Patent Publication Number: US-9419350-B2

Title: Coaxial cable connector with alignment and compression features

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/739,972, filed Jan. 11, 2013, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/658,087, filed Jun. 11, 2012, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electrical apparati, and more particularly to coaxial cable connectors. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Coaxial cables transmit radio frequency (“RF”) signals between transmitters and receivers and are used to interconnect televisions, cable boxes, DVD players, satellite receivers, modems, and other electrical devices. Typical coaxial cables include an inner conductor surrounded by a flexible dielectric insulator, a foil layer, a conductive metallic tubular sheath or shield, and a polyvinyl chloride jacket. The RF signal is transmitted through the inner conductor. The conductive tubular shield provides a ground and inhibits electrical and magnetic interference with the RF signal in the inner conductor. 
     Coaxial cables must be fit with cable connectors to be coupled to electrical devices. Connectors typically have a connector body, a threaded fitting mounted for rotation on an end of the connector body, a bore extending into the connector body from an opposed end to receive the coaxial cable, and an inner post within the bore coupled in electrical communication with the fitting. Generally, connectors are crimped onto a prepared end of a coaxial cable to secure the connector to the coaxial cable. However, crimping occasionally results in a crushed coaxial cable which delivers a signal degraded by leakage, interference, or poor grounding. Furthermore, while some connectors are so tightly mounted to the connector body that threading the connector onto an electrical can be incredibly difficult, other connectors have fittings that are mounted so loosely on the connector body that the electrical connection between the fitting and the inner post can be disrupted when the fitting moves off of the post. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of a coaxial cable connector includes an outer barrel and a coaxial compression collar applied to the outer barrel. The outer barrel has a longitudinal axis and is formed with an inner compression band which moves between an uncompressed position and a compressed position. The compression collar has an outer compression band configured for deformation in response to compression of the coaxial cable connector along the longitudinal axis. The inner compression band moves from the uncompressed position to the compressed position in response to deformation of the outer compression band. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coaxial cable connector constructed and arranged according to the principles of the invention, having a fitting, an outer barrel, and a compression collar, the coaxial cable connector installed in a compressed condition applied to a coaxial cable; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are front and side elevations, respectively, of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2C  is an isolated, perspective view of the outer barrel of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are section views of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2A  in an uncompressed condition and in a compressed condition, respectively; 
         FIGS. 3C and 3D  are enlarged section views of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are section views of the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1  taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2A  in an uncompressed condition and a compressed condition, respectively, applied to the coaxial cable; and 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 4B  illustrating the coaxial cable connector of  FIG. 1  in a compressed condition applied to the coaxial cable. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used throughout the different figures to designate the same elements.  FIG. 1  illustrates a coaxial cable connector  20  constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention, as it would appear in a compressed condition crimped onto a coaxial cable  21 . The embodiment of the connector  20  shown is an F connector for use with an RG6 coaxial cable for purposes of example, but it should be understood that the description below is also applicable to other types of coaxial cable connectors and other types of cables. The connector  20  includes a body  22  having opposed front and rear ends  23  and  24 , a coupling nut or threaded fitting  25  mounted for rotation on the front end  23  of the body  22 , and a compression collar  26  mounted to the rear end  24  of the body  22 . The connector  20  has rotational symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis A illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The coaxial cable  21  includes an inner conductor  30  and extends into the connector  20  from the rear end  24  in the applied condition of the connector  20 . The inner conductor  30  extends through the connector  20  and projects beyond the fitting  25 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show the connector  20  in greater detail in an uncompressed condition not applied to the coaxial cable  21 . The fitting  25  is a sleeve having opposed front and rear ends  31  and  32 , an integrally-formed ring portion  33  proximate to the front end  31 , and an integrally-formed nut portion  34  proximate to the rear end  32 . Referring also to  FIG. 3A , the ring portion  33  has a smooth annular outer surface  35  and an opposed threaded inner surface  36  for engagement with an electrical device. Briefly, as a matter of explanation, the phrase “electrical device,” as used throughout the description, includes any electrical device having a female post to receive a male coaxial cable connector  20  for the transmission of RF signals such as cable television, satellite television, internet data, and the like. The nut portion  34  of the fitting  25  has a hexagonal outer surface  40  to receive the jaws of a tool and an opposed grooved inner surface  41  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) to receive gaskets and to engage with the body  22  of the connector  20 . Referring momentarily to  FIG. 3A , an interior space  37  extends into the fitting  25  from a mouth  38  formed at the front end  31  of the fitting  25 , to an opening  39  formed at the rear end  32 , and is bound by the inner surfaces  36  and  41  of the ring and nut portions  33  and  34 , respectively. Two annular channels  74  and  75  extend from the interior space  37  into the nut portion  34  from the inner surface  41  continuously around the nut portion  34 . With reference back to  FIG. 2B , the nut portion  34  of the fitting  25  is mounted on the front end  23  of the body  22  for rotation about axis A. The fitting  25  is constructed of a material or combination of materials having strong, hard, rigid, durable, and high electrically-conductive material characteristics, such as metal. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 2B , the compression collar  26  has opposed front and rear ends  42  and  43 , an annular sidewall  44  extending between the front and rear ends  42  and  43 , and an annular outer compression band  45  formed in the sidewall  44  at a location generally intermediate along axis A between the front and rear ends  42  and  43  of the compression collar  26 . Referring now to  FIG. 3A , the compression collar  26  has a smooth annular outer surface  50  and an opposed smooth annular inner surface  51 . An interior space  52  bound by the inner surface  51  extends into the compression collar  26  from a mouth  53  formed at the rear end  43  of the compression collar  26  to an opening  54  formed at the front end  42 . The interior space  52  is a bore shaped and sized to receive the coaxial cable  21 . The compression collar  26  is friction fit onto rear end  24  of the body  22  of the connector  22  proximate to the opening  54  to limit relative radial, axial, and rotational movement of the body  22  and the compression collar  26  about and along axis A, respectively. The compression collar  26  is constructed of a material or combination of materials having strong, hard, rigid, and durable material characteristics, such as metal, plastic, and the like. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 3A , the body  22  of the connector  20  is an assembly including a cylindrical outer barrel  60  and a cylindrical, coaxial inner post  61  disposed within the outer barrel  60 . The inner post  61  is an elongate sleeve extending along axis A and having rotational symmetry about axis A. The inner post  61  has opposed front and rear ends  62  and  63  and opposed inner and outer surfaces  64  and  65 . The outer surface  65  at the rear end  63  of the inner post  61  is formed with two annular ridges  70   a  and  70   b  projecting toward the front end  62  and radially outward from axis A. As the term is used here, “radial” means aligned along a radius extending from the axis A. Moreover, the term “axial” means extending or aligned parallel to the axis A. The ridges  70   a  and  70   b  are spaced apart from each other along the rear end  63  of the inner post  61 . The ridges  70   a  and  70   b  provide grip on a cable applied to the coaxial cable connector  20 . 
