Abstract:
A method of making a coaxial cable assembly is disclosed, the assembly comprising a coaxial cable and a connector, or connector termination, on at least one end of the cable. A connector, comprised of connector components, is also disclosed. The method comprises placing connector components into contact with the cable before the connector components are assembled into a connector. The connector is assembled simultaneously with securing the connector to the cable to make a coaxial cable assembly. A method of preparing coaxial cable in a manner suitable for making coaxial cable assemblies is also disclosed. The coaxial cable assembly can be a jumper, or a lead.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to coaxial cable connectors and coaxial cable/connector assemblies, and particularly to coaxial cable connectors suitable for coaxial assemblies. 
   2. Technical Background 
   Coaxial cable connectors such as F-connectors are used to attach coaxial cable to another object such as an appliance or junction having a terminal adapted to engage the connector. F-connectors are often used in conjunction with a length of coaxial cable to create a jumper cable assembly to interconnect components of a cable television system. A jumper typically has one coaxial connector (connector termination) at each end of the length of cable. The coaxial cable typically includes a center conductor, or inner conductor, surrounded by a plurality of outer cable components, for example the inner conductor is surrounded by a dielectric, in turn surrounded by one or more outer conductive layers, or metallic layers, such as a conductive grounding foil and/or braid, wherein the outer conductive arrangement is itself surrounded by a protective outer jacket. The dielectric can be plastic, rubber, glass, or ceramic. Various types of coaxial cable have different outer protective layers or jackets. The F-connector is typically secured over the prepared end of the jacketed coaxial cable by use of a crimp tool or compression tool specifically designed to crimp or actuate the connector. Once secured to the coaxial cable, the connector is then capable of transferring signals by engaging the connector with a threaded connection or threaded port, such as found on typical CATV electronic devices like set top converters, television sets or DVD players. 
   Crimp style F-connectors are known wherein a crimp sleeve is included as part of the connector body. A crimping tool must be used to deform the crimp sleeve onto the cable to secure the connector to a cable. For example, a special radial crimping tool, having jaws that form a hexagon, can be used to radially crimp the crimp sleeve around the outer jacket of the coaxial cable to secure such a crimp style F-connector over the prepared end of the coaxial cable, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,050 to Hayward. However, crimping braided outer conductors can present some difficulties. To prevent deformation of the outer cable components in relation to the center conductor, a support sleeve of one form or another may be used. Usually, the braid is captured in a layer between a tubular outer ferrule and the connector body, wherein the outer ferrule is crimped onto the crimp sleeve which in turn is radially compressed into engagement with the cable, but such crimps are not typically considered to be highly reliable, because, for example, there are typically large voids in the interface allowing for corrosive degradation of the contact surfaces, and/or the mechanical pull strength to the joint does not approach the strength of the wire. Additionally, such a crimp connection typically allows relative movement between all three components, which results in a very poor, noisy electrical connection. 
   Another known form of F-connector includes an annular compression sleeve used to secure the F-connector over the prepared end of the cable. Rather than crimping a crimp sleeve radially toward the jacket of the coaxial cable, these F-connectors employ an annular compression sleeve, typically plastic, that is initially attached to the F-connector, but which is detached therefrom prior to installation of the F-connector. The compression sleeve includes an inner bore for allowing such compression sleeve to be passed over the end of the coaxial cable prior to installation of the F-connector. The remainder of the F-connector itself is then inserted over the prepared end of the coaxial cable. Next, the compression sleeve is compressed axially along the longitudinal axis of the connector into the body of the connector, which simultaneously causes the jacket of the coaxial cable to be compressed between the compression sleeve and the tubular post of the connector as the compression sleeve moves radially inward. An example of such a compression sleeve F-connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,675 to Samchisen. A number of commercial tool manufacturers provide compression tools for axially compressing the compression sleeve into such connectors. 
   Standardized cable preparation tooling and connector actuation tooling have lead to a de facto standard in cable preparation dimensions and connector envelope configurations. Additional requirements for both in-door and out-door use have resulted in connector designs that require a relatively large number of components. While standardized cable preparation tooling and connector actuation tooling has increased flexibility and interchangeability in field installations where an installer is concerned with making cable connection using one or a few connectors at a particular location, the implementation of these standardized connector and tooling systems for the manufacture of cable assemblies such as CATV jumper cables in large quantities tends to limit the efficiency of mass assembly of the jumpers, thereby causing unnecessary expense to be incurred in the manufacture of the assemblies. 
