Patent ID: 6783382
Filing Date: 2004-08-31
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
A push-lock precision male connector for connection to a female connector along an axis of connection, the push-lock precision male connector comprising:a hollow housing having an interior surface and a front outer surface having a first aperture therein that is generally centered on the axis of connection; a cylindrical male shell captively mounted to the interior of the housing and having a male axis extending along the axis of connection, the male shell having an annular surface proximate the first aperture in the front outer surface of the housing; a lock ring having a cylindrical bore therethrough, the bore disposed over and rotatable about the male shell, an exterior surface of the lock ring engaging the inner surface of the housing to be captive therein against linear motion along the axis of connection; the housing having a second aperture proximate the location of the lock ring; the lock ring having a tab extending outward and away from the axis of connection, and passing through the second aperture in the housing; the lock ring having a groove in the surface of the bore, the groove engaging a pin on the exterior of the female connector, the groove having a cocking ramp portion that automatically rotates the lock ring through a first angular displacement as the push-lock precision male connector is pushed onto the female connector, the cocking ramp portion of the groove adjacent to a first end of a straight portion of the groove that lies in a plane also containing the axis of connection and that has a length therealong that is sufficient to essentially mate the push-lock precision male connector with the female connector, a second end of the straight portion of the groove adjacent to a first end of a detent portion of the groove at right angles to the straight portion and having a second angular displacement in a direction opposite that of the first angular displacement, a second end of the detent portion being adjacent to a locking ramp portion of the groove having a third angular displacement in a direction opposite to that of the first angular displacement, the first angular displacement being generally equal in amount to the sum of the second and third angular displacements, and the locking ramp inclined to pull on the pin and further draw the annular surface of the male shell into tight contact with a shoulder interior to the female connector; and a bias spring coupled between the interior of the housing and the lock ring, resiliently urging the lock ring to rotate in the direction of the second and third angular displacements and opposite the direction of the first angular displacement produced by the action of the pin on the cocking ramp portion of the groove during connector mating.