Abstract: A conductive strip for providing electrical contact between a pin and a socket in an electrical connector. An elongated metallic band having a plurality of substantially parallel fingers is formed from the strip. One end of each finger is attached to and integral with the strip. The unattached ends of the fingers alternately project away from each large surface of the strip. The unattached ends of the fingers are oblique with respect to the longest side dimension of said strip. The oblique fingers provide a large surface area for contact, as well as a snow plow effect for providing the removal of oxides from the pin contact during insertion or retraction of the pin. A groove is provided between adjacent fingers for giving strength thereto.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a coupling nut provided with ratchet teeth on one end thereof for cooperating with a spring, so that the coupling nut is harder to rotate in one direction than the other. The spring is formed as a leaf spring having an elongate arm which cooperates with the forward and rearward faces of the ratchet teeth extending from the coupling nut. The relation between the leaf spring and the ratchet teeth is such that any compressive force acting on the spring during turning of the coupling nut is relatively light, and so the spring does not buckle as the coupling nut is turned. In one embodiment, the spring is in tension during rotation of the coupling nut in its uncoupling direction, and in compression only during rotation of the coupling nut in its easy direction, when the force is light. In another embodiment, compressive forces during rotation in the uncoupling direction are minimized by a rounded surface on the spring.

Abstract: An electrical connector incorporates a plug shell, a receptacle shell, a coupling nut for releasably interconnecting the plug shell together with the receptacle shell, and means for selectively impeding the coupling nut from being rotated in its decoupling direction. The latter means takes the form of interlocking splines provided on the plug shell, on the coupling nut, and on a coupling sleeve which surrounds the coupling nut. An alternative form uses a spring member urged against a cam surface provided on the end of the coupling nut.