Electrical connector with enclosed internal switch

A mating connector and plug, the plug having protruding blades and the connector having female conductive members for receiving the blades of the plug for completing an electrical connection, said connector having an internal switch, the connector comprising

• a generally tubular body having an internal passage therethrough, said passage having a front end and a rear end;
• a first body of electrical insulating material having a generally cylindrical exterior dimensioned to be rotatable received in said passage adjacent said front end of said passage, said body including
• means defining said electrically conductive female contact members exposed at one end of
• said first body in positions for receiving and making electrical contact with said blades of said plug, and
• means defining a first plurality of switch contact members extending axially from a surface at the other end of said first body, said switch contact members being electrically connected to said female contact members;
• a second body of electrical insulating material having a generally cylindrical exterior dimensioned to be received in said passage, said second body having a front end facing toward said first body and including
• means defining a second plurality of switch contact members extending axially toward said first body, said second plurality of contact members axially overlapping said first plurality of contact members, and
• terminal means at the rear end of said second body for connection to wires, said terminal means being electrically connected to said second plurality of switch contact members;
• means for preventing rotation of said second body relative to said passage;
• stop means at the front end of said passage for limiting the extent of the rotation of said first body and retaining said body in a position in which said first plurality of switch contacts are separated from each other, said stop means including
• first and second fixed lugs on said tubular body protruding radially inwardly at the front end of said passage,
• means on said body defining a non-circular boss,
• an axially movable locking ring having a non-circular opening shaped and dimensioned to receive said boss so that said locking ring and said first body rotate together, and means defining recesses in said locking ring for respectively receiving said lugs, each of said recesses subtending an angle no less than its associated lug;
• and
• spring means urging said locking ring recesses into engagement with said lugs;
• said plug comprising
• a generally cylindrical body with said blades protruding from one end thereof and means at the other end for receiving a cable;
• means at said one end defining a pair of L-shaped recesses for receiving said lugs when said plug is joined to said connector, said lugs and said L-shaped recesses forming a bayonet coupling permitting axial insertion of said blades followed by limited rotation;
• said one end of said body having a rim with a diameter substantially equal to that of said locking ring so that the axial motion of joining said plug and connector moves said locking ring away from said lugs against the force of said spring means, allowing said first body to be rotated by said blades to a second position in which said pluralities of contacts are in contact in pairs, thereby electrically interconnecting said blades with said terminal means.