Abstract:
An adapter for connecting coaxial cable connectors. The adapter has first and second ends for mounting cable connectors for various genders and styles as required for connecting two existing cable connectors. The connectors may be selectively changed as required to mate with the gender and style of the cable connectors mounted to the coaxial cables to be joined. A method of assembling an adapter for connecting coaxial cables that includes selecting first and second cable connector ends for the adapter to mate with the cable connectors to be joined.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to coaxial cable connectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to triaxial cable connectors and adapters. 
   BACKGROUND 
   In broadcast communications installations, it is known to use coaxial cables with three conductors to electrically link different pieces of equipment, such as cameras or production facilities. Such triaxial cables are terminated in a variety of formats and genders of connectors to permit the cables to be connected to the equipment or to other cables. Triaxial cable connectors such as these are disclosed in the commonly owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,967,852; 6,109,963; 6,146,192; 6,231,380; 6,561,848; and 6,575,786, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   It is known to have connectors which may be converted to mate with different formats and genders of triaxial connectors. However, these known connectors may require that a cable be reterminated to mount such a connector to the cable to be able to utilize the convertible connector. In some situations and installations, it not desirable or reasonable to require that such cables be reterminated. 
   An adapter for use with triaxial and other coaxial cables which permits existing known connectors to mate with connectors of a different format or gender is desirable. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention relates to coaxial connector assembly including an adapter. The adapter includes a first and a second end, with a center conductor and a first outer conductive shell at each end. The center conductors of each end are electrically connected and the first outer conductive shells of each end are electrically connected, and the center conductors are electrically isolated from the first outer conductive shells. The assembly also includes a first cable connector mounted to the first end of the adapter. The first cable connector includes a first end and a second end, the second end of the first cable connector adapted to engage the first end of the adapter and the first end of the first shell assembly adapted to mate with a first coaxial cable connector. The assembly also includes a second cable connector mounted to the second end of the adapter. The second cable connector including a first end and a second end, the second end of the second cable connector adapted to engage the second end of the adapter and the first end of the second cable connector adapted to mate with a second coaxial cable connector. 
   The present invention also relates to a coaxial connector assembly with an adapter. The adapter includes a first and a second end, a center conductor and a first outer conductive shell at each end. The center conductors of each end are electrically connected and the first outer conductive shells of each end are electrically connected, and the center conductors are electrically isolated from the first outer conductive shells. The assembly also includes a first cable connector removably mounted to the adapter about the first outer conductive shell at the first end of the adapter. 
   The first cable connector includes a first center conductor electrically connected to the center conductor of the first end of the adapter, a first conductive front shell electrically connected to the first outer conductive shell of the first end of the adapter, and a first insulator mounted between and electrically isolating the first center conductor and the first conductive front shell. The first cable connector further includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the first cable connector is adapted to releasably engage the first end of the adapter and the first end of the first cable connector is adapted to mate with a first coaxial connector. 
   The assembly also includes a second cable connector removably mounted to the adapter about the first outer conductive shell at the second end of the adapter. The second cable connector includes a second center conductor electrically connected to the center conductor of the second end of the adapter, a second conductive front shell electrically connected to the first outer conductive shell of the second end of the adapter, and a second insulator mounted between and electrically isolating the second center conductor and the second conductive front shell. The second cable connector further includes a first end and a second end. The second end of the second cable connector is adapted to releasably engage the second end of the adapter and the first end of the second cable connector is adapted to mate with a first coaxial connector. 
   The present invention further relates to a coaxial connector adapter with a central housing defining a central axial opening with a first end and a second end. An outer portion of the central housing proximate each end is threaded to receive a conductive outer body. An outer insulator is mounted within the central axial opening of the central housing. A first conductive shell extends through the outer insulator beyond the first and second ends of the central housing. The first conductive shell includes a first end and a second end, each threaded to receive a shell assembly, and the outer insulator electrically isolates the first conductive shell from the central housing. An inner insulator is mounted within the central axial opening of the central housing. A center conductor extends between the first and second ends of the central housing through the central axial opening mounted within the inner insulator. 