     FIGS. 1A-1C  are partial cutaway views along the centerline of a coaxial cable illustrating typical known in-field cable preparation.  FIG. 1A  shows cable  100  comprising center conductor  101 , dielectric  102  surrounding and in contact with the center conductor  101 , outer conductor or shield  103  surrounding and in contact with dielectric  102 , braid  104  surrounding and in contact with shield  103 , and jacket  105  surrounding and in contact with braid  104 . Basic preparation techniques are noted in steps 1 through 3.  FIG. 1A  shows cable  100  cut out to a desired length.  FIG. 1B  shows the result of removing outer cable components to expose center conductor  101  and braid  103 . The standard exposed length of braid  106  is ¼″, and the standard exposed length of center conductor  107  is 5/16″. A multitude of industry standard tools are available to perform the necessary cuts to achieve the “standard” dimensions illustrated in  FIG. 1B .  FIG. 1C  shows the result of un-weaving of braid  104  and folding back of braid  104  along jacket  105 , which is typically performed manually and requires dexterity and time to accomplish properly. 
     FIG. 2  is a side cutaway view along the centerline of a known connector/cable combination. Connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2  illustrates a relatively high number (six) of component parts required to meet the combined indoor and outdoor functional requirements placed on many F connectors. Additionally,  FIG. 2  illustrates a difference in outer diameter between the outermost diameters of coupling nut  201  and body  204 , which provides a relatively small exposed region E 1  of the proximal side of coupling nut  201  in which to grasp the coupler  201  during installation. A limited difference in outer diameter E 1  (and the resulting limited area of exposure) can be somewhat mitigated by increasing clearance space  207  defined by the rear end  208  of the coupler  201  and the outer surface of body  204 , wherein space  207  can allow installer fingers a greater purchase area, but may not provide an entirely satisfactory solution, particularly if coupling nut  201  is plated with a relatively low coefficient of friction, or slippery, material, such as nickel. Clearance space  207  can be somewhat useful for pushing coupling nut  201  forward during installation, but more access to the back of coupling nut  201  but would be more advantageous. However, couplers are typically provided in standard sizes, and, for given standard coupler sizes, practical limits exist on reducing the outer diameter of the body of known connectors (for example because such connectors need to be able to receive the folded back braid of the cable and need to be able to clamp onto the cable, the outside diameter of the body needs to be large enough to structurally accommodate those features), so limitations exist on the flexibility of increasing the difference in outer diameter E 1  in known connectors, used in conjunction with known cable preparation methods. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Disclosed herein is a method of making a coaxial cable assembly, the assembly comprising a coaxial cable and a connector, or connector termination, at least one end of the cable. Connectors, comprised of connector components, are also disclosed herein. The method comprises placing connector components into contact with the cable before the connector components are assembled into a connector. The connector is assembled simultaneously with securing the connector to the cable to make a coaxial cable assembly. The coaxial cable assembly can be a jumper or a lead. 
   The connectors disclosed herein are comprised of a small number of components that can be installed on a coaxial connector cable in an extremely efficient manner in terms of time, labor, and material costs. Additionally, such connectors are easy to use as a cable termination, such as when applied as in a connector/cable assembly such as a jumper assembly, while providing provide necessary signal shielding and sufficient retention on the coaxial cable. The method of installing the connector onto coaxial cable permits flexibility and interchangeability during assembly, where, for example, various types and/or sizes of couplers can be matched with various shells and/or posts, which would not otherwise be available with connectors that require pre-assembly before attachment to a cable. 
   In one aspect, a method of making a coaxial cable assembly is disclose that includes passing an end of a coaxial cable through an internal bore in a tubular shell and an internal bore of a coupler, wherein the coaxial cable has a longitudinal axis, inserting a first portion of a tubular post axially into the end of the coaxial cable, wherein the tubular shell and the coupler are axially spaced away from the first portion of the post, and the shell does not surround the first portion of the post, moving the tubular shell and the coupler axially relative to the post and the coaxial cable, wherein at least part of the tubular shell surrounds at least part of the tubular post and wherein at least a portion of the coupler surrounds at least a part of the tubular shell and the coaxial cable. 
