NZ549406A

NZ549406A - Securing device

Info

Publication number: NZ549406A
Application number: NZ549406A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: William Joseph Lumsden
Original assignee: Harvestech Ind Ltd
Priority date: 2006-08-23
Filing date: 2006-08-23
Publication date: 2008-07-31
Also published as: WO2008024000A2; WO2008024000A3

Abstract

A connector for a remotely releasable attachment to an end-fitting of a cable, the connector including: a body including a coupling portion, and a latch moveable between an open and a closed position, the latch being engageable with the end fitting to secure the end-fitting to the connector in the closed position, the latch being biased toward an open position configured to release the end-fitting; characterised in that the connector further includes a moveable keeper member capable of being remotely actuated to engage with the latch by moving between an unlocked and a locked position, respectively permitting and preventing opening of the latch irrespective of fluctuations in tension applied to the latch by the end-fitting.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee NO. 4: $250.00 PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional SECURING DEVICE We, Harvestech Industries Limited, a New Zealand company of, 11 Steep Street, Lake Okareka, Rotorua, New Zealand do hereby declare this invention to be described in the following statement: 1 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 Securing Device STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in 5 Zealand Patent Application Number 549406, the entire contents incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to securing devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a remotely-releasable connector (or 10 'choker") for forming a noose about a log which may be remotely released. BACKGROUND ART Choking devices generally consist of a length of cable or chain that is wrapped around a log or harvested tree and secured to itself or choker connector to form a noose. Chokers are commonly used in the forestry industry to secure a log to the winch cable 15 of a skidder, or to an overhead cable yarding line. When tension is placed on the cable it pulls the noose closed to firmly grip the log and allow subsequent movement thereof. Cable logging systems are used where the topography makes access difficult for other log handling equipment. In their most basic form, cable logging systems consist of a 20 fixed winch and a suspended cable loop. At the logging site a choker cable is wrapped in a loop around a log and self tightens to give a firm grip on the log when tension is applied to the cable. Each choker cable is connected to the suspended cable which hauls the logs to a landing site. After the logs have been lowered to the relation to New of which are 2 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 ground at the landing site, the chokers have historically been manually disconnected from the logs. This is both time consuming and potentially hazardous. Consequently, automatically-releasing choker connectors have been developed to overcome these difficulties. 5 Known automatically-releasing choker connectors include a self-releasing capability, employing a mechanism which requires choker line tension to be maintained in a locked configuration and which releases when the line tension is reduced, e.g. upon lowering of the logs to the landing site. The device described in US Patent No. 5,816,636 by Gibson et al. includes a self- 10 releasing choker with two jaws connected in a scissor-like fashion and biased by a spring to an open position when cable tension is released. With the jaws open, a ferrule on the end of the choker cable is inserted between the jaws, which are then closed to retain the ferrule therein. A locking or keeper ring around the jaws holds them in the closed position. The choker cable is extended through eyes on the 15 opposite ends of each jaw so that tension applied to the choker cable will cause further closure of the jaws and retain the jaws in a closed configuration. This further closure is also sufficient to release the locked ring which slides to an open position to permit the opening of the jaws. Thus, when the tension on the cable is released the jaws open and the ferrule and log are released. 20 US Patent No. 5 681 071 by Ewart describes a choker with a latch member pivotally fixed to the main body and biased by a spring to a closed position where it forms a pocket to hold the ferrule on the end of the choker cable. The latch member is mounted to pivot about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end of the cable. When the direction of pull on the choker is reversed, a portion of the latch member 3 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 engages the log and acts to open the latch member against the spring bias to release the ferrule. It thus avoids the need for manual intervention at the point of log release. The aforementioned devices can be dangerous and inconvenient as it is possible for a loaded connector to release unintentionally as a momentary reduction in line tension 5 may be sufficient to release a log. Inadvertent release is addressed by Gibson et al. in an embodiment in which the locking ring is biased by a spring or similar to lock the jaws closed so that the jaws can only open by manual intervention or if the log is forcibly dropped. While this alleviates the risk of unintentional release, this device cannot be remotely activated to release 10 the ferrule and still requires manual intervention. Inadvertent release is also addressed in US Patent No. 4,358,144 by Schmidt et al. which describes a self-releasing choker with pivoting jaws biased by a jaw spring to a closed position. The jaws are mounted to slide within the housing against a main spring which is compressed when the choker cable is tensioned until the jaws abut a 15 shoulder on the body to transfer the load through the body. When released, the main