GB2504347A

GB2504347A - Coaxial connector plug

Info

Publication number: GB2504347A
Application number: GB201213387A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Drewnicki
Original assignee: COMMTEL INNOVATE Ltd
Current assignee: COMMTEL INNOVATE Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-26
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2014-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 2032-07-26
Also published as: GB2504347B; GB201213387D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a coaxial cable connector plug 2 where the cable has an inner conductor (54 figure 4b), an outer conductor 56, an inner insulator (58 figure 4b) between the inner and outer conductors, and an outer insulator sleeve (60 figure 4b). The connector plug 2 comprises a body member (4 figure 4d) configured for connection to the outer conductor 56, a spacer element 12 adapted to receive and support the inner conductor, and a gripper/piercing element 16 for mechanical attachment to the cable. The plug may also comprise a retaining cap 14 that is configured to move the gripper element to a gripping configuration from a non-gripping configuration. The spacer element 12 includes an insulating member 52 that engages an end face of the inner insulator (58 figure 4b) when the plug is attached to a coaxial cable.

Description

I

CONNECTOR PLUG

The present invention relates to a connector plug for a coaxial cable, for example for an RF television aerial cable or a satellite feed cable. In particular the invention relates a connector plug of the type known as an F-connector.

A coaxial cable typically comprises a metallic core inner conductor element, a braided metallic foil outer conductor shield, a dielectric insulator sleeve between the inner and outer conductors, and an outer insulator sleeve.

One type of coaxial connector plug in common usage is the F connector, which usually has screw thread for coupling with a corresponding threaded port. The signal is carried by the central core conductor of the coaxial cable and an end portion of this connector extends through the plug and serves as the pin of the connector plug, The casing of the plug is connected electrically to the outer conductor shield of the coaxial cable and serves as the *:*. earth connector.

In order to transmit a signal with little attenuation the connector plug must have low *: : : impedance. The impedance depends in part on the size of the gap between the central conductor that forms the pin of the connector plug and the outer casing of the plug. In a conventional F-connector plug this gap is quite small in places, which increases the : .::; impedance of the plug and results in a significant attenuation of the signal.

Attaching a conventional F-connector plug to the end of a coaxial cable is a time-consuming and fiddly process which usually involves carefully stripping off the outer insulator sleeve from the cable, folding back the braided outer conductor, removing part of the dielectric sleeve to expose the inner conductor, sliding on the metal body member screwing on the metal member into position and finally trimming off any excess length of the inner conductor.

Completing this process correctly requires care and attention. If it is not carried out correctly, a poor electrical connection may result leading to loss of signal, or the central conductor may touch the casing of the plug resulting in a short circuit. Also the plug may come loose with use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector plug for a coaxial cable that mitigates at least some of the aforesaid disadvantages According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an F-Connector plug for attachment to a prepared end of coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising inner and outer conductors, an inner insulator between the inner and outer conductors and an outer insulating sleeve, said F-Connector plug comprising a plug body, a piercing/gripping element configured to attach the plug mechanically to the coaxial cable and to provide electrical continuity between the coaxial outer conductor and the plug body, and a spacer element comprising an insulating tube configured to receive and support the inner core conductor in a constant position relative to the plug body, Preferably, the insulating member is configured to engage an end face of the inner insulator when the plug is attached to a coaxial cable.

The spacer element prevents any electrical connection between the inner and outer conductors, thereby ensuring that the coaxial cable cannot short circuit. It also preserves the gap between the two conductors, ensuring consistent electrical performance. The spacer * 20 element also reduces the impedance of the plug, ensuring very low attenuation of the * transmitted signals. Mechanical engagement between the spacer element and the end face of * :* : : the cable also helps to prevent the outer conductor sheath from pulling back away from the * plug. *

Advantageously, the spacer element includes an insulating sleeve element that is configured :. " 25 to be located around a portion of the inner conductor, to support the inner conductor and * prevent it from coming into contact with or getting closer to the outer body of the plug and reduces the impedance of the plug.

The spacer element preferably includes an insulating flange element that extends outwards from the sleeve element to enable easy and accurate insertion of the coaxial core conductor.

The insulating member preferably comprises a circular rim provided on one face of the flange element. Advantageously, the insulating member extends through an opening in the gripper element to engage the end face of the cable.

The spacer element is preferably made of a dielectric material to reduce the impedance of the plug and ensure very low attenuation of the transmitted signals.

