Patent ID: 7338247

Claim:
A quick release fastener for releasably engaging a bolt body threaded portion, said releasable fastener comprising: a generally cylindrical sleeve member having a substantially cylindrical opening extending through said cylindrical sleeve and defining a first axis and defining a generally cylindrical wall for closely surrounding said bolt body about 360 degrees, said sleeve member wall having a generally cylindrical inner surface closely spaced from an outer surface of said bolt body, a generally cylindrical outer surface and at least one through opening extending from said inner surface to said outer surface; whereby said quick release fastener is moved into surrounding relation with said bolt body by translating said quick release fastener generally along said first axis; and a generally arcuate latch member having an inner wall surface having at least one bolt contact surface and a manually engageable surface, said contact surface comprising a concave surface for circumferential engagement with an outer surface of said bolt body threaded portion; said latch member being hingedly mounted on said sleeve member for rotational movement about a second axis substantially parallel to said first axis in response to manipulation of said manually engageable surface between a first position wherein said at least one bolt contact surface of said latch member extends through said at least one through opening and is in frictional engagement with said bolt body and draws an opposed portion of said inner surface of said sleeve member into frictional engagement with said bolt body, and a second position wherein said contact surface is not in engagement with said bolt body, so as to release said inner surface of said sleeve member from frictional engagement with said bolt body and thereby release said quick release fastener from engagement with said bolt; said concave contact surface being located relative to said hingedly mounted latch member so that in said secured position, said concave surface defines an axis substantially parallel to said first axis; wherein said latch member has a pair of axially spaced contact surfaces, each comprising a concave surface for circumferential engagement with an outer surface of said bolt body threaded portion; and wherein said sleeve member has a pair of axially spaced through openings through which said contact surfaces of said latch member extend for engagement with said bolt body, whereby said contact surfaces extend internally of said inner surface of said sleeve when in said first position.