Locking connector

Abstract

A push-pull coupling, quick-release locking connector (100), the connector (100) comprising first and second connector parts (102, 104) configured to be releasably connected to each other, wherein the first connector part (102) carries a plurality of latch extensions (124) arranged around the first connector part (102), wherein the second connector part (104) has one or more locking surfaces (130) configured to engage with the locking extensions (124) to lock the connector parts (102, 104) together when connected, wherein each latch extension (124) has a latch formation and can be elastically deformed to retract the latch formation so that the second connector part (104) can be pushed beyond the latch formation when the first and second connector parts (102, 104) are connected, and wherein the latch formation of the first connector part, in the connected state, engages the one or more latch surfaces (130) of the second connector part (104) to prevent the connector parts (102, 104) from becoming detached from one another, wherein the first connector part (102) further comprises a user-operable release control part (108) having a first locking position and a second releasing position, wherein the release control part (108) can be moved with one degree of freedom between the first locking position and the second releasing position, wherein in the first, locking position, a release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102) is prevented, and wherein in the second, releasing position, the release control part (108) enables a release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102), wherein the release control part (108) has one or more cam surfaces (122), wherein upon movement of the release control part (108) to the first locking position, the one or more cam surfaces (122) engage the plurality of locking extensions (124) to move the locking extensions (124) to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces (130) to enable the second connector part (104) to be removed from the first connector part (102), wherein the release control part (108) has at least one blocking formation, and wherein the release control part (108) can be moved with a second degree of freedom different from the first degree of freedom between a third, locking position and a fourth, unlocked position in order to move the locking formation, so that at the third, locking position the locking formation prevents movement of at least one of the locking extensions (124) in order to prevent selection of the second, releasing position and retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface, and so that at the fourth, unlocked position the locking formation is displaced in order to enable selection of the second, releasing position and movement of the at least one locking extension (124) in order to enable retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface and disengagement of the first and second connector parts (102, 104) from one another.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a push-pull coupling connector mechanism with a user-operable lock. Background of the invention

[0002] Generally speaking, embodiments of the invention relate to connectors having a push-pull coupling in which two parts are locked together, and having a decoupling sleeve that performs a quick-release function. In particular, a ring of teeth or the like usually projects from the inner periphery of a female part of the coupling and engages a recess on the outer periphery of a male part. A sleeve moves longitudinally on the female part, providing clearance for slight radially outward movement of the teeth during coupling of the connector parts. During decoupling of the connector parts, the sleeve retracts the teeth on the female part from the recess on the male part.The sleeve is located on the outside of the mating connector, so the action of pulling the connectors apart moves the sleeve longitudinally, releasing the teeth and allowing the male and female parts of the connector to be separated. Such a quick-fit connector is commonly used to connect hose pipes and the like, as described, for example, in EP 0 206 582 A2 and WO 2008 / 059 490 A1.

[0003] Further prior art can be found in US 2011 / 269 331 A1, US 2009 / 130 887 A1, US 6 093 043 A, US 5 637 010 A, US 7 722 379 B2, US 2009 / 304 334 A1, WO 2009 / 108 480 A1 and GB 883 449 A.

[0004] GB 1 167 680 A generally relates to a quick-release hose connector of the male-female type in which a series of radially moving pawls in the female member engage a recess in the outer surface of the male member. In one embodiment, parts of the connector are rotated to release the connector, and in another embodiment, they are moved longitudinally relative to each other. In each case, only a single movement is used for release.

[0005] US 5 029 904 A generally relates to a coupling device having a tubular male member and a female sleeve member, wherein locking members on the sleeve member are engageable with a shoulder of the male member. However, actuation of a locking ring is required to lock the connector members together, and a single twisting action is used to release the connectors.

