Patent Publication Number: US-2022228617-A1

Title: Quick fastening and/or connection system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/984,268 filed on May 18, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/386,779, which is the US national phase of PCT application no. PCT/IB2012/002011 filed on Oct. 10, 2012, which claims priority from Italian patent application no. VI2012A000071 filed on Mar. 28, 2012. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention concerns the field of quick connection and/or fastening systems suited to alternatively allow the mutual fastening and separation of two elements. 
     In particular, the present invention concerns the technical field of quick connection and/or fastening systems suited to alternatively allow the fastening and separation of two elements, like for example the upright or the bearing structure and a shelf of a shelving system, as well as a frame (for example, of a piece of furniture) and a door panel of the same piece of furniture. 
     The present invention, thus, concerns in particular a quick connection and/or fastening system suited to be used as a handle of doors and/or windows (for homes, cars, camper vans and vehicles in general), and/or even for doors of pieces of furniture for houses and not, like for example shelving systems, chests of drawers, wardrobes and/or even for replacing known fastening systems or means, like for example bolts and screws or nuts, for example for fixing the wheels of a vehicle. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART 
     In the state of the art connection and/or coupling systems are known, by means of which two components are mutually fixed to each other. Examples of connecting systems are known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,698 A e CH 600 738 A5. For example, in the case of construction of shelving systems and/or similar structures, systems are known, which allow the shelves to be fastened to the bearing structure of the shelving system as well as to be removed from the same. The most common systems comprise small metal parts, for example screws and anchors, as well as elements in predefined shapes and sizes suited to be fastened to the bearing structure and to the various shelves through said screws and/or said anchors. The assembly of a shelving system, for example, requires that the coupling or fastening elements that during the actual assembly will be coupled (engaged) with the coupling and/or fastening elements previously fixed to the shelves are arranged in advance on the shelving system. 
     If on the one hand the advantages offered by the most recent solutions can be recognized, it should however be noted that said solutions are not without drawbacks. 
     In particular, one of the typical drawbacks lies in that the actual anchorage elements must however be fixed in advance to the elements that must be mutually fastened to each other (for example, to the bearing structure and to the various shelves of a shelving system), using screws or similar means, and therefore in that it is not possible to reduce the overall assembly time by more than a certain amount of time. 
     Furthermore, in the case of modern shelving systems there is a tendency to avoid the use of screws or similar means due to their unpleasant appearance and due to the risk of damaging the component parts of a shelving system (for example, with scratches or similar types of damage). 
     Another examples of a connecting system is known from GB2297793 A. More particularly GB2297793 provides a device with a lever which is connected to a scoop to enable the scoop to be retracted against a spring and the ball is no connected with scoop. It has to be noted that in the mechanism of GB2297793 when the system is blocked, the ball is blocked between the ramp, the belt and the cover. So, when the lever connected to the scoop retracts the spring the scoop detaches from the ball, the ball remain blocked between the ramp and the belt. Furthermore in order to obtain the desired release action the system needs to act on the belt moving it down ( FIG. 4 ). 
     Finally, the coupling systems of the known type, in particular the actual coupling means, do not offer the necessary guarantees and the necessary reliability against any accidental disengagement or uncoupling, so that there is the risk that during use of the completed structure (for example, while a book is being taken from a shelf) a shelf may be accidentally separated from the bearing structure, with serious risks for the user and consequent loss of stability of the same structure. 
     Regarding, furthermore, the quick connection and/or fastening systems suited to be used as a handle for door and/or window panels (for homes, cars, camper vans and vehicles in general), and/or for doors of pieces of furniture to be used in homes or even in other environments, like for example shelving systems, chests of drawers, wardrobes etc., also in this case it should be noted that many different solutions have been recently proposed. However, very often said solutions have been proposed to meet different needs, in such a way as to privilege, in some cases, the need for functionality and reliability, while in other cases the intention was to meet aesthetic or dimensional needs and in other cases the focus was on ease of assembly and installation. 
     Thus, none of the known solutions actually meets all the needs mentioned above. 
     For example, the handles of the classical type (rotating handles, handles with rack mechanism or the like) usually offer suitable guarantees regarding their functionality (which makes them the most appreciated and the preferred solution for use on doors, windows or door/window frames for homes in general) but are often characterized by considerable dimensions, which make them unsuitable for specific applications, for example on pieces of furniture or cabinets intended to be used especially in camper vans or in any case in reduced spaces. In the same way, the solutions known and more suited to be used for different purposes, like for example in the case of cabinets, are often characterized by a simple construction that reduces their size and makes them easy to assemble and to use but that often is to the detriment of reliability and functionality. 
     It is thus one of the objects of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above and present in the solutions known in the state of the art. 
     In particular, the objects and aims of the present invention can be summed up as follows. 
     It is a first object of the invention to provide a solution that can be used as an alternative to the handles of door leaves, doors, windows and door/window frames of the known type in general, as an alternative to the connection and/or fastening systems used and known in the art for the quick assembly of structures like for example shelving systems and/or similar structures, and finally also as an alternative to fixing means like bolts, nuts etc. 
     It is thus, in particular, a further object of the present invention to provide a quick connection and/or fastening system that, if used as a handle, offers suitable guarantees in terms of reliability (eliminating or drastically reducing the risk of accidental opening of the door or window), in terms of functionality (allowing the door or window to be opened by means of simple and immediate operations), in terms of construction simplicity (including a limited number of component parts that are simple and easy to manufacture), as well as in terms of ease of assembly and/or application to the corresponding panel or door, and that has reduced overall dimensions. 
     In greater detail, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a quick connection and/or fastening system that, if used for the mutual fastening of two rigid elements (for example, for assembling shelving systems and/or similar structures), offers suitable guarantees against the risk of accidental uncoupling of the parts mutually fixed to each other by means of said system, said system being furthermore easy to assemble, suited to be constructed with simple operations as quickly as possible, as well as suited to be applied in a simple and immediate way and in a short time to the parts to be mutually fastened and/or connected, and having an appearance that is not antiaesthetic and a reduced size. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention can be specifically and conveniently applied in the field of construction of handles, for example for doors, windows and door/window frames in general, as well as for pieces of furniture, shelving systems, chests of drawers etc. Thus, this is the reason why most of the examples of application of the device according to the present invention that are described below refer to the specific case of the handles normally used, in fact, on the doors of pieces of furniture, on chests of drawers etc., as well as on common doors and/or windows. 
     It should however be noted that the possible applications of the device according to the present invention are not limited to the specific case of handles. On the contrary, the present invention can be advantageously applied in all the cases where it is necessary to mutually fix two components in a quick and reliable manner (avoiding any accidental uncoupling), for example two components of a structure that may even be more complex, in particular a wheel (for example of a motor vehicle) to the corresponding hub or axle shaft. 
     The present invention is based on the general consideration that the disadvantages or drawbacks that are typical of the solutions known in the art (in particular of the systems usable as handles) can be overcome or at least reduced to a minimum by providing a quick connection and/or fastening system comprising a first and a second component that are suited to be alternatively connected to and disconnected from each other, as well as to be respectively fixed to a first and a second element (for example, the frame of a door and the swinging panel of said door, or the structure of a wardrobe or cabinet and a swinging door panel or even the front panel of a drawer), in which the mutual connection of said two components takes place through the translation of a portion of said first component inside said second component, while disconnection takes place through the translation of said portion of said first component in a direction substantially opposite the coupling direction. In this way, the functionality of the device (the handle) is considerably simplified as, for example in the case of a drawer, the user does not have to carry out special operations but in order to close the drawer and thus connect the two components of the handle he/she just needs to push the drawer in the closing direction, while to disconnect the two components of the handle (to open the drawer) he/she simply needs to pull the handle in the opening direction, substantially opposite the closing direction. Furthermore, in this way it is possible to obtain a handle characterized by a reduced number of components, each one of which is simple to construct and thus easy to assemble, in a limited time and at reduced costs. The overall dimensions of the handle, furthermore, are reduced, with evident advantages also from an aesthetic point of view. 
     A further consideration on which the present invention is based concerns the fact that additional advantages can be obtained by providing the second component of the handle with means suited to counteract the translation of the portion of the first component in the uncoupling direction, said counteracting means being activated by the same translation of said portion of said first component. In this way, in fact, the handle is automatically activated against the accidental uncoupling of the two components. 
     Additional advantages are obtained by providing counteracting means that are such that the force exerted by them against the translation of the end portion of the first component in the uncoupling direction increases along the translation direction of said end portion, until causing said end portion to become locked inside said second component. 
     Moreover, further advantages will be obtained by providing the second component with means suited to deactivate said counteracting means, in such a way as to be able to obtain the mutual disconnection of said first and second component every time and only when this is necessary. 
