Abstract:
The present invention, in one aspect, provides a connector apparatus that can be used in, among other things, applications requiring RF or high-speed digital electrical signals.

Description:
[0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/700,309, filed Jul. 19, 2005, and 60/651,637, filed Feb. 11, 2005. The entire contents of the above mentioned provisional applications are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The invention relates to connectors, and, more specifically, to a snap lock, RF connector.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Background  
         [0005]     There is a need for electrical connectors that can be used in applications requiring RF or high-speed digital electrical signals.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In one aspect, the present invention provides a connector apparatus that can be used in, among other applications, applications requiring RF or high-speed digital electrical signals.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the connector apparatus includes (1) a socket, comprising: a housing; an insulator disposed within the housing; a first contact disposed within the insulator; a ground contact housed within the housing; a lock ring disposed about a distal end of the housing; a shroud disposed about the distal end of the housing and the lock ring and moveable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the shroud having an outer wall and an inner wall, wherein, as the shroud moves from the first position to the second position, the inner wall contacts the lock ring and causes the lock ring to flex outwardly; and (2) a plug comprising: a generally cylindrical, conductive plug housing that houses an insulator and a contact disposed within the insulator, wherein, on its outer wall, the housing has a protuberance having a first sloping surface on one side thereof and a second sloping surface on an opposite side thereof, wherein, the socket is configured such that when the plug is inserted into the distal end of the socket and locked in place by the lock ring, the lock ring exerts an axial force on the protuberance of the plug housing, but the axial force does not cause the front surface of the plug housing to press against any surface of the socket.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a socket for use in a connector apparatus. In one embodiment, the socket includes: a housing; an insulator disposed within the housing; a first contact disposed within the insulator; an annular ground contact housed within an annular groove located in an inner surface of the housing; a lock ring disposed about a distal end of the housing; a shroud disposed about the distal end of the housing and the lock ring and moveable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position, the shroud having an outer wall and an inner wall. In a preferred embodiment, the shroud and the lock ring are configured so that when the shroud moves from the first position to the second position, the inner wall contacts the lock ring and causes the lock ring to flex outwardly.  
         [0009]     In another aspect, the present invention provides a ground contact for use in establishing an electrical connection between a socket housing and a plug housing. In one embodiment, the ground contact includes: a first split ring; a second split ring; and one or more generally U shaped contacts connecting the first split ring with the second split ring, wherein the split rings are arranged so that they are coaxial.  
         [0010]     The above and other features and advantages of the various aspects of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of preferred embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, help illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use embodiments of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 19 - 20  illustrates a connector assembly according to an embodiment.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 2-3  illustrate a first housing of a socket according to an embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 4-7  illustrate a second housing of the socket according to an embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 8-9  illustrate a ground contact according to an embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 10-11  illustrate a lock ring according to an embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIGS. 12-13  illustrate a shroud according to an embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIGS. 14-15  illustrate a socket according to an embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIGS. 16-18  illustrate a plug according to an embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIGS. 21-34  illustrate various components of another embodiment of the connector.  
         [0021]      FIG. 35  illustrates a connector according to another embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a snap lock connector apparatus  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector apparatus  100  includes a first connector component  158  (a.k.a., “socket component  158 ”) and a second connector component  160  (a.k.a., “plug  160 ”). Preferably, socket  158  is designed to receive plug  160 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . As further shown in  FIG. 1 , socket  158  may include a first housing  102 , a second housing  104  and a shroud  106 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional, side view of first housing  102 , according to one embodiment. As shown, housing  102  may be generally cylindrical and define a cavity  201 . Housing  102  may also have a first end section  202 , a second end section  206 , and an interim section  204  located between end sections  202  and  206 . Each section  202 ,  204  and  206  may have an outer-diameter and an inner-diameter. These inner and outer diameters may be uniform.  
         [0024]     Preferably, the outer-diameter (od 1 ) of end section  206  is greater than the outer-diameter (od 2 ) of interim section  204 . Additionally, the outer-diameter (od 2 ) of interim section  204  may be greater than the outer-diameter (od 3 ) of end section  202 . Further, the inner-diameter (id 1 ) of end section  206  may be equal to the inner-diameter (id 2 ) of interim section  204 , and the inner-diameter (id 2 ) of interim section  204  may be greater than the inner-diameter (id 3 ) of end section  202 , thereby forming an inner wall  211 .  
