US4003622A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking shroud for electrical connector
Assignee: Hubbell Inc
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Filing: 1976-02-17
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Granted: 1977-01-18
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Expires: 1996-02-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved two-part electrical connector of the interlocking type. A generally cylindrical plug unit having a plurality of male electrical contacts extending from a front face thereof is provided. A generally cylindrical socket unit is adapted for mating with a plug unit. The socket unit has a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female electrical contacts beneath the slots to receive the male electrical contacts when the units are mated. The socket unit includes means for locking the plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are twisted with respect to one another. A generally cylindrical plug shroud element is mounted coaxially on the plug unit and a generally cylindrical socket shroud element is mounted coaxially on the socket unit and conforms circumferentially with the plug shroud element. Finally, manually actuable means are mounted in one of the shroud elements and movable to engage the other of the shroud elements to prevent relative rotation as between the plug and socket units on their common axis. In this manner, the plug and socket units are safely locked and cannot be accidentally disengaged. In the preferred embodiment of the invention the plug shroud element extends to at least the end of the male electrical contacts and serves to protect these contacts against damage. In this embodiment, the manually actuable means comprises a key mounted in a keyway in one of the shroud elements, and a keyway is also provided in the other of the shroud elements. The key is slidable to engage both keyways simultaneously to effect the desired locking.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert J. Gartland, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:13
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R24/00; H01R24/005; H01R2103/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A two-part electrical connector, comprising: a plug unit having a plurality of male electrical contacts extending from a front face thereof; a socket unit adapted for mating with said plug unit, said socket unit having a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female electrical contacts beneath said slots to receive the male electrical contacts when the units are mated; said socket unit including means for locking said plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are rotated with respect to one another; a generally cylindrical plug shroud element mounted coaxially on said plug unit; a generally cylindrical socket shroud element mounted coaxially on said socket unit and conforming circumferentially with said plug shroud element; and manually actuable means mounted in one of said shroud elements and moveable to engage the other of said shroud elements to prevent relative rotation as between said plug and socket units on their common axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A two-part electrical connector, comprising: a plug unit having a plurality of male electrical contacts extending from a front face thereof; a socket unit adapted for mating with said plug unit, said socket unit having a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female electrical contacts beneath said slots to receive the male electrical contacts when the units are mated; said socket unit including means for locking said plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are rotated with respect to one another; a generally cylindrical plug shroud element mounted coaxially on said plug unit; a generally cylindrical socket shroud element mounted coaxially on said socket unit and conforming circumferentially with said plug shroud element; and manually actuable means mounted in one of said shroud elements and moveable to engage the other of said shroud elements to prevent relative rotation as between said plug and socket units on their common axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electrical connector as defined by claim 1 wherein said manually actuable means comprises a key mounted in a keyway in one of said shroud elements and further comprising a keyway in the other of said shroud elements, said key being slideable to engage both keyways simultaneously.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector as defined by claim 1 wherein said plug shroud element extends to at least the end of said male electrical contacts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector as defined by claim 2 wherein said plug shroud element extends to at least the end of said male electrical contacts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
304 words
For use in conjunction with a two-part electrical connector including a plug unit which comprises a generally cylindrical plug head having a plurality of male contacts extending from the front face thereof and a generally cylindrical plug base having a front end removably secured to the rear end of said plug head, and a socket unit adapted for mating with said plug unit which comprises a generally cylindrical socket head having a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female contacts beneath said slots to receive the male contacts when the units are mated and a generally cylindrical socket base having a front end removably secured to the rear end of said socket head, said electrical connector including means for locking said plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are rotated with respect to one another, a protective device comprising: a plug shroud element having a hollow generally cylindrical shape and an annular ring protruding from the inner surface thereof, said plug shroud element being proportioned for coaxial mounting on said plug unit with its annular ring retained between the rear end of said plug head and the front end of said plug base, said plug shroud element extending past the front face of said plug head; and a socket shroud element having a hollow generally cylindrical shape and an annular ring protruding from the inner surface thereof, said socket shroud element being proportioned for coaxial mounting on said socket unit with its annular ring retained between the rear end of said socket head and the front end of said socket base; and manually actuable means mounted in one of said shroud elements and moveable to engage the other of said shroud elements to prevent relative rotation as between said plug and socket units on their common axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
304 words
For use in conjunction with a two-part electrical connector including a plug unit which comprises a generally cylindrical plug head having a plurality of male contacts extending from the front face thereof and a generally cylindrical plug base having a front end removably secured to the rear end of said plug head, and a socket unit adapted for mating with said plug unit which comprises a generally cylindrical socket head having a front face with slots therein and a plurality of female contacts beneath said slots to receive the male contacts when the units are mated and a generally cylindrical socket base having a front end removably secured to the rear end of said socket head, said electrical connector including means for locking said plug and socket units against axial disengagement when the mated units are rotated with respect to one another, a protective device comprising: a plug shroud element having a hollow generally cylindrical shape and an annular ring protruding from the inner surface thereof, said plug shroud element being proportioned for coaxial mounting on said plug unit with its annular ring retained between the rear end of said plug head and the front end of said plug base, said plug shroud element extending past the front face of said plug head; and a socket shroud element having a hollow generally cylindrical shape and an annular ring protruding from the inner surface thereof, said socket shroud element being proportioned for coaxial mounting on said socket unit with its annular ring retained between the rear end of said socket head and the front end of said socket base; and manually actuable means mounted in one of said shroud elements and moveable to engage the other of said shroud elements to prevent relative rotation as between said plug and socket units on their common axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device as defined by claim 5 wherein said manually actuable means comprises a key mounted in a keyway in one of said shroud elements and further comprising a keyway in the other of said shroud elements, said key being slideable to engage both keyways simultaneously.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as defined by claim 5 wherein said plug shroud element extends to at least the end of said male electrical contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device as defined by claim 6 wherein said plug shroud element extends to at least the end of said male electrical contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device as defined by claim 5 wherein the plug and socket bases have tabs at their front ends and the plug and socket heads have slots at their rear ends proportioned in accordance with the tabs, and wherein the annular rings in each of said shroud elements have a tab and slot proportioned to fit in the slot and tab, respectively, of their associated plug or socket unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device as defined by claim 8 wherein the plug and socket bases have tabs at their front ends and the plug and socket heads have slots at their rear ends proportioned in accordance with the tabs, and wherein the annular rings in each of said shroud elements has a tab and slot proportioned to fit in the slot and tab, respectively, of their associated plug or socket unit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-18 | 1980-07-19 | 1981-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-18 | 1984-07-19 | 1985-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-18 | 1988-07-19 | 1989-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |