Coupling Systems Having Repeatable Positioning Precision

Coupling systems that each include a pivot connector set and a locking connector set. First and second parts of each coupling system are coupled to one another by engaging components of the pivot connector set with one another and then at least one of the first and second parts is pivoted relative to the other of the first and second parts so as to engage components of the locking connector set with one another. In some embodiments, a coupling system of the present disclosure may be deployed with a pair of hot shoe connectors, with a pivoting action of the coupling system providing a straight-in type engagement of the hot shoe connectors with one another.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of precision coupling systems. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to coupling systems having repeatable positioning precision.

BACKGROUND

Coupling systems for coupling together various devices are used in many settings. For example, in militaries, various auxiliary devices, such as position & orientation units and optical scopes and lasers, etc., that require highly precise alignment need to be coupled to imaging devices, rifles, other firearms, etc. Various tactical rail systems for firearms, such as the 1913 Picatinny rail system, among others, have been developed and deployed for allowing users to quickly attach such and other auxiliary devices. However, these rail systems do not always provide the repeatable precision desired/needed for mounting these devices without the need to make any field adjustment. Device-specific, custom, mounts can be used in the alternative. However, such custom mounts typically are not easily field serviceable and can be prone to damage and/or fouling in the field from environmental conditions, such as mud, soil, and sand, among others.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a coupling system for removably coupling first and second objects to one another. The coupling system includes a a first coupling part corresponding to the first object; and a second coupling part corresponding to the second object and designed and configured to engage the second coupling part and to couple with the first coupling part so as to removably couple the first and second objects to one another when the first and second objects are present; wherein: the first and second coupling parts include a pivot connector set and a locking connector set spaced from the pivot connector set along a separation axis extending between the pivot connector set and the locking connector set when the first and second coupling parts are coupled with one another; the pivot connector set includes a first head and a first receiver located, respectively, on differing ones of the first and second coupling parts, the first receiver including: a head-receiving region for receiving the first head therethrough when the first head is first engaged with the first receiver; and a head-capture region for capturing the first head in the first receiver after the first head has been engaged with the head-receiving region; the locking connector set includes: a second head and a second receiver located, respectively, on differing ones of the first and second coupling parts, wherein the second head is engageable with the second receiver when the first head of the pivot connector set is engaged with the head-capture region of the first receiver; and a locking mechanism for locking the second head in the second receiver when the first head is captured in the head-capture region of the first receiver and the second head is in the second receiver.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a hot-shoe assembly for communicating electrical signals between a first and a second objects. The hot-shoe assembly includes a first hot-shoe connector designed and configured to be operationally engaged by a second hot-shoe connector having a first set of electrical contacts, the first hot-shoe connector including: a body; and a second set of electrical contacts fixedly located on the body; a swappable component removably coupled to the body and including: a third set of electrical contacts for contactingly engaging the first set of electrical contacts when the first and second hot-shoe connectors are coupled with one another; and a fourth set of electrical contacts in electrical communications with the third set of electrical contacts and contacting the second set of electrical contacts; and a securement means removably securing the swappable component to the body.

In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a coupling system for removably coupling first and second objects to one another. The coupling system includes a first coupling part designed and configured to be mechanically coupled to a second coupling part, wherein the first and second coupling parts are configured to be deployed, respectively, on the first and second objects and the first coupling part includes: a body; at least one first coupling component engaged with the body and designed and configured to cooperate with at least one second coupling component located on the second coupling part so as to removable mechanically fix the first and second coupling parts together; and a hot-shoe assembly for communicating electrical signals between the first and second objects, the hot-shoe assembly including: a first hot-shoe connector designed and configured to be operationally engaged by a second hot-shoe connector having a first set of electrical contacts, the first hot-shoe connector including a second set of electrical contacts fixedly located on the body; a swappable component removably coupled to the body and including: a third set of electrical contacts for contactingly engaging the first set of electrical contacts when the first and second hot-shoe connectors are coupled with one another; and a fourth set of electrical contacts in electrical communications with the third set of electrical contacts and contacting the second set of electrical contacts; and a securing means removably securing the swappable passthrough insert to the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the follow description, the terms “upper” and “lower”, and any like positional terms, as well as “horizontal” and “vertical”, and any like directional terms, applied to elements or features depicted in the figures, refer only to positions and directions relative to the relevant figures(s) and not positions and directions relative to any other frame of reference. Similarly, terms such as “first” and “second” used with descriptors of like elements of disclosed and claimed embodiments do not denote any particular order, preference, etc., of the elements, but rather are used only for convenience to identify that there are multiple instances of such elements.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term “about”, when used with a corresponding numeric value, refers to ±20% of the numeric value, typically ±10% of the numeric value, often ±5% of the numeric value, and more often ±2% of the numeric value. In some embodiments, the term “about” can mean the numeric value itself.

Overview

In some aspects, the present disclosure is directed to coupling systems, including coupling systems that have repeatable highly precise positioning as between the coupling parts of the coupling systems and, therefore, the objects that the coupling systems couple to one another. In some embodiments, coupling systems of the present disclosure may be considered to be ruggedized, meaning that they include features that allow them to function in harsh environments, such as military field deployments, and, in some cases, allow them to be readily field serviceable so that parts prone to damage can be easily replaced by the field users.

