Quick-release track fastener

A track fastener assembly for use with a locking track of the type used to secure a seat or cargo apparatus to the floor of a vehicle, upper walls of said locking track defining a longitudinally-extending slot therein, upper walls of the slot having regularly spaced-apart enlarged openings along the length thereof separated by relatively narrower track segments defining locking segments, said track fastener assembly comprising:

• (a) an elongated base having forward and aft ends and including attachment means for attachment to a seat or cargo apparatus, said base having a longitudinal slot formed therein, at least one ramp disposed on an upper surface of said base adjacent a forward end of said longitudinal slot, and at least one downwardly-protruding track stop for engaging said enlarged openings of said track;
• (b) a slide movably attached to said base, said slide including a bottom portion defining a rail which is received in said longitudinal slot of said base, a pair of shoulders adjacent said rail, and an upper surface defining a channel;
• (c) at least one upstanding pin disposed in said channel;
• (d) at least one locking stud having an enlarged head attached to said rail of said slide;
• and
• (f) a locking rod having forward and aft ends and a helical groove formed in its outer surface, said locking rod being received in said channel such that said helical groove engages said pin, said forward end of said locking rod being rotatably attached to said base;
• wherein rotation of said locking rod causes said slide and said at least one attached locking stud to move axially along said longitudinal slot from an installation position near said aft end of said base to a locked position spaced away from said aft end of said base, and wherein said shoulders of said slide engage said ramp thereby deflecting said slide upwards in said locked position.