Abstract: An electrical connector assembly of separable first and second shells (100, 200) and a coupling nut (300) having a radial flange (340) rotatably mounted about first shell (100) and rearwardly of an annular shoulder (140) thereof with a coil spring (500) and an annular ring (400) mounted for sliding disposed between flange (340) and shoulder (140) for resisting unwanted rotation. Annular shoulder (140) and annular ring (400) have frusto-conical tapered faces (150, 420) to define therebetween a Vee-shaped vise for longitudinally squeezing the coil spring (500) and camming the spring radially outwardly from snug contacting fitment with the shell (100) and against an inner wall (322) of the coupling nut whereby frictional contact spring (500) against itself and portions of the coupling nut (300) resist rotation.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly including a pair of mating shells (100, 200) having end faces (122, 224) on dielectric inserts (110, 210) and a coupling nut (300) rotatably mounted on first shell (100), coupling nut (300) including an elongated a generally U-shaped passageway (142, 146, 144) sized to receive a coupling pin (280) on second shell (200), the passageway forming an integral cantilevered latch spring (160) of the type having adjacent its deflectable end a detent (162) for captivating the pin (280), rotation of coupling nut (300) bringing end faces (122, 224) into abutment to stop axial advance but permit continued rotation to allow coupling pin (280) to advance along the passageway to deflect latch spring (162) downwardly and reach the detent (162) whereupon latch spring (162) springs forwardly to captivate coupling pin (280) therein.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (100) includes a coupling ring (50) for connecting together two connector housings (10, 20) and self-contained means for resisting rotation of the coupling ring relative to the connector housing (20) to which it is rotatably mounted. The resisting means includes coupling ring (50) and connector housing (20) respectively, frusto-conical surfaces (72, 82) with protuberances (74) and sockets (84), in faced relation, the protuberances being adapted to be received in and rotated to succeeding sockets. The compressible plastic is such that as the housings are drawn into tight engagement the protuberances on the coupling ring engage the plastic surface on the other connector housing (10), causing the protuberances and surfaces to elastically compress.

Abstract: In order to retard the rotation of a coupling nut (40) mounted to an electrical connector housing (10) an annular ring (50) comprised of a rubber having a durometer of about 70 is located in pressure tight contact between the housing (10) and coupling nut (40).

Abstract: Energizing a solenoid causes mechanical means to close a pair of jaws and crimp a cable in a U-shaped cable clamp mounted to a multi-contact connector positioned for termination in an electrically powered termination tool. A movable carriage carries termination means and controls activation of switch means for energizing the solenoid during a portion of its travel. The mechanical means comprise either a link block and toggle levers or bell cranks and push bars. Hold-down means are provided for temporarily holding the cable in the clamp prior to closure.

Abstract: A coupling member (500) comprises outer and inner sleeves (410, 310) mounted for relative corotation about a connector shell (100) and about one another for rotational movement between locked and unlocked positions relative to a coil spring (322) carried by inner sleeve (310), the coil spring (322) being compressed radially inwardly by an inner wall (406) of outer sleeve (410) to drive medial tooth (318) of a spring beam (316) into a locked relation with ratchet teeth (138) disposed around the connector shell, rotation of outer sleeve (410) to a second position registering an undercut (408) in inner surface (406) with coil spring (322), whereby the coil spring expands into a relaxed position and means (422) for normally biasing the sleeves into the locked position.

Abstract: A coupling nut (300) comprises inner and outer sleeves (310, 410) mounted for corotation about a connector shell (100) and about one another for movement between locked and unlocked positions and means (422) for normally biasing the sleeves into the locked position, the connector shell having a plurality of ratchet teeth (138) formed on an outer periphery thereof, the coupling nut including a plurality of spring beams (316) adapted to have a medial tooth (318) thereof normally biased from engagement with the ratchet teeth in the unlocked position and driven into engagement with the ratchet teeth in the locked position by drive pins (322) disposed within openings (312) on inner sleeve (310), outer sleeve (410) having an inner surface (406) for driving the drive pin (322) and spring beam (316) into the locked relationship and angularly spaced undercuts (408A, 408B) for receiving drive pin (322) when actuating sleeve is turned to the unlocked position.

