CA2023463C

CA2023463C - Coaxial cable connector

Info

Publication number: CA2023463C
Application number: CA002023463A
Authority: CA
Inventors: George T. Campbell; Shih-Chin Chu
Original assignee: Viacom International Inc; Yumen Inc
Current assignee: Viacom International Inc; Yumen Inc
Priority date: 1989-09-08
Filing date: 1990-08-16
Publication date: 1994-03-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-08-16
Also published as: US5002503A; EP0416700B1; JPH03152887A; DE69016891D1; EP0416700A1; DE69016891T2; CA2023463A1; MX172365B; JPH0640501B2

Abstract

COAXIAL CABLE CONNECTOR George T. Campbell Shih-Chin Chu ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A coaxial cable connector using the interference fit of a metallic sleeve forced into an open end of an annular space of a metallic coaxial cable connector end piece to provide the holding force required to maintain a tight mechanical connection between the coaxial cable and the coaxial cable connector thereby providing a good electrical contact between the coaxial cable shielding conductor and the coaxial cable connector, to provide good electromagnetic shielding performance for a central conductor from outside interference.

Description

CMP/M-976 2023~3 3 George T. Campbell 4 Shih-Chin Chu ~ ACKGROUND ~F THE INVENTION

Field Of The Invention 8 _ g This invention relates to a connector for a coaxial cable and in particular to a two-piece connector which upon 11 assembly becomes a one-piece connector which provides a 12 connection which is completely shielded and thus remains 13 leakproof to electromagnetic radiation over time.

DescriDtion of the Prior Art lC
Coaxial cable (Figures la and lb) consists of a centrally located conductor (typically copper) 1 surrounded by a first dielectric insulator 2, which forms an annular 18 ring of an approximately uniform thickness around the 19 centrally located conductor 1. The outer surface of the dielectric insulator 2 is covered by an outer conductor (typically a uniformly circularly braided conducting wire 2 such as aluminum) 4 which serves as a ground shield and 224 which in turn is covered by a second dielectric layer 5 (sometimes called the outside or outer insulation layer).
Originally, the outer (shielding) conductor was a single 26 layer of uniformly circularly braided conducting wire 4.
27 More recently a third layer of conductive material 3 28 (typically a relatively thin covering such as a foil of the 29 same conductive material as the wire braid), shown in Figure lb, has been added under the wire braid outer 31 conductor 4 but outside the first layer of dielectric 32 insulation to provide additional shielding. Conductive 33 material 3 can be bonded to first dielectric 2 or can be 34 unbonded, and can be applied in various thicknesses which are known as single, double, and triple foil cable. Outer 36 conductor 4, as noted above the layer of uniformly 37 circularly braided conducting wire, covers this foil. Outer CMPtM-976 ~ 6 3 1 conductor 4 is typically a braid which is manufactured in 2 various braid coverage percentages, i.e., 40%, 67%, and 3 90%. Second dielectric layer 5 surrounds the outer 4 conductor 4 (Figures la and 1~).
Absent defects in the cable, the industry has accepted 6 that coaxial cable alone provides a very good means for 7 shielding electrical signals from their surrounding electro-8 magnetic environment, particularly at signal frequencies g above 5 MHz.
Coaxial cables are commonly used to transmit video 11 signals. To ensure a clean, clear picture on a television 12 set, it is important to avoid interference between the 13 electrical signal carried through the coaxial cable and the 14 surrounding electromagnetic environment.
Any loss of shielding when connecting one coaxial cable 16 to another by means of a coaxial cable connector can cause 17 interference between signals being conducted in and transmitted outside the cable. Connectors for coaxial cable have evolved over time and many different structures have been tried to connect coaxial cables while maintaining the 2201 integrity of both the insulation and the shielding of the coaxial cable and of the connector. Each prior art 232 structure has some performance or cost drawback.
While coaxial cables are used in many industries, a particularly important use is in the telecommunications industry Por transmitting television signals from a 26 receiving antenna or cable television source to television 27 sets. While coaxial cable is a good means for transporting 28 the television signal, whenever there is a termination of 29 the coaxial cable requiring a connector (such as connecting the coaxial cable to a main cable line, connecting the 31 coaxial cable to a customer's point of service, or just to 32 lengthen a previously installed cable) the cable television 33 industry has found that the television signal carried on the 34 central conductor in a coaxial cable will egress as well as receive outside signals when there is a gap between the 36 shielding of the coaxial cable and the connector. This loss 37 of shielding integrity allows external signals to be picked 1 up by the central conductor in the coaxial cable and to 2 interfere with the cable television signal and also allows 3 the cable television signal to leak out of the coaxial 4 cable.
In 1935 the F.C.C. assigned a frequency spectrum to be 6 used for transmitting television signals. The frequency 7 band from 50 MHz to 88 MHz contains channels 2 through 6 and 8 the frequency band from 174 M~z to 216 MHz contains channels 9 7 through 13 for a total of 12 VHF channels. State of the art cable systems have up to 88 channels and cover frequency 11 spectrum from 5 MHz to 550 MH2. This is allowed only if the 12 television signals remain inside the coaxial cable. If the 13 signals are allowed to escape the coaxial environment, i.e.
14 be retransmitted from faulty connectors, they can and do interfere with sensitive frequency bands such as those 16 utilized by, for example, police and fire department radios, 17 aircraft navigation systems, and marine and aircraft distress signals.
19 Because there is normally a timing delay between signals sent over ¢able television lines when compared to signals received directly from an antenna source, two out-21 of-phase signals, a strong signal and a weak signal, are 22 received by the television tuner. The presence of two such 23 signals causes what is commonly known in the industry as 24 "ghosts."
A solution is needed to eliminate "ghosts" created as a 26 result of lnterference between television signals sent via 27 coaxial cable ~rom a cable television source and television 28 signals which are transmitted through the environment by 29 television stations ~and are available in most cities and towns merely by an antenna hookup).
3~ Apart from a few exceptions, experience has shown that 32 problems which cable customers experience having to do with 33 interference or Hghosts" can be traced to connector 34 failure. A connector }8 said to have "failed" when inter-ference problems associated with signal leakage are 36 eliminated by the replacement of that particular coaxial 37 cable connector. While the connectors individually cost .

