ANNULAR ABUTMENT/ALIGNMENT GUIDE FOR CABLE CONNECTORS

A connector comprises an inner conductor, an outer conductor basket and an annular abutment/alignment guide disposed therebetween. The inner conductor socket transmits RF signals from one connector portion to another connector portion across a mating interface. The outer conductor basket comprises a plurality of axially projecting fingers operative to electrically ground the connector. The annular abutment comprises an outwardly facing abutment surface and an alignment guide disposed integrally with the annular abutment. The alignment guide has a flanged end portion projecting: (i) radially outboard from an upper or forward end of the annular abutment and (ii) over the tip ends of each axially projecting basket finger. The annular abutment: (a) inhibits inward radial displacement of the axially projecting fingers, (b) prevents plastic deformation of the basket fingers upon annular abutment of a non-mating connector, and (c) aligns a mating connector so as to prevent damage to the basket fingers upon joining the mating connector.