Magnet-assisted quick-connect quick-disconnect mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to a two part quick connect-quick disconnect connector, which includes two parts, identified as a first part or “grabber” and a second part identified as a “dangle”. More specifically, the grabber is the female portion of the device, and is attached to a leash, for example. The dangle is the male portion of the device and may be attached to an animal collar. At least one of the grabber and the dangle may contain a permanent magnet, which aligns and initially attracts the two components to be joined together. The dangle is pulled into a cavity of the grabber, at which point two spring-loaded claws grab hold of the dangle securely. To release the device, a button or slide is pressed, which opens the jaws and allows the two components to be separated.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by a Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
         1 . A quick connect-quick release mechanism comprising:
 a first part for connecting to a first device;   a second part for connecting to a second device, said first part and said second part formed to slidably engage each other;   a latch mechanism for latching said first part to said second part in a latched position when said first part and said second part are joined together; and   a quick release mechanism for selectively releasing said latch.   
     
     
         2 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , further including a biasing spring for biasing said latch mechanism in a latched position. 
     
     
         3 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said first part and said second part are formed so that insertion of the second part into the first part causes the latch mechanism to move away from said latched position to allow said second part to be joined to said first part. 
     
     
         4 . The quick connect, quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said release mechanism includes a button assembly that cooperates with the latch mechanism that is formed to unlatch the latch mechanism when the button is depressed and is not in engagement when the button assembly is in a normal position. 
     
     
         5 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein one or the other of the first part or the second part includes a magnet and the other part is formed from a ferromagnetic material for creating magnetic attraction forces to attract the two parts to be joined together. 
     
     
         6 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first part and said second part include at least one magnet for creating magnetic attraction forces to attract the two parts to be joined together. 
     
     
         7 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said latch mechanism includes a pivotally mounted arm, formed to pivot between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein in a latched position said pivotally mounted arm is formed to secure said first part and said second part together. 
     
     
         8 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said latch mechanism includes a pair of spaced apart pivotally mounted arms, formed to pivot between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein in a latched position said pivotally mounted arms are formed to secure said first part and said second part together. 
     
     
         9 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first part is formed with a cavity for receiving said second part and said second part is formed to be received in said cavity. 
     
     
         10 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first part is securely attached to a first external interface. 
     
     
         11 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said first external interface is a ring like device, rigidly attached to said first part. 
     
     
         12 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second part is securely attached to a second external interface. 
     
     
         13 . The quick connect-quick release mechanism as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said second external interface is a ring like device.