Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02512963 2005-07-22
QUICK RELEASE CONNECTOR
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The invention relates generally to a connector assembly for a tool and
handle.
BACKGROUND
[0002) Flow through tools typically include an extension pole having a hose
connected
at a first pole end and a tool connected at a second pole end. Alternatively,
flow through tools
include a tool directly connected to a hose. Liquid is delivered through the
pole and/or hose and
into the tool. The. tool can be any suitable tool for dispensing water
including but not limited to a
watering wand, a brush, and a mop. Such tools deliver the.liquid to a surface
so that the surface .
can easily be watered, rinsed, washed, painted, or the like.
[0003] In general, two methods have been used to ensure that the tool is
secured to the
pole. In a first example, the tool is integral with the pole, i.e., the tool
and pole are manufactured
as a single article. This construction is deficient in that it does not allow
the user to replace the
tool on the pole.
[0004] 1n a second example, the pole can include a threaded element or similar
structure at its second end such that the tool can be removably attached to
the pole. While this
addresses the disadvantage noted above, the tool may rotate relative to the
pole due to the forces
applied to the tool during use. Further, it is difficult to properly align the
tool angle relative to
the pole when typical threaded engagements are used. The user must turn the
tool onto the pole
until a water-tight connection is achieved. However, this may not result in a
proper orientation
of the tool relative to the pole, especially if the tool has been
overtightened several times.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Exemplary aspects and features of quick release assemblies in
accordance with
the disclosure are described and"explained in greater detail below with the
aid of the drawing
..
figures in whiclit ,
[0006] Figure 1 depicts an exploded view of an implement including a quick
release
assembly.
[0007] Figure 2 depicts a detail view of an alternative quick release
assembly.
[0008] Figure 3 depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly shown in
Figure
2.
[0009] Figure 4 depicts a cut-away view of the quick release assembly ofFigure
3 after
assembly.
[0010] Figure 5 depicts a cross sectional view of an assembly tip. , ,
[0011] Figure 6A depicts a cross sectional view of an alternative assembly
tip.
[0012] Figure 6B depicts a perspective view of the assembly tip shown in
Figure 6A.
[0013] Figure 7 depicts a cross sectional view of an additional alternative
assembly~tip.
[0014] Figure 8A depicts a perspective view of an additional
alternative,assembly tip.
[001 SJ Figure 8B depicts a cross sectional view of the assembly tip shown in
Figure
8A taken along line 8B-8B.
[0016] Figure 9A depicts a perspective view of an additional exemplary
assembly tip.
[0017] Figure 9B depicts a cross sectional view ofthe assembly tip shown in
Figure
9A taken along Line 9B-9B.
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[0018] ' Figure l0A depicts a perspective view of an additional exemplary
quick release
assembly.
[0019] Figure l OB depicts a cross sectional view taken of the quick release
assembly
shown in Figure l0A taken along line l OB-lOB.
[0020] Figure 11 depicts a perspective view of an additional alternate example
of a
quick release assembly.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021 ] Referring now to Figure 1, an exploded view of an implement 20 is
shown.
,..a .. ..
The implemerit-20 includes'an extension pole 22, a quick release assembly 24,
and a tool 26.
t
The extension pole 22 is exemplified as an elongate, hollow tube with an inner
flow-through
channel 28 extending throughout its length. The pole 22 has a rear end 30 and
a front end 32 and
generally extends along a longitudinal axis X. A liquid source such as a hose
(not shown) can be
attached to the pole 22 at the rear end 30 in order to introduce liquid into
the pole 22 such that it
can flow from the rear end 30 through the inner channel 28 to the front end
32. While a pole 22
is shown here, the quick release assembly may alternatively be directly
connected to a hose.
[0022] The quick release assembly 24 includes a tip 34 and a base 36. The tip
34 has a
front section 38 and a rear section 40. The rear section 40 of the tip 34 can
be inserted into the
front end 32 of the pole 22 (or directly into a hose) and is thereby secured
to the pole 22. In this
example, the rear section 40 is T-shaped to match the T-shaped channel in the
pole 22, but the
pole 22 and tip 34 can use other complementary cross sections. Such a T-
section configuration
is beneficial however, in that it can help to prevent rotation of the pole 22
relative to the tip 34.
The tip 34 may be attached to the pole 22 in several ways, including but not
limited to adhesives,
screws, rivets, and crimping. As will be discussed in greater detail herein, a
button assembly 42
is disposed in the front section 38 of the tip 34.
