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US3843853A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical connector with switch and latch means therefore
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1974-10-22
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A switching electrical connector including a retractable body of electrical contacts for making and breaking a multiplicity of independent electrical circuits through the connector. The retractable body carries a locking ring which is held in an expanded condition within a groove in a connector shell by means of a pin. When the pin is released, springs in the connector contract the ring out of the groove and shift the retractable body so as to disengage the electrical contacts in the connector, thus breaking the electrical circuits through the connector. The pin can be either physically pulled or may be a low melting point alloy, such as solder, allowing the connector to automatically disconnect in an elevated temperature environment. The locking ring and release mechanism may also be used to couple a pair of mated cylindrical members together.
Inventors
- 👤 G Panek
- 👤 E Dubell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/633; H01R13/635; H01R13/40; H01R13/42; H01R13/422; H01R13/4223; H01R13/4226; H01R13/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A switching electrical connector comprising: a shell having a bore therein; fixed and axially movable insulators positioned in said bore, said movable insulator being movable between a first position adjacent to said fixed insulator and a second position spaced from said fixed insulator; a pair of complementary axially aligned contacts mounted in said insulators, respectively, and adapted to complete an electrical circuit through the connector when one contact is engaged with the other, said contacts being engaged when said movable insulator is in said first position and being disengaged when said movable insulator is in said second position; an annular groove in the wall of said bore; a radially contractible locking ring carried by said movable insulator and being engaged with said groove when said movable insulator is positioned in said first position, whereby said locking ring retains said movable insulatoR in said first position; means biasing said movable insulator toward said second position thereof; cam surface means between said locking ring and said groove for causing said locking ring to contract, under the force of said biasing means, out of said groove; and releasable means for retaining said locking ring engaged with said groove, release of said releasable means allowing said biasing means and cam surface means to cooperate to contract said locking ring out of said groove, whereby said movable insulator will shift to said second position causing said contacts to become engaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A switching electrical connector comprising: a shell having a bore therein; fixed and axially movable insulators positioned in said bore, said movable insulator being movable between a first position adjacent to said fixed insulator and a second position spaced from said fixed insulator; a pair of complementary axially aligned contacts mounted in said insulators, respectively, and adapted to complete an electrical circuit through the connector when one contact is engaged with the other, said contacts being engaged when said movable insulator is in said first position and being disengaged when said movable insulator is in said second position; an annular groove in the wall of said bore; a radially contractible locking ring carried by said movable insulator and being engaged with said groove when said movable insulator is positioned in said first position, whereby said locking ring retains said movable insulatoR in said first position; means biasing said movable insulator toward said second position thereof; cam surface means between said locking ring and said groove for causing said locking ring to contract, under the force of said biasing means, out of said groove; and releasable means for retaining said locking ring engaged with said groove, release of said releasable means allowing said biasing means and cam surface means to cooperate to contract said locking ring out of said groove, whereby said movable insulator will shift to said second position causing said contacts to become engaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: at least the outer surface of said locking ring is curved in longitudinal cross-section defining said cam surface means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said locking ring is circular in longitudinal cross-section; and said groove is curved in longitudinal cross-section, the outer surface of said ring and said curved groove defining said cam surface means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said locking ring comprises a split ring defining a pair of free ends; and said releasable means is interposed between said free ends to retain said split ring in engagement with said groove when said movable insulator is in said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: an annular recess is formed in the outer surface of said movable insulator; and said locking ring is positioned entirely within said recess when said movable insulator is in said second position thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said biasing means comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending helical springs arranged in a circular pattern adjacent to the periphery of said insulators and disposed therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a second fixed insulator is mounted in said shell on the side of said movable insulator opposite to said first-mentioned insulator; a contact is provided in said second fixed insulator axially aligned and complementary with said contact in said movable insulator; and said contacts in said movable insulator and said second fixed insulator are engaged when said movable insulator is in both first and second position thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector as set forth in claim 7 wherein; said contacts in said fixed insulators are pin contacts and said contact in said movable insulator is a socket contact slidably receiving said pin contacts in the opposite ends thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said locking ring comprises a split ring defining a pair of free ends; and said releasable means comprises a relatively low melting temperature plug interposed between said free ends to retain said split ring in engagement with said groove when said movable insulator is in said first position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A connector as set forth in claim 9 wherein: the melting temperature of said plug is substantially less then that of said shell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as set forth in claim 9 wherein: said plug is formed of solder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
68 words
A connector as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said locking ring comprises a split ring defining a pair of free ends; and said releasable means comprises a pin mounted for radial sliding movement in said shell, the inner end of said pin being positioned between said free ends to retain said split ring in engagement with said groove when said movable insulator is in said first position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as set forth in claim 12 wherein; means are provided on the outer end of said pin for shifting said pin radially outwardly.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
220 words
In an electrical connector including a shell having a bore therein, fixed and axially movable insulators in said bore, a pair of complementary axially aligned contacts mounted in said insulators, respectively, adapted to complete an electrical circuit through the connector when one contact is engaged wIth the other, first means operable to hold said movable insulator in juxtaposition to said fixed insulator to bring said contacts into engagement, second means for shifting said movable insulator away from said fixed insulator to disengage said contacts, said third means for controlling said first and second means, respectively, the improvement which comprises: said first means including an annular groove in the wall of said bore and a radially contractible locking ring carried by said movable insulator engaged with said groove when said movable insulator is in juxtaposition to said fixed insulator; said second means comprising means biasing said movable insulator away from said fixed insulator; and said third means including releasable means for retaining said locking ring engaged with said groove, cam surface means between said locking ring and said groove for causing said locking ring to contract out of said groove under the force of said biasing means, release of said releasable means allowing said biasing means and cam surface means to cooperate to contract said locking ring out of said groove.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
220 words
In an electrical connector including a shell having a bore therein, fixed and axially movable insulators in said bore, a pair of complementary axially aligned contacts mounted in said insulators, respectively, adapted to complete an electrical circuit through the connector when one contact is engaged wIth the other, first means operable to hold said movable insulator in juxtaposition to said fixed insulator to bring said contacts into engagement, second means for shifting said movable insulator away from said fixed insulator to disengage said contacts, said third means for controlling said first and second means, respectively, the improvement which comprises: said first means including an annular groove in the wall of said bore and a radially contractible locking ring carried by said movable insulator engaged with said groove when said movable insulator is in juxtaposition to said fixed insulator; said second means comprising means biasing said movable insulator away from said fixed insulator; and said third means including releasable means for retaining said locking ring engaged with said groove, cam surface means between said locking ring and said groove for causing said locking ring to contract out of said groove under the force of said biasing means, release of said releasable means allowing said biasing means and cam surface means to cooperate to contract said locking ring out of said groove.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
A connector as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said locking ring comprises a split ring defining a pair of free ends; and said releasable means is interposed between said free ends to retain said split ring in an expanded condition when said movable insulator is in juxtaposition to said fixed insulator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector as set forth in claim 15 wherein: said releasable means comprises a plug having a melting temperature substantially less than that of said shell.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A connector as set forth in claim 16 wherein: said plug is formed of solder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
150 words
A coupling assembly comprising: a first cylindrical member telescopically mounted within a second cylindrical member; an annular groove formed on the inside wall of said second cylindrical member; a split ring carried by said first cylindrical member engaged with said groove, said split ring defining a pair of free ends, said free ends being spaced from each other when said split ring is engaged with said groove; cam surface means between said split ring and said groove for causing said ring to contract out of said groove upon application of an axially directed force to one of said members relative to the other of said members; and releasable means interposed between said free ends of said ring for maintaining said ring engaged with said groove, release of said releasable means allowing said cam surface means to contact said ring out of said groove upon application of said axially directed force.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
150 words
A coupling assembly comprising: a first cylindrical member telescopically mounted within a second cylindrical member; an annular groove formed on the inside wall of said second cylindrical member; a split ring carried by said first cylindrical member engaged with said groove, said split ring defining a pair of free ends, said free ends being spaced from each other when said split ring is engaged with said groove; cam surface means between said split ring and said groove for causing said ring to contract out of said groove upon application of an axially directed force to one of said members relative to the other of said members; and releasable means interposed between said free ends of said ring for maintaining said ring engaged with said groove, release of said releasable means allowing said cam surface means to contact said ring out of said groove upon application of said axially directed force.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
59 words
A coupling assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein: said releasable means includes an element pivotally mounted on said second cylindrical member, said element having a generally radially disposed end portion positioned between said free ends of said ring whereby pivoting of said element shifts said end portion into or out of the space between said free ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-21 | 1978-04-22 | 1978-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-21 | 1982-04-22 | 1982-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-21 | 1986-04-22 | 1986-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |