CONNECTORS FOR HARDLINE COAXIAL CABLE

Abstract

A coaxial cable connector includes a nut housing having a rear cable receiving end and a front end opposite said rear end, a front nut assembly mated to the front end of the nut housing, and a conductive metal tubular insert shaft supported within the nut housing or the front nut assembly. The front nut assembly includes an input body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly, and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft has a rear end portion.A non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve has a front-end portion mated to the rear-end portion of a conductive metal tubular insert shaft, a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve, and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of the gripping ferrule. The gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping ferrule to compress radially around the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

Description

CONNECTORS FOR HARDLINE COAXIAL CABLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to connectors for terminating a coaxial cable. More particularly, the present invention relates to axially compressible connectors for rigid or semi-rigid coaxial cables.

[0002] Coaxial cables are commonly used in the cable television industry to transmit cable TV signals to television sets in homes, businesses, and other locations. A rigid coaxial cable can be used to transmit signals in distribution systems to the outside of these locations, and a flexible coaxial cable is often used to transmit signals within these locations. A rigid or semi-rigid coaxial cable is also used when a high degree of radio frequency (RF) shielding is required.

[0003] Hardwire cable includes a solid inner conductor or wire core, generally made of copper or copper-clad aluminum, surrounded by a solid tubular outer conductor. The outer conductor is also generally made of copper or aluminum. Insulation or dielectric material separates the inner and outer conductors. The outer conductor is covered with a cable jacket or plastic sheath to provide protection against corrosion and wear from exposure to the elements.

[0004] Threaded cable connectors, such as those shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,352,134 and 6,019,636, have been used to provide more uniform compression when connecting. Such connectors generally utilize some form of clamping mechanism that radially compresses the outer conductor of the cable against a tubular insert shaft following axial threading of the connector component to retain the cable in the hardline connector. The clamping mechanism may include a tapered sleeve surrounded by an outer sleeve that forces the tapered sleeve to compress radially following axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the tapered sleeve. The length of the tapered locking sleeve generally closes the entire length of the mechanism with equal forces around the circumference of the insert shaft.The resulting forces closing on the coaxial cable compress the cable around the outside of the insert shaft, creating a bond formed on the outer surface.

[0005] It was always necessary for a connector to be able to make a solid ground connection with the outer sheath of hardline CATV cables to achieve long-term performance with respect to the effectiveness of the connector's RFI shielding, as well as to facilitate proper signal transmission through the connector with minimal loss or interruption of said signal. οηηπαη / ζζηζ / Σΐ / υιλι Connectors across the CATV industry were manufactured with both all-metal and all-plastic mandrel support sleeves. While all-metal sleeves remain highly durable over time and with temperature variations, all-plastic versions are susceptible to creep and can weaken over time and due to temperature changes.

[0006] There are varying levels of difficulty for the different types of cable sold in the industry. For example, cables known as P3, TX, or TIO are often among the simpler ones when it comes to establishing a solid ground connection between the cable and the connector. This is primarily because all the dielectric foam is removed from the inside of the outer conductor during the cable preparation process, before the connector is installed. Removing the dielectric foam allows for a straightforward ground connection between the inner diameter of the cable and the outer diameter of the mandrel, which is typically made of a conductive metal. In the case of cables known as QR or even MC2, the cable preparation process leaves a thin film of non-conductive dielectric material on the inner diameter of the cable's outer conductor.This layer prevents a solid ground connection as described above and apparently extends the signal path that RF energy needs to travel as it propagates through the connector, which has a metal mandrel support sleeve, as shown with dashed lines in Figure 4. This extended path leads to the signal going out of phase and causing so-called harmonics in the signal response. This poor ground connection also leads to weakened RFI shielding performance and may appear as a notch or groove in the connector's insertion loss performance.

[0007] It may be advantageous to provide a connector that overcomes one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of hardline connectors that have an all-metal or all-plastic support sleeve. That is, it may be advantageous to provide a connector that has a hybrid metal-plastic support sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to various embodiments of this disclosure, a coaxial cable connector includes a nut housing having a rear cable receiving end and a front end opposite said rear end, a front nut assembly mated to the front end of the nut housing, and a conductive metal tubular insert shaft supported within the nut housing or the front nut assembly. The front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly, and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft has a rear end portion.A non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve has a front-end portion mated to the rear-end portion of a conductive metal tubular insert shaft, a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve, and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of the gripping ferrule. The gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping ferrule to compress radially around the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

[0009] In some respects, the conductive metal tubular insert shaft includes a coupling structure configured to couple a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve coupling structure to couple the conductive metal tubular insert shaft with the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

[0010] According to various aspects, the coaxial cable connector further includes a rear nut assembly configured to mate with the rear end of the nut housing, and the rear nut assembly includes an end cap. In some aspects, the middle nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule. In various aspects, the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the tubular outer sleeve.

[0011] According to some aspects, a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular grip ferrule.

[0012] In some respects, the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

[0013] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a coaxial cable connector includes a nut housing having a rear cable receiving end and an opposing front end, a front nut assembly mated to the front end of the nut housing, a conductive metal tubular insert shaft supported within the nut housing or the front nut assembly, a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve having a front end portion mated to a rear end portion of the non-conductive metal tubular insert shaft, a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve, and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of said gripping ferrule.The gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to couple with each other, causing the gripping splint to be radially compressed around the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

[0014] According to some aspects, the conductive metal tubular insert shaft includes a coupling structure configured to couple a coupling structure of the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve to couple the conductive metal tubular insert shaft with the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

[0015] In some respects, a rear nut assembly is configured to engage the rear end of the nut housing and includes an end cap. According to some respects, a middle nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule. In some respects, the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the outer tubular sleeve.

[0016] According to some aspects, a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular grip ferrule.

[0017] In some respects, the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

[0018] In various respects, the front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly.

[0019] According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, a coaxial cable connector includes a nut assembly having a rear cable receiving end and an opposing front end, a hybrid inner sleeve comprising a conductive front portion and a non-conductive rear portion, a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve, and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of said gripping ferrule. The gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping ferrule and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping ferrule to be radially compressed around the hybrid inner sleeve.

