Patent ID: 8136287

Claim:
A quick-release and attachment coupler for automatically releasing and securing two objects to one another, the coupler comprising: a connector having a conical tapered plug extending from a main body portion, the plug having a slot that extends inward from an outer wall of the plug; a base having an internal cavity extending between opposed side walls, an aperture with an internal wall including an orifice, the aperture being cooperatively dimensioned with the plug for reception; a keeper slidably positioned within the internal cavity of the base, the having a finger with a leading portion having an inclined upper surface that engages a bottom surface of the plug upon insertion of the plug into the aperture retracting the finger until the leading portion aligns with and extends through the orifice engaging the slot to retain the plug within the aperture automatically coupling the connector and the base without pivoting or rotation; and, a pushbutton release comprising an actuator operably connected to the keeper, wherein movement of the actuator displaces the leading portion of the finger from the slot permitting removal of the plug from the aperture and the connector from the base in a single linear motion without pivoting or rotation.