US3901574A - Electrical connector - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical connector consisting of a plug and receptacle separately fastened to each other by means of helical double ribs, grooves and lug-mounted locking ring wherein coupling occurs after the lugs have traveled over transverse bosses positioned in the grooves. The bosses force the ring to expand outwardly so that as the lugs seat in position, an audio signal is emitted. The bosses also prevent the locking ring from vibrating out of position.

Description

United States Patent [191 Paullus et a1.

[ Aug. 26, 1975 l ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR [75] lnventors: Clarence Leonard Paullus,

Lewisberry; Larry Ronald Stauffer, Camp Hill, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: AMP Incorporated, Harrisburg, Pa.

[22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1973 [211 App]. No.: 429,255

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 214,164, Dec. 30, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 339/90 R; 285/81; 285/401; 339/113 R [51] Int. Cl. HOlR 13/54 [58] Field of Search 339/89, 90, 113, 186, 187, 339/DIG. 2; 215/43; 220/40; 285/361, 354, 386, 396, 402, 81, 401

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,994,784 4/1935 Porzcl 285/354 2,323,912 7/1943 Johnson 285/354 2,912,261 11/1959 Mcycrholfer 285/361 3,008,116 11/1961 Blanchenot..... 339/90 R 3,413,021 11/1968Potts 1 285/424 3,422,977 1/1969 Shaw 220/40 R 3,478,302 11/1969 Chirumbolo.... 339/90 R 3,685,004 8/1972 Kerr 339/90 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,092,983 1 l/1967 United Kingdom 339/90 R Primary Examiner-Joseph H. McGlynn Attorney, Agent, or FirmRussel1 J. Egan [5 7 1 ABSTRACT An electrical connector consisting of a plug and receptacle separately fastened to each other by means of helical double ribs, grooves and lug-mounted locking ring wherein coupling occurs after the lugs have traveled over transverse bosses positioned in the grooves. The bosses force the ring to expand outwardly so that as the lugs seat in position, an audio signal is emitted. The bosses also prevent the locking ring from vibrating out of position.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 214,164, filed Dec. 30, 1971, and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Commonly known types of quick disconnect electrical connectors comprise two parts, each part consisting of a cylindrical shell having within insulating inserts which contain mating terminal contacts. As the two parts are engaged the terminal contacts are also engaged to complete the electrical circuits of the wires to which the contacts are attached. The connector parts are provided with keys for polarizing purposes, and one of several kinds of coupling devices for joining the two parts together. Such coupling devices include thread, tang, or bayonet-type fastening means.

Conventional connectors are generally made from aluminum or steel wherein the parts are extruded, machined and, particularly in the case of aluminum, coated with cadmium or other suitable plating.

One of the principal uses of quick disconnect electrical connectors is in aircraft where any one such craft may contain upwards of a hundred such connectors. As with any aircraft component, weight is an important consideration. Another consideration given by design engineers is a couplings susceptibility to vibration. Yet another consideration, particularly where a large number of connectors are required in any one airplane, is cost of the component.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an electrical connector comprising a first part engageable with a second part, the first part having a resilient, annular locking ring rotatably mounted thereon, the ring having two inwardly projecting, spaced apart lugs, and the second part having one end adapted to receive the locking ring, that end having two adjacent helical grooves adapted to receive the aforementioned lugs, each groove having a transverse boss over which each lug must ride, deforming the locking ring in so doing so that as the lugs clear the bosses, the ring, in resuming its annular shape causes the lugs to strike the surface of the grooves whereby an audio signal is emitted, and further, each groove has a transverse barrier against which the lugs abut after clearing the bosses so that the locking ring is prevented from further rotational movement about the second part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the preferred embodiment of the electrical connector constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a development view of the ribs and grooves encircling the left-hand component of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partially in section, of the righthand component of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows the two components of the connector shown in FIG. 1 in mating engagement;

FIG. 5 is a view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is another view taken along lines 33 of FIG. 4, showing rotation of the locking ring into a locking position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT facilitate mounting ofreceptacle 12 to a panel (not shown) or the like. Threads 24 (FIG. 4) are cut intohousing 16 fromflange 20 back to asecond end 25. These threads provide alternative means ofmounting receptacle 12.

