US3793610A - Axially mating positive locking connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A quick connect-disconnect axially mating electrical connector comprising interengageable receptacle and plug members carrying electrical contacts which engage upon mating of the connector members. One connector member carries a split ring which engages in an annular groove formed in the other connector member when the two members are mated. A slidable sleeve is provided on one of the members for disengaging the split ring from the groove upon disengagement of the two connector members.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Brishka Feb. 19, 1974 AXIALLY MATING POSITIVE LOCKING CONNECTOR [75] Inventor: Alexander Ronald Brishka, Irvine,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: International Telephone and Telegraph Corporation, New York, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Feb. 1, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 328,776

[52] US. Cl. 339/74 R, 339/91 R [51] Int. Cl II0lr 13/54 [58] Field of Search 339/74, 91

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Neidecker 339/74 Rv Van Horssen 339/74 R Zerlin et al. 339/91 R Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas L. Peterson [5 7 ABSTRACT A quick connect-disconnect axially mating electrical connector comprising interengageable receptacle and plug members carrying electrical contacts which engage upon mating of the connector members. One connector member carries a split ring which engages in an annular groove formed in the other connector member when the two members are mated. A slidable sleeve is provided on one of the members for disengaging the split ring from the groove upon disengagement of the two connector members.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AXIALLY MATING POSITIVE LOCKING CONNECTOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Separable connectors have long been known in the art. Most of these connectors are mated together by insertion of one into the other and are then retained together by means of threaded members. For some appli cations quick connect-disconnect connectors are required. Such connectors are mated strictly in axial line, thus not requiring a form of rotational movement for complete engagement. For such axially engaged cn nectors, there is required a positive locking means to prevent accidental unmating resulting from tension applied to the connector cables. Such locking features have generally been expensive and require many additional parts. The purpose of the present invention is to provide an axially engageable connector having relatively simple yet effective means for locking the connector members together when mated and means for rapidly releasing the locking means to allow for quick disengagement of the connector members.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an axially mating electrical connector having novel means for positively locking the connector members together.

According to the principal aspect of the present invention, there is provided a quick connect-disconnect electrical connector including a pair of connector members which are axially engageable. One of the connector members carries a radially deformable locking ring which is expanded upon initial engagement of the connector members and contracts into an annular groove in the other connector member after the two members are fully mated, thus providing a positive lock for the two members. Releasing means is provided on the member forward with the annular groove which releases the locking ring from the groove upon disengagement of the connector members. Preferably, such releasing means is in the form of a slidable sleeve surrounding the body of the plug connector member of the connector assembly and effects disengagement of the locking ring from the plug connector member'simultaneously with the disengagement of the two members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the connector of the present invention showing the receptacle connector member and plug connector member disengaged from each other;

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the connector members intereng'aged;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the connector of the present invention showing details of the locking ring when being released during initial disengagement of the connector members; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the novel locking ring of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIONOF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown a mating pair of connector members, generally designated 10, which comprise aplug connector 12 and areceptacle connector 14. The receptacle connector member comprises an externally threaded cylindrical body orshell 16 which is secured to a panel 18 by means of a nut'20 and lock washer 22. Acylindrical bore 23 extends through theshell 16.

v Amale center contact 26 is mounted in anannular insulator 28 which is formed with arecess 30 opening at its forward end into which thecontact 26 extends. Theinsulator 28 is mounted in aninner body 32 which is secured within the shell I6 by a rolledflange 34 on the rear portion of the shell. Theinner body 32 is fomed with a reduced diameter forwardly extending portion 33 terminating in a plurality of circularlyarranged, axially-extendingspring members 36 which surround the forward portion ofinsulator 28.

Anannular gasket 38 is positioned between forward portion 33 of theinner body 32 and the inner surface of theshell 16. The gasket abuts against a forwardlyfacing shoulder 40 on thebody 32. Thegasket 38 will expand when it is compressed axially upon engagement of theplug connector member 12 with thereceptacle connector 14. The forward portion 33 of thebody 32 is staked at several points about its periphery as indicated at 42 to lock theinsulator 28 within the body.

Theplug connector member 12 includes amain body 44 formed with arecess 46 which opens at its forward end. Afemale socket contact 48 is coaxially positioned within thebody 44 and is separated therefrom byannular insulator 50. The outer diameter of the forward portion of the plug connector member is slightly less than the diameter of thebore 23 in theshell 16 of thereceptacle connector member 14. Thecontact 48 andinsulator 50 are positioned in therecess 46 of thebody 44 so that when theplug connector 12 is engaged in thereceptacle connector 14 themale center contact 26 will be engaged insocket contact 48.

