Solderless coaxial connector

Claim 1

An assembly for releasably joining one end of a semi-rigid coaxial cable to a coaxial connector, said coaxial connector including an array of threads, said assembly comprising: an inner sleeve for mounting generally concentrically around the cable, said inner sleeve including generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces and oppose clamping and connecting ends, the diameter of said cylindrical inner surface being substantially equal to the diameter of said cable, said cylindrical inner surface including an inwardly extending annular ledge adjacent the connecting end of said inner sleeve for limiting the axial movement of said inner sleeve relative to the cable, said inner cylindrical surface including a plurality of annular grooves extending from said clamping end to a point intermediate said clamping and connecting ends, said plurality of annular grooves defining clamping ridges therebetween, said inner sleeve further including a pair of angularly aligned slots extending from the clamping end thereof to a point intermediate the clamping and connecting ends, said inner sleeve being compressable into secure engagement with the cable adjacent said slots and said clamping ridges of said inner sleeve; an outer sleeve for telescopingly sliding over the clamping end of the inner sleeve to progressively compress the inner sleeve; coupling means for threadably engaging the coaxial connector and for limiting movement of the inner and outer sleeves along the cable; and a locking ring mounted intermediate said outer sleeve and said coupling means, said locking ring enabling rotable movement between said outer sleeve and said coupling means but preventing relative axial movement between said outer sleeve and said coupling means.