Abstract:
A method and apparatus for a connector according to various aspects of the present invention operates in conjunction with a connector having a surface with a hole defined therethrough and a protruder aligned with the hole. A rotary mover engages the protruder and moves the protruder through the hole according to rotation of the rotary mover.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to methods and apparatus for selectably connecting and disconnecting objects.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Connectors find applications in virtually every aspect of technology, and come in a nearly infinite variety of sizes, shapes, configurations, and levels of complexity. Some connectors permanently fasten objects together, such as rivets and welds, whereas others are releasable to allow the objects to be selectably separated, like clothespins and screw-on caps. In many applications, however, sturdy, small, and quickly realeasable connectors are required. Conventional connectors, such as linear ball lock connectors, may be sturdy, but may not release easily or operate within a confined area. Linear ball lock connectors may also include several parts, contributing weight, cost, and complexity.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A method and apparatus for a connector according to various aspects of the present invention operates in conjunction with a connector having a surface with a hole defined therethrough and a protruder aligned with the hole. A rotary mover engages the protruder and moves the protruder through the hole according to rotation of the rotary mover.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0004]     A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps.  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector according to various aspects of the present invention;  
         [0006]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are an exploded view and a perspective view, respectively, of the connector;  
         [0007]     FIGS.  4 A-B are a cross-section side view and an end view, respectively, of the connector connecting two members; and  
         [0008]     FIGS.  5 A-B are a cross-section side view and an end view, respectively, of the connector releasing the two members. 
     
    
       [0009]     Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]     The present invention is described partly in terms of functional components and various processing steps. Such functional components may be realized by any number of components configured to perform the specified functions and achieve the various results. For example, the present invention may employ various elements, materials, actuators, protruders, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with any number of applications and environments, and the systems described are merely exemplary applications for the invention. Further, the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for manufacturing, assembling, mounting, and the like.  
         [0011]     A connector for selectably connecting and disconnecting may be implemented in conjunction with two or more objects to be connected and disconnected. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a selectably releasing assembly  100  according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a first member  110 , a second member (not shown), a connector  112 , and an actuator  114 . The connector  112  connects the first member  110  to the second member. The actuator  114  controls the operation of the connector  112 . The members may comprise any two objects to be selectably connected. For example, the members may comprise a housing and a cover, a mount and a retaining mechanism, a floor and a machine, a fuselage and a missile, or any other two or more objects. In the present embodiment, the first member  110  comprises a mounting structure, such as a building, airframe, or fuselage, and the second member comprises a retaining system for holding another object or multiple objects in place. When released, the retaining system disconnects from the mounting structure and the retained objects may move.  
         [0012]     The actuator  114  controls the connector  112  to connect or disconnect the members. The actuator  114  may comprise any suitable system for controlling the operation of the connector  112 . For example, in the present embodiment, the actuator  114  comprises a conventional drive device, such as a servo motor, gear/stepper motor, solenoid, or pneumatic cylinder, having a rotating shaft engaging the connector  112 . The actuator  114  may respond to any suitable operation or signal, such as a physical force, electrical signal, optical signal, timer, radio frequency signal, or infrared signal.  
         [0013]     The connector  112  selectably connects and disconnects the members. The connector  112  may comprise any appropriate system for releasably connecting the members. In the present embodiment, the connector  112  responds to the actuator  114  to control the connection or disconnection of the members, and may comprise any suitable system for releasably connecting the members in response to the actuator  114 .  
         [0014]     In one embodiment, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the connector  112  comprises a surface  208  having a hole  212 , a protruder  217  aligned with the hole  212 , and a rotary mover  219  engaging the protruder  217 , wherein the rotary mover  219  moves the protruder  217  through the hole  212  according to rotation of the rotary mover  219 . The members are attached to or otherwise engaged by the surface  208  having the hole  212  and the protruder  217 . For example, the surface  208  having the hole  212  is implemented in an outer shaft  210 . The outer shaft  210  suitably comprises a hollow cylinder formed of a rigid or resilient material having a cylindrical radial surface and two open ends. The outer shaft  210  may also be configured to be mounted on the first member  110 . For example, the present outer shaft  210  includes a cavity or flat  214  for receiving a mounting bolt connected to the first member  110  to inhibit rotation and/or axial movement of the outer shaft  210  relative to the first member  110 . The outer shaft  210  may include any other appropriate features, such as a bearing flange  216  against which the rotary mover  219  may rotate.  
         [0015]     One or more holes  212  are formed in the outer shaft  210  to receive the protruders  217 . Any number of holes  212  may be formed at any suitable position. In the present embodiment, the outer shaft  210  includes two opposing and aligned holes  212  formed near the distal end of the outer shaft  210 . The axial location of the holes  212  may be selected to accommodate the second member between the holes  212  and the proximate end of the outer shaft  210 . In addition, each hole  212  may be sized to accommodate at least a portion of the protruder  217 .  