         [0025]     Preferably, there is provided a conical transition section  205  located between interim section  204  and end section  206 . There may also be provided a conical transition section  203  between end section  202  and interim section  204 . Transition section  205  has a non-uniform outer-diameter. As shown in  FIG. 2 , at its largest, the outer-diameter of section  205  is equal or about equal to od 1 , and, at its smallest, the outer-diameter of section  205  is equal or about equal to od 2 .  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 3  illustrates a dielectric body  302  and contact  204  housed in the cavity  201  of housing  102 . In the embodiment shown, contact  204  is elongate and has a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of dielectric body  302  and the longitudinal axis of housing  102 . Dielectric body  302  surrounds at least a portion of contact  304  and functions to electrically insulate contact from housing  104 , which is electrically conductive.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ,  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional, side view of second housing  104  and  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional, perspective view of second housing  104 , both views according to one embodiment. As shown, housing  104  may be generally cylindrical. Housing  104  may also have a first end section  402  (i.e., the section to the left of dotted line C), a second end section  406  (i.e., the section to the right of dotted line A), and an interim section  404  located between end sections  402  and  406  (i.e., the section between dotted lines B and C). Each section  402 ,  404  and  406  may have an outer-diameter and an inner-diameter and define a cavity. For example, end section  402  defines a cavity  401  and end section  406  defines cavity  411 .  
         [0028]     Preferably, there is provided a transition section  403  between end section  402  and interim section  404 . Transition section  403  has a non-uniform outer-diameter. As shown in  FIG. 4 , at its largest, the outer-diameter of section  403  is equal or about equal to the outer-diameter of section  404 , and, at its smallest, the outer-diameter of section  403  is equal or about equal to the outer-diameter of section  402 .  
         [0029]     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , interim section  404  may include an inwardly projecting annular rib  422 . Additionally, a first recess  424   a  and a second recess  424   b , both of which may be annular, may be formed in an inner surface  462  of interim section  404 . First recess  424   a  may be located between rib  322  and interim section  403 . Second recess  424   b  may be located between rib  322  and end section  406 .  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 ,  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate two conductive ground contacts  630   a  and  630   b  and a lock ring  642  housed in housing  104 . Ground contact  630 , according to one embodiment, is further illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a side view of ground contact  630  and  FIG. 9  is a perspective view of ground contact, both according to one embodiment. As shown, ground contact may be generally ring shaped and have a body section  632  and a flange section  631  connected to body section  632  and projecting outwardly from an outer surface of body section  632 . Preferably, body section  632  is generally conical (e.g., the outer and inner diameter of body portion  632  gradually increases/decreases as one moves from one side of body section to the other side). Flange section  631  may be disposed so that it projects outwardly from a portion of body section  632  where the outer-diameter is the greatest.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  illustrates that ground contact  630  may not form a complete ring. That is, ground contact has two ends  941 ,  942  that generally face each other, but are separated by a small space or slit  933 . Thus, ground contact  630  may be referred to as a “split ring contact.” 
         [0033]     Referring back to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the flange section of ground contact  630  is received in recess  424 . More specifically, flange  631   a  of ground contact  630   a  is received in recess  424   a  and flange  631   b  of ground contact  630   b  is received in recess  424   b . Preferably, flange  631  fits tightly in recess  424  so that when flange  631  is inserted into recess  424  the ground contact will be generally fixed in position. As shown, ground contacts  630   a,b  are both positioned in housing  104  so that the wider side of the ground contact  630  is closer to end section  406  than the narrow side.  
         [0034]     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , lock ring  642 , or a portion thereon, may be disposed within the cavity  411  formed by end section  406  of housing  404 . Preferably, lock ring  642  is fastened to housing  404  so that it can not move relative to housing  104  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of housing  104  unless a relatively large force is applied to the lock ring in that direction. For example, an adhesive or other fastener may be used to fasten lock ring  642  to housing  104 .  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, lock ring  642  includes a cylindrical or conical ring with one or more elastic locking arms  656  projecting from a side of the ring. Preferably, in embodiments where there is more than one arm  656 , the arms  656  arranged at regular angular intervals around the rings circumference.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate an embodiment of lock ring  642  in which lock ring  642  has three arms  656  (a.k.a., prongs  656 ) projecting from a ring  1002 .  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of lock ring  642 , and  FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional, side view of lock ring  642 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the prongs  656  project outwardly from generally one side of ring  1002  and are angled inwardly towards the center of the ring. As further described herein, lock ring  642  functions to “lock” plug  160  in place when plug  160  is inserted into socket  158 .  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 13 ,  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional, side view of shroud  106  and  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional, perspective view of shroud  106 , both views according to one embodiment. As shown, shroud  106  may have an outer wall  1202 , an inner wall  1204 , and a connecting wall  1206  connecting the inner wall  1204  to the outer wall  1202 . In the embodiment shown walls  1202 ,  1204  and  1206  are each in the form of a ring. In this embodiment, outer ring wall  1202  encloses a space  1201  and inner ring wall  1204  is disposed in space  1201  and is coaxial with outer ring wall  1202 . Further, connecting wall  1206  is connected between an end  1221  of wall  1202  and an end  1222  of wall  1204 . Walls  1202 ,  1204 , and  1206  define a space  1230 . Preferably, the length (l 1 ) of inner wall  1204  is significantly less than the length (l 2 ) of outer wall  1204 .  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 ,  FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional, side view of socket  158  and  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of socket  158 , both views according to one embodiment. As shown, end section  206  of first housing  102  is disposed within cavity  401  such that end section  206  abuts wall  412 . Accordingly, at least a portion of first housing  102  is housed within second housing  104 .  
         [0039]     Preferably, the distance from wall  412  to end  464  of section  402  of housing  104  is greater than the length of end section  206  of housing  102  such that end  464  overhangs at least a portion of transition section  203  of housing  102 . To prevent end section  206  from being removed from cavity  401 , end  464  of may be bent downwardly towards housing  102 .  
         [0040]     As further shown in  FIG. 14 , at least a portion of second housing  104  is disposed within cavity  1201  formed by wall  1202 . For example, end section  406  and interim section  404  of second housing are disposed in cavity  1201 . Additionally, at least a portion of end section  406  and lock ring  642  are disposed in the space  1230  formed by walls  1202 ,  1204  and  1206  of shroud  106 . However, preferably, the projecting arms  656  are not disposed in space  1230 .  
         [0041]     Additionally, it is preferred that shroud  106  be fixed to housing  104 . Shroud  106  may be fixed to housing  104  by inserting end section  406  and interim section  404  of second housing into cavity  1201  as shown in  FIG. 14 , and then folding down end portion  1250  of wall  1202  so that when shroud  106  is moved relative to housing  104  in the direction of arrow A, folded over end portion  1250  eventually contacts a surface of interim section  403 , thereby preventing further movement of shroud  106  relative to housing  104 .  
         [0042]     Preferably, shroud  106  is fixed to housing  104  in such a way that shroud  106  can move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A of socket  158  between an “unlocked” and a “locked” position. In the locked position, there is a gap  1430  between wall  1206  and the end  1420  of end section  406  of housing  104 , and in the unlocked position the gap  1430  is either reduced or removed completely so that end  1420  abuts wall  1206 .  
         [0043]     More specifically, in the unlocked position wall  1204  contacts arm  656  and exerts a force on arm  656  that causes arm  656  to flex outwardly. For example, with respect to arm  656   a , in the unlocked position, wall  1204  contacts arm  656   a  and exerts a force thereon that causes arm  656   a  to flex outwardly in the direction of arrow All (see  FIGS. 11 and 14 ). If no external forces act on shroud  106  when shroud  106  is in an unlocked position, shroud  106  will automatically return to the locked position because, due to the elasticity of arm  656 , arm  656  exerts a force on wall  1204  in the direction of arrow A (see  FIG. 14 ), which force will cause the entire shroud  106  to move in the direction of arrow A and into the locked position.  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIGS. 16-18 ,  FIG. 16  is a side view of plug  160 ,  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional, perspective view of plug  160  and  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional, side view of plug  160 , all according to one embodiment.  
         [0045]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , plug  160  includes a generally cylindrical, conductive plug housing  1638 . In one embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 17-18 , plug housing  1638  houses an insulator  1740 , and a contact  1744 , which may be male and/or female, is disposed fixedly within insulator  1740 .  
         [0046]     On its outer wall, housing  1638  preferably has a protuberance  1690  having a first sloping surface  1691  on one side thereof and a second sloping surface  1692  on an opposite side thereof. Protuberance  1690  may be disposed axially about housing  1638 . As further described below, protuberance  1690  functions with lock ring  642  to retain plug  160  in socket  158  after plug  160  has been fully inserted into socket  158 .  