[0023] The base 3fi includes a receiving portion 44; an aperture 46, and a
threaded plug
48. The receiving portion 44 has a profile that matches the front section 38
of the tip 34. As will
be more clearly described herein, the base 36 and tip 34 can be connected to
form the quick
release assembly 24 by inserting the front section 38 of the tip 34 into the
receiving portion 44 of
the base 36 along the longitudinal axis X. The button assembly 42 extends
through the aperture
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46, thereby preventing separation of the tip'~4 and base 36. To remove the
base 36 from the tip
34, the button assembly 42 is depressed downwardly, and the tip 34 is pulled
out from the base
36.
[0024] The tool 26 shown in Figure 1 is a brush head that includes an
attachment
section 50, a body 52, and a set of bristles 54 extending outwardly from the
body 52. The brush
head 26 can be coupled to the base 36 by taming the attachment section 50,
which includes
grooves (not shown) on the interior surface thereof for receiving the threads
of the threaded plug
48 of the base 36. Alternatively, the brush head 26 can be coupled to the base
36 by adhesive
bonding or integral manufacture of the brush 26 and base 36. Further, other
tools can be used
including but not limited to water wands, spray nozzles, brushes, and
squeegees. When alternate
tools are needed, the releasable locking mechanism permits a quick and easy
release of one tool,
and the addition of a new tool.
[0025] As described in further detail below, both the tip 34 includes an inner
channel
35 and the base 36 include an inner channel 37 extending the length of the
respective part.
Further, the brush 26 or other tool can include a similar inner channel 39. In
use of the
implement 20, the liquid source directs a liquid through the-inner channel 28
of the pole 22,
through the channel 35 of the tip 34, through the channel 37 of the base 36,
through the channel
39 of the brush 26 and onto the bristles 54. The liquid on the bristles 54 can
then be used to
wash, rinse, or paint a surface. The liquid can be water, paint, liquid soap,
or any other liquid.
[0026] Referring now to Figure 2, a detail view of an alternative quick
release
assembly 60 is shown. The quick release assembly 60 is identical to the quick
release assembly
24 except for the features specifically noted herein. The assembly 60 includes
a tip 62 and a
base 64. The tip 62 includes a rear section 66 with a rear end 68 and a front
section 70 with a
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front end 72. The front section 70 is attached to the rear section 66 at a
shoulder 74. , The rear
section 66 of the tip 62 is cylindrical in shape, and not T-shaped as shown in
Figure 1. The
cylindrical shape of the rear sec~jon.66 allows it to be attached to a pole,
or directly to a liquid
source having a'~ircular flow through channel such as a hose. The rear section
66 includes a
circumferential groove 76 in which a gasket (not shown) can be disposed. The
gasket helps to
provide a water-tight seal between the pole or hose and the tip 62.
[0027] The front section 70 is a plug 78 including a top piece 80 and a bottom
piece
82. The top piece 80 generally has the shape of a paralleleipiped, while the
bottom piece 82 has
a generally cylindrical shape. The top piece 80 includes a button assembly 84
that allows the tip
62 to be releasably locked to the base 64. The button assembly 84 includes a
button 86 that is
biased by a biasing element, here a spring (see Figure 1), to an extended
position av~ray from the
longitudinal axis X. As exemplified, the'button 86 includes a sloped front
side 88 and a
generally vertical rear side 90.
[0028] An inner channel 92 extends from the front end 72 to the rear end 68 of
the tip
62. The inner channel 92 allows fluid to flow through the tip 62 from the pole
(or other liquid
source) to the base 64. The inner channel 92 is disposed in the bottom piece
82 of the front
section 70.
[0029] The base 64 includes a rear section 94 with a rear end 96. A receiving
section
98 is disposed in the rear section 94 of the base 64 and has a shape
substantially similar to that of
the plug 78 of the tip 62, with a rectangular section 100 and a circular
section 102. The receiver
98 defines an upper boundary 104. An aperture 106 extends through the base 64
from the
receiver 98. The aperture 104 is sized and shaped to receive the button 86.
