G-load coupling nut

Abstract

A backshell adapter assembly includes an adapter body, a coupling nut, a retaining ring and a one-piece shuttle mechanism. The one-piece shuttle mechanism is formed as a tubular member and is adapted to be received in a retaining groove on the adapter body. In order to facilitate loading of the one-piece shuttle into the retainer groove on the adapter body, the one-piece shuttle is cut along its length to enable the cut ends of the device to be spread apart in order to load the shuttle mechanism into the retaining groove on the adapter body. The one piece shuttle mechanism includes a thrust bushing portion and one or more concentrically formed spring arms that are adapted to provide axial loading in the direction of an electrical connector shell when the backshell adapter assembly is assembled to an electrical connector. In accordance with another feature of the invention, the one-piece shuttle design is amenable to being formed from high temperature composite materials which eliminates the corrosion problem and minimizes damage during various extreme conditions such as extreme vibration conditions to portions of the backshell adapter assembly which are normally formed from aluminum. Another important aspect of the invention is that the one-piece shuttle assembly minimizes the number of parts required and thus significantly reduces the manufacturing costs of such backshell adapter assembles.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.