Connecting device

• US 5,195,905 A
• Filed: 11/13/1991
• Issued: 03/23/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Interlemo Holding S.A. (LemoSA)
• Original Assignee: Interlemo Holding S.A. (LemoSA)
• Inventors: Pesci, Marcello
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwartz, Larry I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US07/791,452
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 439/345, 439/350, 439/351, 439/352, 439/353, 439/354, 439/357, 439/358, 403/322, 285/92, 285/309, 285/313, 285/314, 285/315, 285/319
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/389 characterised by the method of fastening connecting plugs and sockets, e.g. screw- or nut-lock, snap-in, bayonet type
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/627 Snap or like fastening

Abstract

A connecting device includes a first body (1) and a second body (2) which are automatically lockingly engageably with one another. Elastic tongues (6) with stop dogs (7) are associated with the second body (2), and a groove (4) on the first body (1) is engaged by the stop dogs (7). A chuck (16) with a frustoconical cam (25) maintains the stop dogs (7) in the groove (4) and connects axially by a resilient split washer (19) to the second body (2). A manual unlocking ring (27) is mounted for axial movement on the chuck (16) to release the stop dogs (7) from the groove (4). A nut (29) engaged on a thread (28) of the first body (1) makes it possible to block the stop dogs (7) in the groove (4) and to immobilize the unlocking ring (27) by clamping against the chuck (16), so as to prevent any unintentional, accidental or improper unlocking.

Claims

1. A connecting device comprising:

a) a first tubular body for connection to a conductor to enable transmission of signals, said first tubular body having an outer wall and a peripheral groove thereon;

b) a second tubular body for connection to a conductor to enable transmission of signals, said second tubular body being dimensioned and configured for engagement over said first body;

c) cylindrical sleeve means mounted on said second tubular body for sliding axial movement over a limited portion thereof, said cylindrical sleeve means having;

i) a plurality of peripheral resilient tongues each said tongue having a protruding stop dog disposed and dimensioned to penetrate into said peripheral groove upon engagement of said second tubular body over said first tubular body; and

ii) a radial wall having at least two diametrically opposed openings;

d) a cylindrical chuck mounted over said resilient tongues, said cylindrical chuck having;

i) first and second ends;

ii) at least two extension arms at the first of said ends, said extension arms respectively passing through said openings of said cylindrical sleeve means;

iii) means for axial engagement of said two arms with said second tubular body;

iv) a front resting face and a peripheral axial retention collar at the second of said ends; and

v) between said ends, inner frustoconical cam surface means for retaining said stop dogs in said peripheral groove, and inner chamber means between said cam surface means and the first of said ends for permitting release of said stop dogs from said groove upon relative axial displacement of said sleeve;

e) unlocking ring means mounted on said cylindrical chuck for sliding movement between said retention collar and said radial wall over a distance sufficient to permit release of the stop dogs into said chamber means by axially pushing against said radial wall;

(f) a threaded portion on said first tubular body, behind said peripheral groove; and

(g) nut means engaged said threaded portion for facing and engaging said front resting face of the cylindrical chuck.

2. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said means for axial engagement of the extension arms of the cylindrical chuck with said second tubular body comprises,

a) inner groove means in said extension arms;

b) a resilient split washer engaged with radial clearance within said inner groove means; and

c) outer groove means on said second tubular body for elastic engagement of said resilient split washer.

3. A connecting device according to claim 1, wherein said front resting face of the cylindrical chuck is frustoconical, and wherein said nut means for facing and engaging said front resting face is also frustoconical and of same conicity as said front resting face.