Quick-release endoscopic coupling assembly

A quick-release coupling assembly for an endoscopic ocular having a proximal end, said assembly comprising:

• a coupler seat having a longitudinal ocular mounting surface with an aperture and an axis passing through said aperture;
• at least one semi-circular stationary guidewall extending outwardly from said coupler seat and radially spaced from said aperture, said guidewall at least partially encircling said aperture and defining at least a portion of an alignment recess adjacent said mounting surface for receiving the proximal end of an endoscopic ocular;
• and
• a coupler blade member reciprocable relative to said seat and parallel to said axis, said blade further comprising at least one gripping jaw having an inner tab extending outwardly from said mounting surface, a retainer flange, attached to said tab and extending radially inwardly therefrom, and an engagement surface associated with said flange said blade having an engagement position wherein said gripping jaw may engage and grip the proximal end of an endoscopic ocular situated within said alignment recess, and a release position wherein said engagement surface is reciprocated to a position substantially outside of said alignment recess.

A quick-release coupling assembly for an endoscopic ocular having a generally circular eyepiece with an angled attachment surface, said assembly comprising:

• a coupler seat having an ocular mounting surface with an aperture and a longitudinal axis passing through said aperture along said mounting surface, said seat comprising a substantially skeletal arrangement having a plurality of radially extending spoke-like elements;
• at least one stationary guidewall extending outwardly from said coupler seat and radially spaced from said aperture, said guidewall at least partially encircling said aperture and defining at least a portion of an alignment recess adjacent said mounting surface for preliminarily aligning an endoscopic eyepiece to be coupled;
• and
• a coupler blade member reciprocably mounted relative to said seat for selective movement parallel to said axis, said blade further comprising a pair of spaced eyepiece gripping jaws, each said jaw having an inner tab extending outwardly from said blade member and away from said mounting surface, a retainer flange having proximal and distal ends and being attached at its proximal end to said tab and extending radially inwardly therefrom toward said aperture, and an eyepiece engagement surface located adjacent said distal end of said flange, said blade having an engagement position wherein said gripping jaws may engage and grip the proximal end of an endoscopic ocular situated within said alignment recess, and a release position wherein said engagement surfaces of said jaws are reciprocated to a position outside of said alignment recess.