Abstract: An adapter and apparatus for coupling a corded peripheral device with a portable terminal. The adapter may be used to convert the portable terminal to include an electrical connector having a break-away capability for connecting a corded peripheral device with the terminal. The connector is adapted to disconnect from the portable terminal when a sufficient force is applied to the cord, which disengages the peripheral device from the portable terminal. The ability of the cord to break-away from the portable terminal prevents damage not only to the connector, but also to the cord, peripheral, and terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coaxial connector comprising: a first connector element forming a socket, having a first body, a resilient return member, and a first central contact element having a first front end, the contact element being movable against the action of a resilient return member, at least in sliding relative to the first body; and a second connector element forming in particular a plug, arranged to be capable of being releasably connected to the first connector element, and comprising a second body and a second central contact element having a second front end; wherein the first and second central contact elements are arranged in such a manner that when the first and second connector elements are connected together, the contact elements bear one against the other via their front ends.

Abstract: A quick connector with an accessory housing. The accessory housing receives a system sensing device such as an absolute pressure sensor or a differential pressure sensor in fluid tight relation to the housing. A receptacle portion is arranged to connector the sensor to measuring instrumentation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an electrical and mechanical connection which includes a housing having a face, an electrical connector mounted to the housing and configured to engage with a second electrical connector, a receiver connected to the housing and encompassing at least part of the electrical connector and bolt housing mounted on a side of the housing opposite the face and aligned with the holes.

Abstract: A connection device is provided for operatively connecting a temperature control for an electrical appliance to a power source. The connection device includes first and second connection surfaces projecting from the temperature control that partially define a cavity. Each connection surface includes a corresponding depression formed therein. A power cord housing supports a first end of a power cord. The power cord housing includes a forward end that is receivable in the cavity. The connection device further includes first and second detent elements that are movable between first extended positions wherein the detent elements project from the power cord housing and are receivable in corresponding depressions and second retracted positions. Biasing structure is provided for urging the first and second detent elements toward their extended positions.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an electrical and mechanical connection. The electrical connector includes a plug having a housing, a key attached to the housing, the key is configured to mate with a key slot located on a mating receptor, a groove running along an outer periphery of the housing and configured to communicate with a plurality of receivers that are located in a circular discontinuous manner on the mating receptor, the plurality of receivers comprise a ridge that mates with the groove, a first electrical contact attached to the housing and a second electrical contact attached to the housing on a side opposite the first electrical contact and in electrical communication with the first electrical contact.

Abstract: An automatically disconnecting plug has a rotatable drive member with a threaded central aperture. A threaded shaft extends through the central aperture. An electrically conductive coupling member is carried by the shaft. Upon rotation of the drive member, the coupling member is disconnected by being carried by the shaft into the interior cavity of the housing.

Abstract: An electrical appliance includes a mount configured to mount an appliance to a support structure a support cable configured to have a slack position and a slack position; an electrical wiring configured to provide an electrical connection between a power consuming portion of the appliance and an external source. An electrical appliance also includes an electrical connection providing power to the power consuming part of the appliance when the cable is in a slack position and the electrical connection is not configured to not provide an electrical connection to the power consuming part of the appliance when the cable is in the tension position. A method to cutting off power to an appliance is also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electrical contact with a crimp ear from a flat ribbon of conductive material including applying a force to the ribbon to form an adjacent pair of approximately semicylindrical depressions on opposite sides of the centerline of the ear, shearing the ribbon at the depression bisectors to form a pair of legs on opposites of the centerline, and forming the legs into a predetermined shape about the centerline. Forming the legs includes straightening the legs and bending the legs to the appropriate predetermine relative angle. Optionally, the ear is coined. Optionally, serrations are inscribed across the ear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wiring installations that is comprised of designating locations for outlet boxes 12 and wiring to an incorporated terminal block that has connection means for installing either receptacles or switches 36 at a later time by anyone without the need of electrical expertise. The receptacles 12 and switches 36 have corresponding mating connection means 16, 18 related to the previously wired outlet box termination blocks. The simplified wiring method allows for the replacement of switches 36 and receptacles 12 with any other style of switch or receptacle having the mating connection members 16, 18.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a plug portion and a terminal portion. The plug portion is couplable to the terminal portion to provide an electrical connection between a device and a peripheral item which is securely coupled to the device during normal operation of the device. Advantageously, the plug portion will break-away from the terminal portion when a force applied to the plug portion reaches a specified magnitude to thereby prevent damage to the connector and to prevent hindering operation of the device.

