EP0187887B1 - Connector with lock mechanism - Google Patents
Connector with lock mechanism Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0187887B1 EP0187887B1 EP85100509A EP85100509A EP0187887B1 EP 0187887 B1 EP0187887 B1 EP 0187887B1 EP 85100509 A EP85100509 A EP 85100509A EP 85100509 A EP85100509 A EP 85100509A EP 0187887 B1 EP0187887 B1 EP 0187887B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- socket
- locking spring
- plug body
- coupling sleeve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
- H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting the contacts of a plug and the contacts of a socket by coupling the plug and the socket with each other, and more particularly to a connector having a lock mechanism for locking the plug and the socket together when the plug is inserted in the socket.
- a connector plug according to the prior art portion of claim 1 is disclosed in the document FR-A-2 447 105.
- the locking spring means and the support bar means are together movable with respect to the plug body means and are further movable with respect to each other.
- This prior art when the connector plug has been plugged into the socket, it is necessaryyto manually push the support bar means towards the socket in order to achieve the locking state of the connection.
- This prior art substantially relies upon particular shapes of both movable pieces, the locking spring means and the support bar means.
- This known connector plug does not provide an automatic locking.
- this prior art suffers from the drawback mentioned before since during the connection of plug and socket care must be taken where to hold the plug in order not to interfere with the normal operation of the locking spring means and the support bar means.
- the document FR-A-1455850 relates to a hose connector assembly, wherein, when two counterparts are being connected to each other, the free end of a locking spring provided on one part pushes back one end of a cylinder provided on the other part until a protrusion of the locking spring falls in a recess provided in the body of the other part.
- the cylinder is then pushed forward by a coil spring to confine the locking spring within the cylinder, thereby achieving an automatic locking.
- the cylinder is pulled backward to allow the locking spring to be displaced radially outward to disengage its protrusion from the said recess.
- the locking spring is provided on one and the cylinder on the other of the two counterparts of the assembly.
- the cylinder extends over a substantial length of the respective counterpart but it must not be held while both counterparts are plugged together. Thus, there is again the drawback that care must be taken where to hold the individual parts when they are plugged together.
- the socket to be used with said connector plug is claimed in an independent claim.
- a locking spring means and a support bar means extending axially of the connector plug are disposed in superposed relation, and the support bar means is axially movable and normally urged forwardly under the resiliency of a coil spring.
- the support bar means is caught by a front surface of the socket and the locking spring means is first inserted into an insertion slot defined in the front surface of the socket.
- the support bar means is inserted into the insertion slot under the bias of the coil spring, whereupon the protrusions are retained in the recesses to lock plug and socket together.
- the connector plug can be pulled out of the socket by pulling back a coupling sleeve against the biasing force to withdraw the support bar means out of the insertion slot.
- a plug in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 through 3.
- a plug body 11 is in the form of a cylinder of an insulating material, and a tubular insert 12 is formed integrally with the plug body 11 and extends coaxially therewith toward a position in front of the plug body 11 (see Fig. 4).
- Plug contacts 13 projects forwardly from the plug body 11 in the tubular insert 12.
- the plug contacts 13 comprises pin contacts force-fitted in and extending through small holes (not shown) defined axially through the plug body 11.
- the contacts 13 have rear ends to which are connected lead wires 14a from a cord 14.
- the plug body 11 is fitted at its rear end in a front end of a cap 15, with the cord 14 lead out of a rear end of the cap 15.
- a positioning ridge 16 is integrally formed on an inner peripheral surface of the tubular insert 12 and extends axially thereof.
- locking springs 17 extending axially forwardly are mounted on the plug body 11 and have on free ends thereof protrusions 18 projecting radially outwardly of an axis of the plug body 11.
- the locking springs 17 are resiliently displaceable in radial directions.
- U-shaped slots 19 are formed in the insert 12 to axially extend into the plug body 11 to define the locking springs 17.
- the locking springs 17 have rear ends integrally fixed to the plug body 11 and free front ends from which the protrusions 18 integrally project.
- the locking springs 17 are disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other.
- a pair of support bars 21 is held against surfaces of the locking springs 17 opposite from the protrusions 18 and is axially movable.
- the support bars 21 are normally urged by a coil spring 22 to move axially in a forward direction, and can be moved back by a coupling sleeve 23 against the resiliency of the coil spring 22.
- the coupling sleeve 23 is axially movably disposed around the plug body 11 and the cap 15.
