U.S. patent number 3,594,694 [Application Number 04/774,347] was granted by the patent office on 1971-07-20 for quick disconnect connector.
This patent grant is currently assigned to G & H Technology, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thomas A. Clark.
United States Patent |
3,594,694 |
Clark |
July 20, 1971 |
QUICK DISCONNECT CONNECTOR
Abstract
A fluidtight electrical connector is disclosed herein which has
a lock for releasably securing a pair of mating sections together.
The lock is adapted to secure the sections together when a first
portion thereof is axially moved a predetermined distance in the
direction of engagement, and to unlock the connector sections and
cause them to separate when a second portion thereof is axially
moved a predetermined distance opposite the direction of
engagement. The connector includes means for producing a consistent
interface pressure between the connector sections and means for
indicating when the electrical terminals of the locked connector
sections are not in complete engagement.
Inventors: |
Clark; Thomas A. (Mountain
View, CA) |
Assignee: |
G & H Technology, Inc.
(Santa Monica, CA)
|
Family
ID: |
25100972 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/774,347 |
Filed: |
November 8, 1968 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/131; 285/316;
439/488; 285/81; 439/350 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/635 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/633 (20060101); H01R 13/635 (20060101); H01r
013/54 (); H01r 013/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/34,45,46,75,91
;285/27,81,316,319 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Purser; Ernest R.
Assistant Examiner: Lewis; Terrell P.
Claims
What I claim as new is:
1. In an electrical connector having first and second assemblies
including electrical terminals adapted to interfit when the
assemblies are axially interengaged, the combination
comprising:
a first shell member housing the first assembly, said first shell
member including an annular shoulder thereon;
a second shell member housing the second assembly;
a plurality of resilient fingers movably disposed axially on said
second shell member, each of said fingers having a tip portion
adapted for restrainably engaging said shoulder, said tip portion
normally deflected in a radially outer position passable over said
shoulder;
keeper means axially movable over said fingers for coercing said
tip portions into a radially inner position for engaging said
shoulder when said tip portions are passed thereover in a direction
toward the first assembly, and for releasing said tip portions to
assume the radially outer position when said keeper means is
coerced a predetermined distance in a direction opposite the first
assembly; and
biasing means coupling said fingers and said second shell member
for biasing said tip portions engageably toward said shoulder in a
direction opposite the first assembly while biasing said second
shell member axially toward said first shell member when the first
and second assemblies are axially interengaged.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, further
including:
a reference mark on said second shell member located to be visibly
hidden by said fingers when said second shell member is biased
toward said first shell member to an extent corresponding to
complete axial interengagement of the first and second assemblies,
and to be visibly exposed when said second shell member is biased
toward said first shell member to an extent corresponding to
incomplete axial interengagement of the first and second
assemblies.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, further including
second biasing means coupling said keeper means and said fingers,
for urging said keeper means axially over said tip portions when
the assemblies are axially interengaged.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein the first and
second assemblies include first and second faces respectively,
positioned obverse one another when the assemblies are axially
interengaged, and further including:
an electrically nonconductive, resilient gasket member covering one
of said faces, said biasing means biasing said first and second
faces against opposing sides of said gasket member to effect a
fluidtight seal therebetween when the first and second assemblies
are axially interengaged.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first
and second shell members are electrically conductive, and further
including:
means for effecting a conductive path between said first and second
shell members when the assemblies are axially interengaged.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first
and second shell members are electrically conductive, and the first
and second assemblies include first and second faces respectively,
said faces positioned obverse one another when the assemblies are
axially interengaged, and further including:
an electrically nonconductive, resilient gasket member covering one
of said faces, said biasing means biasing said first and second
faces against opposing sides of said gasket member to effect a
fluidtight seal therebetween when the first and second assemblies
are axially interengaged, and
means for effecting a conductive path between said first and second
shell members when the assemblies are axially interengaged.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, above, wherein said first
and second shell members are electrically conductive, and said
first shell member includes an electrically conductive face portion
perforated to receive the second assembly terminals but insulated
therefrom.
