connector

Abstract

A connector having a first member (1) forming a female member and a second member (2) forming a male member arranged to mate with the female member along a longitudinal axis (3). The first member houses a spring biased pawl (44) having a finger (49) arranged to engage into a detent (25) in the second member to secure the second member to the first member. A latch (70) reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (3) is arranged to abut the pawl (44) to lock and prevent the pawl from opening when engaged into the detent (25). A magnet (76) is attached to the latch (70) which is spring biased by a spring (78) to lock the pawl. A second magnet (590, 1080) is located adjacent to the first magnet (76) to cause the latch to disengage from the pawl to enable removal of the second member (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, and more particularly, but not limited to, a quick-release connector for animal harnesses.

[0002] Although the connector of the present invention has special function as a connector for animal harnesses, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is envisioned that the connector can be used in general situations to connect two parts together, such as the chest strap of a backpack or the harness of a diving compressed air canister. Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, animal collars, such as those for cats or dogs, consist of a ring, usually made of metal, that is secured to a leash by a spring clip. People with rheumatism or arthritis in their hands often find it difficult to operate these spring clips because they cannot apply enough pressure to actuate them.

[0004] One known magnetic padlock is the Genii magnetic lock, and another is the Maverick magnetic lock; both are magnetically operable combination locks.

[0005] GB-A2511104 discloses a female connector that defines a receiving cavity for a male engagement member. A magnet is located inside the female member, and the male member has a metal insert that allows the male member to be magnetically attracted to the female member. A pair of latches are pivotally attached to the female member and arranged to be manually operated to engage or disengage the latches from circumferential grooves in the male member, thereby locking the male member onto the female member. Attachment hooks are provided at opposite ends of both the male and female members, allowing the hooks of the male member to be attached to a dog collar, and the hooks of the female member to be attached to a leash. This connector facilitates easy attachment between the male and female members, but shares the same disadvantages as conventional spring clips: the latches are manually operated, and it is difficult for people with rheumatism, arthritis, or similar hand injuries to untie the latches to separate the male and female members. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a connector that fundamentally alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a connector is provided comprising a first member forming a female member and a second member forming a male member, the second member being arranged to engage the female member along a longitudinal axis, the first member receiving a spring-biased pawl mechanism having at least one pawl arranged to engage a stop in the second member and a spring-biased latching mechanism arranged to prevent the pawl mechanism from opening, the latching mechanism further comprising at least one first magnetic member to allow the latching mechanism to disengage from the stop over the spring bias, such that in operation, when the second member moves into the first member in a first direction, it first lifts the latching mechanism over the spring bias, and then further movement in the first direction opens at least one pawl; continued movement in the first direction causes the pawl to operate substantially synchronously to move into the stop under its spring bias, and the latching mechanism contacts the pawl mechanism under its spring bias to prevent the at least one pawl from opening until the latch is lifted by the second magnetic member engaging with the at least one first magnetic member to lift the latching mechanism out of contact, and the second member can be removed from the first member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0008] Preferably, the first and second components are arranged to be releasably and detachably connected to each other. The first component has a cavity extending along the longitudinal axis such that a first portion of the cavity is arranged to receive the second component along the longitudinal axis, and a second portion of the cavity positions a claw mechanism along the longitudinal axis such that at least one claw is elastically biased toward the longitudinal axis. A spring-biased pusher is arranged to act against the distal end of the second component, wherein when the second component is inserted into the cavity in a first direction, the second component moves the pusher against the spring bias of the pusher and opens the claw mechanism against the spring bias of the claw mechanism until the claw moves under its spring bias to a stop that can engage with the second component. When engaged, a latching mechanism moves to contact the claw mechanism to prevent the claw of the claw mechanism from opening until the latch is lifted off the contact by a second magnetic component, and the pusher moves the second component in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

[0009] Conveniently, the spring biases for the claw mechanism and the pusher are provided by a common compression spring, i.e., a spring shared by both the claw mechanism and the pusher.