     Referring now to the enlarged view of  FIG. 3C , the outer surface  65  of the inner post  61  is formed with a series of outwardly-directed flanges  66   a ,  66   b ,  66   c ,  66   d , and  66   e  spaced along the inner post  61  proximate to the front end  62 . Each flange has a similar structure and projects radially away from the axis A; flanges  66   a  and  66   d  each include a front face directed toward the front end  62  of the inner post  61  and a rear face directed toward the rear end  63  of the inner post  61 ; flanges  66   b  and  66   c  each include a rear face directed toward the rear end  63  of the inner post  61 ; and flange  66   e  includes a front face directed toward the front end  62  of the inner post  61 . Each of the flanges  66   a - 66   e  extends to a different radial distance away from the axis A. Flanges  66   a  and  66   b  form an annular dado or channel  71  around the inner post  61  defined between the front face of the flange  66   a  and the rear face of the flange  66   b . The outer barrel  60  is coupled to the inner post  61  at the channel  71 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3C , the rear end  32  of the fitting  25  cooperates with the inner surface  41  of the nut portion  34  at the channel  74 , the outer surface  65  of the inner post  61  at the flange  66   c , and the rear face of the flange  66   d  to form a first toroidal volume  72  between the inner post  61  and the nut portion  34  for receiving a ring gasket  73 . Additionally, the inner surface  41  of the nut portion  34  at the channel  75  cooperates with the front face of the flange  66   d  and the outer surface  65  of the inner post at the flange  66   e  to form a second toroidal volume  80  between the inner post  61  and the nut portion  34  for receiving a ring gasket  81 . The fitting  25  is supported and carried on the inner post  61  by the ring gaskets  73  and  81 , and the ring gaskets  73  and  81  prevent the introduction of moisture into the connector  20 . The inner post  61  is constructed of a material or combination of materials having hard, rigid, durable, and high electrically-conductive material characteristics, such as metal, and the ring gaskets  73  and  81  are constructed from a material or combination of materials having deformable, resilient, shape-memory material characteristics. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 3A , the outer barrel  60  is an elongate, cylindrical sleeve extending along axis A with rotational symmetry about axis A. The outer barrel  60  has a sidewall  150  with opposed front and rear ends  82  and  83  and opposed inner and outer surfaces  84  and  85 . The inner surface  84  defines and bounds an interior cable-receiving space  90  shaped and sized to receive the coaxial cable  21 , and in which the rear end  63  of the inner post  61  is disposed. An opening  91  at the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60  communicates with the interior space  52  of the compression collar  26  and leads into the interior cable-receiving space  90 . The front end  82  of the outer barrel  60  is formed with an inwardly projecting annular lip  92 . The lip  92  abuts and is received in the channel  71  in a friction-fit engagement, securing the outer barrel  60  on the inner post  61 . The lip  92 , together with the front end  23  of the body and the rear end  32  of the fitting  25 , defines a circumferential groove  87  extending into the connector  20  from the outer surface  85  of the outer barrel  60 . 
     The front end  82  of the outer barrel  60  is integrally formed with an alignment mechanism  93  disposed in the circumferential groove  87  between the outer barrel  60  and the fitting  25  to exert an axial force between the outer barrel  60  and the fitting  25  to maintain contact between the fitting  25  and the inner post  61  of the body  22 . As seen in  FIG. 2C , which illustrates the outer barrel  60  in isolation, the alignment mechanism  93  includes two springs  94  and  95  carried between the lip  92  and a perimeter  85   a  of the outer barrel  60  along the outer surface  84 . The spring  94  is a quasi-annular leaf having opposed ends  94   a  and  94   b  and a middle  94   c . The spring  95  is a quasi-annular leaf having opposed ends  95   a  and  95   b  and a middle  95   c . As it is used here, “quasi-annular” means a shape which arcuately extends across an arcuate segment of a circle less than a full circle. The springs  94  and  95  are leafs, formed of a flat, thin, elongate piece of sprung material. The springs  94  and  95  are quasi-annular with respect to the axis A. The ends  94   a  and  94   b  of the spring  94  are fixed to the front end  82  of the outer barrel  60 , and the middle  94   c  is free of the front end  82 , projecting axially away from the outer barrel  60  toward the fitting  25 , so that the spring  94  has an arcuate curved shape across a radial span and a convex shape in an axial direction. The spring  94  flexes along the axis A in response to axial compression and the spring  94  is maintained in a compressed condition in which the middle  94   c  is proximate to the front end  82 . In the compressed condition of the springs  94 , the middle  94   c  is disposed along the perimeter  85   a  between the side of the lip  92  and the outer surface  84  of the outer barrel  60 , and the spring  94  exerts an axial bias forward on the fitting  25 . 