Repeatable position precision is extremely important in certain applications. For example, a relatively small position and orientation (P&O) unit, which typically comprises a global positioning system (GPS) device and an inertial measurement unit (IN/U), can be attached to a pair of binoculars or other imaging device to create a targeting assembly that can be used to precisely identify a military target for neutralizing. Because of the relatively large distances between the targeting assembly and the target in this type of scenario, the optical axis of the image device and the local coordinate system of the P&O unit need to be precisely aligned with one another to provide the greatest targeting accuracy. As those skilled in the art can readily envision, even a fraction of a degree in misalignment in any one of the azimuth, pitch, and roll directions can result in several to tens of meters of error in the determined position of the target. Moreover, once a targeting assembly has been calibrated, it is important that the calibrated position of the P&O unit relative to the imaging device be repeatable each time the P&O unit is re-coupled to the imaging device. Other examples where high-precision and repeatable position for calibrated assemblies include, but are not limited to optical sighting scopes and laser sites for firearms and other armaments, among others.

In some aspects, the present disclosure is directed to hot-shoe couplings that include swappable components that users can readily change out for the same type of component or a different type of component, depending on the application at issue. Like some object-coupling systems of this disclosure, hot-shoe couplings of the present disclosure may also be highly ruggedized and readily field serviceable.

In some aspects, the present disclosure is directed to combinations that each include an object-coupling system of the present disclosure with a hot-shoe coupling, including a hot-shoe coupling made in accordance with the present disclosure, among others. These and other aspects are described in detail in the examples below.

Referring now to the drawings,FIG.1generally illustrates an example coupling system100that is made in accordance with various aspect of the present disclosure and is shown in the presence of two objects104and108that the coupling system is coupling together. As alluded to above, the two objects104and108can be any two objects that can be coupled together, such as P&O units and imaging devices, armaments and optical sights, armaments and laser sights, visible-light imaging devices and infrared imaging devices, among others, and any meaningful combinations of such objects. Generally, the coupling system100includes first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) having coupling features that allow them to be precisely couplable and re-couplable to one another reliably and repeatedly. As will be appreciated after reading this entire disclosure, each of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) may be a separate body relative to the corresponding one of the objects104and108or it may be integrated with the corresponding object so as to be a part thereof. When either of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) is a body separate from the corresponding object104and108, it may be attached to that object in any suitable manner, such as mechanical fasteners, adhesive bonding, welding, and clamping, among others, and any meaningful combination thereof.

The coupling features of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) include a pivot connector set112and a locking connector set116. The pivot connector set112includes at least one first head (not shown) located on one of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) and at least one corresponding first receiver (not shown) located on the other one of the first and second coupling parts. Each first receiver is designed and configured to initially receive the corresponding first head by insertion and then, with shear-type movement between the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2), capture the first head so that the first and second coupling parts cannot be separated from one another in a direction substantially normal to the direction of the shear-type movement.

The locking connector set116includes at least one second head (not shown) and at least one corresponding second receiver (not shown) located on one of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) and at least one corresponding second receiver (not shown) located on the other one of the first and second coupling parts. Each second receiver is designed and configured to initially receive the corresponding second head by insertion after the first head of the pivot connector set112has been inserted into and captured by the first receiver of the pivot connector set. As described below, the insertion of the second head into the second receiver of the locking connector set116may be achieved by pivoting the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) relative to one another when the first head of the pivot connector set112is captured in the first receiver of the pivot connector set. The locking connector set116also includes one or more locking mechanisms (not shown) that lock the second head into the second receiver. Each locking mechanism may be any suitable mechanism, such as a mechanical mechanism, an electromechanical mechanism, or an electromagnetic mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, among others, or any suitable combination thereof.

The locking mechanism may operate on the second head or on the second receiver, or both, to provide the locking function. For example, embodiments described below include locking mechanisms that rotates the second head, which there is specially shaped in conjunction with the shape of the second receiver, to effect the locking. As another example, the second head may be fixed and the second receiver, or element thereof, may be rotated to achieve the locking effect. As a further example, a linearly sliding element may be provided to block at least a portion of the entrance to the second receiver so as to prevent the second head from moving out of the second receiver. These are but a few of many locking mechanisms that can be used. As illustrated below, in some embodiments, the locking mechanism may impart various forces into the coupling system100that cause the first and second coupling parts to precisely align with one another when the locking mechanism is fully engaged. In any event, the combined effect of each first head of the pivot connector set112being captured by the corresponding first receiver and each second head of the locking connector set116being locked into the corresponding second receiver firmly couples the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) with one another.

FIGS.2A and2Bshow an embodiment200of the coupling system100ofFIG.1and depicts example movements involved with initially engaging each first head, here, a first head204H with the corresponding first receiver, here, a first receiver208R, of a pivot connector set204and then causing the first receiver to capture the first head. In this example, the first head204H is fixedly secured to a first coupling part200(1) (corresponding to the first coupling part100(1) ofFIG.1) and the receiver204R is provided in a second coupling part200(2) (corresponding to second coupling part100(2) ofFIG.1.FIGS.2A and2Balso depict example movements and features involved with initially engaging each second head, here, a second head208H, with each second receiver, here, a second receiver208R of a locking connector set208, and then locking the second head208H in the second receiver208R.

Referring first toFIG.2A, the initial engagement of the first head204H with the first receiver204R may proceed by first moving, as depicted by arrow212, the first coupling part200(1) from a first position216to a second position220whereat the first head is inserted into an insertion portion204RI of the first receiver. As readily seen inFIG.2A, in this example, the first head204H is initially inserted into the first receiver204R while the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) are at an initial-engagement angle β, relative to one another. As will be readily appreciated from reading this entire disclosure, requiring the first and second parts200(1) and200(2) to be at a non-zero initial-engagement angle β when engaging the pivot connector set204has several benefits. In some embodiments, the initial-engagement angle is in a range greater than zero degrees to less than about 30°, or in a range of about 3° to about 30°, or in a range of about 5° to about 15°, among others. In this example, the second coupling part200(2) includes a bevel224that allows for insertion of the first head204H into the first receiver204R at the non-zero initial-engagement angle β without the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) interfering with one another.