[0010] Preferably, the claw mechanism includes at least two cantilever claws, each cantilever claw being arranged to pivot about an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each claw being U-shaped and having a base extending in the plane of the longitudinal axis, the proximal end of the base having an arm extending therefrom and an axis substantially located at the junction of the base and the arm, the distal end of the base having a claw extending toward the longitudinal axis that engages with the stop device.

[0011] Conveniently, the two cantilever claws are set to be radially opposite each other.

[0012] Advantageously, the proximal end of the arm has a recessed notch on the distal side of the axis relative to the U-shaped base to bias the claw inward toward the longitudinal axis, while the other end of the common compression spring is located in a cavity formed in the pusher, so that the common compression spring has the dual operation of biasing the distal end of the claw toward the longitudinal axis and biasing the pusher in the second direction.

[0013] Preferably, the latching mechanism includes orthogonally extending members that extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and at the first end of the longitudinally extending member is an inverted U-shaped member having a pair of opposing arms that extend in the same plane as the longitudinally extending member, these arms being arranged to contact the respective claws of the claw mechanism to prevent the claw mechanism from opening when the second member is fully inserted into the first member.

[0014] Alternatively, the latching mechanism includes a pair of opposing pivotable arms arranged to the pivoting mechanism, the arms being biased by compression springs to bias the arms against the outer surface of each U-shaped claw to lock the U-shaped claw to its innermost side until the latch is released by the second member.

[0015] Advantageously, at the end of the orthogonal extension member away from the inverted U-shaped member is a body that houses at least one first magnetic member, and this body contacts one end of a compression spring, the distal end of which engages with the lower surface of the cap, thereby compressing the latching mechanism in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and toward the longitudinal axis.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the first magnetic component includes at least one rare-earth magnet, and it is advantageous to use six rare-earth magnets.

[0017] Advantageously, the second magnetic element has an inwardly tapered distal end that is chamfered to overcome its spring bias and lift the latch mechanism.

[0018] Conveniently, the second component has a body with a circular cross-section, and the stop is formed by a circumferential groove adjacent to the distal end, the leading edge of which has a chamfer to engage with a corresponding chamfer on the inner surface of the claw, so as to facilitate the removal of the second component from the claw mechanism.

[0019] Advantageously, the proximal end of the second component has a hole for attaching daily-use mechanisms, such as animal leashes.

[0020] Conveniently, the housing provides support for each axis of the cantilever claw, and at the end of the housing away from the claw mechanism is a first connecting member, which has holes for attaching another everyday mechanism, such as an animal collar.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a connector as described in any of the preceding claims is provided, comprising the following steps:

[0022] a) The second component is moved into the first portion of the cavity of the first component to lift the latching mechanism against spring bias and push it against spring bias of the pusher, and open at least one claw of the claw mechanism until at least one claw moves into the stop in the second component, and the latching mechanism is spring biased to move the arm of the inverted U-shaped component to prevent the claw mechanism from opening.

[0023] b) Provide a second magnetic component to overcome the bias of the spring and disengage the latch mechanism, at which point at least one pawl is allowed to open and the pusher moves the second component in the second direction.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the invention, a connector according to the first aspect is provided, which is combined with a harness or webbing or animal leash or support device. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the connector according to the present invention is shown.

[0027] Figure 2 A longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector is shown before the second component is inserted into the first component.

[0028] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the second component raising the latch and engaging with the pusher.

[0029] Figure 4 A longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the locking position of the second component in the first component.

[0030] Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of the top side of another embodiment of the connector according to the invention is shown.

[0031] Figure 6 It shows Figure 5 A bottom exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the connector shown.

[0032] Figure 7 It shows Figure 5 and Figure 6 The connector is shown in a longitudinal cross-sectional view before the second component is inserted into the first component.

[0033] Figure 8 It shows Figure 5 and Figure 6The connector shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the second component lifts the latch and engages with the pusher.

[0034] Figure 9 It is shown that Figure 5 and Figure 6 The connector shown is in a longitudinal cross-sectional view where the second component is locked into the first component.

