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. 27, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 19, 2001
Edward Rudoy, Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Larry Leroy McCormick, Chatsworth, CA (US);
Edwin E. Vega, Woodland Hills, CA (US);
Craig W. Courtney, West Hills, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A receptacle assembly ( ) includes a radial groove ( ) supported by a housing ( ) which houses a plurality of electrical sockets ( ). A radial abutment ( ) is positioned on the housing adjacent the radial groove. A plug assembly ( ) includes cantilever fingers ( ) terminating in radially inwardly and outwardly directed protuberances ( ). The inwardly directed protuberances are disposed to engage the radial groove. A locking sleeve ( ) has a radially inward directed annular groove ( ) and a surface ( ) adjacent to groove ( ). The sleeve groove is alignable with outwardly directed protuberances ( ) to permit radial deflection of the cantilevered fingers and movement of inwardly directed protuberances ( ) over the abutment and into groove ( ). The sleeve is movable to position its surface ( ) over outwardly directed protuberances ( ) to lock inwardly directed protuberances ( ) in groove ( ). A shell ( ) is engageable with the cantilevered fingers and the locking sleeve, and is moveable by a coupling ring ( ) to effect the respective engagement relationships of the protuberances in their respective grooves. A restraining shaft ( ) is connected to the locking sleeve and to a manifold assembly ( ) to lock proturbances ( ) in groove ( ) and to permit movement of the locking sleeve under spring action away from its retention of protuberances ( ) in groove ( ). Operation is assisted by use of an ejection spring ( ), a loading spring ( ) and a plurality of withdrawl springs ( ). Engagement between collet detent ( ) and a notch ( ) in a timing ring ( ) secured to the coupling ring provides precise movement of the shell without depending upon the accuracy of the threaded engagement between the shell and the coupling ring.