[0006] Improvements to connectors of this or similar types are described here, in particular to reduce the risk of accidental disconnection of a connector. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is described in the appended claims.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a push-pull coupling, quick-release locking connector, the connector comprising first and second connector parts configured to be releasably connected to one another; wherein the first connector part carries a plurality of locking extensions arranged around the first connector part; wherein the second connector part has one or more locking surfaces configured to engage the locking extensions to lock the connector parts together when connected;wherein each latch extension has a latch formation and is elastically deformable to retract the latch formation to allow the second connector part to be slid beyond the latch formation when the first and second connector parts are connected, and wherein the latch formation of the first connector part, in the connected state, engages the one or more latch surfaces of the second connector part to prevent disengagement of the connector parts from one another; wherein the first connector part further comprises a user-actuable release control part having a first, locking position and a second, releasing position, the release control part being movable with a first degree of freedom (along a longitudinal axis of the connector) between the first, locking position and the second, releasing position;wherein, in the first, locking position, a release of the second connector part in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part is prevented, and wherein, in the second, releasing position, the release control part enables a release of the second connector part in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part; wherein the release control part has one or more cam surfaces, wherein upon movement of the release control part to the first, blocking position, the one or more cam surfaces engage the plurality of locking extensions to move the locking extensions to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces to enable the second connector part to be removed from the first connector part; wherein the release control part has at least one locking formation;and wherein the release control part can be moved with a second degree of freedom different from the first degree of freedom (in certain embodiments rotatable about the axis of the connector) between a third, locking position and a fourth, unlocked position to move the locking formation, such that at the third, locking position the locking formation prevents movement of at least one of the locking extensions to prevent selection of the second, releasing position and retraction of the at least one locking extension from engagement with the locking surface, and such that at the fourth, unlocked position the locking formation is displaced to enable selection of the second, releasing position and movement of the at least one locking extension to enable retraction of the at least one locking extension from engagement with the locking surface and disengagement of the first and second connector parts from each other.;

[0009] Certain embodiments of the connector, as well as locking with a quick-release feature, allow the connector to be locked in the interlocked configuration, thereby improving security and reliability. Thus, in certain embodiments, the connector can be locked or unlocked when in the first, locking position.

[0010] In certain embodiments of the connector, the locking surface comprises a depression, groove, or other recess in the second connector part, although alternatively, a circumferential step or similar formation may serve to lock the connector parts together. In certain embodiments, the locking extensions comprise fingers arranged around an inner periphery of the first connector part, attached to the first connector part at one end, and spring-loaded so that they can be resiliently deformed away from the perimeter and then biased back to that position. Preferably, such fingers are arranged at substantially equal intervals around the periphery of the first connector part. In certain embodiments, the locking formation on a finger comprises an ear, eyelet, clip, or other similar formation for engagement with the locking surface.

[0011] In the unlocked state, the release control portion allows the fingers or other locking extensions to move outward to enable disengagement of the connectors. In the locked state, however, the release control portion prevents movement of the locking formations away from the corresponding locking surfaces, thereby locking the connectors together. In certain embodiments, locking is achieved by providing a locking formation, such as a rib or other projection, on an inner surface of the release control portion. When the rib, projection, or the like is aligned with a finger, outward movement of the finger to release the locking formation from the locking surface is prevented. Although in principle only one such locking formation is required, in certain embodiments, each finger has a corresponding locking formation on the release control portion.In certain embodiments, the inner surface of the release control member can be moved laterally with respect to a latch extension to move the locking formations to permit outward movement of the fingers (unlocked state) or to prohibit such outward movement (locked state). In certain embodiments, this is conveniently achieved by providing first and second connector members with circular cross-sections and a set of circumferentially arranged locking formations on the release control member. The release control member can then be rotated between the third, locking position and the fourth, unlocked position.

[0012] It should nevertheless be clear to those skilled in the art that it is not necessary for the connector to have a circular cross-section and that a similar approach can also be applied to a connector with a rectangular or square cross-section, wherein the release control part slides laterally around the circumference or over a part of the circumference of the first connector part to move between the third and fourth, locking and unlocked positions.

[0013] It should also be apparent to those skilled in the art that, although in certain embodiments the locking extension comprises fingers with inwardly directed ears or teeth for engagement with a recess in the second connector part, such an arrangement can effectively be reversed so that the teeth on the fingers are directed outwardly away from the axis of the connector and engage a recess or other locking surface on an inner surface of the second connector part. To accomplish quick release of the connector parts in such an arrangement, although one end of the release control part may be internally provided proximate the free ends of the fingers, a user-actuable portion of the release control part may be accessed further along the longitudinal length of the connector.It should also be clear to the person skilled in the art that it is not important which of the first and second connector parts is designated as male and which as female.