[0035] Figure 10 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the connector according to the invention, viewed from above, is shown.

[0036] Figure 11 This shows the effect when viewed from below. Figure 10 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the connector shown.

[0037] Figure 12 It shows Figure 10 and Figure 11 The connector shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional view before the second component is inserted into the first component.

[0038] Figure 13 It shows Figure 10 and Figure 11 The connector shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional view when the second member lifts the latch and engages with the pusher.

[0039] Figure 14 It shows Figure 10 and Figure 11 The connector shown is a longitudinal cross-sectional view within the position where the second component is locked into the first component.

[0040] Similar reference numerals in the accompanying drawings identify similar parts. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Figure 1-4 The connector shown has a first component 1 and a second component 2, each component being positioned around a longitudinal axis 3.

[0042] In the present preferred embodiment, the second member 2 has a body 21 with a circular cross-section, having a proximal end 22 and a distal end 23. The distal end has an inwardly tapering head 24 (the reason for which will be explained below) and a stop in the form of a circumferential groove 25, the leading edge 26 of which is chamfered (the reason for which will also be explained below). The proximal end of the second member has two opposing planes 27 through which holes 28 are formed for connecting, for example, a daily-use mechanism for connecting an animal leash.

[0043] The first component 1 has a two-piece housing, as shown, consisting of an upper part 10 and a lower part 11, and a cavity 12 extending longitudinally through the housing with a circular cross-section for engaging with the body of the second component 2. The cavity 12 has a first diameter 13 that radially slides with the body 21 and the head 23, and an intermediate diameter cavity 14 in which a circular cross-section pusher 30 is located. The intersection of cavities 13 and 14 forms a stop 15 for the pusher. The upper part 10 and the lower part 11 can be joined together by any suitable means such as screws, nuts and bolts, welding, or adhesive.

[0044] Across cavity 12 is a generally rectangular cavity 16, in which a shell 40 with a hole 41 is fixed at one end, and a connector 42 with a hole 43 is located at the opposite end of the hole 41. The hole 43 can be connected to a daily-use device such as an animal collar.

[0045] Located within the aperture 41 are a pair of opposing U-shaped claws 44 on either side of the longitudinal axis 3, each claw having a generally rectangular cross-section. Each claw has a proximal end 45 with an arm 46 having a hole 47 for accommodating a shaft passing through the aperture 48, which is located on opposite sides of the aperture 41 in the housing 40. The inner surface of each arm, on the side of the U-shaped base away from the claw (i.e., the side closer to the longitudinal axis), has a notch 59 abutting one end of a common spring 61 of the compression spring 60.

[0046] Each claw has a finger 49 at its distal end pointing inward toward the longitudinal axis. The inner surface 50 of each finger has a chamfer corresponding to the chamfer of the leading edge 26.

[0047] The pusher 30 is cylindrical and has an open end and a closed end 31. The second end 62 of the common spring 60 is inserted into the open end and abuts against the inside of the closed end 31. In operation, the common spring 60 acts to bias the finger 49 inward toward the longitudinal axis and to bias the pusher 30 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, which is the direction in which the second member 2 is inserted into the first member 1.

[0048] The upper part 10 of the outer casing has a hole 17 through which it extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 3.

[0049] Hole 17 is bored to form an inner circular cross-section hole 18 and an outer circular cross-section hole 19, the diameter of hole 19 being larger than that of hole 18.

[0050] Installed in holes 18 and 19 are latches 70 formed by an inverted U-shaped member 71, which has a base 72 and a plurality of arms 73. Opposite the arms 73 is a circular cross-section member 74, which extends orthogonally to the longitudinal axis and is located in the hole 18. Member 74 is partially located inside the circular cross-section body 75, and in a preferred embodiment, the end of the body 75 away from member 74 includes six rare-earth magnets forming a first magnet 76. The upper end of the body 75 has a lip 77 for acting as an abutment against a compression spring 78, the end of which abuts against the inner surface of a cap 79 reliably located in the hole 19 and receiving the body 75. Those skilled in the art will understand that the cap can be integrally molded with the upper part 10.