spring pushes the jaw assembly against a cam which opens them to release the ferrule end of the cable. A damper prevents an instantaneous load reduction from opening the jaws. While this device attempts to address the problems of inadvertent release by providing a damper mechanism, the release is triggered automatically by a 20 load reduction. Thus this device may be inadvertently released when there is a temporary load reduction and may therefore require the choker to be reconnected, increasing manual labour cost. In addition to mitigating unintended releases from momentary line tension reductions, remotely-controlled choker connectors may allow selective release of logs i.e. logs 25 can be released individually or simultaneously, thus allowing greater flexibility in 4 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 placement of logs at the landing area. Such systems include choker connectors each having a receiver with an individual release code and a transmitter for selectively transmitting the release codes. However, serious safety problems in the use of such connectors may arise in the event of an unintentional release of a loaded connector 5 due to interference from multiple systems using the same release codes and operating within the range of their respective transmitters. Typical prior art remotely-controlled choker connectors include a body to which a latching member is connected to pivot between a released position and a locked position in which it may be held by a remote-controlled keeper mechanism. Many 10 choker connectors rely upon choker line tension to pivot the latching member to the released position when the keeper mechanism is released, thereby requiring at least a portion of the choker line tension to be applied to the keeper mechanism. However, applying a relatively heavy and variable load directly to the keeper mechanism in this way has the drawback of requiring the relevant components to be more highly 15 specified and robust than would otherwise be necessary, so as to avoid failure or premature wear. Typically the keeper mechanism may include a pin which slides to release the latch member. Such devices are described in US Patents 4,709,952 by Selby and 4,417,758 by Vaders where the pivoting jaw is held closed by a highly loaded, sliding keeper pin. Another drawback of such designs is the vulnerability to 20 damage of the end of this pin protruding from an external surface of the body. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a choker connector capable of being remotely actuated to release a noose from about a log and that includes a keeper member to maintain the choker connecter in a closed position when the cable is not loaded, wherein a load applied to the cable places strain on the choker body and not 25 the keeper member. 5 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference 5 constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein; this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in 10 New Zealand or in any other country. It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise' may, under varying jurisdictions, be attributed with either an exclusive or an inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted, the term 'comprise' shall have an inclusive meaning - tie. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed 15 components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements. This rationale will also be used when the term 'comprised' or 'comprising' is used in relation to one or more steps in a method or process. Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only. 6 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a connector for remotely releasable attachment to an end-fitting, the connector including: a body including a coupling portion, and 5 a latch moveable between an open and closed position, said latch being engageable with said end-fitting to secure the end-fitting to the connector in said closed position, the latch being biased toward an open position configured to release the end-fitting, characterised in that said connector further includes a movable keeper member 10 capable of being remotely actuated to engage with the latch by moving between an unlocked and a locked position, respectively permitting and preventing opening of the latch irrespective of fluctuations in tension applied to said latch by the end-fitting. Preferably the latch is pivotable between said open and closed positions. According to an alternative embodiment the latch may be capable of reversible linear 15 movement between said open and closed positions. By way of example, the latch may be an elongate rod capable of moving to the closed position in which a first end of the rod moves adjacent a shoulder or into a recess of the body after the end fitting is placed on an opposing (to the shoulder) side of the rod. Thus when tension is placed on the end fitting, the first end of the rod is pushed against the shoulder. The latch is 20 biased toward the open position by biasing means attached to the second end and maintained in the closed position by the keeper member, which is capable of reversible, preferably transverse movement to the longitudinal rod movement, to engage/disengage with a portion of the latch. By orienting the operating axis of the 7 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 keeper member and latch substantially orthogonal, no tension is applied to the keeper member by any force applied in the closed position by the end-fitting. In preferred embodiments the latch is biased toward the open position for automatic opening when the keeper member is moved to an unlocked position and the tension 5 on the cable is released. By way of example this bias may be achieved through provision of a torsion spring about the pivot of the latch. Preferably the keeper member is any member, object, element, device, component or the like capable of reversible movement to a locked position to engage with a recess, shoulder or