Triaxial electrical cable connector

Claim 1

An electrical connector for terminating an electrical cable having a center conductor and a plurality of outer conductors comprising: a center contact for electrical coupling to said center conductor of said cable; an intermediate shell subassembly in the form of a first preassembled unit, said intermediate shell subassembly including an intermediate contact for electrical coupling to a first outer conductor of said cable, and an intermediate insulating member for electrically insulating said center contact from said intermediate contact, said intermediate insulating member being press-fitted within said intermediate contact so as to form said first preassembled unit; an outer shell subassembly in the form of a second preassembled unit, said outer shell subassembly including an outer contact for electrical coupling to a second outer conductor of said cable, and an outer insulating member for electrically insulating said intermediate contact from said outer contact, said outer insulating member being press-fitted within said outer contact so as to form said second preassembled unit; said intermediate contact and said intermediate insulating member comprising generally tubular-shaped members having axial passageways extending therethrough, said intermediate insulating member being positioned within said axial passageway of said intermediate contact, said intermediate insulating member having a first portion having an outside diameter which is less than the diameter of the axial passageway of said intermediate contact, and a second portion comprising an outwardly stepped portion having an inside diameter slightly greater than the inside diameter of said first portion, and having an outside diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of said axial passageway in said intermediate contact, wherein only said second portion of said intermediate insulating member is press-fitted within said intermediate contact; said outer contact and said outer insulating member also comprising generally tubular-shaped members having axial passageways extending therethrough; said outer insulating member being positioned within said axial passageway of said outer contact; said outer insulating member comprising a first front insulating section adapted to be easily received within said axial passageway o said outer contact, and a second rear insulating section adapted to be received within said axial passageway of said outer contact in press-fit relationship therewith; first captivation means on said center contact and on said intermediate shell subassembly for securing said intermediate shell subassembly as a unit together with said center contact; said first captivation means fixing the position of said center contact within said intermediate shell subassembly; second captivation means on said intermediate shell subassembly and on said outer shell subassembly for securing said intermediate shell subassembly as a unit together with said outer shell subassembly as a unit; said second captivation means fixing into position said intermediate shell subassembly within said outer shell subassembly; an intermediate ferrule disposed between said first outer conductor and said outer shell subassembly for securing said first outer conductor to said intermediate shell subassembly; a bushing for securing said second outer conductor to said outer shell subassembly; said second portion of said intermediate insulating member comprises a minor portion of said intermediate insulating member; and said minor portion comprises an outwardly stepped portion also having an inside diameter which is slightly greater than the inside diameter of a major portion.