Abstract: A quick release buckle for securing both an electrical connection and a mechanical coupling includes a multiple pin male portion of an electrical connector. The buckle also includes means for receiving the male portion of an electrical connector to form an electrical connection, a first protective housing containing one of the multiple pin male portion and the means for receiving the multiple pin male portion and capable of insertion, and a second protective housing containing one of the means for receiving the male portion and the multiple pin male portion. The second protective housing is capable of receiving the first protective housing to form a mechanical coupling. In addition, the first and second protective housings include at least one quick-release mechanism for fastening and decoupling the buckle.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart. The sliding support member is held above the bell by telescopic standoffs with a frictional action. A screw is captive within each standoff. As the bell is raised, the part of each standoff fixed to the bell slides upwards until its upper end positions the tip of the screw just in front of a threaded hole in the fixed support channel. Fastening the screws into the threaded holes then both locks the sliding mechanism and attaches the bell directly to the fixed support channel.

Abstract: An electrical connector disposed in use between a store and an aircraft or dispenser comprises a first half 10 mechanically connected to the store and a second, complementary half 12 connected to an electrical cable attached to the aircraft or dispenser, the connector second half 12 comprising a core 14 containing electrical contacts and an outer shell 24, 26, 28, 30 snap-engageable with the first connector half to securely retain the connector second half in mating engagement with the connector first half while the store is being carried by the aircraft, the outer shell being pulled off the connector first half as the store is separated from the aircraft, the outer shell being formed as a separate component or assembly, removably attached to the connector second half core.

Abstract: A connector housing (6) of the connector device (1) is composed of an outer housing (9) to be mounted onto a printed circuit board (2) by screwing, and an inner housing (8) connected to the outer housing (9) so as to be movable in the right and left direction with respect to the outer housing (9). Into the inner housing (8), there is incorporated a terminal (7) including a connecting portion (7a) to be connected by a terminal (5) of a mating connector device (3), a spring portion (7c), and a switch contact (7b) respectively formed integral with the terminal (7). On the printed circuit board (2), there is disposed an electrode (2a) with which the switch contact (7b) can be elastically contacted. Thanks to this structure, by switchingly moving the inner housing (8) in the right and left direction, circuit switching can be achieved.

Abstract: One of male and female connectors, which are to be fitted together, is provided with a high-speed connector-disengaging unit for increasing the connector-disengaging speed, utilizing a resilient force produced by a resilient deformation. More specifically, one of the male and female connectors, which are to be fitted together, includes a connector housing, a slider for sliding relative to the connector housing 6 in a connector disengaging direction during a connector disengaging operation, and a coil spring (resilient member) which is interposed between the connector housing and the slider, and is resiliently deformed to produce the resilient force when the slider is slid.

Abstract: A quick-release plug assembly having a plug body and a socket body for receiving the plug body. Either the plug body or the socket body may include first and second contact posts, and the other may include corresponding first and second contacts spaced to electrically connect to the contact post when the plug body is coupled to the socket body along a coupling axis. The socket body includes outwardly diverging sidewalls and a bottom wall. One of the plug body or the socket body includes a magnet, and the other includes an attractive member which, due to the attraction of the magnet, removably couples the plug body to the socket body. The cord is received by the plug body through an opening in the plug body. The opening receives the cord from a direction which is at an angle relative to the coupling axis when the plug body is coupled to the socket body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for predetermining the withdrawal force required to disconnect an appliance coupler such as a plug and socket. The invention also relates to a method and apparatus for preventing disconnection of an appliance coupler such as a plug from a socket. Furthermore, the invention relates to method and apparatus for preventing inadvertent or unintentional disconnection of a plug from a socket for the supply of electrical power to a medical apparatus.

Abstract: A portable lighting product includes a lamp and a lamp holder. The lamp holder has a positive terminal and a negative terminal spaced from the positive terminal for connection with respective terminals on a power source. One of the terminals includes a snap-fitting, pivotable, and electrically conductive battery terminal. Another of the terminals includes an electrically conductive clasp configured to mate in urgable engagement with a terminal of a power source.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a plug portion and a terminal portion. The plug portion is couplable to the terminal portion to provide an electrical connection between a device and a peripheral item which is securely coupled to the device during normal operation of the device. Advantageously, the plug portion will break-away from the terminal portion when a force applied to the plug portion reaches a specified magnitude to thereby prevent damage to the connector and to prevent hindering operation of the device.

