US 8,166,623 B2
Method for controlling connect and disconnect forces of a connectorGeneral
US 8,166,623 B2
Method for controlling connect and disconnect forces of a connector
Tech Center:
3700 Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing and Medical Devices/Processes
Examiner:
Richard Chang
Art Unit:
3726 Manufacturing Devices and Processes, Machine Tools and Hand Tools
Agent:
Klein, O'Neil & Singh
Inventors:
Peter J. Balsells
Assignee:
Priority:
11/21/01
Filed:
10/09/09
Granted:
05/01/12
Expiration:
06/03/24
Abstract
A connector includes a housing having a bore with a housing groove disposed on an inside surface of the bore with a groove establishing a release angle between a housing groove bottom and a bore inside surface. A retainer defines a spring cavity between a retainer and the release angle and a circular radial canted coil spring is disposed in the spring cavity. A pin having a tapered end and a body diameter sized for sliding engagement with the bore is provided which includes a circumferential groove in the pin body for receiving the coil spring upon insertion of the pin into the bore. A circumferential groove includes a load angle for rotating the coil spring in an orientation in which the major spring axis is parallel to the release angle upon initial withdrawal of the pin from the bore. The coil is further compressed along the spring minor axis and expands radially upon continued withdrawal of the pin from the bore.
Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC)
Y10Y10T403/7018Y10TF16B2200/10F16L37/084F16BB23P17/00B23P