Snap action connector

Claim 2

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, means for releasably securing said plug and receptacle sections together, a movable portion on one of said sections, said portion being movable relative to said section between a fully mated position and a fully unmated position, complementary threads on at least one of said sections for moving said sections between the fully mated position and the fully unmated portion, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance therebetween whereby said sections may move axially relative to each other by said amount, said clearance being so large that the threads do not engage when said portion is in the fully mated position and said spring is free to resiliently bias the portion into the fully mated position, and a spring effective to coact with said sections and create an axial force tending to maintain said portion biased into the fully mated position.

Claim 3

The combination of claim 1 wherein the complementary threads include first and second sets of threads that mate with each other, said first and second sets of theads being disposed on the same section.

Claim 4

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, means for releasably securing said plug section and receptacle section together, a movable portion on one of said sections, said portion being movable between a fully mated position and a fully unmated position, complementary threads on at least one of said sections for moving said portion between said fully mated position and a fully unmated position, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance space therebetween whereby said portion may move axially relative to said sections by said amount, a bistable spring effective to coact with said sections and create an axial force on said portion, said spring when in one stable condition being effective to bias said threads one way and when in the other stable condition being effective to bias said threads in the opposite direction, and said clearance space being so large that when said portion is in the fully mated position, said threads do not engage each other and said bistable spring is free to resiliently bias said portion into its fully mated position.

Claim 5

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, means for releasably securing said plug section and receptacle section together, a movable portion on one of said sections, said portion being movable between a fully mated position and a fully unmated position, complementary threads on at least one of said sections for moving said portion between said fully mated position and a fully unmated position, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance space therebetween whereby said portion may move axially relative to said sections by said amount, a bistable spring effective to coact with said sections and create an axial force on said portion, said spring when in one stable condition being effective to bias said threads one way and when in the other stable condition being effective to bias said threads in the opposite direction, and said clearance space being so large that when said portion is in the fully mated position, said threads do not engage each other and said bistable spring is free to resiliently bias said portion into its fully mated position.

Claim 6

The combination of claim 3 wherein the complementary threads include first and second sets of threads that mate with each other, said first and second sets of threads being disposed on the same section, and said means for releasably securing said sections together is operatively interconnected with said spring by said threads whereby said means is effective to move said spring between its two stable positions.

Claim 7

The combination of claim 3 wherein said bistable spring is a Belleville washer.

Claim 8

The combination of claim 3 wherein said means for releasably securing said sections together includes a breech lock movable between a lock position wherein said sections are secured together and an unlock position wherein said sections are released, and said breech lock being effective to move said spring from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said lock moves from one of said positions to the other position.

Claim 9

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, a movable portion on one of said sections, said portion being movable between a mated position and an unmated position, retainer means for securing said sections together, complementary threads on at least one of said sections effective to mesh with each other and being interconnected with the movable portion for moving said portion, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance therebetween whereby one of said threads may move axially relative to the other by said amount, and said portion is free to "float" by said amount, and a bistable spring effective to coact with said retainer means, said spring being effective in one stable condition to create an axial force tending to move said threads axially relative to each other in one direction and effective in the other stable condition to create an axial force tending to move said threads axially relative to each other in the opposite direction.

Claim 10

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, a movable portion on one of said sections, said portion being movable between a mated position and an unmated position, retainer means for securing said sections together, complementary threads on at least one of said sections effective to mesh with each other and being interconnected with the movable portion for moving said portion, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance therebetween whereby one of said threads may move axially relative to the other by said amount, and said portion is free to "float" by said amount, and a bistable spring effective to coact with said retainer means, said spring being effective in one stable condition to create an axial force tending to move said threads axially relative to each other in one direction and effective in the other stable condition to create an axial force tending to move said threads axially relative to each other in the opposite direction.

Claim 11

The combination of claim 7 wherein the complementary threads include first and second sets of threads that mate with each other, said first and second sets of threads being disposed on the same section.

Claim 12

The combination of claim 7 wherein said bistable spring is a Belleville washer.

Claim 13

The combination of claim 7 wherein said bistable spring is a Belleville washer, and said retainer includes a breech lock.

Claim 14

The combination of a first section, a first set of electrical contacts in said first section, a second section effective to mate with said first section, a second set of electrical contacts in said second section, said second set of electrical contacts being movable within said second section between an extended position wherein the electrical contacts in said first set mate with the electrical contacts in said second set when said sections are mated and a retracted position wherein said contacts are separated, a bistable spring effective to move over-center between either a first position or a second position, said spring when in the first position being effective to bias said second set of contacts into said extended position wherein said sets of contacts are mated, said spring when in said second position being effective to bias said sets of contacts into said retracted position wherein said sets of contacts are separated, and a lock for releasably securing said sections together, said lock being effective to move said spring into either the first position or the second position.