Abstract: The holder is suitable for detachably fixing a component in an operational end position. The holder has an upper side on which the component is moved into the end position along a mounting direction. The holder comprises an ejector that has at least one spring which exerts an elastic force on the component in the final position. The spring force acts in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

Abstract: In a lever fitting-type manual disconnector 1A, first and second connector housing 1 and 3 are provided with terminals 9 and 35, respectively. A lever 2 is provided in rotatable and linearly movable manners on the first connector housing 1. A cam groove 21 is provided on the lever 2 and a cam pin 36 is provided on the second connector housing 3. When the lever 2 is rotated, the lever fitting-type manual disconnector 1A is set in a rotation completive position where the terminals 9 and 35 on the both connector housings 1 and 3 connect to one another. When the lever 2 is moved linearly from the rotation completive position, the lever fitting-type manual disconnector 1A is set in a fitting completive position where a fitting-state detective switch is turned on.

Abstract: A quick-release plug assembly having a plug body and a socket body for receiving the plug body. Either the plug body or the socket body may include first and second contact posts, and the other may include corresponding first and second contacts spaced to electrically connect to the contact post when the plug body is coupled to the socket body along a coupling axis. The socket body includes outwardly diverging sidewalls and a bottom wall. One of the plug body or the socket body includes a magnet, and the other includes an attractive member which, due to the attraction of the magnet, removably couples the plug body to the socket body. The cord is received by the plug body through an opening in the plug body. The opening receives the cord from a direction which is at an angle relative to the coupling axis when the plug body is coupled to the socket body.

Abstract: A ceiling fan or light fixture is provided with a sliding support member that slides horizontally into a support channel attached to a ceiling box. An electrical plug and receptacle attached to the two support members automatically mate as the two support members are slid together. A bell is then raised to cover the two support members and prevent them from sliding apart. The sliding support member is held above the bell by telescopic standoffs with a frictional action. A screw is captive within each standoff. As the bell is raised, the part of each standoff fixed to the bell slides upwards until its upper end positions the tip of the screw just in front of a threaded hole in the fixed support channel. Fastening the screws into the threaded holes then both locks the sliding mechanism and attaches the bell directly to the fixed support channel.

Abstract: A module includes a module body adapted to plug into a mating port, and a latch member attached to the module body. The latch member is immovable relative to the module body when attached to the module body. The latch member is essentially always engaged with a receiving member of the mating port when the module body is plugged into the mating port, which always hinders a removal of the module body from the mating port.

Abstract: A quick-release plug assembly having a plug body and a socket body for receiving the plug body. Either the plug body or the socket body may include first and second contact posts, and the other may include corresponding first and second contacts spaced to electrically connect to the contact post when the plug body is coupled to the socket body along a coupling axis. The socket body includes outwardly diverging sidewalls and a bottom wall. One of the plug body or the socket body includes a magnet, and the other includes an attractive member which, due to the attraction of the magnet, removably couples the plug body to the socket body. The cord is received by the plug body through an opening in the plug body. The opening receives the cord from a direction which is at an angle relative to the coupling axis when the plug body is coupled to the socket body.

Abstract: A connector lock for securing and supporting a fully engaged connector assembly against disconnect even when subjected to vibrational forces experienced during launch into outer space. The connector lock includes a base portion and a pair of end portions extending substantially parallel to each other. Each end portion includes a pair of spaced-apart arms formed of flexible material and positioned so as to flex apart as a connector assembly is inserted between the arms. The arms snap back toward their original positions to prevent inadvertent release of the connector assembly.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a disengagement member is provided. The disengagement member is utilized to ensure that the electrical connector is secured in a locked position within a mating receptacle. This effectively eliminates disengagement of the electrical connector from the mating receptacle during regular use, such as that relating to an airbag squib connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector that includes a disengagement member is provided. The disengagement member is utilized to ensure that the electrical connector is secured in a locked position within a mating receptacle. This effectively eliminates disengagement of the electrical connector from the mating receptacle during regular use, such as that relating to an airbag squib connector.

