The invention relates to a quick connect and disconnect device particularly well suited for coupling chains and cables for jewelry and the like.
Prior couplings have included spring clasps, and split rings with spring biased pins. These couplings have proved to be difficult to open and close because of their cumbersome nature and complicated design. An improvement to these couplings can be seen in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,286,316, issued Nov. 22, 1966; 3,487,512, issued Jan. 6, 1970; 3,540,087, issued Nov. 17, 1970; 3,675,499, issued July 11, 1972; 4,184,232, issued Jan. 22, 1980; and 4,236,283 issued Dec. 2, 1980. In my U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,232 I proposed a coupling comprising a male member having a T-shaped element adapted to be introduced through a slotted aperture in an end plate of the female member. A pair of flat springs, disposed in the female member, engage and resiliently rotate the male member away from the slot, as the male member is being inserted in the slot.
The present invention is an improvement which permits greater ease in coupling and decoupling, requires fewer parts, and provides improved operation. The device should be more easily and economically manufactured.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling which locks simply by pushing the male portion and female portion together. A further object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of manufacturing the coupling. Another object of the present invention is to provide a coupling which is easy to use and which unlocks by simply rotating the two members relative to each other. The two members disengage by virtue of an outward bias provided by expansion of an internal spring member.
Accordingly, the invention comprises a coupling having a male and a female member. The female member comprises a hollow housing closed at one end by an end plate. The end plate has a centrally disposed circular aperture. A diametrically disposed slot extends beyond the border of the circular aperture.
A receiving member is disposed within the housing behind the end plate. Spring means initially bias the receiving member at an angular orientation relative to the slot, and towards the end plate. The spring plate means permit the receiving member to be moved inwardly and rotated from its initial angular orientation.
One end of the male member has a handle adapted to be grasped by the user. The opposite end has a shape receivable in the slot. The inner end of the male member has a cam edge for engaging opposite ends of the receiving member's end edge. As the male member is inserted in the slot, the cam edge displaces the receiving member away from the end plate until the male member reaches a position in which the spring means rotates the male member to a latched position. Such rotation carries the male member out of alignment with the slot. The male member is uncoupled by rotating it into alignment with the slot, then pulling it from the housing. Other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.