# US 10,441,120 B1 · Universal connecting members > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,120 B1 - Document ID: US10441120B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/098,732 - Filed: 2011-05-02 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2010-04-30 - Assignees: Unger Marketing International, LLC - Applicants: Anthony Sgroi, Jr.; David Quinlan - Inventors: Anthony Sgroi, Jr.; David Quinlan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441120B1 ## CPC - A47L 1/06: Hand implements (with built-in electric motors A47L1/05) - A47L 13/11: Squeegees - A47L 13/42: Details - B25G 1/04: telescopic; extensible; sectional - B25G 3/04: with detachable or separate socket pieces (B25G3/12 takes precedence) - B25G 3/18: comprising catches or pawls - B25G 3/30: comprising screwed sockets or tangs - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - B25G: HANDLES FOR HAND IMPLEMENTS (attaching the blades or the like to handles of hand tools for soil working A01B1/22; handles of hand implements for harvesting A01D1/14; handles integral with brushware A46B) ## Abstract Connecting members for the attachment of implements and handles are provided. The connecting member includes two inter-related flexure members that allow the selective locking and unlocking of the connecting member from an implement. The two flexure members are configured to work in combination so that each flexure member can contribute to a combined optimal biasing force. The combination of the two flexure members allows for the reduction of stress on each flexure member thereby resisting permanent deformation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A connecting member for releasably securing an implement, comprising: a body; a handle locking connector on the body to secure said body to a handle; and an implement locking connector on the body, said implement locking connector being movable among a normal position releasably securing the implement to said body, a partially depressed position, and a fully depressed position unsecuring the implement from said body, said implement locking connector comprising a first flexure member and a second flexure member, wherein only said first flexure member flexes in said partially depressed position, and wherein said first flexure member flexes said second flexure member in said fully depressed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connecting member of claim 1, wherein said second flexure member, when said implement locking connector is in said normal position, is spaced a first distance from said first flexure member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The connecting member of claim 2, wherein said second flexure member, when said implement locking connector is in said normal position, is spaced a second distance from an inner surface of said body opposite said first flexure member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The connecting member of claim 2, wherein said second flexure member, when said implement locking connector is moved past said first distance, is displaced by direct contact of said first flexure member on said second flexure member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The connecting member of claim 3, wherein said first flexure member has a first portion of travel equal to said first distance before said first flexure member contacts said second flexure member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The connecting member of claim 3, wherein said second flexure member, when said implement locking connector is in said fully depressed position, is displaced said second distance such that said inner surface acts as a travel stop. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The connecting member of claim 5, wherein said first portion of travel is not sufficient to allow said body to be removed from the implement merely by movement of said first flexure member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The connecting member of claim 1, further comprising a locking protrusion formed on said first flexure member, said locking protrusion being configured to mate with the implement when in said normal position and being configured to not mate with the implement when in said fully depressed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connecting member of claim 8, wherein said first flexure member further comprises a releasing member integrated thereon, said releasing member being longitudinally offset from said locking protrusion a distance sufficient to ensure that said releasing member is not obscured or covered by the implement when said locking protrusion is mated with the implement. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The connecting member of claim 1, wherein said first and second flexure members are integrally molded with said body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The connecting member of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional implement locking connector for releasably securing the implement to said body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The connecting member of claim 11, wherein said at least one additional implement locking connector comprises a connector selected from the group consisting of a threaded connection and a press-fit connection. ### Claim 13 A connecting member for releasably securing an implement, comprising: a body; and an implement locking connector on the body, said implement locking connector being movable among a normal position releasably securing the implement to said body, a partially depressed position, and a fully depressed position unsecuring the implement from said body, said implement locking connector comprising a first flexure member and a second flexure member, said first and second flexure members contacting one another in at least said partially depressed position, wherein said first flexure member is formed by a first cutout or relief that extends through an outer wall of said body and around sides of said first flexure member to form a first cantilever beam having a first remaining wall, and wherein said second flexure member is formed in an interior of said body by a second cutout or relief that extends through said body and around sides of said second flexure member to form a second cantilever beam having a second remaining wall. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The connecting member of claim 13, wherein said first and second remaining walls are formed facing opposite ends of said body so that said first and second flexure members extend in opposite directions to one another. ### Claim 15 A connecting member for releasably securing an implement, comprising: a body; and an implement locking connector on the body, said implement locking connector being movable between a normal position releasably securing the implement to said body and a fully depressed position unsecuring the implement from said body, said implement locking connector comprising a first flexure member and a second flexure member, said first flexure member being formed by a first cutout or relief that extends through an outer wall of said body and around sides of said first flexure member to form a first cantilever beam having a first remaining wall, said second flexure member being formed in an interior of said body by a second cutout or relief that extends through said body and around sides of said second flexure member to form a second cantilever beam having a second remaining wall. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The connecting member of claim 15, further comprising a handle locking connector on the body to secure said body to a handle. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The connecting member of claim 15, wherein said second flexure member, when said implement locking connector is in said normal position, is spaced a first distance from said first flexure member and is spaced a second distance from an inner surface of said body opposite said first flexure member. ### Claim 18 A connecting member for releasably securing an implement, comprising: a body; and an implement locking connector on the body, said implement locking connector being movable between a normal position releasably securing the implement to said body and a fully depressed position unsecuring the implement from said body, said implement locking connector comprising a first flexure member and a second flexure member, said first flexure member being formed by a first cutout or relief that extends through an outer wall of said body and around sides of said first flexure member to form a first cantilever beam having a first remaining wall, said second flexure member being formed in an interior of said body by a second cutout or relief that extends through said body and around sides of said second flexure member to form a second cantilever beam having a second remaining wall, wherein said first and second remaining walls are formed facing opposite ends of said body so that said first and second flexure members extend in opposite directions to one another.