Abstract:
A quick-release connector assembly includes a tip including a plug, a depressible member proximate the plug, and a biasing element upwardly biasing the member; and a base having a receiver and an aperture, the receiver being complementary to the plug, the base further including a connector section configured to secure a tool. The tip is releasably lockable to the base by the insertion of the plug into the receiver and the extension of the member through the aperture, and when the tip is locked with the base, the base is prohibited from rotating relative to the tip.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to a connector assembly for a tool and handle.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Flow through tools typically include an extension pole having a hose connected at a first pole end and a tool connected at a second pole end. Alternatively, flow through tools include a tool directly connected to a hose. Liquid is delivered through the pole and/or hose and into the tool. The tool can be any suitable tool for dispensing water including but not limited to a watering wand, a brush, and a mop. Such tools deliver the liquid to a surface so that the surface can easily be watered, rinsed, washed, painted, or the like.  
         [0003]     In general, two methods have been used to ensure that the tool is secured to the pole. In a first example, the tool is integral with the pole, i.e., the tool and pole are manufactured as a single article. This construction is deficient in that it does not allow the user to replace the tool on the pole.  
         [0004]     In a second example, the pole can include a threaded element or similar structure at its second end such that the tool can be removably attached to the pole. While this addresses the disadvantage noted above, the tool may rotate relative to the pole due to the forces applied to the tool during use. Further, it is difficult to properly align the tool angle relative to the pole when typical threaded engagements are used. The user must turn the tool onto the pole until a water-tight connection is achieved. However, this may not result in a proper orientation of the tool relative to the pole, especially if the tool has been overtightened several times.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     Exemplary aspects and features of quick release assemblies in accordance with the disclosure are described and explained in greater detail below with the aid of the drawing figures in which:  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts an exploded view of an implement including a quick release assembly.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts a detail view of an alternative quick release assembly.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly of  FIG. 3  after assembly.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross sectional view of an assembly tip.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6A  depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative assembly tip.  
         [0012]      FIG. 6B  depicts a perspective view of the assembly tip shown in  FIG. 6A .  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts a cross sectional view of an additional alternative assembly tip.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8A  depicts a perspective view of an additional alternative assembly tip.  
         [0015]      FIG. 8B  depicts a cross sectional view of the assembly tip shown in  FIG. 8A  taken along line  8 B- 8 B.  
         [0016]      FIG. 9A  depicts a perspective view of an additional exemplary assembly tip.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9B  depicts a cross sectional view of the assembly tip shown in  FIG. 9A  taken along line  9 B- 9 B.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10A  depicts a perspective view of an additional exemplary quick release assembly.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10B  depicts a cross sectional view taken of the quick release assembly shown in  FIG. 10A  taken along line  10 B- 10 B.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  depicts a perspective view of an additional alternate example of a quick release assembly.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of an implement  20  is shown. The implement  20  includes an extension pole  22 , a quick release assembly  24 , and a tool  26 . The extension pole  22  is exemplified as an elongate, hollow tube with an inner flow-through channel  28  extending throughout its length. The pole  22  has a rear end  30  and a front end  32  and generally extends along a longitudinal axis X. A liquid source such as a hose (not shown) can be attached to the pole  22  at the rear end  30  in order to introduce liquid into the pole  22  such that it can flow from the rear end  30  through the inner channel  28  to the front end  32 . While a pole  22  is shown here, the quick release assembly may alternatively be directly connected to a hose.  
         [0022]     The quick release assembly  24  includes a tip  34  and a base  36 . The tip  34  has a front section  38  and a rear section  40 . The rear section  40  of the tip  34  can be inserted into the front end  32  of the pole  22  (or directly into a hose) and is thereby secured to the pole  22 . In this example, the rear section  40  is T-shaped to match the T-shaped channel in the pole  22 , but the pole  22  and tip  34  can use other complementary cross sections. Such a T-section configuration is beneficial however, in that it can help to prevent rotation of the pole  22  relative to the tip  34 . The tip  34  may be attached to the pole  22  in several ways, including but not limited to adhesives, screws, rivets, and crimping. As will be discussed in greater detail herein, a button assembly  42  is disposed in the front section  38  of the tip  34 .  
