US3633151A - Combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

Two objects are mechanically fastened together by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object; and by a second retaining plate that has locking tabs for engaging the locking members and that is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts may be respectively positioned on the two objects for connecting electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened.

Description

United States Patent Paul F. Sensabaugh Lynchburg, Va. 41,266

May 28, 1970 Jan. 4, 1972 General Electric Co.

[72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] COMBINED MECHANICAL FASTENER AND 3,292,135 12/1966 Robinson 1,088,867 3/1914 Benjamin 339/88 R FOREIGN PATENTS 224,048 9/1959 Australia 339/88 C Primary Examiner.loseph H. McGlynn Attorneys-Jams J. Williams, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B.

Waddell and Joseph B. Forman ABSTRACT: Two objects are mechanically fastened together by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object; and by a second retaining plate that has locking tabs for engaging the locking members and that is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts may be respectively positioned on the two objects for connecting electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened.

PATENIED JAN 41972 1633151 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR: PAUL F. SENSABAUGH,

BYW H ATTORNEY.

COMBINED MECHANICAL ,FASTENER AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION My invention relates to Combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector, and particularly to such a combined fastener and connector that provides quick and reliable mechanical fastening and unfastening of two parts, and that provides an electrical connection and disconnection.

Some portable radios, particularly small personal communications transmitters and/or receivers, are powered by batteries located in a small container that is mechanically fastened to the radio. Electrical connections are provided between the battery and radio. When one battery is discharged, it must be removed and a new or recharged battery connected to the radio in its place. There thus exists a need for a device that fastens and unfastens a battery container from a radio, and also makes and breaks electrical connections between the battery and radio.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide anew and improved mechanical fastener and electrical connector, particularly for radios and battery containers.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel device which serves the combined function of quickly fastening two objects and connecting electrical circuits in the two objects, and quickly unfastening the two objects and disconnecting the electrical circuits in the two objects.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector that is relatively simple in construction and reliable in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, these and other objects and achieved in accordance with my invention by a first retaining plate that has locking members and that is attached to one object. A second retaining plate having tabs for engaging the locking members of the first plate is attached to the other object. The objects are mechanically fastened by positioning the tabs in the spaces between the locking members and rotating the two objects so that the tabs pass behind the locking members and mechanically fasten the two objects together. Contacts are respectively positioned on the two objects for engagement and connection of electrical circuits when the two objects are fastened. A retaining spring may also be provided on the first object and shaped to fit in a recess in the second object so that the two objects may be locked in their fastened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims. The structure and operation of my invention, together with further objects and advantages, may be better understood from the following description given in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded, perspective view of a radio and battery container, and a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention for fastening and connecting the radio and battery;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a retaining plate used in a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 3 shows an elevation view of a portion of the retaining plate of FIG. 2 for illustrating a feature of the fastener and connector of my invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a radio and battery container fastened together and electrically connected by a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1, I have shown an exploded perspective view of a fastener and connector in accordance with my invention used, by way of example only, with a radio and abattery container 14. Theradio 10 is not shown in its entirety, but it may be assumed to contain either a radio transmitter, or a radio receiver, or both a transmitter and receiver, with associated elements such as an antenna, a loudspeaker, or a microphone. The case housing theradio 10 is provided with a recess 11 which receives a portion of my fastener and connector as will be explained. Thebattery container 14 is likewise not shown in its entirety, but it may be assumed to contain one or more suitable batteries, such as the rechargeable storage type or the dry-cell type. Thebattery container 14 is provided with suitable mounting holes and openings, and with arecess 15 on its upper surface and arecess 16 on the side of thecontainer 14. These recesses l5, l6 serve to receive a locking or retaining spring, as will be explained.