Once the first head204H is engaged with the insertion portion204RI of the first receiver204R, the first coupling part200(1) is pivoted from the second position220to a third position228, as depicted by movement arrow232. In this example, this pivoting movement causes the second head208H to be inserted into a head-insertion region208RI of the second receiver208R.FIG.2Ashows that once the second head208H has been initially inserted into the second receiver208R, the first head204H is still in the initial-engagement region204RI of the first receiver204R. As seen inFIG.2B, once the first coupling part200(1) is in the third position228(FIG.2A), it may be moved from that position to a fourth position244as depicted by movement arrow248. In this example, moving the first coupling part200(1) into the fourth position244moves the first head204H into a head-capture region204RC of the first receiver204R and moves the second head208H into a head-locking region208RL of the second receiver208R. Once the second head208H is in the head-locking region208RL, a locking mechanism252may be activated to lock the second head in the head-locking region. In this example, the locking mechanism252includes a movable locking member252L that captures a shaft256that holds the second head208H between it and a catch260so as to firmly capture the second head within the second receiver208R.

FIG.2Cillustrates that in the example coupling system200ofFIGS.2A and2Bthe act of locking the second head208H (FIGS.2A and2B) into the second receiver208R using the locking mechanism252(FIG.2B) induced compression into the second coupling part200(2), as illustrated by force arrows264. As can be readily envisioned, as the movable locking member252L (FIG.2B) is further engaged so as to push, toward the left inFIG.2B, against the shaft256(FIG.2B), the first head204H (FIG.2B) is biased to the left into firmer engagements with the head-capturing region204RC of the first receiver204R. These actions induce tension (not illustrated) into the first coupling part200(1) and, correspondingly, the compression264into the second coupling part200(2).

FIG.2Calso illustrates some example alignment features of the coupling system200ofFIGS.2A and2Band that can also be used with other coupling systems made in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, such as the coupling system100ofFIG.1. As is customary in some relevant arts, the positional relationship between the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) (FIGS.2A and2B) is defined by three parameters, namely, azimuth, roll, and pitch, here depicted by a zero-azimuth line268, a roll axis272, and a pitch axis276. In this example, perfect proper positional alignment exists between the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) (FIGS.2A and2B) when both of the first and second coupling parts, which coupled together and fully locked, have zero deviation from the zero-azimuth line268and zero degrees of roll and pitch relative to, respectively, the roll axis272and the pitch axis276. To achieve as perfect alignment as possible between the coupled first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) relative to the zero-azimuth axis268, the each of the first and second receivers204R and208R and corresponding first and second heads204H and208H (FIGS.2A and2B) are precisely formed to force the first and second heads to center along the zero-azimuth axis as the locking mechanism252(FIG.2B) is engaged.

Regarding controlling relative roll and relative pitch, each of the first and second coupling part200(1) and200(2) (FIGS.2A and2B) may include one or more datum surfaces. InFIG.2C, the second coupling part200(2) optionally has four datum surfaces280(1) through280(4), and the first coupling part200(1) may have one or more corresponding datum surface, such as four datum surfaces (not shown) that may be identical to the four datum surfaces280(1) through280(4) shown. When provided, the datum surfaces, such as the datum surfaces280(1) through280(4) are precisely provided and formed so that when the datum surfaces of the first and second parts200(1) and200(2) are firmly engaged with one another, they provide a zero relative roll angle about the roll axis272and a zero relative pitch angle about the pitch axis276. As exemplified by examples below, the first and second heads204H and208H and the first and second receivers204R and208R may be suitably designed and configured so that as the locking mechanism252(FIG.2B) is increasingly engaged, the datum surfaces, such as the datum surfaces280(1) through280(4), of the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) are forced into contact with one another with a controlled force. In some embodiments, other contact-force-controlling means can be provided, an example of which is described below in connection withFIG.7B.

It is noted that a coupling system of the present disclosure is not limited to the particular contacting features illustrated herein for providing the repeatable precision alignment as between the two coupling parts. For example, in some embodiments any suitable configuration of an appropriately configures kinematic-coupling elements may be used to precisely and repeatably constrain both of the couple parts relative to one another. As those skilled in the art understand, such kinematic-coupling elements can be any suitable type including, but not limited to, a ball-and-planar-surface type, a ball-and-tetrahedral-socket type, a ball-and-groove (e.g., vee-groove) type, a type that is similar to any of the foregoing but is a non-ball type that includes a component having one or more curved surfaces that control points of contact, and a cone-and-vee type, among others. Those skilled in the art will readily understand how to implement kinematic couplings using any of a wide variety of kinematic-coupling elements.

Before proceeding with describing some general principles of operation of coupling systems of the present disclosure,FIGS.3A through3Cshow some alternative configurations of the first and second coupling parts for achieving the initial-engagement angle β between the first and second coupling parts. As seen inFIG.2A, the second coupling part200(2), i.e., the upper coupling part there, includes the bevel224that allows the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) to be brought together at the initial-engagement angle β. In the example coupling system300ofFIG.3A, a bevel304is located proximate to the pivot connector set308on the lower coupling part300(1) instead of on the upper coupling part300(2), and this bevel is formed so as to provide the initial-engagement angle β. Other actions for coupling together and locking the lower and upper coupling parts300(1) and300(2) can be the same as or similar to the actions described above relative to coupling system200ofFIGS.2A through2Cand below relative to coupling system100ofFIG.1, among others.

As another example, in the example coupling system320ofFIG.3Beach of the lower and upper coupling parts320(1) and320(2) is provided with a corresponding bevel324(1) and324(2) proximate to the pivot connector set328such that the sum of the two individual bevel angles ϕ1and ϕ2, is equal to, or greater than, the design initial-engagement angle β. The individual bevel angles ϕ1and ϕ2can be equal or unequal to one another. Other actions for coupling together and locking the lower and upper coupling parts320(1) and320(2) can be the same as or similar to the actions described above relative to coupling system200ofFIGS.2A through2Cand below relative to coupling system100ofFIG.1, among others.

