Abstract: An electrical receptacle unit with locking feature includes a receptacle adapted to be electrically connected to a source of electricity. The receptacle includes an electrical fitting having electrical contacts contained therein and/or extending therefrom, a socket surrounding the electrical fitting, and a plate disposed at a front of the socket. The electrical receptacle unit further includes a locking bracket that includes a central portion having first and second ends, a lock tab extending from a side of the central portion, and a pair of support arms, each extending forwardly from a respective one of the first and second ends. The locking bracket is pivotably secured to the plate, with at least a portion of each support arm positioned within a respective notched area of the plate.

Abstract: A coaxial cable connector includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction between a mating end and a cable end. The coaxial cable connector also includes a center contact held by the body. A locking member is circumferentially disposed around the body at the mating end. The locking member has teeth configured to mechanically engage a threaded area of a mating connector to securely attach the coaxial cable connector to the mating connector. The locking member is slidably coupled to the body such that the locking member moves with respect to the body along the longitudinal direction to enable the teeth to align with the threaded area along the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A latching device for latching a first front connector to a complementary second rear connector. The latching device comprises at least a front latching element supported by the front connector, the front latching element comprising a rear latching segment. The latching device further comprises a rear latching element supported by the rear connector, the rear latching element comprising a front latching segment and being mounted moveable axially from a rear unlatching position to a front latching position in which the front and rear connectors are immobilize axially together, characterized in that the latching device comprises an axial sleeve supported by the rear connector, the sleeve being opened axially towards the front and the rear, the rear latching element being mounted movable axially into the sleeve from its rear unlatching position to its front latching position.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly is disclosed that includes a receptacle connector and plug connector. The receptacle connector includes a receptacle housing having a top surface and a bottom surface, a support plate, spacers configured to retain the support plate adjacent to the top surface, and a post retained against the support plate by a spring and a fastener configured to releasable assemble the post and the support plate. The receptacle connector is less complex, lighter, and less expensive than receptacle connectors entirely made of a unitary composite, metal, or metallized composite.

Abstract: A wiring receiver (10) that may be mounted on a towing vehicle without the use of tools. The receiver (10) broadly comprises a plurality of terminals (22) for transferring signals from the towing vehicle to a towed vehicle, a main body (20) housing the terminals (22), and a cover (24) that mates to the main body (20), thereby securing the receiver (10) to a bracket (12) of the towing vehicle. The main body (20) includes a contact surface (30) with four protrusions (34) extending through the bracket 12. The cover (24) includes a contact surface (44) having arcuate slots (54) operable to slide around the protrusions (34), thereby securing the main body (20) to the towing vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus to hang a portable audio equipment that outputs audio signals from the user's neck includes a plug shell provided with a connecting terminal fixed to the inside of a cylindrical plug cover through a sleeve formed of an elastic member. A projecting portion is integrally formed on the connecting terminal side of the plug cover and in the projecting portion is formed an engaging groove that engages with an engaging piece provided on the jack side.

Abstract: A seismic cable coupling comprising connector body, a coupling ring is rotatably mounted on the connector body. The coupling ring includes a ring body having a first longitudinal projection and a second longitudinal projection, the first longitudinal projection having an interior surface including a first angled groove, the second longitudinal projection having an exterior surface including a first raised stud. The coupling ring is a hermaphrodite coupling ring that mates with a coupling ring having a substantially identical ring body.

Abstract: A connector, typically used for connecting cables or other conduits under water. The connector has a first portion (5) which has a bayonet (15) and a second portion (25), which receives the bayonet (15). The bayonet (15) rotates in order to align the head of the bayonet (15) with a receptacle (35) in the other portion, and to jam the head of the bayonet into the receptacle in certain configurations, so that the two connector portions (5, 25) are locked together. Means are optionally provided to release the bayonet (15) from the receptacle (35) if the screw threads jam.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of ceiling fans and includes a first plate (16) attached to a ceiling junction box and a plug plate (42) to be rotatably joined to the first plate and fixed in a final position by locking screws (70) that pass through apertures (64, 66) in one plate and into bores (38, 40) in the other plate. The locking screws (70) are usable to fix a fan bell to the plug plate. The plug plate (42) includes slidably engageable flat contact strips (204a, 204b). The plates include an initial orientation key (206) for fitting into an oval opening (214) and the first plate may include a spring biased shock protector for blocking access to live contacts (204a) when the plates are not connected. The plates (300, FIGS. 16, 17) may be formed in slidably adjustable sections for use with different size fan bells.

Abstract: A retractable coaxial jack (14) includes a base (52) slidably positioned within a PC card (12) or other electrical apparatus. Projecting from the front face (89) of the base (52) is a tubular insulator (90) that encircles a conductive socket (92). The socket (92) bounds an opening (94) for receiving a contact pin (20). Also projecting from the front face (89) of the base (52) on opposing sides of the tubular insulator (90) is a conductive, outwardly extending first arm (95) and a conductive, outwardly extending second arm (96). The separate outwardly extending arms (95, 96) are desirably arranged to create a thinner coaxial jack (14) than conventional types of coaxial jacks to enable the jack to be retracted into the PC card (12). Preferably each of the retention arms (95, 96) has a curved inside face (98), an opposing curved outside face (100) and a knob (102) projecting from the outside face. The outwardly extending arms (95, 96) are desirably spaced from the tubular insulator (90) to form a gap (104).

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling mechanism includes two identical coupling members, each including two latch arms and two detented locking ramp surfaces. The latch arms include surfaces which face a coupler interface, while the locking ramp surfaces face away from the interface. The latch arms are inserted through grooves in a collar on which the locking ramp surfaces are provided, and the members are then rotated relative to each other causing the surfaces on the latch arms to pass over detents on the locking surfaces, thereby locking the coupling members together against relative axial movement. The coupling members may be secured to respective contacts by a snap-fit arrangement.