US 5,713,691 AGranted

Low force release mechanism for high load latch

OwnerGlenn S. Solberginventor

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Abstract

A latch for a hitch having release mechanism including a pair of parallel oriented cylinders which are disposed to lock together two separable elements of a hitch. The locking cylinders are disposed between the confronting surfaces within portions of the separable hitch elements to receive a compression force across the both of the cylinders when the hitch elements are receiving an tensions so as to separate them. To release the hitch elements while under tension, one of the cylinders is rotated, causing the adjacent, parallel disposed cylinder to rotate in the opposite direction, rolling over the confronting surfaces in the same directions, and eventually out of and releasing the two separable hitch elements. Multiple embodiments are shown which relate to variations in hitch styles, and further embodiments relate to smaller clamping devices, such as hand tools, and to rotational couplers which are releasable while under torque.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An apparatus for selectively locking and releasing first and second objects, comprising:

a first member adapted to be connected to said first object and having a first surface;
a second member adapted to be connected to said second object and movable relative to said first member, and having a second surface substantially confronting said first surface;
and
a first and a second cylindrical elements each having an axis, said first and second cylindrical elements being serially disposed between said first and second surfaces to lock said first and said second members in a selected relative position, wherein
said axes of said first and second cylindrical elements are in substantially parallel alignment,
said first and second surfaces are disposed to apply a compression force to said serially disposed first and second cylindrical elements, respectively, to urge said first and second cylindrical elements together, and wherein
means for oppositely rotating said first and second cylindrical elements about their respective axes to move said first and second cylindrical elements along said first and second surfaces releasing said first and second members, said means for oppositely rotating being connected to at least one of said first and said second members.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/380,855Filed 27 Jan 1995 · continuation in part
Priority: 23 Aug 1993
Granted: 3 Feb 1998
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

B60D 1/04
Traction couplings or hitches characterised by their type: hook or hook-and-hasp couplings
B60D 1/28
Characterised by arrangements for particular functions: for preventing unwanted disengagement, e.g. safety appliances
F16B 2200/69
Constructional details of connections not covered for in other groups of this subclass: redundant disconnection blocking means
Y10T 292/1084
Rigid: closure catch