Abstract:
A quick connector including a first connecting member attached to an object, a second connecting member releasably attached to the first connecting member and a release mechanism for detaching the first and second connecting members, wherein the release mechanism automatically disconnects the first connecting member from the second connecting members when the connecting members are pulled away from the object.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to conduit couplings through which gas or fluid flows and specifically to a quick connector having an automatic release mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Quick connectors primarily serve to create a rapid connection between a first connector (sleeve) and a second connector (plug), which can be disconnected rapidly in a similar manner. Typically, these connectors serve as conduit couplings through which gas or fluid flows. Most quick connectors have a release mechanism for detachment of the sleeve and plug by hand, without the use of tools. However, there are certain instances that require automatic disengagement of a quick connection without manual assistance. 
     For example, accidents on the water involving aircraft and boats often require an undamaged watercraft for the survival of the accident victims. Therefore, inflatable rafts are often carried on board planes, helicopters and boats. Conventionally, these rafts inflate through an air hose with a manual connector, which must be disconnected by hand after inflation. One drawback with using a manual connector during an emergency is that the survivors may not be trained to detach the connector. Further, even if some survivors are trained how to detach the connector, humans often panic during moments of high stress, causing them to forget simple emergency procedures. Therefore, there exists a need for a quick connector, which automatically disengages upon the occurrence of a certain condition during an emergency. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present involves a quick connector including a first connecting member attached to an object, a second connecting member releasably attached to the first connecting member and a release mechanism for detaching the first and second connecting members, wherein the release mechanism automatically detaches the first and second connecting members when the connecting members are pulled away from the object. 
     Another aspect of the present invention involves a quick connector having an automatic release mechanism including a biased shell member for detaching first and second connecting members when the shell member is pulled away from the second connecting member. The automatic release mechanism further includes a lanyard attached to the outer periphery of the hollow shell member at one end and attached to an object at another end such that when the first and second connecting members are moved away from the object, the lanyard becomes taut, pulls the shell member away from the second connecting member and automatically releases or disconnects the first connecting member from the second connecting member. 
     A further aspect of the present invention involves a quick connector having an automatic release mechanism including a biased shell member and a lanyard, wherein the lanyard is attached, at a first end, to the hollow shell member using a fastener chosen from the group including: harnesses, buckles, O-rings, snap hooks and clips. In addition, the lanyard is attached, at a second end, to an object using a fastener chosen from the group including: harnesses, buckles, O-rings, snap hooks and clips. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is sectional view of a quick connector according to the present invention including attached first and second connecting members and an automatic release mechanism. 
     FIG. 2 is another sectional view of a quick connector according to the present invention including detached first and second connecting members and an automatic release mechanism. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatically releasable quick connector  10  in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of a first connecting member  20 , a second connecting member  30  and an automatic release mechanism  40 . As best seen in FIG. 1, the first connecting member  20  includes a coupling end  50 , a rear end  60 , a movable guide member  70 , a receptacle  80  and a spring  90 . The first connecting member  20  is attached to a first hose  100  at its rear end  60  and to the second connecting member  30  at its coupling end  50 . 
     The second connecting member  30  includes a coupling end  120  and a rear end  110  attached to a second hose  115 . The coupling end  120  is inserted into the receptacle  90  of the movable guide member  70  such that the spring  100  biases the second connecting member  30  away from the first connecting member  20 . The second connecting member  30  further includes an annular groove  130  around its periphery adapted for engaging with the automatic release mechanism  40 . 
     The automatic release mechanism  40  includes a hollow shell member  140 , a spring  150 , an inner flange  160 , a plurality of steel balls  170  and a lanyard  180 . The lanyard  180  has a first end attached to the hollow shell member  140  and a second end attached to an object  210 . The lanyard  180  is attached to the hollow shell member  140  and to the object  210  using fasteners  220 . Suitable fasteners include, but are not limited to, harnesses, buckles, O-rings, snap hooks and clips. The lanyard  180  is preferably made from a strong, durable material such as polypropylene, synthetic elastomers, microfibers or cotton. 
     As best seen in FIG. 1, when the connecting members  20 , 30  are attached, the shell member  140  is biased toward the coupling end  50  of first connecting member  20  by spring  150 , causing the inner flange  160  to force the steel balls  170  inwards, and therefore the steel balls  170  are forced to project into the annular groove  130 . As long as the connecting members  20 , 30  remain close to the object  210 , the lanyard  180  will remain slack. However, as best seen in FIG. 2, when the connecting members  20 , 30  are pulled away from the object  210 , the lanyard  180  becomes taut and the hollow shell member  140  is pulled backwards against spring  150 . This causes the steel balls  170  to be released from the constraint of the inner flange  160  of the shell member  140 , which triggers the biased spring  90  and ejects the second connecting member  30 . 
     The following is an example used to help clarify the above disclosure. Accidents on the water frequently require an undamaged watercraft for the accident victims. For this reason, inflatable emergency life rafts are often carried aboard planes, helicopters and boats. For the purposes of this example, assume that the object  210  is an abandoned helicopter  210 , that hose  100  is connected to a canister of compressed air within helicopter  210 , that hose  115  is connected to an inflatable emergency life raft  115 , and that the air hoses  100 , 115  are connected, via the automatically releasable quick connector  10 . 
     After an accident, the accident survivors inflate the life raft and climb aboard. Normally, it would be necessary to manually disengage the hoses after inflation. However, manual disconnection may be a problem since the accident survivors may lack training or may be panicked. By employing the automatically releasable quick connector  10  of the present invention, these potential problems can be avoided. As the life raft is steered away from the wreckage, the air hose  115  is pulled away from the helicopter  210  causing the lanyard  180  to become taut and disconnecting the air hoses  100 , 115 . As explained above, pulling the lanyard  180  causes a chain reaction resulting in the automatic disconnection of the quick connector  10 , and therefore, the automatic disconnection of the air hoses  100 , 115 . 
     Many variations of the above-described invention are possible. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, but rather as subject matter intended to be encompassed within the scope of the following claims, to the fullest extent allowed by applicable law.