Patent ID: 6695636
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A lockable electrical connector comprising:a connector shell extending along a longitudinal axis, said connector shell including a contact capture section proximate a front end and a body section, said body section having an outer diameter that is different from and smaller than an outer diameter of said contact capture section; an outer contact held in said contact capture section of said connector shell, said outer contact having a mating end formed with retention beams that are deflectable radially outward from said longitudinal axis, said retention beams being configured to receive a mating jack; a collar mounted over said outer contact and said connector shell, said collar being slidable along said longitudinal axis relative to said outer contact between locked and unlocked positions, said collar having a blocking surface positioned to surround and block outward radial deflection of said retention beams from said longitudinal axis when said collar is in said locked position, said blocking surface being moved, when said collar is in said unlocked position, to a position at which said collar permits outward radial deflection of said retention beams thereby being adapted to receive a mating jack; and a spring mounted within a chamber in said collar, said spring surrounding said body section of said connector shell, said spring biasing said collar in said locked position relative to said outer contact, said spring being loaded onto said body section over a rear end of said connector shell, said rear end being located opposite to said front end.