EP2162955B1 - Device for latching a connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for latching a first connector to a complementary second connector. The device including a female element that is fixed to the first connector and delimits a housing open axially rearward, at least one elastically deformable retaining finger that projects radially inside the housing of the female element, a male element that is carried by the second connector and includes a latching front section furnished with a retaining notch, the latching section being adapted to be inserted axially from the rear toward the front into the housing of the female element as far as a front latching position in which the retaining finger is received in the retaining notch to immobilize the first connector axially on the second connector.

Description

The invention relates to a device for locking a connector device.

• un élément femelle qui est fixé sur le premier connecteur et qui délimite un logement ouvert axialement vers l'arrière ;
• au moins un doigt de retenue déformable élastiquement qui fait saillie radialement à l'intérieur du logement de l'élément femelle ;
• un élément mâle qui est porté par le second connecteur, et qui comporte un tronçon avant de verrouillage muni d'une encoche de retenue, le tronçon de verrouillage étant apte à être inséré axialement d'arrière en avant dans le logement de l'élément femelle jusqu'à une position avant de verrouillage dans laquelle le doigt de retenue est reçu dans ladite encoche de retenue pour immobiliser axialement le premier connecteur sur le second connecteur.

The invention relates more precisely to a device for locking a first connector on a second complementary connector, the device comprising:

• a female element which is fixed on the first connector and which delimits a housing open axially towards the rear;
• at least one elastically deformable retaining finger which protrudes radially inside the housing of the female element;
• a male element which is carried by the second connector, and which comprises a front locking section provided with a retaining notch, the locking section being adapted to be inserted axially back and forth in the housing of the female element to a locking front position in which the retaining finger is received in said retaining notch to axially immobilize the first connector on the second connector.

Such a connector is for example known from the document US Patent 5,823,812 .

In general, an electronic device, such as a computer, is connected to at least one peripheral device by means of a connector device for exchanging data with the peripheral device.

The connector device comprises a first connector equipped with a female portion and a second connector equipped with a complementary male portion, which is adapted to be connected with the female portion.

Sometimes, the connector device comprises a mechanical locking device of the first connector on the second connector, which is independent of the male and female electrical contact elements, to prevent an inadvertent disconnection thereof.

A locking device of this type is known, which consists in locking the first connector on the second connector by means of a screw-nut assembly.

This type of locking device frequently equips the connector devices of the "D-Sub" type.

This locking device comprises two nuts which are carried by the first connector and two complementary associated screws which are rotatably mounted on the second connector, so that when each screw is screwed into the associated nut, the first connector is locked on the second connector. Such a locking device is effective.

However, the screwing and unscrewing operation, required for locking and unlocking the connector device, takes a relatively long time, especially since this time is multiplied by the number of connector devices, which can be high on some devices.

The document US B2-6,929,501 describes a locking system which makes it possible to reduce the locking and unlocking time of a first connector on a second connector.

According to this document, the first connector comprises a first connection portion which extends rearwardly and the second connector comprises a second connection portion which is complementary to the first and which extends forwardly.

The first connector comprises two opposite housings which are arranged on either side of the first connection portion in a general plane of symmetry, and which are open towards the rear.

Each housing has an elastically deformable locking plate which extends rearwardly and a rear end is provided with a notch.

The second connector has two locking tabs which are arranged on either side of the second connection portion.

The locking tabs extend forward and each comprise a hooking tooth at their free end.

When the first portion of the first connector is connected with the second complementary portion of the second connector, the tooth of each locking tab is received in the notch of the associated locking plate of the first connector, to oppose the removal of the second connector and thus lock the first connector on the second connector.

Each locking plate of the first connector cooperates with an actuating button which, when pressed by a user, tilts the associated locking plate, by leverage, into an unlocking position in which the notch of the locking plate releases the tooth from the associated locking tab, so that the first connector and the second connector are unlocked.

A disadvantage of this locking device is the accessibility of the unlocking buttons which are arranged on two opposite sides of the first connector.

Indeed, these buttons are not or not accessible to the hand of the user when the connector is cashed or when it is attached to other connectors.

In addition, this locking device is dependent on the connector device it equips. For example it is not adapted to be mounted on another existing connector device to replace a locking device type screw nut, such as that described above.

In the same field, the document FR-A-2661564 describes a device for locking and unlocking a first connector and a second connector.

According to this document, the first connector comprises a first connecting portion which extends rearward and the second connector comprises a second connection portion which is complementary to the first portion and which extends forwardly.

The first connector comprises a first housing and a second opposite housing, which are arranged on either side of the first connection portion in a general plane of symmetry, and each of which extends axially so as to be open towards the back.

The second connector has a first pin and a second pin, each of which defines a retaining groove.

When the first connector is connected to the associated second connector, the first pin and the second pin are arranged in the first slot and the second slot of the first connector respectively.

The device comprises a pusher, or drawer, which delimits a first light and a second light, and which is mounted to slide radially in the first connector from an unlocking position to a locking position in which each light of the pusher cooperates with the associated groove of the first pin and the second pin, so as to axially lock the second connector on the first connector.

Finally, the pusher comprises an actuating button portion which projects on one side of the first connector and which, when pressed by a user, slides transversely of the pusher, from its locking position to its position of unlocking in which the pusher releases the pins, so that the first connector and the second connector are unlocked.

This locking and unlocking device has the same disadvantages as the previously described device.

The invention aims in particular to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a device for locking a first connector on a second connector of the type described above and known from the document US Patent 5,823,812 and allowing quick and easy locking and unlocking of both connectors.

The invention is characterized in that the locking device comprises an unlocking member which is carried by the male element and which is capable of sliding axially back and forth between the locking section and the finger, between a rear position. resting and an unlocking front position in which the unlocking member retracts the retaining finger outside the notch.

