also to reduce the overall size of the connector.

Accordingly, there is provided a linear electrical coaxial cable connector for connecting first and second coaxial cables, each comprising a core and a shielding layer, according to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein the connector comprises a first and a second intermeshed first and second crimp ferrules for interengaging shielding layers of the first and second cables, shielding layers for electrically interconnecting the first and second shield layers, Core connecting means for electrically interconnecting the two cores, and first and second ferrule engaging means operable to respectively fix the first and second ferrules with respect to the respective housing portions. Fixing each cable to its associated housing portion by ferrule engaging means eliminates the need for a latch and terminal position fixing device on the core connection to allow the cable sub-assembly to be smaller. This also allows the housing portions to be smaller as well. Mating and unmating loads during the core connection can be transferred to the housing latches via cable crimp and ferrule. As an alternative to the first and second ferrule engaging means for securing the first and second ferrules with respect to the housing parts, it is also possible for the engagement of the parts other than the core connecting means to engage and fix the core connecting means. For example, engagement of the shielding connection means is alternatively possible. The intention is that mating and unmating rods are not required because the direct latching of the latching of the core connecting means is carried through the cables and cable crimps. .

Preferably, each ferrule engaging means is formed integrally with one of the housing portions. This arrangement will reduce the number of parts required for the manufacture of the connector.

Preferably, the connector further comprises at least one displaceable auxiliary lock or position fixing member engageable with each ferrule engaging means, in order to be prepared for the accidental release of the ferrule engaging means and the unintentional release of the cable sub-assemblies.

Conveniently, the shield connection means comprises tubular shield connection means for providing efficient all round shielding and facilitating the manufacture of the connector.

To further improve the shielding, the tubular shielding connection means may comprise a one-piece shield tube extending from the first crimp ferrule to the second crimp ferrule. This arrangement also eliminates the need for connection of the shielded connection means, thus making it possible for the cable sub-assembly to become much more compact.

The cable sub-assembly of the connector includes tubular insulation means interposed between the shield connection means and the core connection means. This enables the assembly to be smaller because the required distance between the shield and the core can be reduced to provide electrical insulation.

In order to reduce the number of parts in the connector, the tubular insulation means preferably comprises an integral insulation tube extending from the first crimp ferrule to the second crimp ferrule. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the shielding connection means comprises an integral tube, since the tubes are nested inside and support each other, thereby providing relatively rigid extensions of the cable sub-assembly.

In situations where the ends of the cable sub-assemblies can be knocked, the plug portions should be as rigid as possible, and thus should not include long extensions. In these applications, it is preferred that the tubular insulation means comprise an insulation tube mounted in each of the forming portion of the cable sub-assembly and the housing portion, and the two insulation tubes have a desired electrical creepage distance, To < / RTI > provide interlocking interlocking portions.

When the shielding connecting means and the insulating means each comprise an integral tube as described above, the core connecting means comprises two interlockable core connector members respectively connected to the cores of the cores and configured to lie within the integral shielding tube .

When the shield connecting means includes an integral tube which mates with one of the ferrules at mating of the housing portions, the associated crimp ferrule biases the main ferrule body to engage the main ferrule body and the shield connection means, It is preferable to include the spring means arranged for the purpose. Through this arrangement, a material such as copper can be used for both ferrules. Copper may provide low resistance contact, but copper tends to relieve stress as time elapses, leading to contact between the ferrules and the shielding connection means slidingly engaged in mating of the connector portions Can be deteriorated. The main ferrule body may include a plurality of longitudinally extending engaging portions, and the spring means may surround and bias the engaging portions inwardly.

In order to keep the portions of the core connecting means tightly engaged with each other as a result of the crimp collar being fixed with respect to the housing portions, the thrust collar It is preferable to interpose between the core of each of the connector members and at least one of the crimp parallels. More preferably, such a thrust collar is provided on each crimp collar. This arrangement prevents the core connection mating rods from being transmitted through the cables and cable crimps.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of interconnecting two aligned coaxial electrical cables each comprising a core and a shielding layer, the method comprising: (i) engaging a crimp ferrule with a shielding layer, (Ii) providing a shield connection means for electrically interconnecting the shield layers; and (iii) providing a cable sub-assembly at the end of each cable, (iii) providing two mutually engageable housing portions, (iv) securing each cable sub-assembly with respect to each of the housing portions with one crimp ferrule or engaging means engaging the shielded connecting means And (v) connecting the housing portions to the core so that the core connecting members are interconnected to the cores and the shield connecting means is interconnected to the shielding layers. It includes a step of embellishing. In this way no direct latching of the core connection means is required.

