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Self locking connector backshell

  • US 5,702,263 A
  • Filed: 03/12/1996
  • Issued: 12/30/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/12/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A self-locking connector backshell for a connector assembly, a circular toothed accessory ring axially projecting from the connector assembly, the connector backshell comprising:

  • (a) a backshell body for receiving conductor elements;

    (b) a circular toothed backshell ring axially projecting on an accessory pitch circle from the backshell body about a backshell axis for engaging the accessory ring at respective first and second accessory ramp angles θ

    1 and θ

    2, the ramp angles θ

    1 and θ

    2 reflecting axial movement of the backshell body within a distance ξ

    away from the accessory ring in response to rotation of the backshell body about the backshell axis relative to the accessory ring in opposite directions from seated engagement with the accessory ring;

    (c) a threaded clamping ring rotatably coaxially supported on the backshell body, the clamping ring being threadingly engageable with the connector assembly in respective clamping and unclamping directions of rotation therewith for holding the backshell body in axial engagement with the accessory ring, the angle θ

    1 corresponding to rotation of the backshell body in the clamping direction relative to the accessory ring;

    (d) a multiplicity of first detent members supportively coaxially located in a fixed angular relation to the clamping ring;

    (e) a multiplicity of second detent members supportively coaxially located in a fixed angular relation to the backshell body, the first and second detent members being simultaneously engagable on a detent pitch circle, wherein the first and second detent members engage at a first contact angle A between a tangent of the pitch circle and a first surface of contact between each first detent member and a contacting second detent member during rotation of the clamping ring in the clamping direction relative to the backshell body, the first and second detent members also engaging at a second contact angle B between a tangent of the pitch circle and a second surface of contact between each first detent member and a contacting second detent member during rotation of the clamping ring in the unclamping direction relative to the backshell body; and

    (f) biasing means for axially holding the first and second detent members in facing engagement, the angle A being sufficiently less than the angle θ

    1 and the angle B being sufficiently less than the angle θ

    2 for permitting rotation of the clamping ring to effect seated engagement and disengagement between the backshell body and the connector assembly without producing jamming from the backshell body being driven axially away from the accessory ring by sliding engagement between the backshell ring and the accessory ring when the clamping ring is rotated.

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