[0020] According to some aspects, the conductive front portion of the inner sleeve is a conductive metal tubular insert shaft, where the conductive metal tubular insert shaft has a rear end portion and the non-conductive rear portion is a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve having a front end portion coupled with the rear end portion of the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

[0021] In some respects, the driving front portion includes a coupling structure configured to couple a non-driving rear portion coupling structure to couple the driving front portion with the non-driving rear portion.

[0022] According to various aspects, a rear nut assembly is configured to engage the rear end of the nut housing and includes an end cap. In some aspects, a middle nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule. In various aspects, the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the tubular outer sleeve.

[0023] In various respects, a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular grip ferrule.

[0024] According to some aspects, the coaxial cable connector further includes a front nut assembly configured to engage the nut housing, wherein the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

[0025] In some respects, the coaxial cable connector further includes a front nut assembly configured to mate with the nut housing, and the front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly.

[0026] Various aspects of the hardline coaxial cable connector, as well as other embodiments, objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure, will become evident from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective and exploded view of a conventional hardline connector.

[0028] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the connector of the Figure 1.

[0030] Figure 4 is another enlarged cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 1.

[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another conventional hardline connector.

[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective and exploded view of an example hardline connector according to various aspects of the disclosure.

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 6.

[0034] Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the connector of the Figure 6.

[0035] Figure 9 is a perspective and exploded view of another example hardline connector according to various aspects of disclosure.

[0036] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 9.

[0037] Figure 11 is a perspective and exploded view of yet another example hardline connector according to various aspects of disclosure.

[0038] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 11.

[0039] Figure 13 is a perspective and exploded view of another example hardline connector according to various aspects of disclosure.

[0040] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional side view of the connector in Figure 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FORMS OF REALIZATION

[0041] With respect to Figures 1-4, a conventional connector 10 is described. Connector 10 is for hard-line or semi-rigid coaxial cables. Connector 10 includes a front nut assembly 12 and a rear nut assembly 14 that are configured to connect removably to each other while providing an electrical and mechanical connection between them.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a coaxial cable 100 is inserted into the rear end of the rear nut assembly 14 of the connector 10. Coaxial cables 100 generally include a solid center conductor 102, typically made of a conductive metal such as copper, copper-clad aluminum, copper-clad steel, or similar materials, capable of transmitting electrical signals. Surrounding the center conductor of the cable 102 is a dielectric wire 104 that insulates the center conductor from the cable to minimize signal loss. The dielectric wire 104 also maintains a gap between the center conductor of the cable 102 and an external conductor or shield 106. The dielectric wire 104 is often a plastic material such as polyethylene, a fluorinated plastic material such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, a fiberglass braid, or similar materials.The cable shield or outer conductor is usually made of metal, such as aluminum or copper, and is often extruded to form a hollow tubular structure with a solid wall and a smooth outer surface. An insulating cable jacket (not shown) may surround the outer conductor to further seal the coaxial cable. The cable jacket is usually made of plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polyurethane, or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0043] The connector 10 includes a plurality of components that, in general, have a coaxial configuration around an axis defined by the center conductor 102 of the coaxial cable 100. The front nut assembly 12 includes an inlet body housing 16 that supports a terminal assembly 18 thereon. Specifically, the inlet body housing 16 is formed by an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the terminal assembly 18 and is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The inlet body housing 16 is formed with a threaded portion 20 at its front end and a rear threaded portion 22 opposite the front threaded portion. The front threaded portion 20 is configured to cooperate with field-located devices that receive the front end of the pin assembly. 18. A tonca gasket 24 may be provided around the front threaded portion 30 to improve the seal which is made with a device and a hexagonal portion of the outer perimeter of the inlet body housing 16 may be provided to accommodate the use of tools during installation.

[0044] The rear threaded portion 22 of the front nut assembly 12 is configured to cooperate with the rear nut assembly 14. Specifically, the rear threaded portion 22 includes a rim face 26 that cooperates with an insert shaft 32 of the rear nut assembly 14, as will be described in more detail below.

[0045] The rear nut assembly 14 of connector 10 includes a nut housing 28 having an axial bore and a compression subassembly 30 rotatably supported within the axial bore. The compression subassembly 30 generally includes the insert shaft 32, a support sleeve 34, a cable grip ferrule 36, and an O-ring 42 arranged in a coaxial relationship around the center axis of the rear nut housing 28. The cable sleeve O-ring 42 improves the seal between the nut housing 28 and the cable 100 after assembly.

[0046] The rear nut housing 28 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 44 that cooperates with the rear threaded portion 22 of the inlet body housing 16 so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. The outer surface of the rear nut housing 28 is preferably hexagonal in shape to accommodate the use of tools that facilitate such threading.

[0047] Like its rear end, the rear nut housing 28 is formed by an axial bore 46 sized to receive the cable's outer diameter 100 in a snug-fit ratio. At its front end, opposite the rear end, the rear nut housing 28 is formed by a front axial bore 47 that communicates with the rear axial bore 46 and is sized to accommodate the insert shaft's outer diameter 32. The rear nut housing 28 is also preferably formed by an internal annular shoulder 48 that prevents rearward movement of the support sleeve 34 and, consequently, of the gripping ferrule 36, the gripping ferrule being radially compressed, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0048] The insert shaft 32 includes a tubular body 52 terminating in a flanged front head portion 54. The insert shaft 32 is made of metal. The outside diameter of the tubular body 52 of the insert shaft 32 is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. In addition, the inside diameter of the tubular body 52 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, wherein a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable.

[0049] The support sleeve 34 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass, and includes a sleeve body 58 having an outer surface configured to be received within the front axial bore 47 of the rear nut housing 28. The sleeve body 58 terminates in a rear lip 60 that engages the annular shoulder 48 of the rear nut housing 28.

[0050] The cable gripping ferrule 36 is generally in the form of a split tube having an axial space 66 that extends the entire length of the ferrule. The space 66 allows the diameter of the ferrule 36 to be more easily reduced so that the ferrule can be compressed uniformly and radially around the insert shaft 32 on the back axial movement of the insert shaft 32, as will be discussed in more detail below. The inner surface 68 of the gripping ferrule is preferably provided with a structure to improve the grip on the outer surface of the cable. Such a structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0051] As mentioned above, the outer surface of the cable grip ferrule 36 is provided with a circumferentially enlarged portion 62, which engages a front end 70 of the support sleeve 34, opposite the rear edge 60, on the rear axial movement of the insert shaft 32 to radially compress the grip ferrule 36. The enlarged portion 62 defines a tapered segment of the cable grip ferrule 36 that tapers radially inward in the rearward direction. A rear portion of the grip ferrule 36 is received in an axial bore of the support sleeve 34.