     Considerable advantages can be finally obtained when said deactivation means are constructed in such a way as to deactivate the counteracting means through the translation of said deactivation means in the same opening direction of the element to which the second component of the handle is applied, for example in the opening direction of a drawer. In this way, in fact, the intervention of the user to deactivate the counteracting means will allow the practically simultaneous opening of the drawer. 
     A first embodiment of the present invention is a quick connection and/or fastening system suited to mutually connect and disconnect a first and a second element, said system comprising a first and a second component suited to be respectively fixed to said first and second component, as well as suited to be mutually connected and disconnected in such a way as to alternatively allow the mutual connection and disconnection of said first and second element, said second component being suited to house an end portion of said first component in such a way as to allow it to translate inside it, said second component comprising also counteracting means that are suited to counteract the translation of said end portion of said first component towards the outside of said second component. 
     According a further embodiment of the invention, the subject of the present invention is a connection and/or fastening system in which said second component comprises a rotatable element that is set rotating in a first rotation direction by the translation of the end portion of the first component towards the inside of the second component and that is set rotating in a second rotation direction contrary to the first rotation direction by the translation of the end portion of the first component towards the outside of the second component. Furthermore, said counteracting means are suited to counteract the rotation of said rotatable element in said second rotation direction. 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, said second component comprises a rigid portion that together with said end portion of said first component defines an inner space in which said rotatable element is housed and in which said rigid portion, said end portion and said rotatable element are shaped and mutually positioned so that said counteracting force is generated owing to the mutual action of said rigid portion and said end portion on said rotatable element. 
     Further advantages are guaranteed by the additional embodiments of the system according to the present invention that are defined in the further dependent claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated here below through the description of some embodiments of the same illustrated in the attached drawings. It should however be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings; on the contrary, the field of application and the scope of the present invention include all those variants and changes to the embodiments shown and described herein that appear to be clear, obvious and immediately understandable to any person skilled in the art. In particular, in the attached drawings: 
         FIGS. 1 a , 1 b  and 1 c    show each a sectional view of a first embodiment of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in the coupling position, in a position where they are going to be released from each other and in the released position; 
         FIGS. 1 d  and 1 e    show a first example of use of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures from  1   a  to  1   c;    
         FIGS. 1 f  and 1 h    show a second example of use of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures from  1   a  to  1   c;    
         FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c    show each a sectional view of a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in the coupling position, in a position where they are going to be released from each other and in the released position; 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    show each a sectional view of an illustrative example of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in the coupling position and in a position where they are going to be released from each other; 
         FIGS. 3 c  and 3 d    show an example of use of the system according to the illustrative example of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a    and  3   b;    
         FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c    show each a sectional view of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in a position where they are going to be coupled with each other, in a position where they are going to be released from each other and in the released position; 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show each a sectional view of an illustrative example of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in the coupling position and in a position where they are going to be released from each other; 
         FIGS. 5 c , 5 d  and 5 e    show an example of use of the system according to the illustrative example of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 5 a    and  5   b;    
         FIGS. 6 a , 6 b , 6 c  and 6 d    concern a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b    show each a sectional view of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention with the first and the second component of said system respectively in the coupling position and in a position where they are going to be released from each other; 
       Figures from  8   a  to  8   c  respectively show a front view and two sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
       Figures from  9   a  to  9   c  respectively show a side view and two sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9 d , 9 e  and 9 f    show details of three variants of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 a    and  7   b;    
         FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    respectively show a front view and a plan view of some component parts of a further embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    respectively show a front view and a plan view of some component parts of a further embodiment of the present invention; 
       Figures from  12   a  to  12   c  show a corresponding number of sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
       Figures from  13   a  to  13   c  show a corresponding number of sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
       Figures from  14   a  to  14   c  show a corresponding number of sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
       Figures from  15   a  to  15   c  show a corresponding number of sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
         FIGS. 17 a    and from  17   b  to  17   d  show a corresponding number of sectional views of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  shows a front view of component parts of a further embodiment of the system according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The first embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures from  1   a  to  1   c  comprises a first component  10  and a second component  20  that are suited to interact with each other as will be explained in greater detail below. The first component  10  is shaped as a small bar (for example in metal, plastic or another similar rigid material) and is suited to be rigidly fixed to a first element  100 , for example the bearing structure of a shelving system or a chest of drawers, or even a doorpost or a door/window frame in general. The second component  20  is made in the shape of a handle and therefore is suited to be rigidly fixed to a second element  200 , for example a revolving door or window, or even the front panel of a drawer. For this purpose, the second component  20  comprises a first portion suited to be housed in a proper seat in the element  200  and a second, so-called external portion  28  that serves as handle knob. The first component  10  then comprises an end portion  11  through which the first component is fixed to the element  100 , as well as a second end portion  12 , opposite the first end portion  11  and suited to be received and housed in a hollow seat  25  that has a complementary matching shape and is obtained completely in the second component  20 . Inside the second component  20  there is also a space  26  delimited on one side by a rigid portion  21  (for example, a metal strap) inclined with respect to the end portion  12  of the first component  10 . In particular, the end portion  12  is suited to translate inside the seat  25  so as to graze the space  26  on the opposite side with respect to the inclined portion  21 . For the sake of clarity, the translation direction of the end portion  12 —from left to right in  FIG. 1 a   -here below will be defined also as the translation direction towards the inside of the second component  20 , while the translation direction of the end  12 —from right to left in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   —will be defined also as the translation direction towards the outside of the second component  20 . The inclination of the portion  21  is such that the distance between it and the end portion  12  decreases when proceeding along the translation direction of the same end  12  towards the outside of the second component  20 , while it increases in the opposite direction, meaning the translation direction towards the inside of the component  20 . Inside the space  26  there is also a helical spring  23  fixed to or fitted on a rigid element  22  (for example, a small cylindrical bar) whose outer diameter will substantially coincide with the inner diameter of the helical spring  23 . Always inside the space  26  there is a rotatable and translatable element  24 , for example a small cylinder, a rod iron piece or even a ball, positioned at the level of the free end of the helical spring  23  so that the helical spring  23  exerts a thrusting action on said rotatable element  24  towards the end of the space  26  in which the distance between the rigid portion  21  and the end portion  12  decreases. Inside the second component  20  there is also (in a proper seat with a matching shape) a release element  27  suited to be translated inside the second component  20  in a direction substantially parallel to the translation direction of the end portion  12  and thus from left to right in  FIG. 1 a    (towards the inside of component  20 ) and from right to left in  FIG. 1 a    (towards the outside of component  20 ). The release element  27  is particularly suited to be translated towards the inside of the component  20  through the action exerted by a user on the knob  28  (the release element  27  and the knob  28  thus being mutually connected through connection means not illustrated in the figures and, for example, also housed inside the component  20 ), and thus through the traction exerted by a user on the knob  28  from left to right in  FIG. 1 a   , the same release element  27  being also suited to be translated towards the outside of the component  20  through a thrusting action exerted by a user on the knob  28  in the direction opposite the traction direction, and thus from right to left in  FIG. 1 a   . During its translation towards the inside of the second component  20 , the release element  27  will come to rest against the rotatable element  24  thus pushing it towards the inside of the component  20  against the action of the spring  23 , and thus pushing it towards that portion of the inner space  26  in which the distance between the rigid portion  21  and the end portion  12  of the first component  10  increases. 
     The operation of the connection system (the handle) according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures from  1   a  to  1   c  can be summed up as follows. The mutual connection of the first component  10  and the second component  20  is obtained by translating or sliding the end portion  12  of the first component  10  towards the inside of the second component  20 . During the translation movement of the end portion  12  towards the inside of the component  20 , the surface of the end  12  facing towards the portion  21  comes into contact with the external surface of the rotatable element  24  that thus is first set rotating clockwise and successively set translating thanks to the friction generated between the end portion  12  and the rotatable element  24 , said rotatable element  24  being in contact also with the surface of the portion  21  facing towards the end portion  12  of the first component  10 . During its clockwise rotation and its successive translation, the rotatable element  24  thus moves against the action of the spring (from left to right in  FIG. 1 a   ) and thus towards that part or portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the rigid portion  21  and the end portion  12  of the first component  10  increases. The rotatable and translatable element  24 , therefore, does not hinder the translation of the end portion  12  towards the inside of the component  20 , so that the end portion  12  is able to reach its final position inside the component  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 a   , final position that is thus defined as a mutual locking position between the first component  10  and the second component  20 , in such a way as to mutually lock the two elements  100  and  200  in a predefined position. 
