Preloaded electrical connector

Claim 2

An electrical connector comprising first and second components, each having interengageable contact means, coupling means for advancing said first component with respect to said second component to cause a portion of said first component to abut a portion of said second component and to cause engagement of said respective contact means, and spring washer means interposed between a portion of said coupling means and another portion of said first component which spring means is deflected solely by a predetermined decrease in the distance between said last-mentioned portions occurring only after said first-mentioned portions abut each other, said spring washer means having an undeflected thickness not greater than the distance between said last-mentioned portions at the time said first-mentioned portions abut each other.

Claim 3

The electrical connector defined in claim 1 in which said coupling means is rotatable to advance said first component with respect to said secOnd component, a detent ring rotatable with said coupling means having an axially directed hole therein, and a ball shiftable partially into said hole when said first and second components are fully coupled together.

Claim 4

The electrical connector defined in claim 2 in which said portion of said coupling means includes a retainer ring rotatable with both said coupling means and said detent ring, said spring washer means including a deformable washer member disposed between said rings.

Claim 5

An electrical connector comprising first and second components, each having interengageable contact means, a rotatable coupling ring for advancing said first component with respect to said second component to cause a portion of said first component to bottom against a portion of said second component when said coupling ring is in one rotative position and to also produce engagement of said respective contact means when in said one rotative position, a threaded retainer ring rotatable with said coupling ring, and a deformable spring washer engageable by said retainer ring to cause deflection of said spring washer only between said one rotative position of said coupling ring and a second rotative position of said coupling ring which produces a complete coupling of said first and second components, the axial position of said retainer ring predetermining the amount of said spring deflection.

Claim 6

An electrical connector comprising first and second components, each having interengageable contact means, a rotatable coupling ring for advancing said first component with respect to said second component to cause a portion of said first component to bottom against a portion of said second component when said coupling ring is in one rotative position and to also produce engagement of said respective contact means when in said one rotative position, a threaded retainer ring rotatable with said coupling ring, and a deformable spring washer engageable by said retainer ring to cause deflection of said spring washer only between said one rotative position of said coupling ring and a second rotative position of said coupling ring which produces a complete coupling of said first and second components, the axial position of said retainer ring predetermining the amount of said spring deflection.

Claim 7

The electrical connector defined in claim 4 including outwardly projecting bayonet means mounted on said first component, said coupling ring having an internal ramp groove receiving said bayonet means, said retainer ring being fixedly positioned in a spaced relationship with said ramp groove so as to provide said predetermined amount of deflection of said spring washer when said coupling ring has been rotated between its said rotative positions.

Claim 8

The electrical connector defined in claim 5 including outwardly directed flange means on said second component and detent means disposed axially between said outwardly porjecting means and said spring washer, whereby said detent means assists said spring washer in retaining said first and second components in their coupled condition when said coupling ring has been rotated into said second position.

Claim 9

An electrical connector comprising first and second shells of a size such that an end portion of said second shell fits in an end portion of said first shell, first contact means contained in said first shell, second contact means contained in said second shell, said second shell having an outwardly projecting flange engageable by the end portion of said first shell when said first and second contact means are mated, a coupling ring having an inwardly projecting flange, interengaging bayonet and ramp groove means on said first shell and said coupling ring for advancing said first shell in a direction to cause its said end portion to abut said outwardly projecting flange to reduce the axial spacing between said flanges, a spring washer disposed in said space and confronting said inwardly projecting flange, and means positioned in said space between said outwardly projecting flange and said washer for transmitting a compressive force against said washer to partially flatten said washer against said inwardly projecting flange only after the said end portion of said first shell abuts said outwardly projecting flange.

Claim 10

An electrical connector comprising first and second shells of a size such that an end portion of said second shell fits in an end portion of said first shell, first contact means contained in said first shell, second contact means contained in said second shell, said second shell having an outwardly projecting flange engageable by the end portion of said first shell when said first and second contact means are mated, a coupling ring having an inwardly projecting flange, interengaging bayonet and ramp groove means on said first shell and said coupling ring for advancing said first shell in a direction to cause its said end portion to abut said outwardly projecting flange to reduce the axial spacing between said flanges, a spring washer disposed in said space and confronting said inwardly projecting flange, and means positioned in said space between said outwardly projecting flange and said washer for transmitting a compressive force against said washer to partially flatten said washer against said inwardly projecting flange only after the said end portion of said first shell abuts said outwardly projecting flange.