[0052] The operation and installation of connector 10 will be described below. οηηπαη / ζζηζ / ζι / υιλι Initially, the end of the coaxial cable 100 that is to be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut housing 28 is prepared conventionally. In particular, cable preparation involves removing about 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) of dielectric wire 104, outer wire conductor 106, and wire jacket to expose a portion of the center conductor 102 that will mate with the pin terminal assembly 18 of the front nut assembly 12. In addition, about 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) of dielectric wire 104 is removed from within the outer wire conductor 106 to provide clearance for the installation of the insert shaft 32, and about 0.5 inches (12.70 mm) of wire jacket is removed to make an electrical connection with the inner surface 68 of the cable grip ferrule 36.After preparing the cable end, it is inserted into the rear nut housing 28 so that the center conductor portion 102 engages with the pin terminal assembly 18.

[0053] The rear nut housing 28 is then threaded and rotated relative to the front nut housing 16 to translate the front and rear nut assemblies 12, 14 together along their centerlines. As the front and rear nut assemblies 12, 14 are translated closer together, the rim face 26 of the front nut housing 16 engages with a front shoulder 64 of the insert shaft 32 to translate the insert shaft 32 toward the rear of the rear nut housing 28. The interlocking mating surfaces of the front and rear nut assemblies 12, 14 cooperate to limit the amount of rotation between the front nut housing 16 and the rear nut housing 28.

[0054] Rearward translation of the insert shaft 32 causes the external enlarged portion 62 of the gripping ferrule 36 to engage with the front end 70 of the support sleeve 34, resulting in radial compression of the ferrule 36. The radial compression of the ferrule 36 reduces the overall diameter of the ferrule 36 and reduces the axial clearance 66 of the ferrule, so that the internal threaded surface 68 of the ferrule 36 bites down on the exposed portion of the external wire conductor 106 and presses the conductor against the insert shaft 32.

[0055] With regard now to Figure 5, another conventional hardline connector 200 is illustrated. The connector 200 is similar to the conventional connector 10 described above, except that the metal insert shaft 32 is replaced with a front support sleeve 238 constructed from metal and a plastic insert shaft 232. The front support sleeve 238 includes a radially inwardly facing lip 239 that engages with a rearward-pointing shoulder 233 of the insert shaft 232 to limit rearward axial movement of the insert shaft 232 with respect to the rear nut housing 28 during assembly of the front and rear nut housings 16, 28.

[0056] With regard to Figures 6-8, an example hardline connector 300 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The connector 300 includes a front nut assembly 312 and a rear nut assembly 314 that are configured to connect removably to each other while providing an electrical and mechanical connection between them. As also shown in Figures 7 and 8, a coaxial cable 100 is inserted into the rear end of the rear nut assembly 314 of the connector 300.

[0057] Connector 300 includes a plurality of components that, in general, have a coaxial configuration around an axis defined by the center conductor 102 of coaxial cable 100. The front nut assembly 312 includes an inlet body housing 316 that supports a terminal pin assembly 318 thereon. Specifically, the inlet body housing 316 is formed with an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the terminal pin assembly 318 and is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The inlet body housing 316 is formed with a threaded portion 320 at its front end and a rear threaded portion 322 opposite the front threaded portion. The front threaded portion 320 is configured to cooperate with field-located devices that receive the front end of the pin assembly 318.A 324 O-ring can be provided around the front threaded portion 320 to improve the seal that is made with a device, and a hexagonal portion of the outer perimeter of the inlet body housing 316 can be provided to accommodate the use of tools during installation.

[0058] The rear threaded portion 322 of the front nut assembly 312 is configured to cooperate with the rear nut assembly 314. Specifically, the rear threaded portion 322 includes a rim face 326 that cooperates with a driving insert shaft 332 of the rear nut assembly 314, as will be described in more detail below.

[0059] The connector 300 rear nut assembly 314 includes a rear nut housing 328 having an axial bore and a compression subassembly 330 rotatably supported within the axial bore. The compression subassembly 330 generally includes the conductive insert shaft 332, a support sleeve 334, a non-conductive support sleeve 335, a cable grip ferrule 336, and an O-ring 342 arranged in a coaxial relationship around the center axis of the rear nut housing 328. The cable sleeve O-ring 342 improves the seal between the nut housing 328 and the cable 100 after assembly.

[0060] The rear nut housing 328 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 344 that cooperates with the rear threaded portion 322 of the inlet body housing 316 so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. The outer surface of the rear nut housing 328 is preferably shaped Qnnnan / zznz / zi / uli hexagonal to adapt to the use of tools that facilitate said threaded coupling.

[0061] At its rear end, the rear nut housing 328 is formed with an axial bore 346 sized to receive the outside diameter of the cable 100 in a snug fit. At its front end, opposite the rear end, the rear nut housing 328 is formed with a front axial bore 347 that communicates with the rear axial bore 346 and is sized to accommodate the outside diameter of the insert shaft 332. For example, the inner surface of the rear nut housing 328 may include an annular rim 321 and an annular shoulder 323 that define an annular groove 325 having an axial dimension. The annular groove 325 receives an annular projection 327 that extends radially outward from an external surface of the insert shaft 332 and allows axial movement of the insert shaft 332 relative to the rear nut housing 328 within the axial dimension of the annular groove 325.The rear nut housing 328 is also preferably formed with an internal annular shoulder 348 that prevents rearward movement of the support sleeve 334 and therefore of the gripping ferrule 336, the gripping ferrule being radially compressed, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0062] The insert shaft 332 includes a tubular body 352 terminating in a flanged front head portion 354. The insert shaft 332 is made of metal. The outside diameter of the tubular body 352 of the insert shaft 332 is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. In addition, the inside diameter of the tubular body 352 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, wherein a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable.