202~3 1 less than fifty cents per unit, the cost of sending a 2 technician to locate and identify a customer problem or 3 replace connectors due to normal maintenance or system 4 expansion can amount to $30.00 or more per connector unit.
This problem has been identified in the cable 6 television industry for a number of years. Research has 7 recently been undertaken to compare the various connectors 8 available on the market and their performance compared with g each other over time. Preliminary results of this ongoing study indicate that each connector examined exhibits a 11 maximum level of performance at the time of assembly and 12 installation. This performance degrades measurably with 13 time until at some point the performance is so low that the 14 connector is deemed to have ~failed."
~istorically, the first connectors for coaxial cables (illustrated in Figure 2a in an exploded view) were two 16 piece connectors generally referred to in the industry as 17 F-connectors. Connector 8, illustrated in Figure 2a, is 8 illustrative of a typical F-connector which is comprised of free-spinning nut 9 which is retained and integrated at one end of hollow post 10 by collar 11. Barb 12 is provided at 21 the opposite end of post 10. The second piece of the two 22 pieces is metal sleeve 13 which, when crimped in place 23 around outside insulator 5 of a coaxial cable which has been 24 pressed onto the hollow post 10, holds the connector on the end of the coaxial cable. The inside diameter of the 26 opening in post 10 is slightly larger than the outside 27 diameter of first dielectric 2. When post 10 i8 installed 28 on a coaxial cable, the dimensions o barb 12 and thickness 29 of post 10 in barrel portion 14 is such that barb 12 and barrel portion 14 are positioned between first dielectric 2 31 and outer conductor 4.
32 These pieces are assembled by the following steps 33 illustrated in Pigures 2b-2d. As illustrated in Figure 2b, 34 typically outer insulator 5 is stripped off for a distance of 1/2 an inch, then the exposed outer braid conductor 4 is 36 folded back along the outer insulation ~Figure 2c). Then 37 the first dielectric 2 is stripped away for a distance of 1 3/8" exposing the center conductor 1 (Figure 2d). Metal 2 crimp sleeve 13 is placed over the end of the coaxial 3 cable. Then, the end of hollow post 10 having barb 12 is 4 slipped over first dielectric 2 covered with the third layer of conductive material 3, typically aluminum foil, paying 6 careful attention to leave the third layer of conductive 7 material 3 intact and undamaged. Post 10 is forced down 8 along first dielectric 2 until it i5 stopped by end 15 of g collar 11 meeting the end of outer insulation layer 5 and braid outer conductor 4. Post 10 is forced down between the 11 third layer of conductlve material 3 covering the out~ide of 12 first dielectric insulator 2 and outer conductor 4 which is 13 inside of second dielectric layer 5. Metal sleeve 13 which 14 was first put on the end of the cable is then slipped over the outside of end connector where post 10 with barb 12 has 16 been stopped and is then crimped in place. Second 17 dielectric layer 5 and outer conductor 4 are trapped between crimp sleeve 13 and post 10, which acts as a mandrel, and this prevents second dielectric layer 5 from becoming elliptical or misshaped.
21 Historically, this crimping has been done in many 22 different ways. One way was to crimp sleeve 13 as mechanical wire connectors are crimped, at the center (i.e., 24 with pliers or a standard wire crimping tool), relying on the work-hardening of the material of the crimped sleeve 13 to maintain the inward force on the outside insulation 5, 26 forcing outer conductor 4 of the cable onto barb 12 of post 27 10 and relying on the strength of post 10 to not crush 28 during the crimping process.
29 In a second crimping technique which has been used oversized sleeve 13 is crimped into two loops, one around 31 the cable, the other smaller one off to one side consisting 32 of the excess circumference of the sleeve 13 not needed to 33 crimp the loop around the cable. ~his prevented damage to 34 dielectric insulator 5 by direct crimping. Work-hardening of the sleeve material provided the crimping force. Proper 36 or improper crimping in this manner would often cause the 37 sleeve 13 to break at its point of greatest bending, . .
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CMP/M-976 202~4~
1 releasing the tension thus causing the connection to fail.
2 In yet another method, metal sleeve 13 is crimped on 3 post 10 and barb 12 using a hex-patterned crimp. ~he 4 general idea of this method of attachment is to distribute the crimping force somewhat uniformly around outer insula-6 tion layer 5 maintaining a mechanically tight connection. A
7 special hex-crimping tool is used to make this crimp.
8 Unfortunately, this method did not solve the problem of g uniform shielding as pressure was concentrated on the six flats of the hex while the six points had little or no 11 pressure (Figure 2e).
12 While at the time of assembly this connection seemed to 13 be quite tight and efficient, over time the metal of the 14 sleeve 13 which had been crimped relaxed slightly and insulation 5 which had been captured by crimping flowed to a 16 point of lower stress thereby making the connection loose.
17 A one-piece connector, of which connector 17 illus-trated in exploded view in Figure 3 is an example, has also 18 been manufactured and used. It differs from two-piece 19 connector 8 only in that the metal sleeve 18 which was 221 crimped over the coaxial cable is also fixed to post 19, whereas in two-piece connector 8 metal crimp sleeve 13 is 22 loose. Connector 17 is provided commercially with nut 20 23 installed on post 19 and metal sleeve 18 is pressed into 24 place on post 19 to form the completed, assembled unit as illustrated in Figure 4 in partial cut-away fashion. One 26 problem with a connector such as connector 17, in addition 27 to the problem with loosening after a period of time after 28 assembly, was that during assembly of connector 17 on to a 29 coaxial cable, the insertion of post 19 between conductive foil 3 covering first dielectric insulator 2 and the wire 31 braid outer conductor 4 inside the outside insulation layer 32 5 could not be observed. If during installation, as post 19 33 was being inserted into the cable the foil was wrinkled or 34 torn a faulty connection could result.

