The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Jul. 22, 1997
Richard Ellis Rothenberger, Harrisburg, PA (US);
The Whitaker Corporation, Wilmington, DE (US);
Abstract
A locking mechanism (10) for use with an electrical connector assembly (80). The locking mechanism (10) includes a latch support (60) having a D-slot washer (52) therein which is installed on a rotatable shaft (20). The rotatable shaft (20) is operable to engage a camming plate on a further electrical connector and thereby draw the assembly (80) into electrical engagement therewith. A stop flange (52b) of D-slot washer (52) is operable to limit the amount of rotational movement of the shaft (20) thereby preventing over-travel of the shaft. Additionally, the locking mechanism includes a ball plunger (56) for interfacing with the stop flange (52b) thereby providing a detent for the D-slot washer (52) and shaft (20). Over torque and over-travel of the shaft (20) are prevented, and the ball plunger (56) prevents inadvertent rotation of the shaft (20).