Electrical connector with pull release

• US 10,396,493 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2017
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HIREL Connectors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: HIREL Connectors, Inc.
• Inventors: Bowman, Torin Lee, Figueroa, Ramon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F
• Application Number:
  US15/696,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20190074631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 439180, 439254-257
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/623 Casing or ring with helicoidal groove
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6335 comprising a handle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629

Abstract

A connector plug comprises two or more pivotable nut members that are configured to engage one or more threads on a receptacle to secure the connector plug to the receptacle in a closed position. A lanyard or merely a pivoting mechanism is configured to cause pivoting of the nut member to disengage the one or more threads in an open position to allow disengagement of the connector plug from the receptacle.

Claims

1. A connector plug, comprising:

one or more pivotable nut members that are configured to engage one or more threads on a receptacle to secure the connector plug to the receptacle in a closed position;

a lanyard configured to cause pivoting of the nut members to disengage the one or more threads in an open position to allow disengagement of the connector plug from the receptacle; and

;

an outer coupling ring that is configured to engage one or more surfaces on the nut members that causes each nut member to pivot over a ball bearing placed between the nut member and an inner coupling ring.

2. The connector plug of claim 1, wherein the connector plug is configured to cause pivoting of the nut members when the lanyard is pulled at an angle offset between 0 degrees to 60 degrees from a centerline of the connector plug and the receptacle when they are engaged.

3. The connector plug of claim 1, further comprising a compression spring configured to bias the connector plug such that the nut members are biased in a closed position until sufficient force is applied to the lanyard to cause the nut members into the open position.

4. The connector plug of claim 3, wherein the compression spring is replaceable in order to adjust the compression and therefore the force necessary to cause the nut members into the open position.

5. The connector plug of claim 1, wherein the connector plug is a self-locking connector plug with a ratcheting system.

6. The connector plug of claim 1, comprising a series of nut members that each have threads that match the threads on the receptacle so that the plug is configured to be screwed onto the receptacle.

7. The connector plug of claim 6, wherein the connector plug is configured such that when the lanyard is pulled, then the lanyard causes the nut members to pull the threads of the nut members off of the threads of the receptacle, to thereby release the connector plug from the receptacle.

8. The connector plug of claim 1, wherein the connector plug further comprises one or more electrical pins that are configured to fit into one or more electrical sockets in the receptacle.

9. The connector plug of claim 8, wherein the connector plug further comprises one or more optical male connectors that are configured to fit into one or more optical female sockets in the receptacle.

10. A method of connecting a connector plug to a receptacle, comprising:

engaging one or more pivotable nut members with one or more threads on a receptacle to secure the connector plug to the receptacle in a closed position;

causing pivoting of the nut members by pulling a lanyard so that the nut members disengage the one or more threads in an open position to allow disengagement of the connector plug from the receptacle; and

engaging an outer coupling ring with one or more surfaces on the nut members that causes each nut member to pivot over a ball bearing placed between the nut member and an inner coupling ring.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector plug is configured to cause pivoting of the nut members when the lanyard is pulled at an angle offset between 0 degrees to 60 degrees from an angle of connection with the receptacle.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising a compression spring configured to bias the connector plug such that the nut members are biased in a closed position until sufficient force is applied to the lanyard to cause the nut members into the open position.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the compression spring is replaceable in order to adjust the compression and therefore the force necessary to cause the nut members into the open position.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector plug is a self-locking connector plug with a ratcheting system.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector plug comprises a series of threaded nut members that each have threads that match the threads on the receptacle so that the plug is configured to be screwed onto the receptacle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the connector plug is configured such that when the lanyard is pulled, then the lanyard causes the nut members to pull the threads of the nut members off of the threads of the receptacle, to thereby release the connector plug from the receptacle.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector plug further comprises one or more electrical pins that are configured to fit into one or more electrical sockets in the receptacle.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the connector plug further comprises one or more optical male connectors that are configured to fit into one or more optical female sockets in the receptacle.

19. A connector plug, comprising:

one or more pivotable nut members that are configured to engage one or more threads on a receptacle to secure the connector plug to the receptacle in a closed position; and

a pivot mechanism that is configured to cause pivoting of the nut members to disengage the one or more threads in an open position to allow disengagement of the connector plug from the receptacle; and

;

an outer coupling ring that is configured to engage one or more surfaces on the nut members that causes each nut member to pivot over a ball bearing placed between the nut member and an inner coupling ring.