Locking apparatus for electrical plug connector assemblies

A locking apparatus for securing together a male plug end and a female plug end of an electrical connector assembly comprising in operative combination:

• a) a face plate for attachment to a prong end of an insulator body of the male plug end;
• b) a sleeve for enclosing an insulator body of the female plug end, said sleeve including a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, said second sleeve end being rotatably connected to said female insulator body;
• c) means for limiting said rotational connection of said sleeve with respect to said female insulator body;
• and wherein said means for limiting said rotational connection includes:
• i) a notched key member provided to said sleeve second end;
• ii) a circumferential gap formed within said female insulator body;
• iii) said gap having at least one transverse stop member for limiting a range of rotational travel of said notched key member within said circumferential gap;
• and
• d) means for locking engagement of said first sleeve end to said face plate upon twist rotation of said sleeve when said male plug end is connected to said female plug end, and wherein said means for locking engagement comprises:
• i) a plurality of discontinuous threads provided along a perimeter edge of said face plate;
• and
• ii) a plurality of discontinuous grooves provided along an interior surface of said sleeve first end and sized for snug fit receiving engagement of said plurality of discontinuous threads.