The gripper element preferably includes at least one piercing element that is configured to pierce the outer insulator sleeve and establish an electrical connection between the body member and the outer conductor when the gripper element is in a gripping configuration.

The provision of a piercing element that pierces the outer insulator sleeve and establishes an electrical connection between the body member and the outer conductor ensures a good electrical connection and therefore good signal transmission. The piercing element also ensures a very strong mechanical connection between the plug and the cable. It also provides longitudinal stability thus ensuring that the relative positions of the inner and outer conductors are preserved.

Advantageously, the gripping element comprises a claw having a plurality of radially adjustable legs, at least one of the legs including a piercing element. The retaining cap is preferably configured to change the radial positions of the legs.

Advantageously, the retaining cap is adjustable between first and second axially displaced positions, wherein when the retaining cap is in the first position the gripping element is * *. 20 disposed in the non-gripping configuration, and when the retaining cap is in the second position the gripping element is disposed in the gripping configuration. The retaining cap * : may be secured to the plug body by a screw thread so that the gripping element can be moved *** between the non-gripping and gripping configurations simply by rotating the cap. The body -* member may include a front, part and a rear part that are connected together for relative * * : 25 rotation. Advantageously, the front and rear parts of the body member include complementary locking formations that may be engaged to prevent relative rotation. This makes it easier to tighten the retaining cap. Preferably, the complementary locking formations may be disengaged by longitudinal movement of the front and rear parts of the body member to allow relative rotation. This allows the plug to be connected to a threaded socket without twisting the cable.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures Ia to Ic are isometric views of a first connector plug according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the plug is shown respectively in hilly assembled, partly disassembled and hilly disassembled configurations; Figure 2 is an isometric ectional view of the first connector plug attached to an end of a coaxial cable prior to the retaining cap being tightened; Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are part-sectional isometric views of the first connector plug and a coaxial cable, wherein a quarter of the plug is cut away in Figure 3a and half of the plug is cut away in Figures 3b and 3c; Figures 4a to 4e are side sectional views of the first connector plug and a coaxial cable, illustrating the steps of a process for attaching the plug to the cable; Figures 5a to 5d are isometric views of a second connector plug according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the plug is shown respectively in fully assembled (unlocked), fully assembled (locked), partially disassembled and fully disassembled configurations; Figure 6 is an isometric sectional view of the second connector plug attached to a coaxial *:* * cable prior to the retaining cap being tightened; * : Figures 7a, 7b and 7c arc part-sectional isometric views of the second connector plug and a * : : :* 20 coaxial cable, wherein a quarter of the plug is cut away in Figure 7a and half ofthe plug is cut * away in Figures 7b and 7c; **.

*. Figures 8a to 8e are side sectional views of the second connector plug and a coaxial cable, * *: illustrating the steps of a process for attaching the plug to the cable; Figures 9a to 9d are isometric views of a third connector plug according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the plug is shown respectively in fully assembled (unlocked), fully assembled (locked), partially disassembled and fully disassembled configurations; and Figures lOa to 1 0e are side views and Figures 1 Oa' to 1 Oe' are side sectional views of the third connector plug and a coaxial cable, illustrating the steps of a process for attaching the plug to the cable.

The first plug 2 as illustrated in Figures la tolc, 2a to 2e, 3a and 3b is compatible with a conventional F-connector socket. The plug 2 includes a three-part body member 4 comprising a front part 6, a rear part S and a connector piece 10. In addition, the plug comprises a spacer element 12, a retaining cap 14, a gripper element in the form of a claw 16 and an 0-ring seal 18.

The connector part 10 connects the front part 6 and the rear part 8 of the body member 4 together so as to allow relative rotation of the front and rear parts about the central axis of the plug. In this embodiment the connector part 10 consists of a hollow cylindrical rivet having flanges at either end that hold the front and rear parts of the body member together.

The front part 6 of the body member includes an internal screw thread 20 at its front end for screw engagement with a complementary screw thread of a conventional F connector socket, and an external nut 22 allowing the use of a spanner or wrench.

The rear part 8 of the body member includes an external screw thread 24 that engages a corresponding internal screw thread on the inside of the cap 14. The rear part 8 also includes a locking formation in the form of a forwards-facing detent 25 that is engagable in a complementary locking formation comprising a rearwards facing notch 26 on the rear end of the front part 6. The connector part 10 is dimensioned to allow a small amount of axial * S movement between the front and rear pans 6, 8 to allow engagement and disengagement of : : :* the complementary locking formations. When the locking formations are disengaged the front part 6 of the body member can be rotated relative to the rear part 8, allowing it to be screwed onto a threaded socket. When the locking formations 25, 26 are engaged, relative * : : .: 25 rotation of the front and rear parts 6, 8 is prevented making it eier to screw the cap 14 onto : thebodymember4.

Internally, the rear part 8 of the body member has a large diameter bore 28 at its rear end and an inwards extending flange 30 at its front end, providing a smaller diameter bore 32 at the front end.

The claw 16 includes an annular disc 34 and four legs 36 that extend rearwards from the disc 34 approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug. Each of these legs 36 carries an inwards facing spur 38. The claw 16 is dimensioned to sit within the large diameter bore 28 in the rear part 8 of the body member 4 with disc 34 abutting the flange 30 and the legs 36 protruding reanvards.

The retaining cap 14 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve having an internal screw thread 39 that mates with the external thread 24 on the rear part 8 of the body member. At the rear end ofthe cap 14 a frusto-conical portion 40 is provided having an inwards inclined internal wall 42. This inclined wall 42 is configured to engage the ends of the legs 36 and to drive those legs inwards as the cap 14 is screwed onto the body member 4. The rear end of the cap 14 has an opening 44 to allow the insertion of a coaxial cable 46.

The spacer element 12 is made of an electrically insulating dielectric material, for example polypropylene. The spacer element 12, which can be seen most clearly in Figure 2, comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve 48 having an outwards extending flange 50 at the rear end thereof and a raised circular lip 52 on the rear face of the flange 50. The sleeve 48 has an external diameter that is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the cOnnector part 10 so that it has an interference fit within the bore of the connector part 10. The flange 50 is located between the rear end of the connector part 10 and the front face of the claw 16, and the rim 52 extends through the annular disc 34 of the claw 16. The spacer element 12 * * 20 includes a central bore 53 that increases in diameter towards the rear end of the spacer element. * .

* In Figure 2 the plug 2 is shown attached to an end of a coaxial cable 46, which comprises an inner conductor 54, a braided outer conductor 56, an insulating dielectric sleeve 58 between ** the conductor 54 and the outer conductor 56, and an outer insulator sleeve 60. The end of the *:..: 25 coaxial cable 46 has been prepared by stripping away part of the outer insulator sleeve 60, the outer conductor 56 and the dielectric sleeve 58 to expose an end portion 62 of the inner conductor 54. The plug 2 is shown in an untightened condition before the claw 16 has been brought into engagement with the cable 46.

The prepared end of the coaxial cable 46 is received in the rear end of the plug 2 so that the cut ends of the outer insulating sleeve 60, the outer conductor 56 and the dielectric sleeve 58 abut the annular disc 34 of the claw 16. The end portion 62 of the metallic central conductor 54 extends through the insulating spacer element 12 and protrudes beyond the front end of the plug 2.

It should be noted that the circular rim 52 on the rear face of the flange 50 of the spacer element 12 extends through the annular disc 34 of the claw 16 and engages the cut end face of the dielectric sleeve 58 of the cable 46. It therefore prevents any electrical connection between the inner and outer conductors 54, 56 ensuring that the coaxial cable 46 cannot short circuit. It also maintains a constant distance between the core conductor and outer conductor preventing any unwanted variation in electrical performance, As the spacer element 12 is made of a dielectric material it also reduces the impedance of the plug, since the dielectric material of the spacer element replaces the air gap that exists in conventional coaxial plugs between the inner and outer conductors. The plug therefore ensures very low attenuation of the transmitted signals. In addition, the mechanical engagement betwccn the rim 52 and the end face of the cable 46 helps to prevent the outer conductor sheath 56 from pulling back away from the flange 34 of the claw 16.

The flange 34 of the claw 16 is dimensioned so that the inner edge of the flange engages the outer conductor sheath 56 of the coaxial cable. This also helps to prevent the outer conductor sheath 56 from pulling back away from the flange 34 of the claw 16.

A process for attaching the plug 2 to a coaxial cable 46 will now be described with reference toFigures4a-4e.

* * In Figure 4a the plug 2 is shown fully assembled and in a condition for receiving the prepared *: * : :* end of a coaxial cable 46. An end portion 62 of the inner conductor 54 has been exposed by stripping away part of the outer insulator sleeve 60, the braided outer conductor shield 56 and **. : the insulating dielectric sleeve 58.