8. An electrical connector comprising:
a receptacle including an engaging end, a cylindrical shell
extending outwardly over said engaging end and being adapted to be
retracted from said engaging end, a plurality of fingers formed in
said shell at spaced intervals around the periphery thereof, said
receptacle including means for outwardly biasing said plurality of
fingers with relation to the center of said shell, each finger
including a locking ridge and a cam ridge inwardly disposed
thereon;
a sleeve being disposed around said receptacle, said sleeve being
forwardly biased toward the engaging end of said receptacle and
over said sleeve, said sleeve being extendable over the fingers for
urging the fingers inwardly when biased in the forward movement and
for locking the cam ridge of said fingers against the engaging end
of said receptacle when said shell is retracted and said sleeve is
biased forward; and
a plug being adapted to engage said receptacle and including a
locking groove disposed around the periphery thereof for receiving
the locking ridge of the fingers when being engaged with said
receptacle when said sleeve is forwardly biased.
9. The connector as defined in claim 8 and further including means
for biasing said cylindrical sleeve towards the engaging end of
said receptacle. 10The connector as defined in claim 8 and further
including a second shell disposed around said plug for receiving
the extending end of
said first shell. 11. The electrical connector as defined in claim
8 and further including:
a second cylindrical shell disposed around said plug for receiving
the extending end of said first cylindrical shell between said
second shell and said plug; and
means for urging the extended end of said first shell towards the
engaging end of said plug and out of engagement with said first
shell of said plug.
2. In an electrical connection apparatus:
a first member including an engaging end having a shoulder thereon,
said first member including a cylindrical surface therearound;
a sleeve being slidably disposed around said first member and
including a plurality of fingers formed around the periphery
thereof and along the longitudinal axis, each finger including a
locking ridge disposed on the inside thereof and a cocking ridge
adjacent with said locking ridge on said fingers, said fingers
being outwardly biased when said cocking ridge engages the shoulder
on the engaging end of said first member, said sleeve being biased
towards the engaging end of the first member;
a second member including a receiving ridge around the periphery
thereof and adapted to engage the locking ridge of said sleeve when
said sleeve is slidably moved towards the engaging end of said
first member and towards said second member; and
a locking sleeve disposed around said first sleeve and being biased
in a forward position for forcing said outwardly biased fingers of
said first sleeve into engagement with the locking ridge of said
second member and for maintaining the fingers of said plurality
outwardly biased when said cocking ridges on said plurality of
fingers are wedged between the shoulder on said engaging end and
said forwardly biased locking sleeve.
The combination as defined in claim 12 and further including spring
means disposed around the surface of said first member to urge said
first sleeve towards the engaging end to effectively disengage the
locking ridge
of said fingers from the locking groove of said first member. 14.
The combination as defined in claim 12 and further including spring
means for
biasing said locking sleeve in a forward position. 15. The
combination as defined in claim 14 and further including an outer
sleeve disposed around said second member and spaced therefrom to
receive the first sleeve on said first member.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is often necessary to effect a temporary connection between two
electrical cables, which connection can be quickly and conveniently
disengaged when desired. One type of connector in common use
includes a plug section and a receptacle section, each connected to
a different one of the cables, the section being adapted for mating
to produce an electrical path therethrough.
When the cables include a plurality of conductive wires for
providing a plurality of independent conductive paths, the plug
section can include a similar plurality of conductive pins (each
adapted for terminal connection with a wire) which mate with
corresponding conductive sockets (each adapted for terminal
connection with a wire) included by the receptacle section. The
pins are, of course, insulated from one another within the plug
section, while the sockets are insulated from one another within
the receptacle section. If the cables are shielded, such as by
metal braid or other shielding material surrounding the cables, the
electrical terminals within the connector are ordinarily shielded
by means of conductive shells included by each of the sections and
which house the pin and socket assemblies. Each shell is connected
to the shielding of a respective cable, and the mating ends of
these shells are adapted for being electrically coupled to one
another when the pins are fully mated within the complementary
sockets, thereby completing a shielding path between the cables and
around the terminals.
In many situations, it is desirable that the connector be provided
with means for temporarily locking the sections to one another when
mated. One obvious reason for such locking is so that the sections
cannot be pulled apart to disengage the terminals when the two
cables are inadvertently pulled opposite one another. Furthermore,
it is often preferred that the multiconductor connector be provided
with sealing means between the obverse faces of the respective
sections when mated, for example for preventing ambient fluids from
entering the interface. A nonconductive, resilient sealing member
can be utilized at the interface, and the locking means can coerce
the two sections against opposing sides of the resilient member,
thereby sealing the interface.