1 A product developed by the Raychem Corporation to 2 attempt to address the above-noted problems i~ generally 3 called an EZ-F type connector. The EZ-F connector as 4 manufactured by Raychem consists of four pieces in a single assembly, an example of which is illustrated in Figure 5 6 (each piece illustrated in cross sectionJ and the assembly 7 indicated by reference character 23. The individual parts 8 of connector 23 are post 24, compression ring 25, retaining g nut 26, and outside piece 27. As illustrated in Figure 6, outside piece 27 encloses the completed assembly. The post 11 24 is positioned within outside piece 27 and receives the 12 end of the stripped coaxial cable. Compression ring 25, 13 composed of a plastic material, is placed between post 24 14 and ret~ining nut 26. As best illustrated in Figure 6, retaining nut 26 holds the assembly together and prevents 16 compression ring 25 and post 24 from coming out of outside 17 piece 27. The F-connector type female threads 28 in the 18 front of outside piece 27 are of such a diameter that post 24 cannot slip through that space. F-connector type female threads 28 in the front of outside piece 27 are 3/8" x 21 32 TPI threads, the type normally used in coaxial connectors. As generally commercially sold, connector 23 is 23 completely assembled, with retaining nut 26 holding 24 compression ring 25 and post 24 within outs}de piece 27.
After the stripped coaxial cable (with wire braid outer 225 conductor 4 folded back over outside insulation layer 5 for 6 approximately one-eighth inch) is inserted into an assembled 27 connector 23, a tool i9 utilized to lock connector 23 on to 28 the end of the coaxial cable. This tool threads into 29 connector 23 forcing compression ring 25 to plastically deform into the annular open space 29 of post 24 to clamp 31 and hold outside insulation layer 5 of the coaxial cable, 32 and the wire braid outer conductor 4 in annular space 29 of 33 post 24. In contrast to a one piece connector such as 34 connector 17 (illustrated in Figures 3 and 4), post 24 i9 nickel plated brass and performs very efficiently when 36 studied in comparison with other connectors. Figure 6 37 illustrates connector 23 which has been crimped onto the end - . , CMP/M-976 2~234~3 1 of a coaxial cable. For ease of understanding, a highly 2 enlarged cross section taken along lines 7-7 i8 illustrated 3 in Figure 7. One of the problems which plagued that type of 4 connector that still exists with the EZ-F type connector in that the insertion of the coaxial cable into the assembled 6 connector 23 is blind, i.e., the acsembler cannot see how 7 post 24, which is being forced between foil 3 covering first dielectric insulator 2 and wire braid outer conductor 4 g inside outside insulation layer 5 is progressing. Thus post 0 24 can wrinkle and tear foil 3 covering first dielectric 11 insulator 2 without the assembler realizing it, thereby 12 creating a faulty connection.
Another manufacturer, LRC Augat, has provided a coaxial cable connector which is generally referred to as a Snap-N-Seal connector. A connector of this type is illus-trated in Figures 8 and 9, and indicated by reference 16 character 30. A similarly constructed connector is also 17 illustrated in U.S. Patent 4,834,675, issued May 30, 1989.
8 As will be best appreciated by reference to Figure 9, connector 30 contains a free-wheeling nut 31 and a centrally located hollow post 32 and plastic sleeve 33, which locks in 21 place in outer casing 34 upon final assembly. Outer casing 22 34 i9, however, much larger in diameter than any of the 23 other parts of any of the connectors described above which 24 contact wire braid outer conductor 4.
During assembly, the cable is inserted through plastic 26 sleeve 33 with shoulder 35 of sleeve 33 away from the end 27 (Figure 9). ~hen connector 30 is pushed on to the cable.
28 Plastic sleeve 33 is then pressed into outer casing 34, 29 securing plastic sleeve 33 in outer casing 34 and also pressing the wire braid outer conductor 4 which is extending 31 out of the end of the coaxial cable inside outer casing 34 32 against the casing body. Once plastic sleeve 33 has been 33 inserted, it is held there elastically by locking depre~sion 34 36 (Figure 8) in outer casing 34 near the left hand side (as viewed in Figure a) of outer casing 34. Locking depression 36 36 matches with locking projection 37 (Figure 8) on plastic 37 sleeve 33 to cause sleeve 33 to be permanently locked in CMP/M-976 2~23~63 1 place in an elastically compressed state. The force used to 2 introduce plastic sleeve 33 into outer casing 34 also 3 provides a means for deforming the right most end (as viewed 4 in Pigures 8 and 9) of plastic sleeve 33 which contacts wire braid outer conductor 4 inside outer casing 34, thereby 6 pressing wire braid outer conductor 4 against outer casing 34, forming an electrical connection, for the purposes of shielding the central conductor 1. As will be appreciated by reference to Pigure 9, the end of post 32 ~which is inserted between braid 4 and foil 3J is interior of outer casing 34, creating a partially blind insertion situation 11 since the leading edge of post 32 is not easily observed 12 during installation of connector 30 on a coaxial cable.

1 This invention provides a low cost coaxial cable 16 connector whose performance equals or exceeds the perfor-17 mance of other connectors existing today and whose cost is 18 but a fraction of the cost of most prior art connectors.
19 In accordance with this invention, a two piece connector is provided which upon assembly becomes essenti-21 ally a one piece connector which maintains the integrity of 22 the electrical shield of the coaxial cable through the 23 connector, provides an extended ground plane for the 24 connection and additionally provides strong mechanical joint as the result of the formation of an extremely tight 26 mechanical bond between the two pieces. Generally, in 27 accordance with this invention, the first piece and the 28 second piece are made of the same material, preferably a 29 metal, and the first piece has an inside diameter slightly less than the outside diameter of the second piece such that 31 the first piece can be pressed over the second piece thereby 32 to form an integral mechanical bond circumferentially around 33 the outer surface of the second piece which both provides 34 mechanical strength and electrical shielding.
More specifically, in accordance with the present 36 invention, the first piece is an integral end piece 37 comprised of a post, a collar, and a nut and the second _ g _ 2~23~63 70128-188 piece comprises a sleeve. To assemble the two pieces, the sleeve is first slipped over the end of the cable, then the cable ls prepared (stripped with wire braid folded back) and the prepared end of the coaxial cable is inserted into the post and under the collar of the inteqal end piece and then the sleeve is pressed into the collar of the integral end piece with an interference fit, causing the coaxial cable to be held in the first piece of the connector. The pressed fit of the sleeve with the integral end piece presses the coaxial cable wire braid against the integral end plece to create an excellent electrlcal contact and a good electromagnetic shleld for the central conductor. The uniform pressure around the perimeter of the outer insulator avoids the problem of "cold plastic flow" due to lrregular distortions in prior art retainlng sleeves.
An advantage of the connector of the present invention is that the person lnsertlng the coaxlal cable ln the post of the end connector can observe and correct any potentlal damage to the foll covering the dlelectric insulatlon hefore pressing the cable further lnto the connector and a unlform 360 pressure exerted on the outer lnsulator and braid insuring the best possible electrical contact. Accordingly, the connector of the present invention can be successfully lnstalled on a coaxlal cable by one havlng less sklll than that re~ulred to install one of the prior art connectors on a coaxial cable.
A special tool suited to pressing the first plece of the connector onto the sleeve ensures correct flnal assembly of the connector. Also the length of the outslde insulation whlch ls i' ~

