# US 10,770,808 B2 · Connector with a locking mechanism > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,770,808 B2 - Document ID: US10770808B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/419,721 - Filed: 2019-05-22 - Published: 2019-09-05 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-09-21 - Assignees: PCT International, Inc. - Applicants: PCT International, Inc. - Inventors: Timothy L. Youtsey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10770808B2 ## CPC - H01R 9/0518: {Connection to outer conductor by crimping or by crimping ferrule} - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 9/05: for coaxial cables - H01R 13/6275: {Latching arms not integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence)} - H01R 13/6277: {comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove} - H01R 13/639: Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} - H01R 13/6395: {for wall or panel outlets} - H01R 13/641: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement - H01R 24/40: specially adapted for high frequency - H01R 2103/00: Two poles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A coaxial cable termination device includes a barrel having opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel. A collet is at the front end of the barrel, and a sleeve is mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion of the collet. A locking mechanism is formed integrally in the sleeve and includes an arm mounted at a living hinge for movement between an unlocked position and a locked position in which a tooth on the arm is disposed within the circumferential channel. A lever is opposite the tooth from the living hinge and releases the arm from the locked position thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A coaxial cable termination device comprising: a barrel including opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel therebetween; a collet at the front end of the barrel; a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion and urges compression of the collet; and a locking mechanism formed integrally in the sleeve, the locking mechanism including an arm mounted in the sleeve at a living hinge for movement between an unlocked position of the arm and a locked position of the arm in which a tooth on the arm is disposed within the circumferential channel, and a lever opposite the tooth from the living hinge to release the arm from the locked position thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The termination device of claim 1, wherein movement of the sleeve over the barrel from the retracted position to the advanced position causes the locking mechanism to lock the sleeve in the advanced position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism includes a visual indicator which is concealed when the sleeve is in the retracted position and which is exposed when the sleeve is in the advanced position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The termination device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is arrangeable between a locked condition, in which the sleeve is prevented from moving out of the advanced position, and an unlocked condition, in which the sleeve is allowed to reciprocate between the advanced and retracted positions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The termination device of claim 1, wherein in the unlocked position of the arm, the tooth is out of the circumferential channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The termination device of claim 1, wherein: the tooth is aligned normal to the arm; the lever carries a visual indicator; and the arm rocks about the pivot to move the tooth into and out of the circumferential channel, wherein when the tooth is within the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is exposed, and when the tooth is out of the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is concealed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The termination device of claim 1, wherein the arm is biased toward the locked position. ### Claim 8 A coaxial cable termination device comprising: a barrel including opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel therebetween; a collet at the front end of the barrel; a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion and urges compression of the collet; and a locking mechanism formed integrally in the sleeve, the locking mechanism including an arm mounted in the sleeve at a living hinge for movement between an unlocked position of the arm and a locked position of the arm in which a tooth on the arm is disposed within the circumferential channel, and a lever opposite the tooth from the living hinge to release the arm from the locked position thereof; wherein movement of the sleeve over the barrel from the retracted position to the advanced position causes the locking mechanism to lock the sleeve in the advanced position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The termination device of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism includes a visual indicator which is concealed when the sleeve is in the retracted position and which is exposed when the sleeve is in the advanced position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The termination device of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is arrangeable between a locked condition, in which the sleeve is prevented from moving out of the advanced position, and an unlocked condition, in which the sleeve is allowed to reciprocate between the advanced and retracted positions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The termination device of claim 8, wherein in the unlocked position of the arm, the tooth is out of the circumferential channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The termination device of claim 8, wherein: the tooth is aligned normal to the arm; the lever carries a visual indicator; and the arm rocks about the pivot to move the tooth into and out of the circumferential channel, wherein when the tooth is within the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is exposed, and when the tooth is out of the circumferential channel, the visual indicator is concealed. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The termination device of claim 8, wherein the arm is biased toward the locked position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 8, further comprising a bell at the rear end of the barrel, wherein in the unlocked condition of the locking mechanism, the lever is recessed within the bell at the rear end of the barrel, and in the locked condition of the locking mechanism, the lever is raised outside of the bell at the rear end of the barrel. ### Claim 15 A coaxial cable termination device comprising: a barrel including opposed front and rear ends and a circumferential channel therebetween; a collet at the front end of the barrel; a bell at the rear end of the barrel; a sleeve mounted over the barrel for reciprocal movement between a retracted position, in which the sleeve allows expansion and compression of the collet, and an advanced position, in which the sleeve prevents expansion and urges compression of the collet; and a locking mechanism formed integrally to the sleeve at a living hinge and including an arm, a tooth, and a lever opposite the tooth from the living hinge, wherein the locking mechanism moves between unlocked condition in which the sleeve is allowed to reciprocate between the advanced and retracted positions and a locked condition in which the sleeve is prevented from moving out of the advanced position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 15, wherein movement of the sleeve over the barrel from the retracted position to the advanced position causes the locking mechanism to lock the sleeve in the advanced position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism includes a visual indicator which is concealed when the sleeve is in the retracted position and which is exposed when the sleeve is in the advanced position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 15, wherein in the unlocked condition of the locking mechanism, the tooth is out of the circumferential channel. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism is biased toward the locked condition. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The coaxial cable termination device of claim 15, wherein: in the unlocked condition of the locking mechanism, the lever is recessed within the bell at the rear end of the barrel; and in the locked condition of the locking mechanism, the lever is raised outside of the bell at the rear end of the barrel.