Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of mounting a triaxial connector to a cable using a radially deformable collet including an inner wall, an outer wall, a first end and a second end, the ends separated by a width. Slots from the inner wall to the outer wall extend from the first end toward the second end partially across the width and slots from the inner wall to the outer wall extend from the second end toward the first end partially across the width, the number of slots from the first end being equal to the number of the slots from the second end. The inner wall defines a diameter sized to receive a transmission line cable and includes ridges extending from the first end to the second end. The outer wall defines a diameter tapering in a single direction from the first end to the second end, the outer diameter being greater at the first end than at the second end. Each of the slots extending from the second end are closed off adjacent the first end by a portion of the first end extending all the way from the inner wall to the outer wall.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/039,360, filed on Jan. 19, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,821, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/052,580, filed on Jan. 18, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,988. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to transmission line connectors, more specifically to transmission line connectors for connecting to cables including center conductors shielded from one or more longitudinally extending coaxial conductors. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Connectors for use with electrically conductive transmission cables provide electrical connectivity with the center conductor of the cable as well as to other coaxially arranged conductors with the cable. Some of these cables include a center conductor and one additional coaxial conductor (coaxial cables) and while others cables include two additional coaxial conductors (triaxial cables). The center conductor of a cable of either type is physically and electrically linked to the center conductor of the connector, and the connector can then be used with a mating connector. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 to ADC Telecommunications, Inc., concern connectors of this type. Mounting panels for connectors of this type are also known, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,146,192 and 6,231,380. Continued development in this area is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a center conductor insulator for use in a coaxial cable transmission line connector. The insulator includes a tapered entry for a pin connected with the center conductor of the cable. A front shell assembly for use with a connector includes center conductor insulator with a tapered entry. 
   The present invention further relates to a compression ring assembly for holding a transmission line connector to a transmission line cable. The assembly includes a compressible collet urged inward by a sloped inner wall of a rear seal. The collet includes slots extending from each end of the collet. 
   The present invention also relates to a conversion kit for converting a transmission line connector for use with coaxial conductor cable from one gender or style to a different gender or style. 
   The present application further relates to a mounting kit for mounting transmission line connectors of different styles or genders to a panel including a yoke and an adapter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first triaxial connector according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second triaxial connector according to the present invention and adapted to mate with the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the connector of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of some of the internal elements of the cable end of the connector of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a first front perspective view of the collet shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the collet of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a second front perspective view of the collet shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the collet of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the collet of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the collet of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a cross-sectional view of the collet of  FIG. 6  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the rear seal of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 12  is a rear view of the rear seal of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the rear seal of  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional side view of the rear seal of  FIG. 11  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective of an assembled first triaxial connector conversion kit according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of the conversion kit of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the front shell assembly of the conversion kit of  FIG. 16  mounted to an internal assembly of a triaxial connector. 
       FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is a front view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 17  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 19 . 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective of an assembled second triaxial connector conversion kit according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of the conversion kit of  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the front shell assembly of the conversion kit of  FIG. 22  mounted to an internal assembly of a triaxial connector. 
       FIG. 24  is an exploded perspective view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 25  is a front view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 26  is a cross-sectional view of the front shell assembly of  FIG. 22  taken along line A-A of  FIG. 25 . 
       FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the center conductor insulator of the front shell assemblies of the triaxial connector conversion kits of  FIGS. 15 and 21 . 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a connector during an initial step of a first conversion procedure according to the present invention, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the removal of the front connector body. 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 28  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the removal of the front shell assembly. 
       FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 29  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the replacement of the front shell assembly. 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 30  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the replacement of the front connector body. 
       FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 31  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for securing the replacement front connector body. 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a connector during an initial step of a second conversion process according to the present invention, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the removal of the front connector body. 
       FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 33  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the removal of the front shell assembly. 
       FIG. 35  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 34  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the replacement of the front shell assembly. 
       FIG. 36  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 35  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for the replacement of the front connector body. 
       FIG. 37  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 36  during a later step of the conversion process, with the arrows showing the direction of movement for securing the replacement front connector body. 
       FIG. 38  is a front perspective exploded view of a prior art female telecommunications connector with a mounting yoke about the connector and a plate to which the mounting yoke is mounted. 
       FIG. 39  is a front perspective exploded view of the telecommunications connector of  FIG. 1  with an adapter about the connector, the mounting yoke and plate to which the mounting yoke is mounted of  FIG. 38  about the adapter. 
       FIG. 40  is a front perspective exploded view of the adapter and mounting yoke of  FIG. 39 . 