protrusion on the latch to prevent unlocking of the latch in which the latch 10 would be allowed to move from said closed position to said open position. While not desirable, it should be appreciated that a reverse configuration is also possible, i.e. the keeper member may be provided on the latch to engage with a recess, shoulder or protrusion on the connector. Preferably the keeper member is a solenoid actuator. The use of a solenoid actuator 15 should not be seen to be limiting as any mechanism may be used that is capable of actuating the keeper member between locked and unlocked positions, for example, the keeper member may be a motorised cam or a hydraulic or pneumatic plunger. According to a second aspect the latch is configured such that in said closed position the latch impinges on a portion of the body and is maintained in said closed position 20 by; a) the engagement of the end-fitting with the latch when the end-fitting is under tension, and b) the keeper member in the locked position when tension applied by the end-fitting is released. 8 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 Herein the connector shall be referred to as a "choker connector" as is commonly known in the art, though this term should not be seen as limiting. As used herein, the 'coupling portion' denotes any configuration, mechanism, or the like, capable of coupling (including slideably coupling) the connector to an external 5 object such as a cable, strop, wire, lanyard, rod, chain, fixed fitting or the like such that coupling the connector to said external object via the coupling portion resists an opposing tensile force applied to the end-fitting. Thus according to a further aspect, said coupling portion is formed as a passageway, hereinafter referred to as an eye, through the connector. Analogously to the coupling 10 portion, the end-fitting need not necessarily be fitted to the end of a cable but may also be attached to the same range of objects as the above-defined with respect to the coupling portion. For the sake of clarity, the end-fitting is herein referred to as being attached to a cable, though it will be appreciated that this should not be seen to be limiting. It should also be appreciated that reference to the term 'cable' should not 15 be seen to be limiting and may include any, or a combination of: line, cord, rope, strop, chain, filament, wire or similar. Typically the external object is the length of line attached to the end-fitting forming a noose passing around an object via the eye. Thus, a noose may be formed about an object by passing a cable through the eye, around the object, and connecting the end-20 fitting to the choker connector by closing the latch. When tension is placed on the cable, the noose formed will close tight about the object. As the latch is maintained in the closed position by the tension placed on the cable, to release the end-fitting, the tension must be released and the keeper member actuated to an unlocked position to allow the latch to open. 9 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 In one embodiment the eye is adapted to permit passage of the cable whilst preventing the passage of the end-fitting, thereby preventing the choker connector sliding off the cable. It will be readily appreciated that the eye of the choker connector may be formed as a 5 separate device and attached to the body of the choker, though this inevitably increases manufacturing costs and may provide a device of relatively weaker structural integrity. Hereinafter reference will be made to the object encircled by the cable as being a tree log though it should be appreciated that this is purely exemplary and the present 10 invention may be used for any suitable object. Preferably the body includes a recess for receiving the end-fitting, wherein the latch in the closed position prevents removal of the end-fitting from said recess. It should be appreciated that as cable end-fittings may vary depending on applications or work environs, the recess and latch may need to be manufactured/configured to correspond 15 to receive each particular end-fitting configuration. Preferably the recess for receiving the end-fitting is visible to a user to assist in placing the end-fitting within the recess before closing the latch. When under load there may be substantial forces exerted on the choker connector, cable and end-fitting from the weight and movement of the attached log. 20 Consequently, typical prior art choker connectors are constructed from highly robust materials to minimise such damage. In particular, the retaining latch and axle on prior art choker connectors are highly robust as they are often subjected to a large proportion of the forces involved. 10 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 Preferably the recess includes a mouth, wherein the latch in the closed position bears on a portion of said mouth. Thus, when the cable is under tension, the end-fitting may bear on the mouth and/or latch thereby forcing the latch to remain in the closed position such that the force applied by the end-fitting is substantially transmitted via 5 the contact between the latch and the mouth and not to the keeper member. As the latch impinges on the body of the connector, the force applied by the weight of the object on the cable is predominantly transferred to the body and thus minimal stress is placed on the keeper member. When tension is released the force on the keeper member consists primarily of the latch bias. 10 As aforementioned, many prior art devices are prone to failure and damage as they include keeper members that are subjected to the tension (or part thereof) placed on the cable and may thus become bent, jammed, damaged or otherwise non-functional. It may be a particular advantage of the present invention that by ensuring the cable tension is applied to the body of the choker connector via the latch in the closed 15 position the keeper member is not stressed. Due to the often adverse operating