Connector having a mechanical lock and a one-step release

Abstract

A quick release connector is provided for underwater diving equipment such as a weighting system for buoyancy control. The quick release connector includes a first connector portion which may be mounted to the apparel unit and a second connector portion which may be mounted to one or more weights. The second connector portion interfaces with the first connector portion includes a pivotable lock that can be actuated against a spring to decouple the two connector portions and allow for manual release of the weights.

1 . A connector providing a mechanical lock and simplifying the manipulation required for disengagement by a user, the connector comprising: 
 a first connector portion;    a second connector portion detachably engaged with the first connector portion, the second connector portion having a base member and a locking member pivotally coupled to the base member, the locking member and the base member both having a handle portion and an engagement portion;    a biasing member disposed between the handle portions urging at least one of the engagement portions towards a locked position;    wherein the second connector portion is disengaged from the first connector portion by a squeezing and pulling motion of the handle portions by the user.    
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector portion includes a first surface for engaging the engagement portion of one of the base member and the locking member and a second surface for engaging the engagement portion of the other of the base member and the locking member comprising a mating interface between the first and second connector portions, the mating interface including at least one channel and at least on rail slidably received in the channel.  
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first connector portion includes a slot receiving a locking member in the locked position.  
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the engagement portion of the base member includes said at least one rail, and wherein said first connector portion defines said at least one channel.  
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the engagement portion of the locking member includes a detent projection configured to be inserted into a slot defined by the first connector portion.  
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the detent includes a inclined surface providing means for camming the detent into the slot.  
   
   
       7 . The connector of  claim 6 , wherein the biasing member biases the detent projection towards the locked position.  
   
   
       8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein a user receives the second connector portion in the palm of a user's hand with a user's fingers wrapped around the handle portions.  
   
   
       9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein the handle portions include a profile corresponding to the hand of a user.  
   
   
       10 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein a pivot pin pivotally couples the locking member to the base member.  
   
   
       11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first connector portion includes a buckle portion for receiving a strap to couple the first connector portion to an article.  
   
   
       12 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the second connector portion includes a buckle portion for receiving a strap to couple the first connector portion to an article.  
   
   
       13 . The connector of  claim 12 , wherein the buckle portion is formed in the locking member.  
   
   
       14 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the connector is coupled with a weight release system for a buoyancy control device.  
   
   
       15 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the buoyancy control device includes an apparel unit having a weight system integrated into the apparel unit.  
   
   
       16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the apparel unit is vest-like harness worn by the user.  
   
   
       17 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the apparel unit is a belt worn by the user.  
   
   
       18 . A buoyancy control device comprising: 
 an apparel unit;    a weight system integrated into the apparel unit; and    a retaining system coupled to the apparel unit for releasably retaining the weight system to the apparel unit; the retaining system includes a connector, the connector comprising:    a first connector; portion;    a second connector portion detachably engaged with the first connector portion, the second connector portion having a base member and a locking member pivotally coupled to the base member, the locking member and the base member both having a handle portion and an engagement portion;    a biasing member urging at least one of the engagement portions towards a locked position;    wherein the relative pivoting movement between the locking member and the base member decouples the first and second connector portions.    
   
   
       19 . The buoyancy control device of  claim 18 , wherein the apparel unit is a vest-like harness that is worn around the torso of a diver.  
   
   
       20 . The buoyancy control device of  claim 19 , wherein the apparel unit is pulled over the head of a diver.  
   
   
       21 . The buoyancy control device of  claim 18 , wherein the apparel unit is a belt that is worn by a diver.  
   
   
       22 . The buoyancy control device of  claim 18 , wherein the weight system includes a pocket, a weight pouch.  
   
   
       23 . The buoyancy control device of  claim 22 , wherein the first connector portion is coupled the pocket and the second connector portion is coupled to the weight pouch.  
   
   
       24 . The connector of  claim 18  wherein the first connector portion includes a first surface for engaging the engagement portion of one of the base member and the locking member and a second surface for engaging the engagement portion of the other of the base member and the locking member comprising a mating interface between the first and second connector portions, the mating interface including at least one channel and at least on rail slidably received in the channel.  
   
   
       25 . A method of disconnecting a weight from a buoyancy control device, the method comprising: 
 coupling a connector to the buoyancy control device that releasably retains the weight to the buoyancy control device, the connector includes first and second connector portions, the second connector detachably engages the first connector portion and includes a locking member and a base member, the locking member and the base member both include handle portions and engagement portions;    coupling one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion to the buoyancy control device and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion to the weight;    squeezing together the handle portions of the base member and the locking member to disengage at least one of the engagement portions; and    pulling the second connector away from the first connector to release the weight from the buoyancy control device;    wherein the steps of squeezing and pulling are performed in a single manipulation step by a user.