A releasable restraint for an evacuation system includes a plug body and a socket body. A ball, a plunger, a first spring member, and an adjustable fastener are disposed at least partially within the plug body. A spring force of the first spring member is adjustable in response to moving the adjustable fastener with respect to the plug body. The first spring member urges the plunger against the ball, and in response, the ball extends through a sidewall of the plug body and at least partially through a sidewall of the socket body to lock the plug body to the socket body. In response to a tensile force applied to the releasable restraint, the ball is configured to retract at least partially into the plug body, against the urging of the first spring member, to release the socket body from the plug body.

The present disclosure relates to an air cleaner with an improved locking structure. The air cleaner includes a cabinet, a panel having a plurality of holes for discharging air to the front of the cabinet and detachably mounted on the cabinet, and a locking device to detachably connect the cabinet and the panel, wherein the locking device includes a first locking member disposed on the panel, and a second locking member disposed in the cabinet to lock or unlock the first locking member by being rotated by pressing of the first locking member.

An apparatus can include a coupler for coupling a robotic arm to a surgical table having a table top on which a patient can be disposed. The coupler can include a first portion configured to couple to a surgical table and a second portion configured to couple to a robotic arm. The second portion may include a post that may translate into the first portion. The first portion may comprise a locking mechanism having one or more stages to constrain movement of the second portion relative to the first portion in six degrees of freedom. The coupler can thus provide secure coupling of the robotic arm to the surgical table.

A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

A lock mechanism which can be placed on a shaft, such as a bar or pole, in either a first direction or second direction, is secured to the shaft using two sets of balls which project out of apertures in an inner cylinder to frictionally engage the shaft. The balls are selectively retractable from their projecting position to allow the inner cylinder to slide on and/or be removed from the shaft. Biasing members, such as wavy springs, bias the two sides of the lock mechanism towards one another. In the locked configuration, the balls are forced by inclined surfaces within the two sides to project outwardly from the inner hollow cylinder. The inclined surfaces are aligned with two rows of apertures in the inner hollow cylinder, and they are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, either way the lock mechanism is installed or placed on the shaft, the balls will project out of the apertures in the inner hollow cylinder and will securely engage the shaft.

A quick release mounting system that utilizes two opposing plate assemblies configured for attachment. The two opposing plate assemblies are configured for attachment by a pair of spaced apart posts positioned in a male plate assembly connecting to a female plate assembly. The pair of spaced apart posts has an actuator mechanism positioned within the posts, and a series of ball bearing around a circumference of the posts. In a preferred embodiment the actuation mechanism is configured to bias the ball bearing out from the circumference of each of the posts, with the actuation mechanism configured to release the outer bias on the ball bearings. Alternatively, the actuation mechanism can be configured such that the actuation mechanism biases the ball bearings out when the mechanism is actuated by a user. The actuation mechanism can utilize a mechanical actuator, such as a rotary or linear actuator, or an electro-mechanical actuator, which utilizes a mechanical actuator that is actuated by an electrical device, such as a solenoid.

A quick release mounting system that utilizes two opposing plate assemblies configured for attachment. The two opposing plate assemblies are configured for attachment by a pair of spaced apart posts positioned in a male plate assembly connecting to a female plate assembly. The pair of spaced apart posts has an actuator mechanism positioned within the posts, and a series of ball bearing around a circumference of the posts. In a preferred embodiment the actuation mechanism is configured to bias the ball bearing out from the circumference of each of the posts, with the actuation mechanism configured to release the outer bias on the ball bearings. Alternatively, the actuation mechanism can be configured such that the actuation mechanism biases the ball bearings out when the mechanism is actuated by a user. The actuation mechanism can utilize a mechanical actuator, such as a rotary or linear actuator, or an electro-mechanical actuator, which utilizes a mechanical actuator that is actuated by an electrical device, such as a solenoid.

A mounting device for an elongate member, comprising: an elongate housing having an elongate axis; an internal passageway passing through the elongate housing parallel to the elongate axis; an elongate sleeve located within the internal passageway and being configured for longitudinal movement along the passageway; a plurality of ball-receiving recesses in the wall of the internal passageway, each recess having a ball-guiding surface inclined to the longitudinal axis; a plurality of apertures in the sleeve; a ball located in each of the ball-receiving recesses and engaged with a respective aperture in the sleeve, the balls and the apertures being configured to allow the balls to project partially through the apertures but to prevent balls from passing through; biasing means configured to bias the sleeve in a direction to urge the balls to project radially inwardly through their respective apertures in the sleeve and into the internal passageway.

The disclosure relates to a locking apparatus, and more particularly, to a locking apparatus with improved locking performance as a locking unit is stuck between different members capable of moving relative to each other and in which locking is released as an unlocking unit pushes the locking unit.

A gravity-orientation coupler is shown and described. The gravity-orientation coupler includes a first coupler half and a second coupler half, wherein the coupler halves are shaped to fit flush together. Each coupler half is comprised of a tongue having a ball chamber which is located within one end of the tongue. The ball chamber movably houses a ball. The ball chamber has an opening located at one side. The tongue of one coupler half is configured to align with and fit flush against the other coupler half. The ball and ball chamber are configured such that when the coupler halves are fitted together the ball in at least one of the ball chambers will apply pressure to the respective tongue securing it therein.