Abstract: A spring member (40) comprising a plate (42) and a U-shaped leaf portion (44) is carried on the inner wall of a coupling nut (30), the leaf portion including a deflectable leaf portion (45) including a detent (46) and a foot portion (43), the wall having a helical groove (36) for captivating a pin (18) extending from a receptacle shell (12) and an annular rib (60) for seating the spring member adjacent the terminus (35) of the groove, the receptacle being drawn into metal-to-metal contact with a plug shell (20) by coupling rotation of the coupling nut whereupon the detent captivates the pin and locks the coupling nut from uncoupling rotation relative to the plug shell.

Abstract: A two-part electrical connector assembly (10, 20) includes a coupling member (30) rotatably carried by one connector part for engaging the other connector part and is characterized by a cylindrical cup-shaped detent sleeve (44) carried by the one part (10) and coupled to said coupling member, normally inoperative ratchet means (56, 70) engageable between the one part and the detent sleeve for resisting rotation of the coupling member, the ratchet means being adapted to become operable only when the two parts approach a fully mated condition by rotation of the coupling member in a mating direction, and indicating means (60, 40) including an indicator member (64) associated with the ratchet means for indicating the position of the connector parts, the indicating means initially providing a tactile and audible indication that the parts are approaching the mated condition and the indicator member providing a visual indication that the fully mated condition has finally been achieved.

Abstract: A bayonet-type lock arrangement in an electrical assembly for resisting unwanted rotation of a coupling member when a pair of connector members (10, 20) are in metal-to-metal contact, the lock arrangement including a one piece lock ring (56) having three cams (58) with each cam being disposed in the terminus of one of the helical grooves and each including a cam surface (58c) and an abutment shoulder (58d), a locator key (60) on the lock ring being received in an axial keyway (62) of the coupling member to maintain each cam in its respective terminus (53), and a waved washer (52) biasing the lock ring forwardly, each of the bayonet pins (18) passing over the respective cam surfaces being captivated and prevented by the respective abutment shoulders from uncoupling rotation.

Abstract: A closed, radially contractible, metallic annular spring band (20) is radially interposed between mating plug and receptacle shells (10, 40) to shield electromagnetic signals from entering or leaving the assembly, the plug shell (10) including an annular groove (14) circumposed by annular lips (16, 18) which define annular undercuts (17, 19) therearound to receive and captivate the spring band contracted therein.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly having plug and receptacle members and a bayonet-type coupling mechanism is constructed to provide improved shielding from electromagnetic interference (EMI). The shells of the plug and receptacle members abut in metal-to-metal, continuous peripheral contact and the uniquely configured interfacial seal of the assembly is designed to assure the achievement of the metal-to-metal engagement. A peripheral face seal is also provided again to assure metal-to-metal abutment and enhance EMI shielding.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed and has complementary receptacle and plug connector members, each member having a hollow shell containing a conventional insulating insert which houses electrical contacts. A rotatable coupling ring is carried by the plug and is engageable with the receptacle for mating the connector members and holding the contacts in electrical engagement. A radially deflectable detent leaf spring is carried on an inner circumferential portion of the coupling ring, and the leaf spring has a radially extending detent protrusion intermediate the ends thereof and engageable with an annular array of ratchet-type detent teeth on an outer circumferential portion of the connector plug. The leaf spring is comprised of a pair of superimposed leaf portions joined together integrally at adjacent ends thereof by an enlarged loop portion. The loop portion is positionable within an axially exposed mounting recess at one end of the coupling ring.