Patent Abstract:
Disclosed is a line connector having a line attachment portion, a snap-in portion, a snap-on portion, wherein the snap-in and snap-on portions disposed such that the snap-on portions of first and second line connectors will simultaneously attach onto the snap-in portions of one another along a direction of attachment, and wherein an angle between a direction of attachment is no more than about ninety degrees to an axis of line tension.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   1. Field of the Disclosure 
   This disclosure relates to quick-release connectors for connecting lines such as ropes and cables. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Connecting devices for attaching floating devices, such as life rings, pool inflatables, and inflatable rafts, to one another are known in the art. Generally these comprise a female-type receiver and male-type protuberance on the inflatable, such that the male-type protuberance of one inflatable is inserted and locked within the receiver of another, thereby linking the two inflatables. The male is often a t-shape key that is inserted and twisted within the receiver. 
   One drawback is the proximity of the inflatables, often making it difficult to access the male and female components to effect the linking and disengagement. Another drawback to close proximity is that, in the case of pool inflatables, the proximity of the two users may be “too close for comfort.” 
   A length of cable between the two inflatables would provide some distance while maintaining a connection that is easily accessible. What is needed is a simple device for quickly connecting and releasing such a line. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   Disclosed is a line connector, including a line attachment portion defining a line axis, a snap-in portion, a snap-on portion, wherein the snap-in and snap-on portions may be disposed such that the snap-on portions of first and second line connectors will simultaneously attach onto the snap-in portions of one another along a direction of attachment, and wherein an angle between a direction of attachment is no more than about ninety degrees to an axis of line tension. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the snap-in portion may include a shaft. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the shaft is preferably perpendicular to the snap-on portion, said snap-on portion defining an opening for receiving the shaft. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the angle is preferably less than 90 degrees. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the line axes of the first and second connectors are not congruent with one another. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the line axes of said first and second connectors are congruent with one another. 
   In another aspect of the apparatus, the line may be permanently molded to the line connector. 
   Disclosed is a line connector, including means for attaching a line, snap-on means for attaching to a snap-in means of a second line connector, snap-in means for attaching to a snap-on means of the second line connector, wherein the snap-in and snap-on portions disposed such that the snap-on portions of first and second line connectors will simultaneously attach onto the snap-in portions of one another along a direction of attachment, and wherein an angle between a direction of attachment is no more than about ninety degrees to an axis of line tension. 
   Disclosed is a line connector, including a line attachment portion for connecting a line to a snap-in portion, the snap-in portion including a shaft disposed parallel to a line axis defined by said line attachment portion, a snap-on portion having an opening adapted to receive the snap-in portion of a second line connector, the opening having one or more resilient protuberances narrowing the mouth of the opening to a dimension smaller than that of the shaft, wherein the snap-in and snap-on portions disposed such that the snap-on portions of first and second line connectors will simultaneously attach onto the snap-in portions of one another along a direction of attachment, and wherein an angle between a direction of attachment is no more than about ninety degrees to an axis of line tension. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a connector of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  shows a pair of connectors unattached. 
       FIG. 3  shows a pair of connectors in attachment. 
       FIG. 4  shows a connector attached to an inflatable by a line. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a line connector  10  of the disclosure having a line attachment portion  5  by which a line  12  (see FIG.  4 ), such as a cord or wire, may be attached (see also  FIG. 4 ) and thereby define a line axis  15 . In this case, the line attachment portion  5  simply comprises an opening  5   b  adapted to receive the line. Of course, any suitable type of line attachment known in the art may be used. Alternatively, the line  12  may be a part of the connector  10  itself by simply molding a plastic line and connector as a single unit, in which case the line attachment portion  5  is simply the portion where the line ends and the connector begins. 
   The line connector  10  also has a snap-in portion  7  and a snap-on portion  9 . In the embodiment shown, the snap-in portion  7  is a shaft, optionally cylindrical, and the snap-on portion  9  defines an opening  9   b  adapted to receive and attach to the snap-in portion  7  of another connector. The terms “snap-on” and “snap-in” are used because a simple “snap-on” type of attachment is anticipated for most uses, but of course other types of attachment may be substituted. The “snap-on” attachment is effected by providing one or more protuberances  9   c  that cause the mouth of the opening  9   b  to be smaller than the snap-in portion  7 , thereby requiring the resilient material to give way as the snap-in portion  7  is received into the opening  9   b , but which, by virtue of the shape of the snap-in portion  7 , substantially returns to its original configuration once the snap-in portion  7  is full in place. 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a pair of connectors  10 ,  10 ′ spaced part and ready to be connected so as to cause their respective lines (not shown) to be attached. For the embodiment shown, this is achieved by positioning each line connector  10 ,  10 ′ for movement toward one another along a direction of attachment  17  such that the snap-in portions  7 ,  7 ′ of each engage and attach to the snap-on portions  9 , 9 ′ of the other. Note that in the embodiment shown, the direction of attachment is substantially perpendicular to the line axes  15 ,  15 ′. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  there is shown the line connectors  10 ,  10 ′ in a state of attachment wherein the snap-in portions  7 ,  7 ′ of each are engaged and attached to the snap-on portions  9 , 9 ′ of the other. An axis of line tension  20  is now defined which is the axis along which tension upon the connectors is applied when the lines are pulled apart. 
   Note that, in the embodiment shown, the line axes  15 ,  15 ′ of the line attachment portions  5 ,  5 ′ are not congruent, though parallel, such that the axis of line tension is not quite parallel to the line axes. This is purely optional, it being a simple matter to design the line attachment portions  5 ,  5 ′ so that the line axes are superimposed with one another and the axis of line tension. Regardless, it is desirable that the angle θ for each connector between the direction of attachment  17  be less than or about 90 degrees to the axis of line tension  20 . This is so that tension placed on the lines will not cause the connectors  10 ,  10 ′ to be pulled apart. In fact, an angle less than 90-degrees is superior in preventing the connectors from being pulled apart. 
   Note also that in the embodiment shown, the snap-in portions  7 ,  7 ′ are longer than needed to make the connection. This provides leverage for the user to make it easier to twist the two connectors  10 ,  10 ′ apart. For smaller applications, the connectors may be twisted apart with one hand. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a line connector  10  attached to a line  12 , which is attached to on object  25 , such as a flotation device. A point of attachment  21  is provided to attach the line to the object. 
   The connector  10  of the disclosure will preferably be made of a resilient material, such as a polymer plastic, so as to enable the use of the “snap-on” feature. Of course, to effect a “snap-on” capability, only one of the other of the snap-on  9  or snap-in  7  portions need be resilient, but molding the entire connector of the same material is easier and more cost efficient. Nevertheless, for heavy loads, it may be found necessary to use different materials for different portions of the connector or even to abandon a “snap-on” type of attachment altogether. 
   While various values, scalar and otherwise, may be disclosed herein, it is to be understood that these are not exact values, but rather to be interpreted as “about” such values, unless explicitly stated otherwise. Further, the use of a modifier such as “about” or “approximately” in this specification with respect to any value is not to imply that the absence of such a modifier with respect to another value indicated the latter to be exact. 
   Changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the embodiments as disclosed herein and such examples, illustrations, and theories are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Further, the abstract of this disclosure is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the rules requiring an abstract so as to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosures contained herein and is submitted with the express understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5