Claim 11

The electrical connector defined in claim 7 in which said means includes a detent ring confronting the other side of said spring washer, said detent ring being longitudinally keyed to said coupling ring and having at least one pocket therein facing away from said washer, said outwardly projecting flange having at least one recess therein, a detent ball carried in each of said recesses of a size so as to only partially be received in said pocket when rotation of said coupling ring has moved said pocket into angular alignment with said recess and the detent ball contained therein, and resilient means for urging said detent ball in The direction of said pocket.

Claim 12

The electrical connector defined in claim 7 in which said inwardly projecting flange is threadedly received in said coupling ring.

Claim 13

The electrical connector defined in claim 9 in which said inwardly projecting flange is fixedly secured within said coupling ring at the proper location to preload said spring washer.

Claim 14

An electrical connector comprising first and second components, each having interengageable contact means, coupling means for advancing said first component with respect to said second component to cause a portion of said first component to abut a portion of said second component and to cause engagement of said respective contact means, and spring washer means interposed between a portion of said coupling means and another portion of said first component which spring means is deflected by a decrease in the distance between said last-mentioned portions after said first-mentioned portions abut each other, said spring washer means being preloaded and having a tapered cross section.

Claim 15

An electrical connector comprising first and second components, each having interengageable contact means, coupling means for advancing said first component with respect to said second component to cause a portion of said first component to abut a portion of said second component and to cause engagement of said respective contact means, and spring washer means interposed between a portion of said coupling means and another portion of said first component which spring means is deflected by a decrease in the distance between said last-mentioned portions after said first-mentioned portions abut each other, said spring washer means being preloaded and having a tapered cross section.

Claim 16

The electrical connector defined in claim 11 in which said washer has a thicker outside diameter and a thinner inside diameter.

Claim 17

The electrical connector defined in claim 11 in which said spring washer means constitutes an annular washer having a thicker outer diameter and a thinner inner diameter.

Claim 18

The electrical connector defined in claim 13 including detent means for assisting said annular spring washer in the retention of said components in their coupled relationship.

Claim 19

The electrical connector defined in claim 14 in which said detent means includes a ball shiftable into a retentive position.

Claim 20

An electrical connector comprising first and second shells of a size such that an end portion of said second shell fits in an end portion of said first shell, first contact means contained in said first shell, second contact means contained in said second shell, said second shell having an outwardly projecting flange engageable by the end portion of said first shell when said first and second contact means are mated, a coupling ring having an inwardly projecting flange threadedly received therein, interengaging bayonet and ramp groove means on said first shell and said coupling ring for advancing said first shell in a direction to cause its said end portion to abut said outwardly projecting flange to reduce the axial spacing between said flanges, a spring washer having a tapered cross section disposed in said space and confronting said inwardly projecting flange, said inwardly projecting flange being fixedly secured within said coupling ring at the proper location to preload said spring washer, and means positioned in said space between said outwardly projecting flange and said washer for transmitting a compressive force against said washer to partially flatten said washer against said inwardly projecting flange.

Claim 21

An electrical connector comprising first and second shells of a size such that an end portion of said second shell fits in an end portion of said first shell, first contact means contained in said first shell, second contact means contained in said second shell, said second shell having an outwardly projecting flange engageable by the end portion of said first shell when said first and second contact means are mated, a coupling ring having an inwardly projecting flange threadedly received therein, interengaging bayonet and ramp groove means on said first shell and said coupling ring for advancing said first shell in a direction to cause its said end portion to abut said outwardly projecting flange to reduce the axial spacing between said flanges, a spring washer having a tapered cross section disposed in said space and confronting said inwardly projecting flange, said inwardly projecting flange being fixedly secured within said coupling ring at the proper location to preload said spring washer, and means positioned in said space between said outwardly projecting flange and said washer for transmitting a compressive force against said washer to partially flatten said washer against said inwardly projecting flange.