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2~23463 removed beyond the point where the central conductor is exposed 1 variable. In the preferred embodiment of the present lnvention the first and second pieces are constructed of tln coated brass.
According to a broad aspect of the invention there is provlded a coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic pieces, an end piece having a central axis and an interference portion located on an interior surface of said end piece, wherein said interference portlon ex~ends parallel to said central axis for a first predetermined distance, said end plece further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said end piece, and a sleeve having a central axis and a circular bore centered about said central axis of said sleeve, wherein said circular bore is slzed to surround an outside covering of a coaxial cable to be engaged with said connector, ~aid sleeve further including an lnterference portion on an external surface of said sleeve, wherein said lnterference portion extends parallel to sald central axls of sald sleeve for a second predetermlned distance, and whereln said interference portion of said sleeve ls dimensloned such that it fits wlthin said end piece in an lnterference fit relationship with said interference portion of said end plece, whereby after a6sembly said end piece and sleeve form a one piece metal unlt as a result of dlrect contact and an lnterference flt between sald interference portlon of sald end piece and said interference portion of said sleeve and a~ a result of the mated relatlonshlp ln which sald post is inserted lnto said coaxial lOa i , ,. .

' " ' .

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2a2~463 cable, the resulting interaction between ~aid sleeve and said post on said coaxial cable provides a circumferentlal clamping actlon on said coaxial cable, clamping said coaxial cable to ~aid connector.
According to another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a coaxial cable connector comprislng:
a hollow cylindrical post having a first end and a second end, said post having a flange on said first end and a barb located intermediate said first end and said second end;
a nut having a reduced opening on one end coaxial with the body of said nut, said opening having a diameter smaller than the dlameter of said flange on said post, said nut positloned on the flange end of sald post;
a cyllndrlcal collar havlng a central axls and a flrst end supported on said post ad~acent to the flange end of said post for retalning said nut on said po~t, said collar having a skirt portion extending coaxially toward said second end of said post, said skirt portion including an interference portion located on an interior surface of said skirt, wherein sald interference portlon extends parallel to sald central axls for a flrst predetermlned distance; and a cyllndrlcal sleeve havlng a first end for lnsertlon between the sklrt portlon of sald collar and the exterlor of said post, sald sleeve havlng an interference portion on an external surface of said first end of said sleeve, wherein said interference portion extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, and wherein the interference lOb .. . .
, ..

2~23~63 portion of said sleeve is dimensioned such that lt fits within said skirt portion of sald collar in an interference fit relationship with said interference portion of said skirt;
the lnside diameter of said skirt portion, the outside diameter of said first end of said sleeve and thickness of sald first end of said sleeve being selected such that when said second end of said post positioned between said outside conductor and said inside insulator and said interference portion of said sleeve is in contact with and press fit within said interference portion of said skirt, as a result of the interaction of said post, said collar, and said sleeve after said press fit sald sleeve exerts forces on the outside insulator of sald coaxlal cable and said outside conductor forclng sald outslde conductor into an intimate contact with said collar and said post.
According to another broad aspect of the invention there is provided a coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic portion~, an integral end subassembly having a central axis, said subassembly including an annular skirt portion surrounding and centered about sald central axls, sald sklrt portion havlng an interference portion wlth an lnslde diameter X with sald lnterference portlon extendlng parallel to said central axis of sald ~kirt for a flrst predetermlned dlstance, said integral end subassembly further including a hollow post located about sald central axis of said lntegral end subassembly, and a sleeve having a central axis and a cylindrical end portion centered about sald central axls, said end portion of said sleeve lOc . . , . :

: .
.:., . . .

2~23~3 having an interference portion with an outside dlameter Y with sald interference portion of said sleeve extending parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, wherein Y ~ X, said sleeve being adapted for lnsertlon withln sald skirt portion such that after assembly said lntegral end subassembly and said sleeve form a single metal assembly as a result of direct contact and an interference fit between said interference portion of said annular skirt portlon and sald lnterference portion of sald sleeve, and as a result of the mated relationship ln which said post is inserted into said coaxial cable the resulting lnteraction between said post and said sleeve on said coaxial cable provides a circumferentlal clamplng actlon on a coaxial cable engaged wlth said lntegral end subassembly and posltioned wlthln sald sleeve to clamp sald cable between said end subassembly and sald sleeve.
According to another broad aspect of the inventlon there ls provlded a coaxial cable connector whlch prior to assembly is two metallic pieces, an end piece having a central axis wlth a skirt portion with an inside surface parallel to said first central axis for a first predetermined distance, said end piece further including a hollow post located about said aentral axis of said end piece, and a sleeve havlng a central axis and an end portion with an outside surface parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, said end portion adapted to form an interference fit with said skirt portlon when assembled, said end piece and said sleeve after assembly forming a one lOd .. . .

