Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

The invention relates to screw-coupled electrical connectors. It is known to provide screw-coupled electrical connectors with means for providing an indication of the fact that the two parts are approaching or have reached the fully mated condition and for resisting subsequent rotation of the coupling sleeve in the uncoupling direction. However, this has been accomplished only with complex and expensive mechanisms such as movable balls mounted in a flange on the first connector part and a series of holes in a flange on the coupling sleeve. According to the invention, there is provided an improved first part of a two-part, screw-coupled electrical connector, the first part having first and second annular elements arranged coaxially with the first part and immediately axially adjacent to one another, there being defined in the first annular element a set of circumferentially spaced thrust-member-receiving regions to be engaged by thrust-members supported in a set of thrust-member-supporting regions in the second annular element, one of the annular elements being arranged to rotate relative to the first part together with the coupling sleeve and the annular element being constrained against rotation relative to the first part, means being provided resiliently to urge the thrust-members and the first annular element towards one another and to cause sequential engagement of thrust-member-receiving regions by the thrust-members when the two connector-parts approach the fully-mated condition.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim