Remote release mechanism for tow fitting

Abstract

A release fitting for an elongate strap is provided. The release fitting includes a body configured to fixedly engage an end of an elongate strap. An arm is pivotably connected to the body, such that the arm is configured to pivot between a locked position and a release position, a tip portion of the arm comprises a receiving portion. The body comprises a hole disposed therethrough, the hole being coaxially aligned with the receiving portion when the arm is in the locked position. A shaft assembly slidably is disposed within the hole, the shaft assembly biased toward engagement with the receiving portion. A bracket is pivotably mounted to the body and pivotably mounted to the shaft assembly, wherein rotation of the bracket urges linear motion of the shaft assembly within the hole.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A release fitting for an elongate strap, comprising:
 a body configured to fixedly engage an end of an elongate strap;   an arm pivotably connected to the body, such that the arm is configured to pivot between a locked position and a release position, a tip portion of the arm comprises a receiving portion;   the body comprises a hole disposed therethrough, the hole being coaxially aligned with the receiving portion when the arm is in the locked position;   a shaft assembly slidably disposed within the hole, the shaft assembly biased toward engagement with the receiving portion; and   an electro-mechanical device operatively engaged with the shaft assembly, such that operation of the electro-mechanical device urges linear motion of the shaft assembly within the hole, wherein the shaft assembly is directly connected to the electro-mechanical device.   
     
     
         20 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device is a solenoid. 
     
     
         21 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device is a linear actuator. 
     
     
         22 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device is a stepper motor. 
     
     
         23 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device directly urges motion of the shaft assembly within the hole in a first direction against the biasing force of a spring disposed within the hole when the electro-mechanical device is in a first state, and the electro-mechanical device allows motion of the shaft assembly in a second opposite direction when the electro-mechanical device is in the opposite second state. 
     
     
         24 . The release fitting of  claim 23 , wherein the electro-mechanical device is energized when in the first state. 
     
     
         25 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device communicates with a remote input device, which changes a state of the electro-mechanical device from between opposite first and second states. 
     
     
         26 . The release fitting of  claim 25 , wherein the electro-mechanical device wirelessly communicates with the remote input device. 
     
     
         27 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the electro-mechanical device communicates with a hard wired controller, which changes a state of the electro-mechanical device from between opposite first and second states. 
     
     
         28 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the hole comprises a bearing surface and the shaft assembly comprises a second bearing surface with a biasing member disposed therebetween. 
     
     
         29 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft assembly further comprises a threaded portion at the second end thereof, the threaded portion receives a fastener disposed thereon. 
     
     
         30 . The release fitting of  claim 19 , wherein the arm is configured to engage a second elongate strap when the arm is in the locked position.