Connector assembly having control lever actuation
AssigneeTetrad Corporation
InventorsJoseph V. Ranalletta, Michael de Angeli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector mechanism for locking together first and second mating connector elements comprises a locking lever geared to rotate a locking rod returned by one of the connector elements. The tip of the locking rod extends into a mating recess in the other of the connector elements. When the rod is rotated, a helical member extending therearound slides along a cooperating arcuate member formed in the recess, locking the two elements together. The actuating rod is rotated by a control lever, enabling one-hand operation of the connector, and providing a readily ascertainable visual indication of the status of the connection. A locking member may be provided for preventing rotation of the lever except when the elements have been correctly assembled to one another.
Claims27
In a mechanism for locking together first and second mating multi-pin connector elements, wherein a first of said elements comprises a member defining a generally tubular recess for receiving a distal tip of a control rod retained in a bore formed in the second of said elements and rotatable therein, and wherein said member and said rod cooperate such that said tip of said rod may be inserted into said recess and rotated through a predetermined angle in order to secure said tip of said rod within said recess, locking said first and second elements to one another, the improvement comprising:
- a control lever mounted to said second element for pivoting about a pivot axis not coincident with the axis of rotation of said rod in said bore, and means operably connected to said control lever and said rod, such that upon pivoting of said lever said rod is rotated through a predetermined angle, whereby said rod may be secured within said recess, locking said first and second elements to one another.
A connector assembly for simultaneous connection of a plurality of electrical conductors, said assembly comprising first and second mating connector elements, said elements mating such that a plurality of first electrical contacts comprised by said first element meet a like plurality of second electrical contacts comprised by said second element substantially in a mating plane, and further comprising:
- a recess defined by the first of said mating elements;
- a bore formed in the second of said mating elements;
- a rotatable control rod retained in said bore formed in the second of said mating elements;
- mutually cooperating locking members comprised by said first of said mating elements and said rod, such that a distal end of said rod protruding from said second element may be inserted into said recess and rotated through a predetermined angle to lock said rod within said recess, and to secure said mating elements to one another;
- a control lever mounted to the second of said elements by pivot means defining a pivot axis about which said control lever pivots, said pivot axis differing from the axis about which said rod rotates in said bore;
- and
- means operated by pivoting of said lever for rotating said rod, and thus controlling locking of said rod within said recess, and securing of said first and second elements to one another.
In a mechanism for securing together first and second mating multi-pin connector elements, wherein a first of said elements comprises a member defining a generally tubular recess for receiving a distal tip of a control rod retained in a bore formed in the second of said elements and rotatable therein, and wherein said member and said rod cooperate such that said tip of said rod may be inserted into said recess and rotated through a predetermined angle in order to secure said tip of said rod within said recess, securing said first and second elements to one another, and further comprising a control lever mounted to said second element for pivoting about a pivot axis and operably connected to said rod, such that upon pivoting of said lever said rod is rotated through a predetermined angle, whereby said rod may be secured within said recess, locking said first and second elements to one another, the improvement comprising:
- means for preventing rotation of said rod and pivoting of said control lever except when said tip of said rod has been inserted into said recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.