Claim 15

The combination of a first section, a first set of electrical contacts in said first section, a second section effective to mate with said first section, a second set of electrical contacts in said second section, said second set of electrical contacts being movable within said second section between an extended position wherein the electrical contacts in said first set mate with the electrical contacts in said second set when said sections are mated and a retracted position wherein said contacts are separated, a bistable spring effective to move over-center between either a first position or a second position, said spring when in the first position being effective to bias said second set of contacts into said extended position wherein said sets of contacts are mated, said spring when in said second position being effective to bias said sets of contacts into said retracted position wherein said sets of contacts are separated, and a lock for releasably securing said sections together, said lock being effective to move said spring into either the first position or the second position.

Claim 16

The combination of a receptacle section, a first set of electrical contacts in said receptacle section, a plug section effective to mate with said first section, a member movably disposed in said plug section, said member being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, a second set of electrical contacts disposed upon said member and movable therewith, said second set of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first set when said member is in said extended position and adapted to separate when said member is in the retracted position, a Belleville washer effective to move overcenter between either a first position or a second position, said washer when in the first position being effective to bias said member toward said extended position wherein said sets of contacts are mated, said washer when in said second position being effective to bias said member toward said retracted position wherein said sets of contacts are separated, a breech lock movable between a first position for securing said receptacle and plug sections together and a second position for releasing said sections, a retainer sleeve in said breech lock, and complementary threads on said retainer sleeve and said member, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance therein, whereby said member may move relative to said retainer by said amount, said threads being effective when said breech lock is in said first position to move said member into said extended position and said washer into said first position, said threads being effective when said breech lock is in said second position to move said member into said retracted position and said washer into said second position.

Claim 17

The combination of a receptacle section, a first set of electrical contacts in said receptacle section, a plug section effective to mate with said first section, a member movably disposed in said plug section, said member being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, a second set of electrical contacts disposed upon said member and movable therewith, said second set of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first set when said member is in said extended position and adapted to separate when said member is in the retracted position, a Belleville washer effective to move overcenter between either a first position or a second position, said washer when in the first position being effective to bias said member toward said extended position wherein said sets of contacts are mated, said washer when in said second position being effective to bias said member toward said retracted position wherein said sets of contacts are separated, a breech lock movable between a first position for securing said receptacle and plug sections together and a second position for releasing said sections, a retainer sleeve in said breech lock, and complementary threads on said retainer sleeve and said member, said threads having a predetermined amount of clearance therein, whereby said member may move relative to said retainer by said amount, said threads being effective when said breech lock is in said first position to move said member into said extended position and said washer into said first position, said threads being effective when said breech lock is in said second position to move said member into said retracted position and said washer into said second position.

Claim 18

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, retainer means on one of said sections, said retainer means being movable between a first position for securing said sections together and a second position for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, a first set of electrical contacts on one of said sections, a second set of electrical contacts on the other of said sections for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, lost motion means interconnecting the movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said lost motion means being effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, said lost motion means having a predetermined amount of lost motion whereby said last set may move by said amount, and a bistable spring effective to bias the movable set of contacts toward the mated position or the unmated position when retainer means moves between said first and second positions.

Claim 19

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, retainer means on one of said sections, said retainer means being movable between a first position for securing said sections together and a second position for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, a first set of electrical contacts on one of said sections, a second set of electrical contacts on the other of said sections for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, lost motion means interconnecting the movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said lost motion means being effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, said lost motion means having a predetermined amount of lost motion whereby said last set may move by said amount, and a bistable spring effective to bias the movable set of contacts toward the mated position or the unmated position when retainer means moves between said first and second positions.

Claim 20

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, retainer means on one of said sections, said retainer means being movable between a first position for securing said sections together and a second position for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, a first set of electrical contacts on one of said sections, a second set of electrical contacts on the other of said sections for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, lost motion means interconnecting the movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said lost motion means being effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, said lost motion means having a predetermined amount of lost motion whereby said last set may move by said amount, said retainer means includes a breech lock, said lost motion means includes sets of mating threads, a Belleville washer interconnected with the movable set of contacts and said lost motion means so as to act as a bistable spring having a first stable position and a second stable position, said spring when in one position being effective to bias the set of contacts in one direction and when in the other position being effective to bias the set of contacts in the other direction, and said threads being effective to move said spring between said positions.

Claim 21

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, retainer means on one of said sections, said retainer means being movable between a first position for securing said sections together and a second position for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, a first set of electrical contacts on one of said sections, a second set of electrical contacts on the other of said sections for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, lost motion means interconnecting the movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said lost motion means being effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, said lost motion means having a predetermined amount of lost motion whereby said last set may move by said amount, said retainer means includes a breech lock, said lost motion means includes sets of mating threads, a Belleville washer interconnected with the movable set of contacts and said lost motion means so as to act as a bistable spring having a first stable position and a second stable position, said spring when in one position being effective to bias the set of contacts in one direction and when in the other position being effective to bias the set of contacts in the other direction, and said threads being effective to move said spring between said positions.

