RETAINING AN INSERT IN AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

摘要

: A tubular sleeve of a deformable plastic is longitudinally slotted to define a plurality of laterally separated weakened longitudinal columns having, respectively, a forward leading edge and a rearward medial portion. The sleeve is coaxially inserted into an annular passageway formed between an insert disposed in a shell so that the columns are first brought into engagement with an axial face of the shell with the slanted leading edge and further insertion causing each column to curl 180.degree. about itself and the medial column portions to collapse in an accordian-like fashion whereby to radially interferencingly wedge and lock the columns in the passage and thereby to retain the insert in the shell. The 180.degree. curling may cause the leading ends to retreat axially rearward or be looped 270.degree. about and driven radially outward. In each, the leading edges could engage its rearward medial portion.