   In another aspect, a method of making a coaxial cable assembly is disclosed herein, the method including passing an end of a coaxial cable through an internal bore in a tubular shell and an internal bore of a coupler, inserting a tubular post into the end of the coaxial cable, wherein the tubular shell and the coupler are spaced away from the post, and the shell and the coupler does not surround the post, and moving the shell and the post together sufficient to surround at least part of the post with at least part of the shell. 
   In some embodiments, before the inserting step, the shell is capable of sliding over the cable disposed within the internal bore of the shell. In some embodiments, the moving step further comprises bringing the shell into direct mechanical contact with the post. In some embodiments, the inserting step further comprises raising a raised portion of the cable radially outwardly; preferably, in the moving step, at least part of the raised portion of the cable is disposed between the at least part of the post and the at least part of the shell. In some embodiments, after the moving step, the shell limits movement of the coupler. In other embodiments movement of the coupler is limited by the tubular post. 
   In another aspect, a method of making a coaxial cable assembly is disclosed herein, the method including providing a length of coaxial cable having an end, the cable comprising an inner conductor and outer components surrounding the inner conductor, the outer components comprising a first outer component surrounded by a second outer component, providing a tubular shell, a tubular post, and a coupler, inserting the end of the cable into a first end of the tubular shell, inserting a back end of the tubular post into the end of the cable, wherein the back end is wedged between the first outer component and the second outer component of the cable, and moving the tubular shell axially toward the front end of the post sufficient for the shell to surround at least a portion of the tubular post, thereby causing the shell and the post to transmit a compressive force to the second outer component sufficient to secure the shell and the post onto the cable. 
   In another aspect, a coaxial connector is disclosed herein, the coaxial connector including a tubular shell, the tubular shell having an internal bore to receive a coaxial cable therethrough and a deformable lip at a front end, a tubular post having an internal bore to receive at least a portion of the coaxial cable, the tubular post also having an outer surface with at least one inclined surface and an annular collar at a front end thereof to engage the front end of the tubular shell, a coupler having an internal bore to receive the coaxial cable and at least a portion of the tubular shell therein, the internal bore also having an annular recess adjacent a rear portion, wherein the deformable lip on the tubular shell is deformed radially outward and into the annular recess of the coupler by the inclined surface of the tubular post as the tubular shell is moved over the coaxial cable and press fit onto the tubular post. 
   Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein, including the detailed description which follows, the claims, as well as the appended drawings. 
   It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  shows a partial cross sectional view of an end of a coaxial cable; 
       FIG. 1B  shows the cable of  FIG. 1A  with outer cable components removed to expose the braid and the center conductor; 
       FIG. 1C  shows the cable of  FIG. 1B  with the braid folded back over the jacket; 
       FIG. 2  is a partial cross sectional view of a coaxial connector connected to a cable prepared according to a known method; 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  are partial cross sectional views of a coaxial cable illustrating the cable preparation method according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the components for a coaxial cable connector according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the components of the coaxial connector of  FIG. 4  partially installed on a coaxial cable prepared according to a method disclosed herein; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 4  fully installed on the coaxial cable, shown in partial cross-section; 
       FIG. 6A  is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 6  fully installed on the coaxial cable; 
       FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of components for an alternative embodiment of a coaxial cable connector according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the components of the coaxial connector of  FIG. 7  partially installed on a coaxial cable prepared according to a method disclosed herein; and 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the coaxial connector of  FIG. 7  fully installed on the coaxial cable. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
     FIGS. 3A-3C  are partial cutaway views along the centerline of a coaxial cable illustrating the cable preparation method as disclosed herein.  FIG. 3A  shows cable  100  comprising center conductor  101 , dielectric  102 , outer conductor or shield  103 , braid  104 , and jacket  105 . For some embodiments, such as a coaxial cable jumper, a desired length of cable  100  is cut, preferably making a clean cut. Referring to  FIG. 3B  with a desired length of cable  100 , the cable preparation includes removing a portion of the protective layer  105 , a portion of the braid  104 , and a portion of the dielectric  102  from the end of the coaxial cable to provide a prepared end of the cable, which can be effected using one or more known tools, wherein the prepared end comprises: a protective layer cut edge  110 ; a protruding portion of the braid  104  that protrudes a length X from the cut edge  110  of the protective layer  105 , a protruding portion of the dielectric  102  that protrudes a length Y from the cut edge  110  of the protective layer  105 , and a protruding portion of the inner conductor  101  that protrudes a length Z from the cut edge  110  of the protective layer  105 , wherein the ratio of X/Y is less than 1, preferably less than 0.5, more preferably less than 0.25. Thus, the cable preparation includes removing outer components of the cable  100 , such as dielectric  102 , outer conductor or shield  103 , braid  104 , and/or jacket  105 , as appropriate, to expose a length A of the center conductor  101 , and to expose a length B of the shield  103 , and to expose a length C of the braid  103 , wherein the shield  103  and dielectric protrude beyond the end of the cable jacket  105  for a length D, where D=B+C, and the tip of the center conductor is disposed a length E away from the end of the cable jacket  105 , where E=A+B+C=A+D, wherein the ratio of C/B is less than 1, preferably less than 0.5, more preferably less than 0.25. In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of lifting at least a portion of the exposed length C of braid  104  radially outwardly, e.g. away from shield  103 , preferably toward the end of jacket  105 . In some embodiments, the lifting comprises flaring at least a portion of the exposed length C of braid  104  away from shield  103 , for example by applying a tool having a conically tapered portion to the cable  100  and under exposed length C, or by applying part of the connector to the cable during connection of the connector onto the cable. 
