An improved connector
AssigneeDmotm Limited
InventorDaniel Peter McElrea
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A connector having a spring configured to change a dimension such as diameter or length in response to a change in force applied to it, wherein the spring is biased in a radial or longitudinal direction towards a natural dimension. The connector including a dimension control portion configured to restrict the change in dimension in a direction away from the bias of the spring.
Claims22
A connector comprising:
- a spring configured to change a dimension such as diameter or length in response to a change in force applied to it, wherein the spring is biased in a radial or longitudinal direction towards a natural dimension;
- and
- a dimension control portion configured to restrict the change in dimension in a direction away from the bias of the spring.
A mechanism for gripping an associated article having an external surface with an outer dimension, said mechanism comprising:
- a sleeve having an open end, said open end configured to receive the outer dimension of the article;
- a spring, said sleeve surrounding at least a portion of an outer surface of said spring;
- the spring having an inner diameter of an at least similar dimension to the outer dimension of said article;
- the spring being configured such that when a force is applied its inner diameter is greater than the outer dimension of the article so that the mechanism can move over the article;
- and
- when the force is no longer applied the spring is biased to return toward its original inner diameter and bear against the external surface of the article.
A mechanism for gripping an associated article having a gripping region, the mechanism comprising:
- a spring having an exterior dimension configured to mate with the gripping region of the article;
- a reinforcement element disposed within said spring;
- the spring configured such that when a force is applied to the spring its outer diameter is less than a dimension of the gripping region of the article;
- and
- when the force is no longer applied to the spring it is biased to return to its original outer diameter to bear against the gripping region of the article.
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Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.