The step of providing shielded connection means preferably comprises providing an integral shielding tube extending from one crimp ferrule and capable of engaging another crimp ferrule when the housings are interdigitated.

The step of forming each of the cable subassemblies includes the step of disposing a thrust collar between the crimp ferrule and the core connecting member to transfer the rod therebetween when the housing parts are interdigitated. This prevents mating rods from being transmitted through cables and cable crimps.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates two interlocking cable sub-assemblies forming part of a coaxial cable connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2a shows the two sub-assemblies shown in Figure 1 before intermeshing;
Figure 2b shows the two sub-assemblies shown in Figure 1 after intermeshing.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a coaxial connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention incorporating the sub-assemblies shown in Figures 1 and 2 in the connected state;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of two parts of the coaxial connector shown in Figure 3 prior to connection.
Figure 5 illustrates two interdigitated cable sub-assemblies forming part of a coaxial cable connector according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6a shows two sub-assemblies shown in Figure 5 before interengaging;
Figure 6b shows the two sub-assemblies shown in Figure 5 after intermeshing.

A linear coaxial connector according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a method of forming the same are described in detail with reference to Figs.

The connectors 2 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 comprise a first part 4 and a second part 6 which are mutually engageable. The connector first part 4 is configured to be connected to two first coaxial cables 8 and the connector second part 6 is configured to be connected to two second coaxial cables 10. However, each connector portion may be configured to be connected to a different number of coaxial cables, such as one or more than two. Only the connection of one first coaxial cable 8 will be described in detail, since the manner in which the two first coaxial cables 8 are connected to the connector first part 4 is the same. The same is true for the connection of the second coaxial cables 10 to the connector second portion 6.

Each first coaxial cable includes a core 16, an inner insulator layer 18 surrounding the core, a shield layer in the form of a braid 20 surrounding the inner insulator layer, an outer insulator layer 22). Likewise, each second coaxial cable includes a core 24, an inner insulator layer 26, a shield layer in the form of a braid 28, and an outer insulator layer 30 arranged in a similar manner. The ends of the first and second coaxial cables are disengaged from each other in Fig. 2A, and the first and second cable sub-assemblies, which mate with each other in Figs. 1 and 2b and mate with each other in Fig. (12 and 14), respectively.

Prior to forming the first cable sub-assembly 12, a strain relief member 31, which precedes the first cable seal 33 and whose function is described below, is connected to the first coaxial cable 8 As shown in FIG. To form the first cable sub-assembly 12, the outer insulator 22 is stripped back from the end portion of the first coaxial cable 8 first. The braid 20 and inner insulator 18 are then stripped so that portions thereof protrude from the outer insulator 22 and the core end 32 is exposed. The first crimp ferrule 34 is then threaded over the outer insulator 22 through the braid 20 exposed to the left-hand location as shown in FIG. The first core connecting means in the form of a first core connecting member 36 is then slid over the core end 32 and crimped thereon. The insulating tube 40 is then slid into the shielding tube 38. These two tubes are of substantially the same length. The exposed portion of the braid 20 is then formed outwardly to form the outwardly formed outwardly-shaped braid portion shown in FIG. 1 and the adjacent portions of the nested tubes 38 and 40, . The first crimp ferrule 34 is then positioned such that its proximal portion 44 rests on the outer insulator 22 and its distal portion 46 is connected to the braid portion 42 and the insulating tube 40 and the shielding tube 38 And is slid along the first coaxial cable 8 to rest on the ends. The proximal portion 44 of the first crimp ferrule 34 is then crimped inwardly to tighten the first coaxial cable 8 by pressing inwardly on the outer insulator 22. The distal portion 46 of the first crimp ferrule 34 is then crimped inwardly so that the outwardly formed braid portion 42 is sandwiched between the end 38 and the distal portion 46 of the shielding tube 38. [ do. These crimping steps can be performed simultaneously and are the final step in the formation of the first cable sub-assembly 12.

Prior to the formation of the second cable sub-assembly 14, the second strain relief member 49, which precedes the second cable chamber 51 and whose function is described later, is threaded onto the end portion of the second coaxial cable 10, do. To form the second cable sub-assembly 14, the outer insulator 30 is first stripped from the end portion of the second coaxial cable 10. The braid 28 and inner insulator 26 are then stripped so that portions thereof still protrude from the outer insulator 30 and the core end 50 is exposed. The second crimp ferrule 52 is then threaded over the outer insulator 30 through the braid 28 exposed to the right-hand location shown in FIG. The second crimp ferrule 52 includes a proximal portion 54 configured to rest on the outer insulator 30 and a distal portion 56 adapted to engage the shield tube 38 which together form the main ferrule body. The distal portion 56 includes longitudinally extending engaging portions in the form of engagement fingers 58. The engaging fingers are separated from each other by the slots 60. The end portions of the engagement fingers 58 are surrounded by spring means in the form of a ring spring that functions to biasing the engagement fingers 58 inwardly. The second core connecting means then slides over the core end 50 in the form of a second core connecting member 64 and is crimped thereon. The inner crimp collar 66 is then slid over the end of the outer insulator 30 and the exposed portion of the braid 28 is formed outwardly as shown in FIG. It is double-backed from above. The second crimp ferrule 52 is then slid along the second coaxial cable 10 such that its proximal portion 54 rests on the outer insulator 30. The proximal portion 54 of the second crimp ferrule 52 is then crimped inwardly to tighten the second coaxial cable 10 by pressing inward on the outer insulator 30. These crimping steps are the final step in the formation of the second cable sub-assembly 14.

The first and second cable sub-assemblies 12 and 14, respectively, shown separately in FIG. 2A, are then secured to the first and second connector housings 68 and 70 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively.

The first connector housing 68 includes a passage 72 comprising a ferrule engaging means. The ferrule engaging means is in the form of an inwardly projecting ferrule stop shoulder 74 and is a resilient, spaced outwardly displaceable ferrule retaining latch 76 that constitutes the main latch. Both the shoulder 74 and the latch 76 are formed integrally with the connector housing 68. However, other structures are also possible. The ferrule retaining latch may be replaced by a latch member formed separately from the connector housing 68 and may be replaced by a ferrule stop shoulder 74 to secure the first crimp ferrule 34 with respect to the first connector housing 68 The first crimp ferrule 34 and the second crimp ferrule 34. As shown in Fig. According to the arrangement shown in Figure 3, the first cable sub-assembly 12 includes a first crimp ferrule 34 and a second crimp ferrule 34 until the first crimp ferrule 34 abuts the sloping cam surface 78 of the latch 76 1 < / RTI > The additional insertion of the first cable sub-assembly into the first connector housing 68 causes the first crimp ferrule 34 (FIG. 34) to resiliently retract the latch inwardly and rest between the distal portion 46 and the proximal portion 44 Until the leading end 78 of the first crimp ferrule 34 abuts against the ferrule stop shoulder 74 at the point of engagement with the rearwardly facing shoulder 80 of the first crimp ferrule 34 Thereby displacing it outwardly. The first locking member 82, which is displaceable with respect to the first connector housing 68 and constitutes the auxiliary lock, is then secured to the first and second connector housings 68 and 76 by latches 76 and 76 to prevent displacement thereof away from engagement with the first crimp ferrule 34 . This results in the first crimp ferrule 34 and thus the first cable sub-assembly 12 to be secured with respect to the first connector housing 68 as shown in the left part of Fig.

The first chamber 33 and the strain relief 31 are then inserted into the outer portion of the first passageway 72 along the first coaxial cable 8 and the features of the strain relief 31 secured to the first connector housing or by any suitable means not shown, such as a feature.

