US Patent 7726999 Electrical connector set

An electrical connector set having mating male and female connectors is provided with a first lock preventing separation, the first lock consisting of standard bayonet slot on one member and a mating key on the other member and a secondary locking mechanism consisting of a rotatable spring lock ring affixedly carried by one of the members and is positioned interior a rotatable and axially movable collar carried by the associated member. The spring ring has at least one radially urged spring finger and the collar has at least one opening dimensioned to receive the spring finger. The spring ring includes an increased thickness area in an axial dimension which is engaged against an undersurface configuration of the collar so that as the collar is rotated with respect to the spring ring it will undergo axial movement. When the spring finger is positioned in the collar opening locking the collar against rotation, the collar will be positioned in its forward most axial position abutting an end surface of the mating connector preventing the mating connector from undergoing an axial movement necessary to initiate disconnection of the bayonet lock. A tool is required to press the pin against the spring radially inwardly of the collar opening to allow the collar to be manually rotated to an axially withdrawn position which will then allow disengagement of the bayonet lock.