Connector apparatus

A method of connecting to a connector apparatus comprising:

• providing a first connector secured to the connector apparatus, wherein the connector apparatus including a housing and a locking mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing, the housing having a first end and an opposite second end defining a longitudinal axis, the first end configured to couple to a line dispensing device, the housing defining a first channel and a second channel, the locking mechanism including a disc rotatable around a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the disc having a first notch, a second notch, and a radially projecting leg, a first pawl and a second pawl, each pawl including a first arm positioned at a respective channel of the housing and a second arm selectively engageable with the disc, and at least one lock lever pivotably coupled to the housing, and wherein when the first connector is secured to the connector apparatus, the first connector is received within the first channel of the housing and the first notch of the disc such that the disc is rotated in a first position with the first connector disposed at a distal end of the first channel and the disc is rotationally locked with the locking mechanism with the second pawl engaged with the disc and the radially projecting leg is engaged with the at least one lock lever;
• inserting a second connector into the second notch and the second channel so that the second connector actuates the first arm of the second pawl to release the second pawl from engagement with the disc;
• actuating the at least one lock lever to release the radially projecting leg of the disc;
• and
• once the second pawl and the at least one lock lever are disengaged from the disc, rotating the disc towards a second position whereby the second connector moves and secures within a distal end of the second channel via the first pawl and the at least one lock lever while simultaneously the first connector moves and releases from the distal end of the first channel of the housing.

A connector apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a first end and an opposite second end defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the housing defines a first channel and a second channel;
• and
• a locking mechanism disposed at least partially within the housing and configured to secure a first connector to the housing while allowing a second connector to release the first connector and be simultaneously secured to the housing, the locking mechanism including:
• a disc having a first notch, a second notch, and a radially projecting leg, the disc rotatable around a rotation axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis between at least a first position whereby the first notch is aligned with a first opening of the first channel and a second position whereby the second notch is aligned with a second opening of the second channel;
• a first pawl and a second pawl, each pawl having a first arm and a second arm, the first and second pawls oppositely pivotable between at least an engaged position whereby the second arm is engaged with the disc and a disengaged position whereby the second arm is disengaged from the disc;
• and
• at least one lock lever pivotable between at least an unlocked position whereby the at least one lock lever is released from the radially projecting leg and a locked position whereby the at least one lock lever is engaged with the radially projecting leg,
• wherein to release the first connector from the housing and simultaneously secure the second connector to the housing, the second connector is inserted into the second opening and the second notch to engage the first arm of the second pawl and move the second pawl towards the disengaged position, and additionally, the at least one lock lever is actuated towards the unlocked position, thereby allowing the disc to rotate towards the second position.