The second connector housing 70 includes a pedestal 84 comprising a ferrule engaging means. The ferrule engaging means is in the form of an inwardly projecting ferrule stop shoulder 86, and is a ferrule retaining latch 88 that is resilient and displaceable away outwardly, constituting the primary latch. Both the shoulder 86 and the latch 88 are formed integrally with the second connector housing 70. However, other structures are possible. The ferrule holding latch may be replaced by a latch member that is formed separately from the connector housing 70 and may be replaced by a ferrule stop shoulder 86 to secure the second crimp ferrule 52 relative to the second connector housing 70 The second crimp ferrule 52 and the connector housing 70. The second crimp ferrule 52 can be engaged with the connector housing 70 and the second crimp ferrule 52. [ According to the arrangement shown in Figure 3 the second cable subassembly 14 is attached to the second passageway 84 until the second crimp ferrule 52 abuts the sloping cam surface 90 of the latch 88. [ Lt; / RTI > The further insertion of the second cable sub-assembly 14 into the second connector housing 70 is accomplished by a second crimp sub-assembly 14 having the latch 88 returning inwardly and located between the distal portion 56 and the proximal portion 54. [ The latch 88 is displaced outwardly until the leading end of the second crimp ferrule 52 abuts the ferrule stop shoulder 86 at the point of engagement with the shoulder 86 facing the rear of the ferrule 52 . The second locking member 94, which is displaceable with respect to the second connector housing 70 and constitutes the auxiliary lock, is then engaged with the latch 88 to prevent it from being displaced from engagement with the second crimp ferrule 52 . This results in the securing of the second crimp ferrule 52 and thus the second cable sub-assembly 14 with respect to the second connector housing 70 as shown in the left part of Fig.

The second chamber 51 and the strain relief 49 are then connected to the outer portion of the second passageway 84 by a strain relief 49 sliding along the second coaxial cable 10 and securable to the second connector housing 70 ) By any suitable means not shown.

The first portion 4 and the second portion 6 of the connector 2 assembled as described above are then faced to each other as shown in FIG. 4 for connection preparation.

As the first and second portions 4 and 6 of the connector 2 are connected, the second connector housing slides into the first connector housing. The second core connector member 64 in the form of a pin connector is passed into the insulation tube 40 of the first connector portion 4 and further the engagement of the connector portions is such that the second core connector member 64, Thereby slidingly engaging the passageway of the first core connecting member 36 in the form of a receptacle connector. Finally, the shield tube 38 slides and electrically engages the distal portion 56 of the second crimp ferrule 52. As this occurs, the distal portion 56 of the shielding tube 38 displaces the engagement fingers 58 of the second crimp ferrule 52 toward the force biasing the ring spring 62 inwardly, And the ring spring then holds the second crimp ferrule, which is in electrical contact with the shield tube 38 in a safe manner. The nip 96 on the second connector housing 70 engages the hole 98 of the first connector housing 68 to securely hold the connector housings together.

A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to Figures 5,6a and 6b. The parts of the second embodiment corresponding to the parts of the first embodiment are denoted by the same numbers and will not necessarily be described in detail. The following description refers mainly to the features of the second embodiment which are different from the features of the first embodiment. It is assumed that the features and method steps not mentioned below are the same as in the first embodiment.

Figures 5 and 6b illustrate a first cable sub-assembly 200 and a second cable sub-assembly 202 of a second embodiment meshed with each other, and Figure 6a shows these cable sub-assemblies in an unmated state.

The first cable sub-assembly 200 includes a crimp ferrule 204 having an inner ring portion 212 that is positioned around the end of a cut-back outer insulation 22. The crimp ferrule 204 also includes a shoulder 208 facing away from the end of the first coaxial cable 8. The braid 20 of the first coaxial cable 8 is folded and folded in two so as to rest on the ring portion 212 of the first crimp ferrule 204. A first thrust collar 216 of insulating material is slid onto the end 220 of the inner insulator 18 extending past the cut-back outer insulator 22. The proximal end of the thrust collar 216 contacts a portion of the braid 20 that is folded around the end of the crimp ferrule 214 and the distal end 224 of the thrust collar 216 is internally stepped 18). The first core connecting member 36 in the form of a receptacle contact is then removed until the proximal end 228 of the first core connecting member 36 contacts the distal end 224 of the first thrust collar 216 stripped back inner insulation 18 and then crimped onto the core 16. The core 16 is then crimped onto the core 16, The first thrust collar 216 is positioned between the first crimp ferrule 205 and the first core connecting member 36 and can transfer a load therebetween. A tubular first insulating sleeve 232 is then placed on the first thrust collar 216 with a proximal end latching thereon and a first shielding sleeve 236 of conductive material is positioned on the first insulating sleeve 232, And the proximal end thereof rests on a portion of the ring portion 212 of the first crimp ferrule 204 and the folded portion of the braid 20 is located therebetween. A portion of the first shielding sleeve 236 overlying the first crimp ferrule is then crimped inwardly to provide a secure electrical connection between the first shielding sleeve 236 and the braid 20. This crimping process will also crimp the first crimp ferrule 204 inwardly to fasten the first coaxial cable 8. It is possible for an auxiliary crimp to be present in the recess behind the ferrule shoulder 208. The distal end of the first insulating sleeve 232 includes an insulator overlap portion 242 and the distal end of the first shield sleeve 236 includes a shield overlapping portion 240. This completes the formation of the first cable sub-assembly 200.