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[0030] ' The complementary shapes of the tip plug 78 and the base receiver 98
allows
the plug 78 to be inserted into the receiver 98, The depressit~le button 86,
in its normal biased
position, extends to a height above that of the upper boundary 104 of the
receiver 98. During
insertion of the tip 62 into the base 64, a user may manually depress the
button 86 while pushing
the tip 62 and base 64 together along the longitudinal axis X. Alternatively,
the user may simply
v insert the plug 78 of the tip 62 into the receiver 64, and allow the force
of the upper boundary
104 against the sloped front side 88 of the button 86 to automatically depress
the button 86 as the
plug 78 is inserted into the receiver 98.
[0031 ] Upon complete insertion of the plug 78 of the tip 62 into the receiver
98 of the
base 64, the depressible button 86 extends through the aperture 106 under the
force of the spring.
In other words, the button 86 "snaps-up" through the aperture 106. The button
86 releasably
locks the tip 62 and base 64 together and thereby prevents separation of these
components. To
disassemble the tip 62 from the base 64, a user may simply depress the button
86 while
simultaneously pulling the tip 62 and base 64 apart in opposite directions.
[0032] The depth of insertion of the plug 78 into the receiver 98 may be
limited by the
engagement of the rear end 96 of the base 64 with the shoulder 74 of the tip
62. Such frictional
contact may also help to stabilize the connection of the tip 62 relative to
the base 64.
Additionally or alternatively, the depth of insertion can be limited by the
depressible button 86
on the tip 62 and the aperture 106.
[0033] While the plug 78 in this example includes a top piece 80 and a bottom
piece
82, the plug 78 can generally be any non-circular shape as such shapes prevent
rotation of the
plug 78 relative to the base 64. For example, the plug 78 can be triangular,
rectangular,
octagonal, or any other non-circular shape. The plug 78 could also be
generally circular with
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certain other elements disposed thereon to prevent rotation, such as a keyway
or wings. Such
configurations are considered to be non-circular. In each of the above
examples, the plug 78 and
the receiver 98 have complementary shapes such that the plug 78 can be
inserted into the
receiver 98 and rotation is prevented between the plug 78 the receiver 98.
Additionally, unlike
conventional threaded attachment mechanisms, the tip 62 and the base 64 do not
loosen when a
torque is applied about the longitudinal axis to one or more of the tip and
the base.
(0034] Referring now to Figure 3, a quick release assembly 110 is shown in
cross-
section view. The quick release assembly 110 is the same as the quick release
assembly 60 in
form and function except as specifically noted herein. The quick release
assembly ~I 10 includes
a tip 112 and a base 114. The tip 112 includes a front section 116 with a
front end 118 and a rear
section 120 with a rear end 122. An annular rib 124 is disposed on the front
end l I'8. An inner
channel 126 extends in longitudinal direction X along the length of the tip
112 from the rear end
120 to the front end 116.
[0035] The front section 116 includes a button assembly 128 generally similar
to the
button assemblies previously described. The button assembly 128 includes a
depressible button
130 with a front side 132 and a back side 134. However, the button 130 does
not have a sloped
front side like button 84,. Instead, the front side 132 is generally vertical.
The back side 134 is
generally vertical. The button 130 has at its base a flange 136 extending
outwardly. The button
assembly 128 also includes a spring 138 that provides an upwardly biasing
force (i.e., +y-axis)
on the button 130. A collar 140 having edges 142 can be press-fit into the tip
112 to trap the
button 130 in the tip 112 by engaging the flanges 136 of the button 130.
Alternatively, the collar
140 may be an integral part of the tip I 12 which is formed with the tip I 12
in a molding process
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or a machining'process. The button collar 140 may also be an extruded undercut
in the tip 112
that prevents the button 130 from "popping out" of place.
[0036) Similar to Figures 1 and 2, the base 114 includes a receiver 144 that
accepts
the tip 112. The base receiver 144 defines an upper boundary 146, and a
tapered surface 148
extends downwardly from the upper boundary 146. Similar to the previously
described quick
release assemblies, and as best shown in Figure 3, the base 114 includes an
inner channel 1 SO
extending forward from the receiver 144. A gasket 152 can, be disposed on the
end of the inner
channel 150 in the receiver 144 to ensure that liquid flow though the inner
channel 150 of the
quick release assembly 110 does not leak into the receiver 144 of the base
114. As in the
previously described bases, the base 114 includes an aperture 154.
[0037) During insertion of the tip 112 into the base 114, the tapered surface
148
provides a contact interface ~~ith the button 130 of less than ninety-degrees.
