Patent Publication Number: US-7905741-B1

Title: Anti-vibration connector coupling with an axially movable ratchet ring

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part under 35 U.S.C. §120 of currently pending application Ser. No. 12/614,154, entitled Anti-Vibration Connector Coupling, filed on Nov. 6, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to anti-vibration coupling for an electrical connector. More specifically, the coupling prevents counter-rotation of the electrical connector when engaged with its mating connector and subject to vibration or shock. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Electrical connector assemblies generally include mating plug and receptacle connectors. Often a threaded nut or collar is used to mate the plug and receptacle connectors. When an electrical connector assembly is subject to vibration or shock, however, the mating connectors of the assembly, often become loose or even decouple. The loosening or decoupling usually occurs because the coupling nut counter rotates, that is it rotates in a direction opposite the mating or locking direction, thereby compromising the integrity of both the mechanical and electrical connection between the plug and receptacle connectors. 
     Examples of some prior art couplings for electrical connector assemblies include U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,595 to Marc et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,563; U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,400 to Fowler; U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,716 to Buckley et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,760 to Miklos; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,096 to Quillet et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,082 to Davies et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,373 to Peterson; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,728,895 to Quackenbush, the subject matter of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention relates to a connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar coupled to the connector body, and a second collar surrounding the first collar. The first collar has a plurality of locking members. The second collar is rotatable with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. A ratchet ring is supported by the connector body and has a plurality of locking members corresponding to the plurality of locking members of the first collar. The ratchet ring is axially movable with respect to the connector body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A biasing member is supported by the connector body adjacent the ratchet ring. The biasing member biases the ratchet ring in the engaged position. By rotating the second collar from the first position to the second position, the ratchet ring moves from the engaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring engage the plurality of the locking members of the first collar, to the disengaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring are spaced from the plurality of locking members of the first collar, thereby allowing the first collar to rotate with respect to the connector body. 
     The present invention also relates to a connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar coupled to the connector body, and a second collar surrounding said first collar. The first collar has a plurality of locking members and a first engagement member. The second collar has a second engagement member that cooperates with the first engagement member of the first collar to allow the second collar to rotate with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. A ratchet ring is supported by the connector body. The ratchet ring has a plurality of locking members corresponding to the plurality of locking members of the first collar. The ratchet ring is axially movable with respect to the connector body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A biasing member is supported by the connector body adjacent the ratchet ring. The biasing member biases the ratchet ring in the engaged position. By rotating the second collar from the first position to the second position, in which the second locking member is fully engaged with the first locking member, the ratchet ring moves from the engaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring engage the plurality of the locking members of the first collar, to the disengaged position, in which the plurality of locking members of the ratchet ring are spaced from the plurality of locking members of the first collar, thereby allowing the first collar to rotate with respect to the connector body. 
     The present invention may also relate to a connector coupling that comprises a connector body, a first collar coupled to the connector body, a second collar surrounding the first collar, and an engagement means for engaging the first collar and the second collar so that the second collar rotates with respect to the first collar between first and second positions. A ratchet ring is supported by the connector body. The ratchet ring is axially movable with respect to the connector body between an engaged position and a disengaged position. A locking means may be provided for locking the first collar and the ratchet ring when the ratchet ring is in the engaged position. A biasing member is supported by the connector body adjacent the ratchet ring which biases the ratchet ring in the engaged position. By rotating the second collar from the first position to the second position, the ratchet ring moves from the engaged position, in which the ratchet and the first collar are locked by said locking means, to said disengaged position, in which said ratchet ring is spaced from the first collar, thereby allowing the first collar to rotate with respect to the connector body. 
     Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a coupling according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, showing the coupling disposed on the body of a connector; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the coupling and connector body illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the coupling and the connector body illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an inner collar of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an end elevational view of the inner collar illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of an outer collar of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an end elevational view of the outer collar illustrated in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial end perspective view of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 1 , showing the coupling in an engaged position; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial end perspective view of the coupling similar to  FIG. 8 , showing the coupling in a disengaged position; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a coupling in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is an end elevational view of an inner collar of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11B  is a cross sectional view of the inner collar taken along line  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 11C  is an end elevational view of the inner collar, showing the inner collar from the opposite end of  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A  is an end elevational view of an outer collar of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12B  is a cross sectional view of the outer collar taken along line  12 B- 12 B of  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A  is an end elevational view of a ratchet ring of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13B  is a cross sectional view of the ratchet ring taken along line  13 B- 13 B of  FIG. 13A ; 
         FIG. 14A  is an end elevational view of an actuating ring of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14B  is a cross sectional view of the actuating ring taken along line  14 B- 14 B of  FIG. 14A ; 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 , showing the outer collar of the coupling in a first position with a portion of the outer collar cut away; 
         FIG. 15B  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 15A , showing the outer collar in the first position and the ratchet ring in the engaged position; 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 10 , showing the outer collar of the coupling in a second position with a portion of the outer collar cut away; and 
         FIG. 16B  is an enlarged partial perspective view of the coupling illustrated in  FIG. 16A , showing the outer collar in the second position and the ratchet ring in the disengaged position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , the present invention relates to an anti-vibration coupling  100  for an electrical connector assembly, such as a plug and receptacle. The coupling  100  preferably provides a one-way ratchet engagement such that the connectors of the assembly can only be disengaged manually by moving the coupling  100  between engaged ( FIG. 8 ) and disengaged ( FIG. 9 ) positions. The coupling  100  is preferably disposed on a connector body  102  and may include an inner collar  204 , an outer collar  206 , a ratchet ring  208 , and a biasing member  210 , as seen in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the coupling  100  coupled to the connector body  102  of the connector assembly. The connector body  102  may be the shell of a plug connector, for example. In the preferred embodiment, the inner collar  204  accepts the connector body  102  and the outer collar  206  receives the inner collar  204 . Both the ratchet ring  208  and the biasing member  210  are preferably disposed between the connector body  102  and the inner and outer collars  204  and  206 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 , the inner collar  204  may include a main body  400  with internal threads  402  for engaging the mating connector (not shown), such as a receptacle, and a first set of teeth  404  for engaging the ratchet ring  208 . The main body  400  may include first and second opposite ends  406  and  408  that define first and second openings  410  and  412 , respectively, through which the connector body  402  extends. 
     Extending from the second end  408  of the main body  400  is a first set of a plurality of projections  420 . The projections  420  define the diameter d of the second opening  412  of the collar&#39;s main body  400  such that the second opening  412  is smaller than the first opening  410 . Each projection  420  includes opposite inner and outer surfaces  422  and  424  where the inner surfaces  422  faces the internal threads  402  of the main body  400  and the outer surfaces  424  faces outside of the main body  400 . Between each of the projections  420  are slots  430 , as best seen in  FIG. 5 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 4 and 9 , the first set of teeth  404  extend from the inner surfaces  422  of each projection  420 . Each tooth of the first set of teeth  404  may include a flat surface  902  that is preferably substantially perpendicular to the inner surface  422  of each respective projection  420 , and an angled surface  904  that is angled with respect to the flat surface  902 . 
     The inner collar  204  is coupled to the connector body  102  such that it is rotatable with respect to the connector body  102 ; however its axial movement relative to the connector body  102  is restrained by a retaining clip  220  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). More specifically, the retaining clip  220  surrounds the connector body  102  and resides in an inner annular groove of the inner collar  204 . An outer flange  230  of the connector body  102  creates a stop to prevent the retaining clip  220  and the inner collar  204  from moving axially forward with respect to the connector body  102 . Retaining ring  320  restrain axial movement of the inner collar  204  in the opposite or back direction. 
     The outer collar  206  surrounds the inner collar  204  to provide a mechanism for manually unlocking the inner collar  204 . The outer collar  206  is designed to slide axially with respect to the inner collar  204  and the connector body  102 . As seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  6  and  7 , the outer collar  206  generally includes a main body  600  opposite first and second ends  602  and  604  that define first and second openings  606  and  608 , respectively. The first opening  606  is sized to receive the inner collar  204 , and the second opening  608  is sized to receive only the connector body  102 . The main body  600  may include an outer gripping surface  610  to facilitate rotational and axial movement of the outer collar  206 . 
