Device for releasably securing one unit against a second unit

A device for use in releasably securing one unit against a second unit, said device comprising an elongated member;

• first means adjustably carried on an end of said elongated member remote from the one unit;
• an attaching means carried by said member and having one end thereof extending from a second end of said elongated member nearest the one unit and being adapted to be releasably connected to the one unit, said attaching means having a second end engaging said first means, the latter being adjustable in one direction relative to said elongated member in response to a predetermined pulling force exerted on said attaching means one end;
• and a locking assembly on which said elongated member is mounted for controlled endwise movement, said locking assembly being adapted to be adjustably mounted on the second unit and including friction means movable independently of said elongated member between operative and inoperative positions, said friction means, when in an operative position, engaging said elongated member and allowing endwise movement thereof only in direction away from the first unit, and, when in an inoperative position, allowing endwise movement in either direction, second means engaging said friction means and biasing said friction means into said operative position, and manually actuated means adjustable independently of said elongated member for moving said friction means from an operative position to an inoperative position.