     The accidental release of the first component  10  and of the second component  20  (and thus, for example, the accidental opening of a drawer or of a door or window) is therefore impossible, since in the locking condition illustrated in  FIG. 1 a    any accidental translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside of the component  20  is impossible. In fact, during the translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside of the component  20 , the rotatable element  24  is set rotating anticlockwise, and if necessary is even set translating (thanks to the friction between the end portion  12  and the rotatable element  24  itself) and thus moved towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the rigid portion  21  and the end portion  12  decreases. The movement of the rotatable element  24  towards said portion of the space  26  (and thus substantially towards the outside of the component  20 ) leads the rotatable element  24  to become engaged between the end portion  12  and the portion  21 , so that at a certain point neither a further anticlockwise rotation of the element  21  nor a further translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside of the component  20  will be possible. In other words, at a certain point during its anticlockwise rotation, and thus at a certain point during the translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside, the rotatable element  24  will become engaged between the end portion  12  and the rigid portion  21  so as to lock even the end portion  12 . Therefore, a user who wants to open, for example, a door or a drawer (the element  200 ) by acting directly on said door or drawer so as to exclude the component  20  (without exerting any action on the knob  28 ) will not be able to obtain the mutual release of the component  20  and the component  10 , and thus will not be able to open said door or drawer. The mutual release of the two components  10  and  20  (and thus the opening of the door or drawer) will on the other hand be possible by pulling the knob  28  from left to right as shown in  FIG. 1 b   , and thus in such a way as to translate the release element  27  towards the inside of the component  20 . In fact, during its translation towards the inside of the component  20 , the release element  27 , as already explained above, pushes the rotatable and translatable element  24  towards the inside of the component  20  and thus towards the portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the portion  21  and the end  12  increases. In this way, therefore, the opposing action (friction) between the external surface of the rotatable and translatable element  24  and the surface of the end portion  12  facing towards the rigid portion  21  decreases (even to the extent of being completely eliminated in the position in which the rotatable and translatable element  24  is not in contact with the end portion  12  any longer). Therefore, in these conditions, a translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside of the component  20  leads neither to an anticlockwise rotation of the rotatable element  24  nor to its movement or shift towards the outside (towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the end  12  and the portion  21  decreases), so that the end  12  is free to translate until moving completely out of the component  20 , as shown in  FIG. 1 c   . It can thus be understood from the above that, for example in the case of a drawer  200  withdrawable from a chest of drawers from left to right as shown in  FIG. 1 a   , a user will be able to open said drawer  200  by simply pulling the knob  28  in the same opening direction of the drawer, so that a single traction operation exerted on the knob  28  will first allow the mutual release of the two components  20  and  10  of the system and also the opening of the drawer itself. On the contrary, any attempt to open the drawer  200  without exerting any action on the knob  28  will lead to the mutual locking of the two components  20  and  10  of the system. 
       FIGS. 1 d  and 1 e    schematically show a first example of use or application of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention previously described. In this case, in fact, the first component  10  is rigidly fixed to the bearing structure  100  of a chest of drawers or cabinet  300 , while the second component  20  is applied to the front panel of a drawer  200  so that the knob  28  of the system projects from the front panel  200  towards the outside of the cabinet  300 . The opening and closing of the drawer will thus be achieved by proceeding as previously described, through a pulling or pushing action exerted on the knob  28 . 
     A second example of application or use of the embodiment of the system according to the present invention as previously described is shown in  FIGS. 1 f  and 1 h   . In this case, the element  100  is constituted by a vertical wall while the element  200  is constituted by a shelf. Two components  10  are rigidly fixed to the vertical wall  100  and two components  20  are fixed to the shelf  200 , on the edge of the same that is intended to be facing towards the vertical wall  100 . The assembly of the shelving system shown in  FIGS. 1 f  and 1 h    will thus be obtained by previously fixing the components  10  to the vertical wall  100  and the components  20  to the shelf  200  in corresponding positions. Finally, pushing the shelf  200  towards the vertical wall  100  leads to the mutual locking of the components  10  and  20  and thus to the fastening of the shelf  200  to the vertical wall  100 . To remove the shelf it will thus be necessary to act only on the components  10  and/or  20  as described above and then to move the shelf  200  away from the vertical wall  100 . 
     A further embodiment of the system according to the present invention is described here below with reference to Figures from  2   a  to  2   c ; in the Figures from  2   a  to  2   c  those component parts or characteristics of the system according to the present invention already described above are identified by the same reference numbers. 
     The embodiment shown in Figures from  2   a  to  2   c  comprises many of the component parts that are present in the embodiment described above with reference to Figures from  1   a  to  1   c . In fact, in  FIG. 2 a    it is possible to observe a first component  10  with a first end  11  through which said first component  10  is fixed to a first element  100 , and a second end  12  housed in a seat  25  obtained inside the second component  20  so that it can slide and be translated inside said second component  20 . A space  26  is obtained also in this case inside the component  20  so that said inner space  26  is in contact with the seat  25  where the end  12  is housed and slides. Also in this case the inner space  26  is defined by a rigid portion  21  that is inclined with respect to the sliding direction of the end  12  so that the distance between the portion  21  and the end portion  12  decreases towards the outside of the component  20 . A supporting element  22  extends inside said space  26  and is provided with a helical spring  23  engaged therein, which pushes towards the outside of the component  20  (and thus towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the portion  21  and the end portion  12  is shorter) a rotatable and translatable element  24  (for example a small cylinder, a pawl or even a ball) that is housed inside the space  26 , too. The main difference between this embodiment and the embodiment previously described lies in that, in this case, the hand grip or knob of the previous embodiment is replaced by a hollow body or casing  28  through which the second component  20  is fixed to the element  200 , in particular to the side of the element  200  facing towards the first component  10  and the element  100 . The hollow body  28  slides on the main body of the second component  20  from left to right and from right to left as shown in the figures (and thus along a direction substantially parallel to the sliding direction of the end  12 ), a second helical spring  30  being housed in a suitable seat created between the main body of the second component  20  and the hollow body  28 . It can thus be understood that the helical spring  30  pushes the hollow body  28  from right to left in the figures, and thus that the sliding movement of the hollow body  28  from left to right takes place opposing the action of the helical spring  30 . A release element  27  is suited to be driven by the hollow body  28  towards the inside of the second component  20  during the translation of the hollow body  28  from left to right. 
     As in the case of the embodiment described above, during its translation towards the inside of the component  20  the release element  27  pushes the rotatable and translatable element  24  towards the portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the portion  21  and the end portion  12  of the first component  10  is greater, thus allowing the translation of the end portion  12  towards the outside of the second component  20  and thus the mutual release of the first component  10  and of the second component  20  (with the result that the element  100  is released from the element  200 ). The mutual locking of the first component  10  and of the second component  20 , therefore, also in this case is achieved through the insertion of the end portion  12  in the second component  20 . In this case, however, the mutual release is obtained by simply acting on the element  200  so as to move it away from the element  100 . In fact, in this way, since at the beginning the first and the second element are in a position of mutual locking and are thus constrained to each other, acting on the element  200  so as to move it away from the element  100  first makes the casing  28  slide on the second component  20  (against the action of the spring  30 ) and then drives the release element  27  that thus pushes the rotatable and translatable element  24  towards the portion of the inner space  26  in which the distance between the portion  21  and the end  12  is greater, until the rotatable and translatable element  24  reaches a position in which its external surface is not any longer or is only slightly in contact with the end portion  12 , or at least on which the friction between the external surface of the rotatable and translatable element  24  and the end portion  12  is minimal. In this way, the counteracting action exerted by the element  24  on the end portion  12  is eliminated and thus continuous action on the element  200  to move it away from the element  100  makes the end portion  12  come out of the component  20  and thus releases the two components  10  and  20 , as well as the two elements  100  and  200 . In order to prevent the portion  21  from hindering or blocking the translation of the release element  27  towards the inside of the component  20 , the release element  27  is provided with a suitable seat  29  intended to house the end of the portion  21  facing towards the outside of the component  20  (in this regard, see  FIG. 2 b   ). 
     In the illustrative example of the system according to the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    (in which as usual component parts and/or characteristics already described above are identified by the same reference numbers) the first component  10  is quite similar to the one present in the embodiments previously described and is thus suited to be fixed to a first element  100  (for example a shelf) with one of its ends, while a second end portion is suited to be slidingly housed inside the second component  20 . Said second component  20  comprises in this case a lower part I and an upper part S, with a truncated cone-shaped or funnel-shaped seat created in said lower part I in such a way as to define an inner space  26  in which balls  24  are housed so that they can rotate and are arranged in a circle around a centre pin of said truncated cone-shaped seat, elastic thrusting means  23  being interposed between the centre pin and the balls so as to thrust the balls towards the outside of the truncated cone-shaped seat and thus towards the shallower portion of said truncated cone-shaped seat. The upper part S is positioned above the lower part I at a predefined distance, in such a way as to define an air space  25  inside which the end portion  12  of the first component  10  can slide or translate. The lower surface of the truncated cone-shaped seat thus corresponds to the inclined portion  21  that is present in the embodiments described above, so that the mutual action between the balls  24 , the lower surface  21  of the truncated cone-shaped seat and the end portion  12  is quite similar to the action that is generated in the embodiments described above, so that the insertion of the end portion  12  of the first component towards the inside of the second component  20  takes place in a way that is almost equal to that described for the previous embodiments. The special feature of this illustrative example, however, lies in that the mutual distance between the upper part S and the lower part I can be changed (in particular, increased) by rotating a knob  28  as indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 3 b    and thus in such a way as to increase the cross section of the seat  25  where the end portion  12  of the first component  10  slides. The release of the first component  10  from the second component  20 , and thus of the first element  100  from the second element  200 , is obtained by acting on the knob  28  in such a way as to move the upper part S from the position shown in  FIG. 3 a    to that shown in  FIG. 3 b   . With the upper part S in the position shown in  FIG. 3 b   , the end  12 , during its translation towards the outside of the second component  20 , does not cause the rotation of one or more of the balls  24  so that the same are not driven towards the external part of the truncated cone-shaped seat  26  and no friction or opposing action is generated between the balls  24  and said end  12 , so that the same end  12  will be free to exit from the second component  20 . 
