Method and apparatus for releasably connecting first and second objects

A method for releasing first and second objects connected by apparatus which comprises:

• at least one elongated pin member a proximal end of which is fixedly attached to said first object and the distal end of which projects therefrom into a corresponding hole provided on said second object;
• latch means carried by said pin member radially movable, relative to the central axis of said pin member, from an expanded position engageable with a surface surrounding said hole preventing withdrawal of said pin member from said hole to a retracted position in which said latch means would be totally encompassed by the perimeter of said hole;
• allowing withdrawal of said pin member from said hole, and plunger means carried by said pin member and axially movable between a first position engaging and locking said latch means in said expanded position and a second position permitting movement of said latch means to said retracted position;
• said method including the step of moving magnetic end effector means into engagement with said first object to effect movement of said plunger means from said first position to said second position, to release said first object from said second object, wherein,
• said plunger member, when in said first position, projects for engagement by said magnetic end effector means as it moves into engagement with said first object to force said plunger means, in a direction away from said magnetic end effector means, from said first position to said second position to allow said release of said first object from said second object.

A method of connecting, by latching means and magnetic effector means, first and second objects;

• the first object having a magnetically attractable mating surface;
• the latching means being fixed with respect to first object and being capable of both a latched and an unlatched configuration with respect to the second object;
• the latching means having a connecting portion capable of extending from a portion of the first object to a portion of the second object and also having a protruding portion extending beyond, and being biased outwardly from, first object when in the latched configuration;
• the latching means being in unlatched configuration when the protruding portion is depressed against the bias a sufficient distance inwardly toward the first object;
• the second object having a receiving portion adapted for receiving the connecting portion of latching means;
• the magnetic effector having an electromagnet, comprising the steps:
• a) moving the magnetic effector into contact with the mating surface of the first object, thereby depressing protruding portion of latching means against the bias and placing latching means in the unlatched configuration;
• b) activating electromagnet of magnetic effector which acts by magnetic force of attraction on the mating surface of first object to attach the first object to the magnetic end effector;
• c) moving the magnetic end effector with attached first object so as to engage the connecting portion of latching means with the receiving portion of second object;
• d) deactivating the electromagnet of magnetic end effector to detach first object from the magnetic end effector;
• e) moving the magnetic end effector away from mating surface of first object sufficient distance to allow protruding portion of latching means to move with bias away from the mating surface and thus placing latching means in latched configuration with respect to second object.

A method of disconnecting, by latching means and magnetic effector means, a first from a second object;

• the first object having a magnetically attractable mating surface;
• the latching means being fixed with respect to first object and being capable of both a latched and an unlatched configuration with respect to second object;
• the latching means having a connecting portion capable of extending from a portion of first object to a portion of second object and also having a protruding portion extending beyond, and being biased outwardly from, first object when in the latched configuration;
• the latching means being in unlatched configuration when the protruding portion is depressed against the bias a sufficient distance inwardly toward the first object;
• the second object having a receiving portion adapted for receiving the connecting portion of latching means;
• the magnetic effector having an electromagnet, comprising the steps:
• a) moving the magnetic effector into contact with the mating surface of the first object, thereby depressing protruding portion of latching means against the bias and placing latching means in the unlatched configuration;
• b) activating electromagnet of magnetic effector which acts by magnetic force of attraction on the mating surface of first object to attach the first object to the magnetic effector;
• c) moving the magnetic effector and attached first object away from second object thereby removing connecting portion of latching means from receiving portion of second object.