Abstract: A receptacle assembly (34) includes a radial groove (58) supported by a housing (46) which houses a plurality of electrical sockets (50). A radial abutment (60) is positioned on the housing adjacent the radial groove. A plug assembly (32) includes cantilever fingers (88) terminating in radially inwardly and outwardly directed protuberances (90,92). The inwardly directed protuberances are disposed to engage the radial groove. A locking sleeve (78) has a radially inward directed annular groove (112) and a surface (110) adjacent to groove (112). The sleeve groove is alignable with outwardly directed protuberances (92) to permit radial deflection of the cantilevered fingers and movement of inwardly directed protuberances (90) over the abutment and into groove (58). The sleeve is movable to position its surface (110) over outwardly directed protuberances (92) to lock inwardly directed protuberances (90) in groove (58).

Abstract: Two fuse wires (42a, 42b) hold an insulator hub (34) in place which, in turn, retains a hook-shaped release end (32) of a restraining wire (28). The insulator hub is provided with two grooves (36a, 36b), one for fuse wire (42a) and one for fuse wire (42b), and with a center hole (38) midway between the grooves. A lanyard (35) is terminated at its ends by a pair of loops (35a, 35b). Loop (35b) is secured through center hole (38) in the insulator hub. The fuse wires are connected to two power supplies (48, 52) which are employed as a redundant power supply or fusible link decoupling device (50). Restraining wire (28) is wrapped around and holds together a pair of spool halves (16, 18) of a frangible actuator (12). A release pin (76) has a head portion (86), which is captured between the spool halves, and a shaft portion (86). A load, as represented by an arrow-headed line (88), exerts a force upon the release pin tending to move it away from frangible actuator (12).

Abstract: A device for restraining and then quickly releasing objects, comprising two half-spools that are held in place by a coil spring. The spring is attached at one end to one of the spools and at another end is held in place by a frangible wire, which is in turn connected to redundant power supplies. Insulation is provided by coating a base portion with aluminum oxide and attaching an insulator hub to the end of the spring held by the frangible wire. Cut-outs within the coils are provided to maximize separation force.

Abstract: Two fuse wires (42a, 42b) hold an insulator hub (34) in place which, in turn, retains a hook-shaped release end (32) of a restraining wire (28). The insulator hub is provided with two grooves (36a, 36b), one for fuse wire (42a) and one for fuse wire (42b), and with a center hole (38) midway between the grooves. A lanyard (35) is terminated at its ends by a pair of loops (35a, 35b). Loop (35b) is secured through center hole (38) in the insulator hub. The fuse wires are connected to two power supplies (48, 52) which are employed as a redundant power supply or fusible link decoupling device (50). Restraining wire (28) is wrapped around and holds together a pair of spool halves (16, 18) of a frangible actuator (12). A release pin (76) has a head portion (86), which is captured between the spool halves, and a shaft portion (86). A load, as represented by an arrow-headed line (88), exerts a force upon the release pin tending to move it away from frangible actuator (12).

Abstract: A quickly separable and disconnectable electrical connector device (10) comprises a pin section (14) having a socket receptacle (40) and a socket section (16). A mounting flange (18) is mounted about the socket receptacle and is coupled to a supporting structure (26) on the socket section. A force member configured as a ring (32) surrounds the pin engageable end of socket receptacle (40) and is adapted to abut the pin section. An adjustable spring (28) on the socket receptacle urges force member (32) against pin section (14), and is located adjacent to one side of flange (18) for reducing the force required to separate the pin and socket sections from one another and thereby for aiding separation therebetween.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly (34) includes a radial groove (58) supported by a housing (46) which houses a plurality of electrical sockets (50). A radial abutment (60) is positioned on the housing adjacent the radial groove. A plug assembly (32) includes cantilevered fingers (88) terminating in radially inwardly and outwardly directed protuberances (90, 92). The inwardly directed protuberances are disposed to engage the radial groove. A locking sleeve (78) has a radially inwardly directed annular groove (112) and a surface (110) adjacent to groove (112). The sleeve groove is alignable with outwardly directed protuberances (92) to permit radial deflection of the cantilevered fingers and movement of inwardly directed protuberances (90) over the abutment and into groove (58). The sleeve is movable to position its surface (110) over outwardly directed protuberances (92) to lock inwardly directed protuberances (90) in groove (58).

Abstract: A device for retaining an object and then releasing that object upon actuation, the device utilizing an actuator that resists less force than that exerted by said object, and is adapted for use with a V-band clamp.

Abstract: A frangible actuator and switch isolates a defective cell in a battery by switching an electrical circuit when the current through a fusible link exceeds a predetermined value. The high impedance of the defective cell causes most of the battery's current to flow through the fusible link. The actuator releases a spring-loaded plunger when the high current causes tensile failure of a fusible link. Electrical contacts coupled to the pre-loaded plunger are displaced by a predetermined distance, causing the contacts to move into or out of contact with electrical terminals. The actuator includes two mating parts held together by a restrainig wire, which is in turn held in place by the fusible link. When the fuse melts, fails in tension or otherwise triggers due to excessive current, the restraining wire loosens and allows the two actuator parts to separate. This separation in turn permits the spring loaded plunger to advance, triggering the switching action.