   The present invention still further relates to a triaxial cable connector system with an adapter with first and second ends, a first cable connector mounted to the first end and a second cable connector mounted to the second end. The first cable connector includes a front shell assembly including a conductive front shell and a center conductor mounted within and electrically isolated from the conductive front shell by a center conductor insulator. An outer insulator is positioned about the front shell assembly of the first cable connector and a conductive outer body positioned about the outer insulator and electrically isolated from the front shell assembly. The first cable connector defines a first connector gender and style. 
   A second cable connector is mounted to the second end of the adapter. The second cable connector includes a front shell assembly including a conductive front shell and a center conductor mounted within and electrically isolated from the conductive front shell by a center conductor insulator. An outer insulator is positioned about the front shell assembly, and a conductive outer body positioned about the outer insulator and electrically isolated from the front shell assembly. The second cable connector defines a second connector gender and style. 
   The assembly also includes a third cable connector including a front shell assembly including a conductive front shell and a center conductor mounted within and electrically isolated from the conductive front shell by a center conductor insulator. An outer insulator positioned about the front shell assembly, and a conductive outer body positioned about the outer insulator and electrically isolated from the front shell assembly. The third cable connector defines a third connector gender and style. 
   The center conductor of the first cable connector is electrically connected to center conductor of the second cable connector, the front shell of the first cable connector is electrically connected to the front shell of the second cable connector, and the conductive outer body of the first cable connector is electrically connected to the conductive outer body of the second cable connector. Either of the first or the second cable connector may be removed from the adapter and replaced with the third cable connector so that the center conductor of the third cable connector. 
   The present invention also relates to a method of assembling a triaxial cable connector adapter. The method includes providing an adapter housing with first and second ends. A first cable connector is selected having a first gender selected from a plurality of genders and a first style selected from a plurality of styles. The first cable connector is mounted the first cable connector to the first end of the adapter housing. A second cable connector is selected having a second gender selected from a plurality of genders and a second style selected from a plurality of styles. The second cable connector is mounted to the second end of the adapter housing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a triaxial cable connector adapter according to the present invention, with opposing male ends of a first format mounted. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 1 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 1 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the universal adapter of triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of the triaxial cable connector universal adapter of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the triaxial cable connector universal adapter of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the triaxial cable connector universal adapter, taken along line  8 — 8  in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector universal adapter of  FIG. 5 , with opposing male ends of a second format mounted. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 9 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 9 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector universal adapter of  FIG. 5 , with a first female end of the first format and an opposing male second end of the second format mounted. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 12 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 14  is a second perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 12 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with opposing female ends of the second format mounted. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 15 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 17  is a second perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 15 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with opposing male ends of the third format mounted. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 18 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 18 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 21  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with a first male end of the first format and an opposing second female end of the second format mounted. 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 21 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 23  is a second perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 21 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 24  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with opposing female ends of the first format mounted. 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 24 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 26  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 24 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with opposing female ends of the third format mounted. 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 27 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 27 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 30  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with a first female end of the third format and an opposing second female end of the second format mounted. 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 30 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 32  is a second perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 30 , with the second end exploded. 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 5 , with a first male end of the first format and an opposing second male end of the third format mounted. 
       FIG. 34  is a perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 33 , with the first end exploded. 
