Coupling ring retainer mechanism for electrical connector

• US 5,030,126 A
• Filed: 07/11/1990
• Issued: 07/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RMS (SOF-9 Rome Investments Lux SARL)
• Original Assignee: RMS (SOF-9 Rome Investments Lux SARL)
• Inventors: Hanlon, Terrance W.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vu, Hien D.
• Application Number:
  US07/551,200
• Time in Patent Office: 363 Days
• Field of Search: 439/310-317, 439/319-323
• US Class Current: 439/320
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/622 Screw-ring or screw-casing H01R13/623 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrical connector comprises first and second connector components, each component having a generally circular cross-section oriented perpendicular to a central axis that is common to both components. A rotatable coupling ring is retained on and substantially axially aligned with the first component. This coupling ring has a first end for engaging the second component and axially advancing the first component relative to the second component to urge the contacts of the first and second components into enngagement. The coupling ring also has a second end with a retainer groove that encircles the interior of the second end and that has a bearing surface in a plane substantially perpendicular to the common central axis of the first and second components. A retainer ring snugly engages the interior of the retainer groove. The retainer ring has a resiliently collapsible gap and also has an exterior retainer surface generally parallel to and engaging the bearing surface of the retainer groove. The retainer ring further has a formed lip extending from the exterior retainer surface of the retainer ring toward the common central axis and an interior retainer surface in the plane generally parallel to the exterior retainer surface but facing in the opposite direction. A thrust washer snugly engages the interior retainer surface and the formed lip of the retainer ring. A resilient washer interposed between the retainer ring and a flange on the first component urges the contacts of the first and second components together.

Claims

1. A connector comprising:

first and second connector components, each component having a generally circular cross-section oriented perpendicular to a central axis common to both components and having contacts means for engaging corresponding contact means of the other component;

a rotatable coupling ring retained on and substantially axially aligned with said first component, said coupling ring having a first end for engaging said second component and axially advancing said first component relative to said second component to urge said contact means of the first and second components into engagement and a second end with a retainer groove adjacent said second end and encircling its interior, said retainer groove having two parallel bearing surfaces, each in a plane substantially perpendicular to the common central axis of said first and second components;

a retainer ring engaging the retainer groove, said retainer ring having a resiliently collapsible gap and also having an exterior retainer surface generally parallel to and engaging a bearing surface of the retainer groove, said retainer ring further having a formed lip extending away from said exterior retainer surface of the retainer ring and toward the common central axis and an interior retainer surface in a plane generally parallel to the exterior retainer surface but facing in the opposite direction;

a thrust washer engaging the interior retainer surface and the formed lip of said retainer ring; and

resilient means for urging the contact means of the first and second components together when the rotatable coupling ring has advanced the first and second components and their respective contact means into engagement, said resilient means being interposed between said retainer ring and said first component.

2. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rotatable coupling ring engages the second component with an inclined plane type coupling mechanism.

3. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the rotatable coupling ring engages the second component with a screw type coupling mechanism.

4. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the retainer groove has a channel cross section with substantially parallel, opposed interior side surfaces forming its bearing surfaces.

5. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the contact means are electrical contact means.

6. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the resilient means comprises a belleville washer.

7. The connector as recited in claim 6 wherein the outer periphery of the belleville washer bears against the retainer ring.

8. The connector as recited in claim 6 wherein the outer periphery of the belleville washer bears against the retainer ring without exerting any significant force on the thrust washer.

9. The connector as recited in claim 6 wherein the belleville washer is interposed between the retainer ring and a flange of said first component that faces the holding surface of the retainer groove.

10. The connector as recited in claim 1 wherein the thrust washer has one substantially flat side surface and a curved opposing side surface.

11. The connector as recited in claim 10 wherein the formed lip of the retainer ring follows the curved side surface of the thrust washer.

12. A method of assembling a connector comprised of:

first and second components to be connected in alignment on a common central axis, each having contact means for engaging the corresponding contact means of the other component;

a rotatable coupling ring having an internal retainer groove and adapted to be retained on said first component for engaging said second component and axially advancing said second component relative to said first component;

a gapped, resiliently collapsible retainer ring with a formable lip and exterior and interior retainer surfaces;

a thrust washer sized to fit snugly inside the retainer ring when the retainer ring is not collapsed; and

resilient means for urging the contact means of the first and second components into secure engagement,

the method comprising the steps of;

positioning said rotatable coupling ring around said first component in substantial alignment with said common axis;

positioning the resilient means within said coupling ring at a position interior of the retainer groove and interposed between said retainer groove and a bearing flange of said first component;

resiliently collapsing said retainer ring and placing it into said retainer groove of said rotatable coupling ring so that it resiliently expands into said retainer groove with its exterior retainer surface adjacent to said resilient means;

placing said thrust washer inside the retainer ring so that it engages the interior retainer surface of said retainer ring; and

deforming the lip portion of said retainer ring toward said common axis to capture said thrust washer between said lip portion and the interior retainer surface of said retainer ring.

13. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein the thrust washer has one curved side surface and the step of forming the lip portion of said retainer ring comprises press-forming it to conform to the curved side surface of the retainer ring.

14. The method as recited in claim 12 wherein said contact means are electrical contact means.