- the support bars 21 have rear ends integrally connected by a ring member 24 on which there is integrally formed a pair of engagement members 25 extending radially outwardly.
- the cap 15 has axial guide slots 26 defined in a front portion thereof in radial alignment with the engagement members 25.
- the engagement members 25 are guided in the axial guide slots 26 for axial movement therealong, with the engagement members 25 projecting radially outwardly from the guide slots 26.
- the plug body 11 has axial holes 27 positioned radially inwardly of the locking springs 17 and having substantially the same widths as those of the U-shaped slots 19, the axial holes 27 communicating with the slots 19 and the interior of the tubular insert 12.
- the support bars 21 are inserted in the holes 27 and held substantially in contact with inner surfaces of the locking springs 17.
- the support bars 21 have inner surfaces lying flush with or slightly recessed from the inner peripheral surface of the insert 12.
- the coupling sleeve 23 has a ring-shaped recess 28 defined in an inner peripheral surface thereof in which ends of the engagement members 25 are inserted so as to be axially movable.
- the coupling sleeve 23 also has locking teeth 29 projecting radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of the coupling sleeve 23 at a rear end thereof. Between the locking teeth 29 and the ring-shaped recess 28, there is positioned a ring-shaped stopper 31 (Fig. 6) integrally formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cap 15.
- a portion of the coupling sleeve 23 which is rearward of the ring-shaped recess 28 has a greater inside diameter to define a ring-shaped clearance 32 for allowing the coupling sleeve 23 to be axially moved between the locking teeth 29 and the ring-shaped recess 28.
- the coil spring 22 is interposed between a ring-shaped step 20 formed in an inner peripheral surface of the cap 15 and the engagement members 25 in coaxial relation to the cap 15.
- the coil spring 22 urges the support bars 21 in a forward direction, and also urges the engagement members 25 to engage a front wall surface 28a of the ring-shaped recess 28 to thereby bias the coupling sleeve 23 forwardly. Under this condition, the locking teeth 29 are in engagement with the stopper 31.
- the protrusions 18 of the locking springs 17 are positioned forwardly of the coupling sleeve 23 and project radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface of the insert 12.
- the locking springs 17 project slightly forwardly of the support bars 21.
- a socket for use with the plug shown in Figs. 1 through 7 is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 8 and 9.
- a socket body 34 is in the form of a cylinder made of an insulating material and has a ring-shaped insertion slot 35 defined in a front surface thereof.
- Contacts 36 are mounted in the socket body 34 radially inwardly of the slot 35.
- the socket contacts 36 are capable of coupling engagement with the plug contacts 13.
- the socket contacts 36 are in the form of receptacle contacts in which the pin contacts 13 can be inserted.
- the socket contacts 36 are force-fitted in holes defined in the socket body 34.
- the socket body 34 includes an axial positioning groove 37 defined in an inner peripheral surface of the insertion slot 35 for receiving the positioning ridge 16 in the plug (Figs. 2 and 3).
- the socket body 34 also includes locking recesses 38 defined in an outer peripheral surface of the insertion slot 35 for receiving the protrusions 18 of the locking springs 17.
- the sum d, of the thicknesses of the protrusion 18 and the locking spring 17 and the thickness of the support bar 21 is greater than the width d 2 (Fig. 9) of the insertion slot 35.
- the width d 2 of the insertion slot 35 is greater than the sum d 3 of the thickness of the locking spring 17 behind the protrusion 18 and the thickness of the support bar 21.
- the axial length of the ring-shaped clearance 32 is selected such that, with the protrusions 18 engaging in the recesses 38, the support bars 21 can move into and out of the insertion slot 35 or be axially displaced.
- Each of the protrusions 18 has a front taper 18a (Fig. 10A) sloping down from the top of the protrusion towards the tip end of the locking spring 17 to submerge under the level of the outer peripheral surface of the tubular insert 12 so that when the tubular insert 12 is inserted into the insertion slot 35, an outer edge of the slot 35 abuts the front taper 18a to displace the free end portion of the locking spring 17 radially inwardly.
- the protrusion 18 may also have a rear taper 18b at the rear end thereof, which effects to press the locking spring 17 radially inwardly as the locking spring 17 is pulled out of the insertion slot 35 (Fig. 10D).
- a rear taper 18b at the rear end of the protrusion 18
- the tubular insert 12 of the plug is inserted into the insertion slot 35 in the socket.
