Connector receptacle with improved mating retention and release
AssigneeCadwell Laboratories, Inc.
InventorsRichard A. Villarreal, David Lee Jepsen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector receptacle for connecting with a corresponding connector plug coupled with electrodes being used for performing EMG procedure on a patient is provided. The receptacle includes a first ball bearing pressing against a first end of a housing of the plug and, preferably, a second ball bearing pressing against a first end of the housing of the plug when the plug is connected to the receptacle for exerting a retention force against the plug. The first and the second ball bearings are pressed against the first and the second ends respectively by using a spring force generated, for example, by a retention band.
Claims20
A receptacle configured to receive a plug, wherein the receptacle comprises:
- a housing defined by an exterior surface and an interior surface and at least one cavity positioned between the exterior surface and the interior surface, wherein the interior surface encloses an interior space;
- a plug receiver configured to receive the plug and positioned within the interior space of the housing;
- a first protrusion member positioned at least partially in the at least one cavity and configured to move when the plug is inserted into or removed from the plug receiver;
- and
- a second member positioned around the interior space, wherein the second member is configured to physically force the first protrusion member out of the at least one cavity and wherein the second member and first protrusion member are configured to automatically move at least partially out of the at least one cavity upon the plug being pulled out of the plug receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.