[0063] The support sleeve 335 is a tubular body made of plastic. The outer diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 335 is sized to fit within the inner diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 335 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, where a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable. A front region of the support sleeve 335 includes a retaining structure 337 configured to receive a complementary retaining structure 339 in a rear region of the insert shaft 332. For example, as illustrated, the retaining structure 337 may be an annular groove and the retaining structure 339 may be an annular projection.The retaining structures 337, 339 cooperate to limit or prevent relative axial movement between the insert shaft 332 and the support sleeve 335. The support sleeve 335 may also include a forward-facing annular shoulder 341 that can be engaged with a rear edge 342 of the insert shaft. Qnnnan / zznz / zi / υιλι 332. The plastic support sleeve 335 may have a thicker radial wall than the metal insert shaft 332. The metal insert shaft 332 has an axial length extending into the gripping ferrule 336, but not extending to the rear axial bore 346. The plastic support sleeve 335 has an axial length extending from the metal insert shaft within the gripping ferrule 336 to the rear axial bore 346.

[0064] The support sleeve 334 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass, and includes a sleeve body 358 having an outer surface configured to be received within the front axial bore 347 of the middle nut housing 328. The sleeve body 358 terminates in a rear lip 360, which engages the annular shoulder 348 of the rear nut housing 328.

[0065] The cable gripping ferrule 336 is generally in the form of a split tube having an axial space 366 that extends the entire length of the ferrule. The space 366 allows the diameter of the ferrule 336 to be more easily reduced so that the ferrule can be compressed uniformly and radially around the insert shaft 332 and the support sleeve 335 upon the back axial movement of the insert shaft 332, as will be discussed in more detail below. The inner surface 368 of the gripping ferrule is preferably provided with a structure to improve the grip of the outer surface of the cable. Such a structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0066] As mentioned above, the outer surface of the cable grip ferrule 336 is provided with a circumferentially enlarged portion 362, which engages with a front end 370 of the support sleeve 334, opposite the rear edge 360, over the rear axial movement of the insert shaft 332 and the support shaft 335 to radially compress the grip ferrule 336. The enlarged portion 362 defines a tapered segment of the cable grip ferrule 336 that tapers radially inward in the rearward direction. A rear portion of the grip ferrule 336 is received in an axial bore of the support sleeve 334.

[0067] The operation and installation of the 300 connector will be described below. Initially, the end of the coaxial cable 100 that is to be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut housing 328 is prepared in a conventional manner. In particular, cable preparation involves removing about 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) of dielectric wire 104, outer wire conductor 106, and wire jacket to expose a portion of the center conductor 102 that will mate with the pin terminal assembly 318 of the front nut assembly 312. In addition, about 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) of dielectric wire 104 is removed from within the outer wire conductor 106 to provide clearance for the installation of the insert shaft 332 and support sleeve 335, and about 0.5 inches (12.70 mm) of wire jacket is removed to make an electrical connection with the inner surface 368 of the cable grip ferrule 336.After preparing the cable end, it is inserted into the rear nut housing 328 so that the center conductor portion 102 engages with the pin terminal assembly 318.

[0068] The rear nut housing 328 is then threaded and rotated relative to the front nut housing 316 to translate the front and rear nut assemblies 312, 314 together along their center axes. As the front and rear nut assemblies 312, 314 are translated closer together, the rim face 326 of the front nut housing 316 engages with a front shoulder 364 of the insert shaft 332 to translate the insert shaft 332 and support sleeve 335 toward the rear of the rear nut housing 328. The interlocking mating surfaces of the front and rear nut assemblies 312, 314 cooperate to limit the amount of rotation between the front nut housing 316 and the rear nut housing 328.

[0069] Rearward translation of the insert shaft 332 and support sleeve 335 causes the external enlarged portion 362 of the gripping ferrule 336 to engage with the front end 370 of the support sleeve 334, resulting in radial compression of the ferrule 336. The radial compression of the ferrule 336 reduces the overall diameter of the ferrule 336 and reduces the axial clearance 366 of the ferrule, so that the internal threaded surface 368 of the ferrule 336 bites down on the exposed portion of the external wire conductor 106 and presses the conductor against the insert shaft 332 and support sleeve 335.

[0070] With respect to Figures 9 and 10, another example hardline connector 400 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The connector 400 includes a front nut assembly 412, a middle nut assembly 413, and a rear nut assembly 414 that are configured to connect removably to each other while providing an electrical and mechanical connection between them. Although not illustrated, the connector 400 is configured so that a coaxial cable 100 can be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut assembly 414 of the connector 400.

[0071] The connector 400 includes a plurality of components that, in general, have a coaxial configuration around an axis defined by the center conductor 102 of the coaxial cable 100. The front nut assembly 412 includes an inlet body housing 416 that supports a terminal pin assembly 418 thereon. Specifically, the inlet body housing 416 is formed with an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the terminal pin assembly 418 and is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The inlet body housing 416 is formed with a threaded portion 420 at its front end and a rear threaded portion 422 opposite the front threaded portion. The front threaded portion 420 is configured to cooperate with field-located devices that receive the front end of the pin assembly 418.A 424 O-ring may be provided around the front threaded portion 420 to improve the seal that is made with a device, and a hexagonally shaped portion of the outer perimeter of the inlet body housing 416 may be provided to accommodate the use of tools during installation.

[0072] The rear threaded portion 422 of the front nut assembly 412 is configured to cooperate with the middle nut assembly 413. Specifically, the rear threaded portion 422 includes a rim face 426 that engages an insert shaft 432 of the middle nut assembly 413.

[0073] The connector 400 middle nut assembly 413 includes a nut housing 428 having an axial bore and a compression subassembly 430 rotatably supported within the axial bore. The compression subassembly 430 generally includes the insert shaft 432, a support sleeve 434, a support sleeve 435, and a cable grip ferrule 436.

[0074] The rear nut assembly 414 of the connector 400 includes an end cap 429, an insert sleeve 443, a first O-ring 442, and a second O-ring 445 arranged in a coaxial relationship around the center axis of the middle nut housing 428. The first O-ring 442 improves the seal between the end cap 429 and the cable 100 after assembly, and the second O-ring 445 improves the seal between the end cap 429 and the middle nut housing 428.

[0075] The middle nut housing 428 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 444 that cooperates with the rear threaded portion 422 of the inlet body housing 416, so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. Similarly, the end cap 429 may be made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 431 that cooperates with a rear threaded portion 433 of the middle nut housing 428 so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. The outer surface of the middle nut housing 428 and / or the end cap 429 is preferably hexagonal to accommodate the use of tools that facilitate such threading.

