Quick connect joint
AssigneeNelson Irrigation Corporation
InventorsMathew L. Zimmerman, Craig B. Nelson, Chad D. Leinweber, Joseph Daniel Sinden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A quick connect joint includes a base with first and second lock receivers on opposite sides of the base, and a connection plate including first and second engagement members engageable with the first and second lock receivers, respectively. The first engagement member is displaceable between a release position and lock position, and the first engagement member is rotatable between an insert position and a connect position. The quick connect joint creates a safe and reliable connection.
Claims25
A quick connect joint for connecting a first part to a second part, the quick connect joint comprising:
- a base securable to the first part, the base including an engaging surface with a T-bar slot defined in the engaging surface, and the base including a tab opening defined by a bracket extending from the engaging surface;
- a connection plate securable to the second part, the connection plate including a tab member engageable with the bracket in the tab opening of the base;
- and
- a cam latch extending through the connection plate, the cam latch including a cam actuator on one side of the connection plate coupled with a T-bar and a T-bar shaft on an opposite side of the connection plate, wherein the T-bar shaft is positionable in the T-bar slot with the T-bar on a side of the base opposite from the engaging surface, and wherein the cam actuator is displaceable between a release position in which the T-bar is disengaged from the base and a lock position in which the T-bar is engaged with the base.
A method of securing a quick connect joint including a base with a T-bar slot and a tab opening, a connection plate with a tab member, and a cam latch extending through the connection plate and including a cam actuator on one side of the connection plate coupled with a T-bar and a T-bar shaft on an opposite side of the connection plate, the method comprising:
- (a) inserting the tab member of the connection plate into the tab opening of the base;
- (b) with the cam latch in a release position, pivoting the connection plate into engagement with the base and inserting the T-bar shaft into the T-bar slot;
- and
- (c) displacing the cam latch from the release position to a lock position to thereby draw the T-bar into engagement with the base.
A quick connect joint comprising:
- a base including first and second lock receivers on opposite sides of the base;
- and
- a connection plate including first and second engagement members engageable with the first and second lock receivers, respectively,
- wherein the first engagement member is displaceable between a release position and lock position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.