The second cable sub-assembly 202 includes a crimp ferrule 206 having an inner ring portion 214 that rests around the end of the cut-back outer insulator 30. The crimp ferrule 206 also includes a shoulder 210 that faces away from the end of the second coaxial cable 10. The braid 28 of the second coaxial cable 10 is folded and folded in two so that it overlies the ring portion 214 of the second crimp ferrule 206. A second thrust collar 218 of insulating material is slid onto the end 222 of the inner insulator 26 extending past the cut-back outer insulator 30. The proximal end of the thrust collar 218 abuts the portion of the braid 28 that is folded around the end of the crimp ferrule 206 and the distal end 226 of the thrust collar 218 is internally stepped, 26). The first core connecting member 64 in the form of a pin contact is then removed until the proximal end 230 of the second core connecting member 64 is in contact with the distal end 226 of the second thrust collar 218 Is slid over the end of the core 24 extending past the inner insulator 26 and then crimped onto the core 24. So that the second thrust collar 218 is positioned between the second crimp ferrule 206 and the second core connecting member 64 and can transfer the rod therebetween. A second insulating sleeve 234 in the form of a tube is then placed on the second thrust collar 218 with a proximal end that latches and a second shielding sleeve 238 of conductive material is positioned on the second insulating sleeve 234, And its proximal end rests on a portion of the ring portion 214 of the first crimp ferrule 206 and the folded portion of the braid 28 is positioned therebetween. A portion of the second shielding sleeve 238, which then rests on the second crimp ferrule, is crimped inwardly to provide a secure electrical connection between the second shielding sleeve 238 and the braid 28. This crimping process will also crimp the second crimp ferrule 206 inwardly to tighten the second coaxial cable 10. It is possible for an auxiliary crimp to be present in the recess behind the ferrule shoulder 210. The distal end of the second insulating sleeve 234 includes an insulator overlap portion 242 and the distal end of the second shield sleeve 238 includes a shield overlapping portion 240. This completes the formation of the second cable sub-assembly 202.

Although the first and second connector housings in which the above-described cable sub-assemblies are fixed are not illustrated, they will be substantially similar to the connector housings 68 and 70 of the first embodiment. The movement of the first cable sub-assembly 200 into the first connector housing is accomplished by moving the first cable sub-assembly 200 outwardly beyond the first shielding sleeve 236 to contact the ferrule stop shoulder (74 of the first embodiment) Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 242 < / RTI > The first ferrule retaining latch 76 (first embodiment 76) includes a shoulder 208 of the first crimp ferrule 204 in the same manner as in the first embodiment for securing the first cable sub-assembly 200 to the first connector housing Lt; / RTI > As in the first embodiment, the locking member will be provided to hold the latch engaged with the first crimp ferrule 204. [ The second cable sub-assembly 202 will be secured within the second connector housing in a similar manner. A forwardly facing abutment surface 244 is provided on the second crimp ferrule 206 and projects outward beyond the second shielding sleeve 238 to abut the ferrule stop shoulder of the second connector housing.

When the first and second connector housings are engaged with each other, the first and second connecting members 36 and 64 will be engaged with each other as in the first embodiment. The shield overlap portions 240 of the shield sleeves 236 and 238 will also engage each other and the insulator overlap portions 242 of the insulator sleeves 232 and 234 will mesh with each other as shown in FIG. Will be. When the connector housings are thus engaged and latched together, the cable sub-assemblies 200 and 202 will be engaged as shown in FIG. In this state, each core connecting member is held tightly in the connector housing by being held by an associated thrust collar held in place by an associated crimp ferrule fixed to the connector housing.