In some embodiments, the first and second coupling parts can be designed and configured so that neither of them needs a bevel for accommodating the initial-engagement angle. For example, as seen in the example coupling system340ofFIG.3C, the pivot connector set344is located close enough to ends340E(1) and340E(2) of the lower and upper coupling parts340(1) and340E(2) that the first and second coupling parts can be brought together at the initial-engagement angle β without any interference between the first and second coupling parts. Other actions for coupling together and locking the lower and upper coupling parts340(1) and340(2) can be the same as or similar to the actions described above relative to coupling system200ofFIGS.2A through2Cand below relative to coupling system100ofFIG.1, among others.

In the example coupling system200ofFIGS.2A-2C, the first receiver204R is designed so that after initial engagement of the first head204H therein, the first head is moved into the head-capture region204RC of the first receiver by moving, as seen inFIG.2B, the first coupling part200(1) to the left relative to the second coupling part200(2). Correspondingly, the second receiver208R and the locking mechanism252are designed so that the movable locking member252L biases the shaft256toward the left inFIG.2B. As a result, the act of locking the first and second coupling parts200(1) and200(2) together induced compression (arrows264,FIG.2C) into the second coupling part. In contrast, the coupling system400ofFIG.4is designed and configured so that when the first and second coupling parts (only the second coupling part400(2) is shown) are locked together, tension is induced in the second coupling part, as indicated by force arrows404. Correspondingly, locking the first and second coupling parts of the coupling system400ofFIG.4together induces compression (not illustrated) into the first coupling part (not shown).

As can be readily envisioned by comparingFIGS.2A and4with one another, tensile-force state is effected by reversing the direction in which a pair of first heads (not shown) of a pivot connector set408are engaged into corresponding first receivers408R(1) and408R(2), i.e., by moving the first coupling part (not shown) to the right (as opposed to the left as seen inFIG.2B) and by reversing the direction in which the locking mechanisms (not shown) act against the shafts (not shown) of a locking connector set412when heads (not shown) of the locking connector set is engaged in corresponding receivers412R(1) and412R(2) of the locking connector set, here, by biasing the shafts to the right (as opposed to the left as seen inFIG.2B). Other differences between the coupling system400ofFIG.4from the coupling system ofFIGS.2A-2Cinclude the number of the first receivers408R(1) and408R(2) (two versus one) (and correspondingly the number of first heads (not shown) and the number of second receivers412R(1) and412R(2) (also two versus one). Also of note inFIG.4is that that the second receivers412R(1) and412R(2) are longitudinally offset from one another by a distance, DO. This is possible because the pivoting action used to engage the second heads (not shown) into the second receivers412R(1) and412R(2) generally involves the second heads being inserted into the second receivers substantially parallel to a direction normal to the sheet containingFIG.4.

With some general principles of operation of the coupling system100ofFIG.1having been described in the context of the embodiments of the coupling systems200,300,320,340, and400ofFIGS.2A-2C,3A-3C, and4, it is emphasized that the coupling systems200,300,320,340, and400are merely an example of many different coupling systems that can be made in accordance with such general principles. Referring again toFIG.1, and also to other figures as indicated,FIG.1does not explicitly depict which of the first and second coupling parts100(1) and100(2) that the first and second heads and the first and second receivers are located on. This is so because while the first and second heads204H and208H of the coupling system200ofFIGS.2A and2Bare both located on the first coupling part200(1) and the corresponding first and second receivers204R and208R are both located on the second coupling part200(2), this need not be so, as the locations of these components can be swapped. For example, the first and second heads204H and208H may alternatively both be located on the second coupling part200(2), with the first and second receivers204R and208R being located on the first coupling part200(1). As another example, the first head204H may be located on the first coupling part200(1) while the second head208H is located on the second coupling part200(2), with the corresponding first and second receivers204R and208R located, respectively, on the second coupling part and the first coupling part. Fundamentally, which components of the pivot and locking connector sets204and208(i.e., the first and second heads204H and208H and first and second receivers204R and208R (FIGS.2A and2B)) are located on which ones of the first and second coupling parts (200(1) and200(2) ofFIGS.2A and2B) does not matter from a functionality standpoint but may vary to suit a particular design and/or application.

The term “head” as it is used in the context of the first and second heads of, respectively, the pivot and locking connector sets112and116(FIG.1) covers any structure that performs the requisite function of being captured/locked within a corresponding receiver, regardless of whether its physical appearance resembles a traditional head of a mechanical component, such as a bolt, screw, rivet, etc., or not. Examples of non-traditional heads that each of the first and second heads of the pivot and locking connector sets112and116include, but are not limited to the cross pieces of a structures shaped like a staple (mechanical fastener), knurled portions of a straight shaft (e.g., wherein the knurled portions are gripped by gripping components of receivers), slotted portions of shafts or bars (e.g., wherein the slots are engaged by corresponding capturing members of receivers), apertured portions of shafts or bars (e.g., wherein the apertures are engaged by corresponding capturing members of receivers), and bodies that are magnetic or contain or otherwise hold magnets (e.g., where attracted by or to other bodies that are part of receivers), among others. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that the possible configuration for a head of the pivot and locking connector sets112and116(FIG.1) are so varied that a functional meaning is needed.