         [0023]     The base  36  includes a receiving portion  44 , an aperture  46 , and a threaded plug  48 . The receiving portion  44  has a profile that matches the front section  38  of the tip  34 . As will be more clearly described herein, the base  36  and tip  34  can be connected to form the quick release assembly  24  by inserting the front section  38  of the tip  34  into the receiving portion  44  of the base  36  along the longitudinal axis X. The button assembly  42  extends through the aperture  46 , thereby preventing separation of the tip  34  and base  36 . To remove the base  36  from the tip  34 , the button assembly  42  is depressed downwardly, and the tip  34  is pulled out from the base  36 .  
         [0024]     The tool  26  shown in  FIG. 1  is a brush head that includes an attachment section  50 , a body  52 , and a set of bristles  54  extending outwardly from the body  52 . The brush head  26  can be coupled to the base  36  by turning the attachment section  50 , which includes grooves (not shown) on the interior surface thereof for receiving the threads of the threaded plug  48  of the base  36 . Alternatively, the brush head  26  can be coupled to the base  36  by adhesive bonding or integral manufacture of the brush  26  and base  36 . Further, other tools can be used including but not limited to water wands, spray nozzles, brushes, and squeegees. When alternate tools are needed, the releasable locking mechanism permits a quick and easy release of one tool, and the addition of a new tool.  
         [0025]     As described in further detail below, both the tip  34  includes an inner channel  35  and the base  36  include an inner channel  37  extending the length of the respective part. Further, the brush  26  or other tool can include a similar inner channel  39 . In use of the implement  20 , the liquid source directs a liquid through the inner channel  28  of the pole  22 , through the channel  35  of the tip  34 , through the channel  37  of the base  36 , through the channel  39  of the brush  26  and onto the bristles  54 . The liquid on the bristles  54  can then be used to wash, rinse, or paint a surface. The liquid can be water, paint, liquid soap, or any other liquid.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a detail view of an alternative quick release assembly  60  is shown. The quick release assembly  60  is identical to the quick release assembly  24  except for the features specifically noted herein. The assembly  60  includes a tip  62  and a base  64 . The tip  62  includes a rear section  66  with a rear end  68  and a front section  70  with a front end  72 . The front section  70  is attached to the rear section  66  at a shoulder  74 . The rear section  66  of the tip  62  is cylindrical in shape, and not T-shaped as shown in  FIG. 1 . The cylindrical shape of the rear section  66  allows it to be attached to a pole, or directly to a liquid source having a circular flow through channel such as a hose. The rear section  66  includes a circumferential groove  76  in which a gasket (not shown) can be disposed. The gasket helps to provide a water-tight seal between the pole or hose and the tip  62 .  
         [0027]     The front section  70  is a plug  78  including a top piece  80  and a bottom piece  82 . The top piece  80  generally has the shape of a paralleleipiped, while the bottom piece  82  has a generally cylindrical shape. The top piece  80  includes a button assembly  84  that allows the tip  62  to be releasably locked to the base  64 . The button assembly  84  includes a button  86  that is biased by a biasing element, here a spring (see  FIG. 1 ), to an extended position away from the longitudinal axis X. As exemplified, the button  86  includes a sloped front side  88  and a generally vertical rear side  90 .  
         [0028]     An inner channel  92  extends from the front end  72  to the rear end  68  of the tip  62 . The inner channel  92  allows fluid to flow through the tip  62  from the pole (or other liquid source) to the base  64 . The inner channel  92  is disposed in the bottom piece  82  of the front section  70 .  
         [0029]     The base  64  includes a rear section  94  with a rear end  96 . A receiving section  98  is disposed in the rear section  94  of the base  64  and has a shape substantially similar to that of the plug  78  of the tip  62 , with a rectangular section  100  and a circular section  102 . The receiver  98  defines an upper boundary  104 . An aperture  106  extends through the base  64  from the receiver  98 . The aperture  104  is sized and shaped to receive the button  86 .  
