The present application relates to connectors that use canted coil springs to retain a pin to a housing. The connectors have increased disconnect to connect force ratios. Dual concentric spring configuration allows for an initial locking configuration that can be overcome with higher force and deflection of the second spring. Dual springs in series in a constrained groove can require a high force for connector disconnect, since force vectors may be in a direction relatively close to being along the spring major axis. A curved groove wall can offer resistance to a spring that is required to slide first into the groove in order to allow disconnect.

A clamp device includes: a tool spindle including a protrusion; an additive-manufacturing head having a recess into which the protrusion is inserted in a first direction, the additive-manufacturing head being detachably coupled to the tool spindle; and a clamp mechanism portion that clamps mutually the recess and the protrusion inserted into the recess. The additive-manufacturing head includes a pin member. A pin insertion hole into which the pin member is inserted in a second direction intersecting the first direction is made in the tool spindle.

An improved plunger for a self-locking pin having a plunger section and a base section in a unitary one-piece construction, wherein the plunger section is at least substantially orthogonal to the base section. Wherein the base section comprises at least a substantially planar configuration, and may provide for biasing of the plunger section. A portion of the plunger extends outwardly from a bore of the self locking pin in which the plunger resides. The plunger section is preferably wedge-shaped, or may possess other geometrical shapes, while the portion of the plunger disposed inside the bore is of a cylindrical shape. An extended biasing section tor positioning of the plunger section may be in unitary construction with the base section.

A self-locking pin having a shaft, a headed end, and plunger biased in a bore in the pin. The portion of the detent or plunger that extends outwardly from the bore may be wedge-shaped, or possess other geometrical shapes, while the portion of the plunger disposed inside the bore is of a cylindrical shape or other geometrical shapes. The plunger comprises a plunger section and a biasing section in a unitary one-piece construction. At least one transition ledge is defined on the plunger. The shaft is staked at points along the perimeter of the bore so that the inwardly extending surface created by the staking abuts the transition ledge and prevents the plunger from rotating or being removed from the bore.

The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

A valve, in particular for hydraulic circuits, includes a valve body (4) designed as a cartridge that can be fixed in a housing (6) having fluid connections (8) by a securing device (20, 26, 28). The securing device has at least one blocking element (20) in the form of a separate component between the valve body (4) and the housing (6). The blocking element has blocking surfaces that can be moved relative to the longitudinal axis (18) of the valve body (4) between an assembly position allowing the valve body (4) to be inserted into the housing (6) and a blocking position in which the blocking surfaces secure the valve body in an assembly position, preferably with zero backlash by bearing against retaining surfaces (26, 28) of the housing (6) and the valve body (4).

A valve, in particular for hydraulic circuits, includes a valve body (4) designed as a cartridge that can be fixed in a housing (6) having fluid connections (8) by a securing device (20, 26, 28). The securing device has at least one blocking element (20) in the form of a separate component between the valve body (4) and the housing (6). The blocking element has blocking surfaces that can be moved relative to the longitudinal axis (18) of the valve body (4) between an assembly position allowing the valve body (4) to be inserted into the housing (6) and a blocking position in which the blocking surfaces secure the valve body in an assembly position, preferably with zero backlash by bearing against retaining surfaces (26, 28) of the housing (6) and the valve body (4).

A coupling comprising a driven part and a driving part that is connected by a safety pin so as to drive the driven part together with the driving part in a travel direction, one of the parts having a male portion engaged in a female portion of the other part, the male and female portions respectively having a first guide surface and a second guide surface facing each other in such a manner that, in the event of the pin breaking, the driving part is capable of moving relative to the driven part in the travel direction, the pin extending perpendicularly to said direction through corresponding holes made in the male and female portions, the coupling being characterized in that the hole made in the male portion opens out in the bottom of a setback in the second guide surface.

A coupling comprising a driven part and a driving part that is connected by a safety pin so as to drive the driven part together with the driving part in a travel direction, one of the parts having a male portion engaged in a female portion of the other part, the male and female portions respectively having a first guide surface and a second guide surface facing each other in such a manner that, in the event of the pin breaking, the driving part is capable of moving relative to the driven part in the travel direction, the pin extending perpendicularly to said direction through corresponding holes made in the male and female portions, the coupling being characterized in that the hole made in the male portion opens out in the bottom of a setback in the second guide surface.