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A quick-connect system for mechanically and electrically connecting two components therebetween. In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical quick-connect is comprised of: a receptacle in the first component; a barrel protruding from the second component; and a lock for locking the barrel inside the

A quick-connect system for mechanically and electrically connecting two components therebetween. In an exemplary embodiment, the mechanical quick-connect is comprised of: a receptacle in the first component; a barrel protruding from the second component; and a lock for locking the barrel inside the receptacle. Electrical connection, such as a coaxial connection, can also be obtained between the barrel and receptacle, while in the locked position by using a pin assembly axially located in the barrel. The lock may comprise a tooth and slot configuration, wherein the tooth is in compressive contact with a spring which compression continuously exerts force on the tooth and causes the end of the tooth to engage to the cam slot on the barrel, thereby locking the barrel inside the receptacle. The barrel may be disengaged with a turn that is less than 180 degrees.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A quick-connect system for mechanically connecting a first component and a second component, wherein the first component and second component are configured to be used with a hearing device the system comprising: a receptacle which is part of the first component; a barrel con

What is claimed is: 1. A quick-connect system for mechanically connecting a first component and a second component, wherein the first component and second component are configured to be used with a hearing device the system comprising: a receptacle which is part of the first component; a barrel connector, which is dimensioned to fit inside said receptacle, said barrel connector is part of the second component; and a lock for locking the barrel inside the receptacle, wherein the lock comprises: a cam slot on the barrel; and a spring-loaded tooth, dimensioned to fit into the cam slot, wherein the spring-loaded tooth is at least partially contained in a spring retaining chamber, which chamber is attached to a side wall of the receptacle; wherein the spring-loaded tooth and spring retaining chamber are positioned to permit the spring-loaded tooth to engage the cam slot after the barrel is inserted into the receptacle, and wherein the cam slot is sized and configured so that when the barrel is twisted between about 45째 and 90째, the barrel is disengaged from the spring-loaded tooth, allowing the barrel to be withdrawn from the receptacle. 2. The quick connect system of claim 1, wherein the first component is an earhook of a hearing aid and the second component is a hearing aid body. 3. The quick-connect system of claim 2, wherein the second component is a Behind-the-Ear (BTE) of a cochlear implant device. 4. A quick-connect system for both mechanically and electrically connecting a first component and second component, wherein the first component and second are to be used with a hearing device the system comprising: a receptacle which is part of the first component; a barrel dimensioned to fit inside said receptacle, said barrel connector is part of the second component; a lock for locking the barrel inside the receptacle, wherein the lock comprises: a cam slot located on the barrel; and a spring-loaded tooth, dimensioned to fit into the cam slot, wherein the spring-loaded tooth is at least partially contained in a spring retaining chamber, which chamber is attached to a side wall of the receptacle; and wherein the spring-loaded tooth and spring retaining chamber are positioned to permit the spring-loaded tooth to engage the cam slot after the barrel is inserted into the receptacle, and wherein the cam slot is sized and configured so that when the barrel is twisted by about 90째 or less, the barrel is disengaged from the spring-loaded tooth, allowing the barrel to be withdrawn from the receptacle; and an electrical coupling between said receptacle and barrel connector. 5. The quick connect system of claim 4, wherein the first component is an earhook of a hearing aid and the second component is a hearing aid body. 6. The quick-connect system of claim 5, wherein the second component is a BTE of a cochlear implant device. 7. The quick-connect system of claim 4, wherein the electrical coupling is a coaxial connection between the barrel and receptacle. 8. The quick-connect system of claim 7, further comprising: a pin contact assembly, having a spring-loaded, contact pin on the anterior end and an end contact on the posterior end, wherein the barrel connecter has an axial channel therethrough, and the pin contact assembly is placed inside said channel; wherein the receptacle includes a receptacle contact pin, insulated from the receptacle wall; and wherein a coaxial connection is made by contacting the barrel wall to the receptacle wall, and contacting the spring-loaded, contact pin to the receptacle contact pin. 9. The quick-connect system of claim 8, wherein the first component is a special earhook and the second component is a BTE of an implantable cochlear stimulator. 10. The quick-connect system of claim 9, wherein the special earhook incorporates a device selected from the group consisting of a telecoil, a microphone, an FM receiver, a speaker and an input plug. 11. A method of electrically and mechanically attaching a first component and a second component wherein the first component and second component are configured to be used with a hearing device comprising: providing a barrel receptacle, said barrel receptacle is part of the first component, and wherein the barrel receptacle includes a spring retaining chamber that is attached to a side wall of the barrel receptacle; providing a barrel connector, said barrel connector is part of the second component; providing a barrel receptacle contact in pin, wherein the barrel receptacle contact pin is part of the barrel receptacle; providing a pin contact assembly including an end contact and a spring-loaded, pin contact, wherein the pin contact assembly is part of the barrel connector, and wherein the spring-loaded, pin contact, is used to contact the barrel receptacle contact pin; inserting the barrel connector into the barrel receptacle; and locking the barrel connector into the barrel receptacle by employing a tooth which fits into a cammed slot, said cammed slot is part of the barrel connector, wherein the tooth is spring-loaded, and the end of the tooth enters through a hole in the spring retaining chamber, and the tooth is in a non-axial orientation with the barrel connector; wherein electrical contact is made between the tooth and barrel connector, said tooth and barrel connector made from conductive material; and wherein electrical contact is made between the spring-loaded, pin contact and the receptacle contact pin, which spring-loaded, pin contact is electrically isolated from the barrel receptacle, thereby providing a coaxial electrical connection. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first component is a special earhook and the second component is a BTE body. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the special earhook incorporates a device selected from the group consisting of a telecoil, a microphone, an FM receiver, and an input plug.