Locking Device For Connectors
AssigneeCooper Technologies Company
InventorsMichael John Saber, Joseph Edward Parrish
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector for high amperage, AC or DC connection includes a plug and a receptacle configured to securely mate and lock with each other. Connector receptacles include a locking mechanism having a sleeve unit having a plurality of openings configured to receive a plurality of alignment members, a control unit in communication with the alignment members, and at least one extension member coupling the sleeve unit to the control unit. The control unit is configured to bias the alignment members to engage a groove in a plug in a locked position. Upon rotation of the control unit, the control unit engages the sleeve unit and allows the alignment members to freely move, thus allowing a user to connect or disconnect the plug from the receptacle.
Claims21
A receptacle comprising:
- a receptacle housing;
- and
- a locking mechanism coupled to a plug receiving end of the receptacle housing, the locking mechanism comprising:
- a sleeve unit having a plurality of openings;
- a plurality of alignment members,
- wherein each alignment member is positioned within the plurality of openings, and wherein the plurality of alignment members are movable between a first position and a second position;
- a control unit rotatably coupled to the sleeve unit and comprising a plurality of first notches and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the control unit is rotatably movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the plurality of first notches align with each alignment member and allows movement of the alignment members towards the first position when the control unit is in the unlocked position, and wherein the plurality of protrusions align with each alignment member and biases the alignment members towards the second position when the control unit is in the locked position;
- and
- at least one extension member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the control unit, wherein the second end is coupled to the sleeve unit, and wherein the at least one extension member is extended when the control unit is in the unlocked position.
A locking mechanism comprising:
- a sleeve unit having a plurality of openings;
- a plurality of alignment members,
- wherein each alignment member is positioned within the plurality of openings, and wherein the plurality of alignment members are movable between a first position and a second position;
- a control unit rotatably coupled to the sleeve unit and comprising a plurality of first notches and a plurality of protrusions, wherein the control unit is rotatably movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the plurality of first notches align with each alignment member and allows movement of the alignment members towards the first position when the control unit is in the unlocked position, and wherein the plurality of protrusions align with each alignment member and biases the alignment members towards the second position when the control unit is in the locked position;
- and
- at least one extension member comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is coupled to the control unit, wherein the second end is couple to the sleeve unit, and wherein the at least one extension member is extended when the control unit is in the unlocked position.
(canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.