Abstract: A quick release, two part electrical connector assembly immediately responsive to an external axial release force transmitted thereto without interfering with manual uncoupling rotation seats the foot (58) from each of three locking fingers (56) against a bayonet pin (24) from the mated receptacle, each finger extending longitudinally from a locking ring (50) on the plug and adapted to be pulled outwardly of a coupling ring (30) as a result of the bayonet pins transmitting releasing forces to the feet. The locking ring is completely enclosed within the coupling ring and a coil spring (46) is disposed in an annular cavity (70) formed between the rings to resist forward axial movement of the locking ring relative to the plug part. A waved washer (28) seats against the plug flange (14) to bias the locking ring axially rearward.

Abstract: A set of three annular ribs (44,46,48) disposed annularly around a crimp sleeve (28) are crimped radially inward about a coaxial cable (10) having a forward end portion (20) of its cable braid (16) exposed and folded backwardly, the ribs when crimped inwardly providing cable retention, electrical circuit path between the sleeve and braid, and in a moisture seal adjacent the rearward end face (38) of the sleeve.

Abstract: A tubular sleeve of a deformable plastic is longitudinally slotted to define a plurality of laterally separated axially weakened longitudinal columns (62) the respective forward leading edges (64) of which being inserted into an annular passageway (32) formed between an insert (20) disposed in a shell (10) so that the columns curl about and the column medial portions (66) collapse in an accordian-like fashion whereby to radially interferencingly wedge and lock the columns in the passage and thereby to retain the insert in the shell. The curling could be 180.degree. causing the leading edges to retreat coaxially rearward or be 270.degree. causing the leading edges to loop about and be driven radially outward, the leading edges in either possibly engaging its rearward medial portion.

Abstract: A locking arrangement for mating electrical connector housings includes a locking clip interfitting within a release clip each being releasably inserted into a passage of one housing with a forward end portion of the locking clip extending into a passage of the other housing for locking the mated housings together. Release occurs as a result of manual actuation either by the forward end portions being deflected laterally or by the release clip being pushed axially in its passage towards the forward end portions thereby engaging a protuberance which deflects the end portions laterally and from engagement.

Abstract: A conductive insert assembly is mounted in a metal shell to retain and ground out unwanted electrical signals between two or more coaxial terminals, the grounding arrangement including a cylindrical metal retention clip being carried in each passage of an array of through passages, the clip including a spring finger that establishes a first electrical circuit contact with an axial end face of the terminal, and a stiff protuberance and a resilient wing that extend radially inward to captivate and establish a second electrical path with the outer periphery of the terminal, the retention clip being captivated within a pair of conductive planar members.

Abstract: A shielding and grounding ring comprises a cup shaped member including a flat ring portion defining the base of the cup and having a central opening sized to fit about a plug shell, a skirt described by a plurality of slots and associated fingers each extending longitudinally from the end of the skirt to locations on the ring portion, and a circumferential lip extending rearwardly from the opening. When a compression ring is plastically deformed in the groove, the lip and the ring portion, respectively, make substantially 360.degree. contact with the annular groove and the radial flange thereby providing positive retention and completing electrical circuit paths with the plug shell. The slots undergo a 90.degree. change in direction to reduce adverse stress which could lead to spring finger failures in the ring.

Abstract: A solderless terminal for electrically and mechanically terminating an insulated wire includes a U-shaped channel including a wire retention portion comprising a wire receiving opening having a wire engaging means formed integrally therewith and means to compress the wire engaging means into engagement with a circumferential longitudinal portion of the wire whereby to maintain that engagement.

Abstract: A coupling nut and a lock nut each being generally cylindrical with substantially like outside diameter and having an end face thereof provided with a contiguous 360.degree. plurality of teeth, the coupling nut being mounted for rotation on a plug shell, the lock nut being retained for axial sliding movement on a receptacle shell and biased forwardly by a pre-loaded spring, and the teeth being the same and interengaging only upon nearly full-mate of the shells. To retain the lock nut or change the position of the lock nut whereby to adjust the spring pre-load a pin from the receptacle is received in one of a pair of detents in an L-shaped cavity formed in the lock nut.

Abstract: Two pairs of a first cover (52,53) mounted over a second covers (62,63) captivate and strain relieve respective flat wire cables upon the wires being passed between the respective cover pair and the cover pairs being latched to a connector housing. Respective contacts in the housing are secured therein by a comb (34).

Abstract: An anti-decoupling mechanism for preventing unwanted decoupling of an electrical connector as a result of vibration. The decoupling mechanism includes a one-piece gull-shaped spring (400) mounted to a connector coupling ring (300). The spring (400) includes a central portion (410) having an arcuate groove (411) formed thereon and a pair of wing members (420, 430) extending outwardly therefrom, the arcuate portion being secured in place by a pin (600) interference fit through a hole (331) disposed in the coupling ring. Each wing member includes first and second strips in superposed relation and a medial enlargement or tooth member (440) projecting radially inward from a forward surface of one of the strips and adapted to engage ratchet teeth (141) disposed on one of the connectors, the wings biasing the tooth against the ratchet teeth to increase anti-decoupling torque.

