US3631377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling
Assignee: Deutsch Co Electronic Components Division
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Filing: 1970-04-01
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Granted: 1971-12-28
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Expires: 1990-04-01
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides an electrical connector and coupling arrangement including a plug and receptacle of rectangular cross section, with each having an integral shell and inner portion, the latter carrying contacts engaged when the connector is mated, with a centrally located coupling mechanism including a post on one member having shallow transverse recesses receiving rollers carried by the other member and held in engagement with the recesses by a retractable member which is moved by an exteriorly operable element to release the coupling mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 David J Ball
- 👤 Michael E R Soderlindh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 18:05
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/627; H01R13/6276; H01R31/00; H01R31/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45602; Y10T24/45623; Y10T24/45628; Y10T24/45634; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
586 words
An electrical connector comprising a first unit, a second unit, said first unit including a member of substantially rigid dielectric material defining a sidewall generally rectangular in cross section, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of openings extending from the rearward end to the forward end of said member, a plurality of electrical contacts in said openings, and means for holding said electrical contacts in said openings, said second unit including a member of substantially rigid dielectric material defining a sidewall generally rectangular in cross section, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of openings extending from the rearward end to the forward end of said member of said second unit, a plurality of contacts in said openings of said second unit, and means for holding said electrical contacts in said openings of said second unit, said first and second units being adapted to assume a mated position in which said electrical contacts of said units are in interengagement for forming an electricAl circuit therebetween, and a separated position in which said electrical contacts of said first and second units are remote from each other, said first and second units including first and second recesses, respectively, in the intermediate portions thereof extending inwardly from said forward ends thereof, and a coupling mechanism for releasably holding said first and second units in said mated position, said coupling mechanism including a forwardly extending post in said first recess, said post having opposed outer walls, each of said walls inwardly of the distal end of said post having a transverse recess therein, said coupling mechanism including in said second recess an element having opposed walls receiving said opposed walls of said post when said coupling mechanism is in said mated position, each of said opposed walls of said element having a transverse slot therein, a roller in each of said slots, said rollers projecting inwardly of said slots into said recesses when said first and second units are in said mated position for holding said first and second units in said mated position, a retention member in said second recess movable between a forward position and a rearward retracted position, said retention member including opposed walls outwardly of said opposed walls of said element, said opposed walls of said retention member having first inner surfaces relatively adjacent said opposed walls of said element when said retention member is in said forward position for holding said rollers in said recesses, said opposed walls of said retention member having additional inner surfaces at the forward end of said retention member relatively remote from said opposed walls of said element, said additional inner surfaces being positioned relatively adjacent said slots when said retention member is in said retracted position for allowing said rollers to leave said recesses to permit said first and second units to be moved to said separated position, a transverse member engaging the distal end of said post when said first and second units are in said mated position, means resiliently biasing said transverse member against said end of said post, whereby when said first and second units are moved to said separated position said transverse member moves forwardly relative to said second unit for engaging said rollers and holding said rollers outwardly adjacent said additional inner surfaces of said retention member, stop means for limiting the forward movement of said transverse member, resilient means biasing said retention member toward said forward position thereof, and exteriorly operable means for moving said retention member to said retracted position thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
586 words
An electrical connector comprising a first unit, a second unit, said first unit including a member of substantially rigid dielectric material defining a sidewall generally rectangular in cross section, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of openings extending from the rearward end to the forward end of said member, a plurality of electrical contacts in said openings, and means for holding said electrical contacts in said openings, said second unit including a member of substantially rigid dielectric material defining a sidewall generally rectangular in cross section, and an intermediate portion having a plurality of openings extending from the rearward end to the forward end of said member of said second unit, a plurality of contacts in said openings of said second unit, and means for holding said electrical contacts in said openings of said second unit, said first and second units being adapted to assume a mated position in which said electrical contacts of said units are in interengagement for forming an electricAl circuit therebetween, and a separated position in which said electrical contacts of said first and second units are remote from each other, said first and second units including first and second recesses, respectively, in the intermediate portions thereof extending inwardly from said forward ends thereof, and a coupling mechanism for releasably holding said first and second units in said mated position, said coupling mechanism including a forwardly extending post in said first recess, said post having opposed outer walls, each of said walls inwardly of the distal end of said post having a transverse recess therein, said coupling mechanism including in said second recess an element having opposed walls receiving said opposed walls of said post when said coupling mechanism is in said mated position, each of said opposed walls of said element having a transverse slot therein, a roller in each of said slots, said rollers projecting inwardly of said slots into said recesses when said first and second units are in said mated position for holding said first and second units in said mated position, a retention member in said second recess movable between a forward position and a rearward retracted position, said retention member including opposed walls outwardly of said opposed walls of said element, said opposed walls of said retention member having first inner surfaces relatively adjacent said opposed walls of said element when said retention member is in said forward position for holding said rollers in said recesses, said opposed walls of said retention member having additional inner surfaces at the forward end of said retention member relatively remote from said opposed walls of said element, said additional inner surfaces being positioned relatively adjacent said slots when said retention member is in said retracted position for allowing said rollers to leave said recesses to permit said first and second units to be moved to said separated position, a transverse member engaging the distal end of said post when said first and second units are in said mated position, means resiliently biasing said transverse member against said end of said post, whereby when said first and second units are moved to said separated position said transverse member moves forwardly relative to said second unit for engaging said rollers and holding said rollers outwardly adjacent said additional inner surfaces of said retention member, stop means for limiting the forward movement of said transverse member, resilient means biasing said retention member toward said forward position thereof, and exteriorly operable means for moving said retention member to said retracted position thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
264 words
In combination with a first member and a second member, a coupling device comprising a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in a mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to a separated position, a third movable element on said one side of said slot, and resilient means biasing said third element toward saId slot, said third element engaging said second element when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby said third element is held remote from said slot, said third element being movable to a position of adjacency with said slot when said first and second members are in said separated position for engaging said roller and holding said roller in said slot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
