Anti-decoupling arrangement for an electrical connector
US6152753A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 19, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 19, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01R13/622
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An anti-decoupling arrangement for an electrical connector (as well as an electrical connector incorporating such an anti-decoupling arrangement) is made up of just three operative components: a spiral lock clutch, at least one spring ring, and ratchet teeth or serrations formed on an inside surface of the coupling nut. The ratchet teeth are in the form of serrations formed into the inside diameter of a recessed area of the coupling nut in which all of the components reside, and each spring ring is a self-supporting ring that has spring cantilevers with engaging tines of a given number located around its outer circumference, the engaging tines engaging the serrations in a radial direction. The engaging tines thus provide a torque/ratchet mechanism when they glide over the radial cuts of the tooth ring in the uncoupling direction, and stay engaged which forces the spiral lock clutch to expand and slide smoothly over the plug shell with minimal torque in the coupling direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.