Electrical connectors – Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector – With coupling movement retaining means in addition to...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-30
2001-04-03
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Adapted to cooperate with duplicate connector
With coupling movement retaining means in addition to...
C285S319000, C285S321000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210192
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of asexual connector systems, that is connector systems in which each connector is identical to or the functional equivalent of the mating connector, have been designed for use for a variety of purposes. Asexual connectors have been designed for coupling tubes or conduits, electrical connectors, drive shafts, and even children's toys.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an asexual connector system in which first and second connectors are of relatively simple construction while providing sure, positive engagement of the connectors to one another.
The connector system includes first and second functionally identical connectors. Each connector includes a base and a number of connecting elements extending from the base in a chosen pattern. Each connecting element includes a first locking surface. The base includes a number of second locking surfaces. The first and second locking surfaces are positioned for complementary mating engagement when the first and second connectors are engaged.
The connecting elements may be equally-spaced finger elements extending from the base and arranged in a circle. The base may include a base body and ring spring housed within a circumferential spring groove formed in the base body. In this embodiment the ring spring defines the second locking surface and the first locking surfaces are created by grooves formed at the distal ends of the finger elements.
Functional equivalence means that any connector can be substituted for any other connector from a structural, functional standpoint. The connectors need not be identical; for example, the connectors may be different colors or have different logos or other markings on them and still be functionally equivalent. Also, functionally equivalent connectors need not be structurally physically identical; for example, some connectors could be provided with a serrated outer surface while others could have a smooth outer surface but both would be interchangeable and operate in the same way.
One of the primary advantages of the invention is its simplicity of design; the simple design helps to lower the cost of production to achieve an economically-produced connector. Also, the concept of asexual couplers reduces inventory costs because each coupler can be mated with any other coupler. Another advantage of the invention is that it preferably uses two ring springs to provide double the connecting force which would be available with many conventional coupler designs. Further, the couplers can be designed so that when joined to one another, the connector system exhibits generally cylindrical outer and inner surfaces making the connector system quite suitable for connecting pipes and hoses, electrical conduits and other situations in which relatively free path through the center of the connector is either desired or necessary. The couplers can also be designed with a solid center.
In a preferred embodiment the ring springs provide the resilient contact surfaces for essentially rigid finger elements. If desired, the finger elements could be made to be flexible so both the ring springs and the finger elements would provide flexing during the engagement and disengagement of the connectors. In another preferred embodiment the finger elements are flexible and engage inflexible grooves in the base body. The base body could also be designed with some type of flexible ridge or groove which could be engaged by rigid or flexible fingers as appropriate. Also, the groove formed in the fingers is, in a preferred embodiment, designed to permit the connectors to be engaged and disengaged using a reasonable amount of axial force. If desired, the grooves could be configured so that once the connectors are engaged, they would not normally be separable or only separable with the aid of a tool.
Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hulme Aaron L.
Hulme Matthew R.
Abrams Neil
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Zarroli Michael C.
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