• le doigt de retenue s'étend axialement de façon oblique d'arrière en avant vers l'intérieur du logement, de sorte que l'extrémité libre avant du doigt s'étend en regard d'une face radiale arrière de l'encoche de l'élément mâle, lorsque l'élément mâle occupe sa position avant de verrouillage,
• l'élément mâle comporte une première face radiale avant formant un épaulement depuis lequel une tête s'étend vers l'arrière, ladite tête de l'élément mâle étant située à l'extérieur dudit logement lorsque l'élément mâle occupe sa position de verrouillage, et l'organe de déverrouillage comporte un tronçon arrière saillant radialement dont une face radiale arrière est en appui axial contre ladite première face radiale avant de l'élément mâle, lorsque l'organe de déverrouillage occupe sa position arrière de repos,
• le second connecteur comporte une oreille radiale qui délimite un trou de passage dans lequel l'élément mâle est monté coulissant axialement d'arrière en avant et le dispositif comporte un premier moyen élastique de rappel de l'élément mâle vers l'arrière,
• l'élément mâle comporte une seconde face radiale avant qui est décalée angulairement par rapport à sa première face radiale avant, et le premier moyen élastique de rappel comporte au moins une première patte de rappel déformable élastiquement qui est interposée axialement entre une face arrière de l'oreille du second connecteur et ladite seconde face radiale avant de

l'élément mâle, ladite première patte de rappel ayant la forme d'un « V » coudé radialement vers l'extérieur,

• le dispositif comporte un second moyen élastique de rappel de l'organe de déverrouillage vers sa position arrière de repos,
• le second moyen élastique de rappel comporte au moins une seconde patte de rappel déformable élastiquement qui est interposée axialement entre une face radiale avant du tronçon arrière de l'organe de déverrouillage et ladite face arrière de l'oreille du second connecteur,
• la première patte de rappel et ladite seconde patte de rappel appartiennent à un ressort multifonctions en tôle pliée et découpée en une seule pièce,
• le ressort multifonctions est fixé sur l'élément mâle,
• le ressort multifonctions comporte au moins une patte d'accrochage de l'élément mâle sur le second connecteur associé, de sorte que l'ensemble formé par l'élément mâle, le ressort multifonctions et l'organe de déverrouillage est imperdable par rapport au second connecteur,
• le tronçon arrière d'actionnement de l'organe de déverrouillage comporte au moins une portion saillante radialement par rapport à la tête de l'élément mâle, de sorte que ladite portion saillante du tronçon d'actionnement constitue un poussoir pour entraîner l'organe de déverrouillage vers sa position avant de déverrouillage,
• le dispositif comporte une molette d'actionnement qui est montée libre en rotation sur la tête arrière de l'élément mâle et qui comporte une portion filetée apte à coopérer avec une portion filetée complémentaire de l'organe de déverrouillage, de sorte que l'organe de déverrouillage est apte à être entraîné dans sa position avant de déverrouillage par rotation de la molette,
• l'ensemble formé par l'élément mâle, le ressort multifonctions et l'organe de déverrouillage, présente un plan de symétrie axial,
• le dispositif de verrouillage comporte un dispositif de signalisation équipé d'un témoin visuel pour signaler visuellement que l'élément mâle occupe sa position avant de verrouillage dans l'élément femelle,
• le dispositif de signalisation comporte :
  • -- un pion qui s'étend axialement dans le logement de l'élément femelle,
  • -- un puits axial débouchant qui est délimité par l'élément mâle,
  • -- le témoin visuel qui s'étend axialement d'arrière en avant dans ledit puits, depuis une tête arrière de visualisation jusqu'à une tête avant d'entraînement, le témoin étant monté coulissant axialement dans ledit puits de sorte que le témoin occupe une position avant escamotée, ou dissimulée, dans le puits, vers laquelle le témoin est rappelé élastiquement par un moyen de rappel élastique, lorsque l'élément mâle occupe sa position arrière de repos, et en ce que le témoin occupe une position arrière de signalisation dans laquelle la tête avant du témoin coopère avec ledit pion qui s'oppose au rappel élastique du témoin, lorsque l'élément mâle occupe sa position avant de verrouillage dans l'élément femelle, de sorte que la tête arrière de signalisation du témoin est visible par un utilisateur,
• le dispositif comporte un élément mâle supplémentaire qui est fixé sur un troisième connecteur intermédiaire, lequel est interposé entre le premier connecteur et le second connecteur, l'élément mâle supplémentaire comportant :
  • -- une tête arrière supplémentaire délimitant un logement supplémentaire ouvert axialement vers l'arrière, dans lequel s'étend au moins un doigt supplémentaire de retenue, et dans lequel le tronçon avant de verrouillage de l'élément mâle est apte à être inséré axialement d'arrière en avant, jusqu'à une position de verrouillage dans laquelle le doigt supplémentaire de retenue est reçu dans l'encoche de retenue de l'élément mâle pour immobiliser axialement le second connecteur sur le troisième connecteur intermédiaire,
  • -- un tronçon avant supplémentaire de verrouillage qui est muni d'une encoche supplémentaire et qui est apte à être inséré axialement d'arrière en avant dans le logement de l'élément femelle jusqu'à une position de verrouillage dans laquelle le doigt de retenue de l'élément femelle est reçu dans ladite encoche supplémentaire de retenue pour immobiliser axialement le troisième connecteur intermédiaire sur le premier connecteur,
  • -- un organe supplémentaire de déverrouillage qui est porté par l'élément mâle supplémentaire et qui apte à coulisser axialement d'arrière en avant entre le tronçon avant supplémentaire de verrouillage et le doigt de l'élément femelle, entre une position arrière de repos et une position avant de déverrouillage dans laquelle l'organe de déverrouillage supplémentaire escamote ledit doigt de retenue en dehors de l'encoche supplémentaire.

According to other features of the invention:

• the retaining finger extends axially obliquely backwards and forwards towards the inside of the housing, so that the front free end of the finger extends opposite a rear radial face of the notch of the male element, when the male element occupies its position before locking,
• the male element comprises a first radial front face forming a shoulder from which a head extends rearward, said head of the male element being located outside said housing when the male element occupies its locking position , and the unlocking member comprises a radially projecting rear section of which a rear radial face bears axially against said first radial front face of the male element, when the unlocking member occupies its rear rest position,
• the second connector comprises a radial lug which delimits a through hole in which the male element is slidably mounted axially from rear to front and the device comprises a first elastic means for returning the male element towards the rear,
• the male element comprises a second radial front face which is angularly offset relative to its first radial front face, and the first elastic return means comprises at least a first resiliently deformable return tab which is interposed axially between a rear face of the ear of the second connector and said second radial face before

the male element, said first return leg having the shape of a "V" bent radially outwards,