   Even if desired dimensions for cable preparation disclosed herein are not readily achievable by use of industry standard available tooling intended for use in the field by a single installer, such desired dimension can be easily achieved by high speed factory production tooling. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the coaxial cable connector  10  comprises a tubular shell  20 , a coupler  30 , and a tubular post  40 . The tubular shell  20  is preferably made from metal and plated with a non-corrosive material such as nickel. Alternatively, tubular shell  20  can be constructed from an engineering polymer, such as polyamides (e.g. nylon), polyesters, polyimides, and/or polysulfones. Coupler  30  is preferably made from a conductive material such as brass and is plated with a corrosion resistant material such as nickel. Alternatively, coupler  30  may be constructed from an engineering polymer. Tubular post  40  is preferably made from electrically conductive material, such as brass, and is preferably plated with a conductive material such as tin. 
   In some embodiments, the braid  104  is flared by a tool, or by angled surface  46  of post  40  which is driven under the braid  104  thereby further reducing cable preparation time and effort. Thus, folding back of braid  104  over the outside of the jacket  105  as found in known cable preparation methods is eliminated, thereby reducing the amount of skill and time to prepare the cable. 
   As seen in  FIG. 4 , tubular shell  20  is generally tubular and comprises outer surface  21 , front end  23 , back end  24 , and an internal surface  22  defining internal bore  26  that extends between front and back ends  23 ,  24 . It should be noted that the outer surface  21 , the internal surface  22  or both the internal and the outer surfaces of shell  20  can have more than one diameter or shape as is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . It is also possible that the outer surface  21  and the internal surface  22  also have constant diameter portions over the entire length of shell  20 . Internal surface  22  preferably has an internal chamfer  25  located adjacent back end  24  to assist the coaxial cable to enter the internal bore  26 . Preferably, outwardly projecting annular rib  27  is disposed at the front end  23  forming backward facing annular face  28 . As illustrated and discussed below in conjunction with  FIG. 6A , the annular rib  27  need not be present on tubular shell  20 . 
   Coupler  30  includes a back end  31 , a front end  32 , and an internal surface  33  defining internal bore  34 . The coupler  30  shown in  FIG. 4  is in the form of a coupling nut, wherein internal surface  33  includes an internal chamfer  35 , an inwardly projecting annular ridge  36 , internal threads  37 , and an internal recess  38 . The reduced diameter of annular ridge  36  defines a reduced diameter through-bore section  39  of internal bore  34 . The increased diameter of internal recess  38  defines an increased diameter through-bore section  33  of internal bore  34 . Coupler  30  may also take other forms in other embodiments. 
