Abstract: An RF plenum cable has an annular outer conductor and a coaxial inner conductor. Disposed between the inner and outer conductors is a dielectric spine which includes a sleeve that wraps around the inner conductor, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs that project outwardly from an outer surface of the sleeve. Each of the ribs is defined by a tapered configuration having a first thickness at a first end portion coupled to the sleeve, and a second thickness at a second end portion coupled to an inner surface of the outer conductor, in which the first thickness is less than the second thickness. The dielectric spine may be formed of a plastic having a dielectric constant and loss tangent that, combined with the design of the dielectric spine and the dimensions of the inner and outer conductor, allows for a reduced insertion loss at high frequencies (e.g., 6 GHz).

Abstract: A weather protection system for a coaxial cable connector comprising: (i) an over-mold cap disposed over a prepared end of a coaxial cable, (ii) a compliant Weather Protecting (WP) boot circumscribing the over-mold cap, and a mating interface disposed between an outer surface of the over-mold cap and an inner surface of the compliant WP boot. The mating interface is configured to provide tactile feedback to an assembler/technician when assembling the WP boot in combination with the over-mold cap.

Abstract: An RF Connector and grounding device therefor comprises a driver, a contact ring and a spring clamp having a split ring washer disposed therebetween. The split ring washer interposes the driver on one side of the washer and the contact ring on the other side thereof and defines an aperture for receiving a prepared end of a coaxial cable. The washer is connected to one side of an annular ring while a shouldered flange is disposed on the opposing side of the ring. Upon delivering a compressive clamping force to a compression cap, the split ring washer is captured between adjacent peaks or corrugations of the outer conductor.

Abstract: An RF connector having an integral weather protection system for protecting the connector from water, ice, salt, debris and other foreign damage. The connector comprises a Weather Protection (WP) assembly circumscribing a connector body, which, in turn, sealably mounts to a coaxial cable. The WP assembly comprises a housing, a compliant sealing ring and a biasing element. The WP housing sealably mounts over an end of the connector body and defines an aperture at an opposite end thereof to receive the coaxial cable and facilitate axial translation of the housing relative to the connector body. The compliant sealing ring has an inwardly facing sealing surface which defines a diameter dimension. And, the biasing element is reconfigurable from an expanded to a collapsed state in response to axial displacement of the housing relative to the connector body.

Abstract: An RF Connector and grounding device therefor comprises a driver, a contact ring and a spring clamp having a split ring washer disposed therebetween. The split ring washer interposes the driver on one side of the washer and the contact ring on the other side thereof and defines an aperture for receiving a prepared end of a coaxial cable. The washer is connected to one side of an annular ring while a shouldered flange is disposed on the opposing side of the ring. Upon delivering a compressive clamping force to a compression cap, the split ring washer is captured between adjacent peaks or corrugations of the outer conductor.

Abstract: A weather protection system for a coaxial cable connector comprising: (i) an over-mold cap disposed over a prepared end of a coaxial cable, (ii) a compliant Weather Protecting (WP) boot circumscribing the over-mold cap, and a mating interface disposed between an outer surface of the over-mold cap and an inner surface of the compliant WP boot. The mating interface is configured to provide tactile feedback to an assembler/technician when assembling the WP boot in combination with the over-mold cap.

Abstract: A cable connector cover includes a unitary body configured to receive a connector mounted to a coaxial cable and comprises an interface portion, an intermediate portion and a cable relief portion. The interface portion has a forward inner surface defining a forward space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of an interface component. The interface portion comprises a first resilient material having a first characteristic softness. The intermediate portion has an intermediate inner surface defining an intermediate space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of a connector body. The intermediate space is smaller than the forward space. The cable relief portion has a rearward inner surface defining a rearward space configured to receive and engage the cable portion. The cable relief portion has a second characteristic softness which is stiffer than the first characteristic softness of the interface portion.

Abstract: A productive housing for a coaxial cable connector comprising an elastomeric housing disposed over and engaging a connector and having a plurality of longitudinal slots formed into the inner mold line (IML) surface of the elastomeric housing. The longitudinal slots function to reduce the surface area of frictional engagement between the intermediate surface and the corresponding peripheral surface of the coaxial cable connector. The longitudinal slots serve as a longitudinal passageway for the movement of trapped air from one IML surface to another so as to prevent the built-up of air and/or inducing a pocket of suction resisting the separation of the housing from the jumper cable.

Abstract: A productive housing for a coaxial cable connector comprising an elastomeric housing disposed over and engaging a connector and having a plurality of longitudinal slots formed into the inner mold line (IML) surface of the elastomeric housing. The longitudinal slots function to reduce the surface area of frictional engagement between the intermediate surface and the corresponding peripheral surface of the coaxial cable connector. The longitudinal slots serve as a longitudinal passageway for the movement of trapped air from one IML surface to another so as to prevent the built-up of air and/or inducing a pocket of suction resisting the separation of the housing from the jumper cable.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a compression tool, including a fitting configured to mount to the compression tool and receive a ram member thereof through a bore of the fitting; and a pair of interlocking jaws pivotally mounted to the fitting about a pair of non-coincident axes. The interlocking jaws are configured to at least partially envelop an annular compression ring while aligning the conductors of a coaxial cable with an axis of the cable connector. The ram member of the compression tool is activated to translate axially along the axis of the cable connector thereby mitigating misalignment of the compression ring as the ring engages the connector body.

Abstract: A frame assembly for a compression tool, including a fitting configured to mount to the compression tool and receive a ram member thereof through a bore of the fitting; and a pair of interlocking jaws pivotally mounted to the fitting about a pair of non-coincident axes. The interlocking jaws are configured to at least partially envelop an annular compression ring while aligning the conductors of a coaxial cable with an axis of the cable connector. The ram member of the compression tool is activated to translate axially along the axis of the cable connector thereby mitigating misalignment of the compression ring as the ring engages the connector body.

Abstract: A cable connector cover includes a unitary body configured to receive a connector mounted to a coaxial cable and comprises an interface portion, an intermediate portion and a cable relief portion. The interface portion has a forward inner surface defining a forward space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of an interface component. The interface portion comprises a first resilient material having a first characteristic softness. The intermediate portion has an intermediate inner surface defining an intermediate space configured to receive and engage an outer surface of a connector body. The intermediate space is smaller than the forward space. The cable relief portion has a rearward inner surface defining a rearward space configured to receive and engage the cable portion. The rearward space is smaller than the intermediate space. The cable relief portion has a second characteristic softness which is stiffer than the first characteristic softness of the interface portion.

Abstract: A connector including first and second connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors and an inhibitor interposing the inner and outer conductors configured to inhibit the inadvertent insertion of a non-mating connector between the inner and outer conductors. In one embodiment an insert is disposed over a plurality of spring-biased fingers of the outer conductor to prevent deformation of the fingers in an unassembled condition/state by insertion of the non-mating connector. In another embodiment, the insert includes a plurality of radial members disposed between a central hub and an outer ring to prevent insertion of the non-mating connector.

Abstract: A connector is provided including first and second connector portions each comprising electrically-connecting inner and outer conductors. A insert interposes the spring-biased fingers of an outer conductor basket of one of the connectors to prevent damage to the fingers in an unassembled condition/state, thereby ensuring electrical connectivity of the fingers in an assembled condition/state.