Patent GB-1194047-A (GB)
Title: Releasable Mechanical Coupling
Inventor: MCCARTHY JOHN JOSEPH
IPC: F16D1/108
Filed: 1967-08-29
Abstract: 1,194,047. Stud and socket fasteners. J. J. MCCARTHY. 29 Aug., 1967, No. 39524/67. Heading E2B. A releasable mechanical coupling comprises, in combination, a receiver part 12 having a socket and a projection 18 in the socket, a plug part 10 including a plug member 16 having a foremost end portion which is insertable and turnable in the socket of the receiver part and having a slot with opposite edges in said end portion, said slot 20 being adapted to receive said projection and having an inner end portion extending along a helix whereby it requires turning of the plug member in the socket as said member is advanced therein, and an elongate fastening and release member 30 longitudinally movable with respect to the plug member between advanced fastening and retracted releasing positions and actuatable by means engageable by the fingers, keying means 34, 36 between the plug member and the fastening and release member, preventing relative turning therebetween a slot 38 in an end portion of the fastening and release member, engageable with the said projection and which is operative at the time that the member is in fastening position to prevent turning of the plug member when the end portion thereof is in said socket with the projection fully received in said slot, thereby to fasten the plug member in the receiver part, spring means 44 biasing the fastening and release member to the advanced fastening position, said slot of the plug member having at its mouth a divergent entrance portion, said fastening and release member having divergent transverse end walls disposed at the mouth of its slot, one of said walls being positioned to require its engagement by the projection when the latter is being guided by and engaged with one edge 'of said slot of the plug member in preparation for entry of the projection fully into said slot of the plug member, said engagement of the said one transverse end wall by the projection guiding the latter into the slot of the fastening and release member and enabling the projection to effect a retracting longitudinal movement of said fastening and release member against the action of said spring means. In the construction shown the plug member 16 has a second slot 22, also having an inner end portion which extends along a helix the corresponding portions of the two inner unit portions of the slots 20, 22 always being diametrically opposite each other; the fastening and release member also has a second slot 40 diametrically opposite the first slot. Each of the slots 20 and 22 has an edge portion cut away so that the slot has divergent edges at its mouth portion to define a V-shaped entrance for the projection. As shown the plug member 16 is carried by a tubular extension 46 on which a release collar 32 is slidable and the spring 44 is trapped between the release collar and a flange of the extension 46. In a modification however the spring is contained inside the plug member 16 and is trapped between the end of the fastening and release member 30 and a pin 56 diametrically positioned in the plug member 16.