Abstract: A strain-relief end bell for an electrical connector assembly includes a ratcheting mechanism that allows the end bell to resist vibration-induced decoupling once it is threaded onto an electrical connector. The ratcheting mechanism includes a retainer ring that is seated between an internally-threaded coupling ring and an annular fitting around which the coupling ring is rotatably mounted. The retainer ring is fixed to the coupling ring so that both rings are rotatable together. The inner peripheral edge of the retainer ring has a plurality of equidistantly-spaced detents that engage a plurality of rotational bearings on the annular fitting as the coupling ring and the retainer ring are rotated with respect to the annular fitting. The engagement between the detents and the bearings creates a ratcheting effect that restrains the coupling ring from rotating with respect to the fitting unless a manual effort is applied to it.

Abstract: A bonding jumper is mounted on one facing surface of first and second coupling means which are threadably interconnected. The bonding jumper has a plurality of resilient detent members for bearing against the facing surface of the other coupling means to establish a redundant electrical bond between the first and second coupling means when the facing surfaces are axially drawn toward each other. A plurality of recesses is provided in the second surface for coacting with the detent means to yieldably resist opposing relative rotation in the unthreading direction.

Abstract: A connector accessory for electrical connectors containing a detent or locking member or members for preventing disconnection from an attached connector when the assembly is subjected to vibration, shock or other stresses. The accessory consists of a coupling and a body containing the accessory which in one form is a detent and in another form serves as a detent in one direction of rotation and a permanent or temporary lock in the other direction of rotation. The coupling is provided with screw threads to engage an accessory thread at the rear of an electrical connector and the body contains features which are required to provide proper mechanical and environmental interface characteristics to mate with various electrical connectors, i.e., teeth, splines, seals, etc.

Abstract: An electrical connector incorporating a male shell having a cylindrical metal body in which is lodged at least one contact of a first type, a female shell having a cylindrical metal body in which is lodged at least one contact of a second type which is to cooperate with the contact of the first type, an assembly nut (3) freely rotatable mounted on one of the shells and becoming fixed by rotation on the outer surface of the other shell and a means to prevent the accidental uncoupling of the assembly nut comprising a radial set of teeth (7) carried either by the assembly nut or by the shell carrying the nut and directed toward the other of the two elements and by a means cooperating with the set of teeth and fixed on the other element.

Abstract: A locked connector for use in electric connectors, optical fiber connectors and the like, includes receptacle means having a receptacle shell, coupling means engaging the receptacle means with relative rotations, plug shell means having a plug shell engaging the receptacle shell with relative movements in their axial directions but against relative rotation, back-up means permitting the coupling means and the plug shell means to rotatably engage with each other, and detent means for holding said receptacle means and the plug shell means in their fitted position and permitting the receptacle means and the plug shell means to disengage from the fitted position by rotating the coupling means relative to the plug shell means with a force. The detent means comprises a detent ring encircling the plug shell and having a springiness.

Abstract: The inner end surface of the outer end portion of an electrical connector coupling ring has a set of teeth extending circumferentially about the coupling ring. A metal ring has a bore sufficient to enable it being received onto the connector plug and an outer diameter sufficient to enable receipt within the coupling ring and allow the coupling ring to rotate thereabout. One or more keyways on the decoupling ring are interlocked with keys on the connector plug maintaining the antidecoupling ring and plug in fixed relationship to one another, irrespective of movement of the coupling ring. At least one elongated leaf spring has an end formed into a detent that rides along and between the coupling ring teeth. The other spring end is rotatably located on a pivot pin mounted to the circumferential periphery of the anti-decoupling ring.

Abstract: A self-locking electrical connector comprises a first connector element having a housing including a radially directed flange formed with radial slots, an internally threaded locking bush rotatably and slidably received on the housing and a stop ring fixed to the bush and formed with ratchet indentations distributed about the connector axis, a second connector element has a threaded body. A spring washer is axially retained between the stop ring and the flange. It has a plurality of keying fingers engaged into the slots for preventing mutual rotation of the housing and spring washer, is axially curved away from the housing between the fingers and is formed with projecting deformations located midway between the fingers for engagement into the ratchet identations by the resiliency of the washer.

Abstract: A clamp for use with a quick-disconnect cable connector for joining a cable connector having a plug assembly and matching receptacle. A coupling sleeve is axially passed over the plug assembly. A mating coupling sleeve is secured to the coupling nut portion of the plug assembly with an axial force transmitting device therebetween. The axial force transmitting means transmits an axial force developed when the two coupling sleeves are torqued to the plug assembly. The axial force transmitted means may be cylindrical sectors for a slotted annular ring with the result that the axial force is distributed uniformly around the plug assembly such that the plug assembly is seated against the receptacle maintaining a seal therebetween and preventing misalignment.