[0051] Therefore, the outer shell 40 and the cap 79 are fixed in the first component 1, the plunger 30 reciprocates along the longitudinal axis and the direction of the body 75, and the rare earth magnet 76 reciprocates in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis.

[0052] During operation, such as Figure 2 As shown, the second component 2 is inserted into the first component 1 along the first direction. When component 2 moves into the cavity 13, the latch 70 also lifts up, due to the presence of the tapered head 24. Figure 3 As shown, the further movement of component 2 into component 1 causes the tapering head 24 to abut against the closed end 31 of the pusher 30 to compress the common spring 60, and substantially simultaneously, the tapering head 24 acts on the distal end of the finger 49 to cause the finger to pivot outward about its respective axis and open, overcoming the bias of the common spring 60 located in the groove 59. (Refer to...) Figure 4 When the finger 49 moves into the groove 25 under the bias of the common spring 60 and the latch moves toward the longitudinal axis 3, the movement of the second member 2 is completed. The inner edge of the arm 73 acts on the outer edge of the claw 44 to prevent the claw from opening, so that the finger 49 located in the groove 25 firmly locks the member 2, preventing the member 2 from being disassembled from the member 1.

[0053] In order to unlock the second component 2 from the first component 1, that is, to move the second component 2 out of the first component 1 in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second magnetic components 590 and 1080 ( Figure 1-4 Not shown in the image, but... Figure 5-14 (As described in the text) Located at or immediately adjacent to cap 79, it has the opposite polarity to that shown by the upper surface of the first magnet 76. Therefore, the latch 70 connected to the body 75 moves in a direction away from the longitudinal axis to disengage the latch 70 from contact with the pawl 44. Thus, the pawl 44 is released so that when the second member 2 is pulled in a second direction by the engaging chamfer 26 and the corresponding chamfer of the inner surface 50 of each finger, the finger 49 can move outward away from the longitudinal axis.

[0054] Although in a preferred embodiment the cavity 12 has a circular cross-section, it can also be cuboid in shape, such as a rectangular cavity. To accommodate the cuboid cavity, the body of the second member 2 can have a suitable cuboid cross-section.

[0055] Therefore, it is understood that the connector forms a quick-release mechanism that can be used to connect an animal leash to a collar on an animal, and that release can be achieved without applying any physical force as long as a person can hold the magnet, and only a small force is required to overcome the shared spring 60 for operation.

[0056] In one application of the invention, the connecting member 42 can be attached to an animal collar. In this application, it is envisioned that once the connecting member 42 is attached to the animal collar, the first member 1 will remain attached to the collar, and once the second member 2 is attached to the animal leash, it will also remain attached to the animal leash. Therefore, the connector of the present invention can be sold attached to a leash or connected to a leash as an aftermarket device.

[0057] Another connector, with or without the connecting member 42, as described above, can be fixed to the proximal hole 28 of the second member 2 or as an alternative to the plane 27 and the hole 28. Similarly, the connector described above can also be fixed to the housing 40, whether or not it has the connecting member 42.

[0058] With the increase in dog theft, especially outside stores, we believe this invention can help reduce this crime.

[0059] However, it is envisioned that the connector of the present invention has many more uses besides being used as an animal traction connector, especially when the user is physically or medically disabled and unable to move manually, or even when the user's hands and fingers are almost unable to move due to extreme cold.

[0060] Although the figure shows holes 28 and 43 for connection with daily-use mechanisms, any suitable connection device can also be used to connect with other items.

[0061] Figure 5 and Figure 6 An exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a connector according to the invention, with a different form of latch, is shown. The lower portion 11 has a cavity 516 for a positioning claw 44 and a latch 570. In this respect, in addition to... Figure 1-4 The latch of the inverted U-shaped member, the basically U-shaped latch 570, is located above and on top of the claw 44.

[0062] The rear end of the latch 570, away from the opposing arm 573, has a plurality of subordinate wings 571, each with a hole, which are pivotable about an axis 572 around the holes. Fixed between the two arms 573 is a body 575 for housing a rare-earth magnet forming a first magnet 76 and a compression spring 78 acting between the body 575 and the underside of the upper member 10. The body has subordinate arms 576 between the arms 573. In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion 10 of the first member 1 has an integrally formed cap 579.

[0063] Each U-shaped claw 44 has a shaft 580 passing through the hole 47, and the opposite ends of each shaft 580 are fixed to the upper part 10 and the lower part 11, respectively.

[0064] Especially Figure 7 As shown, the pusher 30 has radially opposing lugs 531 arranged to abut against the subordinate arm 576 of the lower portion of the body 575 located below the U-shaped base of the latch 570 and located in a groove 700 inside the cavity 14.

[0065] The second magnetic component 590 has a body 591 for fixing (in this embodiment) seven rare earth magnets 592, and the body has perforated lugs 594 for attaching to a chain or similar mechanism.

[0066] Before the second component is inserted into the first component, the compression spring 78 forces the body 575 in a downward direction, and thus forces the latch 570 to move in a downward direction (as shown), so that each arm 573 overlaps with its respective claw 44 to hold the latch in the closed position.

[0067] During operation, when the second component is inserted into the first component along the first direction, as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the distal end 23 is located in the cavity 12, and the lower lug 531 abuts against the groove 700 under the pressure of the common spring 60; the upper lug 531 (as shown) is restrained by the latch 570, and the lower lug 531 is restrained by the groove 700 in the cavity 14 of the lower part 11. In the initial position, these arms 573 restrict the opening of the U-shaped claw 44. Figure 8 As shown, further insertion of component 2 into component 1 causes the tapered head 24 to abut against the underside of the body 575, overcoming the pressure of the compression spring 78 and lifting the body 575. This causes the latch to pivot about axis 572 and the lifting arm 573 to disengage from the outer side of the U-shaped claw 44. Further insertion of the second component causes the distal end 23 of the second component to abut against the pusher 30 to compress the common spring 60, causing the fingers 49 of the U-shaped claw 44 to open by pivoting about axis 580.

[0068] like Figure 9As shown, when the subordinate arm 576 is pushed downward by the compression spring 78 (as shown) to enter the groove 25, and the arm 573 is positioned outside each U-shaped claw 44 to lock the finger 49, the movement of the second member further entering the first member is completed, and the finger 49 is biased inward into the groove 25 under the force of the common spring 60. Therefore, as the finger moves into the groove 25, the arm 573 also moves downward to lock the claw, preventing the claw from opening, while the subordinate arm 576 also moves into the groove 25, firmly locking member 2 in member 1.

[0069] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the second component is unlocked from the first component by the magnetic force generated by the second magnetic component 590, thereby lifting the body 575 and then lifting the latch 570 so that the claw and the subordinate arm 576 open from the groove 25.

[0070] Now refer to Figure 10-14 The figure shows another embodiment of the connector of the present invention, which is smaller in size and has a second member that is flat, generally cuboid, and key-like in shape. The second member 1002 is arranged to be inserted into the first member 1001, which consists of an upper (as shown) first portion 1010 and a lower second portion 1011.

[0071] The second component 1002 has a finger-gripping portion 1022, the width of which is greater than the entrance 1013 of the cavity 1014 in the lower portion 1011. The body 1003 of the second component 1002 is narrower than the finger-gripping portion 1022 to fit into the entrance 1013. The body has a chamfered outer edge 1004 at the end away from the finger-gripping portion 1022, and a pair of opposing recesses 1005 are along the minor side of the body 1003. A rectangular hole 1006 extends through the main plane of the body 1003.

[0072] The pusher 30 has a boss 1031, which abuts against the front end 1007 of the second component during operation.

