Combined mechanical fastener and electrical connector

Claim 1

A combination device for mechanically fastening two objects and providing an electrical connection therebetween, said device comprising: a. a flat retaining spring mounted on one object, said retaining spring having an elongated portion for movably fitting in an appropriately shaped recess in the second object; b. a first retaining plate mounted on said retaining spring, said first retaining plate having a generally circular opening therethrough; c. a plurality of circumferential locking members mounted on said first retaining plate around said circular opening and separated by spaces, each of said locking members having a sloped cam surface facing said one object; d. a second retaining plate mounted on said second object, said second retaining plate being generally circular and having circumferential locking tabs shaped and positioned around said second retaining plate to fit in said spaces between said locking members and respectively engage said sloped cam surfaces, thereby mechanically pulling and fastening said first and second objects together when said first and second objects are rotated relative to each other in a selected direction; e. one of said locking tabs and one of said spaces between said locking members being configured to permit said one locking tab to pass through only said one space; f. a stop positioned on said first retaining plate near one of said spaces to permit relative rotation of said first and second objects in said selected direction and to prevent relative rotation of said first and second objects in an opposite direction; g. a first electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said retaining spring at substantially the center of said circular opening; h. and a second electrical contact mounted on and insulated from said second retaining plate at substantially the center thereof; i. said first and second electrical contacts engaging each other and providing an electrical connection therebetween when said first and second objects are mechanically fastened together.