Such a lessened
angle of interface allows the tapered surface 148 to automatically depress the
button 130 when
the user pushes the tip 112 and base 114 together along the longitudinal axis
X. However, when
the tip 112 is coupled to the base 114, and the button 130 is extended in the
aperture 154 (see
Figure 4), the back side 134 of the button is generally parallel with a back-
end 156 of the
aperture 154 such that the button 130 is prevented from being automatically
depressed when the
tip 112 and base 114 experience a separating force along the longitudinal axis
X. Preferably,
separation of the tip 112 from the base 114 includes the user depressing the
button 130 while
simultaneously applying a separating force on the tip 112 and base 114 along
the longitudinal
axis X.
[0038] Upon coupling the tip I 12 to the base 114, the front section 116 of
the tip 112 is
inserted into and locked in the receiver 144 of the base 114. The annular rib
I24 on the front end
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118 of the tip 112 bears against the gasket 152 in the receiver 144 of the
base 114 such that the
inner channel 126 of the tip 112 is in fluid communication with the inner
channel l50 of the base
114. Specifically, any fluid flowing through the inner channel 126 of the tip
112 will~flow
through the inner channel 150 of the base 114 without any of the fluid leaking
into the receiver
144. Thus, it is typically desirable for the front section 116 of the tip 112
to fit snugly in the
receiver 144.
[0039] Figure 5 illustrates a quick release tip 160, which includes a front
section 162
and a rear section 164. The rear section 164 may be any shape to fit a pole or
hose. The front
section 162 includes a first button 166 and a second button 168. Such a tip
160 requires a base
(not shown) with a receiver that includes two apertures through which the
first and second
buttons can extend. While two buttons 166, 168 are shown, the tip 160 can
include any number
of buttons around the periphery of the tip:
[0040] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a quick release tip 170, which includes a
front
section 172, a rear section 174, and an inner channel 176 extending the entire
length. Sinpilar to
the embodiments previously described, the rear section 174 may be any shape to
fit a pole or
hose. The front section 172 includes a bottom piece 178 and a top piece 180.
The top piece 180
includes a button assembly 182 that functions generally similarly to the
previous examples. The
button assembly 182 includes a button 184 that is biased upwardly by a spring
186. The button
assembly 182 further includes a hinge 188 at its back side 190. The button 184
includes a flange
192, and the top piece 180 includes a retention post 194 that engages the
flange 192 so that the
spring 186 maintains the button 184 in the extended position shown in Figs. 6A
and 6B. As can
be seen in Figure 6B, the top piece 180 and the bottom piece 178 create a non-
circular profile for
the front section 172 that, when inserted into a coordinated receiver of a
base, restrict rotation
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between the tip 170 and a base. To remove the tip 170 from a base, the user an
depress the
button184 as in previous examples. .
[0041] Figure 7 illustrates a further example of a quick release tip 200,
which includes
a front section 202 and a rear section 204. Similar to the embodiments
previously described, the
rear section 204 may be any shape to fit a pole or hose. Instead of a button
assembly, the front
section in this example includes a projecting tab 206 attached by a strip 208.
The strip 208 may.
be made of a flexible material such that the strip 208 acts as a spring and
the projecting tab 206
can pivot about the strip 208 and return to its extended position upon the
release of ariy force
upon the projecting tab 206. In an example, the strip 208 can be a
thermoplastic polymer. In
another example, the entire tip 200 can be made from such a polymer.
[0042] Referring now to Figs. 8A and SB, perspective view and a side section
view of
a quick release tip 210, respectively, are shown. The tip in Figure 8A is
coupled to an extension
pole 211. As in some of the previously described embodiments, the top piece
212 on the front
section 214 includes a collar 216 that engages the flanges 218 of the button
220 to capture the
button 220. However, a side rail 222 of the collar 216 is slidably removable
in a side groove 224
in the collar 216. Accordingly, the button assembly 228 can be assembled by
removing the side
rail 222, inserting the button 220 and spring 230 with the flanges 218 under
the collar 216, and
replacing the side rail 222. The side rail 222 can be held in place by an
interference snap-fit
engagement, a suitable retention bracket (not shown), an adhesive bond (in
which case it would
not be removable), or other known methods.