     Similarly, the ends  95   a  and  95   b  of the spring  95  are fixed to the front end  82  of the outer barrel  60 , and the middle  95   c  is free of the front end  82 , projecting axially away from the outer barrel  60  toward the fitting  25 , so that the spring  95  has an arcuate curved shape across a radial span and an convex shape in an axial direction. The spring  95  flexes along the axis A in response to axial compression and the spring  95  is maintained a compressed condition in which the middle  95   c  is proximate to the front end  82 . In the compressed condition of the spring  95 , the middle  95   c  is disposed between the side of the lip  92  and the outer surface  84  of the outer barrel  60 , and the spring  95  exerts an axial bias forward on the fitting  25 . In other embodiments, the alignment mechanism  93  includes several springs, or is a disc or annulus mounted on posts at the front end  23  of the outer barrel  60 . Such alternate embodiments of the alignment mechanism  93  have an annularly sinusoidal or helicoid shaped about the axis A, and four forwardly-projecting, circumferentially spaced-apart contact points bearing against the fitting  25 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3C , the fitting  25  is mounted for free rotation on the inner post  61  about the axis A. To allow free rotation, the ring gaskets  73  and  81  space the nut portion  25  just off the inner post  61  in a radial direction, creating a gap  86  allowing for slight movement in the radial direction and allowing the fitting  25  to rotate with low rolling friction on the ring gaskets  73  and  81 . When the fitting  25  is carried on the body  22  and is threaded onto or coupled to an electrical device, the alignment mechanism  93  is maintained in a compressed state, and the force exerted by the alignment mechanism  93  urges the fitting  25  in a forward direction along line B in  FIG. 3C , causing the alignment mechanism  93  to bear against the fitting  25  and causing a contact face  101  on the rear end  32  of the fitting  25  to contact the rear face of the flange  66   c , which is a contact face  102 . The forwardly-directed force exerted by the alignment mechanism  93  overcomes the resistant spring force in the rearward direction caused by the compression of the ring gasket  73  within the toroidal volume  72 . In this way, a permanent, low-friction connection is established that allows the fitting  25  to rotate freely upon the inner post  61  and maintains the fitting  25  and the inner post  61  in permanent electrical communication. 
     The outer barrel  60  is constructed of a material or combination of materials having strong, rigid, size- and shape-memory, and electrically-insulative material characteristics, as well as a low coefficient of friction, such as plastic or the like. The alignment mechanism  93 , being integrally formed to the outer barrel  60 , also has strong, rigid, size- and shape-memory, and electrically-insulative material characteristics, such that compression of the alignment mechanism  93  causes the alignment mechanism  93  to produce a counteracting force in the opposite direction to the compression, tending to return the alignment mechanism  93  back to an original configuration aligned and coaxial to the axis A, so that the fitting  25  is maintained coaxial to the axis A. 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 3C , the springs  94  and  95  are circumferentially, diameterically offset from each other in the circumferential groove  87 . The middles  94   c  and  95   c  are diametrically offset, so as to provide an evenly distributed application of force from opposing sides of the body  22  toward the fitting  25 . The arcuate and convex shape of the springs  94  and  95  produces a reactive force in response to rearward movement of the fitting  25  when the fitting  25  is threaded onto or coupled to an electrical device, such that the fitting  25  is maintained in a coaxial, aligned state with respect to the axis A, thus maintaining continuity of the connection between the contact faces  101  and  102  completely around the inner post  61 . Maintenance of the alignment and the connection ensures that a signal transmitted through the connector  20  is not leaked outside of the connector  20 , that outside RF interference does not leak into the connector  20 , and that the connector  20  remains electrically grounded. Further, the interaction of the two middles  94   c  and  95   c  with the rear end  32  of the fitting  25  has a low coefficient of friction due to the material construction of those structural features and the limited number of interference sites between the fitting  25  and the alignment mechanism  93 . In other embodiments of the alignment mechanism  93 , four contact points of the alignment mechanism  93  are evenly spaced to provide an evenly distributed application of force against the fitting  25  at the four contact points. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3A , the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60  carries the compression collar  26 . The sidewall  150  of the outer barrel  60  with a reduced thickness near the rear end  83  and defines an inner compression band  152 . With reference now to the enlarged view of  FIG. 3D , the inner compression band  152  includes a major ridge portion  103 , a minor ridge portion  104 , and a bend  105  formed therebetween. The major and minor ridge portions  103  and  104  have upstanding ridges projecting radially outwardly away from the axis A. The major ridge portion  103  is formed proximate to the rear end  83 , the minor ridge portion  104  is formed forward of the major ridge portion  103 , and the bend  105  is a flexible thin portion of the sidewall  150  between the major and minor ridge portions  103  and  104 , defining a living hinge therebetween. The major ridge portion  103  has an oblique first face  110 , which is an interference face, directed toward the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60 , and an oblique second face  111  directed toward the front end  82  of the outer barrel  60 . The minor ridge portion  104  has an oblique first face  112 , which is an interference face, directed toward the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60 , and an oblique second face  113  directed toward the front end  82  of the outer barrel  60 . A V-shaped channel  114  is defined between the second and first faces  111  and  112 , respectively. The major and minor ridge portions  103  and  104  are carried on the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60  by a thin-walled ring  115  opposite the cable-receiving space  90  from the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  on the inner post  61 . The thin-walled ring  115  is flexible and deflects radially inwardly toward the axis A in response to a radially-directed application of force. An annular shoulder  116 , disposed inboard of the ring  115 , has an upstanding abutment surface  120  proximate to the outer surface  85  of the outer barrel  60 . 
     Referring still to  FIG. 3D , the sidewall  44  of the compression collar  26  is narrowed at the front end  42  and forms the annular outer compression band  45 . The compression collar  26  includes a ring  122  extending forwardly therefrom, an oblique face  133  proximal to the outer compression band  45  disposed between the outer compression band  45  and the inner surface  51 , and an annular, upstanding shoulder  134  formed proximate to the rear end  43  and the inner surface  51  of the compression collar  26 . The outer compression band  45  is a narrowed, notched portion of the sidewall  44  extending into the interior space  52  and having an inner surface  123  and an opposed outer surface  124 , a first wall portion  125 , an opposed second wall portion  126 , and a flexible bend  130  at which the first and second wall portions  125  and  126  meet. The first and second wall portions  125  and  126  are rigid, and the bend  130  is a living hinge providing flexibility between the first and second wall portions  125  and  126 . A compression space  131  is defined between the first and second wall portions  125  and  126  of the outer compression band  45 . The ring  122  extends forwardly from the second wall portion  126  and terminates at a terminal edge  132 , located in juxtaposition with the abutment surface  120  of the shoulder  116 . 
     With reference still to  FIG. 3D , fitted on the outer barrel  60 , the compression collar  26  closely encircles the outer barrel  60 , with the inner surface  51  of the compression collar  26  in direct contact in a friction-fit engagement with the outer surface  85  of the outer barrel  60  to limit relative radial, axial, and rotational movement. The inner compression band  152  of the outer barrel  60  receives and engages with the outer compression band  45  of the compression collar  26  to limit relative radial, axial, and rotational movement of the compression collar  26 , with the shoulder  134  spaced apart from the rear end  83  of the outer barrel  60 , the oblique face  133  of the compression collar  26  in juxtaposition with the first face  110  of the major ridge portion  103 , the inner surface  123  of the outer compression band  45  along the first wall portion  125  in juxtaposition with the second face  111  of the major ridge portion  103 , the bend  130  received in the channel  114  and against the bend  105 , the inner surface  123  of the outer compression band  45  along the second wall portion  126  in juxtaposition with the first face  112  of the minor ridge portion  104 , and the terminal edge  132  of the compression collar  26  in juxtaposition with the abutment surface  120  of the outer barrel  60 , which arrangement defines a fitted condition of the compression collar  26  on the outer barrel  60 . 
     In operation, the cable connector  20  is useful for coupling a coaxial cable  21  to an electrical device in electrical communication. To do so, the cable connector is secured to the coaxial cable  21  as shown in  FIG. 4A . The coaxial cable  21  is prepared to receive the cable connector  20  by stripping off a portion of a jacket  140  at an end  141  of the coaxial cable  21  to expose an inner conductor  30 , a dielectric insulator  143 , a foil layer  144 , and a flexible shield  145 . The dielectric insulator  143  is stripped back to expose a predetermined length of the inner conductor  30 , and the end of the shield  145  is turned back to cover a portion of the jacket  140 . The end  141  of the coaxial cable  21  is then introduced into the connector  20  to arrange the connector  20  in an uncompressed condition, as shown in  FIG. 4A . In this condition, the inner post  61  is disposed between the shield  145  and the foil layer  144  and is in electrical communication with the shield  145 . 