[0014] Some preferred embodiments of the connector include a further improvement and simplification of the structure. The release control part of the connector is biased longitudinally in a connection direction of the first and second connector parts. When the parts are coupled together, the release control part is biased to prevent unlocking of the locked parts unless the user exerts force to pull the coupled parts apart.In certain embodiments, this preload is provided by the one or more cam surfaces of the release control part: the first connector part is arranged such that a portion of the locking extension (finger) bears against an inclined surface, such that elastic deformation of the finger outwardly away from the axis of the connector (or inwardly in a "reverse arrangement") results in an additional longitudinal force on the release control part, urging the release control part to its first, locking position. This can be accomplished by arranging the one or more cam surfaces such that their normals are directed to the longitudinal axis (or axial plane) of the connector.In certain embodiments, the one or more cam surfaces are defined by an internal bevel on the release control member. For example, the release control member may have a lip at one end defining a partially or fully annular recess around one end of the release control member. An inner edge of this lip may have a tapered surface that tapers to a smaller diameter in a direction away from a mating portion of the connector parts. This may be a single, continuous annular and tapered surface or a set of tapered surface portions arranged along the circumference of the release control member. Such an arrangement biases the release control member toward the mating portion of the connector, keeping the mated parts locked together when no external force is applied longitudinally to the release control member.In certain embodiments, most, and in some preferred embodiments, substantially all, of the bias of the release control member toward the mating portion of the connector (longitudinal force) is provided by the one or more cam surfaces acting in conjunction with the latch extensions / fingers, so that the connector need not include an additional spring to bias the release control member in this direction.

[0015] According to another aspect, the invention provides a push-pull coupling, quick-release locking connector, the connector comprising first and second connector parts configured for releasable connection; wherein the first connector part carries a plurality of locking extensions arranged around the first connector part; wherein the second connector part has one or more locking surfaces configured to engage the locking extensions to lock the connector parts when connected together;wherein each latch extension has a latch formation and can be elastically deformed to retract the latch formation to allow the second connector part to be pushed beyond the latch formation upon connection of the first and second connector parts, and wherein the latch formation of the first connector part, in the connected state, engages the one or more latch surfaces of the second connector part to prevent the connector parts from becoming detached from one another; wherein the first connector part further comprises a user-actuable release control part having a first, locking position and a second, releasing position, the release control part being movable with a first degree of freedom between the first, locking position and the second, releasing position;wherein, in the first, locking position, longitudinal disengagement of the second connector part from the first connector part is prevented, and wherein, in the second, releasing position, the release control part enables longitudinal disengagement of the second connector part from the first connector part; wherein the release control part has one or more cam surfaces, wherein, upon movement of the release control part to the first, locking position, the one or more cam surfaces engage the plurality of locking extensions to move the locking extensions to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces to enable the second connector part to be removed from the first connector part; and wherein the first degree of freedom comprises longitudinal movement of the release control part along an axis of the connector;wherein the release control portion is configured to fit around the locking extensions; wherein the one or more cam surfaces comprise one or more inclined surfaces having normals directed to the axis of the connector such that longitudinal movement of the release control portion parallel to the axis moves the one or more inclined surfaces to pull the plurality of locking extensions to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces, wherein the release control portion is longitudinally biased toward the first, locking position, and wherein a portion of the locking extension bears against the inclined surface such that elastic deformation of the locking formation by the inclined surface upon longitudinal movement of the release control portion results in a longitudinal force on the release control portion to bias the release control portion toward the first, locking position.

[0016] The invention further provides a locking connector comprising first and second connector parts configured to releasably engage each other along a longitudinal axis of the connector, wherein: the first connector part comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged, resiliently deflectable locking fingers, each finger being attached to the first connector part at one end and having an ear towards another end; wherein the second connector part comprises one or more recesses to receive the clips of the fingers; wherein the locking fingers of the first connector part are retracted to allow the second connector part to be slid past the clips of the locking fingers when the first and second connector parts are connected;wherein the first connector part further comprises a locking ring movable along the longitudinal axis such that, at a first longitudinal position, the clips engage the one or more recesses to lock the first and second connector parts together, and such that, at a second longitudinal position, the clips are free to move radially outward to allow the first and second connector parts to be separated from each other; and wherein an inner surface of the locking ring has one or more raised stops such that, at a first, locked rotational position, the one or more stops prevent radially outward movement of the ear and / or movement of the locking ring to the second longitudinal position, and such that, at a second, unlocked rotational position, the clips are free to move radially outward to allow the first and second connector parts to be separated from each other.