         [0047]     Referring now to  FIGS. 19 and 20 ,  FIGS. 19 and 20  show plug  160  fully inserted into socket  158 , according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , when plug  160  is fully inserted into socket  158 , plug contact  1744  conductively mates with socket contact  304 . In the embodiment shown, plug contact  1744  is a female contact while socket contact  304  is a male contact. In an alternative embodiment, plug contact  1644  is a female connector while socket contact  310  is a male connector. Additionally, protuberance  1690  and lock ring  642  cooperate to “lock” plug  160  inside of socket  158 . That is, protuberance  1690  and lock ring  642  prevent contacts  304  and  1744  from becoming unmated because protuberance  1690  and lock ring  642  limit plug  160 &#39;s movement in the direction of arrow Z (see  FIG. 20 ).  
         [0048]     In the embodiment shown, when plug  160  is inserted into socket  158 , the sloping surface  1691  of protuberance  1690  is the first portion of protuberance  1690  to contact projecting arm  656  of lock ring  642 . Because arm  656  is somewhat elastic, when plug  160  is pushed into socket  158 , sloping surface  1691  urges arm  656  to move outwardly allowing protuberance  1690  to pass under arm  656 . Once protuberance  1690  has passed under arm  656 , the arm  656  automatically moves back to its original position, as shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 .  
         [0049]     When arm  656  returns to its original positions, an end  1090  of arm  656  is positioned opposite of surface  1692  of protuberance  1690 . Thus, if one attempts to move plug  160  relative to socket  158  in the direction of arrow Z, surface  1692  will contact end  1090  of arm  656  and exert a force on arm  656  in the direction of arrow Z. Arm  656  is connected to band  1002  and band  1002  is fixed to housing  104 , which is fixed to housing  102 . Thus, arm  656  is not free to move in the direction of arrow Z relative to housing  104 . Accordingly, arm  656  will exert an equal and opposite force on surface  1692 , thereby preventing plug  160  from moving relative to socket  150  in the direction of arrow Z. Preferably, surface  1692  is angled with respect to outer surface of housing  1638  such that, when surface  1692  exerts forces on arm  656 , arm  656  is not urged outwardly.  
         [0050]     To remove plug  160  from socket  158 , one moves shroud  106  from its steady state “locking” position to an “unlocked” position. To move shroud to the unlocked position, shroud  106  is moved relative to housing  104  a distance in the direction of arrow X (see  FIGS. 19 and 20 ). The distance needs to be great enough so that wall  1202  contacts arm  656  (e.g., arm  656   a ) and urges arm  656  upwardly to an extent that protuberance  1690  can pass under arm  656 . When shroud  106  is in its unlocked position, one can remove plug  160  from socket  150  by pulling on plug  160  in the Z direction.  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIGS. 19 and 20  and specifically to ground contacts  630 , ground contacts  630  preferably are split ring ground contacts (see  FIG. 9 ) and have an inner diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of a front portion  1601  of plug housing  1638 . Accordingly, in this embodiment, when plug  160  is inserted into socket  158 , front portion  1601  contacts an inner surface  601  of the body portion  632  and exerts a radial force on body portion  632  that causes contact  630  to open (i.e., causes gap  933  to grow wider). Body portion  632  responds to this force by exerting a radial force on housing  1638 . These forces between ground contacts  630  and conductive housing  1638  create a good electrical connection between contacts  630  and housing  1638 .  
         [0052]     In the embodiment shown, socket  158  and plug  160  are configured so that when plug  160  is fully inserted into socket  158  surface  1691  of housing  1638  is in contact with and exerts a radial and axial force on inner surface  601  of ground contact  630   b , causing gap  933  to expand and causing contact  630   b  to exert a radial and axial force on housing  1638 . The axial force exerted on housing  1638  by contact  630   b  is exerted in the direction of arrow Z.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIG. 19  and annular rib  422 , plug housing  1638  may be disposed conductively within annular rib  422 . In one embodiment, an inner diameter (id 5 ) (see  FIG. 4 ) of annular rib  422  may guide cylindrical plug housing  1638  during insertion into socket  158 . In this embodiment, housing  1638  may be press fit inside annular rib  422 . In another embodiment, housing  1638  may be slip fit inside rib  422 .  
         [0054]     Alternative Embodiment  
         [0055]      FIG. 21  is a side view of a snap lock connector apparatus  2100  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Connector apparatus  2100  includes a first connector component  2158  (a.k.a., “socket  2158 ”) and second connector component  160  (a.k.a., “plug  160 ”). Preferably, socket  2158  is designed to receive plug  160 , as shown in  FIG. 21 . As further shown in  FIG. 21 , socket  2158  may include a housing  2102  (a.k.a., “socket body  2102 ” or “body  2102 ”) and a shroud  2106 .  
