Quick Disconnect Securement Device

Abstract

A quick disconnect device for detachably holding a long gun or other elongated emergency tool (EET). The quick disconnect device receives and captures the ball of a ball-and-stem structure that is attached to the EET. The quick disconnect device may allow the EET to rotate about the central axis of the stem, but otherwise prevents relative translational and rotational motion between the EET and the quick disconnect device. The quick disconnect device is especially suitable for mounting to clothing, such as a utility belt or a ballistic vest. the quick disconnect device allows the EET to be inserted without requiring the user to directly manipulate the quick connection device, but requires the user to manipulate some sort of mechanism on the quick connect device in order to release the EET.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A quick disconnect device configured to detachably capture a ball of a ball-and-stem structure, the quick disconnect device comprising:
 a mounting plate;   a front plate, the front plate defining a first ball-entry opening; and   an intermediate portion positioned between the front plate and the mounting plate, the intermediate portion defining: (i) a second ball-entry opening; (ii) an internal ball recess comprising a moveable recess closure member comprising a third ball-entry opening, and a ball-engaging member comprising a fourth ball-entry opening; and (iii) a conical ball-directing surface angled from the first ball-entry opening of the front plate to the second ball-entry opening, wherein the first ball-entry opening of the front plate is wider than the second ball-entry opening, and further wherein the second ball-entry opening is centered relative to the first ball-entry opening;   wherein the moveable recess closure member is configured to be moveable within the internal ball by a user recess between: (i) an unlocked position aligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the first ball-entry opening, the second ball-entry opening, the third ball-entry opening, and the fourth ball-entry opening are aligned and the ball of the ball-and-stem structure can enter the fourth ball-entry opening; and (ii) a locked position at least partially misaligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the ball of the ball-and-stem structure cannot exit the internal ball recess;   wherein the moveable recess closure member is biased against the unlocked position; and   wherein the moveable recess closure member comprises a user engaging portion configured to receive force from a user to move the moveable recess closure member between the unlocked position and the locked position.   
     
     
         2 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball-and-stem structure is a portion of an elongated emergency tool (EET). 
     
     
         3 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 1 , wherein said quick disconnect device is rigidly mechanically attached to an article of clothing. 
     
     
         4 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 3 , wherein the article of clothing is a vest. 
     
     
         5 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 1 , wherein said first ball-entry opening and said second ball-entry opening are configured to prevent rotation of the ball-and-stem structure when the ball is positioned within the internal ball recess. 
     
     
         6 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball of said ball-and-stem structure comprises a beveled surface. 
     
     
         7 . The quick disconnect device of  claim 1 , wherein said first ball-entry opening, second ball-entry opening, third ball-entry opening, and fourth ball-entry opening are substantially the same size. 
     
     
         8 . A quick disconnect system, the system comprising:
 an elongated emergency tool (EET) comprising a ball-and-stem structure having a ball with a beveled surface; and   a quick disconnect device comprising:
 a mounting plate; 
 a front plate, the front plate defining a first ball-entry opening; and 
 an intermediate portion positioned between the front plate and the mounting plate, the intermediate portion defining: (i) a second ball-entry opening; (ii) an internal ball recess comprising a moveable recess closure member comprising a third ball-entry opening, and a ball-engaging member comprising a fourth ball-entry opening; and (iii) a conical ball-directing surface angled from the first ball-entry opening of the front plate to the second ball-entry opening, wherein the first ball-entry opening of the front plate is wider than the second ball-entry opening, and further wherein the second ball-entry opening is centered relative to the first ball-entry opening; 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member is configured to be moveable within the internal ball by a user recess between: (i) an unlocked position aligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the first ball-entry opening, the second ball-entry opening, the third ball-entry opening, and the fourth ball-entry opening are aligned and the ball of the ball-and-stem structure can enter the fourth ball-entry opening; and (ii) a locked position at least partially misaligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the ball of the ball-and-stem structure cannot exit the internal ball recess; 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member is biased against the unlocked position; and 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member comprises a user engaging portion configured to receive force from a user to move the moveable recess closure member between the unlocked position and the locked position. 
   
     
     
         9 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 8 , further comprising an article of clothing, wherein said quick disconnect device is rigidly mechanically attached to said article of clothing. 
     
     
         10 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 9 , wherein the article of clothing is a vest. 
     
     
         11 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 10 , wherein the article of clothing is a utility belt. 
     
     
         12 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 8 , wherein said first ball-entry opening and said second ball-entry opening are configured to prevent rotation of the ball-and-stem structure when the ball is positioned within the internal ball recess. 
     
     
         13 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 8 , wherein said first ball-entry opening, second ball-entry opening, third ball-entry opening, and fourth ball-entry opening are substantially the same size. 
     
     
         14 . A quick disconnect system, the system comprising:
 an article of clothing;   an elongated emergency tool (EET) comprising a ball-and-stem structure; and   a quick disconnect device rigidly mechanically attached to said article of clothing and comprising:
 a mounting plate; 
 a front plate, the front plate defining a first ball-entry opening; and 
 an intermediate portion positioned between the front plate and the mounting plate, the intermediate portion defining: (i) a second ball-entry opening; (ii) an internal ball recess comprising a moveable recess closure member comprising a third ball-entry opening, and a ball-engaging member comprising a fourth ball-entry opening; and (iii) a conical ball-directing surface angled from the first ball-entry opening of the front plate to the second ball-entry opening, wherein the first ball-entry opening of the front plate is wider than the second ball-entry opening, and further wherein the second ball-entry opening is centered relative to the first ball-entry opening; 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member is configured to be moveable within the internal ball by a user recess between: (i) an unlocked position aligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the first ball-entry opening, the second ball-entry opening, the third ball-entry opening, and the fourth ball-entry opening are aligned and the ball of the ball-and-stem structure can enter the fourth ball-entry opening; and (ii) a locked position at least partially misaligning the third ball-entry opening of the moveable recess closure member and the fourth ball-entry opening of the ball-engaging member such that the ball of the ball-and-stem structure cannot exit the internal ball recess; 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member is biased against the unlocked position; and 
 wherein the moveable recess closure member comprises a user engaging portion configured to receive force from a user to move the moveable recess closure member between the unlocked position and the locked position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 14 , further comprising an article of clothing, wherein said quick disconnect device is rigidly mechanically attached to said article of clothing. 
     
     
         16 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 15 , wherein the article of clothing is a vest. 
     
     
         17 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 16 , wherein the article of clothing is a utility belt. 
     
     
         18 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 14 , wherein said first ball-entry opening and said second ball-entry opening are configured to prevent rotation of the ball-and-stem structure when the ball is positioned within the internal ball recess. 
     
     
         19 . The quick disconnect system of  claim 14 , wherein said first ball-entry opening, second ball-entry opening, third ball-entry opening, and fourth ball-entry opening are substantially the same size.