A cable, generally designated 54, is connected in theplug connector 12. The cable includes a center conductor 56 which is secured in the female center contact by crimping the contact at the point 58. Aninsulator sleeve 60 surrounds the center conductor 56. the outer conductor orcable braid 62 of thecable 54 is secured against the outer surface of themain body 44 of the plug connector by acrimp ferrule 64. A secondinsulating layer 66 covers theouter conductor 62 on the cable.

The centermale contact 26 in thereceptacle connector 14 is shown as being of the type that terminates a single wire. However, it may also be constructed to terminate a coaxial cable as theplug connector 12. In addition, the plug connector does not necessarily have to terminate in a cable, as shown. Moreover, the plug and receptacle connectors may contain more than one contact, if desired. The construction of the plug and receptacle connectors described so far is generally conventional and is given by way of example only, it being understood that the locking device of the present in vention can be applied to any form of connector in which the main parts are axially engageable.

The locking device of the present invention includes a longitudinally split or C-shaped ring 70, best seen in FIG. 4. The'ring is positioned in anannular recess 72 opening at the surface of thebore 23 in thereceptacle connector 14 behind theforward face 74 thereof. The ring is formed of a spring-like material which allows the ring to expand when a radially outwardly-directed force is applied to the inner surface thereof and to thereafter contract when such force is removed. In general, thelocking ring 70 is arranged to engage within an annular groove 76 formed in theplug connector member 12. Theshell 16 is chamfered adjacent to theforward face 74 to provide a frusto-conical surface 78 to facilitate entry of theplug connector 12 into the receptacle connector. An outwardly extendingflange 80 is fixedly mounted on the forward end ofbody 44. The outer diameter of the flange is greater than the inner diameter of thering 70 but less than the diameter ofbore 23. Theforward surface 81 of theflange 80 is chamfered to facilitate engagement of the connector members and also to effect expansion of thelocking ring 70 upon engagement of these parts as will be more clearly. seen later.

Thelocking ring 70 is formed with generallyparallel side surfaces 82 and 84, respectively, which lie in planes extending perpendicular to the axes of the connector members. These surfaces extend to the outer periphery of the ring. The ring is also formed with oppositely inclined frusto-conical guide surfaces 86 and 88 which extend from the respective side surfaces to the innercylindrical surface 90 of the ring. The frustoconical forwardly-facingsurface 88 on the ring is generally complementary to the frusto-conical surface 81 on theplug connector 12 so that when the plug connector is moved axially into engagement with the receptacle connector, the frusto-conical surface 81 will engage thesurface 88 of thering 70 thereby causing the ring to expand radially outwardly into therecess 72. Upon further movement of the plug connector into the receptacle connector, the ring will become axially aligned with the groove 76 in the plug connector. The ring will then contract inwardly to become engaged in the groove 76 and thereby lock thetwo connector members together.

Theplug connector 12 includes acylindrical sleeve 90 which surrounds thebody 44. Anannular recess 92 is formed in the forward portion 94 of the sleeve. The outer diameter of the forward portion 94 is less than the diameter ofbore 23 in thereceptacle connector 14 and preferably is the same as the diameter offlange 80. Therecess 92 opens at the outer surface of the sleeve. A rearwardly facing annular ramp or camming surface 96 is formed at the forward end of the sleeve. The outer diameter of the ramp is less than the diameter of theflange 80. The annularrear surface 98 offlange 80, the ramp 96 and the surfaces of therecess 92 define the groove 76 which receives lockingring 70. The outer diameter offlange 80 is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery of theside surface 82 on thering 70 so that therear surface 98 of the flange will engage thesurface 82 on the ring when the two connector members are interengaged.

When the forward end of thesleeve 90 is positioned adjacent to flange 80, a rearwardly facing shoulder 100 on the interior of the sleeve is spaced from theforward face 102 on a flange 104 onbody 44. Thus, the sleeve may be shifted rearwardly relative to thebody 44,yet theflanges 80 and 104 serve to retain the sleeve on the body.

To engage theconnector members 12 and 14, an axial force is applied to thesleeve 90 of the plug connector in a direction toward the receptacle connector. This causes the forward portion ofconnector 12 to slide into thebore 23 in the receptacle connector bringing thecontacts 26 and 48 into engagement. Forward movement of theconnector 12 towardconnector 14 will cause the frusto-conical surface 88 on theflange 81 to engage the forwardly-facing frusto-conical surface 88 on the ring thereby causing the ring to expand into therecess 72. After the flange passes under the locking ring, the ring will contract to its original size by falling into the groove 76 thereby locking the two connector members in engagement as seen in FIG. 2.

Any axial force applied to the plug connector will not dislodge it from the receptacle connector due to the engagement of therear surface 98 onflange 80 with theside surface 82 on the locking ring.