Claim 22

The combination of a plug section, a first set of electrical contacts on said plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, a second set of electrical contacts on said receptacle section for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, retainer means movable between first and second positions for securing said sections together and for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, thread means interconnecting said movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said thread means including a first set of spiral threads and a second set of spiral threads, the threads in one set mating with the space between the threads in the other set whereby rotation thereof is effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, spring means effective to bias the movable set of contacts into the extended or mated position, and the space between the threads in each set being considerably wider than the teeth in the other set so that said thread means have a predetermined amount of lost motion therein which is equal to the difference between the width of the thread and the width of the space and is effective to allow the movable set of contacts to be free to travel a distance corresponding to said amount of lost motion, said amount of lost motion being large enough to allow said spring means to maintain the spring in the extended position without either thread engaging the other.

Claim 23

The combination of a plug section, a first set of electrical contacts on said plug section, a receptacle section effective to mate with said plug section, a second set of electrical contacts on said receptacle section for mating with the first set of electrical contacts, retainer means movable between first and second positions for securing said sections together and for releasing said sections whereby they may be separated from each other, one of said sets of contacts being movable between a retracted or unmated position and an extended or mated position, thread means interconnecting said movable set of contacts with said retainer means, said thread means including a first set of spiral threads and a second set of spiral threads, the threads in one set mating with the space between the threads in the other set whereby rotation thereof is effective to move said set of contacts between said mated position and said unmated position as said retainer means moves between said first and second positions, spring means effective to bias the movable set of contacts into the extended or mated position, and the space between the threads in each set being considerably wider than the teeth in the other set so that said thread means have a predetermined amount of lost motion therein which is equal to the difference between the width of the thread and the width of the space and is effective to allow the movable set of contacts to be free to travel a distance corresponding to said amount of lost motion, said amount of lost motion being large enough to allow said spring means to maintain the spring in the extended position without either thread engaging the other.

Claim 24

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, and toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated.

Claim 25

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, and toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated.

Claim 26

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting said securing means with said toggle means, said securing means being effective to move said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other position.

Claim 27

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting said securing means with said toggle means, said securing means being effective to move said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other position.

Claim 28

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said section for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting said securing means with said toggle means for moving said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one position to the other position, said toggle means being effective to produce an audible sound when it moves from one of said stable conditions to the other stable condition.

Claim 29

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said section for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting said securing means with said toggle means for moving said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one position to the other position, said toggle means being effective to produce an audible sound when it moves from one of said stable conditions to the other stable condition.

Claim 30

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting the securing means with said toggle means, said lost means being effective to move said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other position, said toggle means being effective to create a force on said securing means that changes abruptly when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other of said positions.

Claim 31

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, and means interconnecting the securing means with said toggle means, said lost means being effective to move said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other position, said toggle means being effective to create a force on said securing means that changes abruptly when said securing means moves from one of said positions to the other of said positions.

Claim 32

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, a breech lock in said securing means movable between a lock position wherein said sections are secured together and an unlock position wherein said sections are released, and means interconnecting said breech lock with said toggle means for moving said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said breech lock moves from one of said positions to the other position.

Claim 33

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, securing means movable between a lock position for securing said sections together, and an unlocked position for releasing said sections for separation from each other, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, toggle means having a first stable condition and a second stable condition, means interconnecting the toggle means with the electrical contact, said toggle means being effective when moved into one stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in one direction whereby they are separated, said toggle means being effective when moved into the other stable condition to create a force tending to move said contacts said distance relative to each other in the opposite direction whereby they are mated, a breech lock in said securing means movable between a lock position wherein said sections are secured together and an unlock position wherein said sections are released, and means interconnecting said breech lock with said toggle means for moving said toggle means from one stable condition to the other stable condition when said breech lock moves from one of said positions to the other position.

Claim 34

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, means for securing said sections together, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, bistable biasing means having first and second stable conditions, and means interconnecting said bistale means with said electrical contacts for moving said contacts bistable one direction relative to each other whereby said contacts are separated when said sections are separated and in the opposite direction whereby said contacts are mated when said sections are mated.

Claim 35

The combination of a plug section, a receptacle section, said sections being effective to mate with each other, means for securing said sections together, complementary electrical contacts on said sections effective to electrically mate with each other, the contacts in one section being movable a predetermined distance, bistable biasing means having first and second stable conditions, and means interconnecting said bistale means with said electrical contacts for moving said contacts bistable one direction relative to each other whereby said contacts are separated when said sections are separated and in the opposite direction whereby said contacts are mated when said sections are mated.