• the device comprises a second elastic means for returning the unlocking member to its rear rest position,
• the second elastic return means comprises at least one second resiliently deformable return tab which is interposed axially between a radial front face of the rear section of the unlocking member and said rear face of the second connector's ear,
• the first return lug and the said second return lug belong to a multifunctional spring made of folded and cut sheet metal in one piece,
• the multifunctional spring is fixed on the male element,
• the multifunctional spring comprises at least one attachment tab of the male element on the second associated connector, so that the assembly formed by the male element, the multifunctional spring and the unlocking member is captive relative to the second connector,
• the rear section of actuation of the unlocking member comprises at least one portion projecting radially relative to the head of the male element, so that said projecting portion of the actuating section constitutes a pusher for driving the body of the unlocking to its position before unlocking,
• the device comprises an actuating wheel which is rotatably mounted on the rear head of the male element and which comprises a threaded portion adapted to cooperate with a complementary threaded portion of the unlocking member, so that the body unlocking device is adapted to be driven into its position before unlocking by rotation of the wheel,
• the assembly formed by the male element, the multifunction spring and the unlocking member, has an axial plane of symmetry,
• the locking device comprises a signaling device equipped with a visual indicator to visually indicate that the male element occupies its position before locking in the female element,
• the signaling device comprises:
  • a pin which extends axially in the housing of the female element,
  • an opening axial well which is delimited by the male element,
  • the visual indicator which extends axially back and forth in said well, from a rear display head to a front driving head, the indicator being mounted sliding axially in said well so that the witness occupies a front position retracted, or concealed, in the well, towards which the witness is resiliently biased by an elastic return means, when the male element occupies its rear rest position, and in that the witness occupies a rearward signaling position in which the front head of the witness cooperates with said pin which opposes the elastic return of the witness, when the male element occupies its position before locking in the female element, so that the rear signaling head of the witness is visible by a user,
• the device comprises an additional male element which is fixed on a third intermediate connector, which is interposed between the first connector and the second connector, the additional male element comprising:
  • an additional rear head delimiting an additional housing open axially towards the rear, in which at least one additional retaining finger extends, and in which the front locking section of the male element is able to be inserted axially back forward, to a locking position in which the additional retaining finger is received in the retention notch of the male member to axially immobilize the second connector on the third intermediate connector,
  • an additional front locking section which is provided with an additional notch and which is adapted to be inserted axially back and forth in the housing of the female element to a locking position in which the retaining finger the female element is received in said additional retaining slot to axially immobilize the third intermediate connector on the first connector,
  • an additional unlocking member which is carried by the additional male element and which is able to slide axially back and forth between the additional front locking section and the finger of the female element, between a rear position of rest and an unlocking front position in which the additional unlocking member retracts said retaining finger out of the additional notch.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble éclatée en perspective, illustrant un premier dispositif de verrouillage et un second dispositif de verrouillage, pour le verrouillage d'un premier connecteur sur un second connecteur selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 2-2 de la figure 1, illustrant le premier connecteur dans une position connectée avec le second connecteur, et le premier dispositif de verrouillage dont un élément femelle est fixé sur le premier connecteur et dont un élément mâle est porté par le second connecteur dans une position arrière de repos ;

• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 1, illustrant le premier connecteur dans une position connectée avec le second connecteur, et l'élément mâle du premier dispositif de verrouillage dans une position avant de verrouillage ;
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 2, illustrant l'élément mâle du premier dispositif de verrouillage dans sa position avant de verrouillage ;
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 2, illustrant l'élément mâle du premier dispositif de verrouillage dans sa position avant de verrouillage, et un organe de déverrouillage dans une position avant de déverrouillage ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de détail en perspective, illustrant une première étape de montage axial d'un ressort multifonctions sur l'élément mâle ;
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 6, illustrant une seconde étape de montage à baïonnette du ressort multifonctions sur l'élément mâle ;
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 6, illustrant une troisième étape de montage axial de l'organe de déverrouillage sur l'élément mâle ;
• la figure 9 est une vue de détail en perspective avec arrachement partiel, illustrant un ensemble formé par l'élément mâle, le ressort multifonctions et l'organe de déverrouillage ;
• la figure 10 est une vue partielle en perspective, illustrant l'élément mâle dans sa position avant de verrouillage ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective, illustrant le premier connecteur dans une position déconnectée avec le second connecteur ;
• la figure 12 est une vue de détail en perspective, illustrant le ressort multifonctions ;
• la figure 13 est une vue en perspective, illustrant un second mode de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 2, dans lequel un connecteur adaptateur intermédiaire est verrouillé sur l'élément femelle au moyen d'un élément mâle supplémentaire ;
• la figure 14 est une vue en coupe axiale, illustrant l'élément mâle supplémentaire du dispositif de la figure 13 ;
• la figure 15 est une vue en perspective, illustrant un outil multifonctions comportant un outil de verrouillage et un outil de déverrouillage du dispositif ;
• la figure 16 est une vue de détail en perspective, illustrant l'outil de verrouillage de la figure 15 ;
• la figure 17 est une vue de détail en perspective, illustrant une variante de réalisation du ressort multifonctions, qui comporte deux pattes d'accrochage ;
• la figure 18 est une vue de détail en perspective, illustrant une variante de réalisation de l'organe de déverrouillage, dont l'extrémité avant de déverrouillage comporte deux encoches ;
• la figure 19 est une vue en coupe longitudinale, illustrant un témoin visuel dans une position avant escamotée dans un puits de l'élément mâle selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 20 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 19, illustrant le témoin visuel de la figure 19 dans une position arrière de signalisation.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended figures among which:

• the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view, illustrating a first locking device and a second locking device, for locking a first connector on a second connector according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of the figure 1 , illustrating the first connector in a position connected with the second connector, and the first locking device having a female element attached to the first connector connector and of which a male element is carried by the second connector in a rear rest position;

• the figure 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of the figure 1 illustrating the first connector in a position connected with the second connector, and the male member of the first locking device in a locking front position;
• the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 illustrating the male element of the first locking device in its locking front position;
• the figure 5 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 illustrating the male element of the first locking device in its locking front position, and an unlocking member in an unlocking front position;
• the figure 6 is a detail view in perspective, illustrating a first step of axial mounting of a multifunctional spring on the male element;
• the figure 7 is a view similar to that of the figure 6 illustrating a second bayonet mounting step of the multi-function spring on the male member;
• the figure 8 is a view similar to that of the figure 6 , illustrating a third step of axial mounting of the unlocking member on the male element;
• the figure 9 is a detailed perspective view partially broken away, illustrating an assembly formed by the male element, the multifunctional spring and the unlocking member;
• the figure 10 is a partial perspective view, illustrating the male element in its position before locking;
• the figure 11 is a perspective view, illustrating the first connector in a disconnected position with the second connector;
• the figure 12 is a detail view in perspective, illustrating the multifunctional spring;
• the figure 13 is a perspective view, illustrating a second embodiment of the device of the figure 2 wherein an intermediate adapter connector is locked to the female member by means of an additional male member;
• the figure 14 is an axial sectional view, illustrating the additional male element of the device of the figure 13 ;
• the figure 15 is a perspective view, illustrating a multifunctional tool comprising a locking tool and a device unlocking tool;
• the figure 16 is a detail view in perspective, illustrating the locking tool of the figure 15 ;
• the figure 17 is a detail view in perspective, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the multifunctional spring, which comprises two attachment tabs;
• the figure 18 is a detail view in perspective, illustrating an alternative embodiment of the unlocking member, the unlocking front end has two notches;
• the figure 19 is a longitudinal sectional view, illustrating a visual indicator in a forward position retracted into a well of the male element according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 20 is a view similar to that of the figure 19 , illustrating the visual witness of the figure 19 in a signaling rear position.

