Quick connect device with transverse release

A device for releasing a connection between an electric plug and a socket connectable to an electrical signal, the socket including (a) a socket body having (b) at least one internal cavity therein, (c) at least one electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical signal and the socket, and (d) a cylinder having an internal ridge, the plug comprising (a) a plug body having (b) at least one electrically conductive ring insertable into the internal cavity of the socket to form an electrical connection between the electrically conductive ring and the electrically conductive contact of the socket, (c) a spindle having a portion insertable into the socket cylinder, (d) one or more balls movable within the insertable portion of the spindle and displaceable radially to be positionable adjacent the internal ridge of the socket when the spindle portion is inserted into the socket, (e) a rod movable within the spindle portion and including one or more recesses positionable in a releasing first position adjacent to the one or more balls, and positionable in a locking second position away from the one or more balls, when the rod is slid axially within the spindle, the balls moveable away from the internal ridge of the socket when the rod is in the first position, the device comprising:

• a conical cam follower connectable to an end of the rod;
• at least one slide support affixed with respect to the plug body;
• a lever supported by and slideable within the at least one slide support, the lever including a conical cam surface corresponding to the cam follower and contactable with the cam follower when the lever is slid within the channel, whereby the lever can be slid to push the cam surface against the cam follower to move the follower and thereby move the rod to position the rod into the first position;
• and
• a biasing element attached to the lever and one of the at least one slide supports to urge the lever into a resting position in which the lever is not pushing the cam follower.

A method of releasing a connection between an electric plug and a socket connectable to an electrical signal, the socket including (a) a socket body having (b) at least one internal cavity therein, (c) at least one electrically conductive contact terminal disposed within the cavity for establishing an electrical connection between the electrical signal and the socket, and (d) a cylinder having an internal ridge, the plug comprising (a) a plug body having (b) at least one electrically conductive ring insertable into the internal cavity of the socket to form an electrical connection between the electrically conductive ring and the electrically conductive contact of the socket, (c) a spindle having a portion insertable into the socket cylinder, (d) one or more balls movable within the insertable portion of the spindle and displaceable radially to be positionable adjacent the internal ridge of the socket when the spindle portion is inserted into the socket, (e) a rod movable within the spindle portion and including one or more recesses positionable in a releasing first position adjacent to the one or more balls, and positionable in a locking second position away from the one or more balls, when the rod is slid axially within the spindle, the balls moveable away from the internal ridge of the socket when the rod is in the first position, the method comprising:

• providing:
• a cam follower connectable to an end of the rod;
• at least one slide support affixed with respect to the plug body;
• and
• a lever supported by and slideable within the at least one slide support, the lever including a cam surface contactable with the cam follower when the lever is slid within the channel, whereby the lever can be slid to push the cam surface against the cam follower to move the follower and thereby move the rod into position the rod in the first position.