The nature and character of each second head of the locking connector set116is dependent upon, for example, the configuration and type of the locking mechanism used. Similarly, the nature and character of each first head of the pivot connector set112is dependent upon, for example, the configuration of the head-capture region of the first receiver (see, e.g., head-capture region204RC of the first receiver204R ofFIGS.2A and2B. It is further noted that while the first and second heads204H and208H ofFIGS.2A and2Bare shown as having only horizontal and vertical surfaces, other embodiments may have non-vertical and non-horizontal surface and/or specially contoured surfaces for achieving the desired result(s), such as controlling forces induced into the coupling system100upon locking the first and second coupling members100(1) and100(2) together and/or forcing the first and second coupling members into proper alignment with one another.

Referring still toFIG.1, the coupling system100may optionally include one or more electrical and/or optical connections, singly and collectively represented at hot-shoe coupling120. For ease of description, the term “hot shoe” means any one or more electrical and/or optical connections that are effected by coupling the first and second coupling parts with one another to couple together the hot-shoe connectors (not shown) of the hot-shoe coupling. Examples of such connections include electrical connections for transmitting electrical power between the first and second objects104and108, electrical connections for transmitting electrical signals, e.g., data signals, between the first and second objects, and optical connections for transmitting optical signals, e.g., data signals, between the first and second objects. Electrical and/or optical signals may be in a single direction or in both directions between the two objects104and108. The character of the signals and nature(s) of the electrical and/or optical connections may be in accordance with any one or more suitable standards, including military standards, commercial standards, and proprietary standards. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with the standard(s) that apply to thee applications for which they are designing each instantiation of the coupling system100. Example hot shoes are described below and shown inFIGS.6through10C.

DETAILED EXAMPLES

Following are specific instantiations of coupling systems and hot shoes that include various features described above. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that these specific instantiations are not intended to be limiting in any way. On the contrary, they are merely examples of how the disclosed features can be embodied in functioning, fieldable devices. Those skilled in the art will readily be able to use these instantiations and their understanding of the underlying features and functionalities from the descriptions above, coupled with ordinary skill in the art, to create many other instantiations without undue experimentation.

FIGS.5A through5Cillustrate an example coupling system500that includes first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2) designed and configured to be coupled to one another with highly repeatable precision using the non-zero initial-engagement angle approach described above in detail. Like the coupling system100ofFIG.1described above, the coupling system500ofFIGS.5A through5Cis designed and configured to couple-together first and second objects (not shown), with the first coupling part500(1) being designed and configured to be fixedly secured to the first object and the second coupling part500(2) designed and configure to be fixedly secured to the second object.

The coupling system500includes a pivot connector set504and a locking connector set508that have the functionalities described above in connection withFIG.1. In this embodiment, the pivot connector set includes a head504H and a corresponding receiver504R, and the locking connector set508includes a head508H and a corresponding receiver508R. The head504H of the pivoting connector set504is part of a screw512that is threadedly engaged with the first coupling part500(1), and the head508H of the locking connector set508is part of a locking mechanism516. In this embodiment, the first coupling part500(1) comprises a plate520, and the locking mechanism516is pivotably secured to the first coupling part500(1). Each of the receivers504R and508R are located on the second coupling part500(2) and include, respectively, an initial-engagement region504RI,508RI and a corresponding head-capture region504RC or head-locking region508LC that initially receive and then capture or lock the respective heads504H and508H during the coupling operations. Each of the receivers504R and508R in this embodiment is formed in a body504B,508B from a plate524that comprises the second coupling part500(2) and is secured in a corresponding opening528(1) and528(2) in the plate using a threaded connection532(1) and532(2). In this example, the plate524also includes through-holes536(1) through536(4) for fixedly securing the second coupling part500(2) to a corresponding object.

It is noted that in this embodiment the initial-engagement regions504RI and508RI are located relative to the corresponding head-capture/head-locking regions504RC and508RL so that when the heads504H and508H are located in the head-capture/head-locking regions and the first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2) are fully coupled together (as described below), tension is imparted into the second coupling part between the receivers504R and508R and compression in imparted into the first coupling part between the heads504H and508H. These forces and the shapes of the heads504H and508H and the shapes of the head-capture/head-locking regions504RC and508RL precisely maintain a zero relative azimuth angle between the first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2). Each of the first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2) includes, respectively, four datum surfaces540(1) through540(4) and544(1) through544(4) that firmly contact one another when the first and second coupling parts are fully coupled so as to provide precise control over the relative roll and pitch angles as between the first and second coupling parts.

As mentioned above, the locking mechanism516is pivotably secured to the plate520of the first coupling part500(1) and includes the head508H of the locking connector set508. As seen inFIG.5C, the locking mechanism516includes a base516B and a throw lever516L fixedly secured to the base. The base516B is pivotably secured to the plate520, for example as discussed below relative toFIGS.7A and7B. The head508H is fixedly secured to the base516B and has an asymmetrical shape in a plane transverse to the pivot axis548of the locking mechanism516. The asymmetrical shape in due to a capture lobe552that becomes captured/locked in the head-locking region508RL of the mating receiver508R when a user (not shown) moves the throw lever516L to the locked position556shown inFIG.5C. When the throw lever516L is in an unlocked position (not shown), the capture lobe552is out of the head-capture region508RC, allowing the head508H to move freely into and out of the initial-engagement region508RI of the receiver508R. In this embodiment, the plate520includes a notched region520N that provide space for movement of the throw lever516L, as well as an initial-engagement bevel520B to allow for initially engaging the first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2) with one another at a non-zero initial-engagement angle (see, e.g.,FIG.2A, at3) via the pivot connector set514. Further details of the locking mechanism516and the coupling of the first and second coupling parts500(1) and500(2) with one another are described below in connection with a similar coupling system600(FIGS.6A through6C) that is generally identical to the coupling system500ofFIGS.5A through5C, except that it includes a hot-shoe coupling604.