For the description of the invention, and the clarity of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures will be adopted without limitation.

We will also adopt the orientation from back to front which corresponds to a longitudinal direction from left to right according to the figure 2 .

In the following description, identical, similar or similar elements will be designated by the same reference numerals.

We have shown figure 1 a first front connector 10 and a second complementary rear connector 12 constituting a connector device.

The first connector 10 is carried by a plate 18 which is for example the rear panel of a housing (not shown) of a device (not shown) electrical or electronic, such as a back panel of a computer.

The first connector 10 has a series of longitudinal contact pins 20 which are inserted into an insulating body 22 and which project at the rear and front of the body 22.

The insulating body 22 is surrounded by a metal shield 24 which conforms a first ear 26a and a second opposite side lug 26b for fixing the first connector 10 to the plate 18.

In addition, the shield 24 forms a rear connecting sleeve 25 which extends rearwardly from the body 22, through a hole 27 of the plate 18.

The first connector 10 is for example connected to a cable (not shown) composed of a bundle of electrically conductive wires each of which is connected to a pin 20 of contact.

Complementarily, the second connector 12 has a series of contact sockets 28 each of which is inserted into an insulating body 30 so as to receive an associated contact pin 20 from the first connector 10.

The second connector 12 is for example connected to a cable (not shown) composed of a bundle of electrically conductive son each of which is connected to a contact sleeve 28.

The insulating body of the second connector 12 is surrounded by a metal shield 32 which conforms to a first ear 36a and a second opposite side ears 36b and which comprises a front section 34 intended to be received in the rear sleeve 25 of the shield 24 of the first connector 10.

The connector device here is of the "D-Sub" type, that is to say that the rear sleeve 25 of the first connector 10 and the front section 34 of the second connector 12 each have a "D" section, constituting a keying means when connecting the connector device.

The connector device, consisting of the two complementary connectors, is equipped with a first locking device 14 and a second locking device 16, for locking the first connector 10 on the second connector 12.

The locking devices 14, 16 are structurally independent of the male and female electrical contact elements 28.

The first locking device 14 and the second locking device 16 are identical and are arranged symmetrically according to a first median plane of general symmetry extending longitudinally and vertically.

Therefore, only the first locking device 14 is described in the following description, the description of the second locking device 16 being deduced from that of the first device 14.

According to a first embodiment, the first locking device 14 comprises a female element 38 which is fixed on the first connector 10, as can be seen in FIGS. figures 1 and 2 and more precisely on the ear 26a of the shield 24.

The first locking device 14 has a second longitudinal vertical plane of symmetry which passes through the axis A.

The female element 38 extends longitudinally along the axis A and comprises a front portion 40 of removable attachment to the first connector 10 and a rear section 42 of locking.

As can be seen at figure 2 , the front section 40 of fixing is a threaded rod of axis A which extends since a shoulder 44 of the rear section 42 of locking, through a hole 46 of the plate 18 and through a bore 47 of the first side lug 26a of the shield 24 of the first connector 10.

The shoulder 44 is in axial abutment against a rear face 45 of the plate 18 and the fixing front portion 40 cooperates with a washer 48 and a nut 50, whereby the female element 38 is fixed on the first connector 10 and maintains the first connector 10 on the plate 18.

The rear section 42 for locking the female element 38 is of hollow hexagonal shape, delimiting a cylindrical housing 52 of axis A which is open axially rearwards in an orifice 55, which is arranged in a radial rear face. 51 of the rear section 42 locking.

The housing 52 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 54 of axis A which cooperates with the inner concave wall 57 of the housing 52, the sleeve 54 is held axially in the housing 52 by means of an annular rear rib 53 which radially delimits the orifice 55 entrance to dwelling 52.

The bushing 54 is axially slotted so as to be inserted into the housing 52 through the inlet orifice 55 by elastic deformation.

The bushing 54 comprises three trapezoidal retaining fingers 56 which are angularly arranged in a regular manner about the axis A and each of which extends axially obliquely backwards and forwards towards the axis A of the housing 52, such as the illustrates the figure 1 for two of the three fingers 56.

The bushing 54 is here made of sheet metal and the retaining fingers 56 are made by cutting and folding the sleeve 54.

Representatives Figures 2 to 5 the first connector 10 and the second connector 12 in a connected position, wherein the rear sleeve 25 of the first connector 10 receives the front portion 34 of the second connector 12, as shown in FIG. figure 3 and wherein the contact pins 20 are received in the contact sockets 28.

In this connected position, the radial front face 110 of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12 bears axially against the rear radial face 51 of the rear section 42 of locking of the female element 38, so that the orifice 55 of the The housing 52 of the female element 38 is arranged coaxially with the orifice 37a of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12.

As shown by figures 1 and 2 , the first locking device 14 comprises a male element 58 which is intended to be locked in the associated female element 38.

The male element 58, shown in detail in Figures 6 to 9 , has a generally cylindrical shape along the axis A and it comprises a front locking portion 62, a radially projecting rear head 60 and an intermediate section 74 which is interposed axially between the head 60 and the locking front section 62.

The front locking portion 62 comprises, at its front end, a notch 66 for retaining the shape of a cylindrical annular groove about the axis A.

The retaining notch 66 is delimited by a radially annular rear face 68 and by an axial section 67 of globally increasing section towards the rear which extends from the rear face 68.

As shown in figure 6 the rear head 60 of the male element 58 is of a cylindrical shape along the axis A and has a shoulder 72, a front radial face 70 of which is connected to the intermediate section 74.

Intermediate section 74 is of axial section "T", it comprises an axial branch 78 which is connected to the front locking section 62 and a transverse radial branch 76 which is connected to the shoulder 72 of the rear head 60, the branch radial radial 76 projecting radially from both sides relative to the head 60.

Intermediate section 74 "T" is laterally delimited by a first flat 80a and a second flat 80b, each of the form of a "T", which extend axially parallel and opposite along the axis A.

Finally, the intermediate portion 74 has a first groove 82a and a second groove 82b which are radially opposed.

Each groove 82a, 82b forms an arc around the axis A, each extending from the first flat 80a to the second flat 80b, at the junction of the transverse branch 76 and the axial leg 78 respectively of the intermediate section. 74 in "T".

The male element 58 is carried by the second connector 12 to which it is connected by means of a multifunctional spring 84.

