A clamping unit includes a case with a contact surface, an operation member arranged movable in a pressing cancellation direction and a pressing promotion direction relative to the case, a pressing body arranged in a movable manner in the case to oppose the contact surface, and a movable body between the pressing body and contact surface. At least one of the contact surface, movable body, and pressing body includes an inclined surface. The inclined surface increases a protruding amount of the pressing body from the case when the movable body changes in position as the operation member moves in the pressing promotion direction and eases pressing of the movable body against the pressing body when the movable body changes in position as the operation member moves in the pressing cancellation direction to permit a decrease in the protruding amount of the pressing body from the case.

A clamping unit includes a case with a contact surface, an operation member arranged movable in a pressing cancellation direction and a pressing promotion direction relative to the case, a pressing body arranged in a movable manner in the case to oppose the contact surface, and a movable body between the pressing body and contact surface. At least one of the contact surface, movable body, and pressing body includes an inclined surface. The inclined surface increases a protruding amount of the pressing body from the case when the movable body changes in position as the operation member moves in the pressing promotion direction and eases pressing of the movable body against the pressing body when the movable body changes in position as the operation member moves in the pressing cancellation direction to permit a decrease in the protruding amount of the pressing body from the case.

A connecting mechanism is provided, including a first member, a second member, a first connecting element, a second connecting element, a resilient element, and a ball-shaped element. The first connecting element is connected to the second member. The first connecting element has an opening. The second connecting element is disposed in the first connecting element. The resilient element is connected between the second member and the second connecting element. When the first member moves to a joining position relative to the second member, a column of the first member extends through the opening, and the ball-shaped element is clamped between the first connecting element, the second connecting element and a recess of the column.

A connecting mechanism is provided, including a first member, a second member, a first connecting element, a second connecting element, a resilient element, and a ball-shaped element. The first connecting element is connected to the second member. The first connecting element has an opening. The second connecting element is disposed in the first connecting element. The resilient element is connected between the second member and the second connecting element. When the first member moves to a joining position relative to the second member, a column of the first member extends through the opening, and the ball-shaped element is clamped between the first connecting element, the second connecting element and a recess of the column.

Provided is 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 clamp device for being secured to a bar includes an outer sleeve having an inner surface defining an annular recess and an inner sleeve received by the outer sleeve having a channel that extends between an inner and outer surface of the inner sleeve. A resilient ring and a rigid ring are disposed within the channel of the inner sleeve. The outer sleeve is axially movable relative to the inner sleeve between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the annular recess is axially aligned with the channel and the rigid member is disposed in the annular recess. In the second position, the annular recess is axially displaced from the channel such that the outer sleeve displaces the rigid member and the resilient ring axially away from the outer sleeve thereby compressing the clamp device to the bar received by the inner sleeve.

A fastener comprises a housing, a socket, a pintle and a locking feature. The housing includes a shaft, a central bore that extends axially at least partially through the housing and a ball lock aperture extending from the bore. The socket extends into the housing adjacent to the first end face, and is configured such that rotation of the first socket rotates the fastener. The pintle is positioned within the bore and includes an actuation end and a rod that extends axially from the actuation end. The rod includes a ball transitioning surface and a ball locking surface. The pintle is moveable axially within the bore between a designated lock position where the ball locking surface of the pintle is aligned in register with each ball lock aperture, and a designated unlocked position where the ball lock surface of the pintle is moved axially away from each ball lock aperture.

A fastener comprises a housing, a socket, a pintle and a locking feature. The housing includes a shaft, a central bore that extends axially at least partially through the housing and a ball lock aperture extending from the bore. The socket extends into the housing adjacent to the first end face, and is configured such that rotation of the first socket rotates the fastener. The pintle is positioned within the bore and includes an actuation end and a rod that extends axially from the actuation end. The rod includes a ball transitioning surface and a ball locking surface. The pintle is moveable axially within the bore between a designated lock position where the ball locking surface of the pintle is aligned in register with each ball lock aperture, and a designated unlocked position where the ball lock surface of the pintle is moved axially away from each ball lock aperture.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly has one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock has a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement has a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.

A directional lock or a headgear or interface assembly has one or more directional locks that include a catch arrangement for initiating or assisting in movement of a lock member of the direction lock. In some configurations, the catch arrangement assists movement of the lock member in only a portion of a range of travel of the lock member. In some configurations, the directional lock has a housing and a sleeve and the catch arrangement has a catch arm carried by the sleeve. The catch arm includes a catch end that contacts the lock member, which can be a lock washer in some configurations.