Conical retention ring

A connector system comprising:

• a panel having a plurality of mating windows therethrough, the panel having mounting holes located proximate to the mating windows;
• a connector assembly having a support frame defining a cavity configured to receive a connector therein, the connector assembly having a threaded fastener held by the support frame, the threaded fastener being threadably coupled to one of the mounting holes to couple the connector assembly to the panel;
• and
• a conical retention ring coupled to the threaded fastener and positioned between the support frame and the panel, the conical retention ring having a conically-shaped annular disc having a central axis, first and second major surfaces facing in substantially opposite directions along the central axis, a radially inner peripheral surface defining a central bore, a radially outer peripheral surface which is axially offset from the radially inner peripheral surface, and a spreading channel which is open from the radially outer peripheral surface to the central bore, the spreading channel allowing the annular disc to spread apart to allow the central axis to receive the threaded fastener, the spreading channel being spread apart to widen the central bore to allow the conical retention ring to be loaded onto the threaded fastener into the central bore, the conical retention ring being compressed when the threaded fastener is threadably coupled to the mounting hole.