     With reference still to  FIG. 4A , to arrange the connector  20  into the uncompressed condition on the coaxial cable  21 , the coaxial cable  21  is aligned with the axis A and passed into the interior space  52  of the compression collar  26  along a direction indicated by the arrowed line C. The coaxial cable  21  is then passed through the opening  91  and into the cable-receiving space  90  bound by the inner post  61 , ensuring that the inner conductor is aligned with the axis A. The coaxial cable  21  continues to be moved forward along line C in  FIG. 4A  until the coaxial cable  21  encounters the rear end  63  of the inner post  61 , where the shield  145  is advanced over the rear end  63  and the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  are placed in contact with the shield  145 , and the portion of the shield  145  turned back over the jacket  140  is in contact with the inner surface  84  of the outer barrel  60 . The foil layer  144  and the dielectric insulator  143  are also advanced forward within the inner post  61  against the inner surface  64  of the inner post  61 . Further forward movement of the coaxial cable  21  along line C advances the coaxial cable to the position illustrated in  FIG. 4A , with the free end of the dielectric insulator  143  disposed within the nut portion  34  of the fitting  25  and the inner conductor  30  extending through the interior space  37  of the ring portion  33  and projecting beyond the opening  38  of the fitting  25 . In this arrangement, the shield  145  is in contact in electrical communication with the outer surface  65  of the inner post  61 . Further, because the alignment mechanism  93  biases the fitting  25  into permanent electrical communication with the inner post  61 , the shield  145  is also in electrical communication with the fitting  25  through the inner post  61 , establishing shielding and grounding continuity between the connector  20  and the coaxial cable  21 . With reference to  FIGS. 3D and 4A , in the uncompressed condition of the connector  20 , the outer barrel  60  has an inner diameter D, the inner surface  84  of the outer barrel  60  and the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  are separated by a distance G, and the length of the connector  20  from the front end  23  to the rear end  43  is length L. In embodiments in which the connector  20  is to be used with RG6 style coaxial-cables, the inner diameter D is approximately 8.4 millimeters, the distance G is approximately 1.4 millimeters, and the length L is approximately 19.5 millimeters. Other embodiments, such as would be used with other types of cables, will have different dimensions. 
     From the uncompressed condition, the connector  20  is moved into the compressed condition illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The thin-walled inner and outer compression bands  152  and  45  of the outer barrel  60  and the compression collar  26 , are useful for crimping down on the coaxial cable  21  to provide a secure, non-damaging engagement between the connector  20  and the coaxial cable  21 . To compress the connector  20 , the connector  20  is placed into a compressional tool which grips the connector  20  and compresses the connector  20  axially along the axis A from the front and rear ends  23  and  43  along arrowed lines E and F. The axial compressive forces along lines E and F subject the thinned sidewalls  150  and  44  of the outer barrel  60  and the compression collar  26 , respectively, to stress, urging each to deform and bend in response to the stress. 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the rear end  24  of the body  22  and the compression collar  26 , with the coaxial cable  21  applied. As the compression tool operates, in response to the applied axial compressive force, the rear end  43  of the compression collar  26  is advanced toward the outer barrel  60 , causing the compression collar  26  and outer barrel  60  to compress at the outer and inner compression bands  45  and  152 , respectively. The oblique face  133  of the outer compression band  45  encounters the first face  110  of the major ridge portion  103  of the inner compression band  152  as the abutment surface  120  is advanced toward the compression collar  26 . The oblique face  133  and the first face  110  are each oblique to the applied force and are parallel to each other, and the oblique face  133  and the first face  110  slide past each other obliquely to the axis A. The rear end  83  of the outer barrel contacts and bears against the shoulder  134  of the compression collar  26 , and as the first face  110  slides over the oblique face  133 , the rear end  83  pivots in the shoulder  134 , and the ring  115  deforms inwardly, causing the inner compression band  152  to buckle radially inward and the V-shaped channel  114  to deform inwardly. As the V-shaped channel  114  deforms inwardly, the outer compression band  45 , under continuing compressive forces, buckles into the V-shaped channel  114 . The first and second wall portions  125  and  126  are obliquely oriented inwardly toward the axis A, so that the axial compressive force causes the first and second wall portions  125  and  126  to deform radially inward toward the axis A and come together. The bend  130  is forced radially inward into the V-shaped channel  114  and bears against the bend  105  to deform the inner compression band  152  radially inward. The V-shaped channel  114  catches the buckling outer compression band  45 , ensuring that the outer compression band  45  buckles radially, and as the major and minor ridge portions  103  and  104  buckle in response to pivoting and in response to contact with the outer compression band  45 , the outer compression band  45  is further carried radially inward toward the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  by the deforming V-shaped channel  114 . 