Abstract: An electrical connector (12B) for connecting to contact pads on a face of a smart card, where the contact projecting portions (30B) are shaped to be depressed even when a side edge (100) of a smart card (C) is inserted laterally (L) into place. The upwardly-projecting portion of each contact has a first lateral side (80B) that extends at an incline angle (A) of less than 70°, and preferably less than 60°, from the horizontal, along more than half the width of the contact projecting portion.

Abstract: A quick disconnect female coupler comprises, inter alia, a wiper seal retained in a radially opening annular groove and including at its rear side an annular recess that allows rearward rolling of the wiper seal in the annular groove when the wiper seal is subjected to a surge of high pressure fluid from the main cavity to the back side of the piston, whereby the wiper seal moves out of the way of the high pressure fluid surge to avoid being forced out of the annular groove; a tubular spacer in the female housing bore the forms therewith an outer flow passage and which serves as a guide for an axially movable valve body, the spacer having an annular land and a rear end post press-fitted in the housing bore and a housing counterbore, respectively, for retaining and aligning the spacer in the housing; a poppet valve provided with orifices in an angled shoulder thereof for avoiding interference with flow previously caused by coil springs used to bias the poppet valve; and an annular protection shield which perfo

Abstract: An automotive lamp unit includes a bus bar unit forming a circuit with a plurality of bus bars connected with each other via a bridge portion, the bus bar unit including terminals, for connection to switches and a power source, and a supporting member for supporting a lamp, the circuit serving to switch on the lamp, and a resin base member provided with the bus bar unit mounted thereon at a predetermined position, and a small hole formed in the resin base member at a position thereof associated with the bridge portion. The plurality of bus bars are separated from each other at the bridge portion which is disposed in the small hole.

Abstract: A releasable mounting device includes an electronic component having terminal contact surfaces disposed in at least two rows on an outer side. Corresponding contacts of a terminal part are correspondingly disposed in two contact rows. The contacts of each contact row can be moved jointly away from the outer side by an actuating element. During a mounting operation, the contact rows of the terminal part, which are located one behind the other as seen in a mounting direction, are moved away from the outer side one after the other by the component, beginning with a front contact row. When an end mounting position is reached, the contact rows of the terminal part pass into electrical contact with the terminal contact surfaces.

Abstract: The holder is suitable for detachably fixing a component in an operational end position. The holder has an upper side on which the component is moved into the end position along a mounting direction. The holder comprises an ejector that has at least one spring which exerts an elastic force on the component in the final position. The spring force acts in a direction opposite the mounting direction.

Abstract: An electrical connector system has two connectors, one of which is included in a module mateable with the other connector in a pluggable manner. The other connector includes an elongated guide rail and a connector block in which are retained two or more electrical contacts. Signal connections can be made in a predetermined sequence when the module is plugged into the other connector because the contact pads of the module are of different lengths. For example, sequencing the connection of power and ground signals with respect to data signals provides hot-pluggability. Also, a grounding contact on the module is engaged by a spring clip on the other connector to provide an additional or alternative grounding path.

Abstract: A socket (11) for a discharge lamp bulb includes two power supply terminals, and a shielding wall for completely shielding the two power supply terminal from each other when a discharge lamp bulb is not properly seated in the socket (11). In different embodiments the socket (11) includes (FIGS. 2-5) a spring biased reciprocatably mounted cylindrical wall (24) to separate power supply terminals (21, 23), a (FIGS. 6, 7) center contact (21) mounted for reciprocation between a recessed position and an operating position in response to lamp insertion, a (FIGS. 9-14) rotary sliding member (34) or a rotary ring (40) both of which are spring biased to a blocking position and movable to a non-blocking position by lamp insertion into the socket, and a (FIGS. 16, 17) rotationally mounted member (47) having a plate (50) for separating power supply terminal segments (23b, 23c) prior to complete insertion of the lamp.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a body and two or more electrical contacts. The body has a guide member that is elongated between a first end and a second end along a first axis and has a connector block at the first end. The connector has a very low profile (preferably, less than about 10 mm high), and the bottom of the body is surface-mountable on a circuit board. The height of the connector can be defined by a vertical axis perpendicular to the first axis. The connector block retains the contacts, which are spaced from one another in the direction of the first axis. The body also has a camming element that, in response to a force of a mating connector being moved along the first axis, brings the contacts of the connector and mating connector together in a generally vertical direction. The camming element may have two oppositely inclined ramp sections.

