Self-locking connector
AssigneeCo-Operative Industries, Inc.
InventorFranklin T. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The connector, in one embodiment thereof, rotatively receives a threaded coupling nut, and slidably receives an annular retainer. A spherical-keying arrangement prevents rotary movement between the retainer and body, and the retainer houses a pair of spring-loaded balls for forceably locking the coupling nut against rotation about the body. The coupling nut has an undulated radial surface which receives the balls to effect the rotation locking. The arrangement is so designed as to effect the locking with a substantially unvariably, resilient force, upon the coupling nut being rotatively threaded with and unthreaded from a mating coupling element.
Claims9
A self-locking connector, comprising:
- a coupling member;
- said member having an axis, and being threaded along an axially-extending surface thereof for threaded engagement with a mating coupling element;
- a body member;
- said coupling and body members being engaged for relative rotation therebetween;
- said coupling and body members having first means cooperative for preventing axial movement, between said coupling and body members, in a first direction relative to said axis;
- and
- second means engaged with both said coupling and body members for preventing axial movement between said coupling and body members in a second direction relative to said axis;
- and wherein
- said second means further includes means operative for resiliently restraining said coupling and body members against relative rotation, with a substantially unvariable, resilient force, upon said coupling member being rotatively threaded with and unthreaded from a mating coupling element.
A self-locking connector, comprising:
- a coupling member;
- said member having an axis, and being threaded along an axially-extending surface thereof for threaded engagement with a mating coupling element;
- a body member;
- said coupling and body members being engaged for relative rotation therebetween;
- said coupling and body members having first means cooperative for preventing axial movement, between said coupling and body members, in a first direction relative to said axis, and
- second means engaged with both said coupling and body members for preventing axial movement between said coupling and body members in a second direction relative to said axis;
- and wherein
- one of said first and second means further includes means for resiliently restraining said coupling and body members against relative rotation, with a substantially unvariable, resilient force, upon said coupling member being rotatively threaded with and unthreaded from a mating coupling element;
- said second means comprises an annular element;
- and
- said restraining means comprises detent means interposed between said annular element and said coupling member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.