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2a23~3 70128-18~
piece metal unit as a result of an interference fit between said end piece and said sleeve, and wherein as a result of the mated relationshlp between said end piece and sald sleeve ln which said post is inserted lnto sald coaxlal cable the resultlng interaction between sald post and said sleeve on said coaxial cable provides a clrcumferentlal clamping action on a coaxial cable engaged wlth said end piece to clamp sald coaxial cable to said connector;
whereln said connector ls produced by the steps of, placlng said skirt portion of said end piece adjacent to said end portion of said sleeve such that said central axis of said end piece is approximately collinear with said central axls of sald sleeve;
engaging said end piece and said sleeve with a pressing device;
pressing sald skirt portion of sald end piece together wlth sald end portion of said sleeve to form said lnterference fit between said skirt portion of said end piece and said end portion of said sleeve; and disengaging said presslng devlce from sald end plece and said sleeve.
Accordlng to another broad aspect of the lnventlon there ls provided a coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic portions, an integral end subassembly having a central axisr sald subassembly includlng an annular skirt portion surrounding and centered about said central axis, sald skirt portion having an inside dlameter X wlth said sklrt portlon extendlng parallel to lOe :' 2~23463 said central axis of said end subassembly for a flr~t predetermined distance, said integral end subassembly further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said integral end suhassembly, and a sleeve having a central axis and a cylindrical end portlon centered about said central axis, said end portion of sleeve havlng an outside diameter Y with said end portion extending parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, wherein Y ~ X, said sleeve being adapted for lnsertion within said skirt portion such that after assembly said integral end subassembly and said sleeve form a single metal assembly as a result of direct contact and an interference fit between said annular skirt portion and said end portion, and where as a result of the mated relationship in which said post is inserted into sald coaxial cable the resulting interaction between said post and said sleeve on said coaxlal cable provldes a clrcumferential clamping action on a coaxial cable engaged with said integral end subassembly and positioned within said sleeve clamps said cable between said end subassembly and said sleeve;
wherein said connector is produced by the steps of, placlng said annular skirt portlon of sald end piece ad~acent to said cyllndrical end portion of said sleeve such that said central axis of sald end subassembly is approximately colllnear wlth said central axls of sald sleeve;
engaglng said end subassembly and said sleeve with a pressing device;
pressing said annular skirt portion of said end piece lOf~' '~

.. .
. , 2a23~63 7012~-188 together with said cylindrical end portlon of sald sleeve to form said interference fit between said annular skirt portion of said end piece and said cylindrical end portion of said sleeve; and disengaging said pressing device from æaid end subassembly and said sleeve.
This invention will be more fully underætood in light of the following detailed description taken together with the drawings.

lOg .

2 Figures la and lb illustrate the typical construction 3 of a coaxial cable;
4 Figure 2a illustrates in an exploded view a two-piece, prior art F-type connector;
6 Figures 2b-2d illustrate the typical preparation steps 7 used on coaxial cable when preparing the cable for receiving 8 an F-type connector;
Figure 2e illustrates a cross sectional view of a hex crimped sleeve on an F-connector with cable included;
11 Figure 3 illustrates the typical construction of a one-12 piece, F-Type, connector;
13 Figure 4 is a partial sectional view of an assembled one-piece connector;
4 Figure 5 is an exploded cross sectional view of a Raychem EZ-F type ccnnector;
16 Figure 6 illustrates in partial cross section an EZ
17 F-connector installed on a coaxial cable;
8 Figure 7 is a highly enlarged, partial sectional view, taken along lines 7-7, of the assembled EZ F-connector and coaxial cable illustrated in Figure 6;
21 Figure 8 is a typical cross section, exploded view of 22 an Augat LRC SNAP-N-SEAL connector;
23 Figure 9 is a cross sectional view of an Augat LRC
24 Snap-N-Seal connector with cable included;
Figure 10a is a cross-sectional view of an assembled 26 connector in accordance with the present invention;
27 Figure 10b is a cross sectional view of a partially 28 assembled connector in accordance with the present 29 invention;
Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view of each of 31 the parts utilized in the present invention;
32 Figure 12 illustrates in cross section the parts 33 illustrated in Figure 11;
34 Figure 13 is a cross sectional view of the connector ln accordance with the present invention installed on an end of 36 a coaxial cable;
37 Figures 14a-14e illustrate the steps utilized in ~` 20'~'~463 1 assembling a connector in accordance with the present 2 invention on a coaxial cable; and 3 Figure 15 illustrates in cross section the male 4 connector piece which would be provided between the end of two female connectors for a coaxial cable connection.

~ DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
8 Connector 40 in accordance with the present invention g is illustrated in an assembled state ~without a coaxial cable) in Figure lOa and the individual elements of 11 connector 40 are illustrated in an exploded view in 12 Figures 11 and 12. Figure lOb illustrates connector 40 13 partially assembled, not including a coaxial cable. ~he 14 present invention will be best understood by simultaneous reference to the above referenced figures. Connector 40 is 16 comprised of post 41, nut 42, collar 43 and sleeve 44. It has been found that it i5 preferable to factory assemble 18 post 41, nut 42 and collar 43 rather than to provide them as separate items for field assembly. Sleeve 44 is mated by the user with the preassembled post 41, nut 42 and collar 43 at the time connector 40 i9 attached to a coaxial cable to 21 form an integral one piece connector completely assembled as 22 illustrated in Figure 13. To ensure that the addition oE
23 sleeve 44 forms an integral one piece unit when assembled 24 with the other elements of connector 40, the external diameter F-F (Fig. 11) of nose portion 44a of sleeve 44 i9 26 made slightly larger than the inside diameter ~-B ~Fig. 12) 27 of collar 43. Thus when nose portion 44a of sleeve 44 is 28 forcibly pressed into the mating opening of collar 43, the 2~ outside sur~ace of nose portion 44a rubs against and places the cylindrical skirt portion 43a ~Fig. 12) of collar 43 31 under tension thereby ensuring that cylindrical skirt 32 portion 43a circumferentially grips and puts in compression 33 the circumferential surface and material of nose portion 44a 34 of sleeve 44. ~y ensuring that under all tolerances the diameter F-F ~Fig. 11) is greater than the inside diameter 36 B-~ ~Fig. 12) of skirt portion 43a of collar 43, an integral 37 interference fit is ensured for all connectors. The .

1 interference fit results in sleeve 44 forming with collar 43 2 an integral one piece unit. Preferably, sleeve 44 and 3 collar 43 are of the same material, typically of brass.
4 However, in some instances the brass is plated with a selected material such as tin or cadmium. As will be 6 appreciated by reference to Figures lOa and 13, in the 7 preferred embodiment free end 43b of skirt portion 43a of 8 collar 43 terminates at a position between flange 53 and g corner 51 of barb 45.
As illustrated in Figure lOb, the post 41 with barb 45 11 has been assembled with nut 42 and collar 43 into an 12 integral end piece collectively indicated by reference 13 character 46. When sleeve 44 is slid into collar 43 as 14 described above, the annular space 47 between barb 45 and the inner surface of sleeve 44 has pre~sed against it braid outer conductor 4 associated with the coaxial cable 16 (Figure 13). The compressive forces applied circumferen-tially on that braid outer conductor 4 result in firmly holding the connector structure onto the coaxial cable and ensure a good electrical contact between the shielding braid outer conductor 4 and the conductive post 41. This 21 shielding contact ensures, therefore, that connector 40 22 continues to shield central conductor 1 Oe the coaxial cable 23 after connector 40 has been formed on the end of the coaxial 24 cable. In addition, outside insulation layer S also is compressed circumferentially and uniformly around the 26 circumference by the insertion of post 41 into sleeve 44 and 27 the formation of the integral single piece connector from 28 integral end piece 46 and sleeve 44 ~illustrated in 29 Figure 13).
The following dimensions as identieied in Pigures 11-12 31 are illustrative of the detail of a connector in accordance 32 with the present invention constructed for use with coaxial 33 cable known in the industry as RG 6 standard coaxial 34 cable. However, anyone skilled in the art will understand that the relative sizes of the various pieces can be changed 36 and the same relationship as shown in conjunction with a 37 connector for RG 6 standard cable will hold true.

