Electrical connector set

A power connector comprising:

• (a) first and second connector portions for connection to respective power conductors
• (b) a bayonet locking mechanism for locking said connector portions upon rotation of said first and second connector portion in a first direction relative to each other and unlocking said connector portions upon rotation of said first and second connector portions in an opposite direction relative to each other;
• and
• (c) a secondary locking mechanism for preventing rotation of said first and second connector portions in said opposite direction relative to each other, said secondary locking mechanism being comprised of an axial retrograde motion bayonet locking mechanism wherein when the first and second connector portions are in a first axial position with respect to one another rotation in said opposite direction is permitted and when said first and second connector portions are in a second axial position relative to one another and have been rotated in the first direction relative to each other, the connector portions cannot be rotated in the opposite direction, the secondary locking mechanism further comprising an axially moveable member on one of said portions moveable between a first and second axial position, said axially moveable member when in the first position preventing axial movement of the first and second power connector portions from the first axial position of the bayonet locking mechanism to the second axial position of the bayonet locking mechanism and a selectively disengageable lock member for retaining said axially moveable member in the first position and upon disengagement allowing movement to the second position.

An electrical connector set having male and female connector members with a first lock for preventing accidental disconnection comprising a bayonet slot lock and a second lock selectively preventing axial movement of the male member with respect to the female member in an axial movement required for unlocking the bayonet lock, the secondary lock being selectively releasable to allow such movement to occur;

• wherein the secondary lock prevents axial movement of the male member with respect to the female member and the bayonet slot lock is a retrograde movement bayonet lock;
• wherein the male member is equipped with a key for fitting in the bayonet slot, the female member is provided with a bayonet slot, the female member carrying an axially moveable member moveable between a first axial position in which is engages a portion of the male member preventing axial movement of the male member with respect to the female member in an axial direction necessary for unlocking the bayonet lock, the axially moveable member having a second position allowing axial movement of the male member with respect to the female member to allow unlocking of the bayonet lock;
• wherein the axially moveable member is retained in the first position by radially projecting spring biased pins interior of the axially moveable member, the spring biased pins being accessible through radial openings through the axially moveable member by tools to displace the springs to unlock the axially moveable member.