COUPLING ASSEMBLY

摘要

An improved coupling assembly includes a plug member which is held in a socket chamber by a lock spring having a plurality of turns. The turns of the lock spring resiliently grip a plurality of turns of a helix on the outside of the plug member to hold the plug member in the socket chamber. To promote a secure-gripping engagement between the turns of the lock spring and the helix, the turns of the lock spring have the same pitch as the helix. The lock spring can be resiliently flexed to increase the inside diameter of the turns of the lock spring from a free diameter which is smaller than the external diameter of the helix to a diameter which is larger than the outside diameter of the helix to enable the plug member to be readily inserted into the turns of the lock spring. The lock spring is then released so that its natural resilience causes its turns to grip the helix formed on the outside of the plug member.