Connector with lock mechanism

Abstract

Locking springs project from a plug body, and support bars are axially movably held against the locking springs. The support bars axially engage a coupling sleeve through engagement members. With the support bars in engagement with the coupling sleeve, the support bars are urged to move in a forward direction under the bias of a coil spring. When a plug is to be coupled to a socket, the support bars are caught by a front surface of a socket body, allowing the locking springs to be inserted into an insertion slot in the socket body. When protrusions on the locking springs are inserted in recesses in the insertion slot, the support bars are urged by the coil spring to be inserted into the insertion slot, and the protrusions axially engage in the recesses, whereupon the plug and the socket are locked together. When the coupling sleeve is pulled back against the bias of the coil spring, the support bars are withdrawn out of the insertion slot to allow the plug to be pulled out of the socket.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector with a lock mechanism, comprising: (a) a .Iadd.plug having a .Iaddend.plug body of an insulating material;   (b) at least one plug contact mounted on said plug body;   (c) a cap mounted on a rear portion of said plug body;   (d) a coupling sleeve disposed coaxially around said cap and said plug body and axially movable;   (e) at least one locking spring supported on said plug body and projecting forwardly thereof, said locking spring having on a front end thereof a protrusion projecting radially outwardly or inwardly with respect to an axis of said plug body, said locking spring being resiliently displaceable in a direction opposite to the direction in which said protrusion projects;   (f) at least one support bar held against said locking spring on a side opposite from said protrusion .[.and.]..Iadd., said support bar being formed separately from said coupling sleeve and being .Iaddend.axially movable .Iadd.relative to said coupling sleeve.Iaddend.;   (g) an engagement member connected to a rear end of said support bar and axially engaging said coupling sleeve, said engagement member being axially movable .Iadd.relative to said coupling sleeve.Iaddend.;   (h) a coil spring for normally urging said engagement member and said coupling sleeve in a forward direction;   (i) a socket body of an insulating material.Iadd., said socket body being connectable to said plug when said plug is grasped by the hand of a user at any desired portion of said cap or coupling sleeve.Iaddend.;   (j) at least one socket contact mounted on said socket body and electrically connectable to said plug contact;   (k) said socket body having an insertion slot defined in a front surface thereof for receiving said locking spring and said support bar, said insertion slot having a width smaller than the sum of the thickness of said locking spring including said protrusion and the thickness of said support bar and larger than the sum of the thickness of said locking spring other than said protrusion and the thickness of said support bar; and   (l) said socket body having a recess defined in said insertion slot and axially engageable with said protrusion when said locking spring and said support bar are inserted into said insertion slot.   
     
     
       2. A connector according to claim 1, including a tubular insert integrally formed coaxially with a front end of said plug body and projecting axially beyond said coupling sleeve, said locking spring and said support bar being positioned substantially within a wall thickness of said tubular insert, said protrusion projecting radially beyond an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of said tubular insert, said insertion slot in said socket body being receptive of said tubular insert. 
     
     
       3. A connector according to claim 2, including a pair of locking springs disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to said axis and a pair of support bars disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to said axis. 
     
     
       4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein said pair of support bars have rear ends integrally connected to a ring member, said coil spring having one end pressed against a rear surface of said ring member. 
     
     
       5. A connector according to claim 4, wherein said locking springs are integrally formed with said plug body. 
     
     
       6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein each of said locking springs is defined by a U-shaped slot defined in and extending axially across said tubular insert and said plug body. 
     
     
       7. A connector according to claim 6, wherein said plug body has through holes extending from a rear surface thereof in communication with said U-shaped slots and aligned with said locking springs, respectively, said support bars being inserted in said through holes, respectively. 
     
     
       8. A connector .[.accoridng.]. .Iadd.according .Iaddend.to claim 4, 5, 6, or 7, wherein said engagement member projects radially outwardly integrally from said ring member, said coupling sleeve having an axial step formed on an inner surface thereof, said engagement member being positioned on the side of a rear surface of said axial step, said engagement member and said coupling sleeve being engageable with each other only when said engagement member moves in a forward direction or said coupling sleeve moves in a rearward direction. 
     
     
       9. A connector according to claim 8, wherein said plug body has a rear end fitted in said cap, said coil spring being disposed within said cap and interposed between a ring-shaped step in said cap and said ring member. 
     
     
       10. A connector according to claim 8, including a rear extension integral with a rear surface of said plug body and smaller in outside diameter than said plug body, said ring member being disposed on said rear extension for movement therealong, said coil spring being disposed on said rear extension. 
     
     
       11. A connector according to claim 10, including a cylindrical auxiliary body disposed around said plug body and having an extension extending rearwardly of said plug body and inserted in arcuate grooves defined in a front surface of said cap, said coil spring being interposed between said front surface of said cap and said ring member. 
     
