International Business Machines Corporation
Couplings with engagement monitor

Abstract:

A coupling that includes a female coupling member having at least one electrically conductive ring on an inner mating surface; a male coupling member having at least one electrically conductive ring on an outer mating surface, the outer mating surface sized to fit within the inner mating surface of the female coupling member; and wherein when the male coupling member is inserted into the female coupling member, alignment of the at least one electrically conductive ring of the female coupling member with the at least one electrically conductive ring of the male coupling member indicates whether the female coupling member and the male coupling member are fully engaged.