   Tubular post  40  is generally tubular and comprises back end  41 , front end  42 , outer surface  43 , and internal surface  44  defining through-bore  45 . It should also be noted that internal surface  44  and/or outer surface  43  can have differing diameters or shapes. Back end  41  of tubular post  40  is configured to be inserted into the end of the cable  100  preferably between braid  104  and shield  103 . Front end  42  is adapted to engage shell  20 , or alternately, partially engage coupler  30 . The outer surface  43  of tubular post  40 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , preferably includes an external tapered area  46  adjacent back end  41  leading to a first surface  47  preferably of constant diameter and an external annular face  48 . A reduced diameter portion  50  is disposed between the annular face  48  and a first rearward-facing tapered portion  49 . The reduced diameter portion  50  and annular face  48 , as described below in more detail, assist in securing the jacket  105  and braid  104  within the coaxial cable connector  10 . The tubular post  40  also preferably includes a constant diameter portion  51  between the first rearward-facing tapered portion  49  and a second rearward-facing tapered portion  52 . A longer second surface  53  preferably of constant diameter extends between the second rearward-facing tapered portion  52  and a rearward facing annular surface  54  created by annular rib  55 . The internal surface  44  of post  40  shown in  FIG. 4  preferably comprises an inwardly projecting lip  56  which defines a reduced diameter through-bore portion of internal bore  45 . In some embodiments, the angled surface of external tapered area  46  can be used to engage exposed length C of braid  104  as the post  40  and cable  100 , preferably are driven together during assembly in order to lift at least a portion of exposed length C radially outward. Tubular post  40  may also take other forms in other embodiments. 
     FIG. 5  shows a side cutaway view of coaxial cable connector  10  partially installed on coaxial cable  100 . Preferably, coupler  30  is first installed over the tubular shell  20  and then both coupler  30  and tubular shell  20  are installed over prepared cable  100  together. However, coupler  30  may first be installed over the prepared cable  100  and then tubular shell  20  is installed over the prepared cable  100 . After the tubular shell  20  and the coupler  30  are installed on the prepared cable  100 , back end  41  of post  40  is then inserted into cable  100  between the shield and the braid. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , coupler  30  is capable of rotating around the tubular shell  20 , that is, the diametral relationship of outer surface  21  and bore  34  allows coupler  30  to rotate about shell  20  when coupler  30  is disposed about the tubular shell  20 . Forward movement of coupler  30  relative to tubular shell  20  is restrained by engagement of annular rib  27  and backward facing annular face  28  with the reduced portion  39 , thereby preventing coupler  30  from falling off from the front end  23  of shell  20 . 
   In use, the end of coaxial cable  100  is brought together with tubular post  40 , i.e. the back end  41  of tubular post  40 , such that the cable outer conductor  103 , dielectric  102  and center conductor  101  enter bore  44  of tubular post  40  such that cable  100  is impaled upon back end  41  of tubular post  40 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the back end  41 , external tapered area  46 , the first surface  47 , an external annular face  48 , and reduced diameter portion  50  of tubular post  40  are driven between braided shield  104  and the outer conductor  103  of cable  100 , preferably until the dielectric  102  at the end of the cable  100  is flush with the front end  42  of tubular post  40 . Cable trim length as illustrated indicated in  FIG. 3B  is such that flared portion of cable braid  104  is forced into contact with, and may be shaped by, tapered portion  49  of tubular post  40 . In this embodiment, a small protuberance of braid  104  extends radially outwardly and axially forwardly beyond tapered portion  49 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6  which shows the connection between coaxial cable connector  10  and the cable  100  in the completed, i.e. fully installed or fully compressed, state, wherein the tubular shell  20  is advanced axially forward to (i.e. toward the post  40 ) surround at least a part of tubular post  40  and cable  100 . No further crimping or manipulation is required after tubular shell  20  is fully advanced. Upon advancement of the tubular shell  20 , jacket  105  and braid  104  are preferably sandwiched between the tubular shell  20  and the tubular post  40 , shown in  FIG. 6  where internal surface  22  and first surface  47  of the outer surface  43  of tubular post  40  sandwich jacket  105  and braid  104 . In some embodiments, a portion of braid  104  is disposed in an annular cavity formed between the inner surface of the tubular shell  20  and the outer surface of tubular post  40 , and preferably seized therebetween, for example as seen in the annular cavity  57  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . Trapping and seizing of braid  104  within such annular cavity as cavity  57  can provide additional and improved electrical grounding and improved mechanical retention of braid  104  thereby improving electrical and mechanical communication between cable  100  and coaxial cable connector  10 . When the connector in embodiments such as shown in  FIG. 6  is fully installed on cable  100 , rearward axial movement of coupler  30  may or may not be limited. Lip  56  can serve to both position (for example, center) and restrain further axial movement of cable dielectric  102  with respect to the tubular post  40 . 
