Patent · US Expired

Male connector adaptable to various socket diameters

US6004161A · kind A · utility

2Cited by
4References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 24, 1997
Grant dateDec 21, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 24, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01R2103/00
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A male connector is disclosed having an adjustable diameter for insertion in a socket. The connector includes an internal sleeve having a rotary sleeve. An external sleeve partially surrounds the internal sleeve and the rotary sleeve. A finger is attached to the external sleeve. In response to a rotation of the rotary sleeve, the finger moves laterally to change the connector diameter. Both the finger and the rotary sleeve do not move longitudinally. The connector further includes a locking device to maintain the rotary sleeve in a desired position. The locking device has a first series of teeth along an outer surface of the internal sleeve for cooperating with a second series of teeth along an inner surface of the external sleeve. In addition, the connector includes a cam having a profile which allows the diameter to change when the finger follows the cam profile in response to the rotation of the rotary sleeve.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.