Electrical connector including a bayonet locking device

• US 7,740,499 B1
• Filed: 02/11/2009
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elbit Systems of America LLC (Elbit Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bandy, Gregory S., Willey, Charles D., Damiano, Kyle
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams; Neil
• Application Number:
  US12/369,233
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 439332-336, 439/289
• US Class Current: 439/332
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/04 Protection helmets crash helmets A42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement

Abstract

An electrical connector for a helmet-mounted night vision system, or other electronic device, is provided. The electrical connector includes a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly each including a body having a revolved surface and an electrical contact. A protrusion extends from the revolved surface of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly and a cam surface is defined along the revolved surface of the other of the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly. Upon engagement between the assemblies, the revolved surfaces of the assemblies are positioned to face each other and upon rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another the protrusion is positioned to move along the cam surface causing the electrical contact of the plug assembly to bear against the electrical contact of the receptacle assembly thereby establishing a connection between the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly each including a body having a base surface, a revolved surface defining a longitudinal axis and extending from the base surface and at least one electrical contact coupled to the body;

a protrusion extending from the revolved surface towards the longitudinal axis of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly and a cam surface defined along the revolved surface of the other of the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly;

a helical spring positioned against the base surface of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly to bias the protrusion against the cam surface; and

a thrust bearing positioned between the helical spring and the protrusion to captivate the helical spring to either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly;

wherein upon engagement between the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly the revolved surfaces of the assemblies are positioned to face each other, and, upon rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another, the protrusion is positioned to move along the cam surface causing the at least one electrical contact of the plug assembly to bear against the at least one electrical contact of the receptacle assembly thereby establishing a connection between the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the cam surface defines a recess that is sized to receive the protrusion, and upon further rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another the protrusion seats within the recess of the cam surface.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical contact of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly is a resilient pin, wherein upon engagement between the electrical contacts of the assemblies the resilient pin is configured to resiliently deform.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of protrusions spaced apart along the circumference of the revolved surface of either the plug assembly or the receptacle assembly.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of cam surfaces spaced apart along the revolved surface of the other of the plug assembly and the receptacle assembly.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5 further comprising a passageway defined between adjacent cam surfaces, wherein the protrusion is inserted through the passageway to join the plug assembly with the receptacle assembly and the protrusion is led through the passageway to disengage the plug assembly from the receptacle assembly.

7. A receptacle assembly that is configured to releasably connect with a plug assembly to form a connector, said receptacle assembly comprising:

a body having a base surface, a revolved surface extending from the base surface and defining a longitudinal axis, and an annular channel formed between the base surface and the revolved surface;

at least one electrical contact coupled to the body; and

at least one protrusion extending from the revolved surface of the body towards the longitudinal axis;

a spring positioned within the annular channel of the body and positioned against the base surface of the body;

a thrust bearing positioned within the annular channel of the body of the receptacle assembly between the helical spring and the protrusion to captivate the helical spring to the body of the receptacle assembly;

wherein upon engagement between the receptacle assembly and the plug assembly the revolved surface of the receptacle assembly is positioned to face a revolved surface of the plug assembly, and, upon rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another, the protrusion of the receptacle assembly is positioned to move along a cam surface that is defined on the plug assembly causing the at least one electrical contact of the receptacle assembly to bear against an electrical contact of the plug assembly thereby establishing a connection between the receptacle assembly and the plug assembly.

8. The receptacle assembly of claim 7 further comprising a plurality of protrusions spaced apart along the circumference of the revolved surface of the receptacle assembly.

9. A helmet assembly including:

a helmet;

a battery-powered vision device mounted to the helmet;

a battery pack including a compartment for storing batteries that is configured to be releasably coupled to the helmet;

a plug assembly that is mounted to the helmet and electrically connected to the battery-powered vision device, said plug assembly comprising a body having a revolved surface, at least one electrical contact coupled to the body, and at least one cam surface defined along the revolved surface of the body; and

a receptacle assembly that is mounted to the battery pack and is configured to be electrically connected to batteries that are stored within the compartment of the battery pack, said receptacle assembly including;

(i) a body having a base surface, a revolved surface extending from the base surface and defining a longitudinal axis, and an annular channel formed between the base surface and the revolved surface, (ii) at least one electrical contact coupled to the body of the receptacle assembly, (iii) at least one protrusion extending from the revolved surface of the body of the receptacle assembly towards the longitudinal axis, (iv) a spring positioned within the annular channel of the body of the receptacle assembly and positioned against the base surface of the body of the receptacle assembly to bias the at least one protrusion against the at least one cam surface, and (v) a thrust bearing positioned within the annular channel of the body of the receptacle assembly between the helical spring and the protrusion to captivate the helical spring to the body of the receptacle assembly,

wherein upon engagement between the receptacle assembly and the plug assembly, the revolved surface of the receptacle assembly is positioned to face a revolved surface of the plug assembly, and, upon rotation of the assemblies with respect to one another, the at least one protrusion of the receptacle assembly is positioned to move along the at least one cam surface that is defined on the plug assembly causing the at least one electrical contact of the receptacle assembly to bear against an electrical contact of the plug assembly thereby establishing an electrical connection between batteries of the battery pack and the battery-powered vision device mounted to the helmet.