Releasable locking means of various configurations have been
utilized with sealed multiconductor connectors of the prior art.
However, all of these are operable to lock or unlock the two
connector sections through motions different than the motions
required to engage or disengage the pins from the sockets. In many
types of connectors, for example those having a fastening nut
engageable between the two sections, a twisting motion is required
to lock and unlock the sections whereas axial motion is required to
mate and separate the pins and the sockets. Other types of
connectors utilize cams and cam follower combinations, actuated by
a lever or other device which must be operated in a manner
independent of the mating and separation operations.
Although connectors of the prior art are well suited to provide
locked and securely sealed connections of complementary terminals,
the plurality of motions required for their assembly, and
particularly for their disassembly, presents problems when it is
desired to very quickly and conveniently connect or disconnect the
sections. These problems become significant when it is desired to
remotely or automatically actuate the connector to disengage, since
a coupled actuator package may be required to generate and transmit
a sequence of different motions to the connector. Besides making
the connector operations susceptible to malfunction, such
complicated motions increase the time required to axially disengage
the connector after a disconnect command signal has been received
by the actuator package.
SUMMARY
The connector of the present invention overcomes the foregoing
difficulties, by providing locking and unlocking means which
operate to lock the two connector sections together when axially
moved a predetermined distance in the direction of pin-socket
engagement, and which unlocks the two sections and causes them to
separate when axially moved a predetermined distance in the
direction of pin-socket disengagement. After the two connector
sections have been locked together, the unlocking means is
unresponsive to forces which might be applied to the cables, so
that the connector of the present invention cannot be separated if
the cables are inadvertently pulled opposite one another.
The locking and unlocking means of the present invention operates
in cooperation with first and second conductive shells which house
the pin and socket assemblies. The second shell contains thereon
latch means which are moveably disposed axially through a limited
distance on the second shell, and the first shell is adapted to
engagedly receive the latch means. The second shell further
includes keeper means which is moveably disposed axially through a
limited distance with respect to the latch means, and is actuated
by the latch means for coercing the latch means to engage the first
shell and to be locked thereto when the pin and socket assemblies
are axially interengaged and the latch means is axially moved a
predetermined distance toward the first shell. The keeper means
further releases the latch means from engagement with the first
shell, when the keeper means is axially moved a predetermined
distance away from the first shell.
Biasing means are further provided, coupling the latch means and
the second shell, for biasing the second shell toward the first
shell when the latch means engages the first shell. This permits
positive conductive communication between the two shells, by either
placing the shells in physical contact or by biasing the shells
against a conductive member which effects a conductive path between
the shells when the connector sections are axially
interengaged.
In a preferred embodiment of the connector of the present
invention, the first connector section can include the socket
assembly housed in a first conductive shell, while the second
connector section can include a pin assembly house in a second
conductive shell. The first and second assemblies include first and
second faces respectively, which are positioned obverse one another
when the assemblies are axially interengaged, and the connector
further includes an electrically nonconductive, resilient member
covering one of the faces to effect a fluidtight seal between the
assemblies when the connector sections are axially interengaged and
the obverse faces are biased toward one another.
The first shell includes an annular shoulder which cooperates with
the latch means of the second shell, for locking the two connector
sections together. The latch means can include a plurality of
resilient fingers moveably disposed axially on the second shell,
each of the fingers having a tip portion adapted for engaging the
shoulder. The tip portions are normally deflected in a radially
outer position (with respect to the longitudinal axis of the
connector) such that the tip portions can be passed over the
shoulder during axial engagement and disengagement of the pin and
socket assemblies.
Keeper means are axially moveable over the fingers, for coercing
the tip portions into a radially inner position to engage the
shoulder after the tip portions are passed thereover in a direction
toward the socket assembly, and for releasing the tip portions to
assume the radially outer position when the keeper means is coerced
a predetermined distance in a direction opposite the socket
assembly. During engagement, the keeper means is responsive to
movement of the fingers, so that when the radially extended tip
portions pass over the shoulder, the keeper means is automatically
actuated to coerce the tip portions into the radially inner
position and to be retained by the shoulder.
