Latching system

Abstract

Devices and methods based upon the concept of a split ring having certain multiple interior angles to engage a stem or post having annular ring(s) with angular geometries that are complimentary to those of the split ring. The disclosure provides designs for a wide range of insertion and desertion forces between latch engagement stems and latch engagement bodies. Changes to insertion contact angles and contact area on engagement stems and corresponding changes to insertion contact angles and engagement areas on engagement bodies can significantly modify insertion forces required to engage various devices. Similarly, changes in degrees of angle between desertion angles and contact areas on engagement stems with corresponding changes in desertion angles and contact areas on engagement bodies will significantly modify the total desertion forces required to disengage various devices. Accordingly, the instant latching mechanism provides insertion and desertion forces that can be controlled independently of each other.

1 . A latching device, comprising:
 a split ring comprising:
 an insertion angle to engage the insertion angle of a stem; and 
 a desertion angle to engage the desertion angle of a stem; and 
   a stem comprising:
 a plurality of annular rings with angular geometries that engage the split ring; 
 an insertion angle to engage the insertion angle of the split ring; and 
 a desertion angle to engage the desertion angle of the split ring. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angular geometries of the split ring range from 0 to 90 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion and/or desertion angle of the split ring and the insertion angle of the stem are identical. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the insertion and/or desertion angle of the split ring is different than the insertion angle of the stem. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said insertion angle of the split ring, said insertion angle of the stem, said desertion angle of the split ring, or said desertion angle of the stem has a plurality of diameters and a plurality of lengths to provide a range of different latch properties. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the length, diameter, and insertion angle of the split ring is identical to the length, diameter, and insertion angle of the stem. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the length, diameter, and insertion angle of the split ring is different than the length, diameter, and insertion angle of the stem. 
     
     
         8 . A removable cleat device, comprising:
 a top portion configured to provide traction, the top portion comprising a cleat having a vertical opening extending from the top and extending into the body of the cleat, or a side opening extending from the side of the cleat through the body of the cleat; and   a bottom portion attached to the top portion and configured to be inserted into a receptacle, the bottom portion comprising a stem having an annular groove to lock the removable cleat device into the split ring receptacle, wherein the annular groove is comprised of specific angular geometries that are complimentary to the bottom portion.   
     
     
         9 . An extractor device, comprising:
 a handle configured to extract a cleat from a split ring receptacle, the handle comprising:
 a tubular top portion configured to permit gripping to exert a reliable force to extract the cleat from the split ring receptacle; and 
 a cylindrical bottom portion attached to the handle and to a curved extended portion having an insertion pin, wherein the insertion pin is configured to fit into a horizontal opening of the cleat to permit the extraction of the cleat from the receptacle. 
   
     
     
         10 . The extractor device of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is configured to extract the cleat from the receptacle using a downward force. 
     
     
         11 . The extractor device of  claim 9 , further comprising a pocket in the handle that will lock the cleat into place when placed over the cleat top and pushed downward into the split ring receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . A removable cleat device, comprising:
 a first portion configured to provide traction, comprising:
 a first surface having a plurality of channels and a curved outer edge; and 
 a central opening extending from the top of the first portion through a segment of a second portion; and 
   a second portion configured to be inserted into a receptacle, the second portion comprising a post having an annular groove to securely lock the removable cleat device into the receptacle, wherein the annular groove is non-threaded.   
     
     
         13 . A removable cleat device, comprising:
 a first portion configured to provide traction, comprising
 a plurality of side arms configured to curve upward around a central stub, wherein, the central stub is beveled and has an extraction hole extending from the top of the central stub through a segment of a second portion; and 
   a second portion configured to be inserted into a receptacle, the second portion comprising a post having an annular groove to securely lock the removable cleat device into the receptacle, wherein the annular groove is non-threaded.   
     
     
         14 . A split ring receptacle device, comprising:
 a detent and matching projected feature configured to keep the cleat in proper alignment and prevent cleat rotation atop a inner cavity within the split ring receptacle device, wherein the inner cavity is configured to receive a stem from a cleat.   
     
     
         15 . The receptacle device of  claim 14 , wherein the detent and extruded feature has polygons shape such as a square, a rectangle, a triangle, or an octagon.