To disengage the connector members, axial force is applied to sleeve in the direction away from thereceptacle connector 14. As best seen in FIG. 3, rearward movement of thesleeve 90 will cause the ramp 96 on the sleeve to expand the lockingring 70 outwardly into therecess 92 to the extent that theflanges 80 can engage frusto-conical surface 86 on the ring. Further rearward movement of the plug connector will cause theflange 80 to further expand the locking ring until the flange passes under the ring thus disengaging the two connectors.

Thus, by the present invention, there is provided means for positively locking axially-engageable plug and receptacle connector members and means for rapidly disengaging the locking device to allow quick disconnect of the connector members.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention with what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but shall embrace any and all equivalent structures and devices.

What is claimed is:

1. An axially mating electrical connector comprising:

a first connector member having a first contact therein;

a second connector member having a second contact for electrical connection with said first contact upon mating of said first and second connector members;

said first connector member including a cylindrical body;

said second connector member being formed with an axial bore slidably receiving said body;

an annular groove in said first connector member opening at the outer surface thereof;

radially deformable locking ring means carried by said second connector member, said ring means contracting into said groove to lock said connector members when said members are mated; and

ring release means carried by said first connector member, said ring release means comprising an axially slidable sleeve surrounding said body and received within said bore, said sleeve being formed with a rearwardly facing camming surface which releases said ring means from said groove upon axial rearward movement of said sleeve away from said second connector member.

2. A connector as set forth in claim I wherein:

the forward portion of said sleeve underlies said locking ring means when said connector members are engaged, the forward end of said forward portion being disposed behind said ring means and embodying said rearwardly facing camming surface.

3. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and

said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

4. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the forward end of said body is formed with an outwardly extending flange having a diameter less than that of said bore, said flange being forward of said sleeve;

an annular recess is formed in the forward portion of said sleeve behind said camming surface and opening at the outer surface of said sleeve; and

the rear of said flange and the surface of said recess define said first connector member annular groove.

5. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and

said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

6. A connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

the diameter of said flange is greater than the inner diameter of said ring.

7. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

the outer dimension of said camming surface is less than the outer dimension of said flange.

8. A connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein:

said split ring has generally parallel side surfaces extending to the outer periphery thereof and oppositely inclined frusto-conical guide surfaces extending from said side surfaces to the inner periphery of said ring; and

the outer dimension of said flange is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery of said side walls.

9. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

said camming surface engages the rearwardly-facing frusto-conical guidesurface on said split ring.

10. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein:

the forward end of said flange is formed with a frustoconical guide surface 'engageable with the forwardly-facing frusto-conical surface on said split ring when said connector members are being engaged.

Claims (10)

1. An axially mating electrical connector comprising: a first connector member having a first contact therein; a second connector member having a second contact for electrical connection with said first contact upon mating of said first and second connector members; said first connector member including a cylindrical body; said second connector member being formed with an axial bore slidably receiving said body; an annular groove in said first connector member opening at the outer surface thereof; radially deformable locking ring means carried by said second connector member, said ring means contracting into said groove to lock said connector members when said members are mated; and ring release means carried by said first connector member, said ring release means comprising an axially slidable sleeve surrounding said body and received within said bore, said sleeve being formed with a rearwardly facing camming surface which releases said ring means from said groove upon axial rearward movement of said sleeve away from said second connector member.

2. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the forward portion of said sleeve underlies said locking ring means when said connector members are engaged, the forward end of said forward portion being disposed behind said ring means and embodying said rearwardly facing camming surface.

3. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

4. A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the forward end of said body is formed with an outwardly extending flange having a diameter less than that of said bore, said flange being forward of said sleeve; an annular recess is formed in the forward portion of said sleeve behind said camming surface and opening at the outer surface of said sleeve; and the rear of said flange and the surface of said recess define said first connector member annular groove.

5. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said second connector member is formed with an annular recess opening at the surface of said bore; and said ring means comprises a split ring positioned in said recess, the inner diameter of said ring being less than the diameter of said bore.

6. A connector as set forth in claim 5 wherein: the diameter of said flange is greater than the inner diameter of said ring.

7. A connector as set forth in claim 4 wherein: the outer dimension of said camming surface is less than the outer dimension of said flange.

8. A connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein: said split ring has generally parallel side surfaces extending to the outer periphery thereof and oppositely inclined frusto-conical guide surfaces extending from said side surfaces to the inner periphery of said ring; and the outer dimension of said flange is greater than the diameter of the inner periphery of said side walls.

9. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said camming surface engages the rearwardly-facing frusto-conical guide surface on saId split ring.

10. A connector as set forth in claim 8 wherein: the forward end of said flange is formed with a frusto-conical guide surface engageable with the forwardly-facing frusto-conical surface on said split ring when said connector members are being engaged.

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