Method and assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port

An assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:

• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the tubular fitting operatively engageable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting,
• the tubular fitting comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state,
• the first connecting part in the secured state maintaining a coaxial cable, operatively engaged with the tubular fitting, connected to the connecting port,
• the first connecting part having a radially facing outer surface that is substantially circular around the central axis;
• and
• a shield assembly that blocks access to the outer surface in such a manner that allows the outer surface of the first connecting part to be gripped between a user's finger to facilitate turning of the first connecting part around the central axis with the shield assembly in an operative state,
• wherein the shield assembly cooperates with the tubular fitting to allow the shield assembly to be placed, and maintained, in the operative state by effecting relative axial movement of the shield assembly and tubular fitting,
• the assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port further provided in combination with a tool that can be directed into engaged relationship with the first connecting part by axial movement of the tool relative to the first connecting part whereupon the tool can be manipulated to move the first connecting part between the secured state and the released state,
• wherein there are a cooperating radially extending rib and receptacle, one each on the tool and first connecting part, the rib movable into the receptacle to key the tool and first connecting part so that the tool can be moved around the central axis to thereby change the first connecting part from the secured state into the released state,
• the tool comprising a wall portion extending at least partially around the central axis at a first axial location and at least one of a) the rib projects radially from the wall portion and b) the receptacle is formed in the wall portion at the first axial location.

An assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:

• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the tubular fitting operatively engageable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting,
• the tubular fitting comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state,
• the first connecting part in the secured state maintaining a coaxial cable, operatively engaged with the tubular fitting, connected to the connecting port,
• a shield assembly that blocks radial access to the first connecting assembly in a manner that allows the first connecting part to be accessed and moved from the secured state into the released state,
• there being means on the shield assembly and tubular fitting cooperating to allow the shield assembly to be placed, and maintained, in an operative state by relative movement of the shield assembly and tubular fitting.

A method of assembling a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends and comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state, the tubular fitting operatively engagable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting;
• providing a shield assembly;
• moving the shield assembly relative to the tubular fitting so as to thereby place, and maintain, the shield assembly in an operative state wherein the shield assembly blocks radial access to the first connecting assembly in a manner that allows the first connecting part to be accessed and moved from the secured state into the released state and first and second shoulders, one each on the tubular fitting and shield assembly, abutted to thereby prevent separation of the tubular fitting and shield assembly by relative axial movement therebetween;
• operatively connecting the coaxial cable to the tubular fitting at one axial end of the tubular fitting;
• and
• operatively connecting the first connecting part to the connecting port to connect the coaxial cable to the connecting port.

A method of assembling a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends and comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state;
• providing a shield assembly;
• moving the shield assembly relative to the tubular fitting so as to thereby place, and maintain, the shield assembly in an operative state wherein the shield assembly blocks radial access to the first connecting assembly in a manner that allows the first connecting part to be accessed and moved from the secured state into the released state;
• operatively connecting the coaxial cable to the tubular fitting at one axial end of the tubular fitting;
• and
• operatively connecting the first connecting part to the connecting port to connect the coaxial cable to the connecting port,
• wherein the step of operatively connecting the first connecting part comprises moving a projection on the connecting port axially within a first leg of a slot in the first connecting part a predetermined axial distance and thereafter moving the first connecting part around the central axis in the first direction into the secured state,
• whereby the projection moves in a second leg of the slot that is transverse to, and contiguous with, the first leg of the slot.

In combination:

• a) an assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:
• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the tubular fitting operatively engageable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting,
• the tubular fitting comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state,
• the first connecting part comprising a slot comprising contiguous transverse first and second legs,
• the first connecting part in the secured state maintaining a coaxial cable, operatively engaged with the tubular fitting, connected to the connecting port;
• and
• a shield assembly that blocks radial access to the first connecting assembly in a manner that allows the first connecting part to be accessed and moved from the secured state into the released state with the shield assembly in an operative state,
• the shield assembly cooperating with the tubular fitting to allow the shield assembly to be placed, and maintained, in the operative state by relative axial movement of the shield assembly and tubular fitting;
• and
• b) a connecting port to which the first connecting part is operatively connected,
• the connecting port comprising a projection,
• the first connecting part operatively connectable to the connecting port by moving the projection on the connecting port axially within the first slot a predetermined axial distance and thereafter moving the first connecting part around the central axis in the first direction into the secured state, whereby the projection moves in the second leg of the slot.

In combination:

• a) an assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:
• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the tubular fitting operatively engageable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting,
• the tubular fitting comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state,
• the first connecting part comprising a slot comprising contiguous transverse first and second legs,
• the first connecting part in the secured state maintaining a coaxial cable, operatively engaged with the tubular fitting, connected to the connecting port,
• the first connecting part having a radially facing outer surface that is substantially circular around the central axis;
• and
• a shield assembly that blocks access to the outer surface in such a manner that allows the outer surface of the first connecting part to be gripped between a user's finger to facilitate turning of the first connecting part around the central axis with the shield assembly in an operative state,
• b) a connecting port to which the first connecting part is operatively connected,
• the connecting port comprising a projection,
• the first connecting part operatively connectable to the connecting port by moving the projection on the connecting port axially within the first slot a predetermined axial distance and thereafter moving the first connecting part around the central axis in the first direction into the secured state, whereby the projection moves in the second leg of the slot.

In combination:

• a) an assembly for connecting a coaxial cable to a connecting port, the connecting assembly comprising:
• a tubular fitting having a central axis and axially spaced first and second ends,
• the tubular fitting operatively engageable with a coaxial cable directed into axially overlapping relationship with the tubular fitting at the first end of the tubular fitting,
• the tubular fitting comprising a first connecting assembly comprising a first connecting part that is movable around the central axis selectively in (a) a first direction to a secured state and (b) oppositely to the first direction from the secured state into a released state,
• the first connecting part comprising a slot comprising contiguous transverse first and second legs,
• the first connecting part in the secured state maintaining a coaxial cable, operatively engaged with the tubular fitting, connected to the connecting port,
• a shield assembly that blocks radial access to the first connecting assembly in a manner that allows the first connecting part to be accessed and moved from the secured state into the released state,
• there being means on the shield assembly and tubular fitting cooperating to allow the shield assembly to be placed, and maintained, in an operative state by relative movement of the shield assembly and tubular fitting;
• and
• b) a connecting port to which the first connecting part is operatively connected,
• the connecting port comprising a projection,
• the first connecting port operatively connectable to the connecting part by moving the projection on the connecting port axially within the first slot a predetermined axial distance and thereafter moving the first connecting part around the central axis in the first direction into the secured state, whereby the projection moves in the second leg of the slot.

In combination:

• a connector on a coaxial cable and having a part that is turned around a first axis to connect the connector to a port;
• a tool for turning the part of the connector around the first axis,
• the coaxial cable having a length,
• the tool comprising a wall that has a second axis, surrounds the coaxial cable, and is slidable along the length of the coaxial cable,
• the coaxial cable movable with respect to the wall radially relative to the second axis from a fully separated position to a position wherein the wall surrounds the coaxial cable;
• and
• a cooperating radially extending rib and receptacle, one each on the tool and connector part, that make keyed connection such that the part of the connector follows movement of the wall around the first axis.