         [0016]     The protruder  217  moves through the hole  212  formed in the surface  208  and selectably engages the second member. The protruder  217  may comprise any suitable protruder for extending through the hole  212  and engaging the second member, such as a rod, ball, hook, or the like. In the present embodiment, the protruder  217  comprises a ball  218  formed of a hard material, such as a ball bearing. Each ball  218  suitably has a diameter greater than the smallest diameter of the hole  212 , which may be tapered or swaged to retain the ball  218 . Each ball  218  is substantially aligned with one of the holes  212  and may be moved to partially extend through the hole  212  beyond the radial surface of the outer shaft  210  and engage the second member, or withdrawn within the outer shaft  210  so that less or no portion of the ball  218  extends beyond the radial surface  208  of the outer shaft  210 .  
         [0017]     The rotary mover  219  selectably moves the protruder  217  through the holes  212  to connect or disconnect the second member to or from the first member  110 . In the present system, the rotary mover  219  may comprise any suitable system for moving the balls  218  through the holes  212 . For example, the rotary mover  219  may be implemented in conjunction with an inner shaft  220  disposed within the outer shaft  210  such that the balls  218  move according to the rotation of the inner shaft  220  with respect to the outer shaft  210 .  
         [0018]     In the present embodiment, the inner shaft  220  includes an eccentric surface  222  formed near the distal end of the inner shaft  220  and substantially aligned with the balls  218  and holes  212 . The eccentric surface  222  may comprise any suitable surface deviating from a circular surface around the rotating axis of the inner shaft  220  and/or the outer shaft  210 , such as an elliptical surface, an oval surface, flats, or a circular surface having relief cuts. The eccentric surface  222  engages the balls  218  so that when the eccentric surface  222  rotates with respect to the balls  218  and holes  212 , the balls  218  may be alternately forced partially out of the holes  212  or allowed to withdraw from the holes  212  into the outer shaft  210 .  
         [0019]     The inner shaft  220  may further include any suitable features or mechanisms for operating the connector  112 . For example, the inner shaft  220  of the present embodiment includes a coupling  224  at the proximate end for connecting the inner shaft  220  to the actuator  114 . The coupling  224  may comprise any suitable system for transferring movement from the actuator  114  to the inner shaft  220 , such as a permanent or detachable coupling. The inner shaft  220  may also include a second bearing flange  226  against which the first bearing flange  216  may rotate.  
         [0020]     At the distal end, the present inner shaft  220  includes a manual drive slot and/or position indicator  228  comprising a slot formed in the distal end. The slot may receive a flat surface, like a screwdriver, to allow manual adjustment of the inner shaft  220 . The slot also serves as a visual indicator showing the current alignment of the eccentric surface  222  with respect to the outer shaft  210 .  
         [0021]     The connector  112  may comprise any additional items or features for operation. In the present embodiment, the connector  112  includes a fastener, such as a retainer clip  230 , to fasten the outer shaft  210  to the inner shaft  220  to inhibit axial movement. The connector  112  may also include a biasing mechanism, such as a spring, configured to bias the first member  110  away from the second member when the connector  112  disconnects the members.  
         [0022]     Referring to FIGS.  4 A-B and  5 A-B, the connector  112  may be initially configured to lock the first member  110  to the second member  410 . The second member  410  may include a hole slightly larger than the outer diameter of the outer shaft  210  and through which the outer shaft  210  fits. In the locked position, the outer shaft  210  is inserted through the hole in the second member  410 . The inner shaft  220  is then rotated so that the balls  218  are pushed outward by the eccentric surface  222  through the holes  212 . The parts of the balls  218  that extend through the holes  212  secure the second member  410  in position, for example by engaging the side of the second member  410  or a cavity formed in the interior surface of the second member  410  hole that receives the outer shaft  210 . In this position, the position indicator  228  is oriented vertically, indicating that the connector  112  is in the locked position.  
         [0023]     To unlock the connector  112 , a torque is applied to the inner shaft  220 , such as via the coupling  224  or the distal slot, which turns the inner shaft  220  relative to the outer shaft  210 . The inner shaft  220  turns the eccentric surface  222  relative to the balls  218 . As the radius of the eccentric surface  220  under the balls  218  decreases, the balls  218  withdraw into the outer shaft  210 , allowing the second member  410  to slide off the outer shaft  210 . In the unlocked position, the position indicator  228  is oriented horizontally.  
         [0024]     The particular implementations shown and described are illustrative of the invention and its best mode and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, conventional manufacturing, connection, preparation, and other functional aspects of the system may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. Many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.  
         [0025]     The present invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.