         [0056]     Referring now to  FIG. 22 ,  FIG. 22  is an exploded view of socket  2158  according to some embodiments. Accordingly,  FIG. 22  illustrates the components of socket  2158  according to some embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 22 , socket  2158  includes housing  2102 , an inner contact  2204 , a dielectric body  2204  (a.k.a., “insulator  2204 ”), an outer contact  2206  or (a.k.a., ground contact  2206 ), a lock ring  2208 , and shroud  2106 .  FIG. 22  shows inner contact  2204  being a male contact, but, in other embodiments, inner contact  2204  may be a female contact or other contact. As illustrated in the some of the other drawings, housing  2102  houses insulator  2204 , inner contact  2202  and outer contact  2206 , a front portion of housing  2202  is inserted into a rear opening defined by lock ring  2208 , and lock rings  2208  fits within shroud  2106 . To reduce cost, in some embodiments, outer contact  2206  and/or other components of the socket may be not utilized.  
         [0057]     Referring now to  FIGS. 23 and 24 ,  FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional, side view of housing  2102  and  FIG. 24  is a perspective view of housing  2102 , both views according to one embodiment. As shown, housing  2102  may be generally cylindrical. Housing  2102  may also have a first end section  2302  (i.e., the section to the left of dotted line A), a second end section  2306  (i.e., the section to the right of dotted line C), and an interim section  2304  located between end sections  2302  and  2306  (i.e., the section between dotted lines B and C). Each section  2302 ,  2304  and  2306  may have an outer-diameter and an inner-diameter and define a cavity. For example, end section  2302  defines a cavity  2301  and end section  2306  defines cavity  2311 . In some embodiments, an annular rib  2399  that extends outwardly is disposed on end section  2306 . Preferably, rib  2399  is disposed adjacent to but slightly spaced from a wall  2398  formed at the junction of sections  2304  and  2306 .  
         [0058]     Preferably, there is provided a transition section  2303  between end section  2302  and interim section  2304 . Transition section  2303  has a non-uniform outer-diameter. As shown in  FIG. 23 , at its largest, the outer-diameter of section  2303  is equal or about equal to the outer-diameter of section  2304 , and, at its smallest, the outer-diameter of section  2303  is equal or about equal to the outer-diameter of section  2302 . As shown in  FIG. 23 , transition section  2303  may include an inwardly projecting annular rib  2322 .  
         [0059]     Additionally, end section  2306  may consist of end portions  2391  and  2394  and interim portions  2392  and  2393 . As shown, end portion  2391  is directly between interim portion  2391  and interim section  2304 , interim portion  2392  is directly between end portion  2391  and interim portion  2393 , and interim portion  2393  is directly between interim portion  2392  and end portion  2394 .  
         [0060]     As further shown in  FIG. 23 , portions  2391 - 2394  may be have substantially the same outer diameter but different inner diameters. For example, in the embodiment shown, the inner diameter of portion  2391  (i.e., “id 1 ”) is less than the inner diameter of portion  2392  (i.e., “id 2 ”), and id 2  is less than id 3  (i.e., the inner diameter of portion  2393 ). In some embodiments, id 2  may equal id 4 , which is the inner diameter of end portion  2394 . Because id 2  is less than id 1 , a wall  2383  is formed by portions  2391  and  2392 . Also, because id 3  is less than id 2  and id 4 , walls  2381  and  2382  are formed by portions  2392  and  2393  and  2394  and  2393 , respectively.  
         [0061]     As discussed further herein with respect to  FIG. 34 , wall  2383  may function as a stopper that stops movement of plug  160  when plug  160  is inserted in to socket  2158 . That is, in some embodiments id 1  is less than the outer diameter of plug  160  while id 2  is greater than the outer diameter of plug  160  so that when plug  160  is inserted in to socket  2158  the tip of plug  160  may contact wall  2383  (e.g., see  FIG. 34 ), which stops the forward movement of plug  160 .  
         [0062]     Referring now to  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 25  illustrates insulator  2204  and contact  2202  housed in housing  2102 . In the embodiment shown, contact  2202  is elongate and has a longitudinal axis that is aligned with the longitudinal axis of insulator  2204  and the longitudinal axis of housing  2102 . Insulator  2204  surrounds at least a portion of contact  2202  and functions to electrically insulate contact from housing  2102 , which is electrically conductive. Insulator  2204  is positioned within housings  2102  such that a end  2501  of insulator  2204  abuts or is adjacent to annular rib  2232  and an opposite end  2502  is substantially flush with wall  2383 .  