More specifically, the male element 58 is carried by the ear 36a of the shield 32 of the second connector 12 in a rear rest position illustrated in FIGS. figures 2 and 11 wherein the front locking portion 62 of the male member 58 extends axially through an orifice 37a of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12.

The male element 58 is slidably mounted from behind forwards from its rear rest position towards which the male element 58 is elastically urged constantly by the multifunctional spring, to a locking front position in the female element 38.

The multi-function spring 84, shown in detail at figure 12 , is made of folded and cut sheet metal in one piece and is removably mounted on the male element 58.

For this purpose, the multifunctional spring 84 comprises a radial central portion 86 which is perforated, so as to delimit a first blade 90a and a second blade 90b of connection with the male element 58.

The blades 90a, 90b of connection extend radially facing the axis A and each have an edge 92a, 92b respectively, in the form of an arc around the axis A.

As shown by figures 3 and 9 each edge 92a, 92b cooperates with the groove 82a, 82b respectively of the intermediate section 74 at "T", in order to maintain the multi-function spring 84 on the male element 58.

The central portion 86 of the multi-function spring 84 is here axially supported on a radial front face 88 of the transverse branch 76 of the intermediate section 74 at "T".

The multifunctional spring 84 comprises a first tab 94a and a second elastically deformable return tab 94b, constituting a first elastic means for biasing the male element 58 towards the rear.

The first tab 94a and the second return tab 94b are arranged symmetrically and diametrically opposite the axis A, and they are interposed axially between the intermediate section 74 at "T" and a rear radial face 100 of the first ear 36a. the second connector 12.

As shown in figure 2 the first leg 94a and the second leg 94b are each in the form of a radially outwardly angled "V", a rear leg 95a, 95b of which is connected to the central portion 86 of the multi-function spring 84 and having a branch before 97a, 97b respectively, bears axially against the rear radial face 100 of the first ear 36a of the second connector 12.

More precisely, each front branch 97a, 97b is in the form of a "U", each strand of which constitutes a foot 98 which bears axially against the rear radial face 100 of the first ear 36a.

Thus, when the male member 58 is driven forward from its rearward rest position, each "V" leg 94a, 94b is compressed and resiliently bent to bias the male member 58 rearward.

In addition, the multi-function spring 84 comprises a hooking tab 102 of the male element 58 on the second connector 12, which is able to oppose the elastic return exerted by the two tabs 94a, 94b in "V", so as to to retain the male element 58 in its rear rest position, as illustrated by figure 11 , so that the assembly formed by the multi-function spring 84 and the male element 58 is captive relative to the second connector 12.

For this purpose, the attachment lug 102 extends axially forwardly from the central portion 86 of the multifunctional spring 84, the latching lug 102 being interposed between the two legs 94a, 94b at "V".

The hooking lug 102 has a central cut-out which delimits a first branch 106a and a second axial branch 106b of attachment, each of which conforms to a hook 108a, 108b respectively at its free end.

Each hook 108a, 108b is curved rearwardly so that it is able to cooperate with a radial face before 110 of the first ear 36a of the second connector 12, as illustrated by FIG. figure 11 .

Advantageously, the attachment lug 102 is elastically deformable to allow its implementation.

As shown in figure 2 when the male element 58 occupies its rear rest position, its front locking portion 62 extends axially through the orifice 37a of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12 and partly in the housing 52 of the element female 38. The head 60 of the male element 58 being arranged at the rear of the ear 36a.

Thus, the locking section 62 of the male element 58 is able to be inserted into the housing 52 of the female element 38 from its rear rest position to its locking front position, in order to lock the first connector 10 on the second connector 12.

When the locking section 62 occupies its position before locking, represented in FIGS. Figures 3, 4 , 5 and 10 , the retaining fingers 56, which extend in the housing 52 of the female element 38, deform elastically outwardly to the passage of the locking section 62 before being received in the notch 66 of the locking section 62 of the male element 58.

More specifically, the front free end of each finger 56 is axially supported on the rear face 68 of the notch 66, whereby the fingers 56 oppose the rearward withdrawal of the male element 58.

In addition, the multi-function spring 84 here constitutes a means of catching up clearance between the male element 58 and the female element 38, by constantly biasing the male element 58 elastically towards the rear, whereby the retaining fingers 56 are held in axial support on the rear face 68 of the notch 66.

As can be seen at figures 2 and 9 , the locking device 14 comprises an unlocking member 112 which is mounted on the male element 58.

The unlocking member 112 is a sheath of generally cylindrical shape complementary to that of the male element 58, which comprises a rear actuating section 114 and a front unlocking section 116.

The unlocking front section 116 is a cylinder which is opened through by means of an axial slot 117, to enable the release member 112 to be mounted on the male element 58 by elastic axial separation of the front section. unlocking 116.

The rear axial end of the unlocking front section 116 comprises a first axial notch 118a and a second axial notch 118b which are symmetrical and diametrically opposite, and which receive between them the intermediate portion 74 "T" of the male element 58, as illustrated by figure 9 .

The notches 118a and 118b are delimited by a first axial leg 120a and a second axial leg 120b diametrically opposed which cooperate with the first flat 80a and the second flat 80b respectively of the intermediate portion 74 "T", whereby the body of unlocking 112 is rotatably connected with the male member 58 about the axis A.

The rear actuating portion 114 of the unlocking member 112 extends rearwardly from the first axial leg 120a and the second axial leg 120b of the unlocking front section 116.

The rear actuating section 114 conforms to a fork, a first branch 122a and a second branch 122b extend axially rearwardly and each form an "L".

Each branch 122a, 122b at "L" of the fork is shaped by a radial portion 124a, 124b and a rear axial portion 126a, 126b.

Each radial portion 124a, 124b is connected to the unlocking front section 116 and has a rear radial face 125a, 125b bearing axially against the front radial face 70 of the shoulder 72 of the head 60 of the male element 58.

Each rear axial portion 126a, 126b of the branches 122a, 122b in "L" of the fork has an inner concave face which cooperates with the convex face 127 complementary to the cylindrical head 60 of the male element 58.

Thus, each rear axial portion 126a, 126b protrudes radially relative to the head 60 and constitutes a pusher 126a, 126b for driving the unlocking member 112 axially forward, as described below.

For this purpose, the unlocking member 112 is mounted to slide axially on the male element 58 between a rear rest position, shown in FIGS. figures 2 , 3 and 9 , and an unlocking front position shown in FIG. figure 5 , in which the unlocking member 112 unlocks the first connector 10 of the second connector 12.

More precisely, during the displacement of the unlocking member 112 towards its unlocking front position, the unlocking front section 116 slides between the retaining fingers 56 and the locking section 62 of the male element 58 so as to retract the fingers 56 of the notch 66 radially outwardly, so that the fingers 56 no longer cooperate with the notch 66 and no longer oppose the removal of the male element 58 towards the rear.

When the unlocking member 112 occupies its unlocking position before, the free end front of the unlocking portion 116 is axially supported on the rear face 68 of the notch 66, which is then closed, so that the front section release 116 is interposed radially between the fingers 56 and the notch 66.

The multifunctional spring 84 here constitutes a second elastic means for returning the unlocking member 112 towards its rear rest position.

For this purpose, as shown in figure 12 the multifunctional spring 84 has a third leg 128a and a fourth leg 128b which are shaped in the rear leg 95a of the first tab 94a "V" and in the rear leg 95b of the second leg 94b "V" respectively .

The third tab 128a and the fourth return leg 128b are elastically deformable, they extend radially towards the axis A diametrically opposite, and they are angularly offset by 90 ° with respect to the first blade 90a and the second blade 90b connecting the spring 84 multi-function.

As shown by figures 2 , 4 and 5 , the third leg 128a and the fourth return leg 128b are in axial abutment against a front radial face 129a of the first branch 122a. and a radial front face 129b of the second leg 122b of the unlocking member 112 respectively, to return the unlocking member 112 constantly towards the rear.

In the remainder of the description, an example of the operations to be followed for locking the first connector 10 on the second connector 12 by means of the first locking device 14 is described.

These locking operations are identical for the second locking device 16.

In the event that the different elements of the first locking device 14 are not assembled together, a preliminary assembly operation is necessary.

As can be seen at Figures 6 to 8 the multi-function spring 84 is attached to the male member 58 by means of a bayonet type fitting.

For this purpose, the multi-function spring 84 is engaged axially along the front locking section 62 of the male element 58 through the central radial portion 86 of the spring 84, as illustrated by FIG. figure 6 .

The spring 84 is rotated a quarter of a turn around the axis A, so that the first blade 90a and the second spring connecting blade 90b 84 cooperate with the groove 82a, 82b respectively of the intermediate portion 74. "T" of the male element 58, in order to maintain the multifunctional spring 84 on the male element 58, as can be seen in FIG. figure 7 .

Then, as shown in figure 8 , the unlocking member 112 is engaged axially on the front locking portion 62 of the male element 58 until the unlocking member 112 reaches its rear rest position shown in FIG. figure 9 , in which the third tab 128a and the fourth return tab 128b bear axially against the radial portions 124a, 124b respectively of the first branch 122a and the second leg 122b in "L" of the unlocking member 112.

After this preliminary assembly operation, the assembly formed by the male element 58, the unlocking member 112 and the multi-function spring 84 is mounted on the second connector 12 by means of the hooking tab 102 of the multi-function spring 84, so that the male element 58 occupies its rear rest position.

For this purpose, the front locking portion 62 of the male element 58 is engaged axially partly in the orifice 37a of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12, and the hooking lug 102 of the multi-function spring 84 is arranged in so that each of its two hooks 108a, 108b cooperates with the front radial face 110 of the first ear 36a, as shown in FIG. figure 11 .

The female element 38 is fixed on the first connector 10, in a manner such as that described above in the description.

After connecting the first connector 10 and the second connector 12 to each other, the male member 58 is driven axially back and forth from its back rest position to its locking front position, wherein the first connector 10 is then locked on the second connector 12.

To unlock the first connector 10 of the second connector 12, the unlocking member 112 is driven axially back and forth from its rear rest position to its unlocking front position.

Then, the assembly formed by the male element 58 and the unlocking member 112 is resiliently biased backwards by the first leg 94a and the second leg 94b of the return spring 84 multifunction, until the male element 58 occupies its rear rest position.

Finally, the unlocking member 112 is released, then it is resiliently returned to its rear rest position by the third leg 128a and the fourth leg 128b of the spring 86 multi-function.

Therefore, it is possible to disconnect the first connector 10 of the second connector 12 or to lock the first connector 10 again on the second connector 12.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown) of the first embodiment, the first locking device 14 comprises an actuating wheel which makes it possible to drive the unlocking member 112 in axial sliding, along the axis A, by screwing and unscrewing the wheel.

For this purpose, the rear axial portion 126a of the third leg 122a and the rear axial portion 126b of the fourth leg 122b of the unlocking member 112, each comprise a threaded outer convex face which is adapted to cooperate with an inner concave face. complementary threaded wheel.

The wheel is rotatably mounted on the head 60 of the male element 58 about the axis A, so that when it is rotated, for example by a quarter of a turn, the unlocking member 112 is driven in axial sliding forward or backward.

According to a second embodiment shown in figures 13 and 14 , the first locking device 14 comprises an additional male element 136 which is carried by a third connector 134.

For clarity, the term "additional" will be used later to designate the various elements of the additional male element 136.

The third connector 134 is of the so-called "adapter" type, through which the first connector 10 is connected with the second connector 12, for example in the event that the first connector 10 and the second connector 12 are both connectors. male connectors or both female connectors.

In the same way as for the male element 58 described above, the additional male element 136 comprises an additional front section 138 of locking whose front end is provided with an additional retaining notch 139.

Unlike the male element 58, the additional male element 136 has an additional rear head 140 which delimits an additional housing 142 open axially rearward along the axis A.

The additional housing 142 comprises an additional sleeve 144 conforming three additional retaining fingers 148 which are angularly arranged in a regular manner about the axis A and each of which extends axially obliquely backwards and forwards towards the axis A of the additional dwelling 142.

Thus, the front 62 locking portion of the male element 58 is adapted to be inserted axially back and forth in the additional housing 142 to a locking position, in which the additional retaining fingers 148 are each received in the notch 66 for retaining the male element 58 to axially immobilize the second connector 12 on the third connector 134.

Similarly, the additional front section 138 of locking is adapted to be inserted axially back and forth in the housing 52 of the female member 38 to a locking position shown in FIG. figure 14 in which the retaining fingers 56 of the female element 38 are received in the additional retaining notch 139 for axially immobilizing the third connector 134 on the first connector 10.

Finally, an additional unlocking member 146 is axially slidably mounted on the additional male element 136 between the additional front section 138 for locking and the retaining fingers 56 of the female element 38, between a rear rest position and a front position. unlocking in which the additional unlocking member 146 retracts the retaining fingers 56 outside the additional notch 139, in order to unlock the third connector 134 of the first connector 10.

According to an alternative embodiment of the embodiments described above, the multi-function spring 84 comprises a first and a second attachment tabs 102a, 102b of the male element 58 on the second connector 12.

According to this variant, represented in figure 17 , the first and the second attachment lugs 102a, 102b are interposed between the feet 98 of the front legs 97a, 97b of the two tabs 94a, 94b at "V" respectively.

