Electrical connector member
AssigneeAllied Corporation
InventorsArthur J. Riches, Brian Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A push-on pull-off connector member 30 for coupling to a standard bayonet receptacle 10 has three equi-spaced circumferential slots 36 for receiving the bayonet pins 20 of the receptacle 10. Spring rings 40 in circular recesses 38 opening into the slots 36 from each side retain the pins 20. The recesses 38 are easily formed, for example, by milling. The coupled connector resists a weak uncoupling force but separates under a strong force, and can provide a snatch-disconnect facility. In alternative embodiments, each slot 36 has a single circular ring (FIG. 6), two spring rings are formed at each end of a single member (FIG. 4), the rings have inwardly-directed tangs for ease of fitting and removal (FIG. 5), or the spring rings are parts of question-mark shaped members (FIG. 7).
Claims12
An electrical connector member comprising a generally cylindrical shell member forming a housing for one or more electrical contacts and being provided with means for retaining the connector member on a mating connector member which carries generally radial bayonet pins, the said means including an axial passage for receiving each bayonet pin, and being such that the connector member can be coupled to and uncoupled from a mating connector member carrying bayonet pins by a sufficient axial force but is retained in the coupled condition against a weak force in the uncoupling direction, characterised in that the said means includes a plurality of resilient members each having a plurality of at least partially circular portions, each said circular portion being accommodated in a respective recess and each recess intersecting with the associated passage such that the said portions extend partially into the passage.
An electrical connector member comprising a generally cylindrical shell member forming a housing for one or more electrical contacts and being provided with means for retaining the connector member on a mating connector member which carries generally radial bayonet pins, the said means including an axial passage for receiving each bayonet pin, and being such that the connector member can be coupled to and uncoupled from a mating connector member carrying bayonet pins by a sufficient axial force but is retained in the coupled condition against a weak force in the uncoupling direction, characterised in that the said means includes one or more resilent members having one or more at least partially circular portions, each said circular portion being accommodated in a respective recess and each recess intersecting with the associated passage such that the said portions extend partially into the passage;
- wherein each circular portion is connected to another circular portion by means extending around the periphery of the connector member.
An electrical connector member comprising a generally cylindrical shell member forming a housing for one or more electrical contacts and being provided with means for retaining the connector member on a mating connector member which carries generally radial bayonet pins, the said means including an axial passage for receiving each bayonet pin, and being such that the connector member can be coupled to and uncoupled from a mating connector member carrying bayonet pins by a sufficient axial force but is retained in the coupled condition against a weak force in the uncoupling direction, characterised in that the said means includes one or more resilent members each having a one or more at least partially circular portions, each said circular portion being accommodated in a respective recess and each recess intersecting with the associated passage such that the said portions extend partially into the passage;
- wherein each circular portion is a loop portion of resilent member of question-mark shape having its stem portion seated in a peripheral groove of the connector member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.