CMP/~-976 2 ~ ~3 4 6 ~

1 Integral end piece 46 consists of three pieces: collar 2 43~ nut 42 and post 41 (Figure 10b). These are assembled at 3 the time of manufacturing by pressing collar 43 onto post 4 41, trapping nut 42 (Figure 10b). The inside dimension A-A
(Figure 12) (.245 inches) of collar 43 i9 pressed over 6 shoulder 48 (.248 inches) on post 41 (Figure 10b). This is 7 a .003 inches interference fit which holds integral end 8 piece 46 together. Shoulder 49 on the inside of nut 41 has g a width of .045 inches which will allow nut 41 to float free on neck 50 (.60 inches wide) of collar 43. The ID of 11 shoulder 49 of nut 41 inside flange is .275 inches 12 (Figure 12) and the OD of neck 50 of collar 43 is .270 13 inches (Figure 12). Between these dimensions adequate 14 clearance is provided to allow nut 41 to float and turn freely when being threaded on a mating connector.
16 The dimensions of the post as pictured in Pigures 11 17 and 12, and their functions are as follows. The ID (C-C) of 18 the post 41 is .196 inches, which provides a space to surround first dielectric 2 of the coaxial cable. The corner 51 of barb 45 has an outside diameter of .240 inches which provides a 0.012" lip over the central outside 21 diameter ( D-D) of .216 inches. The length of the barb 45 232 from end 52 of post 41 to corner 51 is .185 inches. Corner 51 of barb 45 assists in holding the cable connected to 24 integral end piece 46. The length of the central shaft of post 41 from corner 51 to the left hand edge of mating 26 shoulder 48 is .317 inches. At the other end of post 41 27 (opposite from barb 45) mating shoulder 4a and flange 53 are 28 provided. Mating shoulder 48 has an outside diameter of 29 .248 inches and a length E of .103 inches. Flange 53 has an outside diameter F-F of .315 inches and a length R of .060 31 inches. The purpose of mating shoulder 48 of the post 41 is 32 to mate with the inside diameter A-A (.245 inches) of collar 33 43 thereby holding integral end piece 46 together. This is 34 a 0.003" interference fit.
The outside diameter of the neck 50 of the collar 43 is 36 .270 inches. The inside diameter of shoulder 49 (.275 37 inches) of nut 41 i8 placed over the shoulder 50 of collar CMP/M-976 2023~63 1 43. Shoulder 50 is .060 inches wide while shoulder 49 of 2 nut 41 i5 0.045 inches wide. This allows nut 41 to turn 3 freely when post 41 is pressed into the collar 43. Other 4 dimensions of the collar 43 include outside diameter G-G of .435 inches, inside diameter B-~ of .~60 inches, interior 6 depth H-H of .200 inches, and necked down portion I-I of 7 .050 inches ~Figure 12).
8 Other dimensions of nut 42 include interior cavity J-J
g having a length of .255 inches, threaded portion 54 (3/8th inch by 32-thread), outside diameter L-L of .430 inches, and 11 hex pattern 55 of 7/16". The overall dimension of post 41 measured from end 52 to the outer edge of flange 53 is 12 .680 inches.
13 The dimension of sleeve 44 (Figures 11 and 12) which mates with collar 43 in integral end piece 46 are as follows. The outside diameter K-K i8 . 380 inches, inside 16 diameter L is .290 inches, main portion 44b having a length 17 M of .500 inches, nose portion 44a of .150 inches, a total 18 length N-N (Figure 11) of .650 inches, nose piece 44a having 19 an OD of .365 inches. Internal slanted portion 44c is .10 inches and 45, with outer dimension O-O of .027 inches at 21 30, and slanted portion P of .010 inches at 45. The 22 outside diameter of nose piece 44a .365 inches of sleeve 44 23 mates with the inside collar diameter B-B of .360 inches, 24 thereby creating a 0.005" interference fit once connector 40 25 i5 assembled.
26 As noted above, the foregoing dimensions of the parts 27 of connector 40 are applicable when connector 40 i8 to be 28 used with standard RG 6 coaxial cable. From the above 29 description it will be appreciated that a connector in accordance with the present invention may be advantageously 31 used with other types and sizes of coaxial cables, such as, 32 for example, RG 6 quad shield cable, RG 59 standard cable 33 and RG 59 quad shield cable. The working relationships and 34 functions of the parts of connector 40 remain the same, however various dimensions ~ay require modification. For 36 example, in connector 40 for RG 6 quad shield cable, 37 although the inside diameter and outside diameter of post 41 2~23463 1 will remain the same, inside diameter L of sleeve 44 will be 2 greater to accommodate the additional layer of foil and wire 3 braid used in the RG 6 quad shield cable. With RG 59 4 standard coaxial cable the inside diameter and outside diameter of post 41 will be smaller and the inside diameter 6 L of sleeve 44 will be smaller. For RG 59 quad shield cable 7 the dimensions of post 41 remain the same, however the 8 inside diameter L of sleeve 44 is increased.
g To assemble connector 40 on a coaxial cable, the following steps as pictured in Figures 14a-14e are 11 followed. Figure 14a shows that the portions of the coaxial 12 cable surrounding the central conductor 1 have been stripped 13 back for about 3/8ths of an inch. The sleeve 44 is then 14 slipped over the outside of the cable with main portion 44b of the shoulder facing the end of the cable. Figure 14 16 shows the outside insulation layer 5 of the coaxial cable 17 stripped back for a distance of .20 to .25 inches. The underlying wire braid outer conductor 4 is not cut, but 19 rather i9 ig laid back over the outside of the remaining outside insulation layer 5. Integral end piece 46 is then 21 inserted into the coaxial cable with the inside diameter C-C