         [0030]     The complementary shapes of the tip plug  78  and the base receiver  98  allows the plug  78  to be inserted into the receiver  98 . The depressible button  86 , in its normal biased position, extends to a height above that of the upper boundary  104  of the receiver  98 . During insertion of the tip  62  into the base  64 , a user may manually depress the button  86  while pushing the tip  62  and base  64  together along the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively, the user may simply insert the plug  78  of the tip  62  into the receiver  64 , and allow the force of the upper boundary  104  against the sloped front side  88  of the button  86  to automatically depress the button  86  as the plug  78  is inserted into the receiver  98 .  
         [0031]     Upon complete insertion of the plug  78  of the tip  62  into the receiver  98  of the base  64 , the depressible button  86  extends through the aperture  106  under the force of the spring. In other words, the button  86  “snaps-up” through the aperture  106 . The button  86  releasably locks the tip  62  and base  64  together and thereby prevents separation of these components. To disassemble the tip  62  from the base  64 , a user may simply depress the button  86  while simultaneously pulling the tip  62  and base  64  apart in opposite directions.  
         [0032]     The depth of insertion of the plug  78  into the receiver  98  may be limited by the engagement of the rear end  96  of the base  64  with the shoulder  74  of the tip  62 . Such frictional contact may also help to stabilize the connection of the tip  62  relative to the base  64 . Additionally or alternatively, the depth of insertion can be limited by the depressible button  86  on the tip  62  and the aperture  106 .  
         [0033]     While the plug  78  in this example includes a top piece  80  and a bottom piece  82 , the plug  78  can generally be any non-circular shape as such shapes prevent rotation of the plug  78  relative to the base  64 . For example, the plug  78  can be triangular, rectangular, octagonal, or any other non-circular shape. The plug  78  could also be generally circular with certain other elements disposed thereon to prevent rotation, such as a keyway or wings. Such configurations are considered to be non-circular. In each of the above examples, the plug  78  and the receiver  98  have complementary shapes such that the plug  78  can be inserted into the receiver  98  and rotation is prevented between the plug  78  the receiver  98 . Additionally, unlike conventional threaded attachment mechanisms, the tip  62  and the base  64  do not loosen when a torque is applied about the longitudinal axis to one or more of the tip and the base.  
         [0034]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a quick release assembly  110  is shown in cross-section view. The quick release assembly  110  is the same as the quick release assembly  60  in form and function except as specifically noted herein. The quick release assembly  110  includes a tip  112  and a base  114 . The tip  112  includes a front section  116  with a front end  118  and a rear section  120  with a rear end  122 . An annular rib  124  is disposed on the front end  118 . An inner channel  126  extends in longitudinal direction X along the length of the tip  112  from the rear end  120  to the front end  116 .  
         [0035]     The front section  116  includes a button assembly  128  generally similar to the button assemblies previously described. The button assembly  128  includes a depressible button  130  with a front side  132  and a back side  134 . However, the button  130  does not have a sloped front side like button  84 . Instead, the front side  132  is generally vertical. The back side  134  is generally vertical. The button  130  has at its base a flange  136  extending outwardly. The button assembly  128  also includes a spring  138  that provides an upwardly biasing force (i.e., +y-axis) on the button  130 . A collar  140  having edges  142  can be press-fit into the tip  112  to trap the button  130  in the tip  112  by engaging the flanges  136  of the button  130 . Alternatively, the collar  140  may be an integral part of the tip  112  which is formed with the tip  112  in a molding process or a machining process. The button collar  140  may also be an extruded undercut in the tip  112  that prevents the button  130  from “popping out” of place.  
         [0036]     Similar to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base  114  includes a receiver  144  that accepts the tip  112 . The base receiver  144  defines an upper boundary  146 , and a tapered surface  148  extends downwardly from the upper boundary  146 . Similar to the previously described quick release assemblies, and as best shown in  FIG. 3 , the base  114  includes an inner channel  150  extending forward from the receiver  144 . A gasket  152  can be disposed on the end of the inner channel  150  in the receiver  144  to ensure that liquid flow though the inner channel  150  of the quick release assembly  110  does not leak into the receiver  144  of the base  114 . As in the previously described bases, the base  114  includes an aperture  154 .  
         [0037]     During insertion of the tip  112  into the base  114 , the tapered surface  148  provides a contact interface with the button  130  of less than ninety-degrees. Such a lessened angle of interface allows the tapered surface  148  to automatically depress the button  130  when the user pushes the tip  112  and base  114  together along the longitudinal axis X. However, when the tip  112  is coupled to the base  114 , and the button  130  is extended in the aperture  154  (see  FIG. 4 ), the back side  134  of the button is generally parallel with a back-end  156  of the aperture  154  such that the button  130  is prevented from being automatically depressed when the tip  112  and base  114  experience a separating force along the longitudinal axis X. Preferably, separation of the tip  112  from the base  114  includes the user depressing the button  130  while simultaneously applying a separating force on the tip  112  and base  114  along the longitudinal axis X.  
         [0038]     Upon coupling the tip  112  to the base  114 , the front section  116  of the tip  112  is inserted into and locked in the receiver  144  of the base  114 . The annular rib  124  on the front end  118  of the tip  112  bears against the gasket  152  in the receiver  144  of the base  114  such that the inner channel  126  of the tip  112  is in fluid communication with the inner channel  150  of the base  114 . Specifically, any fluid flowing through the inner channel  126  of the tip  112  will flow through the inner channel  150  of the base  114  without any of the fluid leaking into the receiver  144 . Thus, it is typically desirable for the front section  116  of the tip  112  to fit snugly in the receiver  144 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates a quick release tip  160 , which includes a front section  162  and a rear section  164 . The rear section  164  may be any shape to fit a pole or hose. The front section  162  includes a first button  166  and a second button  168 . Such a tip  160  requires a base (not shown) with a receiver that includes two apertures through which the first and second buttons can extend. While two buttons  166 ,  168  are shown, the tip  160  can include any number of buttons around the periphery of the tip.  
         [0040]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a quick release tip  170 , which includes a front section  172 , a rear section  174 , and an inner channel  176  extending the entire length. Similar to the embodiments previously described, the rear section  174  may be any shape to fit a pole or hose. The front section  172  includes a bottom piece  178  and a top piece  180 . The top piece  180  includes a button assembly  182  that functions generally similarly to the previous examples. The button assembly  182  includes a button  184  that is biased upwardly by a spring  186 . The button assembly  182  further includes a hinge  188  at its back side  190 . The button  184  includes a flange  192 , and the top piece  180  includes a retention post  194  that engages the flange  192  so that the spring  186  maintains the button  184  in the extended position shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . As can be seen in  FIG. 6B , the top piece  180  and the bottom piece  178  create a non-circular profile for the front section  172  that, when inserted into a coordinated receiver of a base, restrict rotation between the tip  170  and a base. To remove the tip  170  from a base, the user an depress the button  184  as in previous examples.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  illustrates a further example of a quick release tip  200 , which includes a front section  202  and a rear section  204 . Similar to the embodiments previously described, the rear section  204  may be any shape to fit a pole or hose. Instead of a button assembly, the front section in this example includes a projecting tab  206  attached by a strip  208 . The strip  208  may be made of a flexible material such that the strip  208  acts as a spring and the projecting tab  206  can pivot about the strip  208  and return to its extended position upon the release of any force upon the projecting tab  206 . In an example, the strip  208  can be a thermoplastic polymer. In another example, the entire tip  200  can be made from such a polymer.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , perspective view and a side section view of a quick release tip  210 , respectively, are shown. The tip in  FIG. 8A  is coupled to an extension pole  211 . As in some of the previously described embodiments, the top piece  212  on the front section  214  includes a collar  216  that engages the flanges  218  of the button  220  to capture the button  220 . However, a side rail  222  of the collar  216  is slidably removable in a side groove  224  in the collar  216 . Accordingly, the button assembly  228  can be assembled by removing the side rail  222 , inserting the button  220  and spring  230  with the flanges  218  under the collar  216 , and replacing the side rail  222 . The side rail  222  can be held in place by an interference snap-fit engagement, a suitable retention bracket (not shown), an adhesive bond (in which case it would not be removable), or other known methods.  
         [0043]     Similarly,  FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a perspective view and a front section view of a quick release tip  240 , respectively. In this exemplified quick release tip, a front rail  242  is removable from the collar  244 . In all other repsects, it is similar to the quick release tip  210  shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  
         [0044]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate a perspective view and a side section view of a quick release assembly  250 . A base  252  may include a front section  254  with a front end  256  and a rear section  258  with a rear end  260 .  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the rear section  258  attached to a pole  262 . In this example, the front end  256  of the base  252  may include a receiver  264 . A button assembly  266  is generally disposed in the receiver  264  and includes a button  268 , a collar  270  capturing the button  268 , a spring  272  biasing the button  268  toward the longitudinal axis X, and a tab  274  connected to the button  268 . The user may pull the tab  274  away from the longitudinal axis X against the force of the spring  272  to move the button  268  in a similar direction, thereby permitting the removal of the tip  276  from the base  252 .  
         [0045]     The tip  276  includes a rear section  278  sized and shaped to be inserted into the receiver  264 . The rear section  278  has a rear end  280  and an inner channel  282  extending throughout its length, and includes a plug  284  with an engagement ledge  286  and a platform  288 . The platform  288  and the engagement ledge  286  each have a flat surface  290 ,  292 . A gasket  294  is disposed on the rear end  280  surrounding the inner channel  282 .  
         [0046]     When the tip  276  is assembled to the base  252 , the button  268  extends toward the longitudinal axis X, with the button  268  bearing against the platform  288  past the engagement ledge  286 . Accordingly, the engagement ledge  286  bearing against the rear side of the button  268  restricts the tip  276  from moving longitudinally relative to the base  252 . Further, the flat surface  290  of the engagement ledge  286  bears against a flat internal surface  296  of the receiver  264 , and the flat surface  292  of the platform  288  bears against the button  268 . These interactions restrict the tip  276  from rotating relative to the base  252 .  
         [0047]     To separate the tip  276  from the base  252 , a user pulls up on the tab  274  away from the longitudinal axis X which raises the button  268  above the engagement ledge  286 . The assembly  250  may then separate when the user pulls the base  252  and tip  276  in opposite directions of the longitudinal axis X.  
         [0048]      FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of an additional example of an implement  300  with a tip  308  and a base  310 . The tip  308  is connected to an extendible pole  304  that is fully described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, the contents of which are included herein by reference. The pole  304  is sealed on its rear end by a handle  306 , and therefore does not allow a liquid such as paint, water or other liquid to be introduced into and flow through its interior as in the previous examples.  
         [0049]     The tip  308  and the base  310  are constructed similarly as in  FIG. 2 , except that neither the tip  308  nor the base  310  includes an inner channel. While, of course, the tip  308  and the base  310  can include inner channels as in previous examples, it is not required because the pole  304  in this example has no provision to allow a liquid to flow through its interior to the tip  308  and base  310  (due to the sealing by the handle  306 ).  
         [0050]     A paint roller  312  is shown integrally connected to the base  310  in  FIG. 11 , but other tools can be used with the implement  300 . The base  310  and the paint roller  312  can be secured to and removed from the tip  308  as in previous examples. After the base  310  is removed from the tip  308 , a second base (not shown) similar to the base  310  can then be disposed on the tip  308 . The second base can have a different type of tool such as a paint brush (not shown) attached to it. Furthermore, a base similar to base  310  with virtually any type of tool attached to it could be disposed on the tip  308  and used. For example, in addition to the already mentioned paint roller and paint brush, other tools such as a broom, squeegee, pik, other kinds of brushes, and the like can be connected to a base and used. Thus, the implement  300  allows for the quick interchangeability of tools.  
         [0051]     A variety of materials may be used to manufacture the quick release tip and the base including but not limited to die cast zinc, aluminum, stainless steel, and a variety of thermoplastic resins. Thermoplastic polymers such as, for example, polyesters, nylons, polypropylenes, and mixtures thereof are specific materials that can be used to fabricate the tip and the base.  
         [0052]     Although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of a quick-tip system, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every embodiment of a quick-tip system.