Geometrical instruments
Patent
1982-09-07
1985-08-06
McQuade, John
Geometrical instruments
339 45M, H01R 13627
Patent
active
045331944
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a "push-pull" type connecting device, comprising a first and a second connectable connector elements, the said first connector element having mechanical means designed to allow the coupling of the first and second connector elements and their locking in a coupled position, these mechanical means having an outer cylindrical sleeve movable axially between a central locking position and two unlocked positions arranged on both sides of the central position, an inner cylindrical sleeve coaxial to the outer sleeve and provided with a series of elastic small tongues extending axially toward the coupling end of the said first connector element, each one of these small tongues having coupling members designed to function together with the complementary coupling elements adapted on the second connector element, when the two connector elements are brought into connecting position, and an outer radial boss to function together with a cam surface located on the inside of the outer sleeve, so as to assure the locking and to allow the unlocking of the second connector element in relation with the first connector element, the outer sleeve having likewise a means to return automatically to its central locking position.
Connecting devices of this type are already known, particularly electrical connectors known as "push-pull", currently used for connecting co-axial cables.
The American Pat. No. 4,017,139, describes in particular a female connector element having a movable outer sleeve, which slides co-axially on a cylindrical body, housing at least one electrical contact member, such that the spring means is adapted to automatically return the said sleeve to its central locking position, which corresponds to the coupling position of the female connector with a complementary male connector. The spring means comprise a spiral spring, placed co-axially between the said cylindrical body and the outer movable sleeve.
This known device requires the manufacture and putting in place of a spiral spring, which risks losing at least a part of its elasticity, when it is pulled repeatedly.
The present invention proposes to realize a device of simple construction and economical, not having a spiral spring in order to return the outer sleeve to its locking position.
To this effect, the device according to the invention is characterized in that the means for returning the outer sleeve to its central locking position comprises a very wide V-shaped groove, this groove being placed in order to create two inclined ramps made up of the two sides of this groove, the thickness of the groove being at least equal to the length of the movable outer sleeve, and the spring means forming a crown at least partially around the inner sleeve and being pushed by their elasticity toward their resting position, where they are housed at the bottom of the V-shaped groove, these spring means being mounted between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve in such a manner that their position coincides with the locking position of the outer sleeve.
According to a preferred form of realization, the device according to the invention has a V-shaped groove on the periphery of the inner cylindrical sleeve, and the spring means are integral to the cylindrical outer sleeve. However, according to another variation, the V-shaped groove can be placed on the inner surface of the outer cylindrical sleeve, and the spring means are then, in this case, integral with the inner cylindrical sleeve.
One particularly interesting form of realizing the device according to the invention, presents a spring means having a split ring, forced by its elasticity to adopt a position where its diameter is minimal, this ring being housed in a U-shaped groove opposite the V-shaped groove, this ring being sized in such a manner that, in its resting position, it is partially housed in the V-shaped groove, leaning against the bottom of the latter, and partially housed in the U-shaped groove, guided by its lateral sides. In this manner, when the sleeve is pushed toward the f
REFERENCES:
patent: 3317220 (1967-05-01), Bruning
patent: 3964771 (1976-06-01), Baudouin
patent: 4017139 (1977-04-01), Nelson
patent: 4279458 (1981-07-01), Knapp
Boichut Philippe
Jeunet Guy
Allied Corporation
Criss Roger H.
Massengill Roy H.
McQuade John
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