Quick-Release End Attachment With Sliding Collar Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material handling devices lack a reliable and efficient quick release endpoint attachment mechanism for connecting to suspension/rigging components, which complicates the process of attaching and detaching these components without tools.

Innovation Solution

A quick release endpoint attachment assembly featuring a first shaft with grooves, a collar assembly that slides relative to the shaft, and load carrying fingers with protrusions that engage with the grooves, allowing for secure attachment and easy release of suspension/rigging components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional attachment mechanism is used, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the attachment and detachment process requires tools and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachment and detachmentVSAvoidtime for attachment and detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment assembly is segmented into distinct functional components: a collar assembly with locking pins, load carrying fingers with grooves, and a shaft system. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to be independently operated via the collar assembly, enabling tool-free quick attachment and detachment while maintaining secure connection when locked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The collar assembly is designed to be movable along the shaft, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. The locking pins can be inserted into or removed from the grooves on the shaft through this dynamic movement, enabling rapid state changes between attached and detached conditions without requiring tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a quick release mechanism is implemented, then the operation speed is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation speedVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking pins act as intermediary elements between the collar assembly and the shaft. These pins simplify the quick release function by providing a direct mechanical locking interface that can be engaged or disengaged by simply moving the collar assembly, avoiding the need for complex locking mechanisms while maintaining operational speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The load carrying fingers are designed with grooves that automatically align with the locking pins on the shaft when the collar assembly is in the correct position. This self-aligning feature reduces the complexity of the quick release mechanism by eliminating the need for precise manual alignment or additional guiding components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4542061A1Quick release end point attachment

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 COLUMBUS MCKINNON CORP

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AI summary

A quick release end point attachment assembly for connecting to a material handling device such as a hoist or the like. A first shaft may be provided with external threads for engaging with the material handling device. A second shaft extends downward from the bottom of the assembly and may be configured to support suspension/rigging components such as, but not limited to, hooks, wire grips, eyelets, dynamometers, or the like. The device provides for a quick release end point attachment assembly to provide for changing the suspension/rigging components without the use of tools.