of the post 41 surrounding first dielectric insulator and 2 foil 3, if any, such that post 41 and barb 45 are outside 23 first dielectric insulator 2 and foil 3 covering the first dielectric insulator 2, while the wire braid outer conductor 4 and outside insulation layer 5 are outside of barb 45 on 26 post 41. Integral end piece 46 is inserted into the cable 27 until it cannot be forced any arther down, that 18, until 28 inside end 43c of collar 43 is contacted by wire braid outer 29 conductor 4 which was bent back over outside insulation layer 5. Sleeve 44 i8 then beought up as close as possible 31 to integral end piece 46 and the unassembled unlt is placed 32 into a tool 56 as shown in Figure 14c. Turning handle 57 of 33 the tool 56 as pictured in Figure 14e forces the integral 34 end piece 46 down on to sleeve 44. Figure 14d shows the tool 56 having fully pressed the integral end piece 46 into 36 sleeve 44. The tool 56 is then removed and the completed CMP/M-976 2~23463 1 structure as pictured in Figure 14e and Figure 13 in cross 2 section remains.
3 When integral end piece 46 is mated with sleeve 44 and 4 pressed together, nose piece 44a of sleeve 44 is pressed to fit within inside skirt portion 43a of collar 43 as 6 illustrated in Figures 10a and 13. ~he location of integral 7 end piece 46 and sleeve 44 prior to pressing the integral 8 end piece 46 into sleeve 44 is shown in Figure 10b. Once 9 integral end piece 46 and sleeve 44 are pressed together, they mate as shown in Figure 10a. An interference fit is 11 created between the outside of nose portion 44a of sleeve 44 12 and the inside diameter of skirt portion 43a of collar 43 13 ~Figures 10a and 13).
14 The assembled unit with a coaxial cable in place is shown in enlarged cross section in Figure 13. The coaxial cable as shown in Figure 13 consists of outside insulation 67 layer 5 which has been stripped back from central conductor 1 and the end of first dielectric 2. Wire braid outer 18 conductor 4 is stripped back from the outside of first 19 dielectric insulator 2 and is folded back over outside insulation layer 5 before the coaxial cable is inserted into 21 integral end piece 46. When post 41 with barb 45 i~
22 inserted over first dielectric 2 of the coaxial cable, sharp 23 corner 51 of barb 45 provides additional mechanical 24 resistance to hold the cable in place. Once the sleeve 44 i8 pressed into integral end piece 46, outside insulation 26 layer 5 and braid outer conductor 4 of the coaxial cable are 27 pressed fir~ly against the barb 45 of post 41 to prevent the 28 coaxial cable from slipping out of connector 40. Forcing 29 sleeve 44 into collar 43 of integral end piece 46 forces braid outer conductor 4 against in3ide surface 43c of collar 31 43, providing a good electrical contact. In addition, the 32 presence of the metallic sleeve 44 over the barb 45 of post 33 41 provides another layer of electromagnetic shielding of 34 central conductor 1 from the outside environment.
In order for this connector to be connected to another 36 cable an intermediate coupling 130, Figure 15, must be 37 provided. Intermediate coupling 130 has a seizing device CMP/M-976 2023~63 1 131 which is surrounded by dielectric insulator 132, which 2 i5 surrounded by outer ca~ing 133 threaded at both ends to 3 match threads on nuts 20 of connectors 17. Once the cables 4 are connected to the coupling as pictured in Pigure 15 central conductor 1 of the coaxial eable contacts seizing 6 device 131 of coupling 130 providing electrical contact 7 between central core conductors 1 of each cable. Outside 8 section 133 contacts nut 42 and wire braid outer conductor 4 g of the coaxial cable 3, thereby providing a tightly shielded O connection from the one coaxial cable to another.
11 Other embodiments of the present invention will become 12 obvious to those skilled in the art in light of the above 13 disclosure. It is of course also understood that the scope 14 of the present invention is not to be determined by the foregoin~ description, but only by the following claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic pieces, an end piece having a central axis and an interference portion located on an interior surface of said end piece, wherein said interference portion extends parallel to said central axis for a first predetermined distance, said end piece further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said end piece, and a sleeve having a central axis and a circular bore centered about said central axis of said sleeve, wherein said circular bore is sized to surround an outside covering of a coaxial cable to be engaged with said connector, said sleeve further including an interference portion on an external surface of said sleeve, wherein said interference portion extends parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, and wherein said interference portion of said sleeve is dimensioned such that it fits within said end piece in an interference fit relationship with said interference portion of said end piece, whereby after assembly said end piece and sleeve form a one piece metal unit as a result of direct contact and an interference fit between said interference portion of said end piece and said interference portion of said sleeve and as a result of the mated relationship in which said post is inserted into said coaxial cable, the resulting interaction between said sleeve and said post on said coaxial cable provides a circumferential clamping action on said coaxial cable, clamping said coaxial cable to said connector.

2. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 1, wherein said post includes at least one barb at the end of said post such that when said post is inserted into said cable and said interference portion of said end piece is interference fit with said interference portion of said sleeve, said sleeve causes a portion of said cable to be compressed between said barb on said post and said sleeve when assembled.

3. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 1 where the metal used for one of said two metallic pieces is brass.

4. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 3 where the metal used for one of said two metallic pieces is brass plated with tin.

5. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 3 where the metal used for one of said two metallic pieces is brass plated with silver.

6. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 3 where the metal used for one of said two metallic pieces is brass plated with cadmium.

7. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 3 where the metal used for one of said two metallic pieces is brass plated with nickel.

8. A coaxial cable connector comprising:
a hollow cylindrical post having a first end and a second end, said post having a flange on said first end and a barb located intermediate said first end and said second end;
a nut having a reduced opening on one end coaxial with the body of said nut, said opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said flange on said post, said nut positioned on the flange end of said post;
a cylindrical collar having a central axis and a first end supported on said post adjacent to the flange end of said post for retaining said nut on said post, said collar having a skirt portion extending coaxially toward said second end of said post, said skirt portion including an interference portion located on an interior surface of said skirt, wherein said interference portion extends parallel to said central axis for a first predetermined distance; and a cylindrical sleeve having a first end for insertion between the skirt portion of said collar and the exterior of said post, said sleeve having an interference portion on an external surface of said first end of said sleeve, wherein said interference portion extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, and wherein the interference portion of said sleeve is dimensioned such that it fits within said skirt portion of said collar in an interference fit relationship with said interference portion of said skirt;
the inside diameter of said skirt portion, the outside diameter of said first end of said sleeve and thickness of said first end of said sleeve being selected such that when said second end of said post positioned between said outside conductor and said inside insulator and said interference portion of said sleeve is in contact with and press fit within said interference portion of said skirt, as a result of the interaction of said post, said collar, and said sleeve after said press fit said sleeve exerts forces on the outside insulator of said coaxial cable and said outside conductor forging said outside conductor into an intimate contact with said collar and said post.

9. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 8, wherein said post is constructed of brass coated with tin, silver, nickel, cadmium, or any combination thereof.

10. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 8, wherein said nut is constructed of brass coated with tin, silver, nickel, cadmium, or any combination thereof.

11. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 8, wherein said sleeve is constructed of brass coated with tin, silver, nickel, cadmium, or any combination thereof.

12. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 8, wherein said sleeve and said collar are both constructed of brass.

13. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 8, wherein said sleeve and said collar are both plated with tin or cadmium.

14. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 8, wherein the end of said skirt portion terminates at a position intermediate said second end of said post and said flange end of said post.

15. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 14, where the end of said skirt portion terminates at a position intermediate said barb on said post and said flange end of said post.

16. A coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic portions, an integral end subassembly having a central axis, said subassembly including an annular skirt portion surrounding and centered about said central axis, said skirt portion having an interference portion with an inside diameter X with said interference portion extending parallel to said central axis of said skirt for a first predetermined distance, said integral end subassembly further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said integral end subassembly, and a sleeve having a central axis and a cylindrical end portion centered about said central axis, said end portion of said sleeve having an interference portion with an outside diameter Y with said interference portion of said sleeve extending parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, wherein Y ? X, said sleeve being adapted for insertion within said skirt portion such that after assembly said integral end subassembly and said sleeve form a single metal assembly as a result of direct contact and an interference fit between said interference portion of said annular skirt portion and said interference portion of said sleeve, and as a result of the mated relationship in which said post is inserted into said coaxial cable the resulting interaction between said post and said sleeve on said coaxial cable provides a circumferential clamping action on a coaxial cable engaged with said integral end subassembly and positioned within said sleeve to clamp said cable between said end subassembly and said sleeve.

17. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 16, wherein said post includes at least one barb at the end of said post such that when said post is inserted into said cable and said interference portion of said end piece is interference fit with said interference portion of said sleeve, said barb assists the clamping of the cable between said end subassembly and said sleeve when assembled.

18. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 16 where the metal used for one of said two metallic portions is brass.

19. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 18 where the metal used for one of said two metallic portions is brass plated with tin.

20. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 18 where the metal used for one of said two metallic portions is brass plated with silver.

21. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 18 where the metal used for one of said two metallic portions is brass plated with cadmium.

22. A coaxial cable connector as in claim 18 where the metal used for one of said two metallic portions is brass plated with nickel.

23. A coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic pieces, an end piece having a central axis with a skirt portion with an inside surface parallel to said first central axis for a first predetermined distance, said end piece further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said end piece, and a sleeve having a central axis and an end portion with an outside surface parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, said end portion adapted to form an interference fit with said skirt portion when assembled, said end piece and said sleeve after assembly forming a one piece metal unit as a result of an interference fit between said end piece and said sleeve, and wherein as a result of the mated relationship between said end piece and said sleeve in which said post is inserted into said coaxial cable the resulting interaction between said post and said sleeve on said coaxial cable provides a circumferential clamping action on a coaxial cable engaged with said end piece to clamp said coaxial cable to said connector;
wherein said connector is produced by the steps of:
placing said skirt portion of said end piece adjacent to said end portion of said sleeve such that said central axis of said end piece is approximately collinear with said central axis of said sleeve;
engaging said end piece and said sleeve with a pressing device;
pressing said skirt portion of said end piece together with said end portion of said sleeve to form said interference fit between said skirt portion of said end piece and said end portion of said sleeve; and disengaging said pressing device from said end piece and said sleeve.

24. A coaxial cable connector according to claim 23, wherein said skirt portion of said end piece includes a shoulder and said end portion of said sleeve includes a shoulder and said pressing step presses said skirt portion of said end piece together with said end portion of said sleeve until said shoulder of said sleeve is contacted by said shoulder of said end piece.

25. A coaxial cable connector which prior to assembly is two metallic portions, an integral end subassembly having a central axis, said subassembly including an annular skirt portion surrounding and centered about said central axis, said skirt portion having an inside diameter X with said skirt portion extending parallel to said central axis of said end subassembly for a first predetermined distance, said integral end subassembly further including a hollow post located about said central axis of said integral end subassembly, and a sleeve having a central axis and a cylindrical end portion centered about said central axis, said end portion of sleeve having an outside diameter Y with said end portion extending parallel to said central axis of said sleeve for a second predetermined distance, wherein Y ? X, said sleeve being adapted for insertion within said skirt portion such that after assembly said integral end subassembly and said sleeve form a single metal assembly as a result of direct contact and an interference fit between said annular skirt portion and said end portion, and where as a result of the mated relationship in which said post is inserted into said coaxial cable the resulting interaction between said post and said sleeve on said coaxial cable provides a circumferential clamping action on a coaxial cable engaged with said integral end subassembly and positioned within said sleeve clamps said cable between said end subassembly and said sleeve;
wherein said connector is produced by the steps of:
placing said annular skirt portion of said end piece adjacent to said cylindrical end portion of said sleeve such that said central axis of said end subassembly is approximately collinear with said central axis of said sleeve;
engaging said end subassembly and said sleeve with a pressing device;
pressing said annular skirt portion of said end piece together with said cylindrical end portion of said sleeve to form said interference fit between said annular skirt portion of said end piece and said cylindrical end portion of said sleeve; and disengaging said pressing device from said end subassembly and said sleeve.