     Extending from the second end  604  of the main body  600  is a second set of projections  620  which define the diameter d of the second opening  608  of the main body  600 . The second opening  608  of the outer collar  206  is substantially the same size as the second opening  412  of the inner collar  204 . Slots  630  are defined between the projections, as best seen in  FIG. 7 . Each projection  620  of the second set of projections includes opposite inner and outer surfaces  622  and  624 . Each projection  620  of the second set of projections is shaped to correspond to or match the slots  430  of the inner collar  204 . Likewise, each projection  420  of the first set of projections is shaped to correspond to the slots  630  of the outer collar  206 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ratchet ring  208  is positioned on the connector body  102  between its outer flange  230  and the outer collar  206 . The ratchet ring  208  may include opposite first and second surfaces  300  and  302 . The first surface  300  is generally flat and is adapted to engage the biasing member  210 . The second surface  302  includes a second set of teeth  304  extending therefrom that are adapted to engage the first set of teeth  404  of the inner collar  204  in a one-way ratchet engagement. Similar to the teeth of the first set of teeth  404  of the inner collar  204 , each tooth of the second set of teeth  304  of the ratchet ring  208  includes a first surface  910  that is generally flat such that it is substantially perpendicular to the first surface  300  of the ratchet ring  208 , and a second surface  912  that is angled relative to the flat first surface  910 . 
     When assembling the coupling  100  to the connector body  102 , the connector body  102  extends through the first and second openings  410 ,  606  and  412 ,  608  of the inner and outer collars  204  and  206 , respectively, with the outer collar  206  surrounding the inner collar  204 . A retaining clip  320  may be provided on the connector body  102  outside of the outer collar  206 , thereby retaining the inner collar  204 , the outer collar  206 , the ratchet ring  208  and the biasing member  210  on the connector body  102 . The retaining clip  220  restricts the axially movement of the inner collar  204  relative to the connector body. A grounding band  340  may be provided between the connector body  102  and the inner collar  204 . 
     The biasing member  210 , which may be a wave spring, for example, biases the coupling  100  into the engaged position, as seen in  FIG. 8 . In the engaged position, the inner collar  204  can be rotated in only one direction to couple to the mating connector via its inner threads  402 . The shaped of the teeth of the first and second sets of teeth  404  and  304  of the inner collar  204  and the ratchet ring  208 , respectively, allow for rotation or ratcheting in one direction only, e.g. counter-clockwise when viewed from front end  104 , and not in the opposite direction, i.e. a counter rotation. This arrangement generally prevents decoupling of the mating connectors due to vibration. More specifically, the angled surfaces  904  and  912  of the teeth of the first and second sets of teeth  404  and  304  allow the inner collar  204  to rotate or ratchet, for example clockwise with respect to the ratchet ring  208  and the connector body  102 . Because the flat or substantially perpendicular surfaces  902  and  910  of the teeth of the first and second sets of teeth  404  and  304  abut one another, the inner collar  204  is prevented from rotating or ratcheting back in the opposite direction. 
     In the engaged position, illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the first set of teeth  404  of the inner collar  204  are engaged with the second set of teeth  304  of the ratchet ring  208 . In addition, the projections  420  of the inner collar  204  are received in the slots  630  of the outer collar  206 . Similarly, the projections  620  of the outer collar  206  are received in the slots  430  of the inner collar  204 . The outer surfaces  424  and  624  of the inner collar projections  420  and the outer collar projections  620 , respectively, are substantially flush. Also, the inner surfaces  622  of the projections  620  of the outer collar  208  abut some of the teeth  304  of the ratchet ring  208 , as best seen in  FIG. 8 . 