       FIG. 41  is a front view of the adapter of  FIG. 39 . 
       FIG. 42  is a rear view of the adapter of  FIG. 39 . 
       FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of  FIG. 39  taken along line B-B in  FIG. 42 . 
       FIG. 44  is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of  FIG. 39  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 43 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Existing transmission line connectors for connecting to cables with a center conductor and one or more coaxially arranged conductors are well known. While these connectors are typically either for connecting for cables with a single coaxial conductor (coaxial connectors) or with two coaxial conductors (triaxial connectors) similar improvements may be made which are applicable to both types of connectors, and other connector types not coaxial in nature. 
   Several styles for the size and configuration of connectors exist. The style may differ between the male/female nature of the center conductors and the sleeves of the connectors. The styles may also differ in terms of the locking mechanisms which hold the connectors together. Two styles of connectors are illustrated in the drawings  FIGS. 1 and 2  and  FIG. 38 . These styles differ with respect to the male/female nature of the connector elements and in the locking mechanism. 
   Typically, two styles of connectors cannot be used together. One aspect of the present invention relates to converting from one style of connector to another style of connector. Various other aspects of the present invention relate to mounting connectors to cables with a cable clamp. Other aspects of the present invention relate to the connector elements including the center conductor insulator. Still further elements of the present invention relate to the use of the connectors with mounting panels. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a first triaxial connector  100  is shown, including a front outer body  102 , an endcap  104 , a mating opening  106  and a cable  108 . Cable  108  includes a center conductor electrically linked to a jack center conductor  112  by center conductor pin  110 . Center conductor  112  is held within a center conductor insulator  114  within a front shell  116 . Front shell  116  is electrically linked to a first coaxial conductor  118  within cable  108 . Outer insulator  120  electrically isolates front shell  116  from front outer body  102 , which is electrically linked to a second coaxial conductor  122  within cable  108 . Front outer body  102  includes a front ring  124  which defines the entrance to mating opening  106 . Endcap  104  is threadably mounted to a threaded insert  126 . Captured between endcap  104  and threaded insert  126  are a rear seal  128  and a collet  130  which cooperate to hold connector  100  to cable  108 . On endcap  104  are two pairs of opposing wrench flats  134  and on front outer body  102  are two pairs of opposing mounting flats  136 . A first water seal such as  0 -ring  141  is located between cable  108  and endcap  104  and a second water seal such as  0 -ring  141  is located between threaded insert  126  and endcap  104 . A third water seal such as  0 -ring  141  is located between threaded insert  126  and front outer body  102 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , a second triaxial connector  200  is shown, with a front outer body  202 , an endcap  104 , a mating end  206  and a cable  108 . On front outer body  202  is a sliding lock sleeve  203 . Lock sleeve  203  includes a releasable locking mechanism  205  that engages lock ring  103  and is similar to that in U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,457, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Fingers  207  release from lock ring  103  when the connectors are pulled apart. If tension is applied to cables  108 , ramp  209  tends to prevent fingers  207  from releasing lock ring  103 . 
   Cable  108  includes a center conductor  109  electrically linked to center conductor pin  110 . Center conductor pin  110  is electrically linked to a center conductor  212  of held within a center conductor insulator  114  within a front shell  216 . Front shell  216  is electrically linked to a first coaxial conductor  118  within cable  108 . Outer insulator  120  electrically isolates front shell  216  from front outer body  202 , which is electrically linked to a second coaxial conductor  122  within cable  108 . Front outer body  202  includes a front ring  224  which defines an entrance to mating opening  206 . Endcap  104  is threadably mounted to a threaded insert  126 . Captured between endcap  104  and threaded insert  126  are a rear seal  128  and a collet  130  which cooperate to hold connector  200  to cable  108 . A first water seal such as  0 -ring  141  is located between cable  108  and endcap  104  and a second water seal such as  0 -ring  141  is located between threaded insert  126  and endcap  104 . A third water seal such as o-ring  141  is located between threaded insert  126  and front outer body  202 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , further detail of the cooperation of endcap  104 , threaded insert  126 , rear seal  128  and collet  130  for mounting connectors  100  and  200  to cable  108  is shown. On an end of threaded insert  126  away from endcap  104  is the center conductor of cable  108 . Center conductor  110  of connector  100  or  200  fits about the center conductor of cable  108  and is electrically insulated from first coaxial conductor  118  by middle dielectric  111 . In turn, first coaxial conductor  118  is electrically insulated from second coaxial conductor  122  by inner jacket  121 . To mount a connector  100  or  200  to cable  108  as part of a process of terminating cable  108 , endcap  104  is first placed about cable  108 , followed in turn by rear seal  128 , collet  130  and threaded insert  126 . An inner surface  138  of endcap  104  engages rear seal  128  as endcap  104  and threaded insert  126  are threadably engaged, urging rear seal  128  over collet  130 . An inner wall  140  of rear seal  128  is angled as shown in the FIGS. (and described in further detail below) and an outer surface  142  of collet  130  is similarly angled as shown in the FIGS. (and described in further detail below). Inner wall  140  and outer surface  142  cooperate to compress collet  130  about cable  108  as encap  104  is drawn toward threaded insert  126 . 