[0076] The end cap 429 and insert sleeve 443 are formed with an axial bore 446 sized to receive the cable's outside diameter 100 in a snug fit. At one front end of the middle nut housing 428, opposite the end cap 429, the middle nut housing 428 is formed with a front axial bore 447 that Qnnfron / zznz / q / uili communicates with the rear axial bore 446 and is sized to fit the outside diameter of the insert shaft 432. The end cap 429 is preferably formed with an internal annular shoulder 448 that prevents backward movement of the support sleeve 434, and therefore of the gripping ferrule 436, as the gripping ferrule is radially compressed, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0077] The insert shaft 432 includes a tubular body 452 terminating in a flanged front head portion 454. The insert shaft 432 is made of metal. The outside diameter of the tubular body 452 of the insert shaft 432 is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. In addition, the inside diameter of the tubular body 452 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, where a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable.

[0078] The support sleeve 435 is a tubular body made of plastic. The outer diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 435 is sized to fit within the inner diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 435 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, where a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable. In some respects, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 435 may taper from the rear end to the front end, as shown in Figure 10.

[0079] A front region of the support sleeve 435 includes a retaining structure 437 configured to receive a complementary retaining structure 439 in a rear region of the insert shaft 432. For example, as illustrated, the retaining structure 437 can be an annular groove and the retaining structure 439 can be an annular projection. The retaining structures 437, 439 cooperate to limit or prevent relative axial movement between the insert shaft 432 and the support sleeve 435. The support sleeve 435 may also include a forward-facing annular shoulder 441 that can engage a rear edge 453 of the insert shaft 432. The plastic support sleeve 435 may have a thicker radial wall than the metal insert shaft 432. The metal insert shaft 432 has an axial length that extends within the gripping ferrule 436, but does not extend to the rear axial bore 446.The plastic support sleeve 435 has an axial length extending from the metal insert shaft 432 inside the gripping ferrule 436 to the rear axial bore 446.

[0080] The support sleeve 434 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass, and includes a sleeve body 458 having an outer surface configured to be received from the front axial bore 447 of the middle nut housing 428. The sleeve body 458 terminates in a rear rim 460, which engages the annular shoulder 448 of the end cap 429 and a front end of the insert sleeve 443.

[0081] The cable gripping ferrule 436 is generally in the form of a split tube having an axial space 466 that extends the entire length of the ferrule. The space 466 allows the diameter of the ferrule 436 to be more easily reduced so that the ferrule can be uniformly and radially compressed around the insert shaft 432 and the support sleeve 435 upon the back axial movement of the insert shaft 432. The inner surface 468 of the gripping ferrule is preferably provided with a structure to improve the grip on the outer surface of the cable. Such a structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0082] As mentioned above, the outer surface of the cable grip splint 436 is provided with a circumferentially enlarged portion 462, which engages a front end 470 of the support sleeve 434, opposite the rear edge 460, over the forward axial movement of the support sleeve 434 to radially compress the grip splint 436. The enlarged portion 462 defines a tapered segment of the cable grip splint 436 that tapers radially inward in the rearward direction. A rear portion of the grip splint 436 is received in an axial bore of the support sleeve 434.

[0083] The operation and installation of the connect 400 will be described below. Initially, the end of the coaxial cable 100, which is to be inserted through the rear nut assembly 414 and into the rear end of the middle nut housing 428, is prepared conventionally. The middle nut housing 428 is threaded onto and rotated relative to the front nut housing 416, and the end cap 429 is threaded onto and rotated relative to the middle nut housing 428 to translate the front and middle nut assemblies 412, 413 together with their center axes. As the front and middle nut assemblies 412, 413 are translated closer together, the internal annular shoulder 448 engages the support sleeve 434 to translate the support sleeve 434 in a forward axial direction relative to the gripping ferrule 436.The interlocking mating surfaces of the front nut, middle nut, and rear nut assemblies 412, 413, 414 cooperate to limit the amount of rotation between the front nut housing 416, middle nut housing 428, and end cap 429.

[0084] Forward translation of the support sleeve 424 causes the front end 470 of the support sleeve 434 to engage the external enlarged portion 462 of the splint Qnnfron / zznz / q / uili grip 436, resulting in radial compression of the ferrule 436. The radial compression of the ferrule 436 reduces the overall diameter of the ferrule 436 and reduces the axial space 466 of the ferrule so that the internal threaded surface 468 of the ferrule 436 bites down on the exposed portion of the external wire conductor 106 and presses the conductor against the insert shaft 432 and the support sleeve 435.

[0085] With respect to Figures 11 and 12, an example hardline connector 500 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The connector 500 includes a front nut assembly 512 and a rear nut assembly 514 that are configured to connect removably to each other while providing an electrical and mechanical connection between them. Although not illustrated, the connector 500 is configured so that a coaxial cable 100 can be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut assembly 514 of the connector 500.

[0086] The 500 connector includes a plurality of components in general that have a coaxial configuration about an axis defined by the center conductor 102 of the coaxial cable 100. The front nut assembly 512 includes an inlet body housing 516 that supports a terminal pin assembly 518 therein. Specifically, the inlet body housing 516 is formed with an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the terminal pin assembly 518 and is made of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass, or similar. The inlet body housing 516 is formed with a threaded portion 520 at its front end and a rear threaded portion 522 opposite the front threaded portion 520. The front threaded portion 520 is configured to cooperate with field-located devices that receive the front end of the pin assembly 518.A 524 O-ring may be provided around the front threaded portion 520 to improve the seal that is made with a device, and a portion of the outer perimeter of the inlet body housing 516 may be provided with a hexagonal shape to accommodate the use of tools during installation.

[0087] The rear threaded portion 522 of the front nut assembly 512 is configured to cooperate with the rear nut assembly 514. Specifically, the rear threaded portion 522 includes a rim face 526 and enlarged surface 527 that cooperates with an enlarged surface of the gripping ferrule 536, as will be described in more detail below.