Referring now toFIG.6A, this figure shows the first and second coupling parts600(1) and600(2) of the coupling system600during various stages of the operations of coupling and locking them together with one another. As mentioned immediately above, the coupling system600ofFIG.6Ais largely identical to the coupling system500ofFIGS.5A through5C. Consequently, elements of the coupling system600that are the same as corresponding elements of the coupling system500are labeled with the same element identifiers. Generally, and as also mentioned above, the difference between the coupling system600ofFIG.6Aand the coupling system500ofFIGS.5A through5Cis that the coupling system600has a hot-shoe coupling604, which comprises a first hot-shoe connector604(1) on the first coupling part600(1) and a second hot-shoe connector604(2) on the second coupling part600(2).

Starting at the image in the upper left ofFIG.6A, the first and second coupling parts600(1) and600(2) are shown in a first relative position608wherein the head504H of the pivot connector set504is aligned with the initial-engagement region504RI of the corresponding receiver504R and the first coupling part600(1) is disposed at an initial-engagement angle β relative to the second coupling part500(2). The middle image on the lefthand side ofFIG.6Ashows a second relative position612between the first and second coupling parts600(1) and600(2) wherein the head504H of the pivot connector set504is fully engaged into the initial-engagement region504RI of the receiver504R after a user (not shown) has moved the first coupling part600(1) in the direction of arrow616. Note how the initial-engagement bevel520B is in full contact with the bottom of the second coupling part and allows the head504H to be fully engaged with the initial-engagement region504RI while the initial-engagement angle is maintained.

The bottom image on the lefthand side ofFIG.6Ashows a relative position620between the first and second coupling parts600(1) and600(2) with the head504H of the pivot connector set504fully engaged within the head-capture region504RC of the receiver504R. This third relative position620is achieved by the user sliding the first coupling part600(1) relative to the second coupling part600(2) along the contact interface between the engagement-angle bevel520B and the second coupling part in the direction of arrow624.

Relative positions612and620illustrate an important feature of the coupling system600relative to the hot-shoe coupling604. As can be seen in the images showing the second and third relative positions612and620, the first hot-shoe connector604(1), which sits proud of the adjacent face628of the first coupling part600(1) that confronts the second coupling part600(2), does not contact the second hot-shoe connector604(2) during the operation of sliding the first coupling part along the second coupling part in the direction of arrow624. Consequently, there is no wear and tear on component of the first and second hot-shoe connectors604(1) and604(2), such as electrical contacts, during this stage of the coupling operations. This is in directly contrast to most conventional hot shoes in which electrical contact pins on one hot-shoe connector are swiped across parts of a second hot-shoe connector as two objects are coupled together via a conventional coupler. Such conventional swiping action causes electrical contact pins to break or otherwise fail, which leads to equipment malfunctioning. A couple system of the present disclosure, such as the coupling system ofFIG.6Aavoids that type of hot-shoe failure and the attendant equipment failures.

The image in the upper right ofFIG.6Ashows the first and second coupling parts600(1) and600(2) in a fourth relative position632in which the head508H of the locking connector set508is fully engaged within the initial-engagement region508RI of the corresponding receiver508R. The fourth relative position632is achieved from the third relative position620by the user pivoting the first coupling part600(1) in the direction indicated by arrow636. Note that the capture lobe552of the head508H is on the righthand side of the head508H upon initial engagement of the head508H with the initial-engagement region508RI of the receiver508R.

Relative positions620and632illustrate another important feature of the coupling system600concerning the hot-shoe coupling604. This feature is that the first and second hot-shoe connectors604(1) and604(2) are engaged with one another in a direction, indicated by arrow636that is nearly perpendicular to the confronting faces604F(1) and604F(2) of the first and second hot-shoe connectors. This allows for the use of robust components, such as straight-in-type electrical contacts and/or straight-in-type optical connectors, in the hot-shoe coupling604.

The middle image on the righthand side ofFIG.6Aillustrates the throw-lever516L of the locking mechanism516in a partially locked position640. As seen there, when the throw lever516L is in the partially locked position640, the capture lobe552has been pivoted about 90° clockwise from its position in the upper righthand image ofFIG.6A. The locking direction of the locking mechanism516is illustrated by the arrow644in the middle righthand image ofFIG.6A. In the partially locked position640, the capture lobe552is partially captured in the head-capture region508RC of the receiver508.

The image at the bottom right ofFIG.6Ashows the first coupling part600(1) in a fully locked state648with the second coupling part600(2). In this fully locked state648, the user has fully thrown the throw lever516L so as to pivot the capture lobe552about 180° clockwise from its position in the upper righthand image ofFIG.6Aand about 90° clockwise from its position in the middle righthand image ofFIG.6A. When the coupling system600is in the fully locked state648, as further discussed below, the capture-lobe552firmly engages the head-capture region508RC of the receiver508R so as to impart various forces into the second coupling part600(2) that precisely align the first coupling part600(1) with the second coupling part.

FIG.6Bcontains an enlarged view of the coupling system600in the fully locked state648depicted in the lower righthand image inFIG.6A. Referring now toFIG.6B, and also toFIG.6Cas indicated, it is more clearly seen that the head-capture/locking regions504RH and508RL and the corresponding heads504H and508H (particularly the capture lobe552of the head508H) are particularly shaped and located so that when the user fully locks the first coupling part600(1) to the second coupling part600(2), the heads impart forces652and656into the second coupling part. These forces652and656, and the shapes of the corresponding respective contact surfaces, A) cause the first coupling part600(1) to firmly draw the second coupling part600(2) into contact with it so as to precisely control relative roll and relative pitch (seeFIG.2Cand accompanying description) as between the first and second coupling part and, as best illustrated byFIG.6C) cause the capture lobe552of head508H and the head504H to perfectly center themselves within the corresponding head-locking/-capture regions508RL and504RC so as to precisely control the relative azimuth angle (seeFIG.2Cand accompanying description). As seen inFIG.2C, each of the capture lobe552, head504H, head-locking region508RL, and head-capture region504RC are specifically shaped so that the capture lobe and head504H center themselves in virtual V-shaped slots660(1) and660(2) in response to the horizontal components652H and656H of the forces652and656, respectively, ofFIG.6B. In this embodiment, the apexes of the virtual V-shaped slots660(1) and660(2) are precisely centered on the zero-relative-azimuth line664.FIG.6Balso shows that in this embodiment the locking mechanism516includes a force-control feature, here, a Belleville washer arrangement516W, that limits the magnitude of the vertical component652V of the force652applied by the capture lobe552to the head-locking region508RL of the locking connector set508. The force-control feature is used to accommodate positional error between the two opposing head-locking/-capture regions508RL and504RC due to manufacturing tolerances and ensures that the vertical component652V of the force652does not fall below a certain minimum magnitude.