Biasing means are provided which couple the fingers and the second
shell, and which bias the tip portions engageably toward the
shoulder in a direction opposite the socket assembly while biasing
the second shell axially toward the first shell. This biases the
two assembly faces against opposing sides of the resilient member
at the connector interface, producing a consistent interface
pressure for maintaining the fluidtight seal, regardless of any
changes in the characteristics of the resilient member which may
occur (for example, through prolonged curing or aging).
An electrically conductive, flexible clip member can be provided
which interconnects both sides of the resilient member in the
vicinity of the resilient member's edges. When the two connector
sections are locked together, the biasing means further
compressibly biases the clip member against the two shells for
effecting a conductive path therebetween.
To effect disengagement of the connector sections, the keeper means
is moved axially a predetermined distance in a direction opposing
the socket assembly, permitting the fingertip portions to be
radially released and to assume the radially outer position,
disengaged from and passable over the annular shoulder of the first
shell. Further axial movement in the same direction causes the
keeper means to bear against a collet shoulder coupled to the
fingers, coercing the fingers to move relative to the second shell
and the fingertip portions to pass over the first shell annular
shoulder. Still further axial movement of the keeper means produces
cooperation between the fingers and the second shell, causing the
second shell to move opposite the first shell with consequent
disengagement of the pin assembly from the socket assembly.
In electrical connectors of the type discussed herein, the terminal
pins are generally quite long in relation to their diameter, and
are consequently subject to inadvertent bending, particularly if
one or more pins are slightly misaligned with respect to their
complementary sockets. When the two sections of typical prior art
connectors are locked together, a bent pin which is not engaged in
the complementary socket is difficult or impossible to detect
before electrical use, a problem which produces operational
conditions ranging from inconvenient to catastrophic.
The preferred connector of the present invention provides means for
detecting the presence of one or more bent pins when the connector
sections are in a locked configuration. As stated earlier, the
second shell and the pin assembly are biased toward the connector
interface by the biasing means which is coupled to the fingers, so
that the second shell and the pin assembly axially "float" with
respect to the fingers. If an extraneous object is present in the
interface, such as a bent pin, the second shell will be restrained
from being fully positioned toward the first shell. Indicator means
are provided on the second shell for determining whether the pin
assembly face is displaced from a satisfactory interfacial
position. For example, a mark can be placed on the second shell at
a location where the mark is hidden by the collet (which is coupled
to the locked fingers) when the pin assembly face is in the
appropriate interfacial position, but where the mark is visible
when the second shell in inappropriately extended away from the
first shell. Since the pin assembly is restrainably housed by the
second shell, this latter condition corresponds to the pin assembly
face being displaced from a satisfactory interfacial position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
present invention, together with further advantages thereof, will
be better understood from the following description considered in
connection with the accompanying drawing in which a preferred
embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is
to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and is not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an electrical
connector embodying one form of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view (similar to FIG. 1 but on a
reduced scale) of the connector in a separated or unmated
condition, the top half of the left position is in one operating
condition and the bottom half is in another operating
condition.
FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the connector in a separated or
unmated condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to the drawing in greater detail, a multiconductor
electrical connector 10 is shown, and includes a first connector
section 12 and a complementary second connector section 14. The
first connector section 12 includes a first shell member 16 of
general cylindrical configuration, while the second connector
section 14 includes a second shell member 18 of general cylindrical
configuration.
In this preferred embodiment, the cylindrical configuration of the
shell members 16,18 is substantially right-circular, and the shell
members 16,18 have a common longitudinal axis when the sections
12,14 are connected or aligned for connection. As used herein, the
term "axial" is meant to refer to this common longitudinal axis,
and such terms as "axial movement" and "axial direction" are
intended to indicate that such movement and direction is parallel
to the common longitudinal axis. For example, the axial directions
are indicated by the double-ended arrow 20.
The first and second sections 12,14 include electrical terminal
assemblies 22,24 housed within the first and second shell members
16,18, respectively. Corresponding pairs of terminals between the
two assemblies 22,24 are adapted to interfit when the connector
sections 12,14 are connected.
For example, in the preferred embodiment, the second terminal
assembly 24 includes a plurality of electrical elements 26,
restrained from axial movement within an electrically insulating
core 28 which can be comprised of two portions 30,32 for
convenience of assembling the electrical elements 26 therein. One
end of each electrical element 26 includes an electrically
conductive pin 34 which axially projects through a face 36 of the
second electrical terminal (or pin) assembly 24. An opposing end of
each electrical element 26 is adapted to securedly receive a
portion of an electrically conductive wire 38 from which
surrounding insulation 40 has been removed.
