# US 2013/0157496 A1 · Power Line Connector Apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0157496 A1 - Document ID: US20130157496A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/329,759 - Filed: 2011-12-19 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-19 - Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation - Inventors: Bobby A. Stark; Charles A. Tustison - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130157496A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/6277: {comprising annular latching means, e.g. ring snapping in an annular groove} - H01R 24/22: with additional earth or shield contacts - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A power line connector apparatus and a method of coupling a first power line connector to a second power line connector are provided. Embodiments include a first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing; a second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; and a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the recessed space of the groove, the retaining ring compressing against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first power line connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector, the retaining ring uncompressing within the recessed space of the rib as the first power line connector is fully inserted into the electrical contact housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power line connector apparatus, the power line connector apparatus comprising: a first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing; a second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing, the electrical contact housing including an electrical interface to establish an electrical connection with the first power line connector, the electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; and a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the recessed space of the groove, the retaining ring compressing against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first power line connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector, the retaining ring uncompressing within the recessed space of the rib as the first power line connector is fully inserted into the electrical contact housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power line connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the contour of the rib comprises a forward edge and a back edge, the forward edge extending within the electrical contact housing at an angle, the back edge forming an abutment between the forward edge and the remainder of the inner walls of the electrical contact housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The power line connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the angle that the forward edge extends within the electrical contact housing is in the opposite direction of removal of the first power line connector from the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The power line connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein contact between the back edge of the rib and the resilient retaining ring prevents the first power line connector from being inserted within the electrical contact housing beyond a fully inserted position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The power line connector apparatus of claim 2 wherein the direction that the back edge extends within the electrical contact housing is substantially parallel to the radius of the electrical contact housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The power line connector apparatus of claim 1 wherein the retaining ring compresses as the first power line connector is moved from a fully inserted position within the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector. ### Claim 7 A method of coupling a first power line connector to a second power line connector, the method comprising: inserting a first power line connector into a second power line connector, the first power line connector comprising an outer casing that includes a groove that forms a recessed space annularly around the outer casing, the groove opening radially outward from the outer casing, the second power line connector comprising an electrical contact housing, the electrical contact housing including an electrical interface to establish an electrical connection with the first power line connector, the electrical contact housing including a rib that forms a recessed space annularly along the inner walls of the electrical contact housing; compressing a resilient retaining ring located at least partially within the groove, wherein the retaining ring is compressed against the inner walls of the electrical contact housing as the first power line connector is inserted into the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector; and uncompressing the retaining ring within the recessed space of the rib as the first power line connector is fully inserted into the electrical contact housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 further comprising compressing the retaining ring as the first power line connector is moved from a fully inserted position within the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7 wherein the contour of the rib comprises a forward edge and a back edge, the forward edge extending within the electrical contact housing at an angle, the back edge forming an abutment between the forward edge and the remainder of the inner walls of the electrical contact housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the angle that the forward edge extends within the electrical contact housing is in the opposite direction of removal of the first power line connector from the electrical contact housing of the second power line connector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein contact between the back edge of the rib and the resilient retaining ring prevents the first power line connector from being inserted within the electrical contact housing beyond a fully inserted position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein the direction that the back edge extends within the electrical contact housing is substantially parallel to the radius of the electrical contact housing.