[0088] The rear nut assembly 514 of the connector 500 includes a nut housing 528 having an axial bore and a compression subassembly 530 rotatably supported within the axial bore. The compression subassembly 530 typically includes a support sleeve 534, a cable grip ferrule 536, and an O-ring 542 arranged in a Qnnban / 77n7 / q / uli coaxial relationship around the central axis of the rear nut housing 528. The cable sleeve o-ring 542 improves the seal between the nut housing 528 and the cable 100 after assembly.

[0089] The rear nut housing 528 is made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 544 that cooperates with the rear threaded portion 522 of the inlet body housing 516 so that the two portions of the connector can be threaded together. The outer surface of the rear nut housing 528 is preferably hexagonal in shape to accommodate the use of tools that facilitate such threading.

[0090] At its rear end, the rear nut housing 528 is formed with an axial bore 546 sized to receive the cable's outer diameter 100 in a snug fit. The rear nut housing 528 is also preferably formed with an internal annular shoulder 548 that prevents rearward movement of the support sleeve 534 and, consequently, of the gripping ferrule 536, as the gripping ferrule is radially compressed.

[0091] For example, the inner surface of the input body housing 516 may include an annular rim 521 and an annular shoulder 533 that define an annular groove 525 having an axial dimension. The annular groove 525 receives an annular projection 527 that extends radially outward from an external surface of the insert shaft 532 and permits axial movement of the insert shaft 532 relative to the input body housing 516 within the axial dimension of the annular groove 525.

[0092] The insert shaft 532 includes a tubular body 552 terminating in a flanged front head portion 554. The insert shaft 532 is made of metal. The outside diameter of the tubular body 552 of the insert shaft 532 is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. In addition, the inside diameter of the tubular body 552 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, wherein a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable.

[0093] The support sleeve 535 is a tubular body made of plastic. The outer diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 535 is sized to fit within the inner diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. Additionally, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 535 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, where a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable. In some respects, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 535 may taper from the rear end to the front end, as shown in the Figure 12.

[0094] A front region of the support sleeve 535 includes a retaining structure 537 configured to receive a complementary retaining structure 539 in a rear region of the insert shaft 532. For example, as illustrated, the retaining structure 537 can be an annular groove and the retaining structure 539 can be an annular projection. The retaining structures 537, 539 cooperate to limit or prevent relative axial movement between the insert shaft 532 and the support sleeve 535. The support sleeve 535 may also include a forward-facing annular shoulder 541 that can be engaged with a rear edge 553 of the insert shaft 532. The plastic support sleeve 535 may have a thicker radial wall than the metal insert shaft 532. The metal insert shaft 532 has an axial length that extends within the gripping ferrule 536, but does not extend to the rear axial bore 546.The plastic support sleeve 535 has an axial length extending from the metal insert shaft inside the gripping ferrule 536 to the rear axial hole 546.

[0095] The support sleeve 534 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass, and has an outer surface configured to be received within the front axial bore 547 of the rear nut housing 528. The support sleeve 534 terminates in a rear lip 560, which engages the annular shoulder 548 of the rear nut housing 528.

[0096] The cable gripping ferrule 536 is generally in the form of a split tube having an axial space 566 that extends the entire length of the ferrule. The space 566 allows the diameter of the ferrule 536 to be more easily reduced so that the ferrule can be uniformly and radially compressed around the insert axis 532 and the support sleeve 535 upon forward axial movement of the gripping ferrule 536, as will be discussed in more detail below. The inner surface 568 of the gripping ferrule 536 is preferably provided with a structure to improve the grip of the outer surface of the cable. Such a structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0097] As mentioned above, the outer surface of the cable grip ferrule 536 is provided with a circumferential enlarged portion, which engages a rear end 526 of the inlet body housing 516, over the forward axial movement of the grip ferrule 536 to radially compress the grip ferrule 536. The enlarged portion defines a tapered segment of the cable grip ferrule 536 that tapers radially inward in the forward direction. A rear portion of the grip ferrule 536 is received in an axial bore of the support sleeve 534.

[0098] The operation and installation of the 500 connector will be described below. οηηπαη / ζζηζ / Σΐ / υιλι Initially, the end of the coaxial cable 100 that is to be inserted through the rear nut housing 528 is prepared in a conventional manner. Then, the rear nut housing 528 is threaded onto and rotated relative to the front nut housing 516 to translate the front and rear nut assemblies 512, 514 together along their centerlines. As the front and rear nut assemblies 512, 514 are translated closer together, the support sleeve 534 engages the gripping ferrule 536 to translate the gripping ferrule 536 axially relative to the edge face 526 of the rear threaded portion 522 (i.e., inner sleeve) of the inlet body housing 516. The interlocking mating surfaces of the front and rear nut assemblies 512, 514 cooperate to limit the amount of rotation between the front nut housing 516 and the rear nut housing 528.

[0099] The relative translation between the inner sleeve of the inlet body housing 516 and the gripping ferrule 536 causes the external enlarged portion 561 of the gripping ferrule 536 to engage with the rim face 526 of the rear threaded portion 522 (i.e., inner sleeve) of the inlet body housing 516, resulting in radial compression of the ferrule 536. The radial compression of the ferrule 536 reduces the overall diameter of the ferrule 536 and reduces the axial clearance 566 of the ferrule so that the internal threaded surface 568 of the ferrule 536 bites down on the exposed portion of the external wire conductor 106 and presses the conductor against the tubular body 552 of the insert shaft 532 and the support sleeve 535. [O1OO] With regard to Figures 13 and 14, another example hardline connector 600 is illustrated in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure. The 600 connector includes a front nut assembly 612, a middle nut assembly 613, and a rear nut assembly 614 that are configured to connect removably to each other while providing an electrical and mechanical connection between them. Although not illustrated, the 600 connector is configured so that a coaxial cable 100 can be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut assembly 614 of the 600 connector.

[0101] The connector 600 includes a plurality of components that, in general, have a coaxial configuration around an axis defined by the center conductor 102 of the coaxial cable 100. The front nut assembly 612 includes an inlet body housing 616 that supports a terminal pin assembly 618 thereon. Specifically, the inlet body housing 616 is formed with an axial bore configured to cooperatively contain the terminal pin assembly 618 and is made of an electrically conductive material such as aluminum, brass, or the like. The inlet body housing 616 is formed by a threaded portion 620 at its front end and a rear threaded portion 622 opposite the front threaded portion. The front threaded portion 620 is configured to cooperate with field-located devices that receive the front end of the pin assembly 618.An O-ring 624 may be provided around the front threaded portion 620 to improve the seal which is made with a device, and a portion of the outer perimeter of the inlet body housing 616 may be provided with a hexagonal shape to accommodate the use of tools during installation.