The core 28 is restrained within the second shell member 18 by
means of an end ring 42 which is secured to the second shell member
18, for example by external ring threads 44 complementing internal
shell threads 46. The end ring 42 abuts against a "rear" surface of
the core 28, forcing a core opposing shoulder 50 against an annular
restraining shoulder 52 internally disposed on the second shell
member 18.
The core 28 is further prevented from rotational movement, for
example by means of a fin 54 extending from the second shell member
18 into a slot 56 in the core 28.
The construction of the first electrical terminal assembly 22 is
similar in many respects to the construction of the second
electrical terminal assembly 24, and primed reference numerals are
utilized to indicate parts which are substantially similar to those
parts indicated by unprimed reference numerals. The essential
difference between the two assemblies, however, is that each of the
electrical elements 26' includes a socket 58 adapted to
conductively receive a complementary pin 34 upon projected
insertion of the complementary pin 34 through a corresponding axial
bore 60 in the core 28' interconnecting the socket 58 and a face
36' of the first electrical terminal (or socket) assembly 22.
In this preferred embodiment, the first shell member includes a
face portion 64 which is bored to receive core portions containing
the bores 60 which communicate the sockets 58 to the socket
assembly face 22. Other embodiments wherein the first shell member
face portion 64 is not present (i.e. wherein the socket assembly
core 28' extends throughout its cross section to the socket
assembly face 36', similar to the pin assembly face 36) are of
course possible, and are within the scope of the present
invention.
It should be noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the socket
assembly core 28' is axially restrained within the second shell
member 18 by means of the end ring 42' coercing the core 28'
against "rear" surfaces of the first shell face portion 64.
When the socket and pin assemblies 22,24 are axially interengaged,
their respective faces 36',36 are positioned obverse one another. A
fluidtight seal is produced at the interface by the provision of an
electrically nonconductive, resilient member such as a silicone
rubber gasket 68 between the two faces 36',36. The gasket 68
includes apertures through which the pins 34 extend, and each of
these apertures is surrounded by a tapered boss 70 which mates with
a countersink 72 at the face end of each of the bores 60. The taper
of the bosses 70 and the angle of the countersinks 72 complement
one another, by the countersinks 72 are shallow in proportion to
the uncompressed "height" or the bosses 70. For clarity of
description, the gasket 68 is shown in an uncompressed condition,
with the bosses 70 mating with the countersinks 72. As will be
discussed later, however, means are provided for compressing the
gasket 68 between the two faces 36,36', so that the bosses 70 are
in fluidtight contact with the pins 34 and the countersinks 72, and
the gasket 68 is in fluidtight contact with the portions of the
pins 34 within the interface and with the pin assembly face 36.
The cables which contain the two pluralities of wires 38,38'
ordinarily are surrounded by a conductive braid or skin for
providing a high-frequency shield thereto. This shield should be
continuous across the connector 10. Accordingly, means can be
provided for clamping the respective shielding material surrounding
the cables to the ends of the corresponding shell members 16,18,
such as by appropriate end fittings (not shown) conductively
connected between the corresponding cable skin and shell
member.
When the first connector section or "receptacle" 12 and the second
connector section of "plug" 14 are connected to one another,
conductive communication between the shell members 16,18 is
provided through the interface by means of a flexible coupling
member 74 which effects an interfacial conductive path between the
two shell members 16,18.
As stated earlier, the physical characteristics of the gasket 68
tend to change with time. The pin assembly face 36 is biased toward
the socket assembly face 36' is such manner as to provide a
consistent interface pressure in the gasket 68 (as explained later)
and it is preferred that the pin assembly face 36 be permitted
sufficient axial movement to compensate for physical changes of the
gasket 68. Since the core 28 is axially restrained by the second
shell 18, so that the pin assembly face 36 axially follows the
movements of the second shell 18, this preference requires that the
second shell 18 also be permitted sufficient axial movement while
at the same time being in conductive communication with the first
shell member 16. Accordingly, the coupling member 74 can be a
flexible, metallic, generally U-shaped ring enclosing the edges of
the gasket 68, and having a first leg adapted for sliding contact
with an end face 78 of the first shell member 16 and a second leg
80 which contacts the second shell 18, when the second shell 18 is
axially biased towards the first shell 16. The structure and
operation of this type of coupling member 74 is discussed in
greater detail in a patent of Ser. No. 606,077 entitled Connector,
filed Dec. 30, 1967, filed in the name of John J. Phillips and
assigned of record to G & H Technology, Inc.