       FIGS. 3 c  and 3 d    show an example of application and/or use of the illustrative example just described above. In the example of application illustrated above, the first component  10  is fixed to a shelf  100  while the second component  20  is inserted in a post  200 , for example a bearing column. The first element  100  is thus fastened to the bearing column  200  by inserting the end of the first component  10  in the air space  25  between the upper part S and the lower part I of the second component  20  while said first element  100  and second element  200  can be released from each other by releasing the two components  10  and  20  of the system proceeding as described above. One of the advantages offered by this illustrative example lies in that several elements  100  can be fastened to the support  200  using a single component  20  and arranging said first elements along the circumference of said single component  20 . 
     The embodiment of the system according to the present invention illustrated in Figures from  4   a  to  4   c  (in which, as usual, component parts and/or characteristics already described above with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numbers) can be quite conveniently applied to a container  300 , for example a waste container as illustrated in the figures. The same embodiment of the present invention can however be applied, as conveniently as in the former instance, for example, to dumpers or heavy vehicles, agricultural machines and/or building machines etc. In particular, the first component  10  of the system according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures from  4   a  to  4   c  is fixed to the main body  100  of the container  300  while the second component  20  is housed in a suitable seat in the door  200  of said container, said door  200  being constrained to the main body  100  of the container  300  through a revolving constraint  201  like, for example, a hinge. While on the one hand it is necessary to refer to the previous description (in particular, to the description of the first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures from  1   a  to  1   c ) regarding the mutual interaction between the end of the first component  10  and the components housed inside the second component  20  (rotatable and/or translatable element and spring housed in an inner space defined by an inclined surface etc.), since the arrangement of said component parts is substantially identical to that provided in said embodiment previously described, it should be noted that a specific feature of the present embodiment is represented by the fact that inside the second component  20  there is a V-shaped seat  43  that communicates with the inside and the outside of the second component  20  and therefore in particular with the inside and the outside of the container  300 . Inside said seat  43  there is a small sphere  42  that is free to move inside the seat  43 . In particular, the movement of the small sphere  42  inside the seat  43  takes place thanks to the action of the force of gravity when the user acts on the container  300  and/or the door  200 , for example rotating them as indicated by the arrows A and B in the figures. A lever  44  (which, as can be clearly understood from the following description, serves the same function as the knob  28  previously described) is arranged so that a portion of the same is slidingly housed inside the component  20  and is in communication with the release element  27  (not illustrated in the figures for the sake of clarity) while a second portion of the lever  44  is arranged so that its free end is at the level of the opening of the V-shaped seat  43  facing towards the outside of the container  300 . On the opposite side of the component  20  with respect to the lever  44 , a second rocking lever  40  is revolvingly constrained to the component  20  through a revolving constraint  41  like for example a hinge, so that an end portion of the lever  40  is at the level of the opening of the seat  43  facing towards the inside of the container  300 , while the opposite end of the lever  41  is positioned at the level of the release element  27 . 
     The mutual release of the two components  10  and  20  of the system, and thus the opening of the door  200 , can therefore be summed up as follows. 
     Rotating the container in the direction of the arrow B as shown in  FIG. 4 b    (and thus clockwise) makes the small sphere  42  slide inside the seat  43  towards the external opening of said seat  43  until it hits against the lever  44  that thus is thrust and translated towards the outside of the container  300  and of the second component  20 , so that the portion of the lever  44  housed inside the component  20  brings with itself the release element  27  that at this point acts on the rotatable element until this reaches the position in which the friction, and therefore the opposing action generated between the rotatable element and the end portion  12  of the first component  10 , is eliminated or at least reduced, thus allowing the mutual release of the first component  10  and the second component  20  from each other. In this way, therefore, always thanks to the action of the force of gravity, the door opens automatically as shown in  FIG. 4 c   , allowing the container to be emptied. 
     In the same way, acting on the door  200  so as to rotate it in the direction of the arrow A in  FIG. 4 a    means obtaining first the at least partial rotation of the entire container  300  in the same rotation direction (anticlockwise), the first component  10  and the second component  20  being constrained to each other. Continued rotation of the door  200  (and/or of the entire container) in the same rotation direction makes the small sphere  42  move by gravity inside the seat  43  towards the opening in the seat  43  facing towards the inside of the container and thus hit against the end of the rocking lever  40  positioned at the level of said opening. The impact of the small sphere  42  against the end of the rocking lever  40  causes the latter to rotate around the constraint  41  so that the second end of the rocking lever is pushed towards the inside of the component  20  bringing the release element  27  with itself in its pushing movement. At this point the first and the second component  10  and  20  are mutually released from each other and it is thus possible to open the door  200 . It appears evident from the above that a considerable advantage offered by this embodiment lies in that the mutual release of the components  10  and  20  of the system (and thus the release of the door  200  from the main body of the container  100 ) is obtained by acting directly either on the door or on the container, and therefore with no need for any direct action on one of the two components of the system. 
     An illustrative example of the system according to the present invention is described here below with reference to  FIGS. 5 a    and  5   b.    
     In this illustrative example, the first component  10  of the system has the shape of a hollow tubular element suited to be inserted and partially housed in a proper seat  101  in a first element  100 . The second component  20  is constituted by a hollow body suited to house the end portion  12  of the first component  10 , end that in this case extends on one side of the first element  100  (on the right in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   ). A portion of said end  12  defining a truncated-cone shaped surface  22  whose diameter decreases towards the first element  100  extends from the external surface of the end  12  of the first component  10 . In the same way, the second component  20  comprises a truncated-cone shaped portion  21  that defines a truncated-cone shaped surface opposite the truncated-cone shaped surface  22 , so as to form an air space  26 . On the truncated cone-shaped surface defined by the truncated cone-shaped portion  22  there is a circumferential groove housing rotatable elements like balls or similar elements. The first component  10  also comprises a radial seat  55  in which a dowel  50  is engaged, said dowel  50  being provided with an external thread that in turn engages with the internal thread of an engagement seat of the dowel, said seat being obtained in the second component  20 . A second dowel  51  is screwed into a threaded engagement seat of the second component  20  so that the end of said dowel  51  projecting towards the inside of the second component  20  becomes engaged in a sliding seat  52  obtained on the external surface of the first component  10 . A helical spring  23  is interposed between the first component  10  and the second component  20  as shown in  FIG. 5 b   , and in particular in such a way as to thrust the second component  20  towards the first element  100 , and thus from right to left in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   . The function of the spheres  24 , of the truncated cone-shaped surfaces  21  etc. is similar to that of the corresponding parts provided in the embodiments previously described, therefore the detailed description of said function is omitted for the sake of brevity, simply specifying that the mutual locking of the first component  10  and the second component  20  takes place thanks to the counteracting action between the balls and the corresponding truncated cone-shaped surfaces, in such a way as to prevent the first component  10  from withdrawing from the second component  20  sliding towards the outside of the second component  20 , in particular from right to left in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   . In the case of this embodiment, the sliding movement of the second component  20  with respect to the first component  10  in the opposite direction (release), and thus in the direction in which the second component  20  would move away from the element  100 , is prevented also by the dowel  50  that, as previously explained, becomes engaged in a seat obtained in the first component  10 . In order to obtain the mutual release of the first component  10  and of the second component  20 , and thus to move the second component  20  away from the element  100 , it is necessary to act on the dowel  50  so as to make it exit from the engagement seat  55 . (The dowel thus serves a further safety function against any accidental release). At this point, the component  20  can be moved away from the element  100  (translating it from left to right as shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   ) until reaching the final position defined by the engagement of the second dowel  51  in the engagement seat  52  obtained on the external surface of the end  12  of the first component  10 . With the second component  20  in this final position, the space between the two truncated cone-shaped surfaces will increase, as shown in  FIG. 5 b   , and thus the friction and the opposing action between the balls  24  and the external surface of the end portion  12  are eliminated, so that said end portion  12  can be withdrawn from the component  20  from right to left as shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b   , so as to obtain the mutual release of the two components  10  and  20 . Furthermore, the dowel  50 , becoming engaged in the engagement seat  55  with its end, serves the further function of exerting a compression force on the external surface of the first component  10 , avoiding troublesome slacks and/or mutual movements between said first component  10  and said second component  20 . 