FIG.7shows one coupling part700of a mating pair (not shown) of coupling parts of a another example coupling system made in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the coupling part700includes a multi-faceted structure704, which may be directly integrated with an object (not shown) that is desired to be coupled together with another object (not shown) using a coupling system of the present disclosure. In this example, the coupling part700includes a first head708H of a pivot connector set (the mating receiver is not shown) and a second head712H of a locking connector set (the mating receiver is not shown). Like the second head508H ofFIGS.5A and5B, the second head712H ofFIG.7is fixedly secured to a base716B of a locking mechanism716that also includes a throw lever716L. The locking mechanism716has the benefit over the locking mechanism516of being readily field replaceable by virtue of being secured to the multi-faceted structure704using two screws (not shown) that pass through apertures716A(1) and716A(2) and threadedly engage corresponding threaded openings704O(1) and705O(2) in the multifaceted structure when the locking mechanism is properly seated in a suitable locking-mechanism receptacle704LMR. In this example, the multifaceted structure704also include four datum surfaces704D(1) through704D(4) for controlling relative roll and relative pitch in the same manner as discussed above. The coupling part700also includes a hot-shoe connector720seated in a corresponding connector receptacle704CR and secured therein with a screw. Other features of a the hot-shoe connector720ofFIG.7are described below relative to the similar the first hot-shoe connector800(1) ofFIG.8A.

FIGS.8A and8Billustrate an example hot-shoe coupling800made in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, wherein the hot-shoe coupling includes a first hot-shoe connector800(1) (FIG.8A) and a second hot-shoe connector800(2). In this example, the first hot-shoe connector800(1) is integrated with a first object804and the second hot-shoe connector800(2) is integrated with a second object808. In an illustrative and nonlimiting example, the first object804may be an imaging device and the second object808may be a P&O unit that is designed to communicate with the imaging device via the hot-shoe coupling800, which in this example includes 12 sets of mating electrical contacts that in this example include 12 pogo-pin contacts812(FIG.8A; only a few labeled to avoid clutter) and 12 pin-pushing contacts816(FIG.8B; only a few labeled to avoid clutter). The pogo-pin contacts812are present in 12 corresponding receptacles820having a frustoconical shape, and the corresponding pin-pushing contacts816have a similar frustoconical shape. When the first and second hot-shoe components800(1) and800(2) are properly engaged with one another, the pin-pushing contacts816are conformally engaged with the like-shaped receptacles820.

In this example, the first hot-shoe connector800(1) includes a swappable component822that is seated in a suitable connector receptacle824on the first object804and secured therein, here, by a threaded fastener828, although other types of securing means, such as friction fit, snap fit, interference fit, etc., can be used as desired. The swappable nature of the swappable component822makes the hot-shoe coupling800highly serviceable, even when being used in the field. The swappable component822includes the pogo-pin contacts812, which are more prone to damage during use than the pin-pushing contacts816on the second object. Consequently, it is desirable to be able to swap in a replacement swappable component (not shown) when any pogo-pin contact812, and/or any other part of the swappable component822, is/are damaged to the extent that the hot-shoe coupling800does not work properly in order to continue using the first and second objects804and808together. In this example, all that is needed to make such a swap is for a user to have a suitable screwdriver for the threaded fastener828and an undamaged replacement first hot-shoe connector.

FIG.8Cshows a view of the of the first object804during a process of installing the swappable component822into the connector receptacle824on the first object. As seen inFIG.8C, the connector receptacle824includes 12 electrical receptacles824R that receive corresponding fixed-pin contacts832on the swappable component822. In this example, the swappable component822is a “straight-through” type component, with there being a one-to-one relationship between the pogo-pin contacts812on one side of the swappable component and the fixed-pin contacts832on the other side of the swappable component. WhileFIGS.8A through8Cillustrate such a straight-through configuration, other embodiments of the swappable component822may have a different relationship between the electrical contacts on the differing sides. As an example, electrical-contact configurations on the first and second objects804and808may be different from one another, and the swappable component may be configured to interface between the two differing configurations. As a simple example, the electrical-contact configuration on the first object804may have 16 electrical contacts, while the electrical-contact configuration on the second object808has 12 electrical contacts that do not align with any 12 electrical contacts on the first object. In this case, a different version of the swappable component812may have the same 12-pin configuration of the pogo-pin contact812on its second-hot-shoe-connector engaging side but have a different arrangement (e.g., differing in spacing and/or location) of at least 12 fixed-pin contacts (not shown) (or a full set of 16) on its side that engages the electrical receptacles of the first object. Internal electrical connections (not shown) between electrical contacts on the opposite sides of the modified version of the swappable component would then be as needed to connect (“map”) the electrical contacts as needed to suit the particular requirements of both the first and second objects804and808. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciated, many other possibilities exist relative to providing swappable first hot-shoe connectors having differing contact configurations on opposite sides. In the example shown, each of the first and second hot-shoe connectors800(1) and800(2) has a corresponding watertight closure836(FIGS.8A and8C) and840(FIG.8B) that seals it (not illustrated) from the elements when not in use. Each of the closures836and840is pivotably connected to the corresponding one of the first and second objects804and808and secured in an open position as shown in each ofFIGS.8A and8B, respectively.

