An electrical connector having an anti-decoupling device

Claim 1

An electrical connector assembly having an anti-decoupling device comprising: first and second shells (100, 200) including, respectively, a forward portion (110, 210) and a dielectric insert (120, 220), each said insert retaining an electrical contact (130, 230) therein for mating, said second shell (200) including a radially extending coupling pin (280) on an outside portion thereof; a coupling nut (300) rotatably disposed about first shell (100) and including a coupling portion (310) for connecting the shells together and having an end face (312) and a guideway (148), said guideway (148) extending rearwardly from end face (312) for receiving coupling pin (280) and provided with a detent (162) for receiving said coupling pin; and an anti-decoupling device for preventing unwanted disconnection between the shells, said anti-decoupling device characterized by an end face (124) associated with said first shell (100) being adapted to abut an end face (222) associated with said second shell (200) for limiting axial advance of the shells but allowing continued rotation of the coupling nut; first and second laterally extending slots (142, 144) joined at adjacent ends by a longitudinal slot (146), said first lateral slot (142) being further inward from said end face (312) than said second lateral slot (144) and joined at its other end to guideway (148), said slots (142, 144, 146) forming integrally of coupling nut (300) a deflectable latch spring (160) having the detent (162) formed thereon for securing said coupling pin (280), advancing and rotating coupling nut (300) causes the end faces to abut and the pin (280) to be rotated in first lateral slot (142) and against the latch spring (160) to first deflect the spring and they advance to the detent (162) whereupon the latch spring deflects and the detent captivates the pin.