Abstract: A manually operable releasable retention arrangement in one connector housing includes a receptacle comprised of a pair of split semi-cylindrical segments each pivotally mounted to a drive shaft and adapted to threadably engage a threaded member on a second connector housing. Rotation of the drive shaft causes the segments to interengage with the threaded member whereby to hold the housings together but rearward axial movement of a forwardly biased operating sleeve circumposed about the receptacle brings an annular groove thereon into register with outward annular ribs on the segments allowing the ribs to be received in the groove and the segments to pivot relative to their mounting whereby to release the threaded member.

Abstract: A pair of connector members (10,30) have cylindrical portions (12,32) which mate along a first direction, one and the other member having an angled cable support (20,26) and a rectangular end portion (34) adapted for fitment in a configured opening (44) of a connector receptacle (40) in only of selected angular positions and only in a second direction whereby to orient the mated members and the cable support relative to the receptacle. An integrally formed latch arrangement (16,18) and terminal retention arrangement (60,58) allows for snap-in assembly.

Abstract: A spring member (40) is integrally molded to a radial flange (36) of a coupling nut (30), the spring member including a detent tooth (42) and having one end thereof being formed into the flange and the other end free to flex radially inward and outward to engage successive ratchet teeth (14) around the outer periphery of a plug shell (12) to which the coupling nut is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A spring member comprises a set of flat arcuate ring segments each having a flange portion extending perpendicularly from its opposite ends. The segments are assembled about a plug shoulder to resist rotation of a coupling nut thereabout only when each of a pair of connector shells are nearly mated, the segments being driven rearwardly by the receptacle and providing a substantially continuous 360.degree. metal-to-metal EMI shield between the forward end face of the receptacle and the plug shoulder when the shells are fully mated. The flange portions are driven into detents disposed in the coupling nut flange and resist rotation only near full mate.

Abstract: This invention relates to electrical connectors of the type having insertable contacts. The invention is more particularly related to the molded contact retaining insert (10) of the connector that is characterized by a plurality of triangularly shaped passages (15) each having a retention finger (1, 2, 3) in each corner of the triangle to maximize the density of the passages (15) within a given area. At least one side (11) of each passage (15) is parallel to one side (13) of an adjacent passage.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic coupling system, especially for an optical fibre (or electrical) connector member. The connector member 10 has a body 12 with a cylindrical portion 14 and a semi-cylindrical extension 16, defining a stepped end profile comprising rearward and forward spaced parallel semi-annular transverse surfaces 24, 26 and a planar portion 22 between them, this structure having 180.degree. rotational symmetry about a transverse axis 56. A channel 20 is formed in the extension 16 as a continuation of a bore 18 in the portion 14 forming a recess. A boss 32 is in the channel 20 and has a projecting end 34 projecting forwardly of surface 26. A domed abutment surface 44 on an abutment member 42 resiliently mounted by a spring 40 at the rear of the boss faces rearwardly towards the bore 18. The space 50 between the boss 32 and the end surface 24 of the body portion 14 is sufficient to receive laterally the boss on an opposed identical connector member 58 when the abutment members are depressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrical connector that has insertable and removable contacts (20) retained and sealed against moisture by a one piece molded rubber insert (30). The invention is characterized by a contact (20) having two annular grooves (24, 25) formed by acutely angled flat surfaces (26, 27) that are adapted to mate with flat surfaces (36, 37) from corresponding wall portions (32, 33) of a complementary shaped bore (31) in a molded rubber insert (30).

Abstract: A spring member (40) is integrally molded to a radial flange (36) of a coupling nut (30), the spring member including a detent tooth (42) and having one end thereof being formed into the flange and the other end free to flex radiallyinward and outward to engage successive ratchet teeth (14) around the outer periphery of a plug shell (12) to which the coupling nut is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: This invention is an electrical contct that includes an inner sleeve (10) that is stamped and formed from a single sheet of metal and is characterized by a plurality of apertures (11) in the sleeve (10) that have an axis of symmetry (11a) or a straight side (13) that is at an acute angle with the central axis (10a) of the sleeve.

Abstract: An easily assembled and disassembled rectangular connector assembly wherein contacts (30) are retained in a connector housing (10) by a plurality of segments (20) that are releasably mounted to the connector housing (10). The segments (20) are releasably mounted to the housing (10) by a plurality of resiliently deflectable fingers (13) having a flange (14) thereon that engages a shoulder (24) on each of the segments (20). A window (25) provides access to the flanges (14) so that the flanges (14) may be deflected and disengaged from the shoulder (24) on the segment (20).