Abstract: An insert retention gas tight seal for an electrical connector is disclosed. The insert retention, gas tight seal includes an annular groove defined by the interior surface of the connector housing within the receptacle and the plug, an annular ring of soft metal, and a tool to force the ring into the annular groove into a sealing, locked position within the connector housing of the receptacle and the plug. A method of fabrication for the insert retention, gas tight seal for an electrical connector is also described.

Abstract: An electrical connector shell reinforcement means operable to support and strengthen the bayonet pins of the electrical connector is disclosed. The electrical connector shell reinforcement means includes a metal band bonded upon the electrical connector shell before or after the insertion of the bayonet pins. The shell reinforcement means provides structural support against the shearing forces the pins are subjected to. An alternative embodiment of the electrical connector reinforcement means incorporates a washer-like metal band directly supporting the bayonet pins of the electrical connector shell. An alternative embodiment of the electrical connector reinforcement means incorporates a metal cup on the composite material molded into the bayonet pin. Finally, a coupling ring is disclosed to be formed of plastic or composite material to include a metal liner therewithin having a bayonet pin receiving groove cut or broached into its inside surface, and a method of producing such device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector shell reinforcement means operable to support and strengthen the bayonet pins of the electrical connector is disclosed. The electrical connector shell reinforcement means includes a metal band bonded upon the electrical connector shell before or after the insertion of the bayonet pins. The shell reinforcement means provides structural support against the shearing forces the pins are subjected to. An alternative embodiment of the electrical connector reinforcement means incorporates a washer-like metal band directly supporting the bayonet pins of the electrical connector shell. An alternative embodiment of the electrical connector reinforcement means incorporates a metal cup on the composite material molded into the bayonet pin. Finally, a coupling ring is disclosed to be formed of plastic or composite material to include a metal liner therewithin having a bayonet pin receiving groove cut or broached into its inside surface, and a method of producing such device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a coupling ring such as a canted washer or spring for use in non-self locking electrical connectors is disclosed. The canted washer or spring having uniform frustoconical surface is positioned between the plug and coupling ring providing a known spring force response between the coupling ring and plug shell shoulder. In one embodiment, the canted washer is used in a non-bayonet electrical connector with a swaged coupling ring. An alternative embodiment is described as a double turn canted spring used in conjunction with a non-swaged, grooved coupling ring. The apparatus is used in both metal and composite non-bayonet electrical connectors. Configuration to a particular cant for either the canted washer or spring is calculable using known factors such as; size, material thickness, and the modulus of the material. A canted washer or wave spring for use in electrical connectors subjected to high and low temperature environments is also disclosed.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect electrical connector coupling assembly has an electrical connector plug assembly which surrounds and mates with a receptacle shell. The electrical connector plug assembly may be quickly disconnected by the application of an external axially-directed force imparted by means of remote control through the use of a lanyard affixed to the assembly. The lanyard may be attached to a ring which surrounds the connector plug assembly. The electrical connector plug assembly comprises a first coupling ring surrounded by a second coupling ring. The first coupling ring has a plurality of apertured mountings which accommodate, in each mounting, the insertion of a floating land segment positioned atop a ramp spring segment. When the coupling is fully mated, the ramp spring segments protrude radially into the inner surface of the first coupling ring and abut a plurality of fixed bayonet pins to secure the mated connection.

Abstract: An electrical connector receptacle shell assembly and an electrical connector plug assembly are mated together to provide electrical contact between a matrix of pins and sockets. An annular drive sleeve telescoped within a coupling nut having a floating bayonet pin coupling mechanism causes the connector plug shell within the electrical plug shell assembly to move axially forward onto the receptacle shell as the coupling nut is rotated. An anti-rotation latch mechanism prevents the inadvertent misalignment of the components within the connector plug assembly, so that the connector plug shell assembly remains annularly aligned with the coupling nut until the receptacle shell and the electrical plug assembly are coupled. The latch mechanism is thereby released and the coupling nut can then rotate relative to the first shell.

Abstract: An electrical connector with an annular continuous metal to metal seal between the two connector shells includes a cylindrical first shell with an annular radially disposed sealing surface, a cylindrical second shell for being inserted into and clamped to the first shell, a frusto-conical ring attached about a peripheral region of the second shell and having an annular mating edge which is positioned to face the sealing surface of the first shell, and a coupling ring with a bayonet coupling apparatus for clamping the first and second shells into coupling relationship with each other. The positioning of the frusto-conical ring on the second shell is such that when the first and second shells are in the fully mated position, the peripheral mating edge region of the frusto-conical ring will press against the sealing surface of the first shell to form a continuous annular metal to metal seal between the first shell and the second shell.

Abstract: A self locking electrical connector assembly includes a connector shell and a coupling nut. The connector shell has a centrally located outwardly projecting annular flange with a plurality of retaining shoulders by which the coupling nut is mounted to the connector shell and allowed to rotate but prevented from substantial axial movement. The coupling nut cavity is defined by a front annular retention shoulder, a back access opening opposite the front retention shoulder, a cylindrical surface between the front shoulder and the access opening, an annular retention groove in the cylindrical surface adjacent the access opening and an annular back facing stop shoulder between the retention groove and the front shoulder. A retaining ring held in the retention groove abuts against a back facing shoulder of the shell's annular flange. A front facing stop shoulder of the annular flange abuts against the back facing stop shoulder of the coupling nut.

Abstract: A connector retaining apparatus for retaining an insulator in the bore of a connector shell includes an insulator with an annular flange defining a rear facing shoulder, a connector shell having an interior cylindrical surface with an annular groove therein to define a front facing retention shoulder, and an annular retaining ring around the insulator. The retaining ring has a radial portion which abuts against the rear facing shoulder of the insulator annular flange and a frusto-conical portion with a retention edge which abuts against the front facing retaining shoulder of the connector shell groove in its retaining position to prevent the insulator from being withdrawn rearwardly from the connector shell bore. A cylindrical insertion tool is utilized to press the retention ring through an annular space between the insulator's outside surface and the connector shell's inside surface into its retaining position.

Abstract: A removal tool having a tubular shape with a chamfered end and a method for utilizing the same in an electrical connector apparatus. The connector apparatus has a contact attached around and to the end of a wire. An elliptical rear edge of the contact has major axis edge portions which come in contact with an inside shoulder of an insulator body passageway preventing the contact from being removed rearwardly from the connector. The chamfered end of the removal tool is inserted between the wire and the inside elliptical surface to resiliently deform the ellipse to a circular or near circular shape so that it may be withdrawn through a rear passageway.

Abstract: A connector assembly and method of making the same. A connector member, which may be either a socket or pin, has a front mating portion adapted to engage a reciprocal mating portion of a second connector; a tubular electric wire retaining portion into which a wire is inserted and held; and a rear elliptically cross-sectioned retention portion which is resiliently deformable to a circular cross section. The connector member is inserted into a circular cross-sectioned passageway in an insulating support assembly, the passageway having a central region with a larger diameter to define an interior protruding shoulder. As the connector member is inserted into the insulating support assembly passageway, the rear retention portion is deformed to a circular cross section conforming to the interior surface of the passageway.