Patent ID: 11898591
Assignee: MAKE IDEAS, LLC
Field: Mechanical elements (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC F  A | IPC A  F

Claim 10:
11. A releasable coupling device, comprising:
(a) an elongated body with an aperture, penetrating transversely through the elongated body, disposed at a distal end thereof and having an opening to a side of the elongated body in a direction generally perpendicular to a primary axis of the elongated body, wherein the aperture and the distal end of the elongated body define a hook; and
(b) a structural retaining sleeve system including a sleeve, wherein the sleeve has an open distal end with slots opening toward the distal end, and wherein the sleeve fits around the elongated body and is longitudinally adjustable between a closed position, wherein the sleeve is disposed around the hook, the slots are transversely aligned with the aperture, and a covering portion of the sleeve fully covers the opening to the aperture in the side of the elongated body, and an open position, wherein the sleeve is retracted to uncover the opening to the aperture in the side of the elongated body;
(c) wherein, in the closed position, a track is defined by the aperture and the slots such that when viewed from a side, the track includes at least two distinct regions or lobes, each defining a respective primary ring retention area, that are separated by a step or protrusion;
(d) wherein an attachment may be inserted into the aperture while the sleeve is in the open position but retained in the track while the sleeve is in the closed position; and
(e) wherein, while retained in the track while the sleeve is in the closed position, the attachment tends to remain in a particular one of the at least two distinct regions or lobes thereof with the step or protrusion providing a physical obstacle to the attachment moving from the particular one of at least two through-hole regions or lobes to another of the at least two through-hole regions or lobes.