     
       12. A connector according to claim 11, wherein said cylindrical auxiliary body is composed of semicylindrical members and positioned by engagement with projections on an outer peripheral surface of said plug body. .Iadd. 
     
     
       13.  A connector plug comprising: (a) a tubular insert;   (b) a contact support body of an insulating material disposed radially inside of said tubular insert, said contact support body and said tubular insert being fixed to each other and defining, in combination, a plug body;   (c) at least one plug contact mounted on said contact support body;   (d) a cap mounted on a rear portion of said plug body;   (e) a coupling sleeve disposed coaxially around said plug body so as to be axially movable relative thereto, said coupling sleeve having an axial step formed on an inner surface thereof;   (f) locking spring means supported at a rear end thereof on said plug body and projecting axially forwardly thereof, said locking spring means being resiliently displaceable in a radial direction and having on a front end thereof a protrusion projecting radially with respect to an axis of said plug body;   (g) support bar means held against said locking spring means on a side opposite from said protrusion and axially movable in a slidable relation to said locking spring means;   (h) an engagement member means extending radially outwardly from a rear end of said support bar means, said engagement member means being positioned on the axially rear side of said axial step of said coupling sleeve so that said engagement member means engages said axial step when said coupling sleeve moves relative to said engagement member means in a rearward direction; and   (i) a coil spring for normally urging said support bar means in a forward direction so that said engagement member means normally urges said coupling sleeve in a forward direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.   
     
     
       14.  A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein a front end of said tubular insert is projected axially beyond said coupling sleeve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein said locking spring means comprises a pair of locking springs disposed in a diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to the axis of said plug body, and said support bar means comprises a pair of support bars disposed in slidable relation to respective ones of said pair of locking springs. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A connector plug according to claim 15 wherein said pair of support bars have rear ends integrally connected to a ring member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein said locking spring means is integrally formed with said contact support body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein said locking spring means is defined by a U-shaped slot formed in said tubular insert. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein said contact support body has formed therein a through hole extending in the axial direction to axially align with said locking spring means, said support bar means being slidably inserted in said through hole. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein a rear end of said tubular insert extends axially rearwardly beyond a rear end face of said contact support body to define a rear space, said coil spring being disposed inside of said rear space axially behind said engagement member means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. A connector plug according to claim 13 wherein said coil spring is disposed around said plug body axially behind said engagement member means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A connector plug according to claim 21 including a cylindrical member disposed around said plug body, a rear portion of said cylindrical member extending rearwardly beyond a rear end of said plug body and fitted into said cap, whereby said cap is mounted on said plug body via said cylindrical member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A connector plug according to claim 22 wherein said cylindrical member is composed of a pair of semicylindrical members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A connector with a lock mechanism, comprising: (a) A tubular insert;   (b) a contact support body of an insulating material disposed radially inside of said tubular insert, said contact support body and said tubular insert being fixed to each other and defining, in combination, a plug body;   (c) at least one plug contact mounted on said contact support body;   (d) a cap mounted on a rear portion of said plug body;   (e) a coupling sleeve disposed coaxially around said plug body so as to be axially movable relative thereto, said coupling sleeve having an axial step formed on an inner surface thereof;   (f) locking spring means supported at a rear end thereof on said plug body and projecting axially forwardly thereof, said locking spring means being resiliently displaceable in a radial direction and having on a front end thereof a protrusion projecting radially with respect to an axis of said plug body;   (g) support bar means held against said locking spring means on a side opposite from said protrusion and axially movable in a slidable relation to said locking spring means;   (h) an engagement member means extending radially outwardly from a rear end of said support bar means, said engagement member means being positioned on the axially rear side of said axial step of said coupling sleeve so that said engagement member means engages said axial step when said coupling sleeve moves relative to said engagement member means in a rearward direction;   (i) a coil spring for normally urging said support bar means in a forward direction so that said engagement member means normally urges said coupling sleeve in a forward direction;   (j) a socket body;   (k) at least one socket contact mounted on said socket body and electrically connectable to said plug contact;   (l) an insertion slot defined in a front surface of said socket body to extend in an axial direction of said socket body, for receiving therein said locking spring means and said support bar means, said insertion slot having a width smaller than the sum of the thickness of said locking spring means including said protrusion and the thickness of said support bar means and larger than the sum of the thickness of said locking spring means other than said protrusion and the thickness of said support bar means; and   (m) a recess defined in said insertion slot and axially engageable with said protrusion when said locking spring means and said support bar means   
     