264 words
In combination with a first member and a second member, a coupling device comprising a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in a mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to a separated position, a third movable element on said one side of said slot, and resilient means biasing said third element toward saId slot, said third element engaging said second element when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby said third element is held remote from said slot, said third element being movable to a position of adjacency with said slot when said first and second members are in said separated position for engaging said roller and holding said roller in said slot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
293 words
An electrical connector comprising a first member, a second member, said first and second members being noncircular in exterior periphery, electrical contact means in each of said first and second members, said first and second members being relatively positionable in a mated position in which said electrical contact means are in interengagement forming an electrical circuit therebetween, and relatively positionable in a separated position in which said first and second members and said contact means therein are remote from each other, and coupling means for releasably holding said first and second members in said mated position, said coupling means including a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a cylindrical roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to said separated position, said means for moving said retention member including a duality of exteriorly projecting members, said exteriorly projecting members being on opposite sides of said second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
293 words
An electrical connector comprising a first member, a second member, said first and second members being noncircular in exterior periphery, electrical contact means in each of said first and second members, said first and second members being relatively positionable in a mated position in which said electrical contact means are in interengagement forming an electrical circuit therebetween, and relatively positionable in a separated position in which said first and second members and said contact means therein are remote from each other, and coupling means for releasably holding said first and second members in said mated position, said coupling means including a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a cylindrical roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to said separated position, said means for moving said retention member including a duality of exteriorly projecting members, said exteriorly projecting members being on opposite sides of said second member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
356 words
An electrical connector comprising a first member, a second member, said first and second members being noncircular in exterior periphery, electrical contact means in each of said first and second members, said first and second members being relatively positionable in a mated position in which said electrical contact means are in interengagement forming an electrical circuit therebetween, and relatively positionable in a separated position in which said first and second members and said contact means therein are remote from each other, and coupling means for releasably holding said first and second members in said mated position, said coupling means including a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a cylindrical roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to said Separated position, a third movable element on said one side of said slot carried by said second member, and resilient means biasing said third element toward said slot, said third element engaging said second element when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby said third element is held remote from said slot, said third element being movable to a position of adjacency with said slot when said first and second members are in said separated position for engaging said roller and holding said roller in said slot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
356 words
An electrical connector comprising a first member, a second member, said first and second members being noncircular in exterior periphery, electrical contact means in each of said first and second members, said first and second members being relatively positionable in a mated position in which said electrical contact means are in interengagement forming an electrical circuit therebetween, and relatively positionable in a separated position in which said first and second members and said contact means therein are remote from each other, and coupling means for releasably holding said first and second members in said mated position, said coupling means including a first element carried by said first member, said first element having an elongated transverse recess therein, a second element carried by said second member, said second element having an elongated transverse slot therein, a cylindrical roller in said slot, said roller extending out of said slot on one side so that a portion of said roller is received in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, a retention member on the opposite side of said slot, said retention member having a surface adjacent said roller for holding said roller in said recess when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby the edges of said slot and said recess hold said first and second members in said mated position, and means for moving said retention member to shift said surface thereof away from said roller for allowing said roller to leave said recess and permitting said first and second members to be moved to said Separated position, a third movable element on said one side of said slot carried by said second member, and resilient means biasing said third element toward said slot, said third element engaging said second element when said first and second members are in said mated position, whereby said third element is held remote from said slot, said third element being movable to a position of adjacency with said slot when said first and second members are in said separated position for engaging said roller and holding said roller in said slot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said coupling means is located at the central portions of said first and second members, and in which said electrical contact means are located on either side of said coupling means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said transverse recess is defined by a segment of a cylinder that is less than a semicylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said means for moving said retention member includes a member extending outwardly through said rearward end of said second member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said first element includes a second elongated transverse recess, said recesses being located in opposite portions of said first element, said second element includes a second elongated transverse slot, said slots being arranged in an opposed relationship, a second roller in said second slot, and in which said retention member includes a second surface adjacent said second roller for holding said second roller in said second slot when said first and second members are in said mated position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which said retention member includes a second surface spaced laterally outwardly from said slot on said opposite side thereof, said second surface being brought into adjacency with said slot when said retention member is so moved, said third element holding said roller outwardly in adjacency with said second surface when said first and second members are in said separated position, whereby said second surface cooperates with said third element in holding said roller in said slot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device as recited in claim 9 including in addition resilient means biasing said retention member toward a position in which said first-mentioned surface thereof is adjacent said roller, said retention member having a shoulder intermediate said second surface and said first-mentioned surface, said resilient means biasing said shoulder against said roller when said third element engages said roller for holding said retention member in a retracted position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as recited in claim 4 in which each of said first and second members includes a one-piece unit having a peripheral shell portion and an integral inner portion, said electrical contact means being in said inner portions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as recited in claim 11 in which said coupling means is centrally located in each of said units with said inner portions being on either side of said coupling means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-27 | 1975-06-28 | 1975-12-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-27 | 1979-06-28 | 1979-12-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-27 | 1983-06-28 | 1983-12-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |