| abstract |
A coupling arrangement includes a roughly conical male member (12) in which the conical side (18) may be concave. The male member (12) includes a radial indexing pin (7), and a central bore (20) in which polarized electrical connectors (114′,116′) are located. A mating female member (14) includes a cavity (41) with a fundus (46) and movable peripheral latches (56) adapted for grasping the base (27) of the male member when engaged for drawing the male member into full mating relation with the cavity. A tapered slot (78) in the side of the female member guides the index pin to impart rotational forces so that mating can take place even if the approach is skewed. The electrical connectors are mounted on a separately indexed, spring loaded connector plate (110) at the fundus of the cavity. A motor-driven linkage operates the peripheral latches (56). |