Slidable spring-loaded locking device eliminates need for safety wiring. Locking device is placed between the connector plug and connector receptacle. The threaded plug cannot vibrate loose because the insert is wedged into slots formed on the outer diameter of the receptacle

Rabb, L. W.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

December 1970
	 Brief 70 10553 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, 
Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief progam may be directed to the Tech-
nology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Connector Locking Device 
Electric connectors (type AN) require safety wiring 
after assembly to prevent vibrations from unfastening 
the components. Safety wiring is very difficult, es-
pecially on multiconnector installations; among 
closely grouped connectors, it is often necessary to 
disconnect several connectors. The slidable spring-
loaded connector locking device was developed to 
Connector 
.__-..	 Receptacle 
Lockir 
Insert 
Spr
ector 
eliminate the need for safety wiring, and may be adap-
ted to other threaded assemblies that require locking. 
As shown in the figure, the locking device is in 
position between the connector plug and connector 
receptacle. The threaded plug cannot vibrate loose 
because the insert is wedged into at least one of 
three or more slots formed on the outer diameter 
of the receptacle. This wedging is effected after the 
threaded plug is in its tightened position and is ac-
complished by the spring-loaded insert moving in 
the slot contoured in the plug until the tightening 
is complete. At this point the insert wedges into the 
receptacle slot, completing the interference that 
prevents any loosening rotation. 
A double stepped contour is formed on the side-
walls of the plug. The bottom of this contour has 
a depression for the flat wire spring. An insert, 
similar in shape to that shown, fits into the slot. 
The angular upper surface enables the plug to be 
threaded freely on the receptacle until the locking 
point is reached. Two sides of the insert are slotted so 
that it will fit into the plug and be guided in the up 
and down movement. Projections for a finger grip are 
located on the outer surface of the insert. A "U" 
shaped spring is placed between the bottom of the in-
sert and the depression in the plug. Distorting the 
metal of the insert and of the plug around the spring 
will retain the insert while the plug is not connected. 
The size of the spring and its retention must be very 
carefully controlled to retain the insert and be free 
to slide only within the depression of the plug. 
To remove the connector manually, it is only nec-
essary to slide the insert into the plug side so that 
the tip clears the receptacle. If hand release is not 
possible, a simple tool can be made to fit into the 
opening between the insert and the receptacle. 
Note: 
No additional documentation is available. Specific 
questions, however, may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Kennedy Space Center 
Code AD-PAT 
Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899 
Reference: B70-10553
(Continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000535 2020-03-17T00:36:00+00:00Z
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 	
. 
Source: Lee W. Rabb of

The Boeing Company

under contract to

Kennedy Space Center

(KSC-10537)
S 
[1 
Brief 70-10553	 Category 01


Connector locking device

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server