Abstract A self-aligning connector in which the corresponding male and female members are rotated into mating alignment by the conversion of axially directed force into rotational torque about the mating axis. The aligning feature resides in each member having a corresponding intermediate cylindrical body with an elongated, axial keying protrusion which extends by defined contour into a keyway on the opposite side of the cylindrical body. Misalignment of the connector members during mating causes the keying protrusions to strike the contours on the opposite cylindrical body obliquely so as to impart a torque until the keying protrusions, keyways and connector mating elements are properly oriented. Once oriented, the connector members translate along the mating axis to an engaged state in response to the continued application of axially directed force.
Inventors
👤 Thomas E. Tyson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-02 21:42
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A connector comprising: a. first and second body members adapted to be joined and separated by relative movement of said body members along a common axis; b. cooperative retaining means on each of said body members arranged to interlock with said body members in joined condition; c. at least one of said body members having a rotatable connection to its corresponding retaining means; and d. cooperative cams of mirrored relationship on each body member, each cam having curvilinear contoured surfaces terminated by a key and keyway.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A connector comprising: a. first and second body members adapted to be joined and separated by relative movement of said body members along a common axis; b. cooperative retaining means on each of said body members arranged to interlock with said body members in joined condition; c. at least one of said body members having a rotatable connection to its corresponding retaining means; and d. cooperative cams of mirrored relationship on each body member, each cam having curvilinear contoured surfaces terminated by a key and keyway.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A connector as defined in claim 1, having a plurality of joinable parts on each of said body members, said parts being properly aligned in pairs only in the correct orientation of said body members, and at least one of said pairs being eccentric to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A connector as defined in claim 2, wherein said joinable parts include at least one set of mating parts which are mated when said body members are fully joined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A connector as defined in claims 1, 2, or 3, wherein said cam means comprises complementary cylindrical cam surfaces surrounding and fixed to said body members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A connector as defined in claim 3, wherein said keys and keyways are axially longer than the distance by which the mated parts are joined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A connector as defined in claim 4, wherein said curvilinearly contoured surfaces are symmetric.