The free end of each hooking lug 102a, 102b is in the form of a hook 108a, 108b respectively which is able to cooperate with the radial front face 110 of the first lug 36a of the second connector 12.

By way of non-limiting example, the multi-function spring 84 may comprise three attachment lugs, one of which is an attachment lug 102 which is interposed between the two tabs 94a, 94b in "V" and two attachment lugs 102a, 102b which are interposed. between the feet 98 of the front legs 97a, 97b of the two legs 94a, 94b in "V" respectively.

According to an alternative embodiment of the unlocking member 112, shown in FIG. figure 18 , the forward axial end of the unlocking front section 116 is of axial section substantially decreasing forwards, so that the front end of the unlocking section 116 is able to bear axially on the rear face 68 of the notch 66.

In addition, the unlocking front section 116 comprises a first notch 117a and a second notch 117b which are symmetrical about the axis A and each of which extends axially rearwards from the front end of the unlocking front section 116, to allow the assembly of the organ of unlocking 112 on the male element 58 by elastic axial separation of the unlocking front section 116.

According to another embodiment of the unlocking member 112 shown in FIG. figure 18 , the edges 92a, 92b of the connecting blades 90a, 90b respectively, are each of a domed shape towards the inside of the central portion 86 openwork.

Each edge 92a, 92b is adapted to cooperate with a complementary portion (not shown) of the intermediate portion 74 "T" of the male element 58, in order to maintain the multi-function spring 84 on the male element 58.

In another aspect, the first locking device 14 is equipped with a multifunctional tool 150, shown in FIG. figure 15 .

The multifunctional tool 150 is in the form of a rod whose first axial end comprises a locking tool 152 of the male element 58 and whose second axial end comprises an unlocking tool 154 of the male element 58.

As shown in figure 16 , the locking tool 152 comprises a cylindrical tubular portion 156 having an axial opening 157 and a concave inner wall 158 is adapted to cooperate with the convex face 127 of the head 60 of the male element 58, in order to center the head 60 relative to the locking tool 152.

In addition, the locking tool 152 comprises a fork having a first arm 160a and a second arm 160b which are diametrically opposed extend axially forward from an outer face of the tubular portion 156.

The free end of each arm 160a, 160b is delimited by a front radial face 162a, 162b respectively.

When the male element 58 occupies its rest position, the locking tool 152 is engaged axially forwards around the head 60 of the male element 58, so that the front radial face 162a, 162b of the arms 160a 160b is axially supported against the rear legs 95a, 95b the first tab 94a and the second leg 94b "V" of the spring 84, which is fixed on the male element 58.

Thus, the male member 58 is driven axially forward to its locking front position by means of the locking tool 152 and through the spring 84.

The locking tool 152 here makes it possible to drive the male element 58 precisely along the axis A of the housing 52 of the female element 38.

The unlocking tool 154 of the multifunctional tool 150 comprises a cylindrical tubular portion 164 having an axial opening 166 and a concave inner wall 168 is adapted to cooperate with the convex face 127 of the head 60 of the male element 58, as shows it figure 5 .

The axial opening 166 is delimited by a radial edge 170 which cooperates with the free end of each pusher 126a, 126b of the unlocking member 112 to drive the unlocking member 112 axially forward to its position. unlocking.

In addition, the multifunction tool 150 is an extension through which the locking and unlocking of the device 14 is facilitated, for example when the device 14 is cashed and inaccessible.

Finally, the locking device 14 offers guarantees of connection security.

Indeed, the locking device 14 is designed so that the male element 58 can not be locked in the female element 38 if the first connector 10 and the second connector 12 are not connected to each other, or plugged in, correct way.

Similarly, the user can easily verify that the male element 58 is locked in the female element 38, and thus that the first connector 10 and the second connector 12 are correctly connected, by a visual control of the position of the rear head 60 of the male element 58 relative to the second connector 12 or by a visual check of the state of the spring 84.

The control of the connection can also be achieved by auditory control of the noise produced by the fingers 56 of the female element 38 when the latter "fall" into the notch 66 for retaining the male element 58.

Finally, if the multifunctional spring 84 breaks, the male element 58 remains locked in the female element 38.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, the multi-function spring 84 comprises a first hooking lug which extends axially forwardly and which is interposed transversely between the two U-shaped legs 98 of the front branch 97a of the first lug 94a. .

Similarly, the multi-function spring 84 comprises a second hooking lug which extends axially forwardly and which is interposed transversely between the two U-shaped legs 98 of the front branch 97b of the second lug 94a.

According to another variant embodiment of the invention, represented in figures 19 and 20 , the locking device 14 comprises a signaling device, allowing the user to visually check that the male element 58 occupies its locking position in the female element 38.

The signaling device comprises a visual indicator 172 which extends longitudinally along the axis A in an opening axial well 174 delimited by the male element 58.

The well 174 comprises a rear section 174a which opens out axially rearwardly at a rear end of the head 60 of the male element 58, and which is delimited forwards by a rear radial seat 176.

In addition, the well 174 comprises a front section 174b which opens out axially forwardly at a front end of the front locking section 62 of the male element 58, and which is delimited rearward by a front radial seat 178.

Finally, the well 174 comprises an intermediate section 174c which extends axially from the rear section 174a to the front section 174b.

Complementarily, the control 172 is in the form of a rod whose rear axial end conforms to a rearward signaling head 182, and a front end conforms to a front drive head 184, each head 182, 184 projecting radially from each other. compared to the rod 180.

The witness 172 is slidably mounted axially in the well 174 of the male element 58, between a retracted position shown in FIG. figure 19 , and a signaling position represented at the figure 20 .

When the indicator 172 occupies its retracted position, the rearward signaling head 182 is axially supported forwards on the rear seat 176, so that the rearward signaling head 182 is hidden, or concealed, and the front head 184 is located generally at the front end of the locking front section 62 of the male element 58.

The witness 172 is returned axially in its retracted position by means of a helical spring 186 which is interposed axially between the radial front seat 178 of the male element 58 and the front head 184 of the control 172.

In contrast, when the control 172 occupies its signaling position, the rearward signaling head 182 projects substantially axially rearwardly with respect to the rear section 174a of the well 174, so that the user is able to see the back head 182 of the witness 172.

For this purpose, the signaling device comprises a pin 188 which extends axially at the bottom of the housing 52 of the female element 38, so that a rear axial end of the pin 188 is arranged opposite the front head. 184 of Witness 172.

Thus, when the male element 58 is driven forward from its rear rest position to its locking front position, the pin 188 opposes the movement of the control 172, so that the spring 186 is compressed and so that the control 172 occupies its signaling position when the male element 58 occupies its locking position.