[0017] The invention further provides a locking connector having first and second connector portions configured to releasably engage each other along a longitudinal axis of the connector, wherein: the first connector portion comprises a plurality of circumferentially disposed, resiliently deflectable locking fingers, each finger being attached to the first connector at one end and having an ear toward an opposite end; wherein the second connector portion comprises one or more recesses to receive the clips of the fingers;wherein a locking ring can be moved along the longitudinal axis so that at a first longitudinal position the clips engage the one or more recesses to lock the first and second connector parts together, and so that at a second longitudinal position the clips can move freely radially outward to allow the first and second connector parts to be separated from each other; and wherein an inwardly directed resilient bias of the locking fingers onto the cam surface provides a longitudinal bias of the locking ring to the first longitudinal position, wherein the locking ring in particular has no additional bias to the first longitudinal position.

[0018] In certain embodiments of the connector described above, a detent is preferably provided for the locking mechanism. The release control part can be provided with a detent for movement of the release control part between the third and fourth positions. Accordingly, the locking ring / sleeve can be provided with a detent for movement between the first and second, locked and unlocked rotational positions. Such a detent can, for example, comprise a boss and a pair of notches or the like. This helps reduce the risk of accidental movement of the connector to an unlockable state due to vibration or the like.

[0019] The invention further provides a push-pull coupling locking connector, the connector comprising complementary first and second connector parts and a locking mechanism with a first set of fingers on the first connector part, each finger having a clip at one end that engages a recess on the second connector part when the second connector part is pushed beyond the clips of the fingers, and a sleeve that, when retracted, moves the clips on the fingers out of the recess, the connector further comprising a locking mechanism comprising a set of formations on the sleeve, the locking mechanism being movable between a locked position, in which the formations are behind the fingers to prevent movement of the clips out of the recess, and an unlocked position, in which the formations are moved out of a path of movement of the fingers,can be moved.,

[0020] The invention further separately provides a first connector part according to one of the aspects of the invention described above. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] These and other aspects of the invention are described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1a to 1c are, respectively, a 3D cross-sectional view of connected first and second connector parts of a push-pull coupling, quick-release locking connector according to an embodiment of the invention, each formed of plastic and metal, and perspective views of an exemplary electrical connector with and without a user-actuable release control part (uncoupling sleeve) in a similar embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b are 3D cross-sectional views of the connectors of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b. Fig. 3a and Fig. 3B are 2D cross-sectional views of the connectors of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b. Fig. 4a and Fig. 4b are 2D cross-sectional views of a first connector part of the connector of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in a locked position. Fig. 5a and Fig. 5b are lateral cross-sectional views of a first connector part of the connector of Fig. 1a and Fig. 1b in an unlocked position. Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0022] The embodiments described herein may be formed from plastic or metal (or other materials). In the following description, reference is made to a plastic or metal construction unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0023] The following refers to Fig. 1 to 3, which show a mated connector 100 according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising a first connector part 102 and a second connector part 104 in a locked state. The first connector part 102 comprises a body 106 having an opening for receiving, for example, a set of electrical contacts 101 as in Fig. 1c. The first connector part body 106 carries a decoupling sleeve 108, which has the shape of a ring around the connector body and comprises first and second parts 110, 112 that are screwed together by a reverse thread 114. Alternatively, the first and second parts 110, 112 can be fixed to one another by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, snap-fitting, or the like, for example, in one embodiment of a plastic connector, they can be pressed together and secured together by an adhesive. The sleeve 108 can be moved longitudinally along the axis of the connector and is biased against a stop 118 in a connecting direction 116 of the connectors. In certain embodiments, the sleeve is clamped into a recess 119 in which it can move longitudinally.A distal end of the sleeve in the connecting direction is provided with a lip 120 having an internal cam surface 122.

[0024] The body 106 of the first connector part is also provided with a plurality of fingers 124 arranged along the periphery of the first connector part. For a plastic connector, these fingers may be molded integrally with the connector body 106; and for a metal connector, these fingers may comprise flexible, resilient metal strips 124b attached to the connector body. At the end of each finger, an ear 126, tooth, or the like is provided, which has a portion or surface 128 that engages (locks) with a recess 130 in a body 132 of the second connector part 104.The first and second connector parts are connected by a "push-to-latch" action, such that pushing the second connector part into the first connector part results in the ear 126 of the flexible fingers 124 being locked into the recess 130 of the second connector part. No further action is required to lock the two connector parts together. The ear 126 (and / or the finger 124) also includes a cam surface 134 that corresponds to the surface 122 of the sleeve 108. In this way, movement of the sleeve 108 opposite the mating direction pulls the ear 126 out of the recess 130 for each finger, thereby disengaging the first connector part from the second connector part and allowing the connector parts to be uncoupled from each other.Because the sleeve is located on an outer portion of the connector, a user pulling the connectors apart while holding the sleeve automatically performs this action. Optionally, the sleeve 108 may also include a handle on its outer surface, as shown in FIG. Fig. 1c and Fig. 2 shown include.