       FIG. 35  is a second perspective view of the triaxial cable connector adapter of  FIG. 33 , with the second end exploded. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present invention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
   It is common for coaxial cables, such as triaxial cables, which are used to communicate electronic signals, to be terminated by a cable connector at one or both ends of the cable. To use these cables in the field or in the studio, a mating cable connector of the same style and opposite gender may be required. Typical genders are defined as male and female, while styles for such connectors include Global, U.S., BBC, and others. These styles are physically directly compatible with each other, meaning that a male Global style connector may not mate with a female U.S. connector. When such an incompatibility situation occurs, retermination of one or both of the cables or equipment to which the cable connectors may be a solution to electrically joining the two cables. Alternatively, fixed adapters may have been used which permit incompatible cable connectors to be mated. However, these known adapters are only be configured to mate with and join two distinct cable connectors. To ensure that joining of cables is possible without knowing the particular cable connectors, an entire array of cable connector adapters would be required to connect each known gender and style combination to each other known style and gender combination. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a triaxial cable connector assembly  10  with a first triaxial cable connector  12  mounted to a first end  14  of an adapter housing  16  and a second triaxial cable connector  18  mounted to a second end  20  of adapter housing  16 . First and second ends  14  and  20  of adapter housing  16  are shown in  FIG. 5 , below. First cable connector  12  includes a mating end  22  for receiving a mating triaxial cable connector and second cable end  18  includes a mating end  24  for receiving a mating triaxial connector. As shown in  FIG. 1 , both mating end  22  and mating end  24  define a male connector end of a first style of triaxial connector. Additional triaxial cable connectors defining alternative genders and styles will be shown and described below. Each of these different triaxial cable connectors may be mounted to one of first end  14  or second end  20  of adapter housing  16 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , adapter  10  is shown with each of the cable connectors  12  and  18  in an exploded view. Each cable connector  12  and  18  includes a front shell assembly  26  with a center conductor  28 , a center conductor insulator  30  and a front shell  32 . Each cable connector  12  and  18  include an outer conductive body  34  which is mounted about and electrically isolated from front shell assembly  26  by an outer insulator  36 . Additional details of these elements of the cable connectors may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,561,848 and 6,575,786, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , adapter  16  includes a first outer conductive shell  38  with an outer threaded portion  40  at first end  14 . A first center conductor  42  is positioned within first outer conductive shell  38 . First outer conductive shell  38  is mounted within an insulator  44  which is mounted within an adapter body  46 . Adapter body  46  includes a threaded portion  48  toward first end  14 . Adapter body  46  is electrically conductive and electrically isolated from first outer conductive shell  38  by insulator  44 . Front shell assembly  26  of first cable connector  14  is mounted to adapter  16  by threading onto threaded portion  40 . When front shell assembly  26  is mounted to adapter  16 , center conductor  28  of first cable connector  14  is electrically connected with center conductor  42  of adapter  16  and front shell  32  is electrically connected to first outer conductive shell  38  of adapter  16 . Outer conductive body  34  of first cable connector  14  is mounted to adapter  16  by threading onto threaded portion  48  of adapter body  46 . When outer conductive body  34  is mounted to adapter  16 , front outer body  34  is electrically connected to adapter body  46 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 3 , adapter  16  includes a second outer conductive shell  50  with an outer threaded portion  52  at second end  20 . A second center conductor  54  is positioned within second outer conductive shell  50  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , below). Second outer conductive shell  50  is mounted within an insulator  56  which is mounted within adapter body  46 . Adapter body  46  includes a threaded portion  58  toward second end  18 . Adapter body  46  is electrically conductive and electrically isolated from second outer conductive shell  50  by insulator  56 . Front shell assembly  26  of second cable connector  18  is mounted to adapter  16  by threading onto threaded portion  52 . When front shell assembly  26  is mounted to adapter  16 , center conductor  28  of second cable connector  18  is electrically connected with center conductor  54  of adapter  16  and front shell  32  is electrically connected to second outer conductive shell  50  of adapter  16 . Outer conductive body  34  of second cable connector  18  is mounted to adapter  16  by threading onto threaded portion  58  of adapter body  46 . When outer conductive body  34  is mounted to adapter  16 , front outer body  34  is electrically connected to adapter body  46 . 
