Patent · US Expired

Releasable connector apparatus

US4684285A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
10References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 21, 1986
Grant dateAug 4, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 21, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T403/61
  • WIPO fieldMechanical elements
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention provides a releasable connector comprising a male part presenting four mutually inclined faces forming a tetrahedral wedge, and a female part presenting three walls for mating with the faces of the male part when the male part is inserted therein. A locking device is mounted on one of the two parts and applies a locking force, urging the wedge into intimate contact with the female part to lock the male part in position. The locking means is movable to a release position in which it frees the male part for insertion and withdrawal in a direction transverse to the face. The mutual inclinations of the three faces are sufficient to avoid jamming of the connector.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.