Abstract: In a first embodiment, this invention includes an integrated robot apparatus for performing combinatorial chemistry synthesis protocols and having interchangeable work-stations, robot arm tools, and reaction vessels and reaction vessel arrays. The work-stations and tools are specialized to perform tasks necessary for the synthesis in a plurality of the reaction vessels grouped in a plurality of the reaction vessel arrays. Preferably, these elements function interchangeably because they have standardized sizes and conformation. The work-stations and tools include those for fluid dispensing or aspirating from individual reaction vessels or from all the reaction vessels in an array simultaneously. The reaction vessels can include, alternatively, stackable, ball-sealed reaction vessels, microtitre-like reaction vessel arrays, arrays of independent reaction vessels, valve-sealed reaction vessels, septum-sealed reaction vessels, and syringe reaction vessels.

Abstract: An electrical fitting to be connected to an end of a cable, including an automatic disconnect mechanism which separates the electrical fitting from a mating electrical fitting responsive to a pull on the cable, the electrical fitting comprising at least one thrust member mounted for axial movement in ejection and retraction strokes between retracted and projecting positions and a trigger system which causes a pull on the cable of greater than a predetermined force to release the thrust members from the retracted position, the thrust members being moved axially in the ejection stroke to the projecting position by a resilient member after release to engage a fixed element associated with a mating fitting and cause the casing and the electrical contact elements therein to be moved by reaction and separated from contact elements of the mating fitting.

Abstract: The invention concerns a disconnectable male connector for a communications network including connecting means between wires (43) corresponding to the lines of a communications cable (44) and the terminals of a female connector which are connected to the lines of the communications network when the male connector is inserted in the female connector and means (41) for locking the male connector to the female connector, wherein said connection means (46, 81, 100) and said locking means (41, 80) can separate if the cable (44) is pulled. Applications include the integrated services digital network.

Abstract: A short electrical extension cord (10) is provided which is designed for use with large, mobile appliances (30) such as carpet shampooers or the like, in order to prevent damage to the male plug or electrical connector (34) forming a part of the appliance (30). The short extension cord (10) includes a short stretch of electrical cable (12) with a female electrical receptacle (16) and male electrical connector (18) operatively coupled to the cable stretch (12) adjacent the opposed ends thereof. In use, the male connector (18) is inserted into a stationary receptacle outlet (40), and the appliance male electrical connector (34) is inserted into female receptacle (16). In use of the appliance (30), the flexibility of cable stretch (12) assures that, in the event that an undue tension load is placed on appliance power cord (32), a separation occurs between appliance male electrical connector (34) and short extension cord female receptacle (16) prior to any damage to the male electrical connector ( 34).

Abstract: This invention in its preferred embodiment, is directed to a miniature UHF type plug, more particularly to a female, snap-on coaxial cable connector for use with radio-frequency and other transmission lines, where such connector is electrically connectable to a male, receptacle connector, typically panel mounted and of a design as known in the art. The snap-on, coaxial connector comprises three primary members identified as a circular sleeve, a circular shell, and a circular collar. The circular sleeve includes a plurality of spaced-apart, axially oriented tynes along a first end thereof, and the circular shell consists of a cable crimping section, an intermediate section to be received within the sleeve, and a third section having a like plurality of spaced-apart, axially oriented tynes. The latter tynes are arranged to intermate with the first tynes, and the intermated tynes are adapted to receive the male, receptacle connector.

Abstract: A short electrical extension cord (10) is provided which is designed for use with large, mobile appliances (30) such as carpet shampooers or the like, in order to prevent damage to the male plug or electrical connector (34) forming a part of the appliance (30). The short extension cord (10) includes a short stretch of electrical cable (12) with a female electrical receptacle (16) and male electrical connector (18) operatively coupled to the cable stretch (12) adjacent the opposed ends thereof. In use, the male connector (18) is inserted into a stationary receptacle outlet (40), and the appliance male electrical connector (34) is inserted into female receptacle (16). In use of the appliance (30), the flexibility of cable stretch (12) assures that, in the event that an undue tension load is placed on appliance power cord (32), a separation occurs between appliance male electrical connector (34) and short extension cord female receptacle (16) prior to any damage to the male electrical connector ( 34).