   When assembled as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , adapter  10  provides electrical continuity between center conductors  28  of first cable connector  14  and second cable connector  18 . This continuity is provided by a central shaft  60  connected center conductors  42  and  54 . Adapter  10  also provides electrical continuity between front shell  32  of first cable connector  14  and second cable connector  18 . This continuity is provided by the connection of first conductive outer shell  38  and second conductive outer shell  50  within an opening  62  extending through adapter body  46 . Central shaft  60  also extends through opening  62  through outer conductive shells  38  and  50 , which are hollow. Central shaft  60  and center conductors  42  and  54  are electrically isolated from outer conductive shells  38  and  50  by two pairs of adapter center conductor insulators halves  64 . Adapter  10  further provides electrical continuity between conductive outer bodies  34  of first cable connector  14  and second cable connector  18 . This continuity is provided through adapter body  46 , which is preferably constructed of an electrically conductive material. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , adapter body  46  includes a center section  66  midway between the first and second ends  14  and  20 . Center section  66  includes a plurality of opposing wrench flats  68  to aid is assembly and disassembly of adapter  16  into cable connector assembly  10 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , adapter  16  may also includes a pair of O-rings  70  which are positioned within a groove  72  adjacent each of the threaded portions  48  and  58  of adapter body  46 . First outer conductive shell  38  includes a narrow inner end  74  which is sized to be received within an enlarged opening  76  in an inner end  77  of second conductive outer shell  50 . Preferably, a friction or press fit holds the two conductive outer shells together. First conductive outer shell  34  defines a central longitudinal opening  78  and second conductive outer shell  50  defines a central longitudinal opening  80 . Central longitudinal openings  78  and  80  cooperate to form an opening  82  through adapter  16  within which are positioned center conductors  42  and  51 , center conductor insulators  64  and shaft  60 . 
     FIGS. 1 to 8  show adapter  16  with a particular style and gender of cable connectors  12  and  18  mounted to first end  14  and second end  20 , respectively. As shown, cable connectors  12  and  18  define male Global style connectors. A variety of other styles and genders of cable connectors may be used with the same adapter  16 . A first alternative cable connector assembly  100  is shown in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , where a first cable connector  102  defines a male U.S. style connector with first mating end  22 . A second cable connector  104  defines a male U.S. style connector with second mating end  24 . Cable connectors  102  and  104  are mounted about first end  14  and second end  18 , respectively, of adapter  16 . 
   Cable connector  102  includes a front shell assembly  106  mounted threaded portion  40  of adapter  16 , and a conductive outer body  108  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 . Front shell assembly  106  includes a center conductor  112  positioned within an inner insulator  114  which is in turn positioned within a front shell  116 . Center conductor  112  is connected to center conductor  42  of adapter  16  and electrically isolated from front shell  116  by inner insulator  114 . An outer insulator  110  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  106  and conductive outer body  108 . Cable connector  104  also includes front shell assembly  106  mounted threaded portion  52  of adapter  16 , and conductive outer body  108  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 . Center conductor  112  of cable connector  104  is connected with center conductor  51  of adapter  16 . Cable connector  104  also includes outer insulator  110  positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  106  and conductive outer body  108 . 
   The electrical connectivity within cable connector assembly  100  between conductive outer shells  108 , the front shells  116  and center conductors  112  of cable connectors  102  and  104  is similar to that described above with regard to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  100  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 12 to 14  show a second alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  120  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  122  and a second cable connector  124 . First cable connector  122  of cable connector assembly  120  defines a female Global style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  124  defines a male U.S. style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  122  includes a front shell assembly  126  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  128  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  130  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  126  and outer conductive body  128 . 
   Second cable connector  124  includes a front shell assembly  132  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  134  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  136  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  132  and outer conductive body  134 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  126  and  132 , and outer conductive bodies  128  and  134  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  120  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 15 to 17  show a third alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  140  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  142  and a second cable connector  144 . First cable connector  142  of cable connector assembly  140  defines a female U.S. style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  144  defines a female U.S. style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  142  includes a front shell assembly  146  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  148  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  150  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  146  and outer conductive body  148 . 
   Second cable connector  144  includes a front shell assembly  152  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  154  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  156  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  152  and outer conductive body  154 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  146  and  152 , and outer conductive bodies  148  and  154  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  140  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 18 to 20  show a fourth alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  160  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  162  and a second cable connector  164 . First cable connector  162  of cable connector assembly  160  defines a male BBC style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  164  defines a male BBC style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  162  includes a front shell assembly  166  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  168  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  170  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  166  and outer conductive body  168 . 
