GB1568210A - Bayonet connector coupling arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The device is constructed such that the bayonet connection (15, 17) which holds its two coupling elements (11, 12) together releases itself if a predetermined tensile stress magnitude applied to the cable is exceeded, as a result of which damage to the plug connector or to the cable is prevented. <IMAGE>

Description

(54) BAYONET CONNECTOR COUPLING ARRANGEMENT (71) We, STANDARD TELEPHONES AND CABLES LIMITED, a British Company, of 190 Strand, London W.C.2, England, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be per formed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to interlocking coupling devices for electrical or optical cables.

When electrical or optical cables cap able of withstanding high tensile loads are used in the field there is a risk that exces sive tension will cause irreparable connector damage before the cable breaks. Damage caused by uncontrolled connector failure may require the replacement of both con ---nector halves and the attached cables if these are integral.

The object of the invention is to mini mise or to overcome this disadvantage.

According to the invention there is pro vided a connector coupling arrangement, including first and second coupling mem bers each of which has an inwardly direc ted shoulder for engaging a connector mem ber, and at least one of which is provided with flexible fingers extending towards the other coupling member, the fingers having hook or latch portions for engaging corres ponding sockets on the other coupling member, and in which said hook or latch portions are profiled so as to disengage from the sockets on the application of a pre determined axial tensile load to the coupl ing arrangement.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, in which: Fig. 1 shows a pair of coupling members, Fig. 2 is a part cross-section of the mated coupling member of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows an alternative form of coupl ing members, and Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing which show a further form of coupling member fully assembled and dismantled respectively.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the coupling arrangement comprises a pair of resilient metal or plastics ring members 11 and 12 each adapted to fit over a corresponding one of a pair of mated connector members (not shown). Each ring member has an axial bore 13 for receiving the respective connector member and an internal flange 14 which abuts the rearward shoulder of the connector member when the assembly is mated together. Latching of the coupling members is provided by longitudinally extending spring fingers 15 which, at their free ends, have inwardly directed hook or latch portions 16 for engaging and interlocking with bayonet key-ways 17 on the outer surfaces of the respective coupling members.

As shown in Fig. 2 the engaging faces 21 and 22 of the latch portion 16 and key-ways respectively are angled so that excessive axial load tends to force the nose portion out of the key-way to release the coupling.

The spring resilience of the finger members is selected such that they release from the key-ways when a predetermined axial tension is applied.

The coupling members 11 and 12 may be formed from a resilient metal or from a plastics material and may advantageously be identical in construction. In some applications however, e.g. to prevent mating of incorrect connector members, couplings or different construction may be employed.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative two part construction of the coupling members of Figs.

1 and 2. In this construction the spring fingers 15 extend from a spring steel ring 31 fitted to the rear of the coupling body 32. The fingers 15 engage bavonet kevways on the mating coupling member (not shown) as previously described.

In the coupling member of Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing, the extending spring fingers 41 comprise separate sub- stantially T-shaped metal springs keyed into the connector body 32. The springs 41 are retained in position by an inwardly flanged ring member 42 fitted to the rear of the connector body 32. As before excessive axial load applied to a latched pair of such coupling members causes the springs 41 to disengage from the bayonet keyways 17 so as to unlatch the members.

The coupling arrangements described herein may be employed for latching mated pairs of electrical or optical connectors so as to prevent cable damage when an axial load is applied to the connector assembly.

Although in the arrangements shown the coupling members are of the hermaphrodite type, i.e. both members have fingers and sockets, in some applications only one coupling member may have extending fingers, the other member having sockets to receive the fingers.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: - 1. A connector coupling arrangement, including first and second coupling members each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder for engaging a connector member, and at least one of which is provided with flexible fingers extending towards the other coupling member, the fingers having hook or latch portions for engaging corresponding sockets on the other coupling member, and in which said hook or latch portions are profiled so as to disengage from the sockets on the application of a predetermined axial ~tensile load to the coupling arrangement; 2. A coupling arrangement for releas ably latching a mated pair of electrical or optical connector members, including first and second hollow tubular coupling mem bers each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder for engaging a respective one of the connector members, and each of which is provided with flexible fingers extending towards the other coupling member the fingers having hook or latch portions for engaging -corresponding bayonet sockets formed in the outer surface of the other coupling member, and in which the hook or latch portions are profiled so as to disen gage from the bayonet sockets on the ap plication of a predetermined axial load to the coupling arrangement.

3. A connector coupling device substan tially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or to Fig. 3 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, or to Fig. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. In the coupling member of Figs. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing, the extending spring fingers 41 comprise separate sub- stantially T-shaped metal springs keyed into the connector body 32. The springs 41 are retained in position by an inwardly flanged ring member 42 fitted to the rear of the connector body 32. As before excessive axial load applied to a latched pair of such coupling members causes the springs 41 to disengage from the bayonet keyways 17 so as to unlatch the members. The coupling arrangements described herein may be employed for latching mated pairs of electrical or optical connectors so as to prevent cable damage when an axial load is applied to the connector assembly. Although in the arrangements shown the coupling members are of the hermaphrodite type, i.e. both members have fingers and sockets, in some applications only one coupling member may have extending fingers, the other member having sockets to receive the fingers. WHAT WE CLAIM IS: -

1. A connector coupling arrangement, including first and second coupling members each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder for engaging a connector member, and at least one of which is provided with flexible fingers extending towards the other coupling member, the fingers having hook or latch portions for engaging corresponding sockets on the other coupling member, and in which said hook or latch portions are profiled so as to disengage from the sockets on the application of a predetermined axial ~tensile load to the coupling arrangement;

2. A coupling arrangement for releas ably latching a mated pair of electrical or optical connector members, including first and second hollow tubular coupling mem bers each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder for engaging a respective one of the connector members, and each of which is provided with flexible fingers extending towards the other coupling member the fingers having hook or latch portions for engaging -corresponding bayonet sockets formed in the outer surface of the other coupling member, and in which the hook or latch portions are profiled so as to disen gage from the bayonet sockets on the ap plication of a predetermined axial load to the coupling arrangement.

3. A connector coupling device substan tially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or to Fig. 3 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, or to Fig. 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawing.