Connector with anti-decoupling mechanism
View Patent ↗The connector assembly may include a ratcheting feature which prevents the coupling nut from turning due to vibration or shock. The coupling nut may include an engagement surface. The engagement surface may be a series of peaks and valleys. The connector may include a spring washer. The spring washer may be located between the coupling nut and the connector body. The spring washer may include a protrusion. The protrusion engages the engagement surface. In a second embodiment, the coupling nut may include a spring pin. The connector body may include an engagement surface. The engagement surface may be a series of peaks and valleys. The spring pin engages the engagement surface. The spring pin may be made of multiple components, for example, a pin and a spring. In another embodiment, the spring pin may be a single component.
1. A connector comprising a connector body, a coupling nut, and a spring pin, the connector body includes an engagement surface, the spring pin engages the engagement surface, the spring pin includes a coil spring and a pin, the coil spring is attached to the pin, the coupling nut includes an opening, a portion of the coil spring is located in the opening, the pin extends outside of the opening, the engagement between the spring pin and the engagement surface prevents rotation of the coupling,. nut below a predetermined rotational force on the coupling nut.
2. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the connector has a holding feature to prevent the removal of the coupling nut from the connector body.
3. The connector as in claim 2 wherein the connector body includes a groove, the holding feature includes a lock ring, the lock ring engages the groove.
4. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the connector body includes a fiber optic component.
5. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the connector body includes an electrical component.
6. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the engagement surface includes peaks and valleys.
7. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the coupling nut has threads to engage a mating connector.
8. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the connector includes two or more spring pins.
9. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the opening is tapered.
10. The connector as in claim 1 wherein the connector includes a backplate.
11. A connector comprising a connector body, a coupling nut, and a spring pin, the connector body includes an engagement surface, the spring pin engages the engagement surface, the spring pin includes a coil spring and a pin, the coil spring and pin are a single unitarily formed piece, the coupling nut includes an opening, a portion of the coil spring is located in the opening, the pin extends outside of the opening, the engagement between the spring pin and the engagement surface prevents rotation of the coupling nut below a predetermined rotational force on the coupling nut.
12. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the connector has a holding feature to prevent the removal of the coupling nut from the connector body.
13. The connector as in claim 12 wherein the connector body includes a groove, the holding feature includes a lock ring, the lock ring engages the groove.
14. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the connector body includes a fiber optic component.
15. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the connector body includes an electrical component.
16. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the coupling nut has threads to engage a mating connector.
17. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the engagement surface includes peaks and valleys.
18. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the connector includes two or more spring pins.
19. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the opening is tapered.
20. The connector as in claim 11 wherein the connector includes a backplate.