Patent ID: 9559457
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: H01R

Claim:
1. A coupling device for an electrical connector, comprising: a connector shell having first and second ends and a ratchet engagement between said first and second ends; an inner coupling member rotatably coupled to said connector shell, said inner coupling member having an actuating end through which said first end of said connector shell extends, said actuating end of said inner coupling member defining a cavity, and an outer surface of said inner coupling member at said actuating end including at least one first locking guide; a spring ratchet member received in said cavity of said inner coupling member and configured to engage said ratchet engagement of said connector shell, said spring ratchet member including a ring main body and at least one spring arm, said at least one spring arm including at least one pawl, and said pawl pivots as said outer sleeve and said inner coupling member rotate in the mating direction; and an outer sleeve disposed over said inner coupling member, said outer sleeve having an inner surface with at least one second locking guide that cooperates with said at least one first locking guide of said inner coupling member to rotate said inner coupling member in a mating direction and an unmating direction opposite the mating direction, and said inner surface of said outer sleeve having at least one decoupling member, wherein rotating said outer sleeve in the mating direction rotates said inner coupling member in the mating direction with respect to said connector shell, thereby allowing said spring ratchet member to engage said ratchet engagement of said connector shell in a one-way ratchet and preventing said inner coupling member from rotating in the unmating direction.