   Second coaxial conductor  122  is electrically connected to threaded insert  126  by bending back second conductor  122  against threaded insert and placing ground washer  132  about the bent over portion of conductor  122 . Additional details regarding the general process of terminating cable  108  to a connector  100  or  200  are described in above-referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   During the process of installing connectors to coaxial transmission cables, a portion of the connector structure is tightened about the outer jacket of the cable. This portion of the structure adds to the strength and integrity of the physical connection of the connector and the cable. The process of tightening the structure against the outer jacket of the cable should secure the cable without causing damage to the cable and the conductors within the cable. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 through 10 , collet  130  is shown. Collet  130  includes an end  144  which is directed toward threaded sleeve  126  and an end  148  which is directed toward endcap  104 , when collet  130  is used to secure a connector  100  or  200  to cable  108 . Extending from end  144  toward end  148  are first slots  146 , which traverse some of a distance between end  144  and end  148  and extend from an inner wall  154  to outer surface  142 . Extending from end  148  toward end  144  are second slots  150 , which traverse some of a distance between end  148  and end  144  and extend from an inner wall  154  to outer surface  142 . In the illustrated embodiment, slots  146  and  150  are equal in number and equally spaced apart about a circumference of collet  130 . Four each of slots  146  and  150  are shown, and it is anticipated that more or fewer slots  146  and  150  could be used in accordance with the present invention. 
   Inner wall  154  includes a series of ridges  156  to improve the ability of collet  130  to grip cable  108 . Outer surface  142  defines an angle  152  with respect to line  153 , which is parallel to a central axis  151  and offset from axis  151  by a maximum diameter of end  144 . As shown, angle  152  is about 5 degrees, although it is anticipated that other angles may be used. 
   Collet  130  is preferably made of a material such as brass or other similar material which will react in the same manner to compression by rear seal  128  as described below. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11 through 14 , rear seal  128  is shown. Rear seal  128  includes an outer wall  162 , an end  160  which engages inner surface  138  of endcap  104  and an end  158  which is directed toward threaded insert  126  when rear seal  128  is used to compress collet  130  to secure a connector  100  or  200  to cable  108 . Inner wall  140  defines an angle  166  with respect to a line  165 , which is parallel to a central axis  163  and offset from axis  163  by a maximum diameter of inner stop  164 . Inner stop  164  is a ledge defining an end to inner wall  140  and providing a stop for collet  130 . 
   Angle  166  is approximately the same as angle  152 . A narrow end  168  of collet  130  is smaller than a wide end  172  of inner wall  140  of rear seal  128  but larger than a narrow end  174 . A wide end  170  of collet  130  is smaller than wide end  172 . As endcap  104  urges end  160  of rear seal toward threaded insert  126 , inner wall  140  engages outer surface  142  and the cooperation of angles  152  and  166  and slots  146  and  150  allows collet  130  to be compressed within rear seal  128  to a smaller diameter. As collet  130  is compressed into a smaller diameter, inner wall  154  and ridges  156  are compressed into a smaller diameter as well, and inner wall  154  and ridges  156  engage cable  108 , a shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
   When rear seal  128  is placed about collet  130 , collet  130  is urged inward, forcing the material in collet  130  to deform and slots  146  and  150  to narrow. The arrangement of slots  146  and  150  allows inner wall  154  to maintain a uniform diameter from end  144  to end  148 , as slots  146  and  150  narrow as collet  130  is compressed. Rear seal  128  and collet  130  combine to apply uniform pressure to cable  108  as collet  130  is compressed. A minimum diameter of inner wall  154  may be limited by limiting the amount of compression rear seal  128  applies to collet  130 . Compression of collet  130  may be limited by controlling the width of slots  146  and  150 , by inner stop  164  engages narrow end  168  of collet  130 , or by setting a torque limit to the amount of force that may be applied to endcap  104  urging rear seal about collet  130 . 