         [0063]      FIG. 25  also illustrates outer contact  2206  being housed in housing  2102 . More specifically, in the embodiment shown, outer contact  2206  is disposed and retained between annular walls  2381  and  2382  that bound and define interim portion  2393 . Outer contact  2206 , according to one embodiment, is further illustrated in  FIG. 26 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of contact  2206  according to one embodiment. As shown, contact  2206  may be annular (e.g., shaped like a ring). In the particular embodiment shown, contact  2206  is a split ring (i.e., contact  2206  is generally ring shaped and has a gap  2699  between the ends of contact  2206 ). In the particular embodiment shown, contact  2206  includes a first split ring  2601 , a second split ring  2602  and one or more generally U shaped contacts  2604  connecting the first ring  2601  with the second ring  2602 . In the embodiment shown, rings  2601  and  2602  have substantially the same inner and outer diameters, but the width of ring  2601  is substantially greater then the width of ring  2602 . Additionally, as shown, rings  2601  and  2602  are preferably arranged so that they are coaxial (e.g., they share a common central axis A), and generally U shaped contact(s)  2604  curve inwardly towards the central axis A.  
         [0065]     Referring back to  FIG. 25 , contact  2206  is held tightly within an annular groove  2387  defined by walls  2381  and  2382  and the inner wall of portion  2393 . Further, contact  2206  is arranged so that it is coaxial with housing  2102 . That is, contact and housing have a common central axis.  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIG. 27 ,  FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional side view of partially assembled socket  2158 .  FIG. 27  shows end section  2306  of housing  2102  inserted into proximal end of lock ring  2208 . As shown, the length of section  2306  is less than the length of lock ring  2208  so that when end section is fully inserted into lock ring  2208 , a front portion  2702  of lock ring  2208  extends beyond the end  2704  of end section  2306 . As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , the inner-diameter of the proximal end of lock ring  2208  is only slightly larger than the outer-diameter of section  2306 , thereby creating a snug fit between the components when they are mated.  
         [0067]     Preferably, when housing  2102  and lock ring  2208  are mated as shown in  FIG. 27 , lock ring  2208  is fixed to housing  2102  so that lock ring  2208  can not move in the direction of arrow A even when a significant force is exerted on lock ring  2208  in the direction of arrow A. For this purpose, an annular rib  2399  (see  FIG. 23 ) may be provided. That is, annular rib  2399  may be employed to prevent or assist in preventing lock ring  2208  from being able to move in the direction of arrow A after housing  2102  and lock ring  2208  are fully mated. Additionally, lock ring  2208  may have a tab  2799  projecting from an inner surface of a base ring  2798  portion of lock ring  2208 , which tab cooperates with annular rib  2399  to fix lock ring  2208  to housing  2102 .  
         [0068]     Referring now to  FIG. 28 ,  FIG. 28  further illustrates lock ring  2208  according to one embodiment. In the embodiment shown, lock ring  2208  includes base ring  2798  and one or more fingers  2804  attached to base ring  2798 . Finger(s)  2804  may be integrally attached to base ring  2798  so that base ring  2798  and finger(s)  2804  form a single unit. As shown, fingers  2804  extend in the same general direction as the central axis  2890  of base ring  2798 . That is, in some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of each finger  2804  is generally parallel (but not precisely parallel) with the central axis  2890  of base ring  2798 . In one particular embodiment, for example, there is about a 2 degree angle between the longitudinal axis of each finger  2804  and the central axis  2890  of lock ring  2208 . Preferably, in embodiments where there is more than one finger  2804 , the fingers  2804  are arranged at regular angular intervals around base ring  2798 .  
         [0069]     Referring now to  FIG. 29  and  FIG. 30 ,  FIG. 29  is a cross-sectional view of lock ring  2208  and  FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view of one of the fingers  2804  of lock ring  2208 . As shown in  FIG. 29 , fingers  2804  are arranged at regular angular intervals around base ring  2798  and each finger has a proximal end  2902  connected to base ring  2798  and an opposite distal end or “tip”  2904 . As shown in  FIG. 30 , in some embodiments, spaced inwardly from distal end  2904  is a lock tab  3002  that projects from the inner surface  3001  of finger  2804  towards the central axis of lock ring  2208 .  
         [0070]     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 30 , lock tab  3002  has a planar back wall  3010  generally facing proximal end  2902  and a planar front wall generally facing distal end  2904 . Back wall  3010  lies on a plane that forms an angle Y with the central axis  2890  of lock ring  2208 . In one embodiment, as shown, angle Y is 90 degrees or thereabout. Front wall  3011  is angled towards back wall  3010  and lies on a plane that forms an angle X with the central axis  2890  of lock ring  2208 . In one embodiment, angle X is between 20 and 60 degrees or thereabout. In one particular embodiment, angle X is about 36 degrees. A rounded bottom wall  3012  connects front wall  3011  with back wall  3010 .  