The parts of my fastener and connector which are mounted on theradio 10 comprise a generally flat retainingspring 18. Thespring 18 is made of a relatively thin resilient metal, and has amain portion 19 which is shaped to fit in the large part of the recess 11 in theradio 10. Themain portion 19 is provided withmounting holes 19a, with twoparallel slits 19b which provide acentral section 190, and with aclearance hole 19d for an electrical wire. Alocking portion 20 is integrally formed with themain portion 19, and is shaped to fit in the small part of the recess 11, and also to fit in the recess l5, 16 in thebattery container 14 for locking theradio 10 and thebattery container 14 together. The retainingportion 20 is offset by a bend, and the end of the retainingportion 20 is bent to provide an operating tab orfinger 20a. A first connector is provided for theradio 10 in the form of a metallic contact orbutton 23 which has an attachedwire 24. Thewire 24 passes through an insulating sleeve orpart 25 which is shaped to receive thecontact 23 and hold it in insulated fashion in the clearance hole 19:1 in the retainingspring 18. Afirst retaining plate 27 is made of suitable conductive material such as steel and shaped to fit in the large part of the recess 11 in theradio 10. Additional views of theplate 27 are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. I prefer that theplate 27 have the same size and shape as themain portion 19 of thespring 18. Theplate 27 is provided with a central circular hole or opening 28. The periphery of thehole 28 is provided with three locking members or earns 29. Each of theselocking members 29 extends arcuately around thehole 28 for approximately and is separated from adjacent members byrespective spaces 31a, 31b, 31c. Thespace 31a is larger and extends for approximately 40, while the other twospaces 31b, 31c extend approximately 25. The lower surface of each of themembers 29 is flush with the bottom of theplate 27. The upper surface of each of themembers 29 is below the top of theplate 27, and as shown particularly well in FIG. 3, part of the upper surface is sloped and part of the upper surface is flat. This upper surface provides a cam action, as will be explained. A stop orprojection 29a is positioned at one end of one of the flat surfaces on amember 29, for reasons that will also be explained. Theplate 27 is provided withmounting holes 27a which preferably align with and correspond with the holes 19:; in theretaining spring 18.Suitable mounting screws 30 are provided to pass through theholes 270 in theplate 27 and theholes 19a in thespring 18 and thread into suitably positioned holes at the bottom of the recess 11. Asecond connector 32, which may be in the form of a spade lug, is provided and connected to asuitable wire 33. Thisconnector 32 is positioned at one of theholes 27a and is electrically connected to theplate 27 by soldering, welding, or mechanical contact pressure. Thiswire 33, as well as thewire 24, are connected to appropriate parts of the circuit in theradio 10.

The parts described so far, namely theretaining spring 18, thefirst connector 23, thesecond connector 32, and thefirst retaining plate 27 are mounted on theradio 10. The parts to be mounted on thebattery container 14 will now be described. These parts comprise a third connector in the form of a metallic contact orbutton 36 which is connected to asuitable wire 37 to provide an electrical connection. The contact- 36 fits in a suitable insulating sleeve orpart 38, so as to keep thecontact 36 electrically insulated from other metallic parts and elements. A secondretaining plate 40 is made of a suitable conductive material such as steel, and has a circular shape to pass through the opening 28 in theplate 27 with slight clearance. Thesecond plate 40 has a plurality of locking tabs or projections 41a, 41b, 41c around its circumference. These tabs 41a, 41b, 410 are shaped and positioned to correspond and conform with thespaces 31a, 31b, 310 between thelocking members 29 in thefirst retaining plate 27. Thesecond plate 40 has a plurality of mountingholes 40a for receiving mountingscrews 42 which pass through theholes 40a and thread into suitably positioned holes in the top of thebattery container 14. Thesecond plate 40 also has a central opening orhole 43 for receiving the insulatingsleeve 38 and thecontact 36. A fourth connector 45, which may also be a spade lug, is attached to a suitable wire 46. This connector is positioned beneath thesecond plate 40 and connected to theplate 40 by soldering, welding, or contact pressure. Thewire 37 and the wire 46 are connected to a battery or other device in thecontainer 14.

In the assembly of the fastener and connector shown in FIG. 1, thecontact 23 is placed in its insulatingsleeve 25, and the two are placed in thehole 19d in thespring 18 and held in place by crimping or swaging the small end of thecontact 23. Thewires 24, 33 are connected to thecontact 23 and thefirst plate 27, and led into the radio for suitable connection. Theplate 27 is positioned on top of the retainingspring 18 in the recess 11, and the two are held in place on theradio 10 by thescrews 30. Similarly, thecontact 36 is placed in its insulatingsleeve 38 in thehole 43 in thesecond plate 40, and the two are held in place by crimping or swaging the small end of thecontact 36. Thewires 37, 46 are connected to thecontact 36 and theplate 40, and led into thebattery container 14 for connection to suitable points. Thesecond plate 40 is held in place on thecontainer 14 by thescrews 42.

