Coaxial electrical connector also performing a switching function

Claim 1

A coaxial electrical connector assembly comprising a first coaxial connector element (8) and a second coaxial connector element (1), (a) said first coaxial connector element (8) including a central conductor (7) and an outer earth conductor (11), (b) said second coaxial connector element (1) is engageable with the first connector element (8) to establish a coaxial connection of the central and outer conductors, (c) said second coaxial connector element (1) including a central conductor (2), an earth conductor (3) surrounding the central conductor (2) and being separated therefrom by an insulator (4), and a third conductor (5) which is normally in electrical contact with the central conductor (2) when said second connector element (1) is not engaged with the first connector element (8), (d) the first connector element (8) having a portion (10) adapted to engage and to move the central conductor (2) away from the third conductor (5) of said second connector element, (e) the third conductor (5) of the second connector element (1) over the major part of its length is separated from the central conductor (2) thereof by the earth conductor (3), ensuring good electromagnetic isolation of the central conductor (2) from the third conductor (5).