As can be readily appreciated by the shapes and configurations of the pin-pushing contacts816and the receptacles820, the hot-shoe coupling800may be characterized as a “straight-in” type coupling in the that the pin-pushing contacts816are engaged with the receptacles820by moving one, the other, or both of the first and second hot-shoe connectors800(1) and800(2) toward one another in a direction normal (generally along lines844(1) and844(2),FIGS.8A and8B, respectively) to the surfaces800S(1) and800S(2) that confront each other when the first and second hot-shoe connectors are fully engaged with one another. As discussed above in connection with relative positions620and632ofFIG.6A, the coupling system600described there is configured to allows for such straight-in type engagement. Similarly, the first and second objects804and808ofFIGS.8A and8B, respectively, includes a coupling system848of the present disclosure that is similarly suited to the straight-in-engagement nature of the hot-shoe coupling800.

AlthoughFIGS.8A through8Cdo not show the first and second objects804and808coupled together via the first and second coupling parts848(1) and848(2) of the coupling system848, the coupling system848includes components that have the same or similar functionality of like component of other coupling systems of the present disclosure discussed above, such as the coupling system600ofFIGS.6A through6C. Consequently, the coupling system848works in essentially the same manner as the coupling systems500and600, and, therefore, only major components of the coupling system848ofFIGS.8A and8Bare identified, and the reader is left to refer to the descriptionsFIGS.5A through6Cto understand the like coupling operations of the coupling system848. For convenience and reference, each component of the coupling system848is equated the corresponding component inFIGS.5A through6Cvia parenthetical600-series element identifiers.

In this example, the first coupling part848(1) (500(1),600(1)) ofFIG.8Aon the first object804includes a head852H (504H) of a pivot connector set852(504) and a head856H (508H) of a locking connector set856(508), while the second coupling part848(2) (500(2),600(2)) ofFIG.8Bon the second object808includes the corresponding receivers852R (504R) and856R (508R) of the pivot and locking connector sets. The first coupling part848(1) (FIG.8A) also includes a throw lever860L (516L) of a locking mechanism860(516), as well as four datum surfaces864(1) through864(4) (540(1) through540(4)). The second coupling part848(2) (FIG.8B) includes four datum surfaces868(1) through868(4) (544(1) through544(4)) that firmly receive the datum surfaces864(1) through864(4) on the first coupling part848(1) when the first and second coupling parts are fully coupled with one another.

A hot-shoe assembly for communicating electrical signals between a first and a second objects, the hot-shoe assembly comprising: a first hot-shoe connector designed and configured to be operationally engaged by a second hot-shoe connector having a first set of electrical contacts, the first hot-shoe connector including: a body; and a second set of electrical contacts fixedly located on the body; a swappable component removably coupled to the body and including: a third set of electrical contacts for contactingly engaging the first set of electrical contacts when the first and second hot-shoe connectors are coupled with one another; and a fourth set of electrical contacts in electrical communications with the third set of electrical contacts and contacting the second set of electrical contacts; and a securement means removably securing the swappable component to the body.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the body includes: a receptacle containing the swappable component; and a closure for temporarily sealing the receptacle from environmental elements.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the closure is pivotably coupled to the body so as to be pivotable between a sealing position and a hot-shoe-use position.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the first and second hot-shoe connectors comprise electrical contacts that require substantially straight-in engagement with one another.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the third set of electrical contacts are recessed within the receptacle.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the securement mechanism includes a threaded fastener and a threaded receiver that threadedly engage one another.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the third and fourth sets of electrical contacts are arranged identically with one another.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the third and fourth sets of electrical contacts are arranged differently from one another.

A coupling system for removably coupling first and second objects to one another, the coupling system comprising: a first coupling part designed and configured to be mechanically coupled to a second coupling part, wherein the first and second coupling parts are configured to be deployed, respectively, on the first and second objects and the first coupling part includes: a body; at least one first coupling component engaged with the body and designed and configured to cooperate with at least one second coupling component located on the second coupling part so as to removable mechanically fix the first and second coupling parts together; and a hot-shoe assembly for communicating electrical signals between the first and second objects, the hot-shoe assembly including: a first hot-shoe connector designed and configured to be operationally engaged by a second hot-shoe connector having a first set of electrical contacts, the first hot-shoe connector including a second set of electrical contacts fixedly located on the body; a swappable component removably coupled to the body and including: a third set of electrical contacts for contactingly engaging the first set of electrical contacts when the first and second hot-shoe connectors are coupled with one another; and a fourth set of electrical contacts in electrical communications with the third set of electrical contacts and contacting the second set of electrical contacts; and a securing means removably securing the swappable passthrough insert to the body.

A coupling system as above, wherein the body includes: an receptacle containing the swappable component; and a closure for temporarily sealing the receptacle from environmental elements.

A hot-shoe assembly as above, wherein the closure is pivotably coupled to the body so as to be pivotable between a sealing position and a hot-shoe-use position.

A coupling system as above, wherein the first and second hot-shoe connectors comprise electrical contacts that require substantially straight-in engagement with one another.

A coupling system as above, wherein the third set of electrical contacts are recessed within corresponding contact receptacles.

A coupling system as above, wherein the securing means includes a threaded fastener and a threaded receiver that threadedly engage one another.

A coupling system as above, wherein the third and fourth sets of electrical contacts are arranged identically with one another.

A coupling system as above, wherein the third and fourth sets of electrical contacts are arranged differently from one another.