High voltage quick disconnect assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly comprising:
- a plug assembly including a housing having an opening at one end thereof, movable lock operating means mounted around at least a portion of said housing and movable axially of said housing, actuating means coupled to said lock operating means for actuating said lock operating means, a plurality of movable locking members positioned in apertures in said housing, said housing including means for limiting movement of said locking members inwardly of said housing, said locking members being movable outwardly of said housing, a resilient biasing member surrounding the housing and located rearwardly of the locking members for biasing said lock operating means in a first direction, said lock operating means including a plurality of surfaces for engaging and selectively positioning said plurality of locking members in locked and unlocked position, indicating means mounted on said housing capable of providing a locked and unlocked visual indication and responsive to positioning of said locking members a predetermined distance outwardly from said point of limited inward movement thereof for providing said unlocked visual indication, a first plurality of electrical connectors positioned within said housing, and insulating means mounted within said housing surrounding at least a portion of said first plurality of electrical connectors, receptacle means for mating with said plug assembly including;
a protruding portion shaped to fit into said opening in said housing, said protruding portion defining a locking groove means for interfitting with said plurality of locking members, said receptacle means including a ring of spring fingers for resiliently engaging an outer surface of said housing of said plug assembly.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A high voltage connector assembly is disclosed which includes a plug and a receptacle which may be coupled together by a lock having a quick disconnect feature. The plug portion of the connector assembly includes a plurality of ball bearing locking members which cooperate with a groove in the receptacle portion of the connector assembly to lock the two portions of the connector assembly together. A spring biased locking ring, which may be either manually or mechanically operated, controls the position of the ball bearing locking members. Pulling the locking ring against the force of its biasing spring releases the ball bearing locking members, and permits the two connector portions to be rapidly separated. A stripe of brightly colored material is provided to indicate whether the locking ring is open or closed. The connector houses a plurality of pin-type electrical connectors which are embedded in an insulating cap formed of a material, such as silicone rubber, which is resilient and is not adversely affected by wide variations in ambient temperature.
92 Citations
11 Claims
-
1. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly comprising:
- a plug assembly including a housing having an opening at one end thereof, movable lock operating means mounted around at least a portion of said housing and movable axially of said housing, actuating means coupled to said lock operating means for actuating said lock operating means, a plurality of movable locking members positioned in apertures in said housing, said housing including means for limiting movement of said locking members inwardly of said housing, said locking members being movable outwardly of said housing, a resilient biasing member surrounding the housing and located rearwardly of the locking members for biasing said lock operating means in a first direction, said lock operating means including a plurality of surfaces for engaging and selectively positioning said plurality of locking members in locked and unlocked position, indicating means mounted on said housing capable of providing a locked and unlocked visual indication and responsive to positioning of said locking members a predetermined distance outwardly from said point of limited inward movement thereof for providing said unlocked visual indication, a first plurality of electrical connectors positioned within said housing, and insulating means mounted within said housing surrounding at least a portion of said first plurality of electrical connectors, receptacle means for mating with said plug assembly including;
a protruding portion shaped to fit into said opening in said housing, said protruding portion defining a locking groove means for interfitting with said plurality of locking members, said receptacle means including a ring of spring fingers for resiliently engaging an outer surface of said housing of said plug assembly.
- a plug assembly including a housing having an opening at one end thereof, movable lock operating means mounted around at least a portion of said housing and movable axially of said housing, actuating means coupled to said lock operating means for actuating said lock operating means, a plurality of movable locking members positioned in apertures in said housing, said housing including means for limiting movement of said locking members inwardly of said housing, said locking members being movable outwardly of said housing, a resilient biasing member surrounding the housing and located rearwardly of the locking members for biasing said lock operating means in a first direction, said lock operating means including a plurality of surfaces for engaging and selectively positioning said plurality of locking members in locked and unlocked position, indicating means mounted on said housing capable of providing a locked and unlocked visual indication and responsive to positioning of said locking members a predetermined distance outwardly from said point of limited inward movement thereof for providing said unlocked visual indication, a first plurality of electrical connectors positioned within said housing, and insulating means mounted within said housing surrounding at least a portion of said first plurality of electrical connectors, receptacle means for mating with said plug assembly including;
-
2. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1 wherein:
- said receptacle means includes a second plurality of electrical connectors for engagement with said first plurality of electrical connectors.
-
3. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 2, wherein:
- said receptacle means includes a body of insulating material surrounding at least a portion of said second plurality of electrical connectors, said body of insulating material including a sealing configuration for forming a hermetical seal with said insulating means of said plug assembly.
-
4. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- said insulating means includes a cap portion formed of a material which is resilient, highly insulative, and impervious to wide fluctuations in environmental temperatures.
-
5. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- said insulating means includes a cap portion formed of silicone rubber.
-
6. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- said first plurality of electrical connectors includes a plurality of connectors placed in a circular pattern and a fiRst high voltage connector located at the center of said circular pattern, a first tutublar insulating portion surrounding and extending beyond the end of said high voltage connector, and receptacle means for mating with said plug assembly having a circular pattern of second connectors for cooperating with the first plurality of connectors and a second high voltage connector for engaging the first high voltage connector, and a tubular insulating portion surrounding the second high voltage connector and extending beyond the end thereof for mating with the first tubular portion.
-
7. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- each of said locking members comprises a ball bearing.
-
8. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- said indicating means comprises a ring of brightly colored material.
-
9. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1 wherein:
- said plurality of surfaces includes a camming surface for forcing said plurality of locking members toward the interior of said housing as said lock operating means is moved in said first direction.
-
10. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 1, wherein:
- said actuating means includes a protruding ring formed integral with said lock operating means.
-
11. A high voltage quick disconnect assembly as in claim 10, further comprising:
- a plurality of cables coupled to said protruding ring for permitting remote operation of said actuating means.
Specification
-
- Resources
Litigation Campaign Assessment
Thank you for your request. You will receive a custom alert email when the Litigation Campaign Assessment is available.
×
-
Current AssigneeGeib R. Larry
-
Original AssigneeGeib R. Larry
-
InventorsGeib, R. Larry
-
Primary Examiner(s)Frazier, Roy D.
-
Assistant Examiner(s)Lewis, Terrell P.
-
Application NumberUS05/417,436Time in Patent Office568 DaysField of Search339/45,46,59-61,65,66,75,89-91,94,111,176US Class Current439/258CPC Class CodesH01R 13/6276 comprising one or more ball...H01R 13/635 by mechanical pressure, e.g...H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect cou...
