Self-locking pivotal bracket connector combination

Abstract

The present invention is a disengageable self-locking pivotal bracket device that can be used as a foldable, pivotal connecting element that can connect two members, for example a fish net and handle, or two sections of a cane. The device includes an axial/fastener and disengageable locking element for pivotally and releaseably locking the device into and out of at least one extended, engaged position. The device further includes a stop which contacts one of the members to limit pivoting in a first direction.

1 - 39 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         40 . A self-locking pivotal connector pivotally connecting first and second members for pivoting between a first extended orientation and a second folded orientation, comprising: 
 a body connected to the second member;    a pivot member connected to the body and to the first member and pivotally connecting the body to the first member;    a disengageable locking member connected to the body and to the first member and selectively locking the body to the first member to prevent pivoting of the body relative to the first member about the pivot member, the locking member including at least one depressible locking pin connected to the first member and biased to extend outwardly from the first member; and    a stop connected to the body and engageable with the first member preventing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a first direction about the pivot member, while allowing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a second direction about the pivot member.    
     
     
         41 . The connector of  claim 40 , in which the pivot member and locking member are connected to the body at spaced locations.  
     
     
         42 . The connector of  claim 40 , in which the locking member includes at least one locking bore defined in the body.  
     
     
         43 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         44 . A self-locking pivotal connector pivotally connecting first and second members for pivoting between a first extended orientation and a second folded orientation, comprising: 
 a body connected to the second member;    a pivot member connected to the body and to the first member and pivotally connecting the body to the first member;    a disengageable locking member connected to the body and to the first member and selectively locking the body to the first member to prevent pivoting of the body relative to the first member about the pivot member; and    a stop connected to the body and engageable with the first member preventing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a first direction about the pivot member, while allowing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a second direction about the pivot member;    the locking member including at least one locking bore defined in the body;    the locking member further including at least one depressible locking pin connected to the first member and biased to extend outwardly from the first member; and    the body including at least one concave depression communicating with the locking bore to provide manual access to the locking pin.    
     
     
         45 . The connector of  claim 40 , in which the pivot member includes at least one pivot aperture defined in the body.  
     
     
         46 . The connector of  claim 45 , in which the pivot member includes at least one pivot pin connected to the first member and pivotally engaging the pivot aperture of the body.  
     
     
         47 . The connector of claims  40 , in which the body includes at least one cam surface for engaging the locking pin as the first and second members pivot from the second folded orientation to the first extended orientation.  
     
     
         48 . The connector of  claim 47 , in which the cam surface depresses the locking pin.  
     
     
         49 . The connector of  claim 48 , in which the body includes wings joined by a bridge portion to define a U-shaped slot.  
     
     
         50 . The connector of  claim 49 , in which the first member is pivotally disposed in the slot.  
     
     
         51 . The connector of  claim 50 , in which the cam surface adjoins the slot.  
     
     
         52 . The connector of  claim 49 , in which the stop is connected to the bridge portion.  
     
     
         53 . A self-locking pivotal connector pivotally connecting first and second members for pivoting between a first extended orientation and a second folded orientation, comprising: 
 a body connected to the second member;    a pivot member connected to the body and to the first member and pivotally connecting the body to the first member;    a disengageable locking member connected to the body and to the first member and selectively locking the body to the first member to prevent pivoting of the body relative to the first member about the pivot member; and    a stop connected to the body and engageable with the first member preventing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a first direction about the pivot member, while allowing pivoting of the body relative to the first member in a second direction about the pivot member;    the first member comprising a hollow tube having a side wall that engages the stop, and having an opposite side wall that includes a slot sized to receive the stop therethrough without interference.    
     
     
         54 . The connector of  claim 53 , in which the body includes wings joined by a bridge portion to define a U-shaped slot, and in which the stop is connected to the bridge portion.  
     
     
         55 . A combination of a self-locking connector with a first member and a second member, said combination comprising: 
 a body including first mounting means for fixed connection with said second member and second mounting means for pivotable connection with said first member at a first location on said first member whereby said first member is pivotable relative to said body between a first extended position and a second folded position;    said body further including outstanding wing portions that extend adjacently along portions of said first member when said first member is in said first extended position, said wing portions having aperture means defined therethrough;    detent means associated with said first member at a second location on said first member that is spaced from said first location, but that is in adjacent relationship to said wing portions when said first member has been so pivoted to said first extended position where said detent means is in aligned and engaged relationship with said aperture means;    said detent means including spring biasing means yieldingly holding said detent means in an outwardly projecting configuration relative to said first member, and portions of said detent means are receivable generally within said first member when said detent means is generally compressed into said first member against said spring biasing means; and    cam means associated with said wing portions for so compressing said detent means before said first member reaches said first extended position when said first member is so pivoted to said first extended position;    whereby, as said first member enters said first extended position adjacent said wing portions, said detent means is initially so compressed by said cam means and then extends into said aperture means, thereby reversibly locking said first member in said first extended position; and    whereby also said first member is released from said first extended position when said detent means is so compressed by force exteriorly exerted against said detent means through said aperture means.    
     