[0102] The rear threaded portion 622 of the front nut assembly 612 is configured to cooperate with the middle nut assembly 613. Specifically, the rear threaded portion 622 includes a rim face 626 that cooperates with a nut housing 628 of the middle nut assembly 613, as will be described in more detail below.

[0103] The connector 600 middle nut assembly 613 includes a nut housing 628 having an axial bore and a compression subassembly 630 rotatably supported within the axial bore. The compression subassembly 630 generally includes a support sleeve 634, a support sleeve 635, and a cable grip ferrule 636.

[0104] The rear nut assembly 614 of the connector 600 includes an end cap 629, an insert sleeve 643, a first O-ring 642, and a second O-ring 645 arranged in a coaxial relationship around the center axis of the middle nut housing 628. The first O-ring 642 improves the seal between the end cap 629 and the cable 100 after assembly, and the second O-ring 645 improves the seal between the end cap 629 and the middle nut housing 628.

[0105] The middle nut housing 628 is made of an electrically conductive material, for example, a machined metal such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes a front internally threaded portion 644 that cooperates with the rear threaded portion 622 of the inlet body housing 616 so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. Similarly, the end cap 629 can be made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, brass, or the like, and includes an externally threaded rear portion 631 that cooperates with a rear threaded portion 633 of the rear nut housing 628 so that the two connector portions can be threaded together. The outer surface of the rear nut housing 628 and / or the end cap 629 is preferably hexagonal to accommodate the use of tools that facilitate such threading.

[0106] The end cap 629 and insert sleeve 643 are formed with an axial bore 646 sized to receive the cable outside diameter 100 in a snug fit. At one front end of the rear nut housing 628, opposite the end cap 629, the rear nut housing 628 is formed with a front axial bore 647 communicating with the rear axial bore 646. οηηπαη / ζζηζ / Σΐ / υιλι The end cap 629 is preferably formed with an internal annular shoulder 648 that prevents backward movement of the support sleeve 634, and therefore the gripping splint 636, as the gripping splint 636 is radially compressed, as will be discussed in more detail below.

[0107] The rear nut housing 628 includes a tubular body 651 forming the front axial bore 647, a front flanged head portion 654 extending inward from the tubular body 651 of the rear nut housing 628, and a tubular portion 652 extending axially from the front flanged head portion 654 in a rearward direction. The tubular portion 652 is radially inwardly separated from the tubular body 651, and the outside diameter of the tubular portion 652 is sized to fit within the inside diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. In addition, the inside diameter of the tubular body 652 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, wherein a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable.

[0108] The support sleeve 635 is a tubular body made of plastic. The outer diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 635 is sized to fit within the inner diameter of the outer conductor 106 of the coaxial cable 100. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 635 is sized to provide a passage for receiving the center conductor 102 of the cable 100 after the cable has been prepared for termination, where a length of dielectric 104 has been removed from the front end of the cable. In some respects, the inner diameter of the tubular body of the support sleeve 635 may taper from the rear end to the front end, as shown in Figure 14.

[0109] A front region of the support sleeve 635 includes a retaining structure 637 configured to receive a complementary retaining structure 639 in a rear region of the tubular portion 652. For example, as illustrated, the retaining structure 637 can be an annular groove and the retaining structure 639 can be an annular projection. The retaining structures 637 and 639 cooperate to limit or prevent relative axial movement between the tubular portion 652 and the support sleeve 635. The support sleeve 635 may also include a forward-facing annular shoulder 641 that can be engaged with a rear edge 653 of the tubular portion 652. The plastic support sleeve 635 may have a thicker radial wall than the metal tubular portion 652. The metal tubular portion 652 has an axial length that extends into the gripping ferrule 636 but does not extend to the rear axial bore 646.The plastic support sleeve 635 has an axial length extending from the metal tubular portion 652 inside the gripping ferrule 636 to the rear axial hole 646. οηηπαη / ζζηζ / Σΐ / υιλι

[0110] The support sleeve 634 is preferably made of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum or brass, and includes a sleeve body 658 having an outer surface configured to be received within the front axial bore 647 of the rear nut housing 628. The sleeve body 658 includes a retaining structure 674, for example, an annular groove, on its outer surface, and the rear nut assembly 628 includes a retaining structure 676, for example, an annular groove, on an inner surface of the tubular body 651. The retaining structures 674, 676 are configured to receive a snap ring 672 such that when the snap ring 672 is received in the retaining structures 674, 676, the sleeve body 658 is axially fixed with respect to the rear nut assembly 628.The sleeve body 658 terminates in a rear rim 660, which engages the annular shoulder 648 of the end cap 629 and a front end of the insert sleeve 643.

[0111] The cable gripping ferrule 636 is generally in the form of a split tube having an axial space 666 that extends the entire length of the ferrule. The space 666 allows the diameter of the ferrule 636 to be more easily reduced so that the ferrule can be uniformly and radially compressed around the tubular portion 652 and the support sleeve 635 against the forward axial movement of the support sleeve 635. The inner surface 668 of the gripping ferrule 636 is preferably provided with a structure to improve the grip on the outer surface of the cable. Such a structure may include internal threads, teeth, or some other form of textured surface.

[0112] As mentioned above, the outer surface of the cable grip ferrule 636 is provided with a circumferentially enlarged portion 662, which engages a front end 670 of the support sleeve 634, opposite the rear edge 660, over the forward axial movement of the support sleeve 634 to radially compress the grip ferrule 636. The enlarged portion 662 defines a tapered segment of the cable grip ferrule 636 that tapers radially inward in the rearward direction. A rear portion of the grip ferrule 636 is received in an axial bore of the support sleeve 634.

[0113] The operation and installation of the 600 connector will be described below. Initially, the cable grip ferrule 636, support sleeve 634, and snap ring 672 are inserted into the rear end of the rear nut housing 628 between the tubular body 651 and the tubular portion 652, and a front end of the support sleeve 635 is inserted into a rear end of the tubular portion 652, as illustrated in Figure 14.

