Reciprocably latched canopy release

Claim 2

A release connector comprising: a male fitting having at least one prong extending therefrom; a female fitting having a pocket to receive said prong; said female fitting having a channel intersecting said pocket perpendicular thereto; a locking bar reciprocably movable within said channel in a plane substantially normal to said prong; said locking bar and said prong having complimentary bearing surfaces for latching connection; means for biasing said locking bar to a latching position; and actuating means for moving reciprocably said locking bar to an unlatched position against the action of said biasing means to disconnect said bearing surfaces and permit separation of said fittings.

Claim 3

The connector of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a spring positioned between the locking bar and the end of said channel.

Claim 4

The connector of claim 1 wherein said actuating means is provided with a cam adapted to engage a cam surface on the side of the bar opposite to the biasing means whereby the locking bar may be raised against the action of the biasing means to separate said bearing surfaces.

Claim 5

The connector of claim 3 wherein a pair of cam surfaces are located at both ends of said locking bar and the actuating means is provided with a pair of corresponding cams for engagement therewith.

Claim 6

The connector of claim 1 wherein said actuating means and said locking bar are movable independently of the other.

Claim 7

The connector of claim 3 wherein said actuating means is a pair of interconnected levers having cams, and said locking bar is provided with a centrally located bearing surface for camming engagement with the end of the male prong, said locking bar also provided with a cam surface at each end thereof for engagement with the actuating lever cams.

Claim 8

The connector of claim 1 wherein said bearing surfaces each have at least a portion extending normal to the directIon of pull on said release fittings.

Claim 9

A locking bar for use in a release connector having a male and a female fitting comprising: a member having a plurality of intermediately located legs spaced apart extending normal thereto to form at least one channel therebetween to receive a prong of the male fitting; a bearing surface formed in the channel on the underside of said member adapted to be engaged by the male prong; a pair of cam surfaces formed on the underside of said member at the outer ends thereof for engagement by an actuating lever. 9. A release connector comprising: a male fitting having at least one prong extending longitudinally therefrom; a female fitting having a pocket therein to receive said prong; said female fitting having a channel intersecting the pocket perpendicular thereto; a locking bar reciprocably movable within said channel in a plane substantially normal to the prong; said locking bar and said prongs have complimentary bearing surfaces for a latching connection, portions of said bearing surfaces being substantially normal to the direction of pull; a first spring means positioned between the end of the channel and said locking bar for loading the latter to a latching engagement with the prongs; an actuating lever having a pair of cams adapted to engage a pair of cam surfaces on the side of the locking bar opposite to the first spring means for moving said locking bar to an unlatched position against the action of said first spring; a second torque spring means for biasing said actuating lever to permit said locking bar to assume a latching position; and said locking bar and said actuating lever being movable independently of the other.

Claim 10

A locking bar for use in a release connector having a male and a female fitting comprising: a member having a plurality of intermediately located legs spaced apart extending normal thereto to form at least one channel therebetween to receive a prong of the male fitting; a bearing surface formed in the channel on the underside of said member adapted to be engaged by the male prong; a pair of cam surfaces formed on the underside of said member at the outer ends thereof for engagement by an actuating lever. 9. A release connector comprising: a male fitting having at least one prong extending longitudinally therefrom; a female fitting having a pocket therein to receive said prong; said female fitting having a channel intersecting the pocket perpendicular thereto; a locking bar reciprocably movable within said channel in a plane substantially normal to the prong; said locking bar and said prongs have complimentary bearing surfaces for a latching connection, portions of said bearing surfaces being substantially normal to the direction of pull; a first spring means positioned between the end of the channel and said locking bar for loading the latter to a latching engagement with the prongs; an actuating lever having a pair of cams adapted to engage a pair of cam surfaces on the side of the locking bar opposite to the first spring means for moving said locking bar to an unlatched position against the action of said first spring; a second torque spring means for biasing said actuating lever to permit said locking bar to assume a latching position; and said locking bar and said actuating lever being movable independently of the other.