Docking system
US8333347B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2012 |
| Grant date | Dec 18, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/591
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
For each capture mechanism of a plurality of three capture mechanisms, a necked coupling element received by a corresponding socket slides therealong and engages a corresponding latch lever biased in an open position and rotates the latch lever to a closed position as the necked coupling element is slid within the socket towards a bottom thereof. A latch locked biased against the latch lever engages a notch in the latch lever when the latch lever is closed so as to latch the latch lever in the closed position and thereby capture the necked coupling element within the socket. The latch lever is unlatched by releasing the latch lock from engagement with the latch. Different latch levers incorporate different shaped surfaces that engage different corresponding necked coupling elements captured thereby so as to provide for respectively constraining in one, two and three degrees-of-freedom, respectively.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.