Connection device

In a connection device for releasably interconnecting two separable members, comprising hook means adapted to be connected to one of the members, a lower component adapted to be connected to the other member, an elongated lever pivotably connected to the lower component, counterhook means connected at one end of the lever and operative for engaging the hook means when the connection device is in a closed position to hold the two members together and operative for disengaging from the hook means when the connection device is in an open position to allow the two members to separate, pivotable means for pivotably connecting the other end of the lever to the lower component and to allow the other end of the lever to move outward away from the lower component when the connection device is moved out of the closed position into the open position and to allow movement of the lever disengaging the hook means and the counterhook means to achieve the open position, snapper means pivotably connected to the other end of the lever, a locking projection extending from the snapper means, a projecting locking member connected to the lower component, the locking projection and the locking member operatively engaging one another to prevent the other end of the lever from moving outward away from the lower component when the locking projection is pivoted into a first position and the connection device is in the closed position, the locking projection and the locking member also operatively disengaging from one another when the locking projection is pivoted to a second position to allow the other end of the lever to move outward from the lower component and the connection device to be moved to the opened position, means for biasing the locking projection toward the first pivotable position, actuator means pivotably connected to the other end of the lever for operatively contacting and pivoting the snapper means to pivot the locking projection to the second pivotable position upon pivoting said actuator means as a result of manual force, and an improvement in combination therewith, comprising:

• means pivotably connecting said snapper means and said actuator means and operative for allowing said locking projection to pivot into the second pivotable position from the first pivotable position independent of pivoting of the actuator means by manual force, the independent pivoting of the locking projection occurring upon moving the lever adjacent to the lower component to place the connection device in the closed position, the biasing means returning the locking projection to the first pivotable position after such independent pivoting movement.