Patent ID: 8317837

Claim:
A connector for coupling a first ear element to a second linear element comprising: a first portion through which an assembly axis passes, the first portion having a first hole that is configured to receive at least a part of the first linear element, and wherein the first hole is offset from the assembly axis; a second portion through which the assembly axis passes, the second portion having a second hole configured to receive at least a part of the second linear element, and wherein the second portion is rotatable about the assembly axis relative to the first portion when the connector is in a first state and wherein the second portion is locked relative to the first portion when the connector is in a second state, the second portion includes a washer that substantially circumscribes the assembly axis and is slidingly coupled to other parts of the second portion, the washer includes one or more ramps that at least in part intersect the second hole in the second portion, wherein when the second linear element is pressed against the one or more ramps, the washer is urged to move along the assembly axis relative to the other parts of the second portion; an assembly that is positioned at least in part along the assembly axis within the first portion and the second portion, the assembly having an interference member distending from the assembly axis such that when the connector is in the first state, the interference member does not intersect the first hole in the first portion, and when the connector is in the second state, the interference member does at least in part intersect the first hole in the first portion; and an actuator coupled to the second portion and configured to transition the connector from the first state to the second state.