Connectors for towing cable and the like

In a connector for hauling cable, a first mating component including a socket formation aligned for axial reception of and disconnection from a matching projection formation presented by a second mating component in which a surface of engagement of each said socket formation and said projection formation engage in sliding fit, releaseable means for joining said mating components in mating relation including a spring-loaded displaceable means mounted in one of said mating components and extending beyond its surface of engagement and registering within a matching recess in the surface of engagement of the other mating component, means for regulating spring-loading of said displaceable means such that displacement from said recess and disconnection occurs only when tensile load applied to said mating components exceeds compressive force imposed by said regulating means upon said spring-loaded displaceable means, one of said mating components including a hollow body portion in axial alignment with said socket formation and said projection formation, said hollow body portion supporting a swivel head at the end therefore opposed to said mating component, said swivel head including a shaft portion projecting into said hollow body portion in axial alignment therewith learning means presented centrally of said hollow body portion for supporting said shaft portion for rotation therein, and means carried by said shaft portion for securing said shaft portion and said hollow body portion against separation.