A plurality of passageways (not shown) extending longitudinally throughhousing 16 are provided to receive a plurality ofterminal contact pins 26 each of which are attached to one of a plurality ofwires 28 extending away fromsecond end 25.

The area betweenfirst end 17 andflange 20 is characterized as having two helical-extending ribs designated at 30 and 32 which are shown in a development view in FIG. 2. Each of the two ribs begin atend 17, 180 one from the other. These points of origin are designated at 300 and 32a. The ribs at each of these points have been constructed so as to providelateral ramps 34 which have a steeper pitch than doesribs 30, 32 rela tive to the longitudinal axis ofhousing 16.

Ribs 30 and 32 cooperate to provide twogrooves 36 and 38. Low relief, transverse deforming means orbosses 40 and 42 are positioned ingrooves 36 and 38 respectively, each of the bosses having a beveled side facing towardend 17. Spaced a short distance from these bosses aretransverse barriers 44 and 46 which have the same height asribs 30, 32. Each set of a boss and barrier defineseating space 48 thereinbetween.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4,plug 14 includes ahousing 50 on which is mounted arotatable locking ring 52. Aforward portion 54 ofhousing 50 is sized to be sufficiently smaller so that it will be received in mated telescoped relation withrecess 18 inreceptacle 12 wherebyterminal contact pins 26 telescopingly mate with terminal contact sockets (not shown) housed inbores 56 which extend longitudinally thruhousing 50. The sockets are attached towires 57 leading away from therear portion 58 ofhousing 50. A number ofkeys 60 are positioned onforward portion 54 to provide polarization of that portion withrecess 18 in cooperation withaforementioned keyways 19.

Threads 62 are provided onrear portion 58 to receive, for example, an insulating shroud (not shown).

Agroove 64 is positioned onhousing 50 betweenforward portion 54 andrear portion 58.

Locking ring 52 is characterized as having aforward collar 66 which has a milledouter surface 68 and a smooth insidesurface 70 from which projects two diametrically positionedlugs 72 and 74.

Integral withcollar 66 and comprising the remainder oflocking ring 52 is askirt 75 composed of a plurality ofsegments 76, each segment separated from another byslots 78 which extend fromend 80 of eachsegment 76 to its juncture withcollar 66. Eachsegment 76 consists of aslanted portion 82, aplatform 84, and an inwardly projectingdog 86 which is positioned on the inside of the segment directly oppositeplatform 84.

Eachdog 86 fits slidingly ingroove 64 inhousing 50, an arrangement which permits rotational but not axial movement oflocking ring 52.

Slots 78 allow the segments and dogs to be expanded outwardly so such can pass over parts ofhousing 50 adjacent togroove 64 during the assembly ofplug 14.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Coupling receptacle 12 withplug 14 to form electrical connection involves insertingportion 54 onplug 14 intorecess 18 bymatching keys 60 with keyways l9.Lugs 72 and 74 can then engagegrooves 36, 38 by pushing on and rotatinglocking ring 52 clockwise. Continued rotation ofring 52 drawsportion 54 further intorecess 18, completing the electrical connection viapins 26 and the sockets inbores 56 inplug 14. At thispoint ring 52 is at the position shown in FIG. 4 andlugs 72, 74 are in the position shown in FIG. 5; i.e., adjacent tobosses 40, 42.

Additional clockwise rotation ofring 52 causes the riding oflugs 72, 74 up over the beveled sides ofbosses 40, 42. This can occur because of the yielding or resilient nature of lockingring 52. At that point the ring is deformed into an elongated or oval shape. As thelugs 72, 74 pass overbosses 40, 42, the energy stored in the deformation restores the ring into its original circular shape and does so in a violent manner such that lugs 72, 74 strike the surface ofgrooves 36, 38 inseating spaces 48 resoundingly. This sound tells'the operator that the engaging of receptacle l2 and plug 14 is complete as can be seen in FIG. 6.Barriers 44, 46 prevent further unnecessary rotation of lockingring 52.

One of the very important and novel aspects of the present invention relates to the vibrational-proof structure ofbosses 40, 42 andresilient locking ring 52. The sides of thebosses facing barriers 44, 46 being perpendicular to the grooves, positively lock the lugs and, hence the locking ring ontoreceptacle 12. Only a deliberate and forceful counter-clockwise motion which deforms lockingring 52 will cause the lugs to ride back over the bosses.