Abstract: This invention provides an improved moisture seal for an electrical connector assembly. The invention is characterized by an annular rubber member (10) having generally flat surfaces (11, 12, 13, 14) and an annular groove (15) in one of the surfaces (11) that abuts against a forward surface of one of the housings (30). A second groove (16) extending radially from the annular groove (15) to a circumferential surface (14) provides an escape path for air that would normally be trapped in the annular groove (15) when the sealing member (10) is compressed.

Abstract: Receptacle connector (10) secured by its flange (18) to panel (30) has a mating portion (14) extending forwardly from the panel for mating with mating portion (24) of plug connector (20) having a coupling member (40) rotatably mounted thereabout and adapted to draw the connectors together, an otherwise exposed region (50) about the mated connection being protected by a cup-shaped moisture seal (60) comprising a tubular body (62) sized to snugly fit about an exterior marginal annulus (41) of the coupling member and an annular flange (64) sized to fit about receptacle mating portion (14). Medial of annular flange (64) is a stiffening plate (70). An array of apertures of size sufficient to receive fasteners (68) pass through receptacle flange (18), annular flange (64), plate (70) and panel (30) annular flange (64) against flange (18) and panel (30) and moisture sealing thereabout.

Abstract: A three-piece socket contact characterized by a solid machined contact body (10), a tubular spring member (20) having at least one radially inwardly extending detent that engages a groove (11) in the contact body (10) to secure the spring member (20) to the contact body (10), and a protective sleeve (30) telescopically mounted over the tubular spring member (20).

Abstract: The invention provides a circuit (100) that isolates the electrical signals or noise in an ignition system from a computer (60) which controls the timing of the ignition system. The circuit is characterized by an electro-optical coupling device (130) such as a photosensitive transistor (125) controlled by a light emitting diode (120) to provide a variable light output in response to a variable output signal from the computer analyzing the operation of the engine.

Abstract: An improved method of making a retention collar (16) medially of an elongated electrical contact (10) of the type including a shoulder portion (14) and a termination portion (18), the shoulder portion (14) being formed with an axial passage (22) sized to secure several straight conductive wires (24) for mating. The individual wires are inserted into the passage and the shoulder portion then swaged (i.e., squeezed) by a pair of movable dies (36, 46) in an axial direction along the entire length of the passage so that an outer wall portion of the shoulder portion is pushed axially rearwardly and radially outwardly to thereby form the retention collar (16) and also pushed radially inwardly to thereby secure the wires within the passage.

Abstract: Mating forward ends (14, 24) of a receptacle connector (10) mounted in a panel (18) and plug connector (20) carrying a coupling member (30, 34, 40) are protected by a moisture seal (60) when interconnected. The moisture seal comprises a tubular body portion (64) which squeezes about the coupling member and a cup portion (66) which collapsibly compresses about the panel mounted connector, tubular body (64) including an annular shoulder (62) sized to be received in an annular cavity (50) around a sleeve (40) of the coupling member. The cup (64) comprises a frust-conical skirt (68), an annular collar (67) connecting the skirt to the body (64) and an annular foot (69) for sealing about the panel (18), reduced thicknesses (71, 73, 74) of tubular body portion (64) and annular collar (67) allowing cup portion (64) to collapse rearwardly relative to the coupling member when the annular foot (69) is forced against the panel (18).

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly (800) in which two mateable housings (200, 500) each have electrical contacts (100, 400) mounted therein. Each contact has a forward mating portion with a plurality of axially aligned wires (120, 420), each wire having an acutely angled forward end surface (122, 422). The axially aligned wires of each contact are surrounded by a shroud or sleeve (130, 430) which extends around the wires and forwardly of the end surfaces to protect them and allow the contact to be inserted into the housing from the rear through a rear-mounted grommet (300, 600). The sleeve (130) on the one contact has a larger diameter forward end than the sleeve (430) on the other mating contact to allow the sleeves to interfit together in telescoped relationship when the housings and contacts are mated. The housing (200) having the contact with the larger diameter sleeve (130) has a contact retention system which includes a forward stop (214) to captivate the contact by engaging the forward end of the sleeve.