Connector for coaxially shielded cable

Claim 1

A connector structure for connecting a plurality of coaxial cables to a standard array of non-coaxial male contacts, said connector structure comprising: (a) a female connector for each said coaxial cable comprising: (1) an inner contact having a first end compatible with each of said male contacts and an axially-spaced second end electrically and mechanically connected to the inner conductor of said coaxial cable; (2) an electrically insulating element coaxially surrounding said inner contact; and (3) an outer contact having a rectangular cross-section and coaxially surrounding said insulating element, said outer contact coaxially extending between the first and second ends of said inner contact and being ®1®ctrically and mechanically connected to the outer conductor of said coaxial cable proximate the second end of the inner contact; (b) an auxiliary contact comprising a connector element separable from each of said outer contacts and having a plurality of mechanically and electrically interconnected surfaces, said surfaces being spaced from said male contacts and at least one said surface being disposed adjacent each said male contact for resilient friction-fit type mechanical and electrical connection with a portion of said outer contact when said adjacent male contact is received in said inner contact; and (c) means for electrically and mechanically connecting said auxiliary contact to at least one of said male contacts thereby electrically connecting the outer conductors of all said coaxial cables to said one male contact.