Full mate indicator for detachable connectors

In a connector assembly of the type having first and second connector members adapted to be moved between a detached relationship and a fully mated relationship by a coupling nut rotatably mounted on the first connector member, each connector member including at least one terminal corresponding to a terminal on the other connector member, the corresponding terminals being coupled when the connector members are disposed in the fully mated relationship position, the improvement comprising:

• an indicator element movably supported by said coupling nut for movement between a reference position and a signal position;
• and
• a spring biasing said indicator element toward its reference position;
• said coupling nut comprising a cylindrical shell having forward and rearward faces and an internal wall, screw thread on the internal wall and a passage disposed in the internal wall, said passage extending axially from the rearward face of said coupling nut and being in alignment with a selected part of the second connector member;
• said second connector member having external screw thread adapted to be engaged by the said internal screw thread;
• said indicator element being slidably disposed in said passage and having an actuator portion engageable with the selected part of the second connector member when the connector members are in said fully mated relationship whereby as the coupling nut is rotated, the connector members are moved to the fully mated relationship and the indicator element is moved to the signal position when the terminals are coupled.