       FIGS. 5 c  and 5 d    schematically show one of the possible uses of the illustrative example just described, in particular the use of the system according to said illustrative example of the present invention for fixing, for example, a shelf  200  to a supporting wall  100 . In fact, it can be observed in particular in  FIG. 5 d    that two first components  10  of the system can be fixed to the wall  100  so that they project from the same, while two components  20  can be fixed to the edge of the shelf (but even under the shelf) facing towards the wall  100  in such corresponding positions that moving the shelf  200  towards the wall  100  inserts each one of the two first components  10  in a corresponding component  20  until they reach the mutual position shown in  FIG. 5 a   , where it is fixed by acting on the dowel  50 . 
     A second use of the illustrative example of the system according to the present invention just described is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5 e   , in which a hinge intended to revolvingly constrain a door or window to a frame is made up of two elements  100  and  200 , a first component  10  of the system being fixed to the first element  100  so that it projects from the same, while a second element  20  of the system is revolvingly fixed to a second element  200  in turn intended to be fixed to said frame. The two components of the system are then positioned on the two opposite faces of the door/window panel  400  at the level of a suitable opening  500  with the first component  10  that extends through said opening  500 , and then fixed and constrained to each other through the insertion of the first component  10  in the second component  20 . With the first and the second component  10  and  20  mutually fixed to each other and also to the door/window panel  400  as just described, the element  200  can be fixed to the frame (for example through screws or similar fastening means). Therefore, as the second component  20  is revolvingly fixed to the element  200  (for example, through a hinge), the door/window panel  400  is revolvingly constrained to the frame. 
     In the embodiment shown in Figures from  6   a  to  6   d , the system according to the present invention is carried out in the form of a handle comprising a sliding bolt, a hand grip or knob P and a portion M intended to be fixed to a door or window, for example to be housed in a suitable seat provided in said door or window. In particular, the sliding bolt is made with the first component  10  of the system, a first end of said first component  10  being suited to be engaged in a groove in a doorpost St, the opposite end of said first component  10  being slidingly housed (from left to right and vice versa in the figures) inside the second component  20 . In particular, thanks to the action of a helical spring E, the bolt or first component  10  is maintained in an extended position by the second component  20 , any sliding movement of the bolt or first component  10  towards the inside of the second component  20  being prevented by the counteracting action exerted on the external surface of said first component or bolt  10  by a rotatable and/or translatable element  24  housed in a seat  26  defined by said external surface of said bolt or first component  10  and an inclined or tapered surface  21  defined by the second component  20  (as it occurs in the case of the other embodiments). As already explained, the helical spring  23  pushes the rotatable element (small cylinder, pawl, ball etc.) in the sliding direction of the bolt  10  towards the inside of the second component  20 , and thus towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the external surface of the bolt  10  and the inclined or tapered surface  21  decreases. In the locking position shown in  FIG. 6 b   , in which the bolt is locked with respect to the second component  20 , the sliding movement of the bolt  10  towards the inside of the second component  20  is prevented as the bolt  10 , being translated towards the inside, would set the rotatable element  24  rotating and/or translating by moving it towards the inside of the second component  20  and thus towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the surface  21  and the external surface of the bolt  10  decreases, thus originating that counteracting force that prevents the translation towards the inside of the bolt  10 , in a way almost equal to that described with reference to the previous embodiments. In the position in which the bolt  10  is locked with respect to the component  20 , as the external end of the bolt  10  is housed inside the housing or engagement seat of the doorpost St, any mutual movement of the system (and thus of the door panel) with respect to the doorpost is impossible, so that the door/window panel is locked in the closed position. The door/window can thus be opened only by releasing the bolt  10  so that the same can slide towards the inside of the second component  20 , wherein the release of the bolt  10  can be summed up as follows. It can be seen in  FIG. 6 d    that the knob P is connected to a portion Pi slidingly housed inside the second component  20 , said portion comprising a groove Sc (V-shaped if seen from above) that comprises in particular two counteracting surfaces Sc 2  and Sc 1 , perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 6 d   , which when the knob P is moved in a predefined direction (respectively moving it away from or moving it near the door) strike against the element  24  and move (thrust) it towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the inclined surface  21  and the external surface of the bolt  10  is greater. In this way, during the translation of the bolt  10  towards the inside of the component  20 , the rotatable element  24  is no more thrust or moved towards that “narrow” part of the space  26  in which the distance between the surface  21  and the external surface of the bolt  10  decreases and cannot become engaged between the surface  21  and the external surface of the bolt  10 , so that no counteracting action against the translation of the bolt  10  towards the inside of the component  20  is generated, said counteracting action, instead, being generated when the groove Sc is in the position shown in  FIG. 6 b   . Thus, moving the knob P away from the door/window (or even moving it near the latter) releases the bolt  10  from the second component  20 , so that the end of the bolt  10 , during the rotation of the door/window (or the translation, for example, of a drawer) strikes against the internal wall of the groove provided in the doorpost, and thus is pushed towards the inside of the component  20 , thus allowing the door/window panel to be released from the doorpost St and thus allowing the door/window to be opened. It can thus be inferred from the above description that, even in the case of this embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the two elements (in this case the doorpost and the door/window panel), constrained to each other by means of the system according to the present invention, can be released through the same operation by means of which it is possible to obtain the mutual release of the first component  10  and of the second component  20  of the system itself. 
     In other words, both pulling and pushing the knob P in the opening direction of the door/window achieve the release of the two components of the system (handle) and thus practically at the same time the opening of the window/door. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown in  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   , said embodiment comprising a rocking lever  40  easily constrained to the second component  20  through a revolving constraint (for example, a hinge)  41 , a first end  48  of the rocking lever  40  being positioned at the level of an electrically powered solenoid  60 , the end  49  of the rocking lever  40  opposite the end  48  being positioned at the level of the release element  27 . The action of the solenoid consists in moving the rocking lever, in particular in rotating it in a first rotation direction (anticlockwise with respect to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   ) so that the end  49  becomes engaged with the release element  27  pushing it towards the inside of the second component  20  in such a way as to mutually release the first component  10  (its end housed inside the second component  20 ) and the first component  20 . In the same way, the solenoid  60  can be operated or powered electrically, so as to obtain the rotation of the rocking lever  40  in the opposite direction (clockwise with respect to  FIGS. 7 a  and 7 b   ) and thus to translate the release element  27  towards the outside of the component  20 , finally obtaining the mutual locking of the component  10  and the component  20 . 
     In other embodiments, not described herein for the sake of brevity, the actuator element, constituted by the solenoid  60 , can be replaced by any other actuator system suited to perform a similar function, like for example a piston, a compressed air jet, a mechanical moving mechanism with a motor or any electrical or automated mechanism. 
     A further example of application of the locking and/or fastening system according to the present invention is illustrated in Figures from  8   a  to  8   c , in which, as usual, component parts and/or characteristics of the system already described above with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numbers. 
     In the figures, the reference numbers  100  and  200  identify respectively the supporting disc of a wheel (for example, of a car) and the rim of the wheel. Threaded bolts usually project from the supporting disc and are suited to be housed in a corresponding hole in the rim, the fastening of the wheel being achieved through the engagement of a corresponding threaded nut in each one of the bolts. The embodiment of the system according to the present invention illustrated in Figures from  8   a  to  8   c  is proposed as an alternative to the fastening of the wheel with bolts and nuts. 
     For this purpose, four first components  10  (but the number may vary depending on the needs and/or circumstances) are fixed to a first element  100  (corresponding to the wheel&#39;s supporting disc), each one of said first components  10  being partially housed in a housing seat of said first element  100 , so that an end portion  12  of each first component  10  projects from said first element  100 , in particular on the side of the element  100  to which the second element or rim  200  will be applied. In particular, the second element  200  is fixed to said first element  100  by engaging in each first component  10  a second component  20  (which thus replaces the classical nut known in the art) proceeding as described below. For the sake of brevity, the description provided below concerns a first component  10  and a corresponding second component  20 , as well as their mutual locking and release, the following description being applicable to each one of the first and second components  10  and  20  shown in the figures. 
     The projecting end portion  12  of the first component  10  has a slightly truncated cone-shaped longitudinal section, with the diameter of the cross section decreasing towards the first element  100 , said end portion being suited to be housed and translated inside a space  26  defined by the second component  20 . In particular, also said inner space  26  has a truncated cone-shaped longitudinal section, the inner diameter of said space  26  decreasing towards the first element  100 , too, and thus from right to left in  FIGS. 8 b  and 8 c   . Once again, an air space is thus defined between the external truncated cone-shaped surface  22  of the end  12  of the first component  10  and the internal truncated cone-shaped surface  21  of the space  26  of the second component  20 . 