         [0071]     Referring now to  FIG. 31  and  FIG. 32 ,  FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional, side view of shroud  2106  and  FIG. 32  is a cross-sectional, perspective view of shroud  2106 , both views according to one embodiment. As shown, shroud  2106  may have an outer wall or “outer sleeve”  3102 , an inner wall or “inner sleeve”  3104 , and a connecting member  3106  connecting the inner wall  3104  to the outer wall  3102 . In the embodiment shown walls  3102  and  3104  are each in the form of a ring. In this embodiment, outer ring wall  3102  encloses a space  3190  and inner ring wall  3104  is disposed in space  3190  and is coaxial with outer ring wall  3102 . Further, connecting member  3106  is connected between an end of wall  3102  and an end wall  3104 . Walls  3102  and  3104  and member  3106  define a space  3130 . Preferably, the length (L 1 ) of inner wall  3104  is significantly less than the length (L 2 ) of outer wall  3102 .  
         [0072]     Inner wall  3104  has two major sides, an inner side  3170  and an outer side  3171 . Inner side  3170  of wall  3104  defines an opening  3199 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , outer side  3171  is not parallel with respect to inner side  3170  so that in some embodiments the two sides converge to form an annular ridge  3175 .  
         [0073]     Referring now to  FIG. 33 ,  FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional, side view of socket  2158 , according to one embodiment, after it is fully assembled. As shown, in  FIG. 33 , when socket  2158  is fully assembled, end portion  2306  of housing  2102  is inserted into lock ring  2208  and then that assembly of components is inserted into shroud  2106  such that shroud surrounds end portion  2306  and lock ring  2208 .  
         [0074]     It is preferred that shroud  2106  be fixed to housing  2102 . Shroud  2106  may be fixed to housing  2102  by inserting end section  2306  into shroud  2106  as shown in  FIG. 33 , and then folding down end portion  3390  of wall  3102  so that when shroud  2106  is moved relative to housing  2102  in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 33 , folded over end portion  3390  eventually contacts a surface of transition section  2303  of housing  2102 , thereby preventing further movement of shroud  2106  relative to housing  2102  in the direction of arrow A.  
         [0075]     Preferably, shroud  2106  is fixed to housing  2102  in such a way that shroud  2106  can move in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of socket  2158  between an “unlocked” and a “locked” position. To position shroud  2106  in the unlocked position, shroud  2106  is moved in the direction of arrow B so that ridge  3175  contacts and presses against the surface  3011  of lock tabs  3002  of fingers  2804 , thereby exerting a force on the fingers  2804 , which force causes the fingers  2804  to flex outwardly.  
         [0076]     To position shroud in the unlocked position, the shroud is moved in the direction of arrow A relative to lock ring  2208  to an extent wherein ridge  3175  does not exert any or any significant outward force on fingers  2804 .  FIG. 33  shows shroud  2106  positioned in the locked position. As shown in  FIG. 33 , in this embodiment, ridge  3175  does not press against the the surface  3011  of lock tabs  3002 , but rather contacts or is adjacent to the tips  2904  of fingers  2804 . It should be noted that space  3130  is configured to receive tips  2904  when shroud  2106  is moved into the unlocked position.  
         [0077]     If no external forces act on shroud  2106  when shroud  2106  is in the unlocked position, shroud  2106  will automatically return to the locked position because, due to the elasticity of fingers  2804 , fingers  2804  will exert a force on shroud  2106  in the direction of arrow A, which force will cause the shroud  2106  to move in the direction of arrow A and into the locked position.  
         [0078]     Referring now to  FIG. 34 ,  FIG. 34  shows plug  160  fully inserted into socket  2158 , according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 34 , when plug  160  is fully inserted into socket  2158 , plug contact  1744  conductively mates with socket contact  2202 . In the embodiment shown, plug contact  1744  is a female contact while socket contact  2202  is a male contact. In one alternative embodiment, plug contact  1644  is a female contact while socket contact  310  is a male contact. Additionally, protuberance  1690  and the fingers  2804  of lock ring  2208  cooperate to “lock” plug  160  inside of socket  2158 . That is, protuberance  1690  and lock ring  2208  prevent contacts  2202  and  1744  from becoming unmated because protuberance  1690  and lock ring  2208  limit plug  160 &#39;s movement in the direction of arrow Z.  