     
         56 . A combination of a self-locking connector with a first member and a second member, said combination comprising: 
 a body including first mounting means for fixed connection with said second member and second mounting means for pivotable connection with said first member at a first location on said first member whereby said first member is pivotable relative to said body between a first extended position and a second folded position;    detent pin means associated with said first member at a second location on said first member that is spaced from said first location, and said first member having outside portions relative to which said detent pin means have a generally perpendicularly and outwardly extending configuration;    said body further including outstanding wing portions that extend adjacently along said outside portions when said first member is in said first extended position, said wing portions having aperture means defined therethrough that extend generally perpendicularly, and in aligned relationship, relative to said detent pin means when said first member is in said first extended position;    said detent pin means including spring biasing means that yieldingly hold portions of said detent pin means in said outwardly extending configuration and that permits said portions to be yieldingly compressed into said first member by an external compressive force applied generally perpendicularly to said detent pin means; and    cam means associated with said wing portions for so compressing said detent pin means when said first member is so pivoted to said first extended position and before said first member reaches said first extended position;    whereby, when said first member is pivoted relative to said body and is placed in said first extended position, said detent pin means extend into, and are in locked engagement with, said aperture means; and    whereby, when said first member is in said first extended position, and said detent pin means are so engaged with said aperture means, said detent pin means is released from said aperture means by application thereto of said compressive force so applied to said detent pin means through said aperture means, and said first member is then pivotable relative to said body to said second folded position.    
     
     
         57 . The combination of  claim 56  wherein said detent pin means comprises a pair of opposed detent pins.  
     
     
         58 . The combination of  claim 57  wherein said wing portions comprise a pair of wing members, each wing member of said pair being on a different opposed said outside portion of said first member when said first member is in said first extended position, and each wing member of said pair having said aperture means and said cam means defined therein.  
     
     
         59 . The combination of  claim 58  wherein said aperture means in each said wing member has a concave depression defined about exterior perimeter portions thereof, thereby to provide manual access to said detent pin means to release said first member from said first extended position.  
     
     
         60 . The combination of  claim 56  wherein said second mounting means comprises a pivot pin means that is engaged with said body and with said second member.  
     
     
         61 . A combination of a self-locking connector with a first member and a second member, said combination comprising: 
 a body including first mounting means for fixed connection with said second member and second mounting means for pivotable connection with said first member at a first location on said first member whereby said first member is pivotable relative to said body between a first extended position and a second folded position;    said body further including outstanding wing portions that extend adjacently along portions of said first member when said first member is in said first extended position, said wing portions having aperture means defined therethrough;    detent means associated with said first member at a second location on said first member that is spaced from said first location, but that is in adjacent relationship to said wing portions when said first member has been so pivoted to said first extended position where said detent means is in aligned and engaged relationship with said aperture means;    said detent means including spring biasing means yieldingly holding said detent means in an outwardly projecting configuration relative to said first member, and portions of said detent means are receivable generally within said first member when said detent means is generally compressed into said first member against said spring biasing means; and    cam means associated with said wing portions for so compressing said detent means before said first member reaches said first extended position when said first member is so pivoted to said first extended position;    said second member being configured for cooperative engagement with a hand and associated forearm, said second member comprising an elongated, rod-like continuously extending member having a rear end and a front end and having a plurality of longitudinally adjacent segments located progressively along the length thereof proceeding from said rear end to said front end;    whereby, as said first member enters said first extended position adjacent said wing portions, said detent means is initially so compressed by said cam means and then extends into said aperture means, thereby reversibly locking said first member in said first extended position; and    whereby also said first member is released from said first extended position when said detent means is so compressed by force exteriorly exerted against said detent means through said aperture means.    
     
     
         62 . The combination of  claim 61  wherein said segments of said second member comprise: 
 (a) a first segment having a generally transversely extending mid-region configured for cradling a portion of said forearm, said first segment terminating adjacent a lower inside portion of said forearm with said mid-region extending upwardly therefrom;  
 (b) a second segment being substantially arcuate throughout a substantial portion of its length, said second segment extending generally longitudinally from said first segment along the inside portion of said forearm first upwardly and then downwardly to a lower location that is generally adjacent an outside lower portion of the palm of said hand when the thumb thereof is in an upright orientation;  
 (c) a third segment having a mid-region that transversely extends across the inside of said hand from said second segment, said third segment being graspable by said hand between said palm and the finger portions of said hand in a fisted configuration; and  
 (d) a fourth segment having a longitudinally and forwardly projecting mid-region that extends from said third segment and that includes terminally first mounting means for fixed connection with said second member; so that said forearm is braced along said inside portion by said second segment and leverage upon said fourth segment is cooperatively provided by said hand and said forearm through said second member.  
 
     
     
         63 . The combination of  claim 62  wherein said third segment is circumferentially provided with a plastic handgrip member.  
     
     
         64 . The combination of  claim 62  wherein said rear end is overfitted with an end cap.  
     
     
         65 . The combination of  claim 61  wherein said rod-like member is comprised of metal.  
     
     
         66 . The combination of  claim 61  wherein said rod-like member is comprised of plastic.  
     
     
         67 . The combination of  claim 62  wherein said mid-region of said first segment is generally U-shaped along said forearm.  
     
     
         68 . The combination of  claim 62  wherein said mid-region of said first segment is generally configured to wrap around said forearm.