- a front portion of the insert 12 extending forward beyond the free end of the locking spring 17 is inserted into the insertion slot 35, relative positioning between the insertion slot 35 and the free end of the locking spring 17 is automatically accomplished so that the outer edge of the insertion slot 35 may abut the front taper 18a of the protrusion 18. Accordingly, the ends of the protrusions 18 are guided into the insertion slot 35 as shown in Fig. 10A. Since the thickness d, of the protrusion 18 and the support bar 21 is greater than the slot width d 2 , as described above, the support bar 21 engages the front surface of the socket body 34 as shown in Fig.
- each support bar 21 it is preferable for each support bar 21 to have a tapered surface 21a on the distal end thereof.
- the coupling sleeve 23 is pulled back against the biasing force of the coil spring 22.
- the support bars 21 are then pulled back through the engagement members 25 until the support bars 21 are brought out of the insertion slot 35 as shown in Fig. 10D. Therefore, the ends of the locking springs 17 can be moved in a direction opposite from the protrusions 18.
- the locking springs 17 are resiliently bent as the protrusions 18 are moved out of the recesses 38, whereupon the plug is unlocked from the socket.
- the plug when the plug is to be inserted into the socket while holding the coupling sleeve 23, the force imposed on the coupling sleeve 23 is applied through the locking teeth 29 to the cap 15.
- the plug can be inserted into the socket.
- the plug can also be inserted into the socket while holding wherever desired on the cap 15.
- the plug can easily be assembled by attaching the contacts 13 to the plug body 11, inserting the support bars 21 through the holes 27 from behind the plug body 11, connecting the cord 14 to the contacts 13, fitting the plug body 11 into the cap 15 with the coil spring 22 housed therein, and then mounting the coupling sleeve 23 onto the plug body 11 and the cap 15 from the front ends thereof.
- the plug can be constructed of relatively simple parts with ease.
- the locking springs 17 are shown as integral with the plug body 11, the locking springs 17 may be integrally formed with the cap 15.
- the locking springs 17 may be positioned radially inwardly of the support bars 21, with the protrusions 18 disposed radially inwardly, and the recesses 38 defined in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion slot35.
- the plug contacts 13 in the plug body 11 may comprise receptacle contacts, and the socket contacts 36 in the socket body 34 may comprise pin contacts.
- the locking spring 17 and the support bar 21 may be combined in one pair or three or more pairs.
- Figs. 13 through 16 illustrate a plug in a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. Like or corresponding parts in Figs. 13 through 16 are designated by like or corresponding reference characters in Figs. 1 through 9.
- the plug body 11 is fixed to the cap 15 by auxiliary members. More specifically, the plug body 11 includes an extension 11 a projecting rearwardly of fhe proximal ends of the locking springs 17, and such a rearward extension 11a a has ° an outside diameter smaller than that of the plug body 11, thus defining a ring-shaped step 41.
- a ring member 24 is disposed over the rearward extension 11a, and a coil spring 22 is also disposed over the rearward extension 11a.
- the locking springs 17 project radially outwardly of the outer peripheral surface of the plug body 11, and have integral positioning projections 42, 43 projecting away from each other on the proximal ends of the locking springs 17.
- An edge of the tubular insert 12 comprises projections 44 projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of the tubular insert 12.
- Semicylindrical metal members 45,46 serves as auxiliary members for fixing the plug body 11 to the cap 15, and are mounted on the plug body 11 in surrounding relation to the outer peripheral surface thereof.
- Each of the semicylindrical metal members 45,46 has an opening 47 radially aligned with the locking spring 17, recesses 48, 49 communicating with the opening 47 and aligned with the positioning projections 42, 43, and a recess 51 aligned with the projection 44.
- the projections 42, 43,44 are fitted respectively in the recesses 48,49, 51 to position the metal members 45, 46 on the plug body 11.
- the metal members 45, 46 extend rearwardly of the plug body 11, and one of the metal members 45 includes an arm 52 extending rearwardly.
- the rearwardly extending arm 52 is inserted into the cap 15 along an inner surface thereof.
- the arm 52 has a threaded hole 53.
- a screw 55 extends through a small hole 54 in the cap 15 threaded into the threaded hole 53, thus fastening the metal member 45 to the cap 15.
