AXIALLY MATING POSITIVE LOCKING CONNECTOR

• US 3,793,610 A
• Filed: 02/01/1973
• Issued: 02/19/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ITT Corporation (ITT, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Alexander Ronald Brishka
• Inventors: Brishka, Alexander Ronald
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US05/328,776
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• Field of Search: 339/74,91
• US Class Current: 439/349
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6277 comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove

Abstract

A quick connect-disconnect axially mating electrical connector comprising interengageable receptacle and plug members carrying electrical contacts which engage upon mating of the connector members. One connector member carries a split ring which engages in an annular groove formed in the other connector member when the two members are mated. A slidable sleeve is provided on one of the members for disengaging the split ring from the groove upon disengagement of the two connector members.

Claims

1. An axially mating electrical connector comprising:

a first connector member having a first contact therein;

a second connector member having a second contact for electrical connection with said first contact upon mating of said first and second connector members;

said first connector member including a cylindrical body;

said second connector member being formed with an axial bore slidably receiving said body;

an annular groove in said first connector member opening at the outer surface thereof;

radially deformable locking ring means carried by said second connector member, said ring means contracting into said groove to lock said connector members when said members are mated; and

ring release means carried by said first connector member, said ring release means comprising an axially slidable sleeve surrounding said body and received within said bore, said sleeve being formed with a rearwardly facing camming surface which releases said ring means from said groove upon axial rearward movement of said sleeve away from said second connector member.

2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the forward portion of said sleeve underlies said locking ring means when said connector members are engaged, the forward end of said forward portion being disposed behind said ring means and embodying said rearwardly facing camming surface.

3. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and

said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

4. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

the forward end of said body is formed with an outwardly extending flange having a diameter less than that of said bore, said flange being forward of said sleeve;

an annular recess is formed in the forward portion of said sleeve behind said camming surface and opening at the outer surface of said sleeve; and

the rear of said flange and the surface of said recess define said first connector member annular groove.

5. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and

said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

6. A connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the diameter of said flange is greater than the inner diameter of said ring.

7. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

the outer dimension of said camming surface is less than the outer dimension of said flange.

8. A connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

said split ring has generally parallel side surfaces extending to the outer periphery thereof and oppositely inclined frusto-conical guide surfaces extending from said side surfaces to the inner periphery of said ring; and

the outer dimension of said flange is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery of said side walls.

9. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

said camming surface engages the rearwardly-facing frusto-conical guide surface on saId split ring.

10. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

the forward end of said flange is formed with a frusto-conical guide surface engageable with the forwardly-facing frusto-conical surface on said split ring when said connector members are being engaged.