Frictional locking receptacle with programmable release
AssigneeZonit Structured Solutions, LLC
InventorsSteve Chapel, William Pachoud
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for securing an electrical connection formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and receptacles of a female assembly are provided. In certain embodiments, the electrical connection can be secured by frictional engagement between the plug and receptacle housings. This can be accomplished by forcing a wedge into an interface between the housings or expanding a locking element, such as an elastomeric ring, into the interface. Such locking and releasing of the secure connection can be actuated using a locking nut.
Claims18
An apparatus for use in securing an electrical connection, said electrical connection being formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and sockets of a female assembly, wherein said electrical connection is broken by withdrawal of said prongs from said sockets, said apparatus comprising:
- a locking receptacle comprising:
- a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising an aperture sized to permit the passage of a prong into a socket, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveable between a release position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to allow separation of the male assembly from the female assembly, and a locked configuration in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to maintain the electrical connection, wherein the clamping mechanism is arranged to angularly deflect in reaction to a force on the prong that tends to withdraw the prong from the receptacle, thereby causing the aperture in the clamping mechanism to grip the prong thus preventing the withdrawal of the prong and maintaining the electrical connection in the locked configuration, and
- a lock release grip arranged to contact the clamping mechanism, wherein the lock release grip comprises a release grip handle extending from two opposing sides of the locking receptacle, and wherein when the clamping mechanism is in the locked configuration, application of axial tension between the release grip handle and the male assembly causes the clamping mechanism to release the prong such that the male assembly can be separated from the female assembly.
A method for use in securing an electrical connection, said electrical connection being formed by a mating structure including prongs of a male assembly and sockets of a female assembly, wherein said connection is broken by withdrawal of said prongs from said sockets, comprising the steps of:
- providing a locking receptacle comprising a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprising an aperture sized to permit the passage of a prong through said aperture and into a socket, wherein the clamping mechanism is moveable between a release position in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to allow separation of the male assembly from the female assembly, and a locked configuration in which the clamping mechanism is arranged to maintain the electrical connection, wherein the clamping mechanism is arranged to frictionally engage said prong in reaction to a force on the prong that tends to withdraw the prong from the receptacle, thereby causing the aperture in the clamping mechanism to grip the prong thus preventing the withdrawal of the prong and maintaining the electrical connection in the locked configuration, wherein a lock release grip is arranged to operate the clamping mechanism, wherein the lock release grip comprises a release grip handle having portions disposed on two opposing sidewalls of the locking receptacle;
- and
- releasing said clamping mechanism by sliding said release grip handle in relation to said sidewalls, thereby causing the clamping mechanism to release the prong.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.