- the cap 15 has two pairs of recesses 56 defined in diametrically opposite front portions thereof. Between the recesses 56 of each pair is formed a tongue in which there is defined a rectangular hole, the tongue with the rectangular hole serving as a holder 57. Thus, there are two such holders 57 on the cap 15 in diametrically opposite relation to each other. As shown in Fig. 16, each of the holders 57 is a double-walled construction having an arcuate groove 58 therein. The rear ends of the metal members 45, 46 are fitted into the arcuate grooves 58, respectively. The coil spring 22 is pushed forwardly by a front end surface of the cap 15.
- the arm 52 has an end serving as a cross- sectionally U-shaped lead-wire holder 59 which holds a plurality of lead wires 14a connected to plug contacts, so that no strong forces will be applied to joints between the lead wires 14a and the contacts when the cord 14 is strongly pulled.
- the coupling sleeve 23 has on an inner surface thereof projections 61 in the shape of a right-angled triangle. When the front end of the cap 15 is inserted into the coupling sleeve 23, the holders 57 are first elastically deformed radially inwardly and then the projections 61 are snapped into the rectangular holes in the holders 57. Therefore, the coupling sleeve 23 is axially movably mounted on the cap 15.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a connector for electrically connecting the contacts of a plug and the contacts of a socket by coupling the plug and the socket with each other, and more particularly to a connector having a lock mechanism for locking the plug and the socket together when the plug is inserted in the socket.
- One form of the connector of the type described is revealed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 53-110489. With the known connector, when a plug and a socket are coupled with each other, a lock mechanism is automatically actuated to lock the plug and the socket together. The plug and the socket are locked against separation even when a cord connected to the connector is caught by a hand or a foot, for example. To disengage the plug and the socket, a coupling sleeve disposed around the plug is pulled back against a biasing force for unlocking the plug and the socket. When coupling the conventional connector, however, it has not been possible to connect the plug and the socket while holding the coupling sleeve. Since the coupling sleeve takes up a relatively large area around the plug, the user is required to hold a relatively small portion such as a cap other than the coupling sleeve, and has to pay attention to do so.
- A connector plug according to the prior art portion of
claim 1 is disclosed in the document FR-A-2 447 105. In this prior art the locking spring means and the support bar means are together movable with respect to the plug body means and are further movable with respect to each other. With this prior art, when the connector plug has been plugged into the socket, it is necesaryto manually push the support bar means towards the socket in order to achieve the locking state of the connection. This prior art substantially relies upon particular shapes of both movable pieces, the locking spring means and the support bar means. This known connector plug does not provide an automatic locking. Furthermore, this prior art suffers from the drawback mentioned before since during the connection of plug and socket care must be taken where to hold the plug in order not to interfere with the normal operation of the locking spring means and the support bar means. - The document FR-A-1455850 relates to a hose connector assembly, wherein, when two counterparts are being connected to each other, the free end of a locking spring provided on one part pushes back one end of a cylinder provided on the other part until a protrusion of the locking spring falls in a recess provided in the body of the other part. The cylinder is then pushed forward by a coil spring to confine the locking spring within the cylinder, thereby achieving an automatic locking. In order to disconnect the assembly, the cylinder is pulled backward to allow the locking spring to be displaced radially outward to disengage its protrusion from the said recess. In this prior art the locking spring is provided on one and the cylinder on the other of the two counterparts of the assembly. The cylinder extends over a substantial length of the respective counterpart but it must not be held while both counterparts are plugged together. Thus, there is again the drawback that care must be taken where to hold the individual parts when they are plugged together.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector plug with a lock mechanism that can be coupled to a socket while holding wherever desired on the plug, and which is relatively simple in construction and can be manufactured inexpensively.
- This object is achieved with a connector plug as claimed in
claim 1. - Specific embodiments of the connector plug are claimed in dependent claims.
- The socket to be used with said connector plug is claimed in an independent claim.
- With the claimed solution, a locking spring means and a support bar means extending axially of the connector plug are disposed in superposed relation, and the support bar means is axially movable and normally urged forwardly under the resiliency of a coil spring. When the connector plug is to be inserted into a socket, the support bar means is caught by a front surface of the socket and the locking spring means is first inserted into an insertion slot defined in the front surface of the socket. As protrusions on the ends of locking springs of the locking spring means engage in recesses in the insertion slot in the socket, the support bar means is inserted into the insertion slot under the bias of the coil spring, whereupon the protrusions are retained in the recesses to lock plug and socket together. The connector plug can be pulled out of the socket by pulling back a coupling sleeve against the biasing force to withdraw the support bar means out of the insertion slot.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.
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- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a plug in a connector according to the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the plug shown in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a plug body;
- Fig. 5 is a perspective view of support bars;
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a cap;
- Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a half body of a coupling sleeve;
- Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of a socket in the connector of the invention;
- Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;
- Figs. 10A through 10D are fragmentary cross-sectional views showing the relationship between a locking spring, a protrusion, a support bar, an insertion slot, and a recess at the time the plug is inserted into and removed from the socket;
- Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a plug according to another embodiment;
- Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a socket according to another embodiment;
- Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a plug according to still another embodiment;
- Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the plug shown in Fig. 13, with a coupling sleeve omitted from illustration;
- Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the plug of Fig. 13, with the coupling sleeve removed; and
- Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a cap of the plug of Fig. 13.
- A plug in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figs. 1 through 3. As shown in Fig. 3, a
plug body 11 is in the form of a cylinder of an insulating material, and atubular insert 12 is formed integrally with theplug body 11 and extends coaxially therewith toward a position in front of the plug body 11 (see Fig. 4).Plug contacts 13 projects forwardly from theplug body 11 in thetubular insert 12. Theplug contacts 13 comprises pin contacts force-fitted in and extending through small holes (not shown) defined axially through theplug body 11. Thecontacts 13 have rear ends to which are connectedlead wires 14a from acord 14. Theplug body 11 is fitted at its rear end in a front end of acap 15, with thecord 14 lead out of a rear end of thecap 15. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, apositioning ridge 16 is integrally formed on an inner peripheral surface of thetubular insert 12 and extends axially thereof. - According to the present invention,
locking springs 17 extending axially forwardly are mounted on theplug body 11 and have on free ends thereofprotrusions 18 projecting radially outwardly of an axis of theplug body 11. Thelocking springs 17 are resiliently displaceable in radial directions. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4,U-shaped slots 19 are formed in theinsert 12 to axially extend into theplug body 11 to define thelocking springs 17. Thelocking springs 17 have rear ends integrally fixed to theplug body 11 and free front ends from which theprotrusions 18 integrally project. In the illustrated embodiment, thelocking springs 17 are disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other. - As illustrated in Fig. 3, a pair of
support bars 21 is held against surfaces of thelocking springs 17 opposite from theprotrusions 18 and is axially movable. Thesupport bars 21 are normally urged by acoil spring 22 to move axially in a forward direction, and can be moved back by acoupling sleeve 23 against the resiliency of thecoil spring 22. Thecoupling sleeve 23 is axially movably disposed around theplug body 11 and thecap 15. As shown in Fig. 5, thesupport bars 21 have rear ends integrally connected by aring member 24 on which there is integrally formed a pair ofengagement members 25 extending radially outwardly. - As illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 6, the
cap 15 hasaxial guide slots 26 defined in a front portion thereof in radial alignment with theengagement members 25. Theengagement members 25 are guided in theaxial guide slots 26 for axial movement therealong, with theengagement members 25 projecting radially outwardly from theguide slots 26. As shown in Fig. 4, theplug body 11 hasaxial holes 27 positioned radially inwardly of the locking springs 17 and having substantially the same widths as those of theU-shaped slots 19, theaxial holes 27 communicating with theslots 19 and the interior of thetubular insert 12. As shown in Fig. 3, the support bars 21 are inserted in theholes 27 and held substantially in contact with inner surfaces of the locking springs 17. The support bars 21 have inner surfaces lying flush with or slightly recessed from the inner peripheral surface of theinsert 12. As shown in Figs. 3 and 7, thecoupling sleeve 23 has a ring-shapedrecess 28 defined in an inner peripheral surface thereof in which ends of theengagement members 25 are inserted so as to be axially movable. Thecoupling sleeve 23 also has lockingteeth 29 projecting radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface of thecoupling sleeve 23 at a rear end thereof. Between the lockingteeth 29 and the ring-shapedrecess 28, there is positioned a ring-shaped stopper 31 (Fig. 6) integrally formed on an outer peripheral surface of thecap 15. That is, a portion of thecoupling sleeve 23 which is rearward of the ring-shapedrecess 28 has a greater inside diameter to define a ring-shapedclearance 32 for allowing thecoupling sleeve 23 to be axially moved between the lockingteeth 29 and the ring-shapedrecess 28. - The
coil spring 22 is interposed between a ring-shapedstep 20 formed in an inner peripheral surface of thecap 15 and theengagement members 25 in coaxial relation to thecap 15. Thecoil spring 22 urges the support bars 21 in a forward direction, and also urges theengagement members 25 to engage afront wall surface 28a of the ring-shapedrecess 28 to thereby bias thecoupling sleeve 23 forwardly. Under this condition, the lockingteeth 29 are in engagement with thestopper 31. - In the illustrated position, the
protrusions 18 of the locking springs 17 are positioned forwardly of thecoupling sleeve 23 and project radially outwardly beyond the outer peripheral surface of theinsert 12. The locking springs 17 project slightly forwardly of the support bars 21. - A socket for use with the plug shown in Figs. 1 through 7 is illustrated by way of example in Figs. 8 and 9. A
socket body 34 is in the form of a cylinder made of an insulating material and has a ring-shapedinsertion slot 35 defined in a front surface thereof.Contacts 36 are mounted in thesocket body 34 radially inwardly of theslot 35. Thesocket contacts 36 are capable of coupling engagement with theplug contacts 13. In the illustrated embodiment, thesocket contacts 36 are in the form of receptacle contacts in which thepin contacts 13 can be inserted. Thesocket contacts 36 are force-fitted in holes defined in thesocket body 34. Thesocket body 34 includes anaxial positioning groove 37 defined in an inner peripheral surface of theinsertion slot 35 for receiving thepositioning ridge 16 in the plug (Figs. 2 and 3). - The
socket body 34 also includes locking recesses 38 defined in an outer peripheral surface of theinsertion slot 35 for receiving theprotrusions 18 of the locking springs 17. In Fig. 3, the sum d, of the thicknesses of theprotrusion 18 and the lockingspring 17 and the thickness of thesupport bar 21 is greater than the width d2 (Fig. 9) of theinsertion slot 35. The width d2 of theinsertion slot 35 is greater than the sum d3 of the thickness of the lockingspring 17 behind theprotrusion 18 and the thickness of thesupport bar 21. The axial length of the ring-shapedclearance 32 is selected such that, with theprotrusions 18 engaging in therecesses 38, the support bars 21 can move into and out of theinsertion slot 35 or be axially displaced. - Each of the
protrusions 18 has afront taper 18a (Fig. 10A) sloping down from the top of the protrusion towards the tip end of the lockingspring 17 to submerge under the level of the outer peripheral surface of thetubular insert 12 so that when thetubular insert 12 is inserted into theinsertion slot 35, an outer edge of theslot 35 abuts thefront taper 18a to displace the free end portion of the lockingspring 17 radially inwardly. - Instead of providing the
front taper 18a at the front end of theprotrusion 18, it is also possible to form ataper 35a at the outer edge of theinsertion slot 35 as indicated by broken line in Fig. 10C. In this case, the front end of theprotrusion 18 is right-angled as indicated by broken line 18'. - The
protrusion 18 may also have arear taper 18b at the rear end thereof, which effects to press the lockingspring 17 radially inwardly as the lockingspring 17 is pulled out of the insertion slot 35 (Fig. 10D). Instead of providing therear taper 18b at the rear end of theprotrusion 18, it is also possible to form a taper at an inner edge of theinsertion slot 35, though not shown in the drawings. - For coupling the plug and the socket, the
tubular insert 12 of the plug is inserted into theinsertion slot 35 in the socket. When a front portion of theinsert 12 extending forward beyond the free end of the lockingspring 17 is inserted into theinsertion slot 35, relative positioning between theinsertion slot 35 and the free end of the lockingspring 17 is automatically accomplished so that the outer edge of theinsertion slot 35 may abut thefront taper 18a of theprotrusion 18. Accordingly, the ends of theprotrusions 18 are guided into theinsertion slot 35 as shown in Fig. 10A. Since the thickness d, of theprotrusion 18 and thesupport bar 21 is greater than the slot width d2, as described above, thesupport bar 21 engages the front surface of thesocket body 34 as shown in Fig. 10B and is retracted relatively to theprotrusion 18 against the resiliency of thecoil spring 22. Theprotrusions 18 and theinsert 12 enter theinsertion slot 35 while causing the locking springs 17 to be resiliently bent radially inwardly. When theprotrusions 18 are brought into confronting relation to therecesses 38, theprotrusions 18 enter and engage axially in therecesses 38 since the locking springs 17 spring back. At the time the locking springs 17 are resiliently bent, the support bars 21 are also resiliently bent as shown in Fig. 10B. Upon entrance of theprotrusions 18 into therecesses 38, the support bars 21 spring back and are inserted into theinsertion slot 35 under the force of thecoil spring 22. To facilitate easy insertion of the support bars 21 into theinsertion slot 35, it is preferable for eachsupport bar 21 to have a taperedsurface 21a on the distal end thereof. With the plug and the socket thus coupled, they are securely locked and cannot be separated merely by pulling the plug in a direction out of the socket since theprotrusions 18 cannot be pulled out of therecesses 38 as the thickness of the lockingspring 17 and thesupport bar 21 and the insertion slot width dz are selected as described above. - To pull the plug out of the socket, the