     Furthermore, the inner space  26  partially houses, on the opposite side with respect to the end  12  of the first component  10 , a hollow body  28 , which in turn partially houses the end  12  of the first component  10 . In particular, said hollow body is suited to slide inside the space  26  and on the end  12  of the first component  10 . On the external surface of the hollow body  28  (in particular, on the external surface of the portion of the hollow body  28  housed inside the space  26 ) there is a circumferential groove housing a plurality of balls  24  that are thus arranged so as to form a crown outside the hollow body  28 . A helical spring  23  is arranged outside the hollow body  28 , said helical spring  23  being in particular housed between the external surface of the hollow body  28  and the internal surface  21  of the second component  20  that defines the space  26 . In particular, a first end of the spring (facing towards the first element  100 ) is arranged so that it strikes against an external annular projection of the hollow body  28 , while a second end of the spring  23 , opposite said first end, is arranged so that it strikes against an annular projection of the second component  20 . The function of the helical spring  23  is thus to maintain the hollow body  28  pushed towards the first element  10  (towards the left in  FIG. 8 c   ), and therefore with the balls  24  pushed towards that portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the internal surface  21  and the external surface  22  decreases. 
     The assembly position of the rim  200  on the supporting disc  100 , as well as the mutual locking position of the first components  10  and the second components  20  is the one shown in  FIG. 8 b   . It can in fact be inferred from this figure that the rim  200  has been applied to the disc  100  in such a way that each one of the first components  10  is received and housed in a corresponding through hole in the rim  200 . Furthermore, a Belleville washer Mt (whose function is explained below) has been inserted between the rim  200  and the disc  100  at the level of each one of the first components  10 , which means that the end  12  of each component  10  will be partially housed in the through hole of a corresponding Belleville washer Mt interposed between the disc and the second component  20 . In the mutual position shown in  FIG. 8 b   , the second component  20  and the first component  10  are rigidly constrained to each other, and thus the rim  200  is rigidly fixed to the supporting disc  100 . In fact, in the position shown in  FIG. 8 b   , the helical spring maintains the balls  24  in the portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the surfaces  21  and  22  is shorter. 
     Therefore, any attempt to remove the second component  20  from the corresponding first component  10  (pulling it to the right as shown in  FIG. 8 b    so as to withdraw it from the first component  10 ) would be nullified by the counteracting action mutually exerted by the balls  24  and the surfaces  21  and  22 , as the balls  24 , becoming engaged between said two surfaces, would prevent any translation movement to the right of the second component  20  (in a way similar to the case of the previous embodiments) which thus could be neither moved away from the rim  200  nor removed from the first component  10 . The release of the second component  20  from the first component  10  is also possible through an action exerted on the hollow body  28  in the following way. Pulling the hollow body  28  towards the outside of the second component  20  (of the space  26 ) in the direction left-right indicated by the arrow in  FIG. 8 c    in such a way as to compress the helical spring  23  as shown in the figure repositions the balls  24  in a portion of the space  26  in which the distance between the surfaces  21  and  22  is longer, and thus in such a way as to reduce or even eliminate the mutual friction between said surfaces  21  and  22  and the balls  24 . This also eliminates the counteracting force that opposes the sliding movement of the component  20  on the component  10  from left to right in the figures. The component  20  can thus be withdrawn from the component  10  as shown in particular in  FIG. 8   c.    
     Withdrawing each component  20  as just described above from the corresponding component  10  makes it possible to finally release and remove the rim  200  from the supporting disc  100 . The function of the Belleville washers Mt is thus to favour the reinforcement of the mutual constraint between the second component  20  and the first component  10 . In fact, each Belleville washer Mt acts on the corresponding second component  20  so as to push it in the direction in which the same would move away from the corresponding first component  10 ; as just explained, however, any thrusting action in this direction (without acting on the hollow body  28  by pulling it as just described) has only the effect of engaging and fixing the balls  24  between the surfaces  21  and  22  even more firmly, preventing any further translation of the second component  20  and eliminating even the slightest slack that may hypothetically be present. 
     A further embodiment and a further example of application of the system according to the present invention are described below with reference to Figures from  9   a  to  9   c.    
     The same Figures from  9   a  to  9   c  show a first and a second portion of a pipe  100  and  200  (here below respectively defined also as first and second element). Said first and said second element are connected to each other by means of the embodiment of the system according to the present invention illustrated in Figures from  9   a  to  9   c , in such a way as to obtain a continuous pipe, that is, in such a way as to make the inner flow sections of said first and second element  100  and  200  coincide. For this purpose, a first component  10  is fixed to a free end of the first element  100 , while a second component  20  is fixed to a free end of the second element  200 , so that the mutual fastening of said first and said second element  100  and  200  is obtained by constraining said first and said second component  10  and  20  to each other. For this purpose, both the first component  10  and the second component  20  comprise a tubular end suited to be inserted in the end portion respectively of said first and said second element  100  and  200  and fixed to it, for example by means of clamps or similar fastening means. 
     In particular, the first component  10  is provided with a first duct  12   t  and comprises one end  12  (opposite said end fixed to the component  100 ) that is substantially spherical in shape; in turn, the second component  20  is provided with a second duct  20   t  and comprises one end (opposite the end fixed to the element  200 ) that is substantially cylindrical and is suited to house said spherical end  12  of said first component  10 . In greater detail, inside the cylindrical end of the second component  20  there is a sealing element (suited to prevent fluid leakages) that defines a substantially spherical inner space  26  suited to house said substantially spherical end  12  of said first component  10 . Furthermore, said second component  20  comprises also a hollow body  28  that is fitted on the cylindrical end of the component  20  opposite the element  200  and is suited to slide on said cylindrical end of the component  20  in the longitudinal direction (from top to bottom and vice versa in the figures). In particular, the hollow body  28  comprises an external wall suited to slide on the external surface of the cylindrical end of the component  20  and an internal wall suited to slide on the internal wall of the cylindrical end of the component  10 , as well as a transversal wall connecting said internal and external walls of the hollow body  28 . This means that the end of the cylindrical wall of the component  20  is housed in a U-shaped seat in said hollow body, defined by its external, internal and transversal walls. Between the hollow body  28  and the cylindrical end of the component  20  there are helical springs  23  (in a number as desired) suited to exert a thrusting action on said transversal wall of said hollow body  28  in a direction parallel to the translation direction of the hollow body  28  with respect to the second component  20  (towards the bottom in the figures). Furthermore, inside the component  20 , in particular between its internal surface (comprising a tapered or truncated cone-shaped portion  21 , the one in lower position in  FIG. 9 b   ) and the external surface of the end  12  of the component  10 , as well as above the internal wall of the hollow body  28 , there are balls  24  in a number as desired and substantially arranged in a circle around said spherical portion  12  of said first component  10 . The mutual locking position of the first component  10  and the second component  20  is the one shown in  FIG. 9 b   . In this position, in fact, the spherical end  12  of the first component is housed inside the seat  26 . Furthermore, thanks to the action of the springs  23 , the hollow body is maintained in the position of maximum extension (pushed downwards in  FIG. 9 b   ) with respect to the component  20  (its hollow main body), a position in which the balls  24  are positioned beyond the portion with maximum diameter of the spherical end  12  of the first component  10 . In this position, any attempt to extract the spherical end  12  from the hollow seat  26  would only result in thrusting the balls  24  towards the outside; however, in this way the balls would be moved towards the outside of the hollow seat  26 , along the tapered surface  21 , and thus the balls would get fixed between the spherical end  12  and said tapered surface  21 , thus preventing any further translation of the end  12  towards the outside of the hollow seat  26 . To obtain the mutual release of the first component  10  and the second component  20 , however, it is sufficient to intervene on the hollow body  28 , as shown in  FIG. 9 c   , thus thrusting it towards the main body of the second component  20  opposing the action of the springs  23 . In this way, the balls  24  are thrust by the internal wall of the hollow body  28  and moved by the same wall between the external surface of the end  12  and the tapered surface  21  towards that portion of the internal space of the component  20  in which the distance between the tapered surface  21  and the external surface of the end  20  is longer, that is, in such a way that the balls can move beyond the portion of the spherical end  12  with maximum diameter. At this point, if the spherical end  12  of the first component  10  is pulled in the extraction direction, said spherical end does not meet any longer the resistance generated by the opposition between the balls  24 , the tapered surface  21  and its external surface but it is free to move out of the hollow seat  26 . 
     It should be underlined that the articulated spherical shape shown in the example ensures safe fastening, although allowing movement and rotation in more than one direction in an articulated manner. 
