GB1113173A - Improvements in or relating to coupling devices,more particularly for electrical connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

1,113,173. Two-part couplings. PLESSEY CO. Ltd. 26 April, 1966 [30 April, 1965], No. 18277/65. Heading H2E. [Also in Division F2] In a device for coupling electric conductors a coupling member for co-operation with a coupling sleeve 12 having bayonet pins 16 on the outer surface thereof and internal, anti-rotation, axial guide grooves 11, comprises an inner sleeve 1 provided with a boss 7 and a reduced diameter portion 6 for insertion into the bore of the sleeve 12 such portion having external splines 10 for co-operation with the grooves 11, a locking ring 2 mounted on the boss 7 for rotation between locking and release positions and formed with bayonet slots 17 each having an axially extending part 17b and a locking part 17a and for co-operation with the pins 16, the parts 17b of the slots having a lead-in taper 17c adapted, when engaged by an axially moving abutment, to turn the ring from the locking to the release position thereof, and a release ring 3 fitted slidably on the ring 2. Pins 19 on the sleeve 1 engage in slots 18, 22 in the rings 2, 3 so that the ring 2 is permitted to rotate relative to the sleeve 1 without axial movement between the release and locking positions, the locking position being displaced relative to the release position such that, if in the release position of the ring 2, the pins 16 are aligned with the portions 17b of the slots 17, and, in the locking position of the ring the pins are in line with the portions 17a and taper 17c of the slots the ring 3 is permitted to move axially of the sleeve 1 without rotation. Springs 21 acting on the pins 19 urge the ring 2 to the looking position of the ring. The rings 2, 3 have mutually co-operating cam-andfollower means, e.g. cams 23 on the ring 3 and the portions 17c of the slots 17, which, when the ring 2 is in the locking position, move the ring 3 to the extreme position thereof in the direction of the open ends of the slots 17, and which, when the ring 3 is moved towards the other extreme position thereof, turn the ring 2, against the resilient action of the springs 21, to the release position. The sleeve 1 incorporates pin contacts (9) for engagement in sockets (15) in a connector block (14) in the sleeve 12, Fig. 1 (not shown).