   There are several different known styles of connectors used to connect to the center conductor and other conductors within a coaxial cable. Connectors of one style may not physically compatible with connectors of another format. This means, for example, that a cable with a first style of connector may not be usable with a cable having a second style of connector, and vice versa. For example, connectors  100  and  200  mate with each other. However, connectors  100  and  200  do not mate with the connectors of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963, noted above. The mating ends do not physically fit together. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15 through 26 , conversion kits  300  and  400  are shown. Conversion kit  300  allows second connector  200  to be converted to a first connector  100 , and conversion kit  400  allows first connector  100  to be converted to a second connector  200 . It is anticipated that conversion kits  300  and  400  can also be adapted to work with coaxial or triaxial connectors of other styles or gender in a manner similar to that described below. Kits  300  and  400  can be used to convert the connectors of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 to connectors of a different style, like connectors  100  and  200 , without requiring cutting and reterminating the cable. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 15 to 20 , included in conversion kit  300  are front outer body  102 , ground spring  176 , outer insulator  120  and a front shell assembly  178 . Front shell assembly  178  includes center conductor  112 , center conductor insulator  114  and front shell  116 . Front shell  116  includes several longitudinally extending fingers  180  cooperating to define an opening  182  for receiving mating front shell  216 . As shown in the FIGS., there are six fingers  180 . It is anticipated that more or fewer fingers  180  may be used. Center conductor  112  defines an opening  184  for receiving a mating center conductor  212 , and an opening  302  for receiving center conductor pin  110 . Front shell assembly  178  is selectively removably mounted to a rear shell  304 . Rear shell  304  is electrically connected to first coaxial conductor  118  and held to cable  108  by crimp sleeve  306 , which is crimped about inner jacket  121 . Intermediate insulator  308  fits about crimp sleeve  308  between ground washer  132  and rear shell  304 , and insulates those parts from each other, to prevent electrically connecting first coaxial conductor  118  and second coaxial conductor  122  through connector  100 . 
   Front shell  116  includes an inner wall  186  defining a region  187  for receiving insulator  114 . Region  187  has an inner shoulder  188  to stop insertion of insulator  114  at an appropriate depth. Region  187  also includes a threaded portion  310  to permit selectively detachable mounting to rear shell  304 . Other types of selectively detachable mounting approaches may also be used with the present invention, such as bayonet mounting. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 21 to 26 , included in conversion kit  400  are front outer body  202 , outer insulator  120  and front shell assembly  402 . Front shell assembly  402  includes center conductor  212 , insulator  114  and front shell  216 . Front shell  216  includes a tubular portion  408  defining an opening  404  for insertion into a mating front shell  116 . Center conductor  212  includes a front end  406  for insertion into a mating center conductor  112 , and an opening  302  for receiving center conductor pin  110 . Front shell assembly  402  mounts to rear shell  304  in a similar manner to front shell assembly  178  and the remainder of connector  100  or  200  shown in  FIG. 23  is the same as that shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   Front shell  216  includes an inner wall  412  defining a region  414  for receiving insulator  114 . Region  414  has an inner shoulder  410  to stop the insertion of insulator  114  at an appropriate depth. Region  414  also includes a threaded portion  416  to permit selectively detachable mounting to rear shell  304 . Other types of selectively detachable mounting approaches may also be used with the present invention, such as bayonet mounting. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 27 , additional detail of insulator  114  is shown. Insulator  114  includes a central channel  190  for receiving center conductor  112  or center conductor  212 . A shoulder  192  within channel  190  provides a positive stop for a center conductor inserted into channel  190  and stops insertion at an appropriate depth. An outer wall  188  defines a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter defined by either inner wall  412  of front shell  216  or inner wall  186  of front shell  116 , permitting insulator  114  to be firmly held within either region  414  or  187 , respectively. It is anticipated that pressfitting insulator  114  into a front shell  216  or  116  will firmly mount insulator  114  within region  414  or  187  against shoulder  410  or  188 , respectively. Insulator  114  is a one-piece insulator made of an electrically insulative material such as Teflon or a similar material. It is anticipated that insulator  114  may be made by a variety of methods, including machining. 
