초록 ▼

A quick connect/disconnect coupler has telescoping male and female members which engage along an axial dimension in response to an engaging force. The members are secured in their engaged position by a a pair of springs which mechanically couple to the respective members and limits their relative ax

A quick connect/disconnect coupler has telescoping male and female members which engage along an axial dimension in response to an engaging force. The members are secured in their engaged position by a a pair of springs which mechanically couple to the respective members and limits their relative axial displacement. Upon release of the springs, the members readily disconnect by separating in response to a disengaging force. A method for use is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A telescopic connector adapted to be force responsive comprising;a male member and a female member which are positionable in telescopic relation and configured to provide a gap therebetween sufficient to allow relative axial movement;said female member having a recess in

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A telescopic connector adapted to be force responsive comprising;a male member and a female member which are positionable in telescopic relation and configured to provide a gap therebetween sufficient to allow relative axial movement;said female member having a recess in communication with said gap, the recess having a shoulder portion and a cam portion axially separated from the shoulder portion away from the female member telescoping end;said male member having a pair of notches which are axially separated a distance corresponding to the distance between the female shoulder and cam portions;a positioning device for selectively joining said members to prevent substantially any movement between the said members when in a locked position, but which will not restrict axial movement between the member when in an unlocked position;said positioning device having a pair of engageable spring portions between said members corresponding to and seatable within each of the notches, each of said engageable portions having a thickness which when seated in the corresponding notch will span the gap so to be engageable with the shoulder portion and cam portion of the recess, each of the engageable spring portions having a release finger operable to expand the engageable spring portions away from the male member;the locking position of the positioning device characterized by each engageable spring portion being not expanded and within its corresponding notch; and the unlocked position of the positioning device characterized by each engageable spring portion being expanded and not within its corresponding notch.