G-load coupling nut

Abstract

A backshell adapter assembly which includes an adapter body, a coupling nut, a retaining ring and a one-piece shuttle mechanism. The one-piece shuttle mechanism is formed as a tubular member and is adapted to be received in a retaining groove on the adapter body. In order to facilitate loading of the one-piece shuttle into the retainer groove on the adapter body, the one-piece shuttle is cut along its length to enable the cut ends of the device to be spread apart in order to load the shuttle mechanism into the retaining groove on the adapter body. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the shuttle is formed with one or more radially extending protrusions formed in the shape of wedges. These protrusions provide a surface to compress the shuttle to enable the shuttle to be loaded into a coupling nut. In the alternate embodiment, a retaining groove is provided in the coupling nut which captures the protrusions when the shuttle returns to its original diameter. Once the protrusions are captured axial movement of the shuttle with respect to the coupling nut is prevented, thus eliminating the need for a retaining ring. In another alternate embodiment the adapter body is formed with a pair of annular grooves with a transition surface therebetween forming a recessed groove and a raised platform. In this embodiment, the extending protrusions on the one piece shuttle are forced into the recessed groove as the coupling nut is initially installed. As the coupling nut is further tightened, the protrusions are forced onto the raised platform and are captured by an annular shoulder formed as a mating protrusion on the interior mouth of the coupling nut. In all embodiments, the one piece shuttle mechanism includes a thrust bushing and one or more concentrically formed spring arms that are adapted to provide axial loading in the direction of an electrical connector shell when the backshell adapter assembly is assembled to an electrical connector. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the one-piece shuttle design is amenable to being formed from high temperature composite materials which eliminates the corrosion problem and minimizes damage during various extreme conditions such as extreme vibration conditions to portions of the backshell adapter assembly which are normally formed from aluminum. Another important aspect of the invention is that the one-piece shuttle assembly minimizes the number of parts required and thus significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of such backshell adapter assemblies.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.