   An alternative coaxial cable connector  10 ′ is illustrated in  FIG. 6A . The coaxial cable connector  10 ′ is the same as coaxial cable connector  10  except that the tubular shell  20 ′ has a smooth front end  23 ′, i.e constant inner and outer diameters, and does not have the outwardly projecting annular rib  27  forming backward facing annular face  28  of the prior embodiment. As such, the inwardly projecting annular ridge  36  (and the reduced portion  39 ) of the coupler  30  engages the rearward facing annular surface  54  created by the annular rib  55  of the tubular post  40 . 
   As seen in  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of a coaxial cable connector  210  comprises a tubular shell  220 , a coupler  250 , and a tubular post  290 . The tubular shell  220  is preferably made from metal such as brass and preferably plated with a non-corrosive material such as nickel. Alternatively, tubular shell  220  can be constructed from an engineering polymer, such as polyamides (e.g. nylon), polyesters, polyimides, and/or polysulfones. Coupler  250  is preferably made from an electrically conductive material such as brass and is preferably plated with a corrosion resistant material such as nickel. Alternatively, coupler  250  may be constructed from an engineering polymer. Tubular post  290  is preferably made from conductive material, such as brass, and is preferably plated with a conductive material such as tin. 
   As seen in  FIG. 7 , tubular shell  220  is generally tubular and comprises outer surface  221 , front end  223 , back end  224 , and an internal surface  222  defining internal bore  226  that extends between front and back ends  223 , 224 . It should be noted that the outer surface  221 , the internal surface  222  or both the internal and the outer surfaces of shell  220  can have more than one diameter or shape as is illustrated in  FIG. 7 . It is also possible that the outer surface  221  and the internal surface  222  also have constant diameter portions. Internal surface  222  preferably has an internal chamfer  225  located adjacent back end  224  to assist the coaxial cable to enter the internal bore  226 . The internal surface  222  also preferably has a transition portion  227  that provides for a slightly larger diameter internal bore portion  228  adjacent the front end  223 . Preferably a deformable lip  229  is disposed at front end  223  that forms a rearward facing surface  230 . As explained in more detail below, the deformable lip  229  is expanded radially outward by the tubular post  290  to engage an annular recess in the coupler  250 . An annular groove  231  is disposed in the outer surface  221  making a forward facing surface  232 . An external, forward facing tapered surface  233  is positioned between the annular groove  231  and the rearward facing surface  230  formed by the deformable lip  229 . 
   Coupler  250  includes a back end  251 , a front end  252 , and an internal surface  253  defining internal bore  254 . The coupler  250  shown in  FIG. 7  is in the form of a coupling nut, wherein internal surface  253  preferably comprises an internal chamfer  255 , an inwardly projecting annular ridge  256 , internal threads  257 , and an internal recess  258 . The reduced diameter of annular ridge  256  defines a reduced diameter through-bore section  259  of internal bore  254 . The increased diameter of internal recess  258  defines an increased diameter through-bore section  253  of internal bore  254 . Internal surface  253  preferably comprises an annular recess  260  and a frontward facing surface  261 . Coupler  250  may also take other forms in other embodiments. 
   Tubular post  280  is generally tubular and comprises back end  281 , front end  282 , outer surface  283 , and internal surface  284  defining through-bore  285 . It should also be noted that internal surface  284  and/or outer surface  283  can have differing diameters or shapes. Back end  281  of tubular post  280  is configured to be inserted into the end of the cable  100  and preferably between braid  104  and shield  103 . Front end  282  is adapted to engage shell  220 , or alternately, partially engage coupler  250 . The outer surface  283  of post  280 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , preferably includes an external tapered area  286  adjacent back end  281  leading to a first surface  287  preferably of constant diameter and an external annular forward-facing surface  288 . The annular forward-facing surface  288  and a first rearward-facing tapered portion  289  define a reduced diameter portion  290 . The reduced diameter portion  290  and annular forward-facing surface  288 , as described below in more detail, assist in securing the jacket  105  and braid  104  within the coaxial cable connector  210 . The tubular post  280  also includes a second portion  291 , preferably of constant diameter, between the first rearward-facing tapered portion  289  and a second rearward-facing tapered portion  292 . A third surface  293 , preferably of constant diameter, extends between the second rearward-facing tapered portion  292  and a third rearward facing tapered portion  297 , which is adjacent to the rearward facing surface  294  created by annular rib  295 . The internal surface  284  of post  280  shown in  FIG. 7  preferably comprises an inwardly projecting lip  296  which defines a reduced diameter through-bore portion of internal bore  285 . The angled surface of external tapered area  286  can be used to engage exposed length C of braid  104  as the cable as post  280  and cable  100  are driven together during assembly in order to lift at least a portion of exposed length C radially outward. Tubular post  280  may also take other forms in other embodiments. 