   Shoulder  192  within channel  190  defines an opening  198  to permit center conductor pin  110  to enter into opening  302  and make electrical contact with either center conductor  112  or  212 . Centering region  196  provides an entry into opening  198  to guide center conductor pin into opening  302 . Centering region  196  includes a sloped wall  194  defining a wider outer edge  195  and a narrower inner edge  193 , which is the same size as opening  198 . The funnel shape defined by centering region  196  aids in the insertion of a center conductor pin  110  which may have been placed or moved off-center by forcing center conductor pin into alignment with opening  302 . Shaft portion  197  of insulator  114  helps ensure that an off-center center conductor pin  110  within opening  302  does not force any portion of center conductor  112  or  212  into contact with front shell  116  or  216 , respectively. Shaft portion  197  is narrower than a rear portion  199  and a front portion  189  to provide for improved impedance characteristics when insulator  114  is incorporated into a telecommunications connector. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 28 through 32 , a sequence of steps for converting from connector  100  to connector  200  are shown. Beginning with  FIG. 28 , front outer body  102  is removed from connector  100  by rotating in a direction  420  and then removing front outer body  102  in a direction  422 . Within front outer body  102  are outer insulator  120  and ground spring  176 . In  FIG. 29 , with front outer body  102  removed, front shell assembly  178  is removed from rear shell  304  by rotating in a direction  424  and removing front shell assembly  178  in a direction  426 . Front shell assembly  402  is then mounted to rear shell  304  by inserting in a direction  428  in  FIG. 30  and rotating in a direction  430  in  FIG. 31 . Outer insulator  120  and outer body  202  are then placed about front shell assembly  402  in a direction  432  in  FIG. 31  and secured by rotating in a direction  434  in  FIG. 32 . Connector  100  from  FIG. 28  has been converted to connector  200  in  FIG. 32 . In this sequence, threaded sleeve  126  includes threads which engage threads within outer body  102  and outer body  202  in region  137 . Other methods of attachment that permit selective detachability are also contemplated within the present invention. 
   From the step shown in  FIG. 30 , a different connector end like the ends of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 can be used, if desired. Further, kit  400  can be sued to convert the connectors of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 to a connector that mates with connector  100 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 33 through 37 , a sequence of steps for converting from connector  200  to connector  100  is shown. Beginning with  FIG. 33 , front outer body  202  is removed from connector  200  by rotating in direction  420  and then removing front outer body  202  in direction  422 . Within front outer body  202  is outer insulator  120 . In  FIG. 34 , with front outer body  202  removed, front shell assembly  402  is removed from rear shell  304  by rotating in direction  424  and removing front shell assembly  402  in direction  426 . Front shell assembly  178  is then mounted to rear shell  304  by inserting in direction  428  in  FIG. 35  and rotating in direction  430  in  FIG. 36 . Outer insulator  120 , ground spring  178  and outer body  102  are then placed about front shell assembly  402  in direction  432  and secured by rotating in direction  434 . Connector  200  from  FIG. 33  has now been converted into connector  100  in  FIG. 37 . 
   From the step shown in  FIG. 35 , a different connector end like the ends of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 can be used, if desired. Further, kit  300  can be sued to convert the connectors of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963 to a connector that mates with connector  200 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 38 through 44 , coaxial cable connectors may be mounted to panels or racks to provide better organization of a large group of connectors and also to keep the cables off the ground and away from environmental factors that may degrade the quality of the signal carried by the coaxial cable.  FIG. 38  shows a prior art connector  101  which is a female connector and a pair of yoke halves  502  placed about opposing mounting flats  136  adjacent a mating opening  106 . Connector  101  is a female connector conforming to a different style than connector  100 . Mating opening  106  is like the mating end configuration of the female connector disclosed and shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852 and 6,109,963. Mounting arrangements including mounting yokes fit about connectors and then attached to mounting plates for connection to panel or rack are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,146,192 and 6,231,380, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 38 , yoke halves  502  are placed about connector  101  so that yoke halves  502  engage mounting flats  136  of connector  101  and secured in place by removable fasteners such as screws  526  inserted through openings  528 . Yoke halves  502  are identical to one another. By engaging mounting flats  136 , yoke halves  502  are temporarily fixed with connector  101  with regard to relative movement or rotation. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 39 , adapter halves  504  is shown for mounting a connector  100  to a plate  500  for mounting to a panel or bulkhead. Plate  500  can be mounted to a panel or a bulkhead as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,146,192 and 6,231,380.  FIG. 38  shows connector  101  which can be mounted to a plate  500  in a manner consistent with the above-referenced patents. 
