# US 2014/0154909 A1 · Cable connector system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0154909 A1 - Document ID: US20140154909A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/693,625 - Filed: 2012-12-04 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-12-04 - Assignees: Amphenol Corporation - Applicants: Amphenol Corporation - Inventors: Robert ARCYKIEWICZ; Dean Wayne NAGY - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140154909A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/514: composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them - H01R 13/20: Pins, blades, or sockets shaped, or provided with separate member, to retain co-operating parts together - H01R 13/44: Means for preventing access to live contacts {(making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036)} - H01R 13/639: Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, {e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap} - H01R 13/187: with spring member in the socket - H01R 13/4361: {Insertion of locking piece perpendicular to direction of contact insertion} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract A cable connector system that comprises a first contact assembly that includes a housing and a first contact received in the housing, where the first contact has a cable termination portion and an interface portion that includes a first contact surface and a cap that has a first locking surface. A second contact assembly mates with the first contact assembly and includes a housing and a second contact that has a second contact surface configured to engage the first contact surface and the second contact being rotatable with respect to the first contact. A locking member that includes a second locking surface is configured to engage the first locking surface, wherein when the second locking surface engages the first locking surface, the first contact assembly is prevented from moving axially with respect to the second contact assembly while the first contact remains rotatable with the second contact. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable connector system, comprising: a first contact assembly including a housing and a first contact received in said housing, said first contact having a cable termination portion configured to terminate a cable at an end thereof and an interface portion including a first contact surface and a cap at an end thereof, said cap having a first locking surface; a second contact assembly that mates with said first contact assembly, said second contact assembly including a housing and a second contact received in said housing, said second contact having a second contact surface configured to engage said first contact surface of said first contact assembly and said second contact being rotatable with respect to said first contact of said first contact assembly; and a locking member including a second locking surface configured to engage said first locking surface of said cap, wherein when said second locking surface engages said first locking surface, said first contact assembly is prevented from moving axially with respect to said second contact assembly while said first contact remains rotatable with respect to said second contact. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein said first contact is a pin and said second contact is a socket; and said first contact surface of said pin maintains contact with said second contact surface of said socket when said pin rotates with respect to said socket. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein said cap of said first contact assembly is threadably engaged to said end of said interface portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein said first contact surface is an outer surface of said first contact and said second contact surface is an inner surface of said second contact. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein a receiving area is defined between said interface portion of said first contact and said housing of said first contact assembly; and a portion of said housing of said second contact assembly is received in said receiving area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein said first locking surface of said cap is at least a portion of an outer surface of said cap; and said second locking surface is at least a portion of an outer surface of said locking member such that said first and second locking surfaces engage in an interference fit to prevent axial movement of the first contact assembly with respect to said second contact assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A cable connector system according to claim 1, wherein said first locking surface of said cap is an annular groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A cable connector system according to claim 6, wherein said outer surface of said locking member includes an undercut that releases said interference fit between said cap of said first contact assembly and said locking member when said locking member is rotated with respect to said cap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A cable connector system according to claim 8, wherein said locking member includes a lever and a stem extending from said lever, said stem including said second locking surface and said undercut. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A cable connector system according to claim 9, wherein a longitudinal length of said lever being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal length of said undercut. ### Claim 11 A cable connector system, comprising: a first contact assembly including a housing, a first conductive contact received in said housing, and a receiving area defined between said housing and said first conductive contact, said housing being insulative and said first conductive contact having a cable termination portion configured to terminate a cable at an end thereof and an interface portion including a first contact surface and a cap at an end thereof, said cap being insulative; a second contact assembly that mates with said first contact assembly, said second contact assembly including an outer housing and a second conductive contact received in said outer housing, said outer housing being insulative and said second conductive contact having a second contact surface configured to engage said first contact surface of said first contact assembly defining an electrical path therebetween; and an insulative plug configured to be received in said second contact assembly when said second contact assembly is not mated with said first contact assembly, wherein when said first and second contact assemblies are mated, said housing of said first contact assembly covers all exposed surfaces of said second conductive contact and said outer housing of said second contact assembly covers all exposed surfaces of said first conductive contact, and wherein when said first and second contact assemblies are unmated, said cap and said housing of said first contact assembly covers all exposed surfaces of said first conductive contact and said outer housing of said second contact assembly and said insulative plug cover all exposed surfaces of said second conductive contact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A cable connector system according to claim 11, wherein said cap is threadably coupled to said end of said interface portion of said first conductive contact. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A cable connector system according to claim 11, wherein said second contact assembly includes a housing block that supports said second conductive contact, said housing block is conductive, and said outer housing surrounds said conductive block. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A cable connector system according to claim 11, wherein said first contact is a pin and said second contact is a socket. ### Claim 15 A cable connector system, comprising: a plurality of first contact assemblies, each of said first contact assemblies including a first contact having a cable termination portion configured to terminate a cable at an end thereof and an interface portion including a first contact surface and a cap at an end thereof, said cap having a first locking surface; a plurality of second contact assemblies mateable with said first contact assemblies, each of said second contact assemblies including a second contact having a second contact surface configured to engage said first contact surfaces, respectively, each of said second contacts being rotatable with respect to each of said first contacts, and a housing block supporting said second contact assemblies; and a locking member including a second locking surface configured to engage said first locking surfaces of said first contact assemblies, wherein when said second locking surface engages each of said first locking surfaces, each of said first contact assemblies is prevented from moving axially with respect to each of said second contact assemblies while each of said first contacts remain rotatable with each of said second contacts. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A cable connector system according to claim 15, wherein said first locking surface of said cap of each of said first contacts is at least a portion of an outer surface of said cap; and said second locking surface is at least a portion of an outer surface of said locking member such that said second locking surface of said locking member engages each of said first locking surfaces in an interference fit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A cable connector system according to claim 16, wherein said outer surface of said locking member includes a plurality of spaced undercuts that release said interference fit when said locking member is rotated with respect to said housing block. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A cable connector system according to claim 17, wherein said locking member includes a lever and a stem extending from said lever, said stem including said second locking surface and said plurality of undercuts. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A cable connector system according to claim 18, wherein a longitudinal length of said lever being substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal length of each of said undercuts. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) A cable connector system according to claim 18, wherein said plurality of undercuts corresponds to the number of first contact assemblies. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) A cable connector system according to claim 15, wherein said housing block has a passageway configured to receive said locking member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A cable connector system according to claim 21, wherein said housing block is surrounded by an outer housing; and said housing block is conductive and said outer housing is insulative. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) A cable connector system according to claim 15, wherein said plurality of first contact assemblies are pin contact assemblies; and said plurality of second contact assemblies are socket contact assemblies.