Abstract: A self-locking female electrical socket having an automatic release mechanism. The female socket includes releasable balls that urged into locking engagement with the prongs of a male plug. The plug may be released for reasons of maintaining cord in tact through deflection of a deflectable element positioned adjacent the prong.

Abstract: A connecting block (20) which includes a plurality of protectors (30,30) to protect a plurality of incoming communications lines includes a rear panel (28) which is stationary with respect to a housing (25) of the connector block. Mounted in cavities (62, 62) of the rear panel is a mass of contact elements (40,40) arranged in rows and columns and each having a rearwardly extending portion which is connected to a conductor which extend from an associated protector and an opposite portion which extends toward a front panel (60). Mounted in cavities (62,62) of the front panel is a mass of trifurcated contact elements (70,70) each having a base portion (72) and a conductor receiving portion. In a disconnected position, the opposite portion of each contact element is aligned with and overlaps a base (72) of an associated trifurcated contact element with a hook-like portion (46) being spaced from the base of the associated trifurcated contact element by a web (96) of dielectric material in each cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical contact intended especially for connecting at least two coupled or linked appliances or vehicles electrically.This contact comprises a first conventional electrical contact part (1, 7) and a second part (11, 13) adjacent to the contact part and forming a reversible mechanical junction for the electrical contact, the junction being makable manually under no voltage and breakable under no voltage in response to a specific pulling force.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coaxial connector is described which can be used with unmodified standard coaxial couplings having externally-facing threads. The connector includes a coaxial line segment that is mounted inside a housing body. The latter has movable fingers with inwardly-facing ridges that interlock with the external thread of a coaxial coupling. The coaxial line segment interfits with the coupling for a microwave connection and is movably mounted with respect to the housing body. A sleeve having a cam surface is mounted over the housing body whereby, in a forward position, the fingers are caused to close on a coupling and interlock with its thread while in a rearward position, the fingers are allowed to release from the coupling. The coaxial line segment is spring biased so as to normally urge the fingers towards their release position and into coaxial abutment with a coupling when the fingers are interlocked with the coupling's external thread by the sleeve.

Abstract: A two part cylindrical connector having resilient collet fingers on one connector engagable with a cylindrical ridge on the other connector are disclosed. An outer shiftable sleeve secures the collet fingers in engagement with the cylindrical ridge when the shiftable sleeve is in an extended position. The shiftable sleeve is spring loaded relative to an inner core. The shiftable sleeve is assembled to the inner core with the spring between inner core and the shiftable sleeve. The inner core is then rotated relative to the inner core until anti-rotation surfaces on the interior of the shiftable sleeve and the exterior of the inner core engage to prevent further rotation. When these anti-rotation members engage, the springs are positioned so that they are confined between the shiftable sleeve and the inner core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical connector comprising first and second insulating supports (10, 20) respectively provided with first and second terminals (11, 22). The first terminals (11) are moving terminals and the connector includes actuator means (30) for causing said moving terminals to move between a first position (I) in which the moving terminals (11) are held in intimate engagement with the second terminals (22) which are fixed, and a second position (II) in which the moving terminals (11) are held radially away from and fully disengaged from the fixed terminals, with said actuator means (30) responding to the application of axial force to move said moving terminals. This makes it possible to disassemble and to assemble the two supports without having to overcome any friction between the fixed and moving terminals. The invention is applicable to the electrical industry, and in particular to providing equipment for use in manned spacecraft.

Abstract: A male quick disconnect SMA connector is provided which may be easily and readily installed on any existing female SMA connector by simply installing an adapter ring. The male SMA connector includes an inner sub-assembly comprised of an inner housing having a hermetically glass sealed male connector pin extending therefrom. An outer housing is received over the inner sub-assembly and a compressive spring is positioned in a cavity between the inner and outer housings. An insert is provided to the front of the outer housing. The insert includes several recesses for retaining rolling locking pins therein. These locking pins are raised when the outer housing is retracted (thereby compressing the spring) in a first direction. Thereafter, the locking pins are lowered into retaining openings in an adapter ring on the female SMA by releasing the outer housing to its original orientation with respect to the inner housing.