Patent ID: 7862366

Claim:
An electrical connector assembly comprising: first and second generally cylindrical electrical connectors adapted for mutual engagement for establishing electrical contact between the two electrical connectors, wherein said first electrical connector includes a deformable, resilient, annular locking spring disposed on an outer surface thereof and defines a receiving opening, and wherein said second electrical connector includes an outer cylindrical coupling member thereon; an axially slidable actuator sleeve disposed about and in contact with said first connector and adapted for sliding engagement with said second connector when said connectors are engaged, wherein said actuator sleeve engages said locking spring to increase the size of said receiving opening thereby releasing said second connector from said first connector when said actuator sleeve slides in a direction away from said second electrical connector; a locking clip having two generally cylindrical mating sections and adapted for assembly and non-removable positioning about adjacent portions of said first and second electrical connectors to prevent inadvertent disconnection of said first and second electrical connectors, wherein each of said mating sections has a respective access opening therein, with said access openings disposed in opposing portions of said locking clip, and wherein said locking clip covers and prevents manual manipulation of said actuator sleeve; and an uncoupling tool having first and second spaced-apart legs each adapted for insertion into a respective access opening of a mating section of said locking clip for engaging and displacing said actuator sleeve along an axis defined by said first and second electrical connectors so as to deflect an inner portion of said locking spring outward and release the second electrical connector's coupling member from said locking spring, thereby permitting separation of said first and second electrical connectors.