Coupling assembly

Abstract

An improved coupling assembly includes a plurality of resilient spring fingers which engage a plug to hold it against both axial and sidewise movement relative to a socket body. Each of the spring fingers has an axially inner end portion with a pair of mounting tabs which engage openings in an outer side surface of the socket body to hold the spring fingers against axial movement relative to the socket body. When the coupling assembly is in a disengaged condition, axially outer end portions of the spring fingers are disposed in a circular array having a relatively large diameter to enable the plug to be readily inserted in a socket chamber. Once the plug has been inserted into the socket chamber, a slide is moved axially relative to the socket body to resiliently deflect the spring fingers inwardly. As this occurs, radially extending retaining surfaces on the spring fingers are moved into engagement with an annular rim formed on the plug to hold the plug against axial movement relative to the socket body. As the spring fingers are deflected, axially extending major side surfaces of the spring fingers are pressed into abutting engagement with the side of the plug to hold the plug against sidewise movement. When the coupling is in the engaged condition, the slide engages outer end portions of the spring fingers to press them against the side of the plug. In addition to performing the functions of deflecting the spring fingers and pressing them against the plug, the slide engages the axially inner end portions of the spring fingers to hold them against the socket body with the mounting tabs extending into the openings in the outer side surface of the socket body.