LOAD CARRIAGE CONNECTOR AND SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A load carriage connector for use in human load carriage systems comprising;
- a male connector half comprising;
a back plate; and
a mounting knob, wherein the mounting knob is coupled to a first side of the back plate, the mounting knob further defining a circumferential annular groove and a retaining bore, wherein the retaining bore comprises a substantially cylindrical hole penetrating a partial distance into a distal end of the mounting knob; and
a female connector half comprising;
a hub mounting plate, wherein the hub mounting plate further comprises a depression that is configured to receive the mounting knob;
at least one lock plate, wherein each lock plate is moveably coupled to the hub mounting plate and biased toward a center of the depression, a leading edge of each lock plate cooperating with the annular groove when the mounting knob is seated within the depression such that the mounting knob is restrained against movement in a direction outwardly away from the hub mounting plate; and
a retaining arm, wherein the retaining arm comprises a pivot end and a hooked end, the hooked end being biased toward the retaining bore when the mounting knob is seated within the depression, wherein the hooked end engages the retaining bore such that the mounting knob is restrained against lateral movement along a surface of the hub mounting plate.
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Abstract
A load carriage connector and system for rapid mounting and demounting of a user-carried load. The connector utilizes two mating halves comprising a male connector half and a female connector half. The connector is configured to allow mating under various angles of approach, allowing the user to reliably couple the system even under conditions in which the user is unable to view the orientation of the connectors. Additionally, the configuration of the connector system allows the user to quickly and efficiently decouple the connector halves, even while under tensile or shear load.
64 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A load carriage connector for use in human load carriage systems comprising;
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a male connector half comprising; a back plate; and a mounting knob, wherein the mounting knob is coupled to a first side of the back plate, the mounting knob further defining a circumferential annular groove and a retaining bore, wherein the retaining bore comprises a substantially cylindrical hole penetrating a partial distance into a distal end of the mounting knob; and a female connector half comprising; a hub mounting plate, wherein the hub mounting plate further comprises a depression that is configured to receive the mounting knob; at least one lock plate, wherein each lock plate is moveably coupled to the hub mounting plate and biased toward a center of the depression, a leading edge of each lock plate cooperating with the annular groove when the mounting knob is seated within the depression such that the mounting knob is restrained against movement in a direction outwardly away from the hub mounting plate; and a retaining arm, wherein the retaining arm comprises a pivot end and a hooked end, the hooked end being biased toward the retaining bore when the mounting knob is seated within the depression, wherein the hooked end engages the retaining bore such that the mounting knob is restrained against lateral movement along a surface of the hub mounting plate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification