Patent ID: 7788774

Claim:
A coupling adapted to releasably interconnect spaced ends of a flexible member comprising: a male member having a generally tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis, a rear end adapted to be connected to a first end of the flexible member, a flat front end disposed at an angle diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the male body, and a tongue element extending perpendicularly outwardly from its said diagonal front end; a female member having a generally tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis, a rear end adapted to be connected to a second end of the flexible member, a flat front end disposed at an angle diagonal to the longitudinal axis of the female body, and an aperture through its front end; and said angle of said male member flat front end and said angle of said female member flat front end being complimentary angles; said tongue element being aligned with and received through said aperture when said flat front end of said male member and said flat front end of said female member are placed face to face, and upon relative pivotal movement between said male and female members, said longitudinal axis of said male member and said longitudinal axis of said female member become axially aligned and said tongue element becomes oriented out of alignment with said aperture in a coupled condition to prevent accidental removal of said tongue element and separation of said male and female members; said coupled male member and said female member are manually uncoupled by pivoting male member and said female member relative to one another such that the said aligned longitudinal axis of said male member and said longitudinal axis of said female member become angularly disposed in outwardly diverging relation and said tongue element becomes aligned with said aperture, and pulling said male member and said female member apart to withdraw said tongue element from said aperture.