For example, the end face of the rearward signaling head 182 is of red color visible axially.

According to one variant, the lateral face of the rear head 182 is green in color, it is not visible in the rear signaling position and it is visible in the forward position retracted through a window provided for this purpose.

Claims (16)

1. A device (14) for latching a first connector (10) to a complementary second connector (12), each connector including a series of male electrical contact elements (20) and respective female electrical contact elements (28) adapted to be connected to each other, the latching device (14) including:

   - a female element (38) that is fixed to the first connector (10) and delimits a housing (52) open axially rearward;

   - at least one elastically deformable retaining finger (56) that projects radially inside the housing (52) of the female element (38);

   - a male element (58) carried by the second connector (12) and that includes a latching front section (62) furnished with a retaining notch (66), the latching section (62) being adapted to be inserted axially from the rear toward the front into the housing (52) of the female element (38) as far as a front latching position in which the retaining finger (56) is received in said retaining notch (66) to immobilize the first connector (10) axially on the second connector (12),

   characterized in that the male element (58) is mounted to slide from the rear toward the front relative to the second connector (12) from a rear rest position to its front latching position in the female element (38),
   and in that the device (14) includes an unlatching member (112) that is carried by the male element (58) and is adapted to slide axially from the rear toward the front between the latching section (62) and the finger (56), between a rear rest position and a front unlatching position in which the unlatching member (112) retracts the retaining finger (56) out of the notch (66).
2. The device (14) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the retaining finger (56) extends axially and obliquely from the rear toward the front toward the interior of the housing (52) so that the free front end of the finger (56) faces a radial rear face (68) of the notch (66) of the male element (58) when the male element (58) occupies its front latching position.
3. The device (14) as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the male element (58) includes a first radial front face (70) forming a shoulder (72) from which a head (60) extends rearward, said head (60) of the male element (58) being situated outside said housing (52) when the male element (58) occupies its latching position, and in that the unlocking member (112) includes a radially projecting rear section (114) a radial rear face (125a, 125b) of which bears axially against said first radial front face (70) of the male element (58) when the unlatching member (112) occupies its rear rest position.
4. The device (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connector (12) includes a radial flange (36a) that delimits a through-hole (37a) in which the male element (58) is mounted to slide axially from the rear toward the front and in that the device (14) includes first return spring means (94a, 94b) adapted to urge the male element (58) in the rearward direction.
5. The device (14) as claimed in claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the male element (58) has a second radial front face (88) that is offset angularly relative to its first radial front face (70) and in that the first return spring means (94a, 94b) include at least one elastically deformable first return prong (94a, 94b) that is disposed axially between a rear face (100) of the flange (36a) of the second connector (12) and said second radial front face (88) of the male element (58), said first return prong (94a, 94b) being V-shaped and bent radially outward.
6. The device (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes second spring return means (128a, 128b) for urging the unlatching member (112) toward its rear rest position.
7. Device (14) as claimed in claims 3, 5 and 6, characterized in that the second spring return means (128a, 128b) include at least one elastically deformable second return prong (128a, 128b) that is disposed axially between a radial front face (129a, 129b) of the rear section (114) of the unlatching member (112) and said rear face (100) of the flange (36a) of the second connector (12).
8. The device (14) as claimed in claims 5 and 7, characterized in that said first return prong (94a, 94b) and said second return prong (128a, 128b) are parts of a one-piece sheet metal multifunction spring (84) bent and cut to shape.
9. The device (14) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the multifunction spring (84) is fixed to the male element (58).
10. The device (14) as claimed in either of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the multifunction spring (84) includes at least one prong (102) for attaching the male element (58) to the associated second connector (12) so that the assembly formed by the male element (58), the multifunction spring (84) and the unlatching member (112) is captive on the second connector (12).
11. The device (14) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the rear actuating section (114) of the unlatching member (112) includes at least one portion (126a, 126b) projecting radially relative to the head (60) of the male element (58) so that said projecting portion (126a, 126b) of the actuation section (114) constitutes a pusher member (126a, 126b) for driving the unlatching member (112) toward its front unlatching position.
12. The device (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (14) includes an actuation knurled wheel that is mounted to rotate freely on the rear head (60) of the male element (58) and includes a threaded portion adapted to cooperate with a complementary threaded portion of the unlatching member so that the unlatching member (112) can be driven into its front unlatching position by rotating the knurled wheel.
13. The device (14) as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the assembly formed by the male element (58), the multifunction spring (84) and the unlatching member (112) has an axial plane of symmetry.
14. The device (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an indicator device furnished with a visual indicator (172) for indicating visually that the male element (58) is occupying its front latching position in the female element (38).
15. The device (14) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the indicator device includes:

    - a pin (188) that extends axially in the housing (52) of the female element (38),

    - an axial open well (114) that is delimited by the male element (58),

    - the visual indicator (172), which extends axially from the rear toward the front in said well (114), from a visualization rear head (182) to a drive front head (184), the indicator (172) being mounted to slide axially in said well (114) so that the indicator (172) occupies a front position retracted or concealed in the well (114) to which the indicator (172) is returned elastically by return spring means (186) when the male element (58) occupies its rear rest position, and in that the indicator (172) occupies a rear indicating position in which the front head (184) of the indicator (172) cooperates with said pin (188) that opposes the spring return of the indicator (172) when the male element (58) occupies its front latching position in the female element (38) so that the rear indicator head (182) of the indicator (172) can be seen by a user.
16. The device (14) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes an additional male element (136) that is fixed to an intermediate third connector (134) that is disposed between the first connector (10) and the second connector (12), the additional male element (136) including:

    - an additional rear head (140) delimiting an additional housing (142) open axially rearward in which there is at least one additional retaining finger (148), and wherein the latching front section (62) of the male element (58) is adapted to be inserted axially in the direction from the rear toward the front as far as a latching position in which the additional retaining finger (148) is received in the retaining notch (66) of the male element (58) to immobilize the second connector (12) axially on the intermediate third connector (134),

    - an additional latching front section (138) that is furnished with an additional notch (139) and is adapted to be inserted axially in the direction from the rear toward the front into the housing (52) of the female element (38) as far as a latching position in which the retaining finger (56) of the female element (38) is received in said additional retaining notch (139) to immobilize the intermediate third connector (134) axially on the first connector (10),

    - an additional unlatching member (146) that is carried by the additional male element (136) and is adapted to slide axially in the direction from the rear toward the front between the additional front latching section (138) and the finger (56) of the female element (38) between a rear rest position and a front unlatching position in which the additional unlatching member (146) retracts said retaining finger (56) out of said additional notch (139).

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