Limited pivot quick connect

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11006736-B2
Application number	US-201916536585-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 9, 2019
Priority date	Aug 9, 2019
Publication date	May 18, 2021
Grant date	May 18, 2021

Abstract

A quick connect is provided to releasably connect two objects while allowing a limited pivot motion between the two connected objects.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for releasably connecting two objects while allowing a limited pivoting motion between the two connected objects, the apparatus comprising:
a first connector configured to be secured to a first object, the first connector comprising:
a first frame including a wall, a shaft fixed on the wall and extending outwardly from a side of the wall, a head on the shaft and spaced from the wall, the head defining at least one shoulder surface extending radially outwardly from the shaft and facing the wall; and
a latch handle mounted to the frame to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the wall extending between the latch handle and the shaft, the latch handle biased toward the engaged position; and
a latch post fixed on the handle and extending from a side of the handle facing the wall, the latch post extending past the side of the wall at a location spaced from the shaft with the latch handle in the engaged position; and

a second connector configured to be secured to a second object, the second connector comprising:
a second frame including:
a socket configured to receive the head while allowing the head to rotate within the socket, a portion of the second frame extending between the at least one shoulder surface with the head received in the socket to connect the first connector to the second connector; and
an arcuate catch surface spaced from the socket and extending between two circumferentially spaced stop surfaces, the arcuate catch surface located to engage the latch post with the head received in the socket and the latch handle in the engaged position to restrict movement of the head out of the socket while allowing the head to rotate in the socket and the first connector to pivot relative to the second connector, the stop surfaces located to engage the latch post to limit the pivoting motion of the first connector relative to the second connector with the head received in the socket and the latch handle in the engaged position, the catch surface located to not engage the latch post with head received in the socket and the latch handle in the disengaged position to allow the head to be removed from the socket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the latch post and the second frame comprise a cam surface configured to engage the other of the latch post and the second frame to force the latch handle to move toward the disengaged position as the head is inserted into the socket.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch post and the second frame includes mating cam surfaces that engage each other to force the latch handle to move toward the disengaged position as the head is inserted into the socket.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch handle is mounted to the first frame to pivot between the engaged and disengaged positions.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shaft is a cylindrical shaft, the head comprises an annular rib extending outwardly from the shaft to define a cylindrical outermost perimeter of the head, and the at least one shoulder surface is an annular surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the socket includes a pair of spaced channels extending parallel to each other and sized to receive portions of the annular rib extending on opposite sides of the shaft.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the socket further includes an arcuate stop surface extending between the channels to engage the outermost perimeter of the head.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch post extends through an opening in the wall with the latch handle in the engaged position.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catch surface and the stop surfaces are located in an accurate shaped recess in the second frame.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch handle is located within a recess formed in the first frame.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the latch handle and the latch post are defined by one continuous piece of material.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first frame is defined by one continuous piece of material.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the first frame comprises a mount structure for fixing the first object to the first connector; and
the second connector further comprises a retainer mounted to the second frame to allow at least a portion of the second object to be inserted between the retainer and the second frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:
the mount structure comprises a plurality of fastener receiving openings extending through the first frame;
the retainer is mounted to the second frame to pivot between an open position wherein at least a portion of the second object can be inserted between the retainer and the second frame and a closed position wherein the at least a portion of the second object is sandwiched between the second frame and the retainer; and
the second connector further comprises a retainer lock extending between the retainer and the second frame to lock the retainer in the closed position.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising the first and second objects; and wherein the first object is a tool pouch fixed to the mount structure by a plurality of fasteners and the second object is a belt having a portion trapped between the retainer and the second frame.

16. A tool belt system that allows a tool pouch to be releasably connected to a belt while allowing limited pivoting movement of the tool pouch relative to the belt, the system comprising:
a first connector;
a second connector releasably connectable with the first connector;
a tool pouch secured to one of the first connector and the second connector; and
a belt secured to the other of the first connector and the second connector;

wherein:
the first connector comprises:
a first frame including a wall, a shaft fixed on the wall and extending outwardly from a side of the wall, a head on the shaft and spaced from the wall, the head defining at least one shoulder surface extending radially outwardly from the shaft and facing the wall;
a latch handle mounted to the frame to move between an engaged position and a disengaged position with the wall extending between the latch handle and the shaft, the latch handle biased toward the engaged position; and
a latch post fixed on the handle and extending from a side of the handle facing the wall, the latch post extending past the side of the wall at a location spaced from the shaft with the latch handle in the engaged position; and

the second connector comprises:
a second frame including:
a socket configured to receive the head while allowing the head to rotate within the socket, a portion of the second frame extending between the at least one shoulder surface with the head received in the socket to connect the first connector to the second connector; and
an arcuate catch surface spaced from the socket and extending between two circumferentially spaced stop surfaces, the arcuate catch surface located to engage the latch post with the head received in the socket and the latch handle in the engaged position to restrict movement of the head out of the socket while allowing the head to rotate in the socket and the first connector to pivot relative to the second connector, the stop surfaces located to engage the latch post to limit the pivoting motion of the first connector relative to the second connector with head received in the socket and the latch handle in the engaged position, the catch surface located to not engage the latch post with the head received in the socket and the latch handle in the dis

Assignees

• Klein Tools Inc

Inventors

• Rabisse Jean H
• Kargenian John H

Classifications

• A45F5/1575

  Holders or carriers for portable tools · CPC title

• A45F2005/026

  with a pin having an enlarged head detachably connected to a fastening device, e.g. to a pin receiving slot · CPC title

• A45F3/14 Primary

  Carrying-straps; Pack-carrying harnesses · CPC title

• F16B2/02

  Clamps, i.e. with gripping action effected by positive means other than the inherent resistance to deformation of the material of the fastening · CPC title

• A45F2003/144

  Pack-carrying waist or torso belts · CPC title