coupling sleeve 23 is pulled back against the biasing force of thecoil spring 22. The support bars 21 are then pulled back through theengagement members 25 until the support bars 21 are brought out of theinsertion slot 35 as shown in Fig. 10D. Therefore, the ends of the locking springs 17 can be moved in a direction opposite from theprotrusions 18. By pulling the plug axially, the locking springs 17 are resiliently bent as theprotrusions 18 are moved out of therecesses 38, whereupon the plug is unlocked from the socket. - With the connector of the invention being thus constructed, when the plug is to be inserted into the socket while holding the
coupling sleeve 23, the force imposed on thecoupling sleeve 23 is applied through the lockingteeth 29 to thecap 15. Thus, the plug can be inserted into the socket. The plug can also be inserted into the socket while holding wherever desired on thecap 15. The plug can easily be assembled by attaching thecontacts 13 to theplug body 11, inserting the support bars 21 through theholes 27 from behind theplug body 11, connecting thecord 14 to thecontacts 13, fitting theplug body 11 into thecap 15 with thecoil spring 22 housed therein, and then mounting thecoupling sleeve 23 onto theplug body 11 and thecap 15 from the front ends thereof. The plug can be constructed of relatively simple parts with ease. Although the locking springs 17 are shown as integral with theplug body 11, the locking springs 17 may be integrally formed with thecap 15. The locking springs 17 may be positioned radially inwardly of the support bars 21, with theprotrusions 18 disposed radially inwardly, and therecesses 38 defined in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion slot35. As shown in Figs. 11 and 12 in which like parts are denoted by like reference characters in Figs. 1 through 9, theplug contacts 13 in theplug body 11 may comprise receptacle contacts, and thesocket contacts 36 in thesocket body 34 may comprise pin contacts. The lockingspring 17 and thesupport bar 21 may be combined in one pair or three or more pairs. - Figs. 13 through 16 illustrate a plug in a connector according to another embodiment of the present invention. Like or corresponding parts in Figs. 13 through 16 are designated by like or corresponding reference characters in Figs. 1 through 9. The
plug body 11 is fixed to thecap 15 by auxiliary members. More specifically, theplug body 11 includes an extension 11 a projecting rearwardly of fhe proximal ends of the locking springs 17, and such a rearward extension 11a a has ° an outside diameter smaller than that of theplug body 11, thus defining a ring-shapedstep 41. Aring member 24 is disposed over the rearward extension 11a, and acoil spring 22 is also disposed over the rearward extension 11a. The locking springs 17 project radially outwardly of the outer peripheral surface of theplug body 11, and haveintegral positioning projections tubular insert 12 comprisesprojections 44 projecting radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface of thetubular insert 12. -
Semicylindrical metal members plug body 11 to thecap 15, and are mounted on theplug body 11 in surrounding relation to the outer peripheral surface thereof. Each of thesemicylindrical metal members opening 47 radially aligned with the lockingspring 17, recesses 48, 49 communicating with theopening 47 and aligned with thepositioning projections recess 51 aligned with theprojection 44. Theprojections recesses metal members plug body 11. Themetal members plug body 11, and one of themetal members 45 includes anarm 52 extending rearwardly. Therearwardly extending arm 52 is inserted into thecap 15 along an inner surface thereof. Thearm 52 has a threadedhole 53. Ascrew 55 extends through asmall hole 54 in thecap 15 threaded into the threadedhole 53, thus fastening themetal member 45 to thecap 15. - The
cap 15 has two pairs ofrecesses 56 defined in diametrically opposite front portions thereof. Between therecesses 56 of each pair is formed a tongue in which there is defined a rectangular hole, the tongue with the rectangular hole serving as aholder 57. Thus, there are twosuch holders 57 on thecap 15 in diametrically opposite relation to each other. As shown in Fig. 16, each of theholders 57 is a double-walled construction having anarcuate groove 58 therein. The rear ends of themetal members arcuate grooves 58, respectively. Thecoil spring 22 is pushed forwardly by a front end surface of thecap 15. Thearm 52 has an end serving as a cross- sectionally U-shaped lead-wire holder 59 which holds a plurality oflead wires 14a connected to plug contacts, so that no strong forces will be applied to joints between thelead wires 14a and the contacts when thecord 14 is strongly pulled. Thecoupling sleeve 23 has on an inner surface thereofprojections 61 in the shape of a right-angled triangle. When the front end of thecap 15 is inserted into thecoupling sleeve 23, theholders 57 are first elastically deformed radially inwardly and then theprojections 61 are snapped into the rectangular holes in theholders 57. Therefore, thecoupling sleeve 23 is axially movably mounted on thecap 15.
Claims (13)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE8585100509T DE3567132D1 (en) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-01-18 | Connector with lock mechanism |
AT85100509T ATE39596T1 (en) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-01-18 | CONNECTOR WITH LOCKING MECHANISM. |
EP85100509A EP0187887B1 (en) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-01-18 | Connector with lock mechanism |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP85100509A EP0187887B1 (en) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-01-18 | Connector with lock mechanism |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0187887A1 EP0187887A1 (en) | 1986-07-23 |
EP0187887B1 true EP0187887B1 (en) | 1988-12-28 |
Family
ID=8193241
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP85100509A Expired EP0187887B1 (en) | 1985-01-18 | 1985-01-18 | Connector with lock mechanism |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0187887B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE39596T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE3567132D1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4915642A (en) * | 1989-01-19 | 1990-04-10 | Pan-International Industrial Corporation | Trouble-free connector with lock mechanism |
DE4010836A1 (en) * | 1990-04-04 | 1991-10-10 | Wabco Westinghouse Fahrzeug | MULTIPOLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR |
JP2595406Y2 (en) * | 1992-03-25 | 1999-05-31 | ホシデン株式会社 | Plug type multi-pole connector |
FR2697685B1 (en) * | 1992-11-04 | 1994-12-23 | Jupiter Const Elect | Unlockable connection device. |
DE102004039580A1 (en) * | 2004-08-12 | 2006-02-23 | Murr-Elektronik Gmbh | Connectors |
EP2133958B1 (en) | 2008-06-09 | 2011-02-23 | Interlemo Holding S.A. | Female plug for self-locking connector system |
US11824304B2 (en) | 2022-01-05 | 2023-11-21 | System One Innovations Inc. | Electrical connector |
CN115473179B (en) * | 2022-09-23 | 2023-11-21 | 国网冀北电力有限公司廊坊供电公司 | Cable protective sleeve convenient to splice |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR1355766A (en) * | 1963-02-08 | 1964-03-20 | Jaeger Ets Ed | Electrical connector with locked elements |
GB1048230A (en) * | 1964-07-09 | 1966-11-16 | Thorn Electrical Ind Ltd | Improvements in and relating to electrical connectors |
FR1455850A (en) * | 1965-04-02 | 1966-05-20 | Moulages Ind Plasto | Automatic connection for flexible pipes |
FR1525556A (en) * | 1966-06-03 | 1968-05-17 | Int Standard Electric Corp | Improvements to electrical connectors |
SE342495B (en) * | 1969-12-23 | 1972-02-07 | Larsson Brdr Ind Ab | |
DE2165037C3 (en) * | 1971-12-28 | 1975-04-30 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | Lock for a multi-pole electrical connector |
FR2447105A2 (en) * | 1979-01-18 | 1980-08-14 | Souriau & Cie | Mechanical interlock for connectors - has two part locking claw released by raising plug |
-
1985
- 1985-01-18 EP EP85100509A patent/EP0187887B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-01-18 AT AT85100509T patent/ATE39596T1/en active
- 1985-01-18 DE DE8585100509T patent/DE3567132D1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0187887A1 (en) | 1986-07-23 |
DE3567132D1 (en) | 1989-02-02 |
ATE39596T1 (en) | 1989-01-15 |
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