     It should be specified that in the embodiments of the invention previously described the angle of inclination of the portion  21  (of its upper surface in contact with the rotatable and translatable element  24 , be it flat or truncated cone-shaped etc.) can be selected according to the needs and/or circumstances. Tests carried out using the system that is the subject of the invention have given the following results, depending on the different angles. With an angle included between 1° and 8° (see  FIG. 9 d   ) a safe locking is obtained, of the conical clamping type; on the other hand, in this case the release operation becomes more difficult. This angle, therefore, is particularly convenient in case of use of the system of the invention on the hub of a wheel. With angles included between 8° and 16° (preferably 12°, see  FIG. 9 e   ) an optimal (safe) locking result can be obtained but the release is facilitated, in fact it is sufficient to exert a limited (if not even negligible) force on the release component. These angles are thus particularly suitable for handles, for example the handles of standard doors. Choosing an angle included between 16° and 45° ( FIG. 90  it is possible to set a holding force (threshold) between the two components  10  and  20 , so that once said predetermined force threshold (a function of the selected angle) has been exceeded, the system opens even if no action is exerted on the release lever. With such angles, in fact, a sliding or frictional movement of the piece is obtained and thus the system operates as a connector or block with a predefined load. These angles are thus particularly suitable for the application of the system according to the present invention to doors or door/window panels, in particular those which need a predetermined thrust in order to be opened. The selection of the angle (and thus of the force that maintains the rotatable and translatable element pushed) thus depends on the type of constraint to be obtained between the two components  10  and  20 . 
     Obviously, the angle values mentioned above with reference to Figures from  9   d  to  9   f  can be applied to all the embodiments of the present invention described in the present patent application, as well as to all the variants of the same that appear obvious to any expert in the art. 
     Here below, further embodiments of the present invention and/or component parts of the same are described with reference to Figures from  10   a  and  10   b  to  18 , in which, once again, component parts and/or characteristics of the system according to the present invention already described above with reference to other figures are identified by the same reference numbers. 
     The special feature of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    lies in the shape of the portion  21 . In fact, it can be inferred from the figures that in this case the portion  21  is characterized in that it comprises a convex upper surface (the one in contact with the rotatable and/or translatable element  24 ), that is, defined by a lowered portion of said upper surface. In particular, the convex upper surface is defined by two flat and adjacent surfaces P 1  and P 2  that converge in a common vertex and are inclined by a predefined angle with respect to a horizontal reference surface (the same angle or even two different angles). Furthermore, the depth of the lowered portion varies along the length of the portion  21 , in particular it decreases towards the end of the portion  21  that faces (in the complete system) towards the first component  10 . Therefore, when the end  12  of the component  10  translates towards the outside of the second component  20  as described with reference to other embodiments, the rotatable and translatable element  24  is moved (thanks to the friction between the end  12  of the first component  10 , the element  24  and the convex upper surface of the portion  21 ) towards the outside of the second component  20 , too (from bottom to top in  FIG. 10 b   ) and thus “ascending” along the convex surface, until stopping along its path, thus preventing any further translation of the end  12  of the first component  10 , so that the first component  10  cannot be extracted from the second component  20 . 
     A further variant embodiment of this solution is illustrated in  FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b    and differs from the solution just described with reference to  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    in that in this solution it is not the depth of the lowered portion of the upper surface of the portion  21  that varies over the length of the portion  21  but rather the mutual distance (in the horizontal direction in  FIGS. 11 a  and 11 b   ) between the adjacent and opposing inclined surfaces P 1  and P 2 ; in particular, the distance between said surfaces P 1  and P 2  decreases towards the external end of the second component  20  and thus in the direction of extraction of the first component  10  from the second component  20 . The counteracting element  24 , when pulled by the end portion  12  of the first component  10  towards the outside of the second component  20  (from bottom to top in  FIG. 11 b   ) is pushed increasingly upwards (against the end  12  of the component  10 ) and thus increases the opposing action between the end  12  of the component  10 , the element  24  and the portion  21 , until causing the mutual locking of said three component parts, thus preventing any further translation of the first component  10  towards the outside of the second component  20  (mutual locking of the first component  10  and second component  20 ). 
     It is obvious that the portions  21  according to the two solutions just described above, respectively with reference to  FIGS. 10 a , 10 b  and 11 a , 11 b   , can be used as an alternative to the inclined portions  21  of the embodiments previously described, as well as of the further embodiments that are described below. It is also obvious that the two solutions just described can be used also in combination with the inclined portion  21  of both the previous embodiments and those described below; in this case, the portion  21  is both inclined and provided with an upper surface with a convex lowered portion having variable depth and/or width. 
     The special feature of the further embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures from  12   a  to  12   c  (which show the system respectively open, locked and released) is represented, instead, by the shape and operation of the release element  27 . In this case, in fact, said release element  27  is L-shaped and has a first end portion positioned at the level of the seat  26  (so that it can be housed at least partially inside said seat  26  during the movement of the element  27  itself) and a second portion that extends from said first end portion. 
     An elastic counteracting element (for example, a helical spring)  71  acts on said second portion of the release element  27  so as to maintain it in a rest position (shown in  FIG. 12 a   ), in which the release element is maintained at a given distance from the second component  20 , with the first end portion of the release element  27  far from (and not in contact with) the rotatable and translatable element  24 . The elastic element  71  thus exerts a thrusting action from right to left in the figures. The release of the system is thus obtained by exerting a thrusting action on the element  27 , opposing the thrusting action exerted by the element  71  (from left to right in the figures). In this way, the first end portion of the release element  27  strikes against the rotatable and translatable element  24 , thus thrusting it towards the inside of the component  20  opposing the action of the spring  23 , and thus towards that portion of the internal space  26  in which the translatable element has more “slack” and is thus substantially “loose” between the end  12  of the component  10  and the portion  21 , be it inclined and/or provided with an upper surface with a convex and/or tapered lowered portion. In this way, the end portion  12  of the first component  10  can be extracted from the second component  20  (translated from right to left in the figures) as in the case of the other embodiments. It should also be added that the elastic element  71  is fitted on and kept in position by an element or pin  70  (with variable cross section depending on the needs and/or circumstances) that can be translated inside a corresponding housing seat obtained in the component  20 . 
     The further embodiment shown in Figures from  13   a  to  13   c  is quite similar to the one just described with reference to Figures from  12   a  to  12   c  but differs from it (and from those described above and below) in that, in this further embodiment, the elastic element or spring  23  is replaced by a magnet  72 . 
     Said magnet  72  comprises in particular two portions having the same polarity (positive as indicated in the figures, or negative, depending on the cases), of which a first portion is firmly fixed to the translatable element  24 , while a second portion is firmly fixed to the second component  20 . The magnetic force generated between the two portions will thus tend to push towards the outside of the component  20  (from right to left in the figures) the portion of the magnet  72  that is firmly fixed to the element  24 , and thus the same element  24  in the same direction towards the outside of the component  20 . Therefore, when a thrusting action is exerted on the release element  27  in such a way as to move its first end portion until it strikes against the rotatable and translatable element, said thrusting action is exerted against the action of the magnetic force instead of against the action of an elastic element as in the embodiments described above. 
     In the further embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14 a  and 14 b   , which respectively show, as in the previous cases, the conditions of the system according to the present invention in which the two components  10  and  20  are respectively released from each other, constrained to each other and suited to be released from each other, the release element  27  is characterized in that its first end portion  27   m  (the one intended to rest against the rotatable and translatable element  24 ) is made of a material (for example, a metal alloy) of the so-called “memory form” type, that is, such a material that the volume of said first end portion  27   m  varies depending on whether said end portion is placed under voltage or not. In the figures, in fact, it is possible to observe the schematic representation of two electric wires by means of which the first end portion  27   m  of the element  27  can be electrically powered. Owing to the power supply, the first end portion  27   m  of the element  27  is placed under voltage and thus its volume increases so that the same comes into contact with the rotatable and translatable element  24 , thrusting it towards the inside of the component  20 , so that it is possible to extract the component  10  from the component  20 . On the contrary, if the power supply is eliminated, said first end portion  27   m  of the release element  27  returns to its initial or rest volume, and therefore it does not exert a thrusting action any longer on the rotatable and translatable element that, if driven towards the outside of the component  20  by the component  10  (by its end portion  12 ), is locked between the end  12  and the portion  21 , thus preventing the mutual release of the two components  10  and  20 . 
