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US 2014/0179148 A1Published application
Locking connectors and related methods
AssigneeBal Seal Engineering, Inc.
InventorMichelle Huang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A coil spring locking connector offering multiple groove geometries to allow multiple connection positions along the direction of insertion is disclosed. A connector with an external spring access opening is also disclosed formed through the housing wall surface. The opening allows access to the coil spring to allow removal of the spring from the connector prior to removal of the connector from a locked position to prevent potential damage to connector components.
Claims16
A spring locking connector comprising:
- a first body comprising a first body groove having a coil spring located therein;
- a second body comprising a second body first groove and a second body second groove, each groove of the second body having a tapered sidewall so that the two tapered sidewalls of the two second body grooves are located adjacent one another;
- a connector first connected position when a portion of the coil spring protruding from the first body groove is located in the second body first groove and loaded by both the first body groove and the second body first groove, which together define a first common groove;
- a connector second connected position in which the coil spring is captured by the first body groove and the second body second groove, which together define a second common groove;
- the coil spring being loaded by both the first body groove and the second body second groove when in the second common groove;
- wherein the first body is movable in a first direction relative to the second body to move to the connector first connected position and wherein the first body is locked from moving in a second direction relative to the second body, which is opposite the first direction, to disconnect from the second body.
3 more elements
A method of using a coil spring locking connector comprising:
- providing a first body comprising a wall structure having a bore with a first body groove;
- providing a second body comprising a wall structure comprising a second body groove;
- providing a coil spring located in a common groove defined by the first body groove and the second body groove;
- said coil spring comprising a plurality of coils and having a spring configuration when in the common groove;
- providing an opening through the wall structure of at least one of the first body or the second body and in communication with at least one of the first body groove or the second body groove, said opening allowing access to the coil spring located in the common groove;
- and
- projecting into the opening and modifying at least a coil of the coil spring to change the spring configuration of the coil spring to allow disconnection of the first body from the second body.
4 more elements
A coil spring locking connector comprising:
- a first body comprising a wall structure comprising a bore having a first body groove;
- a second body located in the bore of the first body comprising a wall structure comprising a second body groove;
- a coil spring positioned in a common groove defined by the first body groove and the second body groove;
- an opening formed through the wall structure of at least one of the first body or the second body and in communication with the first body groove or the second body groove, said opening allowing access to the coil spring located in the common groove;
- wherein locking connection between the first body and second body is achieved when the spring is in the common groove.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.