   Connector  100  defines a smaller diameter than connector  101 . To permit yoke halves  502  to securely hold connector  100 , an adapter  503  is provided. In the preferred embodiment, adapter  503  includes two identical adapter halves  504  placed about connector  100  and engaging mounting flats  136 . Adapter halves  504  cooperate to provide an outer surface that matches the size and shape of mounting flats  136  of connector  101  and permits yoke halves  502  to be used to mount both connector  100  and connector  101 . 
   Yoke halves  502  are placed about connector  100  about adapter halves  504  so that yoke halves  502  engage mounting flats  530  of adapter halves  504  and secured in place by removable fasteners such as screws  526  inserted through openings  528 . Adapter halves  504  engage mounting flats  136  of connector  100  and temporarily fix connector  100  and adapter halves  504  with regard to relative movement or rotation. By engaging mounting flats  530 , yoke halves  502  are temporarily fixed with connector  100  with regard to relative movement or rotation. Plate  500  can then be removably mounted to yoke halves  502  so that mating opening  106  of connector  101  is accessible through opening  512 , and removable fasteners such as screws  506  are inserted through openings  508  and engage openings  510 . 
   An indicia  516  may be mounted to plate  500  by fastening a rear holder  514  to plate  500  with fasteners  520  inserted through rear holder  514  and engaging openings  522 . A front cover  518 , made of an at least partially transparent material is placed over indicia  516  and engages rear holder  514  and traps indicia  516 . Openings  524  are included in plate  500  to permit removable fasteners to be used to mount plate  500  to a panel or bulkhead. 
     FIG. 40  shows the orientation of adapter halves  504  and yoke halves  502  with respect to each other when positioned for assembly. Note that a split line  526  for adapter halves  504  is positioned offset from a line formed by yokes halves  502  when joined together. This offset as shown is approximately forty-five degrees to aid in assembly of connector  100  with adapter halves  504  and yoke halves  502 . Other angles of offset may be used to achieve the same aid to assembly and it is anticipated that the present invention is workable with no angular offset as well. 
   Yoke halves  502  are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,146,192 and 6,231,380. Yoke halves  502  include a flat  532  along one side and partial flats  534  along a top and bottom. Partial flats  534  of each of a pair of yoke halves cooperate to form a continuous flat of the same size as flat  532  when two yoke halves are assembled. These flats  532  and  534  engage mounting flats  530  in an outer surface  536  of adapter halves  504 . Mounting flats  530  are similarly sized to mounting flats  136  of a connector  101 . In addition, outer surface  536  of adapter halves  504  defines a diameter that is similarly sized to connector  101 . Yoke halves  502  include surfaces  538  on either side of flats  532  and  534  which cooperate to define a round inner surface similarly sized to both connector  101  and outer surface  536 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 40 through 44 , each adapter half  504  includes an inner surface  546  which cooperate to form an opening  542  for receiving connector  100 . Flats  528  are along inner surfaces  546  and equally spaced apart around opening  542 . Flats  528  are sized to engage mounting flats  136  of connector  100  and located adjacent a first end  540  of adapter halves  504 . Inner surfaces  546  adjacent a second end  544  cooperate to form a portion of opening  542  which is sized to fit about front outer body  102  of connector  100  adjacent mating opening  106 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  43 , front outer body  102  between mounting flats  136  and mating opening  106  includes a non-tapered portion  548  and a tapered portion  550 . Along inner surfaces  546  are a first section  554  adjacent flats  528  and a second section  552  opposite flats  528 . First section  554  is sized to fit about non-tapered portion  548  and second section  552  is sized to fit about tapered portion  550 . Other styles of connectors may not have a tapered portion of a front outer body adjacent a mating opening and mounting flats and it is anticipated that alternative embodiments of adapter halves  504  may be adapted to fit about these non-tapered connectors as well. 
   The tolerance for fitting about front outer body  102  by adapter halves  504  is such that with flats  528  engaging mounting flats  136  and second section  552  engaging tapered portion  550 , adapter halves  504  are temporarily fixed with connector  100  with regard to relative movement or rotation, and adapter halves  504  can not be removed from connector  100  without separating along split line  526 . Yoke halves  502  can then be placed about adapter halves  504  with flats  532  and  534  engaging mounting flats  530 , which will serve to temporarily fix yoke halves with connector  100  with regard to relative movement or rotation. Plate  500  can then be mounted to yoke halves  502  to permit mounting of connector  100  to a panel as described in the above referenced patents. Alternatively, yoke halves  502  and adapter halves  504  can be used to mount connector  100  to an angled bracket for mounting to a panel as described in the above referenced patents. 
   The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.