Aforementioned ramps 34 serve two purposes. The first is that they prevent mis-threading; i.e., where one lug is placed behind a rib and the second lug is placed in front of the other rib. As the present invention shows in FIG. 2, the build-up is too thick to allow tilting ofring 52 to where the lugs could be placed on opposite sides of the ribs. The second feature oframps 34 is that asreceptacle 12 and plug 14 are being disengaged, the change in pitch onramps 34 causes the lockingring 52 to axially pushhousing 50 away fromreceptacle 12 at an accelerated rate. In other words,housing 50 pops out of the receptacle at that point.

As pointed out above, one of the several novel features of the present invention is the resilient locking ring which provides an audio signal when the engagement of receptacle l2 and plug 14 is completed.

Another novel feature in the present invention is that the components are economically made via molding which does not require milling, grinding, plating and/or the like. Additionally, the connector is light weight and has impact advantages over connectors made from metal.

Yet another novel feature is that separate nonconductive inserts to house terminal contacts are not required as in metal connectors.

Still another feature in the present invention resides in the construction of the ribs which prevent misthreading when engaging the plug to the receptacle and which provides a pop out effect upon disengagement.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electrical connector assembly of the type comprising a cylindrical plug and cylindrical recepticle, said receptacle having a mating face within a cylindrical hood, with said hood having an helical groove thereon, said plug, dimensioned to fit within the hood, has a locking ring rotatably mounted thereon, said locking ring having at least one projecting lug formed unitarily therewith on the inner surface thereof, said lug being dimensioned to be received in the helical groove wherein the improvement comprises:

a. said locking ring, being of firm and resiliently deformable material, having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of said hood to permit an elongation of said locking ring when positioned on said hood; and

b. deforming means positioned in said groove for resiliently deforming said locking ring into a generally elongated shape as said lug passes thereover.

2. An electrical connector assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said firm and resiliently deformable material is a polymeric material.

3. An electrical connector assembly ofclaim 1 with the plug and receptacle being of molded plastic material.

4. An electrical connector assembly ofclaim 1, further comprising:

mating keying means on said plug and said receptacle.

5 An electrical connector, which comprises:

a. a plug having a plurality of axially passageways therethru to house a plurality of terminal contactmounted conductors;

b. a circumferentially-extending groove positioned on said plug;

0. a resilient locking ring having on one end a slotted resilient skirt, said skirt having a plurality of inwardly projecting dogs, said ring rotatably mounted on said plug via positioning said dogs into said circumferentially-extending groove;

(1. two inwardly projecting lugs diametrically positioned on another end of said resilient locking ring;

e. a receptacle adapted to engage said plug, said receptacle having a plurality of axial passageways therethrough to house a plurality of terminal contact-mounting conductors;

f. two ribs on said receptacle helically extending from one end of said receptacle toward another end thereof, each of said ribs beginning from said one end from each other, said ribs cooperating to define two grooves operable to receive said lugs on said locking ring;

g. a lateral ramp positioned on each of said ribs adjacent said one end of said receptacle, said ramps operable for aligning said lugs with said grooves and for axially displacing said lugs upon disengagement of said receptacle from said plug;

h. a boss positioned across each of said grooves, said bosses operable to deflect outwardly said lugs as such pass thereon thereby causing a deformation in said resilient locking ring such that as said lugs pass beyond said bosses said lugs strike said grooves whereby an audio signal is emitted; and a barrier positioned across each of said grooves, said barriers operable to abuttingly engage said lugs thereby preventing further rotational movement of said resilient locking ring.

6. The electrical connector ofclaim 5 wherein said bosses have a beveled side.

7. A cylindrical first member adapted to intermate with a cylindrical second member to form an electrical connector, said cylindrical second member including a cylindrical housing having a mating face a plurality of bores opening on said face, each bore adapted to receive an electrical terminal therein, at least one helical groove formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of said housing extending from a free end of said housing and terminating at abutments extending across said groove, radially outwardly directeddetent means in said groove spaced from said abutments, said first member comprising:

a cylindrical body having a mating end adapted to abut said mating face, a plurality of bores opening on said mating end, each bore adapted to receive a mating electrical terminal therein, locking ring rotatably and non slidably mounted on said body, said ring having an internal diameter greater than said first member housing and at least one radially inwardly directed locking lug adapted to be received in said helical groove, at least said ring being formed of a firm plastic material which is resiliently deformable to the extent that said ring can be distorted to an oval shape allowing said lug to pass over said detent means when said first and second members are coupled and said ring threaded into a locking position.

