Abstract:
A breakaway connector assembly which has first connector having a first housing, a plurality of retractable pins attached to the housing, and a plurality of fixed pins attached to the housing and circumscribing the plurality of retractable pins. A second connector is matable to the first connector, the second connector having a plurality of contacts adapted to engage the plurality of fixed pins.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a breakaway connector, and more specifically, relates to a multi-pin breakaway connector with fixed and retractable pins capable of connecting to connectors with differing numbers of contacts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Breakaway connectors are used in various applications including in connections between military headphones and military vehicles. Breakaway connectors are advantageous in that the connection is easily broken upon a predetermined amount of force rather than a connection that resists any disconnection. This prevents the equipment attached to one side of the connection from being damaged due to a pulling force from the other side of the connection. In military applications, such as military headphones attached to military vehicles, a breakaway connection allows the wearer to easily disconnect the headphones without removing the headphones from the wearer. The breakaway connection also prevents the wearer of the headphones from being dragged along with the vehicle if the vehicle were to move while the wearer was outside of the vehicle. At present, most breakaway connectors for military applications are seven pins. There is a desire for improved connectors having alternate pin counts and arrangements, however, the cost of changing to a different connector is prohibitive. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,415 to Cramer et al. discloses a three-prong electric plug in which the third prong is a retractable U-shaped ground pin. This feature allows for the plug to be compatible with a two-prong outlet or a three-prong outlet. The third prong includes a spring to keep it in a projected position, and is retracted by rotating the third prong. A disadvantage of this device is that it is not a breakaway connector. Additionally, the retractable prong is only capable of connecting to a ground connection. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,192 to Long et al. discloses a breakaway electrical connector having a latching mechanism that is matable and detachable upon application of a certain level of axial tensile force. This is achieved by using spring-loaded guide pins on one of the two connectors that provide a resisting force to the second connector. A disadvantage of this device is that the guide pins are only used to prevent an “unlatched” connection and are not part of the electrical connection. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,911 to Mellott et al. discloses an electrical connector in which the plug portion will break away from the terminal portion when the force applied to the plug portion reaches a specific magnitude in order to prevent damage to the connector. The contacts are spring loaded and retractable so that the contacts can be substantially flush with the mating surface. A disadvantage of this device is that the connector is not intermatable with connectors having a lesser number of wires or contacts. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,458 to Axenbock et al. discloses a spring-loaded contact connector having axially displaceable contacts. The spring-loaded contact connectors are used to provide a stable connection under a variety of environmental conditions. A disadvantage of this device is that the connector is not intermatable with connectors having a lesser number of wires or contacts. 
     What is desired, therefore, is a breakaway connector that is intermatable with connectors having differing numbers of contacts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a breakaway connector with retractable pins. The retractable pins allow the connector to be connected to different connectors having differing numbers of pins. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-pin connector that is compatible with both existing 7-pin connectors and new connectors having a number of pins greater than seven. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to allow a user to buy and/or utilize new equipment having connectors with a greater number of pins without having to replace current equipment that requires a 7 pin connection. 
     By installing the breakaway connector described herein that is intermatable with 7- and 10-pin connectors on new equipment, the user can mate the connector with existing 7-pin plugs as well as 10-pin plugs that are installed on new equipment. When mating with an existing 7-pin plug, the three pins not in use are retracted. When mating with a connector with more than seven pins, all required pins will remain extended and will engage for a secure connection. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by provision of a connector with a housing, a plurality of retractable pins attached to the housing, and a plurality of fixed pins attached to the housing and circumscribing the plurality of retractable pins. The retractable pins retract upon connection to a further connector having fewer contacts than a total of the plurality of retractable pins and the plurality of fixed pins. 
     In some of these embodiments, the retractable pins are spring loaded. In some of these embodiments, the connector has at least seven fixed pins. In some of these embodiments, the connector has at least three retractable pins. In some of these embodiments, the retractable pins are capable of moving in a lateral direction sliding against each other. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention is a connector, with a housing, a plurality of fixed pins attached to the housing, and a plurality of spring loaded retractable pins attached to the housing. The spring loaded retractable pins are movable from a retracted position substantially inside an inner surface of the housing and an extendable position extending from the inner surface of the housing. 
     In some of these embodiments, the connector has at least seven fixed pins. In some of these embodiments, the connector has at least three retractable pins. In some of these embodiments, the retractable pins are capable of moving in a lateral direction sliding against each other. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention is a breakaway connector assembly with a first connector having a first housing, a plurality of retractable pins attached to the housing, and a plurality of fixed pins attached to the housing and circumscribing the plurality of retractable pins. A second connector is matable to the first connector, the second connector having a plurality of contacts adapted to engage the plurality of fixed pins. 
     In some of these embodiments, the second connector is adapted to engage the plurality of retractable pins. In some of these embodiments, the retractable pins are spring loaded. In some of these embodiments, the first connector has at least seven fixed pins. In some of these embodiments, the first connector has at least three retractable pins. In some of these embodiments, the second connector has at least seven contacts. In some of these embodiments, the second connector has at least ten contacts. In some of these embodiments, the retractable pins are capable of moving in a lateral direction sliding against each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the end of a connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a partially exposed view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the connector show in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the mating connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view of the mating end of the corresponding connector of  FIG. 3  having ten contacts. 
         FIG. 4B  is a cross-sectional view of the mating end of a corresponding connector of  FIG. 3  having seven contacts. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to a breakaway connector capable of connecting to corresponding connectors having differing numbers of contacts. Specifically, the device has a plurality of retractable pins which retract when connected to a connector having less corresponding contacts. The exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a connector capable of connecting to a 7-pin and a 10-pin connector, but those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented on any breakaway connector having any number of pins. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a cross-sectional view of a breakaway connector  100  is shown. Connector  100  is a jack having at least ten pins and is adapted to connect to an insert plug  150  ( FIG. 3 ). Connector  100  and insert plug  150  are preferably made from an aluminum shell to provide a sturdy and durable shell for secure mating. Connector  100  and insert plug  150  are adapted for self-align snap engagement with each other. Connector  100  includes a housing. Housing  101  may be connected to a steel spring like structure  240  to house the incoming wires connected to the pins of connector  100 . Housing  101  may have a rubber shell  220 , a rubber contact  225 , a rubber O-ring  230 , and an aluminum guide  235  to help mate connector  100  to insert jack  150 . Additionally, insert jack  150  may have a plurality of rubber O-rings  330 , a nylon bushing  335 , and a snap ring  340  to help mate connector  100  with insert jack  150 . A steel shaft  340  is used to provide structure and support for insert jack  150 . 
     Housing  101  has a plurality of fixed pins  102  which circumscribe a plurality of retractable pins  103 . Fixed pins  102  and retractable pins  103  are preferably made from brass or gold to facilitate an enhanced signal transfer between the connectors. When connector  100  is mated with a corresponding connector having an equal number of contacts, all pins from connector  100  are used. If the corresponding connector has fewer contacts than the total number of pins in connector  100 , some or all of retractable pins  103  can retract to allow mating. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , a side view and a partially exposed view of the connector  100  is shown. Retractable pins  103  may be driven by a spring  104  or any other similar device that allows pins  103  to be extended and retracted. Retractable pins  103 , using springs  104 , allow the connector  100  to mate with a corresponding plug  150 , having a number of contacts equal to or less than the total number of fixed pins  102  and retractable pins  103 . Mating connector  150  has a male extension portion  155  that fits inside of connector  100 . 
     When retractable pins  103  are in the retracted position, they are substantially inside an inner surface  107 . When retractable pins  103  are in the extended position, they extend from inner surface  107 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , connector  100  has seven fixed pins  102  and three retractable pins  103 . The connector  100  is adapted such that it is matable with both ten-pin plugs  200  and seven-pin plugs  300  ( FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively). Retractable pins  103  are capable of movement in a direction other than strictly in our out relative to plugs  200  or  300 . Retractable pins  103  are capable of sliding on each other, and can move in a lateral direction causing a wiping motion. This wiping motion allows for a superior connection between retractable pins  103  and their corresponding contact by clearing dirt build-up from the face of retractable pins  103  and contacts  210 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , cross-sectional views of connectors  200  and  300 , which are adapted to mate with connector  100 , are shown. When the connector  100  is mated with the plug of  FIG. 4A , all of the fixed pins  102  and the retractable pins  103  are required in order to engage the ten contacts  210  of female plug  200 . When the connector  100  is mated with a plug  300  having only seven contacts  310 , the retractable pins  103  are not required, and retract to allow a secure connection with the remaining fixed pins  102  and contacts  310 . 
     This breakaway connector has the advantage in that it can be used with multiple corresponding connectors having differing numbers of contacts. This prevents the need to replace existing equipment, saving the large cost associated with upgrading or replacing existing equipment. 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.