Releasable bi-directional connector
AssigneeWorth, Inc.
InventorConrad Bluma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bi-directional releasable connector includes a connecting link defining a main tension leg and a pair of looped ends, the connecting link engaging a pair of spring-biased plungers axially movable independently of one another inside an outer housing. Axially outward movement of the plungers under the bias of the spring is limited by stops in the housing engaged by the plungers. Either end may be selectively opened and, in the static position with both ends closed, oppositely directed axial loads on the ends of the connector link are borne by the tension leg which is preferably made of steel or other high tensile strength material. Axial loads on the connector impose no loads or forces on the remaining components.
Claims24
A releasable connector comprising:
- a housing having axially aligned opposite open ends;
- a connector link having a main tension leg extending through the housing and movable along an axis generally parallel to the axis of the housing ends, a return loop extending from each end of the tension leg, said loops having opposite spaced free ends;
- a pair of axially spaced plungers slidably mounted in opposite ends of the housing and secured therein for limited axial movement parallel to the tension leg between respective end stops in the housing;
- and,
- a bias spring mounted in the housing between the plungers and biasing the plungers against the end stops and engaging the free ends of the loops in a static position, each of the free ends of the loops being selectively axially movable against the bias of the spring to release a selected free end of the loops from engagement and to free said end for connection.
A two-ended releasable connector for connecting, holding and selectively releasing closed loop items, comprising:
- a connector link having a straight tension leg, a U-shaped looped return on each end of the tension leg, the looped returns having opposed spaced free ends;
- a housing for the connector link having opposite ends carrying a pair of plungers each held in the housing for limited axial movement with respect to the connector link and the housing, the plungers engaging the tension leg and the free ends of the connector link in a static closed position;
- and
- a bias spring in the housing extending between the plungers and holding the connector link in the closed position, the spring being compressible in response to a selective axial movement of the connector link and one of the plungers to expose one of the free ends for connection.
A releasable connector comprising:
- a housing having open opposite ends;
- a pair of plungers slidably mounted for limited axial movement between end stops at the opposite ends of the housing;
- a connector link having a tension leg extending through the housing and having looped return ends extending outside the housing, the return ends having axially spaced free ends extending into engagement with the plungers in a static closed position;
- and
- a bias spring in the housing between the plungers and biasing the plungers into contact with the end stops in the static closed position, the connector link being selectively axially movable with respect to one of the plungers against the bias of the spring to release a selected one of the free ends from engagement with its associated plunger and to move the free end axially beyond the one end of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.