If desired, the interface end of the second shell 18 can be
modified as shown in the drawing, wherein a highly conductive ring
82 (consisting for example of silver) is electron beam welded to
the second shell 18 for providing corrosion-free contact
therebetween.
In order that the receptacle and plug sections 12,14 be brought
together such that the same pins 34 always engage the same sockets
58, the plug section 14 can be provided with a key which engages a
keyway in the receptacle section 12.
The receptacle section 12 is provided with a mounting flange 88,
for connecting the receptacle section to a mounting structure if
desired.
The plug section 14 includes a plurality of axially disposed
fingers 90 surrounding the second shell member 18. The bases of the
fingers are interconnected to form a flange 92 which extends to a
collar 94 surrounding the second shell member 18. A collet 96 is
secured to the rear portion of the collar 94, such as by
complementing threads within the collar 94 and on the collet 96,
respectively. The fingers 90, flange 92, collar 94 and collet 96
are axially slidable as a single unit with respect to the second
shell member 18.
The second shell member 18 is provided with an outwardly extending
flange 102 located within the space between the collar 94 and the
main body of the second shell member 18. Biasing means, such as a
first helical spring 104 about the circumference of the second
shell member 18, bears against obverse surfaces of the shell flange
102 and the collet 96.
The fingers 90 can be made nonrotational with respect to the second
shell member 18, for example by the provision of a fin extending
from the second shell member 18 and engaging a channel in the
common base of the fingers 90 or extending between adjacent
fingers.
Each of the fingers 90 include a tip portion 110 which is
cantilevered from the second shell member 18. The tip portions 110
are adapted for engaging the first shell member 16, and for being
latched thereto.
In the preferred embodiment, for example, the first shell member 16
includes an annular shoulder 112, while each of the fingertip
portions 110 includes a complementing shoulder 114. Normally, the
fingertip portions 110 are deflected in a radially outer position
such that the tip portions 110 are axially passable over the
annular shoulder 112. When the tip portions 110 are passed over the
annular shoulder 112, however, and the tip portions are radially
coerced inwardly to assume a radially inner position as shown in
the drawing, the tip portion complementing shoulder 114 is
restrained by the second shell member annular shoulder 112 from
relative axial movement which would otherwise tend to separate the
plug section 16 from the receptacle section 14.
The fingertip portions 110 are coerced into the radially inner
position by a keeper sleeve 116 which surrounds the fingers 90 and
which is adapted for axial movement with respect thereto. The
keeper sleeve 116 includes a flange 118 extending into a collar 120
which is axially slideable upon the finger collar 94. Biasing
means, such as a second helical spring 122 situated within the
keeper collar 120 and bearing against obverse surfaces of the
keeper flange 118 and the finger flange 92, is provided for
maintaining the keeper sleeve 116 in an extended position as shown
in the drawing when the receptacle section 14 and the plug 16 are
connected.
For assisting alignment of the receptacle and plug sections 14,16
during connection, a pilot sleeve 124 can be provided on the plug
section 16 (for example) for insertion into an axially directed
groove 126 in the receptacle section 14. The pilot sleeve 124 can
extend from the finger flange 92, and can include axial slots
therein to permit radial movement of the fingertip portions
110.
When it is desired to separate the plug section 14 from the
receptacle section 12, the keeper collar 120 is axially moved in a
direction opposite the receptacle section 12 (i.e. to the left as
shown in the drawing), against the biasing force provided by the
second spring 122. When the "front" face 128 of the keeper sleeve
116 is moved rearward of a tapered release shoulder 130 on each of
the fingertip portions 110, the fingertip portions 110 assume their
radially outer position so that their complementing shoulders 114
are no longer restrained by the first shell annular shoulder 112
and are passable thereover. Further movement of the keeper collar
120 causes its "rear" face 132 to contact a stop 134 on the finger
collar 94, causing the fingers 90 to axially move with still
further movement of the keeper collar 120. This causes the
fingertip portions 110 to pass over the first shell annular
shoulder 112, and the pins 34 are separated from the sockets 58
after the finger flange 92 meets with and drives the shell flange
102 opposite the receptacle section 12.
