US 4,726,782 AGranted

Anti-decoupling device for an electrical connector

AssigneeG & H Technology, Inc.

InventorsJeffrey J. Hager, Arthur Foy

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Abstract

The inner end surface of the outer end portion of an electrical connector coupling ring has a set of teeth extending circumferentially about the coupling ring. A metal ring has a bore sufficient to enable it being received onto the connector plug and an outer diameter sufficient to enable receipt within the coupling ring and allow the coupling ring to rotate thereabout. One or more keyways on the decoupling ring are interlocked with keys on the connector plug maintaining the antidecoupling ring and plug in fixed relationship to one another, irrespective of movement of the coupling ring. At least one elongated leaf spring has an end formed into a detent that rides along and between the coupling ring teeth. The other spring end is rotatably located on a pivot pin mounted to the circumferential periphery of the anti-decoupling ring.

Claims7

Dependent claims

Apparatus deterring relative rotation of a cylindrical coupling shell of an electrical connector with respect to a cylindrical connector part, said coupling shell being telescopingly and rotatably received about said connector part, comprising:

circumferentially extending set of teeth formed on a rear end portion of the coupling shell;
an annular base fixedly received on the connector part located spaced from and directly opposite the set of teeth, said annular base having a peripheral surface including first and second radially extending side walls forming an outwardly opening circumferential passage;
and
an elongated detent leaf spring having one free end portion and one end affixed to the outer circular peripheral surface of the annular base by a pivot pin secured to the base side walls, the spring lying generally along the annular base periphery with the free end of the spring riding on the set of teeth and exerting reaction spring pressure between the coupling shell and connector part retarding relative rotation thereof.
an annular base fixedly received on the connector part located spaced from and directly opposite the set of teeth, said annular base having a peripheral surface including first and second radially extending side walls forming an outwardly opening circumferential passage;
and
an elongated detent leaf spring having one free end portion and one end affixed to the outer circular peripheral surface of the annular base by a pivot pin secured to the base side walls, the spring lying generally along the annular base periphery with the free end portion of the spring riding on the set of teeth and exerting reaction spring pressure between the coupling shell and connector part retarding relative rotation thereof.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.