Connector apparatus
First Claim
1. A connector apparatus comprisingcoaxially arranged and relatively movable first and second connector bodies, said bodies having respective portions arranged to abut each other,said first connector body containing an axially-extending tubular member,said tubular member being axially movable relative to said first connector body, said tubular member having at one end first connection means,said first connection means being arranged to be connected to complementary connection means of the second connector body for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity from one to the other, andsaid tubular member having an axially-extending internal space for the supply of said energy, signals or commodity to said first connection means,said first connection means being movable between a first position for engagement with said complementary connection means and a second, retracted position for disengagement from said complementary connection means, andfurther means being provided responsive to a control signal to move said first connection means from said first position to said second position,wherein, during said movement, the abutment of said portions restricts movement of said complementary connection means whereby to effect disconnection,said connection between said first connection means and said complementary connection means constituting the sole interconnection between said first connector body and said second connector body.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connector apparatus capable of connecting with a complimentary connector for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity has a connector part which can be retracted into the apparatus in response to a control signal to disengage the complimentary connector. The retraction movement may be caused by a piston and cylinder arrangement or by an electromagnet. The connector arrangement has many applications and may be released in response to a variety of circumstances. For example, it may be used in a power supply to a garaged vehicle or grounded aircraft and be arranged to release upon release of the vehicle or aircraft brakes. It may be used in a discharge or filling hose from or to a tanker vehicle and be arranged to release upon starting of the vehicle. It may furthermore be connected in a gas or water supply and be arranged to release in response to a signal from a gas or moisture detector.
105 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A connector apparatus comprising
coaxially arranged and relatively movable first and second connector bodies, said bodies having respective portions arranged to abut each other, said first connector body containing an axially-extending tubular member, said tubular member being axially movable relative to said first connector body, said tubular member having at one end first connection means, said first connection means being arranged to be connected to complementary connection means of the second connector body for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity from one to the other, and said tubular member having an axially-extending internal space for the supply of said energy, signals or commodity to said first connection means, said first connection means being movable between a first position for engagement with said complementary connection means and a second, retracted position for disengagement from said complementary connection means, and further means being provided responsive to a control signal to move said first connection means from said first position to said second position, wherein, during said movement, the abutment of said portions restricts movement of said complementary connection means whereby to effect disconnection, said connection between said first connection means and said complementary connection means constituting the sole interconnection between said first connector body and said second connector body.
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8. A quick release connector arrangement comprising
coaxially arranged and relatively movable first and second connector bodies, said first connector body having retractable first connection means, said first connection means being arranged to be connected to complementary connection means of said second connector body for the supply of energy, signals or a commodity from one to the other, said connection between said first connection means and said complementary connection means constituting the sole interconnection of said first and second connector bodies and said second connector body being otherwise unsupported, said first connection means being retractable between a first position for engagement with said complementary connection means and a second, retracted, position for disengagement from said complementary connection means, wherein further means are provided which are responsive to a control signal to move said first connection means from said first position to said second position, and during at least the later stages of said movement there is substantially no relative axial movement between said connector bodies, whereby, after disconnection of said first and said complementary connection means, said second connector body falls away from said first connector body solely under the force of gravity.
Specification