Quick release collar

A quick release connector assembly comprising in combination:

• an inner member having a passage extending axially therethrough, a first protrusion on said inner member extending outwardly therefrom in a direction transverse to the axis of said passage, and a plurality of openings in said inner member arranged around and communicating with said passage;
• a rigid element axially received in said passage;
• a plurality of balls, each ball being movably arranged in one of said openings;
• an outer member surrounding said inner member and defining a space therebetween, said outer member having a second protrusion extending inwardly therefrom toward said inner member at a location spaced axially from said first protrusion;
• an intermediate member integrally associated with said outer member and located in the space between said inner and outer members, said outer and intermediate members being axially movable as a unit with respect to said inner member between locked and unlocked positions, said intermediate member having an end portion with a tapered inner surface, said tapered inner surface having a relatively small dimensioned segment which urges said balls inwardly into said passage and against said element in the locked position to thereby prevent axial movement of said element relative to said inner member in one direction while permitting said movement in the opposite direction, and having a relatively large dimensioned segment accommodating movement of said balls out of said passage and away from said element in the unlocked position to thereby permit axial movement of said element relative to said inner member in either of said directions, said end portion being spaced radially from both said inner and outer members along substantially the entire length of said tapered inner surface;
• and
• biasing means positioned between said first and second protrusions for biasing the combination of said outer and intermediate members axially with respect to said inner member toward the locked position.

A quick releaser connector assembly comprising:

• a collar having a collar body with an axially extending passage extending therethrough, a radially outwardly extending first flange on the outer surface of said collar body, and a plurality of radial openings in said collar body communicating with said passage;
• a rigid elongated element axially received in said passage;
• radially movable balls located within the openings in said collar body;
• a sleeve surrounding said collar body and defining a space therebetween, said sleeve including a second flange extending radially inwardly toward said collar body at a location spaced axially from said first flange;
• a tension ring integrally associated with said sleeve body and located in the space between said sleeve and said collar body, said sleeve and said tension ring being axially slidable as a unit with respect to said collar body between a locked position and an unlocked position, said tension ring having an end portion with a tapered inner surface, said tapered inner surface having a relatively small diameter segment which urges said movable balls radially inwardly into said passage and against said element in the locked position to thereby prevent axial movement of said element relative to said collar in one direction while permitting said movement in the opposite direction, and having a relatively large diameter segment accommodating radial movement of said movable balls out of said passage and away from said element in the unlocked position to thereby permit axial movement of said element relative to said collar in either of said directions;
• means for accomodating radial flexure of said end portion relative to said sleeve along at least the entire length of said tapered inner surface;
• and
• biasing means positioned in said space between said first and second flanges for normally biasing said sleeve and said tension ring axially with respect to said collar body toward the locked position.

A quick release connector assembly comprising in combination:

• (a) a rigid elongated element;
• and
• (b) a collar adapted to be removably received on and to be fixed along the length of said element, said collar comprising:
• (i) a cylindrical inner body having a passage extending therethrough for receiving said element, a radially outwardly extending first flange on said inner body, and a plurality of radial openings in said inner body communicating with said passage;
• (ii) radially movable balls located within the openings in said inner body;
• (iii) a sleeve surrounding said inner body and defining a space therebetween, said sleeve including a second flange extending radially inwardly toward said inner body at a location spaced axially from said first flange;
• (iv) a tension ring integrally associated with said sleeve and located in the space between said sleeve and said inner body, said sleeve and said tension ring being axially slidable as a unit with respect to said inner body between a locked position and an unlocked position, said tension ring having an end portion with a tapered inner surface, said tapered inner surface having a relatively small diameter segment which urges said movable balls radially inwardly into said passage and against said element in the locked position to thereby prevent axial movement of said element relative to said collar in one direction while permitting said movement in the opposite direction, and having a relatively large diameter segment accommodating radial movement of said movable balls out of said passage and away from said element in the unlocked position to thereby permit axial movement of said element relative to said collar in either of said directions, said end portion being radially unsupported by both said collar and said sleeve along substantially the entire length of said tapered inner surface;
• and
• biasing means positioned in said space between said first and second flanges for normally biasing said sleeve and said tension ring axially with respect to said inner body toward the locked position.

In a barbell, the combination comprising a bar, at least one weight adapted to fit on said bar, and a quick release collar adapted to be removably fixed on said bar against said weight, said collar comprising:

• a collar body having an axially extending passage extending therethrough for receiving said bar, a radially outwardly extending first flange on the outer surface of said collar body, and a plurality of radial openings in said collar body;
• radially movable balls located within the openings in said collar body;
• a sleeve surrounding said collar body and defining a space therebetween, said sleeve including a second flange extending radially inwardly toward said collar body at a location spaced axially from said first flange;
• a tension ring integrally associated with said sleeve and located in the space between said sleeve and said collar body, said sleeve and said tension ring being axially slidable as a unit with respect to said collar body between a locked position and an unlocked position, said tension ring having a tapered interior surface terminating at an inner end of said sleeve, said tapered interior surface having a relatively small dimensioned portion which urges said movable balls radially inwardly into said passage and against said bar in the locked position, and having a relatively large dimensioned portion accommodating radial movement of said movable balls out of said passage and away from said bar in the unlocked position;
• and
• biasing means positioned in said space between said first and second flanges for normally biasing said sleeve and said tension ring axially with respect to said collar body toward the locked position, the inner end of said tension ring and said first flange being coactively engageable to limit the extent of movement of said sleeve and said tension ring toward the locked position.