Quick-disconnect threaded connector
OwnerNeal Castleman, Eddy Castillo +1inventors
InventorsNeal Castleman, Eddy Castillo, Stephen Yamamoto
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention enables a true quick-release connection to a completely standard threaded electrical plug (or receptacle). The mating connector engages the standard threads with a group of radial pins, rather than with conventional, circumferential mating threads. Preferably each pin is generally cylindrical, but has one part (ordinarily a tip) shaped for best engagement with the threads; and another part shaped for engagement with a pin-retracting cam. Most commonly the threads and the thread-engaging part of each pin are complementarily tapered. The connectors are screwed together in a conventional way; but for quick release the cam radially retracts all the pins from the threads simultaneously.
Claims26
A quick-release connector receptacle for use with a screw-type connector plug that carries external threads;
- said receptacle comprising:
- a connector body for encircling such plug and such threads;
- multiple individual, discrete pins mounted substantially radially in the body for engagement with such threads of such a plug so that the receptacle and such plug can be screwed together;
- and
- means for withdrawing all the pins substantially simultaneously from such threads, to disengage the receptacle from such plug without unscrewing the receptacle from such plug.
For use with a screw-type first half-connector that carries threads, a quick-release second half-connector comprising:
- a connector body for generally concentric placement with such first half-connector and such threads;
- multiple individual, discrete pins mounted substantially radially in the body for engagement with such threads of such first half-connector so that the receptacle and such plug can be screwed together;
- and
- means for withdrawing all the pins substantially simultaneously from such threads, to disengage the second half-connector from such first half-connector without unscrewing the second half-connector from such first half-connector.
A method for connecting and then disconnecting two electrical half-connectors;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- fabricating or obtaining a first half-connector that is a screw-type half-connector;
- fabricating or obtaining a second half-connector that comprises:
- a body for generally concentric placement with such first half-connector and such threads, and
- multiple individual, discrete pins mounted substantially radially in the body for engagement with such threads of such first half-connector so that the receptacle and such plug can be screwed together,
- each of said pins being generally cylindrical but having one portion shaped for engaging such threads and another portion shaped to facilitate disengagement from such threads;
- screwing the first and second half-connectors together;
- and
- then using said other portion to disengage all the pins substantially simultaneously from such threads, to release the first and second half-connectors from each other without unscrewing them.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.