[0114] One end of the coaxial cable 100, which is to be inserted into the rear end of the rear nut housing 628, is prepared in a conventional manner. In particular, the preparation of the cable involves removing about 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) of the dielectric cable. 104, outer conductor of cable 106, and cable jacket are removed to expose a portion of the center conductor 102 that will engage the pin terminal assembly 618 of the front nut assembly 612. In addition, about 1.25 inches (31.75 mm) of the dielectric wire 104 is removed from within the outer conductor of cable 106 to provide clearance for the installation of the tubular portion 652 of the rear nut housing 628, and about 0.5 inches (12.70 mm) of cable jacket is removed to make an electrical connection with the inner surface 668 of the cable grip ferrule 636. After preparing the cable end, it is inserted through the rear nut assembly 614 and the rear nut housing 628 so that the portion of the center conductor 102 engages the pin terminal assembly 618.

[0115] The end cap 629 is threaded on and rotated with respect to the rear nut housing 628 to translate the middle and rear nut assemblies 613, 614 together along their center axes. As the middle and rear nut assemblies 613, 614 translate closer, the end cap 629 and / or insert sleeve 643 causes the front end 670 of the support sleeve 634 to engage with the external enlarged portion 662 of the gripping ferrule 636, resulting in radial compression of the ferrule 636. The radial compression of the ferrule 636 reduces the overall diameter of the ferrule 636 and reduces the axial clearance 666 of the ferrule so that the internal threaded surface 668 of the ferrule 636 bites down on the exposed portion of the outer wire conductor 106 and presses the conductor against the tubular portion 652 of the rear nut housing 628.

[0116] The rear nut housing 628 is then threaded and rotated relative to the front nut housing 616 to translate the front and middle nut assemblies 612, 613 together along their center axes. As the front and rear nut assemblies 612, 613 are translated closer together, the rim face 626 of the front nut housing 616 engages with a front surface 664 of the front flanged head portion 654 of the rear nut housing 628. The mating surfaces of the front and middle nut assemblies 612, 613 cooperate to limit the amount of rotation between the front nut housing 616 and the rear nut housing 628.

[0117] Although illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that a person of average skill may make various other changes and modifications to them without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0118] Several changes to the structures described and shown above will now be evident to people of average skill. Accordingly, the disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a nut assembly having a rear cable receiving end and an opposing front end; a hybrid inner sleeve comprising a conductive front portion and a non-conductive rear portion, wherein the hybrid inner sleeve is supported within the nut assembly; a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve; and a tubular outer sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of said gripping ferrule, wherein the gripping ferrule and the tubular outer sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping ferrule and the tubular outer sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping ferrule to be radially compressed around the hybrid inner sleeve.

2. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 1, wherein the conductive front portion of the inner sleeve is a conductive metal tubular insert shaft, wherein the conductive metal tubular insert shaft has a rear end portion, and wherein the non-conductive rear portion is a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve having a front end portion coupled to the rear end portion of the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

3. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the conductive front portion includes a coupling structure configured to couple a coupling structure of the non-conductive rear portion to couple the conductive front portion with the non-conductive rear portion.

4. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of the preceding claims further comprises a rear nut assembly configured to engage with the rear end of the nut housing, and the rear nut assembly includes an end cap.

5. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of the preceding claims, wherein a half nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule.

6. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 5, wherein the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the tubular outer sleeve.

7. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 1-3, wherein a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule.

8. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 1-4, further comprising a front nut assembly configured to engage with the nut housing, wherein the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

9. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 1-7, further comprising a front nut assembly configured to engage with the nut housing, wherein the front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly.

10. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a nut housing having a rear cable receiving end and a front end opposite said rear end; a front nut assembly coupled to the front end of the nut housing, wherein the front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly; a conductive metal tubular insert shaft supported within the nut housing or the front nut assembly, wherein the conductive metal tubular insert shaft has a rear end portion; a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve having a front end portion coupled with the rear end portion of the conductive metal tubular insert shaft; and a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve.and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of said splint, wherein the gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping splint to be radially compressed around the axis of the conductive metal tubular insert and the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

11. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 10, wherein the conductive metal tubular insert shaft includes a coupling structure configured to couple a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve coupling structure to couple the conductive metal tubular insert shaft with the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

12. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 10 or claim 11, further comprising a rear nut assembly configured to engage with the rear end of the nut housing, wherein the rear nut assembly includes an end cap.

13. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 10-12, wherein a half nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule.

14. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 13, wherein the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the tubular outer sleeve.

15. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 10-12, wherein a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule.

16. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 10-12, wherein the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

17. A coaxial cable connector comprising: a nut housing having a rear cable receiving end and an opposing front end; a front nut assembly mated to the front end of the nut housing; a conductive metal tubular insert shaft supported within the nut housing or the front nut assembly; a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve having a front end portion mated to a rear end portion of the conductive metal tubular insert shaft; a tubular gripping ferrule radially surrounding the metal insert shaft and the plastic support sleeve;and an outer tubular sleeve radially surrounding at least a portion of said gripping splint, wherein the gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to move relative to each other in an axial direction, such that the gripping splint and the outer tubular sleeve are configured to engage with each other, causing the gripping splint to be radially compressed around the axis of the conductive metal tubular insert and the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

18. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 17, wherein the conductive metal tubular insert shaft includes a coupling structure configured to couple a non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve coupling structure to couple the conductive metal tubular insert shaft with the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve.

19. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 17 or claim 18, further comprising a rear nut assembly configured to engage with the rear end of the nut housing, wherein the rear nut assembly includes an end cap.

20. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 17-19, wherein a half nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve, and the tubular gripping ferrule.

21. The coaxial cable connector as defined in claim 20, wherein the middle nut assembly further includes the conductive metal tubular insert shaft and the tubular outer sleeve.

22. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 17, 18, 20 and 21, wherein a rear nut assembly includes the nut housing, the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the tubular gripping ferrule.

23. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 17-19, wherein the front nut assembly includes the non-conductive plastic tubular support sleeve and the conductive metal tubular insert shaft.

24. The coaxial cable connector as defined in any of claims 17-19, wherein the front nut assembly includes an inlet body housing and a conductive terminal pin extending from a front end of the front nut assembly.

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