Shielded electrical connector assembly

A shielded electrical connector assembly, comprising:

• a shield terminal formed of a first electrically conductive material having an attachment portion configured to attach to a shield conductor of a coaxial cable and a connection portion configured to be received within a mating shield terminal;
• and
• a contact cage formed of a second electrically conductive material having a forward band, a rearward band and a plurality of longitudinally arranged arcuate contact arms extending from the forward band to the rearward band, wherein the contact cage is slideably attached to the shield terminal by a tab extending from the forward band that is folded into an opening in the connection portion and by a cantilevered tab extending from a side wall of the connection portion, wherein the cantilevered tab is configured to inhibit forward motion of the rearward band.

A method of interconnecting a shielded electrical connector assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing a shielded electrical connector including a shield terminal having an attachment portion configured to be connected to a shield conductor of a first coaxial cable and a connection portion, the shielded electrical connector further including a contact cage surrounding a forward segment of the connection portion and slideably attached to the shield terminal, wherein the contact cage defines a plurality of arcuate contact arms;
• providing a mating shielded electrical connector having a mating shield terminal configured to receive the connection portion of the shield terminal;
• inserting the connection portion of the shield terminal into the mating shield terminal such that the plurality of arcuate contact arms are in intimate compressive contact with a mating shield terminal inner wall, wherein the compressive contact of the plurality of arcuate contact arms with the mating shield terminal inner wall causes the contact cage to extend rearwardly when the shield terminal is inserted within the mating shield terminal.