Thomas M Swift

US Patent:

62032372, Mar 20, 2001

Filed:

Oct 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/168444

Inventors:

Thomas R. Swift - Sun Valley CA
Peter A. Buck - Valencia CA
Edwin J Bresnik - Canoga Park CA
Gregory Peralta - Palmdale CA

Assignee:

Lockheed Martin Corporation - Palmdale CA

International Classification:

F16B 2106

US Classification:

4033223

Abstract:

The invention is an apparatus for releasably connecting a first structure to a second structure. In detail, the invention includes the first structure having a first cavity extending inward from a surface thereof. An inward facing circumferencial lip is mounted in the first cavity in proximity to the first surface forming a restricted opening having a first diameter. The second structure includes a second cavity extending inward from a surface of the second structure. A hollow tubular member having first and second ends is movably mounted within the second cavity, with the tubular member movable from a retracted position to an extended position. The first end of the tubular member is in the form of a collet movable between a retracted position and an expanded position in contact with the lip in the first cavity when the tubular member is in the extended position. An actuation system is provided for moving the tubular member between the retracted and extended positions wherein the collet extend past the lip of in the first cavity. A second actuation system is provided for locking the collet in the expanded position when the tubular member is in the extended position.