[0025] In certain embodiments, each of the first and second connector portions 102, 104 includes a respective wire terminal 136, 138 and optionally a respective rubber gasket 140, 142 for sealing against moisture, dirt, and the like. Preferably, an O-ring 144 is also provided between the first and second connector portions to seal the electrical connections therein.

[0026] When the sleeve 108 is moved opposite the mating direction, the finger 124 is pushed radially outward against its inherent elasticity, whereby the action of the two cam surfaces 122 and 134 against each other results in an elastic preload of the sleeve 108 along the mating direction 116. This holds the sleeve in the position where the ears lock against the locking surface 128 when the connector parts engage each other, without the need for an additional spring.

[0027] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show a set of longitudinally extending ribs 150 provided on an inner surface (of the second part 112) of the sleeve 108. As shown, one rib 150 is provided for each finger. The ring 112 of the sleeve 108 can be rotated about the axis of the connector so that the ribs are positioned either to prevent outward radial movement of the fingers 124 by being Fig. 4, or that the ribs 150 are between the fingers 124 as shown in Fig.5. Thus, when the sleeve 108 is rotated to its locking position, not only are the ears of the fingers moved into the recess 130, but their withdrawal from the locked configuration is prevented by the ribs 150. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations in the exact shape of the projections 150 are possible. Because, in principle, rotation of the sleeve 108 locks the ears of the fingers in position, the engagement of the ears in the recess 130 need not be as positive as in an arrangement in which this locking alone ensures that the connectors are held together. Nevertheless, the ears preferably engage positively with the corresponding locking surfaces to provide improved reliability.

[0028] Although not shown in the drawings, the sleeve 108 preferably includes a detent such as a pawl that prevents undesired movement between the locked and unlocked positions of the ring due to vibration or the like.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the connector described above are used to establish an electrical connection between conductive contacts. For example, embodiments of the connector can be used for a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection, an Ethernet connection, or another form of multi-pin connection, where, for example, removable contact carriers can be used to hold 2, 3, 8, 16, or 22 electrical contacts. Nevertheless, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that connection assemblies of the type described above can, in principle, also be used for connections between hoses carrying fluids (liquids or gases).

[0030] The exemplary coupling mechanism shown utilizes an array of six locking fingers and a 30° rotational action to lock the mechanism, thereby preventing disengagement of the mating connectors and breaking the seal. The described embodiment utilizes an array of six locking fingers, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of fingers may be used. While a locking ring is easy to implement on a cylindrical connector body, other connector shapes, such as rectangular / square and oval connector shapes, may in principle be used.

[0031] The described embodiment is a linear connector, but it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other configurations of the mechanism may be used, such as configurations in which one or both connector parts are mounted to the housing.

[0032] Generally speaking, a quick-release locking connector with a locking mechanism has been described herein. Release is achieved by retracting a coupling ring to force an array of locking fingers outwardly and move ears or clips on the ends of the fingers out of a recess in the mating connector body. A rotational locking mechanism is provided that operates by moving ribs or similar projections on the coupling ring from between the fingers to behind the fingers to prevent outward movement thereof and thereby locking the connector parts together.

[0033] In summary, embodiments of a connector are described herein that advantageously combine two (independent) mechanisms. First, a push / pull action for locking the connectors together, i.e.: a) pushing the connectors together for locking (“push-to-latch”); and b) retracting the outer sleeve of a connector and (independently) pulling the connectors apart for release. The spring force on the terminals / fingers is provided by the terminals / fingers themselves, so that in certain embodiments no separate spring device is required. Second, a rotate-to-lock mechanism that prevents the push / pull action from being performed.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the connector mechanism is a "two-part" mechanism that requires both rotation of the sleeve and retraction of the sleeve to disengage the connector parts from each other.

[0035] The connector is locked by rotating the coupling ring / sleeve. This prevents fingers from being bent outward by the pulling action on the coupling ring. The rotating action is separate from the pulling action, and the rotation does not involve any longitudinal movement of the connector parts. The connector parts can be connected and locked by sliding the two connector halves together.