8. An electrical connector according to claim 7, further comprising:

at least one first keying means on said first member;

and

at least one second keying means on said second member matable with said first keying means.

9. A cylindrical plug member adapted to intermate with a cylindrical receptacle member to form an electrical connector, said cylindrical receptacle member including a cylindrical housing having a mating face a plurality of bores opening on said face, each bore adapted to receive an electrical terminal therein, an annular hood extending forwardly of said face, at least one helical groove formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of said hood, said groove extending from a free end of said hood and terminating at abutments extending across said groove, radially outwardly di- III:

rected detent means in said groove spaced from said abutments, said plug member comprising;

a cylindrical body having a mating end adapted to be received in said hood, a plurality of bores opening on said mating end, each bore adapted to receive a mating electrical terminal therein, locking ring rotatably mounted on said body, said ring having an internal diameter greater than said hood and at least one radially inwardly directed locking lug adapted to be received in said helical groove, at least said ring being formed of a firm plastic material which is resiliently deformable to the extent that said ring can be distorted to an oval shape allowing said lug to pass over said detent means when said plug and socket are coupled and said ring threaded into a locking position on said hood.

10. An electrical connector according to claim 9, further comprising:

matable keying means integral with each of said plug member and said receptacle member.

11. In a circular multi-contact connector assembly of the type comprising a plug member and a socket member, said socket member having a cylindrical housing and having a hood extending forwardly from said housing, said plug member having a cylindrical housing and having a mating end which is adapted to extend into said hood when said parts are coupled, the improvement comprising:

at least one groove on the external surface of said hood of said socket member, said groove extending from the free end of said hood helically at least partially around the external surface thereof,

boss means in said groove at a location remote from said free end of said hood,

said plug member having a locking nut rotatably and non slidably mounted thereon in completely surrounding relationship to said mating end, said locking nut having an internal surface which is radially spaced outwardly from said plug housing, at least one locking lug extending radially inwardly from said internalsurface, said lug being dimensioned to be received in said groove,

at least said locking nut being of a firm plastic material which is'resiliently deformable to the extent that said lug is permitted to pass over said boss means when said plug and socket are coupled and said locking nut is threaded onto said hood.

12. A connector assembly according toclaim 1 1 further comprising:

first keying means integral with said plug member,

and

second keying means integral with said socket member and matable with said first keying means.

Claims (12)

1. An electrical connector assembly of the type comprising a cylindrical plug and cylindrical recepticle, said receptacle having a mating face within a cylindrical hood, with said hood having an helical groove thereon, said plug, dimensioned to fit within the hood, has a locking ring rotatably mounted thereon, said locking ring having at least one projecting lug formed unitarily therewith on the inner surface thereof, said lug being dimensioned to be received in the helical groove wheRein the improvement comprises: a. said locking ring, being of firm and resiliently deformable material, having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of said hood to permit an elongation of said locking ring when positioned on said hood; and b. deforming means positioned in said groove for resiliently deforming said locking ring into a generally elongated shape as said lug passes thereover.

2. An electrical connector assembly of claim 1 wherein said firm and resiliently deformable material is a polymeric material.

3. An electrical connector assembly of claim 1 with the plug and receptacle being of molded plastic material.

4. An electrical connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising: mating keying means on said plug and said receptacle.