When theradio 10 and thecontainer 14 are to be fastened and connected in accordance with my invention, the assembled parts are moved together (such as moving thecontainer 14 upward in the direction of the arrow 50) so that the locking tabs 41a, 41b, 41c pass through theirrespective spaces 31a, 31b, 310. The tab 410 is larger than the other tabs 41b, 410 so that this tab 41a can only pass through thelarger space 31a, thus ensuring proper relative positions of theradio 10 and thecontainer 14. The retainingportion 20 of thespring 18 must be pushed upward by this movement. The parts are then rotated relative to each other (such as rotating thecontainer 14 in the direction of the arrow 51) so that thetabs 41 move over the cam surfaces of the lockingmembers 29 and also in an upward direction as shown by the tab 41b and thearrow 52 in FIG. 3. The upward movement draws theradio 10 and thecontainer 14 together and causes firm and positive engagement of the twocontacts 23, 36 to provide a closed electrical circuit between thewires 24, 37. Similarly, there is firm and positive engagement between the twoplates 27, 40 to provide a second closed electrical circuit between thewires 33, 46. Any necessary clearance or tolerance is provided by thecentral section 190 in the retainingspring 18 which allows some movement of thecontact 23 but urges thecontact 23 toward thecontact 36. The relative rotation of theradio 10 and thecontainer 14 is limited by thestop 29a located at the end of one of the lockingmembers 29. Thisstop 29a also prevents the parts from being rotated in the wrong direction relative to each other. With respect to FIG. 2, the tab 41c which is positioned in thespace 31c can only rotate in a counterclockwise direction. The tab 4lb will be stopped when it reaches thestop 29a. This stop action is also shown by the tab 41b shown in phantom in FlG. 3. As mentioned earlier, the tab 41a may be made larger than the other two tabs 41b, 41c, so that this tab 41a can only pass through theopening 31a. Thus, proper alignment and keying is provided. When the two parts (i.e., theradio 10 and the container 14) are rotated until the tab 41b hits the stop 290 (this preferably being 90, the retainingportion 20 of thespring 18 moves downward into the recess and locks the two parts so that they cannot rotate.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of theradio 10 and thebattery container 14 fastened and connected with the fastener and connector of my invention. The first connection is provided through thecontacts 23, 36 which are in firm engagement, particularly because of the resiliency of thecentral section 190. The second connection is provided by the engagement of the tabs 41a, 41b, 41c which are in firm engagement with theirrespective locking members 29. Theradio 10 and thecontainer 14 are held against accidental rotation and possible separation by the retainingportion 20 of thespring 18 fitting in therecess 15 in thebattery container 14. Theradio 10 and thecontainer 14 may be rotated for release only if theoperating tab 20a on thespring 18 is pushed upward, as indicated by thearrow 53 in H0. 4. This action removes the retainingportion 20 from therecess 15 so that the parts may then be rotated and unfastened and disconnected. Therecess 16 permits a persons finger to reach theoperating tab 20a more readily.

It will thus be seen that my invention provides a new and improved fastener and electrical connector which is both simple in construction and reliable in operation. While I have shown only one embodiment of my combined fastener and connector, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications may be made. For example, more than three or less than three locking tabs and locking members may be provided. Differentshaped cam surfaces may be provided so as to provide a different relative movement. Also, the angle of relative rotation may be varied, although I prefer Therefore, while my invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A combination device for mechanically fastening two objects and providing an electrical connection therebetween, said device comprising:

a. a flat retaining spring mounted on one object, said retaining spring having an elongated portion for movably fitting in an appropriately shaped recess in the second object;

b. a first retaining plate mounted on said retaining spring, said first retaining plate having a generally circular opening therethrough;

c. a plurality of circumferential locking members mounted on said first retaining plate around said circular opening and separated by spaces, each of said locking members having a sloped cam surface facing said one object;

(I. a second retaining plate mounted on said second object, said second retaining plate being generally circular and having circumferential locking tabs shaped and positioned around said second retaining plate to fit in said spaces between said locking members and respectively engage said sloped cam surfaces, thereby mechanically pulling and fastening said first and second objects together when said first and second objects are rotated relative to each other in a selected direction;

. one of said locking tabs and one of said spaces between said locking members being configured to permit said one locking tab to pass through only said one space;

f. a stop positioned on said first retaining plate near one of said spaces to permit relative rotation of said first and second objects in said selected direction and to prevent relative rotation of said first and second objects in an opposite direction;

g. a first electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said retaining spring at substantially the center of said circular opening;

h. and a second electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said second retaining plate at substantially the center thereof;

. said first and second electrical contacts engaging each other and providing an electrical connection therebetween when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second objects has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

Claims (4)

1. A combination device for mechanically fastening two objects and providing an electrical connection therebetween, said device comprising: a. a flat retaining spring mounted on one object, said retaining spring having an elongated portion for movably fitting in an appropriately shaped recess in the second object; b. a first retaining plate mounted on said retaining spring, said first retaining plate having a generally circular opening therethrough; c. a plurality of circumferential locking members mounted on said first retaining plate around said circular opening and separated by spaces, each of said locking members having a sloped cam surface facing said one object; d. a second retaining plate mounted on said second object, said second retaining plate being generally circular and having circumferential locking tabs shaped and positioned around said second retaining plate to fit in said spaces between said locking members and respectively engage said sloped cam surfaces, thereby mechanically pulling and fastening said first and second objects together when said first and second objects are rotated relative to each other in a selected direction; e. one of said locking tabs and one of said spaces between said locking members being configured to permit said one locking tab to pass through only said one space; f. a stop positioned on said first retaining plate near one of said spaces to permit relative rotation of said first and second objects in said selected direction and to prevent relative rotation of said first and second objects in an opposite direction; g. a first electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said retaining spring at substantially the center of said circular opening; h. and a second electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said second retaining plate at substantially the center thereof; i. said first and second electrical contacts engaging each other and providing an electrical connection therebetween when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said second object has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation.

3. The device of claim 1, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said second objects has a recess to receive said elongated portion of said retaining spring and hold said first and second objects in a selected rotational relation, and further comprising means connected to said first retaining plate and means connected to said second retaining plate for providing an added electrical connection when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.

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