Patent ID: 6146049
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: A44B,F16B,F16G,Y10T

Abstract:
A connector for attachment to respective end portions of an elongate flexible member to removably connect such end portions together such as to form a closed loop, comprising:a male connector half comprising a longitudinally extending front plug of generally circular cross-section, which plug includes an intermediate reduced outer diameter portion substantially coaxial therewith, a rear attachment portion which extends longitudinally from said plug, which rear attachment portion includes attachment means for affixing thereto one end portion of the flexible member, and a radially-inwardly compressible annular lock ring disposed about said reduced outer diameter portion having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of said reduced diameter portion so as to permit radially-inward compression of said lock ring, and having an outer diameter larger than that of the portions of said plug immediately longitudinally adjacent said lock ring;a female connector half comprising a female connector member having a front socket portion with a socket bore of generally circular cross-section extending longitudinally thereinto, and a rear attachment portion extending longitudinally from said front socket portion, which rear attachment portion includes attachment means for affixing thereto the other end portion of the flexible member, said socket bore being of such inner diameter relative to the outer diameter of said plug and said lock ring to closely fit about said plug when inserted therein and to radially-inwardly compress said lock ring during such insertion, which bore includes an annular lock groove of such longitudinal position and cross-section to allow said lock ring to radially-outwardly expand thereinto so as to removably retain said lock ring with said male connector attached to said female connector; andwherein a free end of said plug comprises a separate head from a remainder of said plug which is affixed to said plug so as to facilitate assembly of said lock ring onto said reduced outer diameter portion of said plug, said remainder of said plug and said rear attachment portion comprising a male connector member.