5. An electrical connector, which comprises: a. a plug having a plurality of axially passageways therethru to house a plurality of terminal contact-mounted conductors; b. a circumferentially-extending groove positioned on said plug; c. a resilient locking ring having on one end a slotted resilient skirt, said skirt having a plurality of inwardly projecting dogs, said ring rotatably mounted on said plug via positioning said dogs into said circumferentially-extending groove; d. two inwardly projecting lugs diametrically positioned on another end of said resilient locking ring; e. a receptacle adapted to engage said plug, said receptacle having a plurality of axial passageways therethrough to house a plurality of terminal contact-mounting conductors; f. two ribs on said receptacle helically extending from one end of said receptacle toward another end thereof, each of said ribs beginning from said one end 180* from each other, said ribs cooperating to define two grooves operable to receive said lugs on said locking ring; g. a lateral ramp positioned on each of said ribs adjacent said one end of said receptacle, said ramps operable for aligning said lugs with said grooves and for axially displacing said lugs upon disengagement of said receptacle from said plug; h. a boss positioned across each of said grooves, said bosses operable to deflect outwardly said lugs as such pass thereon thereby causing a deformation in said resilient locking ring such that as said lugs pass beyond said bosses said lugs strike said grooves whereby an audio signal is emitted; and i. a barrier positioned across each of said grooves, said barriers operable to abuttingly engage said lugs thereby preventing further rotational movement of said resilient locking ring.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5 wherein said bosses have a beveled side.

7. A cylindrical first member adapted to intermate with a cylindrical second member to form an electrical connector, said cylindrical second member including a cylindrical housing having a mating face a plurality of bores opening on said face, each bore adapted to receive an electrical terminal therein, at least one helical groove formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of said housing extending from a free end of said housing and terminating at abutments extending across said groove, radially outwardly directed detent means in said groove spaced from said abutments, said first member comprising: a cylindrical body having a mating end adapted to abut said mating face, a plurality of bores opening on said mating end, each bore adapted to receive a mating electrical terminal therein, locking ring rotatably and non slidably mounted on said body, said ring having an internal diameter greater than said first member housing and at least one radially inwardly directed locking lug adapted to be received in said helical groove, at least said ring being formed of a firm plastic material which is resiliently deformable to the extent that said ring can be distorted to an oval shape allowing said lug to pass over said detent means when said first and second members are coupled and said ring threaded into a locking position.

8. An electrical connector according to claim 7, further comprising: at least one first keying means on said first member; and at least one second keying means on said second member matable with said first keying means.

9. A cylindrical plug member adapted to intermate with a cylindrical receptacle member to form an electrical connector, said cylindrical receptacle member including a cylindrical housing having a mating face a plurality of bores opening on said face, each bore adapted to receive an electrical terminal therein, an annular hood extending forwardly of said face, at least one helical groove formed on at least a portion of the outer surface of said hood, said groove extending from a free end of said hood and terminating at abutments extending across said groove, radially outwardly directed detent means in said groove spaced from said abutments, said plug member comprising; a cylindrical body having a mating end adapted to be received in said hood, a plurality of bores opening on said mating end, each bore adapted to receive a mating electrical terminal therein, locking ring rotatably mounted on said body, said ring having an internal diameter greater than said hood and at least one radially inwardly directed locking lug adapted to be received in said helical groove, at least said ring being formed of a firm plastic material which is resiliently deformable to the extent that said ring can be distorted to an oval shape allowing said lug to pass over said detent means when said plug and socket are coupled and said ring threaded into a locking position on said hood.

10. An electrical connector according to claim 9, further comprising: matable keying means integral with each of said plug member and said receptacle member.

11. In a circular multi-contact connector assembly of the type comprising a plug member and a socket member, said socket member having a cylindrical housing and having a hood extending forwardly from said housing, said plug member having a cylindrical housing and having a mating end which is adapted to extend into said hood when said parts are coupled, the improvement comprising: at least one groove on the external surface of said hood of said socket member, said groove extending from the free end of said hood helically at least partially around the external surface thereof, boss means in said groove at a location remote from said free end of said hood, said plug member having a locking nut rotatably and non slidably mounted thereon in completely surrounding relationship to said mating end, said locking nut having an internal surface which is radially spaced outwardly from said plug housing, at least one locking lug extending radially inwardly from said internal surface, said lug being dimensioned to be received in said groove, at least said locking nut being of a firm plastic material which is resiliently deformable to the extent that said lug is permitted to pass over said boss means when said plug and socket are coupled and said locking nut is threaded onto said hood.

12. A connector assembly according to claim 11 further comprising: first keying means integral with said plug member, and second keying means integral with said socket member and matable with said first keying means.

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