     The further embodiment according to the present invention shown in Figures from  15   a  to  15   c  is similar to the one just described; the difference between the two embodiments lies in that the release element  27  (its second portion that extends from the first end portion) is constrained to the component  20  through a constraint element  27   mi , as well as in that, in this case, it is said constraint element  27   mi  that is made of a memory form material. Therefore, alternatively supplying and taking voltage to/from the constraint element  27   mi  (through the electric wires  27   c ) alternatively increases the volume of the constraint element and returns the latter to the “rest” volume, so that the release element  27  is alternatively removed from and moved near the component  20 , and the rotatable and translatable element  24  is alternatively pushed towards the inside of the component  20  (from left to right in the figures) and released from the first end portion of the release element  27 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 16  the special feature is represented by the shape of the component  10  that is characterized by such a longitudinal section that its thickness (or at least the thickness of its end portion  12  intended to be inserted in the component  20 ) varies along its length, in particular increases towards said end  12 . This solution, suited to be adopted in each one of the other embodiments, in particular independently of the shape and/or inclined or not inclined orientation of the portion  21 , makes it possible to increase the friction between the end portion  12  and the rotatable and translatable element  24 , in particular the mutual opposition between the end  12  of the component  10 , the element  24  and the portion  21  during the translation of the component  10  towards the outside of the component  20  (obviously, with the release element deactivated and thus, for example, in the position shown in  FIG. 15 a   ), thus making the mutual constraint between the two components  10  and  20  safer and more reliable. It should be specified, furthermore, that the cross section of the component  10  (or at least of its end portion  12 ) may vary depending on the needs and/or circumstances and may be, for example, in the shape of a rectangle or even hexagon etc. 
     In the further embodiments shown respectively in  FIGS. 17 a , 17 b , 17 c  and 17 d   , the seat  25  assumes different shapes. For example, in the embodiment of  FIG. 17 a    the seat  25  is a through seat, meaning that it is such as to place in communication the side of the component  20  facing towards the component  10  with its opposite side. In this case, the inner dimensions of the seat  25  can be both constant (as in the case of  FIG. 17 a   ) and variable (as in the case of  FIG. 17 d   ), meaning that the inner dimensions of the seat  25  increase towards the side of the component  20  opposite the one facing towards the component  10 . Furthermore (as in the cases shown in  FIGS. 17 b  and 17 c   ), the seat  25  can be blind and also in these cases its internal dimensions can be both variable and constant. 
       FIG. 18  finally shows a special embodiment of the system according to the present invention, in which both the rotatable and translatable element  24  (shown in the figure between the portion  21  and the component  10 ) and the portion  21  assume special shapes. The element  24  shown in  FIG. 18  is in fact substantially cylindrical (defined by a substantially cylindrical main external surface) but it comprises two circumferential grooves  24   g  (extending along the entire circumference), each defined by a convex surface. The portion  21  in turn comprises two corresponding projections (with cross section in the shape of a pyramid or truncated pyramid) that extend from the upper surface of the portion  21  in contact with the element  24 . The projections extend in the direction of the length of the portion  21  (at right angles to the plane of  FIG. 18 ) and thus each of them is engaged in a corresponding groove  24   g . Furthermore, the height of the projections  21   s  may vary along their length (and thus along a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of  FIG. 18 ) and the portion  21  can be inclined or not. The function of the projections  21   s  is thus to increase the opposing action between the element  24  and the portion  21 , in a way that is very similar to the case of the lowered portions of the portion  21  according to the embodiment described above with reference to  FIGS. 10 a , 10 b  and 11 a , 11 b   . This embodiment makes it possible to increase the contact surface between the element  24  and the portion  21 , thus making the mutual constraint between the component  10  and the component  20  of the system safer and more reliable (with deactivated release element). 
     Certain preferred embodiments of this invention may be summarized as follows:
         1. Quick connecting and/or fastening system suited to mutually connect and disconnect a first and a second element ( 100 ,  200 ), said system comprising a first and a second component ( 10 ,  20 ) suited to be rigidly fixed to said first and second element ( 100 ,  200 ), respectively, said first and said second component ( 10 ,  20 ) being furthermore suited to be mutually connected and disconnected so as to allow said first and second element ( 100 ,  200 ) to be alternatively connected and disconnected to/from each other, said second component ( 20 ) being suited to accommodate an end portion ( 12 ) of said first component ( 10 ) so as to allow the translation of same inside said second component, said second component ( 20 ) comprising furthermore counteracting means suited to counteract the translation of said end portion ( 12 ) of said first component ( 10 ) towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ), said system further comprising a rotatable element ( 24 ) that is housed inside said second component ( 20 ) and suited to be set rotating in a first rotation direction following the translation of the end portion ( 12 ) of the first component ( 10 ) towards the inside of the second component ( 20 ), and suited to be set rotating in a second rotation direction contrary to the first rotation direction following the translation of the end portion ( 12 ) of the first component ( 10 ) towards the outside of the second component ( 20 ), said counteracting means being suited to counteract the rotation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) in said second rotation direction, said system being characterized in that said second component ( 20 ) comprises release means ( 27 ,  28 ,  40 ,  44 ) that during their motion along a first predetermined direction they come into contact with said rotatable element ( 24 ) so as to move said rotatable element ( 24 ) towards the inside of said second component ( 20 ) and therefore so as to cause the decrease of the counteracting force between said rotatable element ( 24 ), said end portion ( 12 ) and said counteracting means.   2. System according to paragraph 1, characterized in that said second component ( 20 ) comprises a rigid portion that together with said end portion ( 12 ) of said first component ( 10 ) defines an internal space, in that said rotatable element ( 24 ) is housed in said space, and in that said end portion ( 12 ) of said first component ( 10 ), said rigid portion and said rotatable element ( 24 ) are mutually arranged and shaped so that said counteracting force is generated due to the mutual action of said rigid portion and said end portion ( 12 ) on said rotatable element ( 24 ).   3. System according to paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that said end portion, said rigid portion and said rotatable element ( 24 ) are mutually arranged and shaped so that said counteracting force contrary to the translation of said end portion towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) and to the rotation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) in said second rotation direction increases during the translation of said end portion towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) while it decreases during the translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the inside of said second component ( 20 ).   4. System according to paragraph 3, characterized in that said end portion, said rigid portion ( 21 ) and said rotatable element ( 24 ) are mutually arranged and shaped so that said counteracting force contrary to the translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) and to the rotation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) in said second rotation direction increases during the translation of said end portion towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) to the extent that it prevents any further translation of said end portion towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) and any further rotation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) in said second rotation direction and therefore until causing the mutual locking of said end portion and said rotatable element ( 24 ) in a predetermined mutual position.   5. System according to any of paragraphs 1 to 4, characterized in that said rigid portion ( 21 ) of said second component ( 20 ) is oriented with respect to said first component ( 10 ) and/or shaped so that said rotatable element ( 24 ) is pushed towards said end portion ( 12 ) of said first component ( 10 ) during the rotation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) in said first rotation direction.   6. System according to paragraph 5, characterized in that the mutual distance between the contact point of said rotatable element ( 24 ) with said rigid portion ( 21 ) and said end portion of said second component ( 20 ) increases along the direction of translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the inside of said second component ( 20 ) while said mutual distance decreases along the direction of translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ).   7. System according to paragraph 6, characterized in that said rotatable element ( 24 ) is in contact with both said end portion ( 12 ) and said rigid portion ( 21 ) so that the translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the inside of said second component ( 20 ) is transformed into an at least partial translation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) towards the inside of said second component ( 20 ) while a translation of said end portion ( 12 ) towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ) is transformed into an at least partial translation of said rotatable element ( 24 ) towards the outside of said second component ( 20 ).   8. System according to any of the paragraphs 1 to 7, characterized in that first thrusting means are housed inside said second component ( 20 ) and exert a thrusting action on said rotatable element ( 24 ) towards the internal space defined by said end portion ( 12 ) and said rigid portion ( 21 ).   9. System according to paragraph 8, characterized in that said first thrusting means comprise elastic means ( 23 ).   10. System according to paragraph 8, characterized in that said first thrusting means comprise magnetic and/or electromagnetic means ( 72   a ,  72   b ).   11. System according to any of paragraphs 1 to 10, characterized in that said second component ( 20 ) comprises second thrusting means that exert a thrusting action against said release means along a second direction contrary to said first direction of motion of said release means.   12. System according to paragraph 11, characterized in that said second thrusting means comprise elastic means ( 71 ).   13. System according to paragraph 11, characterized in that said second thrusting means comprise electromagnetic means ( 60 ).   14. System according to any of paragraphs 1 to 13, characterized in that said second component ( 20 ) comprises actuator means coupled with said release means which allow said release means to be moved along said first predetermined direction and therefore against the thrusting action exerted by said second thrusting means.   15. System according to paragraph 14, characterized in that said actuator means comprise electromagnetic means ( 60 ).   16. System according to paragraph 14, characterized in that said actuator means comprise at least one portion made of a memory form material.       

     It is important to note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the figures. On the contrary, all the variants and the changes to the embodiments described and illustrated herein that are clear for the persons skilled in the art fall within the scope of the present invention. The objects and the scope of the present invention are defined in the claims expressed below.