[0036] In some preferred embodiments, the fingers are inwardly facing and integrally formed with a body portion of the connector.

[0037] Those skilled in the art can implement various effective alternatives to the embodiments described herein. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

A push-pull coupling, quick-release locking connector (100), the connector (100) comprising first and second connector parts (102, 104) configured to be releasably connected to one another, the first connector part (102) carrying a plurality of locking extensions (124) disposed around the first connector part (102), the second connector part (104) having one or more locking surfaces (130) configured to engage the locking extensions (124) to lock the connector parts (102, 104) together when connected, each locking extension (124) having a locking formation and being elastically deformable to retract the locking formation to allow the second connector part (104) to be slid beyond the locking formation when the first and second connector parts (102, 104) are connected become,and wherein the locking formation of the first connector part, in the connected state, engages with the one or more locking surfaces (130) of the second connector part (104) to prevent the connector parts (102, 104) from becoming detached from one another. The first connector part (102) further comprises a user-operable release control part (108) having a first, locking position and a second, releasing position. The release control part (108) can be moved with a degree of freedom between the first, locking position and the second, releasing position. In the first, locking position, release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102) is prevented. In the second, releasing position, the release control part (108) enables release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102).wherein the release control part (108) has one or more cam surfaces (122), wherein upon movement of the release control part (108) to the first, locking position, the one or more cam surfaces (122) engage the plurality of locking extensions (124) to move the locking extensions (124) to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces (130) to allow the second connector part (104) to be removed from the first connector part (102), wherein the release control part (108) has at least one locking formation, and wherein the release control part (108) can be moved with a second degree of freedom different from the first degree of freedom between a third, locking position and a fourth, unlocked position to move the locking formation, such that at the third, locking position, the locking formation prevents movement of at least one of the locking extensions (124),to prevent selection of the second, releasing position and retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface, and so that at the fourth, unlocked position, the locking formation is shifted to enable selection of the second, releasing position and movement of the at least one locking extension (124) to enable retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface and disengagement of the first and second connector parts (102, 104) from each other. The connector (100) of claim 1, wherein the first degree of freedom comprises longitudinal movement of the release control member along an axis of the connector, the release control member (108) is configured to fit around the locking extensions (124), the one or more cam surfaces (122) comprising one or more inclined surfaces whose normals are directed to the axis of the connector (100), such that longitudinal movement of the release control member (108) parallel to the axis moves the one or more inclined surfaces to pull the plurality of locking extensions (124) to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces (130), the release control member (108) being longitudinally biased toward the first, locking position, and a portion of the locking extension (124) abuts against the inclined surface,such that an elastic deformation of the locking formation by the inclined surface during the longitudinal movement of the release control part (108) results in a longitudinal force on the release control part (108) in order to bias the release control part (108) to the first, locking position., The connector (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the release control portion (108) is configured to fit around the locking extensions (124), and wherein the locking formation comprises a raised formation on an inner surface of the release control portion (108) that, when the release control portion (108) is rotated to the third, locking position, radially inhibits elastic deformation of the locking extension (124) to inhibit retraction of the locking formation on the locking extension (124). The connector (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the locking formation is configured as a finger (124) attached at a first end to the first connector part (102) and having a clip (126) toward a second, opposite end, the clip (126) having a tapered surface (126) at the second, opposite end, the release control part (108) comprising a sleeve (108) on the first connector part (102) having an internal circumferential recess, the internal circumferential recess defining an inner surface that tapers toward the first end of the finger (124) and defines the one or more cam surfaces (122), and the clip (126) of the locking extensions (124) extends into the internal circumferential recess such that longitudinal movement of the release control part (108) toward the first end of the finger (124) releases the clip (126) away from the internal circumferential recess. Connector (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the engagement of the second, opposite end of the finger (124) against the inner surface of the recess is sufficient to resiliently bias the release control part (108) in the longitudinal direction away from the first end of the finger (124) to a longitudinal stop (118) on the first connector part (102). The connector (100) of any preceding claim, further comprising a detent for movement of the release control member (108) between the third and fourth positions. A first connector part (102) for a connector (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connector part (102) carries a plurality of locking extensions (124) arranged around the first connector part (102) for engaging one or more locking surfaces (130) of a second connector part (104) to lock the first and second connector parts (102, 104) together when connected to each