     FIG. 8  shows a partial cross sectional view of coaxial cable connector  210  partially installed on the coaxial cable. Tubular shell  220  is installed over prepared cable  100 . Coupler  250  is installed over the tubular shell  220  either before or after the tubular shell  220  is installed on the prepared cable  100 . After the tubular shell  220  and coupler  250  are installed on cable  100 , back end  281  of tubular post  280  is then inserted into cable  100  between the shield and the braid. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , coupler  250  is capable of rotating around the tubular shell  220 , that is, the diametral relationship of outer surface of the tubular shell  220  and bore  254  of the coupler  250  allows coupler  250  to rotate about shell  220  when coupler  250  is disposed about the tubular shell  220 . Rearward movement of coupler  250  relative to shell  220  is restrained by engagement of forward facing surface  232  of the tubular shell  220  and the back end  251  of the coupler  250 , thereby preventing coupler  250  from sliding backward toward the coaxial cable  100  and off the tubular shell  220 . As described in more detail below, the deformable lip  229  will be moved radially outward by the tubular post  280  to engage the coupler  250  to prevent it from moving forward and slipping off of the tubular shell  250  in an axially forward direction. 
   In use, the end of coaxial cable  100  is brought together with tubular post  280 , i.e. the back end  281  of tubular post  280 , such that the cable outer conductor  103 , dielectric  102  and center conductor  101  enter bore  285  of tubular post  280  such that cable  100  is impaled upon back end  281  of tubular post  280 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the back end  281 , external tapered area  286 , the first surface  287 , an external annular forward-facing surface  288 , and reduced diameter portion  290  of tubular post  280  are driven between braided shield  104  and the outer conductor  103  of cable  100 , preferably until the dielectric  102  at the end of the cable  100  is flush with the front end  282  of tubular post  280 . Cable trim length as illustrated in  FIG. 3B  is such that flared portion of cable braid  104  is forced into contact with, and may be shaped by, tapered portion  289  of tubular post  280 . In this embodiment, a small protuberance of braid  104  extends radially outwardly and axially beyond tapered portion  289 . 
     FIG. 9  shows the connection between coaxial cable connector  210  and the cable  100  in the completed, i.e. fully installed or fully compressed, state, wherein the tubular shell  220  (and the coupler  250 ) is advanced axially forward to surround at least a part of tubular post  280  and cable  100 . No further crimping or manipulation is required after tubular shell  220  is fully advanced. Upon advancement of the tubular shell  220 , jacket  105  and braid  104  are preferably sandwiched between the tubular shell  220  and the tubular post  280 , shown in  FIG. 9  where internal surface  222  and flat surface  287  of tubular post  280  sandwich jacket  105  and braid  104 . In some embodiments, a portion of braid  104  is disposed in an annular cavity formed between the inner surface of the tubular shell  220  and the outer surface of tubular post  280 , and preferably seized therebetween, for example as seen in the annular cavity  298  shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . Trapping and seizing of braid  104  within such annular cavity as cavity  297  can provide additional and improved electrical grounding and improved mechanical retention of braid  104  thereby improving electrical and mechanical communication between cable  100  and coaxial cable connector  210 . Lip  296  can serve to both position (for example, center) and restrain further axial movement of cable dielectric  102  with respect to the tubular post  280 . 
   As the tubular shell  220  is moved relative to the tubular post  280 , the third rearward facing tapered portion  297  engages the forward portion  223  of the tubular shell  220 , causing the deformable lip  229  to be moved radially outward and into the annular recess  260  of coupler  250 . The frontward facing surface  261  of coupler  250  then engages the rearward facing surface  230  to prevent the coupler  250  from sliding off the coaxial cable connector  210  in the forward direction, but still allows, if so desired, the coupler to rotate relative to the tubular shell  220  and the tubular post  280 . 
   After the shell  220 , post  280  and coupler  250  are installed on cable  100 , the resulting connector/cable combination, or assembly, can then be placed into contact with a terminal, such as a threaded terminal. Using the advantage found in increased exposure area E 2  the coupler  250  may be tightened onto the threaded terminal for electrical and mechanical coupling of the coaxial cable  100 . 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.