     
        are inserted into said insertion slot. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  A connector according to claim 24 wherein a front end of said tubular insert is projected axially beyond said coupling sleeve. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A connector according to claim 24 wherein said locking spring means comprises a pair of locking springs disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to the axis of said plug body, and said support bar means comprises a pair of support bars disposed in slidable relation to respective ones of said pair of locking springs. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27. A connector according to claim 26 wherein said pair of support bars have rear ends integrally connected to a ring member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.28. A connector according to claim 24 wherein said locking spring means is integrally formed with said contact support body. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  A connector according to claim 24 wherein said locking spring means is defined by a U-shaped slot formed in said tubular insert. .Iaddend. .Iadd.30. A connector according to claim 24 wherein said contact support body has formed therein a through hole extending in the axial direction to axially align with said locking spring means, said support bar means being slidably inserted in said through hole. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. A connector according to claim 24 wherein a rear end of said tubular insert extends axially rearwardly beyond a rear end face of said contact support body to define a rear space, said coil spring being disposed inside of said rear space axially behind said engagement member means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32. A connector according to claim 24 wherein said coil spring is disposed around said plug body axially behind said engagement member means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33. A connector according to claim 32 including a cylindrical member disposed around said plug body, a rear portion of said cylindrical member extending rearwardly beyond a rear end of said plug body and fitted into said cap, whereby said cap is mounted on said plug body via said cylindrical member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34. A connector according to claim 33 wherein said cylindrical member is 
     
     
        composed of a pair of semicylindrical members. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  A connector plug with a lock mechanism adapted to be connected to a mating socket when the plug is grasped at any desired location thereon by the hand of a user, said plug comprising: (a) a plug body of an insulating material;   (b) at least one plug contact mounted on said plug body;   (c) a cap mounted on a rear portion of said plug body;   (d) a coupling sleeve disposed coaxially around said cap and said plug body and axially movable;   (e) at least one locking spring supported on said plug body and projecting forwardly thereof, said locking spring having on a front end thereof a protrusion projecting radially outwardly or inwardly with respect to an axis of said plug body, said locking spring being resiliently displaceable in a direction opposite to the direction in which said protrusion projects;   (f) at least one support bar held against said locking spring on a side opposite from said protrusion, said support bar being formed separately from said coupling sleeve and being axially movable relative to said coupling sleeve;   (g) an engagement member connected to a rear end of said support bar and axially engaging said coupling sleeve, said engagement member being axially movable relative to said coupling sleeve; and   (h) a coil spring for normally urging said engagement member and said coupling sleeve in a forward direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. A connector plug according to claim 35 including a tubular insert integrally formed coaxially with a front end of said plug body and projecting axially beyond said coupling sleeve, said locking spring and said support bar being positioned substantially within a wall thickness of said tubular insert, said protrusion projecting radially beyond an inner peripheral surface or an outer peripheral surface of said tubular insert. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37. A connector plug according to claim 36 including a pair of locking springs disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to said axis and a pair of support bars disposed in diametrically opposite relation to each other with respect to said axis. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. A connector plug according to claim 37 wherein said pair of support bars have rear ends integrally connected to a ring member, said coil spring having one end pressed against a rear surface of said ring member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. A connector plug according to claim 38 wherein said locking springs are integrally formed with said plug body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. A connector plug according to claim 39 wherein each of said locking springs is defined by a U-shaped slot defined in and extending axially across said tubular insert and said plug body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.41. A connector plug according to claim 40 wherein said plug body has through holes extending from a rear surface thereof in communication with said U-shaped slots and aligned with said locking springs, respectively, said support bars being inserted in said through holes, respectively. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. A connector plug according to claim 38, 39, 40 or 41 wherein said engagement member projects radially outwardly integrally from said ring member, said coupling sleeve having an axial step formed on an inner surface thereof, said engagement member being positioned on the side of a rear surface of said axial step, said engagement member and said coupling sleeve being engageable with each other only when said engagement member moves in a forward direction or said coupling sleeve moves in a rearward direction. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43. A connector plug according to claim 42 wherein said plug body has a rear end fitted in said cap, said coil spring being disposed within said cap and interposed between a ring-shaped step in said cap and said ring member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44. A connector plug according to claim 42 including a rear extension integral with a rear surface of said plug body and smaller in outside diameter than said plug body, said ring member being disposed on said ring extension for movement therealong, said coil spring being disposed on said rear extension. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45. A connector plug according to claim 44 including a cylindrical auxiliary body disposed around said plug body and having an extension extending rearwardly of said plug body and inserted in arcuate grooves defined in a front surface of said cap, said coil spring being interposed between said front surface of said cap and said ring member. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. A connector plug according to claim 45 wherein said cylindrical auxiliary body is composed of semicylindrical members and positioned by engagement with projections on an outer peripheral surface of said plug body. .Iaddend.