The embodiments described above provide a compact linear coaxial cable connector and can be manufactured with fewer parts than the corresponding prior art connectors. The embodiments have been described merely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. It should also be noted that features of one embodiment may be utilized in combination with features from other embodiments.

Claims (16)

A straight electrical coaxial cable connector for connecting first and second coaxial cables, each comprising a core and a shielding layer,
First and second interengageable housing portions;
First and second crimp ferrules for engaging the first and second shield layers of the first and second coaxial cables, respectively;
Shielding connection means for electrically interconnecting the first and second shield layers;
Core connecting means for electrically interconnecting the two cores; And
First and second ferrule engaging means operable to respectively fix said first and second crimp ferrules with respect to respective said housing portions,
Wherein the shielding connection means comprises tubular shield connection means,
Wherein said tubular shield connection means comprises a one-piece shield tube extending from said first crimp ferrule to said second crimp ferrule. The method according to claim 1,
Each ferrule engaging means being integrally formed with one of the housing portions. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising at least one displaceable secondary lock member engageable with each ferrule engaging means. ≪ Desc / Clms Page number 20 > delete delete 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Further comprising tubular insulation means interposed between said shield connection means and said core connection means. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein the tubular isolation means comprises an integral insulation tube extending from the first crimp ferrule to the second crimp ferrule. The method according to claim 6,
Said tubular insulation means comprising an insulation tube mounted within each housing portion,
Wherein the two insulating tubes comprise overlapping intermeshing portions. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the core connecting means comprises two mutually interchangeable core connector means connected to respective cores of the cores and respectively configured to lie within the integral shielding tube. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
Wherein at least one of the first and second crimp ferrules comprises spring means arranged to bias the main ferrule body and the main ferrule body to engage the shield connection means. 11. The method of claim 10,
The main ferrule body including a plurality of longitudinally extending engaging portions, the spring means surrounding and biasing the engaging portions inwardly. A straight electrical coaxial cable connector for connecting first and second coaxial cables, each comprising a core and a shielding layer,
First and second intermeshable housing portions;
First and second crimp ferrules for engaging the first and second shield layers of the first and second coaxial cables, respectively;
Shielding connection means for electrically interconnecting the first and second shield layers;
Core connecting means for electrically interconnecting the two cores; And
First and second ferrule engaging means operable to respectively fix said first and second crimp ferrules with respect to respective said housing portions,
The core connecting means comprising two intermeshing core connector members each adapted to be connected to a respective core of the cores,
A thrust collar is interposed between at least one of the core of each of the core connector members and the first and second crimp ferrules for biasing the core connector members to mate with each other. . The method according to claim 1,
In place of said first and second ferrule engaging means, said connector comprises shielded connecting means engaging means. CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method of interconnecting two aligned coaxial electrical cables each comprising a core and a shield layer,
(i) forming a cable sub-assembly at an end of each cable comprising engaging a crimp ferrule with the shielding layer and contacting a core connecting member to a core of each cable;
(ii) providing shielding connection means for electrically interconnecting the shielding layers;
(iii) providing two mutually engageable housing portions;
(iv) securing each of the cable sub-assemblies with respect to respective housing portions having one crimp ferrule or engaging means engaging the shielded connecting means; And
(v) interconnecting the core connecting members to the cores of the cables and interlocking the housing parts to interconnect the shield connecting means to the shielding layers,
Providing the shielded connecting means comprises extending from one crimp ferrule and providing an integral shielding tube capable of engaging another crimp ferrule when the housings are interdigitated. delete CLAIMS What is claimed is: 1. A method of interconnecting two aligned coaxial electrical cables each comprising a core and a shield layer,
(i) forming a cable sub-assembly at an end of each cable comprising engaging a crimp ferrule with the shielding layer and contacting a core connecting member to a core of each cable;
(ii) providing shielding connection means for electrically interconnecting the shielding layers;
(iii) providing two mutually engageable housing portions;
(iv) securing each of the cable sub-assemblies with respect to respective housing portions having one crimp ferrule or engaging means engaging the shielded connecting means; And
(v) interconnecting the core connecting members to the cores of the cables and interlocking the housing parts to interconnect the shield connecting means to the shielding layers,
Wherein forming the respective cable sub-assemblies comprises positioning the thrust collar between the crimp ferrule and the core connecting member, wherein the thrust collar is disposed between the crimp ferrule and the core connecting member, How to interconnect cables.

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