*: J 25 In Figure 4b the prepared end of the coaxial cable 46 has been inserted filly into the plug 2, so that the cut ends of the outer insulating sleeve 60, the braided conductor shield 56 and the dielectric sleeve 58 abut the annular disc 34 of the claw 16. The end portion 62 of the solid central conductor 54 has been inserted through the insulating spacer element 12. The locking formations 25, 26 are disengaged, allowing the front part 6 of the body member 4 to rotate relative to the rear part 8.

In Figure 4c the locking formations 25, 26 are engaged, preventing the front part 6 of the body member 4 from rotating relative to the rear part 8 and thus allowing the retaining cap 14 to be tightened.

Figures 4d and 4e illustrate the final stage of the attachment process, in which the retaining cap 14 has been tightened onto the body member 4. As the cap 14 is tightened the inclined wall 42 of the frusto-conical portion 40 pushes the legs 36 of the claw 16 radially inwards, thereby driving the spurs 38 through the outer insulating sleeve 60 and into the braided outer conductor shield 56. This completes an electrical connection between the outer conductor shield 56, the claw 16 and the plug body 4.

Connecting the plug 2 to a prepared coaxial cable 46 is very quick and simple, consisting only of inserting the cable 46 into the plug 2 and tightening the retaining cap 14. The electrical connection is reliable owing to the insertion of the spurs 38 into the braided outer conductor shield 56. Furthermore, a very strong mechanical connection is created between the plug 2 and the cable 46 owing to the fact that the spurs 38 are inserted through the outcr insulating layer 60 and the braided outer conductor shield 56 into the dielectric insulator sleeve 58.

". : A plug 102 according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 5a to Sd, * 20 6, 7a, 7b and 8a to 8e. The plug 102 is compatible with a conventional F-connector socket *..

* and is generally similar to the first plug described above, but it has some smaller dimensions *:*::* and is designed for use with a smaller diameter coaxial cable.

The plug 102 includes a three-part body member 104 comprising a front part 106, a rear part *". : 108 and a connector piece 110. In addition, the plug comprises a spacer element 112, a *: *. 25 retaining cap 114, a gripper element or claw 116 and an 0-ring seal 118.

The connector part 110 connects the front part 106 and the rear part 108 of the body member 104 together so as to allow relative rotation of the front and rear parts about the central axis of the plug. The connector part 110 consists of a hollow cylindrical rivet having flanges at either end that hold the front and rear parts of the body member together.

The front part 106 of the body member includes an internal screw thread 120 at its front end for screw engagement with a complementary screw thread of a conventional F connector socket, and an external nut 122 allowing the use of a spanner or wrench.

The rear part 108 of the body member includes an external screw thread 124 that engages a corresponding internal screw thread on the inside of the cap 114. The rear part 108 also includes a locking formation in the form of a forwards-facing detent 125 that is engagable in a complementary locking formation comprising a rearwards facing notch 126 on the rear end of the front part 106. The connector part 110 is dimensioned to allow a small amount of axial movement between the front and rear parts 106, 108 to allow engagement and disengagement of the complementary locking formations. When the locking formations are disengaged the front part 106 of the body member can be rotated relative to the rear part 108, allowing it to be screwed onto a threaded socket. When the locking formations 125,126 are engaged, relative rotation of the front and rear parts 106, 108 is prevented making it easier to screw the cap 114 onto the body member 104.

Internally, the rear part 108 of the body member has a large diameter bore 128 at its rear end and an inwards extending flange 130 at its front end, providing a smaller diameter bore 132 at the front end.

The claw 116 includes an annular disc 134 and three legs 136 that extend rearwards from the disc 134 approximatelyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug. Each of these legs 136 : 20 carries art inwards facing spur 138. The claw 116 is dimensioned to sit within the large diameter bore 128 in the rear part 108 of the body member 104 with disc 134 abutting the flange 130 and the legs 136 protruding rearwards.

The retaining cap 114 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve having an internal screw thread that mates with the external thread 124 on the rear part 108 of the body member. At the rear : : 25 end of the cap 114 a frusto-conical portion 140 is provided having an inwards inclined internal wall 142. This inclined wall 142 is configured to engage the ends ofthelegs 136 and to drive those legs inwards as the cap 114 is screwed onto the body member 104. The rear end of the cap 114 has an opening 144 to allow the insertion of a coaxial cable 46.

