Abstract: The releasable electrical connector includes two separable components. Pivotal pawls must pass between lands or keys in order to couple the two components together, thereby providing an indexing feature that prevents a mismating of components. Cam followers in helical grooves effect the coupling and are prevented from reverse movement in their respective grooves by the fingers of a detent fork that are urged into an obstructive relationship with the cam followers. Release of the coupled components is effective via a lanyard that pulls the coupling ring sleeve longitudinally to such an extent that the pawls pivot outwardly into an unlatching position.

Abstract: A first adapter sleeve snaps onto an outside portion of the plug component of an electrical connector and a second adapter sleeve snaps over an outside portion of the coupling ring which is part of the receptacle component of the connector. The first adapter sleeve has formed therein a number of keyways having a particular angular spacing. In order for the components to be mated or coupled together, the second sleeve must have formed thereon a number of keys corresponding to the number of keyways formed in the first sleeve and also have the same angular spacing. In this way, a plurality of first and second adapter sleeves having different key and keyway patterns can be provided so as to prevent the mismating of otherwise identical connector components.