Patent GB-688603-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to self-locking connectors
IPC: A44C5/20
Filed: 1951-08-13
Abstract: 688,603. Two-part couplings ; plug boards. MODREY, H. J. Aug. 13, 1951, No. 19016/51. Class 38 (i). [Also in Group XXV] A two-part coupling comprises a plug part having a shank-like clamping member provided at the engaging end with a one-sided head and a spring-loaded sleeve sliding on the shank of the clamping member, and a socket having an opening and an internal wall, the arrangement being such that the head may be passed through the opening to engage the wall and is retained by the engagement of the sleeve in the opening. In the form of Fig. 14 the clamping member 201 is guided in the end walls of the sleeve 204, a spring 207 urging the sleeve towards the onesided head 202. The socket comprises a rectangular box 210, the surface 212 of the head 202 engaging an abutment edge 211 of the box in the fastened position. An abutment ring 209 limits the insertion of the housing 204 into the socket so that the head 202 is urged against the edge 211 by the spring 207. To connect the parts of the coupling the clamping head 202 is passed through the opening 210<SP>1</SP> of the socket, the sleeve 204 moving back by contact with the edge ot the socket. As soon as the head engages the edge 211 it moves sideways and allows the sleeve to enter the socket to retain it in the coupled condition (Fig. 16). To release the coupling the sleeve 204 is pulled out against the spring 207 to allow the head to move sideways and snap out of the opening 210<SP>1</SP> under the action of spring 207. Conductors 215 are connected to the clamping member 201 and an extension 206 of the socket. A contact spring 213 may be provided to engage the side face of the clamping head in the coupled position. A series of socket members having plug-receiving openings at each end may be embedded in a sheet of insulating material forming, for example, part of a bulkhead in an aircraft and serving to connect wires from one side to the other. The sockets may have a pair of spring contacts which are forced apart by the head. In the form of Fig. 22, the clamping rod 220 is of wire and folded at 228 to form a head, the free end being bent over to engage the socket wall and urge the head to the socket-engaging position. The sleeve 224 having a reduced guide part 226 is slidably mounted on the clamping rod and spring-loaded towards the head. The clamping rod may be connected to a conducting wire 222 by a sleeve 221. A double coupling shown in Figs. 27, 29 has a pair of clamping rods 252 secured to an insulated cap 260 and connected to wires 259. The sliding sleeve 251 has guide pieces 250 for engagement in the openings 266 of the socket part. S-form contact springs 272 grip the ends of the clamping heads when they are inserted. In a similar form, Fig. 32, the insulated sleeve or housing 296 is resilient, the clamping rods being secured firmly at the rear end and slidable in socketengaging guides 295 at the other. The resilience of the housing serves to snap the guides into the socket after the heads 298 are fully inserted although springs may be included as well. In the form of Fig. 34 the clamping rod is in the form of a doubled wire 313, the guide 310 telescoping in the housing 314, and a sleeve 317 connected to a wire 318 and to the clamping rod telescoping in the housing at the other end. The guide is displaced into the housing when the parts are connected and the housing is displaced along the sleeve 317 when the parts are disconnected. Fig. 36 shows a six-pin plug the clamping rods of which are formed and controlled in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 34.