     Compression continues until the outer compression band  45  is closed such that the compression space  131  is eliminated, and the connector  20  is placed in the compressed condition illustrated in  FIGS. 3B, 4B and 5 . Although the process of moving the connector  20  from the uncompressed condition to the compressed condition is presented and described above as a series of sequential steps, it should be understood that the compression of the connector  20  on the coaxial cable  21  is preferably accomplished in one smooth, continuous motion, taking less than one second. 
     In the compressed condition of the connector  20 , the inner diameter D of the connector  20  is altered to an inner diameter D′, the inner surface of the outer barrel  60  and the barbs  70  are now separated by a distance G′, and the length of the body  22  of the connector is now a length L′, as indicated in  FIG. 4B  and  FIG. 5 . The distance G′ is less than half the distance G, the inner diameter D′ is approximately the inner diameter D less the distance G′, and the length L′ is less than the length L. In embodiments in which the connector  20  is to be used with RG6 style coaxial-cables, the inner diameter D′ is approximately 6.7 millimeters, the distance G′ is approximately 0.5 millimeters, and the length L′ is approximately 18.0 millimeters. Other embodiments, such as would be used with other types of cables, will have different dimensions. As seen in  FIG. 4B , this significant reduction in diameter causes the jacket  140  and the shield  145  of the coaxial cable  21  to become engaged and crimped between the bend  105  and the ridges  70   a  and  70   b . Moreover, the bend  105  is opposed from the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  is disposed between the ridges  70   a  and  70   b , so that the jacket  140  and shield  145  are crimped between the bend  105  and the ridges  70   a  and  70   b  at an axial location between the ridges  70   a  and  70   b , preventing withdrawal of the coaxial cable  21  from the connector  20 . The first and second wall portions  125  and  126  are oriented transversely and generally tangentially to the axis A to support the buckled inner compression band  152  in the buckled arrangement, and to resist withdrawal of the coaxial cable  21  by preventing the outwardly-directed movement of the inner compression band  152 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 5 , the rigid material characteristics of the inner post  61  prevents the inner post  61  from being damaged by the crimping. Furthermore, because the dielectric insulator  143  and inner conductor  30  are protected within the inner post  61  and the shield  145  is outside the inner post  61  in contact with the outer surface  65 , the continuity of the connection between the shield  145  and the inner post  61  is maintained so that a signal transmitted through the connector  20  is not leaked outside of the connector  20 , so that outside RF interference does not leak into the connector  20 , and so that the connector  20  remains electrically grounded. The interaction between the shield  145  and the ridges  70   a  and  70   b , which project forwardly and radially outward from axis A, further inhibit movement of the coaxial cable  21  rearward along a direction opposite to line F out of the connector  20 , ensuring that the connector  20  is securely applied on the coaxial cable  21 . 
     With the connector  20  in the compressed condition, the connector  20  can now be coupled to an electrical device in a common and well-known manner by threading the connector  20  onto a threaded post of a selected electrical device. The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.