     The coupling  100  may be manually unlocked to allow the inner collar  204  to rotate in the opposite direction, e.g. clockwise when viewed from front end  104  of the connector body  102 . The manual unlocking allows decoupling the inner threads  402  of the inner collar  204  from the mating connector. To unlock the coupling  100 , the outer collar  206  is moved axially relative to the inner collar  204  and the connector body  102  in the forward direction, i.e. towards the forward end  104  of the connector body  102 . The outer collar  206  moves against the biasing of the biasing member  210  to separate the first and second sets of teeth  404  and  304 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the coupling  100  in the disengaged position after the coupling  100  is manually unlocked. As the outer collar  206  is moved forward, the inner surfaces  622  of the projections  620  of the outer collar  206  push against the teeth of the ratchet ring  208  and against the bias of the biasing member  210  to separate the teeth  304  from the teeth  404  of the inner collar. As seen in  FIG. 9 , the outer surfaces  624  and  424  of the outer collar&#39;s projections  620  and the inner collar&#39;s projections  420 , respectively, are no longer flush and are instead offset from one another by a distance equal to the distance the outer collar  206  is axially moved forward. Because the teeth  304  of the ratchet ring  208  and the teeth  404  of the inner collar  204  are now spaced from one another, the inner collar  204  may freely rotate in either direction relative to the connector body  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10-16B , a connector coupling  1000  according to a second exemplary embodiment is similar to the coupling  100  of the first embodiment in that it provides a one-way ratchet that can only be disengaged manually. Like the coupling  100 , the coupling  1000  of the second embodiment includes an inner collar  1004  that receives the connector body  1002 , an outer collar  1006  that surrounds the inner collar  1004 , and a ratchet ring  1008  that is disposed on the body and is spring biased by a biasing member  1010 . The manual release of the connector coupling  1000  of the second embodiment differs from the coupling  100  of the first embodiment in that it adds an engagement mechanism between the coupling&#39;s collars  1004  and  1006 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 11A-11C , the inner collar  1004  may include a main body  1100  with internal threads  1102  for engaging the mating connector, and a plurality of locking members  1104 , which may be teeth, for engaging the ratchet ring  1008 . The main body  1100  may include first and second opposite ends  1106  and  1108  that define first and second openings  1110  and  1112 , respectively, through which the connector body  1002  extends. The second end  1108  is adapted to engage the outer collar  1006  via an engagement mechanism that allows the outer collar  1006  to rotate with respect to the inner collar  1004  between a first position, as seen in  FIG. 15A , and a second position, as seen in  FIG. 16A . Part of the engagement mechanism, may be, for example, one or more bayonet channels  1040  disposed on the outer surface of the inner collar  1004  at its second end  1108 . Each bayonet channel  1040  includes an open end  1042  and an opposite closed end  1044 , as seen in  FIG. 10 . 
     The locking members  1104  preferably extend from spaced apart projections  1120  extending inwardly from the second end  1108  of the inner collar  1004 , as seen in  FIGS. 11A and 11B . The locking members  1104  extend axially with respect to the main body  1100  of the collar and toward the interior of the body  1100 . Between each of the projections  1120  are slots  1130 , as best seen in  FIG. 11C . 
     The inner collar  1004  rotates relative to the connector body  1002 . An outer flange  1030  of the connector body  1002  creates a stop to prevent the inner collar  1004  from moving axially forward with respect to the connector body  1002 . Interference bumps  1150  may be provided on the exterior of the inner collar  1004  that engage the outer collar  1006 . 
     Like the first embodiment, the outer collar  1006  provides a mechanism for manually unlocking the inner collar  1004  from the ratchet ring  1008 . The outer collar  1006  receives the inner collar  1004  and is designed to rotate with respect to the inner collar  1004  and the connector body  1002 . As seen in  FIGS. 12A and 12B , the outer collar  1006  generally includes a main body  1200  that has opposite first and second ends  1202  and  1204  that define first and second openings  1206  and  1208 , respectively. The main body  1200  may include an outer gripping surface  1212  to facilitate rotational movement of the outer collar  1006 . Extending radially from the inner surface of the outer collar  1006  are one or more bayonets pins  1210  which are adapted to cooperate with the bayonet channels  1040  of the inner collar  1004 . That pins  1210  are preferably integral with the collar  1006 , as seen in  FIG. 12B . However, the pins  1210  may be separately formed and attached to the collar  1006 . Adjacent the pins  1210  is an inner radial groove  1220  that receives an actuating ring  1050 . Interference bumps  1250  may be provided on the inner surface of the outer collar which correspond to bumps  1150  on the inner collar  1004 . 
     The ratchet ring  1008  is positioned on the connector body  1002  between its outer flange  1030  and the outer collar  1006 . As seen in  FIGS. 10 ,  13 A and  13 B, the ratchet ring  1008  may include opposite first and second surfaces  1300  and  1302 . The first surface  1300  is generally flat and is adapted to abut the biasing member  1010 . The second surface  1302  includes a plurality of locking members  1304 , such as teeth, extending therefrom that are adapted to engage the locking members  1104  of the inner collar  1004 , as seen in  FIG. 15B . Like the teeth of the first embodiment, the locking members  1104  of the inner collar  1004  and the locking members  1304  of the ratchet ring  1008  have cooperating angled and flat surfaces to create a one-way ratchet engagement. 