[0073] The latch 1070 has a pair of wings, each wing having a subordinate wing 1071. Each subordinate wing 1071 has a hole for positioning its respective pivot pin 1072, which extends through a hole in the lower sidewall 1011. At the end of the latch 1070 furthest from the wings 1071 are a pair of opposing subordinate arms 1073, which are positioned above the pawl 44 and arranged in operation to lock the latch in an inward direction.

[0074] The main body 575 of the positioning magnet 76 is composed of a compression spring 78. Figure 10 Bias voltage (not shown in the image).

[0075] In another embodiment, the second magnetic component 1080 has a body 1081 for securing (in this embodiment) seven rare earth magnets 1082, and the body has a cap 1083 with a perforated lug 1084 for attachment to a chain or similar device.

[0076] Now refer to Figure 12-14 The operation of another embodiment is described.

[0077] exist Figure 12 In the middle, the second component enters the inlet 1013, and the latch pivots to the closed position under the action of the common spring 60. At this time, the finger 49 is biased inward, and the arm 1073 of the latch is pushed down to the outside of the U-shaped claw by the compression spring 78, so that the finger 49 remains closed.

[0078] The relative movement of the second member 1002 toward the first member 1001 causes the front end face 1007 to abut against the boss 1031 and begins to compress the common spring 1060. Simultaneously, the second member 1002 abuts against the subordinate arm 576, compressing the compression spring 78 and lifting the arm 1073, disengaging it from contact with the outer side of each U-shaped claw 44. Further compression of the common spring 60 causes the U-shaped claws to open by rotating about their respective axes 580.

[0079] like Figure 14 As shown, after the second component 1002 is further inserted into the first component 1001, under the force of the compression spring 78, the subordinate arm 576 falls into the rectangular hole 1006, and the latch rotates under the force of the compression spring 78, so that the respective arms 1073 move into the opposite recess 1005. Thus, the second component is securely locked into the first component.

[0080] The interaction between the second magnetic element and the magnet 76 causes the body 575 and arm 1073 to be lifted and disengaged from the contact with the U-shaped claw. The common spring 60 disengages the U-shaped claw from the contact with the opposing recess 1005 to allow the second component to be pulled out, thereby unlocking the second component from the first component.

[0081] The components used in connectors can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, aluminum, or stainless steel.

Claims

1. A connector comprising a first member (1) forming a female member and a second member (2) forming a male member, the second member (2) being arranged to mate with the female member along a longitudinal axis (3), the first member housing a spring (60) for biasing a pawl mechanism (44-49), the pawl mechanism having at least one pawl (44) arranged to engage a stop (25) in the second member, and a further spring (78) for biasing a latch mechanism (70-74) into spring bias, the latch mechanism (70-74) comprising at least one arm (73) arranged to engage over an outer surface of the at least one pawl (44) to prevent the pawl mechanism from opening, the latch mechanism further comprising at least one first magnetic member (76) to facilitate the latch mechanism to overcome the spring bias to disengage from the stop, whereby in operation, when the second member (2) is moved into the first member (1) in a first direction, it initially lifts the latch mechanism (70-74) against the bias of the further spring (78), further movement in the first direction opens the at least one pawl (44), continued movement in the first direction operates the pawls (44) substantially in synchronism to move into the stop (25) with the bias of the spring (60), and the latch mechanism (70-74) moves into contact with the pawl mechanism (44-49) with the bias of the further spring (78) to prevent the at least one pawl (44) from opening until the latch is lifted by a second magnetic member (590, 1080) cooperating with the at least one first magnetic member (76) to lift the latch mechanism out of the contact and the second member is removable from the first member in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the first member (1) and the second member (2) are arranged to releasably and detachably connect to each other, the first member having a cavity (14) extending along the longitudinal axis to have a first portion of the cavity arranged to receive the second member along the longitudinal axis, a second portion of the cavity positioned along the longitudinal axis for the pawl mechanism, to have the at least one pawl biased by the spring towards the longitudinal axis, and the spring (60) further biases a pusher (30) arranged to act against a distal end (23) of the second member, wherein when the second member is inserted into the cavity in the first direction, the second member moves the pusher against the spring bias and opens the pawl mechanism against the spring bias of the pawl mechanism until the pawls move under their spring bias to engage the stop (25) of the second member, and when engaged, the latch mechanism moves into contact with the pawl mechanism to prevent the pawls of the pawl mechanism from opening until the latch is lifted by the second magnetic member out of the contact, and the pusher moves the second member in the second direction opposite to the first direction.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein the spring bias for the pawl mechanism and for the pusher is provided by a common compression spring (60), i.e. a spring common to both the pawl mechanism and the pusher.

4. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the pawl mechanism comprises at least two cantilevered pawls (44), each arranged to rotate about a shaft having an axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (3), each of the pawls being U-shaped having a base of the U-shape extending in the plane of the longitudinal axis, a proximal end (45) of the base having an arm extending therefrom and a shaft located substantially at the junction of the base and the arm, a distal end of the base having a pawl extending towards the longitudinal axis for engagement into the detent.

5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the two cantilevered pawls are arranged diametrically opposite each other.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein the proximal end (45) of the arm is provided with a recessed notch (59) distal of the shaft relative to the U-shaped base for biasing the pawl inwardly towards the longitudinal axis and opposite ends of a common compression spring (60) are located within a cavity formed in the pusher (30) to have the dual operation of biasing the distal end of the pawl towards the longitudinal axis and biasing the pusher in the second direction.

7. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the latch mechanism (70) comprises an orthogonally extending member extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and at a first end of the longitudinally extending member (74) is an inverted U-shaped member (71) having a pair of diametrically opposed arms (73) extending in the same plane as the longitudinally extending member, the arms being arranged to contact respective ones of the pawls (44) of the pawl mechanism to prevent opening of the pawl mechanism when the second member (2) is fully inserted into the first member (1).

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein the latch mechanism comprises a pair of diametrically opposed pivotable arms (573, 1073) arranged to a pivot mechanism (572, 1072), the arms being biased by a compression spring (78) to bias the arms over the outer surface of each of the U-shaped pawls (44) to lock the U-shaped pawls in their innermost position until the latch is released by the second member.

9. The connector of claim 8, wherein a body (75) is provided housing at least one first magnetic member (76) and in contact with one end of a further spring (78), the distal end of the further spring engaging a lower surface of a cap (79) whereby the further spring biases the latch mechanism in a direction generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and towards the longitudinal axis.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the first magnetic member comprises at least one rare earth magnet.

11. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second member (2) has an inwardly tapering distal end (24) chamfered to lift the latch mechanism against spring bias.

12. The connector of claim 11, wherein the second member has a circular cross- sectioned body and the detent (25) is formed by a circumferential groove adjacent the distal end, the leading edge of the groove having a chamfer (26) to cooperate with a corresponding chamfer of the inner surface of the pawl to facilitate removal of the second member from the pawl mechanism.

13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the proximal end of the second member has a hole (28) for attachment to a daily use mechanism.

14. The connector of claim 4, wherein the housing (40) provides support for each shaft of the cantilevered claw and is provided with a first connector (42) at its end away from the claw mechanism, wherein a hole (43) is provided for attachment to another daily use mechanism.

15. The connector of any one of claims 1 to 3, used in combination with a harness or a webbing or an animal leash or a support device.

16. A method of operating the connector of claim 2, comprising the steps of: a) moving the second member into the first portion of the cavity of the first member to lift the latch mechanism against the spring bias and to advance and open at least one claw of the claw mechanism against the spring bias of the pusher until the at least one claw moves into the stop in the second member and the latch mechanism is biased by its spring to move the arms of the inverted U-shaped member to prevent the claw mechanism from opening, b) setting the second magnetic member to pull away the latch mechanism against the spring bias, at which time the at least one claw is allowed to open and the pusher moves the second member in the second direction.

Images