The spacer element 112, which is shown most clearly in Figure 6, is made of an electrically insulating dielectric material, for example polypropylene. The spacer element 112 comprises a generally cylindrical sleeve 148 having an outwards extending flange 150 at the rear end thereof and a raised circular lip 152 on the rear face ofthe flange 150. The sleeve 148 has an external diameter that is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the connector part 110 so that it has an interference fit within the bore of the connector part 110. The flange 150 is located between the rear end of the connector part 110 and the front face of the claw 116, and the rim 152 extends through the annular disc 134 of the claw 116. The spacer element 112 includes a central bore 153 that increases in diameter towards the rear end of the spacer element.

As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, the prepared end of the coaxial cable 46 is received in the rear end of the plug 102 so that the cut ends of the outer insulating sleeve 60, the outer conductor 56 and the dielectric sleeve 58 abut the annular disc 134 of the claw 116. The end portion 62 of the solid central conductor 54 extends through the insulating spacer element 112 and protrudes beyond the front end of the plug 102.

The circular rim 152 on the rear face of the flange 150 of the spacer element 112 extends through the annular disc 134 of the claw 116 and engages the cut end face of the dielectric sleeve 58 of the cable 46. It therefore prevents any electrical connection between the inner and outer conductors 54, 56 ensuring that the coaxial cable 46 cannot short circuit. As the : 20 spacer element 112 is made of a dielectric material it also reduces the impedance of the plug, * since the dielectric material of the spacer clement replaces the air gap between the inner and *.*..* * outer conductors found in conventional coaxial plugs. The plug therefore ensures very low * : * : : attenuation of the transmitted signals. In addition, the mechanical engagement between the rim 152 and the end face of the cable 46 helps to prevent the outer conductor sheath 56 from * 25 pulling back away from the flange 134 of the claw 116.

*:.: A process for attaching the plug 102 to a coaxial cable 46 is shown in Figures Sa to Se. The process is substantially as described above in relation to the first plug.

A plug 202 according to a third embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 9a to 9d, lOa to be and ba' to be'. The plug 202 is compatible with a conventional F-connector socket and is generally similar to the first plug described above, but it has a two-part spacer element 212, 213.

The plug 202 includes a three-part body member 204 comprising a front part 206, a rear part 208 and a comiector piece 210. In addition, the plug comprises the two-part spacer element 212, 213 a retaining cap 214, a gripper element or claw 216 and an 0-ring seal 218.

The connector part 210 connects the front part 206 and the rear part 208 of the body member 204 together so as to allow relative rotation of the front and rear parts about the central axis of the plug. The connector part 210 consists of a hollow cylindrical rivet having flanges at either end that hold the front and rear parts of the body member together.

The front part 206 of the body member includes an internal screw thread 220 at its front end for screw engagement with a complementary screw thread of a conventional F connector socket, and an external nut 222 allowing the use of a spanner or wrench.

The rear part 208 of the body member includes an external screw thread 224 that engages a corresponding internal screw thread on the inside of the cap 214. The rear part 208 also includes a locking formation in the form of a forwards-facing detent 225 that is engagable in a complementary locking formation comprising a rcarwards facing notch 226 on the rear end of the front part 206. The connector part 210 is dimensioned to allow a small amount of axial movement between the front and rear parts 206, 208 to allow engagement and disengagement -. : of the complementary locking formations. When the locking formations are disengaged the * 20 front part 206 of the body member can be rotated relative to the rear part 208, allowing it to * be screwed onto a threaded socket. When the locking formations 225,226 are engaged, * * : :* relative rotation of the front and rear parts 206, 208 is prevented making it easier to screw the cap 214 onto the body member 204.

". : Internally, the rear part 208 of the body member has a large diameter bore 228 at its rear end and an inwards extending flange 230 at its front end, providing a smaller diameterbore 232 at the front end.

The claw 216 includes an annular disc 234 and three legs 236 that extend rcarwards from the disc 234 approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the plug. Each of these legs 236 carries an inwards facing spur 238. The claw 216 is dimensioned to sit within the large diameter bore 228 in the rear part 208 of the body member 204 with disc 234 abutting the flange 230 and the legs 236 protruding rearwards.

The retaining cap 214 comprises a hollow cylindrical sleeve having an internal screw thread that mates with the external thread 224 on the rear part 208 of the body member. At the rear end of the cap 214 a frusto-conical portion 240 is provided having an inwards inclined internal wall 242. This inclined wall 242 is configured to engage the ends of the legs 236 and to drive those legs inwards as the cap 214 is screwed onto the body member 204. The rear end of the cap 214 has an opening 244 to allow the insertion of a coaxial cable 46.

The two-part spacer element 212, 213 is made of an electrically insulating dielectric material, for example polypropylene, and comprises a rear spacer element part 212 and a front spacer element part 213. The rear spacer elcmcnt part 212 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular sleeve 248 having an outwards extending flange 250 at the rear end thereof and a raised circular lip 252 on the rear face of the flange 250. The outer surface of the sleeve 248 is stepped, having a rear part with an external diameter that is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the connector part 210 so that it has an interference fit within the bore of the connector part 210 and a front part with a slightly smaller diameter. The flange 250 is located between the rear end of the connector part2l0 and the front face ofthe claw 216, and the rim 252 extends through the annular disc 234 of the claw 216. The rear spacer element part 212 includes a central bore 253 that increases in diameter towards the rear end of the rear spacer elementpart2l2.

* The front spacer element part 213 comprises a generally cylindrical tubular sleeve 256 having * an outwards extending flange 258 at the front end thereof. The sleeve 256 has an external * diameter that is slightly smaller than the internal diameter ofthe connector part 210 so that it *** has an interference fit within the bore of the connector part 210. The flange 258 is located against the front end of the connector part2l 0. The front spacer element part 213 includes a * * central bore 260 that has an interference fit around the front part of the sleeve 248 of the rear spacer element part 212.

The prepared end of the coaxial cable 46 is received in the rear end of the plug 202 so that the cut ends of the outer insulating sleeve 60, the outer conductor 56 and the dielectric sleeve 58 abut the annular disc 234 of the claw 216. The end portion 62 of the solid central conductor 54 extends through the insulating spacer element 212 and protrudes beyond the front end of the plug 202.

The circular rim 252 on the rear face of the flange 250 of the spacer element 212 extends through the anmilar disc 234 of the claw 216 and engages the cut end face of the dielectric sleeve 58 of thc cable 46. It therefore prevents any electrical connection between the inner and outer conductors 54, 56 ensuring that the coaxial cable 46 cannot short circuit. As the spacer element 212 is made of a dielectric material it also reduces the impedance of the plug, since the dielectric material of the spacer element replaces the air gap between the inner and outer conductors found in conventional coaxial plugs. The plug therefore ensures very low attenuation of the transmitted signals. In addition, the mechanical engagement between the rim 252 and the end face of the cable 46 helps to prevent the outer conductor sheath 56 from pulling back away from the flange 234 of the claw 216.

A process for attaching the plug 202 to a coaxial cable 46 is shown in Figures 1 Oa to 1 Oe and ba to lOe'. The process is substantially as described above in relation to the first plug.

Various modifications of the invention are of course possible. For example, the retaining cap may be dcsigncd to have a bayonet fitting or a compression fitting instead of the threaded connection with the body member. Also, the F connector plug may be designed for a push fit with an F connector socket instead of a threaded screw fit. In that case, the three-part body may be replaced by a simple one-part body. ØS * . . * .* * 4 * *, * , * * 4. * ** -S 4 * 4* * -4 4* * S * * *t

Claims

I. An F-Connector plug for attachment to a prepared end of coaxial cable, the coaxial cable comprising inner and outer conductors, an inner insulator between the inner and outer conductors and an outer insulating sleeve, said F-Connector plug comprising: * a plug body; * a piercing/gripping element configured to attach the plug mechanically to the coaxial cable and to provide electrical continuity between the coaxial outer conductor and the plug body, and * a spacer element comprising an insulating tube configured to receive and support theinner core conducthr in a constant position relative to the plug body 2. An F-Connector plug according to claim 1 wherein the insulating tube extends through an opening in the gripper element.

3. An F-Connector plug according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spacer element includes an insulating flange element that extends outwards from the insulating tube.

*1 * 4. An F-Connector plug according to claim 3, wherein the spacer element comprises a * * * * circular rim provided on one face of the flange element. *

* : :* An F-Connector plug according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping * element comprises a claw having a plurality of radially adjustable legs, at least one of the *** 6 legs including a piercing element. a. * * S *

*: ..; 6. An F-Connector plug according to claimS, including a retaining cap that is configured to adjust the radial positions of the legs.

7. An F-Connector plug according to any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the plug body includes a front part and a rear part that are connected together for relative rotation.