     The actuating ring  1050  ( FIG. 10 ) is designed to be received in the radial inner groove  1220  of the outer collar  1006  and is adapted to surround the projections  1120  at the second end  1108  of the inner collar  1004 , as seen in  FIG. 15B . The actuating ring  1050  may include one or more inner radial projections  1400 , as seen in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The projections  1400  are spaced and sized to be received in the slots  1130  between the projections  1120  of the inner collar, as seen in  FIG. 15B . Each projection  1400  includes a surface  1410  that is adapted to abut the locking members  1304  of the ratchet ring  1008 . 
     The coupling  1000  is assembled in a similar manner to that of the coupling  100  of the first embodiment. The outer collar  1006  receives the actuating ring  1050  in its inner groove  1220  and receives the inner collar  1004  such that the actuating ring  1050  surrounds the portion of the second end  1108  of the inner collar  1004  that includes the projections  1120  and the outer collar  1006  surrounds both the inner collar  1004  and the actuating ring  1050 . The connector body  1002  extends through the first and second openings of the inner and outer collars  1004  and  1006 . A retaining clip  1060  may be provided on the connector body  1002  outside of the outer collar  1006  to retain the inner collar  1004 , the outer collar  1006 , the ratchet ring  1008  and the biasing member  1010  on the connector body  1002 . A grounding band  1080  may be provided between the connector body  1002  and the inner collar  1004 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15A-15B , the assembled coupling  1000  is shown in its engaged position wherein the inner collar  1004 , which is threadably coupled to a mating connector (not shown) via its inner threads  1102 , is prevented from rotating in the release direction, thereby avoiding decoupling of the two mating connectors. In this position, the locking members  1104  of the inner collar  1004  and the locking members  1304  of the ratchet ring  1008  are engaged, as seen in  FIG. 15B , such that the inner collar  1004  may rotate in a locking direction via a ratcheting action but may not rotate in the opposite or release direction. The biasing member  1010  acts to push the ratchet ring  1008  towards the locking members  1104  of the inner collar  1004 . The projections  1400  of the actuating ring  1050  rest in the slots  1130  between the projections  1120  of the inner collar  1004 , as best seen in  FIG. 15B . The abutment surfaces  1410  of each of the actuating ring projections  1400  may abut or be slightly spaced from the locking members  1304  of the ratchet ring  1008 . 
     In this engaged position, the outer collar  1006  is oriented relative to the inner collar  1004  in its first position, as best in  FIG. 15A . In the first position, the pins  1210  extending inwardly from the outer collar  1006  engage the corresponding channels  1040  disposed in the outer surface of the inner collar  1004 . More specifically, the pins  1210  rest in the open ends  1042  of the channels  1040 . Tabs  1032  may be provided extending from the body&#39;s flange  1030  which interface with a shoulder on the inside of the inner collar  1004 . The tabs  1032  help to prevent the spring  1010  from being over compressed. 
     Once in its engaged position, the coupling  1000  may only be released by manually unlocking the inner collar  1004  and the ratchet ring  1008  using the outer collar  1006 .  FIGS. 16A-16B  illustrate the coupling in its released or disengaged position after actuating the outer collar  1006 . More specifically, the outer collar  1006  is rotated in a tightening direction relative to the inner collar  1004  to its second position so that the pins  1210  of the outer collar  1006  move up the ramp of the channels  1040  of the inner collar  1004  until the pins  1210  are received in the closed ends  1044  of the channels  1040 , as best seen in  FIG. 16A . This action of rotating and tightening the outer collar  1006  axially advances the outer collar  1006  and the actuating ring  1050  received therein toward the ratchet ring  1008  against the bias of the biasing member  1010 . In doing so, the projections  1400  of the actuating ring  1050  also move toward the ratchet ring  1008  such that the projection abutment surfaces  1410  push the locking members  1304  and the ratchet ring  1008  away from the locking members  1104  of the inner collar  1004 , as best seen in  FIG. 16B . With the locking members  1104  and  1304  spaced and disengaged from each other, the inner collar  1004  is allowed to rotate in the release direction to decouple the two mating connectors. 
     Although the preferred engagement mechanism between the inner and outer collars  1004  and  1006  for manually unlocking the coupling  1000  is cooperating bayonets pins  1210  and channels  1040 , other known engagement mechanisms may be used, such as a threaded engagement. Also, the pins  1210  and the channels  1040  may be located on either one of the inner and outer collars  1004  and  1006 . 
     While particular embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, any number of projections  420  on the inner collar  204  and any number of projections  620  on the ratchet ring  208  may be employed. Also, the biasing member is not limited to a wave spring and may be any type of biasing mechanism, such as a compression spring.