   Second cable connector  164  includes a front shell assembly  172  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  174  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  176  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  172  and outer conductive body  174 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  166  and  172 , and outer conductive bodies  168  and  174  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  160  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 21 to 23  show a fifth alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  180  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  182  and a second cable connector  184 . First cable connector  182  of cable connector assembly  180  defines a male Global style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  184  defines a female U.S. style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  182  includes a front shell assembly  186  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  188  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  190  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  186  and outer conductive body  188 . 
   Second cable connector  184  includes a front shell assembly  192  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  194  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  196  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  192  and outer conductive body  194 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  186  and  192 , and outer conductive bodies  188  and  194  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  180  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 24 to 26  show a sixth alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  200  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  202  and a second cable connector  204 . First cable connector  202  of cable connector assembly  200  defines a female Global style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  204  defines a female Global style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  202  includes a front shell assembly  206  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  208  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  210  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  206  and outer conductive body  208 . 
   Second cable connector  204  includes a front shell assembly  212  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  214  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  216  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  212  and outer conductive body  214 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  206  and  212 , and outer conductive bodies  208  and  214  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  200  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 27 to 29  show a seventh alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  220  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  222  and a second cable connector  224 . First cable connector  222  of cable connector assembly  220  defines a female BBC style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  224  defines a female BBC style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  222  includes a front shell assembly  226  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  228  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  230  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  226  and outer conductive body  228 . 
   Second cable connector  224  includes a front shell assembly  232  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  234  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  236  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  232  and outer conductive body  234 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  226  and  232 , and outer conductive bodies  228  and  234  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  220  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 30 to 32  show an eighth alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  240  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  242  and a second cable connector  244 . First cable connector  242  of cable connector assembly  240  defines a female BBC style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  244  defines a female U.S. style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  242  includes a front shell assembly  246  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  248  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  250  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  246  and outer conductive body  248 . 
   Second cable connector  244  includes a front shell assembly  252  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  254  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  256  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  252  and outer conductive body  254 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  246  and  252 , and outer conductive bodies  248  and  254  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  240  are functional identical. 
     FIGS. 33 to 35  show a ninth alternative embodiment cable connector assembly  260  with an adapter  16 , a first cable connector  262  and a second cable connector  264 . First cable connector  262  of cable connector assembly  260  defines a male Global style connector with first mating end  22 . Second cable connector  264  defines a male BBC style connector with second mating end  24 . First cable connector  262  includes a front shell assembly  266  mounted to threaded portion  40  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  268  mounted to threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 , about first end  14 . An outer insulator  270  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  266  and outer conductive body  268 . 
   Second cable connector  264  includes a front shell assembly  272  mounted to threaded portion  52  of adapter  16  and an outer conductive body  274  mounted to threaded portion  58  of adapter  16 , about second end  20 . An outer insulator  276  is positioned between and electrically isolates front shell assembly  272  and outer conductive body  274 . The electrical connectivity between front shell assemblies  266  and  272 , and outer conductive bodies  268  and  274  is similar to that described above with to cable connector assembly  10 . Ends  22  and  24  are configured to mate with different style and gender triaxial cable connectors, otherwise cable connector assemblies  10  and  260  are functional identical. 
   First and second mating ends  22  and  24  may be configured to mate with other current or future triaxial cable connectors through the use of different front shell assemblies, outer conductive bodies, and outer insulators. Alternatively, adapter  16  may be configured with mating ends  22  and  24  that mate with coaxial cable connectors with different front shell assemblies. 
   To convert mating end  22  to mate with a different gender or style of cable connector, the outer conductive body would be removed from the threaded portion  48  of adapter  16 . Then, the outer insulator is removed from the front shell assembly and the front shell assembly removed from threaded portion  40  of first end  14  of adapter  16 . A different combination of front shell assembly and outer conductive body are then mounted to threaded portions  40  and  48 , respectively, with an appropriate outer insulator positioned between. Mating end  24  may be converted using a similar method. 
   The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein have been discussed for the purpose of familiarizing the reader with novel aspects of the present invention. Although preferred embodiments have been shown and described, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having skill in the art without unnecessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Having described preferred aspects and embodiments of the present invention, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended that such modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of the claims which are appended hereto.