         [0079]     In the embodiment shown, when plug  160  is inserted into socket  2158 , the sloping surface  1691  of protuberance  1690  is the first portion of protuberance  1690  to contact the lock tab  3002  of fingers  2804 . Because fingers  2804  are somewhat springy, when plug  160  is pushed into socket  2158 , sloping surface  1691  presses against surface  3011  of fingers  2804 , thereby causing fingers  2804  to move outwardly allowing protuberance  1690  to pass under the lock tabs  3002  (lock tabs  3002   a  and  3002   b  are shown in  FIG. 34 ). Once protuberance  1690  has passed under the lock tabs  3002  of the fingers  2804 , the fingers  2804  automatically return to their original position, as shown in  FIG. 34 .  
         [0080]     When fingers  2804  return to their original position, the back wall  3010  of each finger  2804  is positioned opposite and facing surface  1692  of protuberance  1690 . Thus, if one attempts to move plug  160  relative to socket  2158  in the direction of arrow Z, surface  1692  will contact back wall  3010  of each finger  2804  and exert a force thereon in the direction of arrow Z. In a preferred embodiment, wall  3010  exerts a substantially equal and opposite force on surface  1692  because, as discussed above, lock ring  2208  is preferably fixed to housing  2102 . Accordingly, unless shroud  2106  is in the unlocked position, pushing or pulling on plug  160  in the direction of arrow Z will not (in most cases) remove plug  160  from socket  2158 . That is, when shroud  2106  is in the locked position, only a large pulling/pushing force on plug  160  will disengage plug  160  from socket  2158 .  
         [0081]     Accordingly, to remove plug  160  from socket  2158 , one moves shroud  2106  from its steady state locked position to the unlocked position. As discussed above, to move shroud to the unlocked position, shroud  2106  is moved relative to housing  2102  a distance in the direction of arrow X (see  FIG. 34 ). The distance needs to be great enough so that inner sleeve  3104  contacts and presses against the lock tables  3002  of fingers  2804 , thereby urging fingers  2804  upwardly to an extent that protuberance  1690  can pass under the lock tabs  3002 . When shroud  2106  is in its unlocked position, one can remove plug  160  from socket  150  by pulling on plug  160  in the Z direction with a minimal amount of force.  
         [0082]     Referring to  FIG. 34  and specifically to contact  2206 , contact  2206  preferably is a split ring (see  FIG. 26 ). When plug  160  is inserted into socket  158 , at least a part of front portion  1601  contacts an inner surface of contact  2206  and exerts a radial force on contact  2206  that causes contact  2206  to open (i.e., causes gap  2699  to grow wider). Contact  2206  responds to this force by exerting a radial force on housing  1638 . This force between ground contact  2206  and conductive housing  1638  creates a good electrical connection between contact  2206  and housing  1638 . In the particular embodiment shown, at least a part of front portion  1601  contacts the inner surface of U shaped contacts  2604  but does not contact either split ring  2601  or  2602 .  
         [0083]     As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 34 , the distance (d 1 —see  FIG. 27 ) from wall.  2383  to back wall  3010  of lock tab  3002  is equal or about equal to the distance (d 2 —see  FIG. 18 ) from the front end of plug  160  to a point at the bottom of surface  1692  of protuberance  1690 . Accordingly, in the embodiment shown, wall  2383  functions as a stopper that limits how far plug can be inserted into socket  2158 .  
         [0084]     Referring now to  FIG. 35 ,  FIG. 35  is a cross-sectional, side view of a snap lock connector apparatus  3500  according to another embodiment. Connector apparatus is similar to connector apparatus  2100 . As illustrated in  FIG. 35 , the main difference between connector apparatus  3500  and apparatus  2100  is that when plug  160  is inserted into the distal end of socket  2158  and locked within socket  2158  by lock ring  2208 , the tip  3533  of front portion  1601  of plug housing  1638  does not contact wall  2383  of housing  2102 . That is, in the alternative embodiment, when plug  160  is fully inserted and locked within socket  2158 , there exists a gap between tip  3533  and wall  2383 . In some embodiments, the gap is at least about 0.005 inches wide.  
         [0085]     Consequently, in the alternative embodiment, when plug  160  is locked within socket  2158  by fingers  2804 , the fingers  2804  may exert an axial force on plug  160  by pressing against protuberance  1690 , but the axial force does not causes the front surface  3533  of plug  160  to press against wall  2383 .  
         [0086]     While various embodiments/variations of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.