Adaptive coupling mechanism
AssigneeAmphenol Corporation
InventorsRobert R. Arcykiewicz, Walter J. Olender
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The internally threaded coupling ring or nut of a conventional rotational coupling system is replaced with a multi-tined locking ring that traverses the threads in an axial direction and locks onto the external threads of the mating half. The tines are positioned such that the forces are evenly distributed around the connector periphery and an anti-decoupling sleeve is extended over the tines and arranged such that, when the sleeve is in a first position, tangs extending inwardly from the tines are prevented from escaping the threads of the externally threaded mating half, and such that the sleeve may be pulled in an axial direction to permit the tines to more easily clear the threads and thereby facilitate decoupling.
Claims11
A coupling mechanism for enabling push-pull engagement of a first connector half with an externally threaded second connector half, comprising:
- a coupling sleeve arranged to be fitted onto the first connector half;
- a generally cylindrical locking ring including a plurality of axially extending resilient tines including tangs extending inwardly from the tines and arranged to engage threads of the second connector half when the first and second connector halves are coupled together,
- wherein said coupling sleeve is biased to a first position in which the sleeve extends over ends of said resilient tines,
- wherein the tines are configured so as to bend when pushed in the axial direction and ride over the threads of the second connector half when the first and second connector halves are being coupled together but are prevented by the coupling sleeve from flexing radially outwardly by an amount sufficient to permit unintended decoupling of the first and second connector halves, and
- wherein the sleeve is arranged to be pulled in an axial decoupling direction to permit the tines to clear the threads to permit decoupling of the connector halves.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.