Patent ID: 6530718
Filing Date: 2003-03-11
Classification: B64G,F16B

Abstract:
A separable connector assembly comprising:a first fastener half having a threaded end having a selected thread geometry including a selected thread pitch diameter, thread lead angle, and helix angle; a hollow housing having a cylindrical wall with a specific thickness; a second fastener half rotatably mounted within said hollow housing, said second fastener half threadably engagable with said threaded end of said first fastener half; first means for releasably restraining said rotatably supported second fastener half from rotating, said first means comprising: said cylindrical wall having a plurality of rectangular slots; a plurality of cylindrical rollers movably mounted in said slots, said rollers having a diameter greater than said thickness of said cylindrical wall of said housing; said second fastener half having a plurality of cylindrical grooves having a depth less than the diameter of said cylindrical rollers, said grooves alignable with said slots in said second fastener half; a wrap spring having first and second ends wound about said cylindrical wall of said housing movable from a first position such that it engages said rollers forcing said rollers into said grooves locking said body to said cylindrical wall of said housing, when said grooves are aligned with said slots to said a second position allowing said rollers to move out of said slots in said body; second means to wind said spring about said cylindrical wall of said housing such that spring is moved from said second position to said first position, said second means comprising a first ring mounted to said housing; a second ring rotatably mounted to said housing coupled to said second end of said wrap spring for moving said wrap spring from said second position to said first position; locking means for locking said first and second rings together after said second ring has been rotated such that said wrap spring is in said first position; and third means coupled to said second end of said wrap spring to release said spring when in said first position such that when said third means releases said spring, said spring can move to said second position; and fourth means for restraining said threaded end of said first fastener half from rotating; and fifth means for applying a selected tensile load to said first fastener half; wherein with said first fastener half and said second fastener half are engaged to form a connection, and with a tensile load applied to said first fastener half causing the connection to be strained, the selected thread geometry causes the tensile load to be resolved as a torque applied to said second fastener half sufficient to cause said second fastener half to rotate when released, allowing said threaded end to translate out of engagement with said rotatably supported second fastener half when said first and third means releases said second fastener half allowing said connection to separate.