Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A coupler for engaging generally cylindrical member having an aperture in one end thereof and including a recessed portion around the periphery thereof adjacent to said one end, said coupler comprising: a housing having concave receptacle means adjacent a first end thereof for receiving and engaging the cylindrical member adjacent said one end thereof, said housing further including a bore continuous with said engaging means and extending the length of said housing and a groove and a first slot extending from said bore and oriented generally transverse with respect thereto wherein said groove is positioned adjacent the first end of said housing and said first slot is located in an intermediate portion of said housing; an elongated coupling pin positioned within said bore and linearly displaceable therein between a first extended position wherein a first end of said coupling pin is positioned within said aperture for engaging said cylindrical member and a second retracted position, said coupling pin including first locking means positioned within said groove when said coupling pin is rotated in said first extended position for locking said coupler in an engaged configuration and wherein said first locking means is positioned within said first slot when said coupling pin is rotated in a second retracted position wherein said coupling pin does not engage said lug for locking said coupler in a disengaged configuration; and biasing means coupled to said coupling pin for urging said coupling pin toward said first extended position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
A coupler for engaging generally cylindrical member having an aperture in one end thereof and including a recessed portion around the periphery thereof adjacent to said one end, said coupler comprising: a housing having concave receptacle means adjacent a first end thereof for receiving and engaging the cylindrical member adjacent said one end thereof, said housing further including a bore continuous with said engaging means and extending the length of said housing and a groove and a first slot extending from said bore and oriented generally transverse with respect thereto wherein said groove is positioned adjacent the first end of said housing and said first slot is located in an intermediate portion of said housing; an elongated coupling pin positioned within said bore and linearly displaceable therein between a first extended position wherein a first end of said coupling pin is positioned within said aperture for engaging said cylindrical member and a second retracted position, said coupling pin including first locking means positioned within said groove when said coupling pin is rotated in said first extended position for locking said coupler in an engaged configuration and wherein said first locking means is positioned within said first slot when said coupling pin is rotated in a second retracted position wherein said coupling pin does not engage said lug for locking said coupler in a disengaged configuration; and biasing means coupled to said coupling pin for urging said coupling pin toward said first extended position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 further comprising grasping means coupled to a second end of said coupling pin to facilitate manual displacement thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling pin further includes second locking means positioned thereon adjacent a second, opposite end of said housing and wherein said second end of said housing includes detent means for receiving and engaging said second locking means when said coupling pin is rotated in said first extended position for locking said rotated coupling pin in position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 3 wherein said detent means includes an elongated groove on the second end of said housing extending radially from said bore therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second locking means comprises a locking pin mounted to and extending transversely from said coupling pin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said generally cylindrical member is mounted to a first structure and said housing is mounted to a second structure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises a coil spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 7 wherein said coil spring is positioned on said coupling pin intermediate and in abutting contact with said housing and said first locking means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a second slot continuous with and extending over a portion of the length of said bore and continuous with said groove and said first slot for providing for the displacement of said first locking means therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A coupler in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first locking means comprises a locking pin mounted to and extending transversely from said coupling pin.