other, wherein each locking extension (124) has a locking formation and can be elastically deformed to retract the locking formation to allow the second connector part (104) to be pushed beyond the locking formation when the first and second connector parts (102, 104) are connected, and wherein the locking formation of the first connector part engages the one or more locking surfaces (130) of the second connector part (104) in the connected state.to prevent the connector parts (102, 104) from becoming detached from one another, wherein the first connector part (102) further comprises a user-operable release control part (108) having a first, locking position and a second, releasing position, wherein the release control part (108) can be moved between the first, locking position and the second releasing position along said axis of said connector (100), wherein at the first, locking position, a release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102) is prevented, and wherein at the second, releasing position, the release control part (108) enables a release of the second connector part (104) in the longitudinal direction from the first connector part (102), wherein the release control part (108) has one or more cam surfaces (122), wherein upon movement of the release control part (108) to the first,locking position, the one or more cam surfaces (122) engage the plurality of locking extensions (124) to move the locking extensions (124) to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces (130) to allow the second connector part (104) to be removed from the first connector part (102), wherein the first connector part (102) is further characterized by the first or both of the following: (i) the release control part (108) has at least one locking formation, wherein the release control part (108) is movable with a second degree of freedom different from the first degree of freedom between a third, locking position and a fourth, unlocked position to move the locking formation, such that at the third, locking position, the locking formation prevents movement of at least one of the locking extensions (124) to enable selection of the second,release position and retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface, and such that at the fourth, unlocked position, the locking formation is shifted to enable selection of the second, release position and movement of the at least one locking extension (124) to enable retraction of the at least one locking extension (124) from engagement with the locking surface and release of the first and second connector parts (102, 104) from each other, (ii) the first degree of freedom comprises longitudinal movement of the release control part (108) along an axis of the connector, the release control part (108) being configured to fit around the locking extensions (124), the one or more cam surfaces (122) comprising one or more inclined surfaces whose normals are directed to the axis of the connector,such that longitudinal movement of the release control member (108) parallel to the axis moves the one or more inclined surfaces to pull the plurality of locking extensions (124) to retract the locking formations from engagement with the one or more locking surfaces (130), wherein the release control member (108) is biased longitudinally toward the first, locking position, and wherein a portion of the locking extension (124) bears against the inclined surface such that elastic deformation of the locking formation by the inclined surface upon longitudinal movement of the release control member (108) results in a longitudinal force on the release control member (108) to bias the release control member (108) toward the first, locking position. Connector (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the release control part (108) is designed as a locking ring (108) which can be moved along the longitudinal axis such that at a first longitudinal position the clips (126) engage in the one or more recesses (130) to lock the first and second connector parts (102, 104) together, and such that at a second longitudinal position the clips (126) can move freely radially outward to allow the first and second connector parts (102, 104) to be separated from each other, and wherein an inner surface of the locking ring (108) has one or more raised stops (118) such that at a first, locked rotational position the one or more stops (118) prevent movement of the clip (126) radially outward and / or movement of the locking ring (108) to the second longitudinal position and such that at a second,unlocked rotational position, the clips (126) can move freely radially outward to allow the first and second connector parts (102, 104) to be separated from each other., The connector (100) of claim 8, wherein the locking ring (108) has an inner cam surface (134) and wherein the fingers (124) bear against the cam surface (134) such that pulling apart the first and second connector parts (102, 104) pulls the locking ring (108) to the second longitudinal position, wherein the locking ring (108) is moved such that the cam surface (134) pulls the fingers (124) radially outward and the clips (126) out of the one or more recesses (130). The connector (100) of claim 9, wherein the inwardly directed, resilient bias of locking fingers (124) on the cam surface (134) provides a longitudinal bias of the locking ring (108) to the first longitudinal position. Connector (100) according to claim 10, wherein the locking ring (108) has no additional preload to the first longitudinal position. The connector (100) of any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a detent for movement of the locking ring (108) between the first and second rotational positions. Connector (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6 or 8 to 12, wherein the sleeve (108) comprises a circular ring and the release control part (108) comprises a rotation lock mechanism. Connector (100) according to one of claims 4 to 6 or 8 to 13, wherein the release control part (108) is biased forward substantially solely by the action of the fingers (124) on the sleeve (108). Connector (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, or 8 to 14, or first connector part (102) according to claim 7, further comprising complementary male and female electrical connector elements with a plurality of pins in the first and second connector parts (102, 104). The first connector part (102) of claim 7, further comprising an electrical connector element having a plurality of pins in the first connector part (102).

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