Connection system

A connection system for releasably connecting a first component and a second component in a first direction parallel to a reference longitudinal axis, the connection system comprising:

• at least one locking device having a geometrically locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein in the geometrically locked configuration the locking device is capable of reversibly geometrically locking together the first component and the second component in a mutually clamped relationship along said first direction, each said locking device comprising at least two linkage elements pivotably mounted to one another about a common clamp axis, and wherein in said geometrically locked configuration said at least two linkage elements are in a respective over-center position;
• and
• an actuator device configured for transitioning said at least one locking device from the geometrically locked configuration to the unlocked configuration by selectively applying to each respective said locking device an unlocking force directly to the respective said linkage elements at the respective common clamp axis, in a second direction parallel to a reference transverse axis, whereby to cause the respective at least two linkage elements to be released from the respective over-center position and into a respective under-center position, and wherein said reference longitudinal axis and said reference transverse axis are non-parallel with respect to one another.