If desired, a hook member 136 can be attached to the keeper collar
120, and a lanyard (not shown) can be secured thereto for either
proximate or remote actuation of the keeper collar 120.
Furthermore, a remote control actuator package (not shown) can be
coupled to the hook member 136, for automatically separating the
plug section 14 from the receptacle section 12.
When it is desired to connect the plug section 14 to the receptacle
section 12, the fingertip portions 110 are replaced in their
radially outer position by axially moving the keeper collar 120
rearwardly. This causes the keeper sleeve 116 to slide along the
pilot sleeve 124 until the keeper sleeve front face 128 passes over
the fingertip release shoulder 130. Rearward movement of the keeper
collar 120 is thereupon stopped, and the keeper sleeve front face
128 is restrained from "forward" movement by the release shoulder
130. This biases the second spring 122, so that the keeper sleeve
116 is in a cocked condition.
The plug and receptacle sections 14,12 are thereupon aligned with
respect to one another, and the pins 34 are inserted in their
complementary sockets 58 through assistance of the pilot sleeve and
groove combination 124,126 and the mating key and keyway
combination 84,86. The finger collar 94 is thereupon axially moved
toward the receptacle section 12, until the complementing shoulders
114 of the fingertip portions 110 pass over the first shell annular
shoulder 112. During this axial movement of the fingers 90 over the
second shell member 18, an internal rib 138 rides on the external
surface of the second shell member, causing the fingertip portions
110 to maintain its radially outer position regardless of the
biasing force exerted by the keeper sleeve front face 128 upon the
release shoulder 130. After the tip portion complementing shoulder
114 has passed over the first shell annular shoulder 112, however,
the rib 138 is released from the second shell member surface. This
causes the biasing force of the second spring 122 to axially move
the keeper sleeve 116 toward the receptacle section 12, until the
keeper sleeve front face 128 contacts a stop 140 on the receptacle
section 12. The fingertip portions 110 are therefore coerced into
assuming their radially inner position, their complementing
shoulders 114 being retained from axially separating movement by
the first shell annular shoulder 112.
The axial movement of the finger collar 92 with respect to the
second shell member 18 causes the first spring 104 to be
compressed. This biases the second shell member 18 toward the first
shell member 16, and consequently the pin assembly core 28 is
biased toward the socket assembly core 28', compressing the gasket
68 between the assembly faces 36,36'. Any changes in the resiliency
or thickness of the gasket material is therefore compensated by the
presence of the biasing force provided by the first spring 104, so
that the interface pressure remains consistent with time.
After connection of the receptacle and plug sections 12,14, the
presence of a bent pin 34 in the interface is automatically
indicated. Since the second shell member 18 and the pin assembly 24
axially float with respect to the finger collet 96, an indicator or
pin detector mark 142 can be placed on the exterior surface of the
second shell member 18 at a location where the mark 142 is hidden
by the finger collet 96 when the pin assembly face 36 is in an
appropriate interfacial position. When the pin assembly face 36 is
extended away from an appropriate interfacial position, such as
when a bent pin 34 or other extraneous object is present in the
interface, the second shell member 18 assumes an abnormal axial
position with respect to the collet 96, causing the pin detector
mark 142 to be visible.
Thus there has been shown a preferred embodiment of an electrical
connector having releasable locking means which operates to lock
the two connector sections together when axially moved a
predetermined distance in the direction of a pin-socket engagement,
and which unlocks the two sections and causes them to separate when
axially moved a predetermined distance in the direction of
pin-socket disengagement. The present invention provides means for
producing a consistent interface pressure between the two connector
sections, regardless of changes in physical characteristics of the
material forming the interfacial sealing gasket. Furthermore, the
invention provides means for detecting the presence of one or more
bent pins in the interface when the connector sections are in a
locked configuration.
Other embodiments of the present invention and modifications of the
embodiment herein presented may be developed without department
from the essential characteristics thereof. For example, the
locking and unlocking means herein disclosed should not be limited
for use solely with electrical-type connectors, but combination
with other types of connectors whereby it is desired to rapidly
connect and disconnect two opposing members (such as hose, tubing,
rod or cable) are considered to be encompassed by the present
invention.
Accordingly, the invention should be limited only by the scope of
the claims listed below.
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