Apparatus for retaining a coupling ring in non-self locking electrical connectors
First Claim
1. An apparatus for locking a non-self locking electrical connector, comprising:
- a plug having a plug shoulder;
a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug;
a coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle;
a means for engaging disposed within said coupling ring; and
a frustoconical means for deflecting disposed between said plug shoulder and said means for engaging, said frustoconical means for deflecting having a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus providing a known spring response to deflection.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for retaining a coupling ring such as a canted washer or spring for use in non-self locking electrical connectors is disclosed. The canted washer or spring having uniform frustoconical surface is positioned between the plug and coupling ring providing a known spring force response between the coupling ring and plug shell shoulder. In one embodiment, the canted washer is used in a non-bayonet electrical connector with a swaged coupling ring. An alternative embodiment is described as a double turn canted spring used in conjunction with a non-swaged, grooved coupling ring. The apparatus is used in both metal and composite non-bayonet electrical connectors. Configuration to a particular cant for either the canted washer or spring is calculable using known factors such as; size, material thickness, and the modulus of the material. A canted washer or wave spring for use in electrical connectors subjected to high and low temperature environments is also disclosed.
160 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for locking a non-self locking electrical connector, comprising:
-
a plug having a plug shoulder; a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; a coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle; a means for engaging disposed within said coupling ring; and a frustoconical means for deflecting disposed between said plug shoulder and said means for engaging, said frustoconical means for deflecting having a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus providing a known spring response to deflection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. The apparatus as defined in Clam 1 wherein said frustoconical means for deflecting deflects in the range of from 0.000 to 0.025 inches.
-
11. A method of providing an apparatus for locking a non-self locking electrical connector, and said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a plug having a plug shoulder; providing a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; providing a coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle; providing a means for engaging disposed within said coupling; and providing a frustoconical means for deflecting disposed between said plug shoulder and said means for engaging said frustoconical means for deflecting have a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter inside height and material modulus providing a known spring response to deflection.
-
-
12. A coupling ring retainer for a non-self locking electrical connector, comprising:
-
a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; a coupling ring having a shoulder, said coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle; a friction washer positioned proximate said plug shoulder and said shoulder of said coupling ring; and a frustoconical washer disposed between said plug shoulder and said friction washer, said frustoconical washer having a uniform surface and a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus, said frustoconical washer providing a known spring response to deflection.a coupling ring retainer as defined in claim 12 wherein said non-self locking electrical connector is formed from metal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method of providing a coupling ring retainer for a non-self locking electrical connector, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing a plug having a plug shoulder; providing a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; providing a coupling ring having a swage, said coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle, providing a friction washer positioned proximate said plug shoulder and said swage of said coupling ring; and providing a frustoconical washer disposed between said plug shoulder and said friction washer, said frustoconical washer having a uniform surface and a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus, said canted washer providing a known spring response to deflection.
-
-
20. A coupling ring retainer for a non-self locking electrical connector, comprising:
-
a plug having a plug shoulder; a receptacle, said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; a non swaged coupling ring having an interior portion defining a groove, said non swaged coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle; and a frustoconical spring disposed between said plug shoulder and said groove of said non-swaged coupling frustoconical ring, said spring having a uniform surface, and a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus, said frustoconical spring providing a known spring response to deflection. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. The coupling ring retainer as defined in claim 20 wherein said frustoconical spring is formed from beryllium copper.
-
25. The coupling ring retainer as defined in claim 20 wherein said frustoconical spring deflects in the range of from 0.000 to 0.0025 inches.
-
26. A method of providing a coupling ring retainer for a non-self locking electrical connector, said method comprising the steps of
providing a plug having a plug shoulder; -
providing a receptacle said receptacle matingly engaging said plug; providing a non swaged coupling ring having a internal portion defining a groove, said non swaged coupling ring cooperatively associated with said matingly engaged plug and receptacle; and providing a frustoconical spring disposed between 12 said plug shoulder and said groove of said non-swaged coupling ring, said frustoconical spring having a uniform surface, and a predetermined;
thickness, external diameter, internal diameter, inside height and material modulus, said frustoconical spring providing a known spring response to deflection.
-
Specification