[0043] Similarly, Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a perspective view and a front
section
view of a quick release tip 240, respectively. 1n this exemplified quick
release tip, a front rail
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242 is removable from the collar 244. In all other repsects, it is similar to
the quick release tip
210 shown in Figs. 8A and 8B. '
[0044) Figures l0A and.l OB illustrate a perspective view and a side section
view of a
," , " ..
quick release as'Sembly 250. A base 252 may include a front section 254 with a
front end.256
and a rear section 258 with a rear end 260. Figures l0A and lOB illustrate the
rear section 258
attached to a pole 262. In this example, the front end 256 of the base 252 may
include a receiver
264. A button assembly 266 is generally disposed in the receiver 264 and
includes a button 268,
a collar 270 capturing the button 268, a spring 272 biasing the button 268
toward the longitudinal
axis X, and a tab 274 connected to the button 268. The user may pull the tab
274 away from the
longitudinal axis X against the force of the spring 272 to move the button 268
in a similar
direction, thereby permitting the removal of the tip 276 from the base 252. '
(0045) The tip 276 includes a rear section 278 sized and shaped to be inserted
into the
receiver 264. The rear section 278 has a rear end 280 arid an inner channel
282 extending
throughout its length, and includes a plug 284 with an engagement ledge 286
and a platform 288.
The platform 288 and the engagement ledge 286 each have a flat surface 290,
292. A gasket 294
is disposed on the rear end 280 surrounding the inner channel 282.
(0046) When the tip 276 is assembled to the base 252, the button 268 extends
toward
the longitudinal axis X, with the button 268 bearing against the platform 288
past the
engagement ledge 286. Accordingly, the engagement ledge 286 bearing against
the rear side of
the button 268 restricts the tip 276 from moving longitudinally relative to
the base 252. Further,
the flat surface 290 of the engagement ledge 286 bears against a flat internal
surface 296 of the
receiver 264, and the flat surface 292 of the platform 288 bears against the
button 268. These
interactions restrict the tip 276 from rotating relative to the base 252.
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[0047) ~ To separate the tip 276 from the base 252, a user pulls up on the tab
274 away
from the longitudinal axis X which raises the button 268 above the engagement
ledge 286. The
assembly 250 may then separate when the user pulls the base 252 and tip 276 in
opposite
directions of the longitudinal axis X.
[0048} Figure 11 illustrates a perspective view of an additional example of an
implement 300 with a tip 308 and a base 310. The tip 308 is connected to an
extendible pole 304
that is fully described in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/***,***, the
contents of which are
included herein by reference. The pole 304 is sealed on its rear end by a
handle 306; and
therefore does not allow a liquid such as paint, water or other liquid to be
introduced into and
flow through its ulterior as in the previous examples.
[0049] The tip 308 and the base 310 are constructed similarly as in Figure 2,
except
that neither the tip 308 nor the base 310 includes an inner channel. While, of
course, the tip 308
and the base 310 can include inner channels as in previous examples, it is not
required because
the pole 304 in this example has no provision to allow a liquid to flow
through its interior to the
tip 308 and base 310 (due to the sealing by the handle 306).
[0050] A paint roller 312 is shown integrally connected to the base 310 in
Figure I 1,
but other tools can be used with the implement 300. The base 310 and the paint
roller 312 can be
secured to and removed from the tip 308 as in previous examples. After the
base 310 is removed
from the tip 308, a second base (not shown) similar to the base 310 can then
be disposed on the
tip 308_ The second base can have a different type of tool such as a paint
brush (not shown)
attached to it. Furthermore, a base similar to base 310 with virtually any
type of tool attached to
it could be disposed on the tip 308 and used. For example, in addition to the
already mentioned
paint roller and paint brush, other tools such as a broom, squeegee, pik,
other kinds of brushes,
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and the like can be connected to a base and used. Thus, the implement 300
allows for the quick
interchangeability of tools.
[OOS 1 J A variety of materials may be used to manufacture the quick release
tip and the '
base including bait not limited to die cast zinc, aluminum, stainless steel,
and a variety of ,
thermoplastic resins. Thermoplastic polymers such as, for example, polyesters,
nylons,
polypropylenes, and mixtures thereof are specific materials that can be used
to fabricate the tip
and the base.
[0052) Although the foregoing text sets forth a detailed description of
numerous
different embodiments of a quick-tip system, the scope of coverage of this
patent is not limited
thereto. On the contrary, the detailed description is to be construed as
exemplary only and does
not describe every embodiment of a quick-tip system. '
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