Patent ID: 6824415
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A locking mechanism for coupling mating cylindrical connector members of a coaxial connector, said locking mechanism being positionable between said mating cylindrical connector members, said locking mechanism comprising:at least one locking ball; an outer cylindrical connector member having at least one ball receiving portion formed therein for receipt of said at least one locking ball, such that said at least one locking ball extends radially inwardly; an inner cylindrical connector member having at least one recess formed therein for receipt of said at least one locking ball; and a slotted sleeve reciprocally positioned around said outer connector member, said sleeve having a plurality of flexible finger sections, at least one of said finger sections having an internal surface for directly contacting said at least one locking ball, said internal surface biasing said ball into said at least one recess of said inner cylindrical connector member such that when said sleeve is in a locked position, said ball is captured therein and biased radially inwardly therefrom and further wherein said sleeve is positionable into an unlocked position for releasing said at least one locking ball from said recess of said inner cylindrical connector member, said internal surface being fixed relative to said sleeve during said biasing of said at least one locking ball into said at least one recess of said inner cylindrical connector member, said internal surface preventing backlash of said ball during said locked position by applying a radial force in response to a radial deflection of a respective one of said finger sections.