conditions, any protruding parts of a choker connector are particularly vulnerable to damage. For example, the device described in US Patent 4,709,952 has a protruding pin that keeps a latch closed. This pin is not only subject to the forces from the cable tension but is also vulnerable to impact 20 damage. Thus, in preferred embodiments of the present invention the latch and/or keeper member are substantially enclosed within the body of the choker connector. Preferably the keeper member may be actuated by a predetermined radio or other wireless signal. In operations involving many choker connectors and logs it may be undesirable to use 25 a single predetermined signal to activate the keeper members in the operation as this 11 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 will cause all keeper members to move to unlocked/locked positions, i.e. if one choker connector needs to be closed while another is to be opened then activation of the keeper members to an unlocked position (for example), will prevent the other keeper member from being moved to the locked position. 5 Typical electronic choker connectors are manufactured with a non-unique choker opening activation code (often single frequency/coded signals) allocated in repetitive groups to batches of chokers. Therefore to prevent the inadvertent opening of any other chokers with the same activation code operating close-by, the radio frequency power output signal used to release the choker connector must be sufficiently weak to 10 restrict the activation range to the immediate vicinity of the operator. Thus this restricted operational range often necessitates provision of a further portable radio frequency release transmitter for operators fixing the chokers to the logs down the haulage line beyond the range of the transmitter in the hauler itself. Thus, in preferred embodiments the keeper member of each choker is actuated by a 15 unique signal associated with the choker. This may be achieved for example by using different frequency or coded signals for each choker. Because each keeper member requires a unique signal, release transmitters of far greater range can be used to safely open an individual choker at any point along the haulage line without risk of inadvertently opening an unintended choker. It can be seen therefore that both the 20 safety and the operational range of the present invention may be enhanced over existing devices. In a further embodiment the predetermined signal required to actuate the keeper member is programmable. For example, the connector may include a programmable CPU coupled to a signal receiver and the keeper member, the CPU programmable to 25 actuate the keeper member upon receiving a predetermined signal. 12 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 In some cases it may be desirable to activate groups of choker connectors together, for example if a number of choker connectors are being used to secure a single log. Therefore, in a further embodiment the keeper member of each choker connector of a plurality of choker connectors is actuated by a common signal associated with the 5 identity of the plurality of choker connectors. To actuate the keeper member preferably the choker connector includes a power supply, signal receiver and associated electronic componentry. Preferably any electronic componentry and associated power supply, for actuating the keeper member is enclosed within a hermetically sealed housing in the choker 10 connector to prevent ingress of moisture and/or detritus. In order to minimise signal attenuation from the signal transmitter through the housing, preferably the housing, or portion thereof, is constructed from a material substantially transparent to the signal transmission frequency. In an alternative embodiment, an antenna(e) is communicatively coupled to the signal receiver and keeper member and 15 may extend to an external region of the housing. In one embodiment the choker connector may include a location indicating means such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) device coupled to a transmitter for indicating the location of the choker connector. In a further embodiment the choker connector may be programmed to actuate the 20 keeper member when the choker connector moves to a predetermined location. Such location indicating means may also assist in finding the choker connector if the choker connector detaches from the cable and becomes lost, for example in vegetation, mud, or water. 13 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 Some prior art electronic chokers transmit a continuous low-powered radio frequency signal to enable detection using a radio frequency directional tracker receiver. Typically, low-powered signals are used to minimise the drain on the power source and consequently the signal is often only detectable by the tracker at very close 5 range. To minimise power drain while providing a relatively strong signal, preferred embodiments of the present invention include a transmitter configurable to automatically generate a location signal according to predetermined criteria. In one embodiment said predetermined criteria includes elapsing of a predetermined time period between locking of the keeper member and receipt of a release signal. 10 In an alternative embodiment said predetermined criteria is a trigger signal, wherein the transmitter is programmed to generate said location signal upon receiving said trigger signal, for example from the directional tracker receiver. Thus, the power source is preserved until the operator begins searching for a lost choker connector and generates the trigger signal. 15 Preferably the location signal is a continuous high powered radio frequency signal. In a further embodiment the location signal transmitter may be deactivated automatically or manually to prevent signal generation when the power source is being charged or when the choker connector is not in use. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of 20 connecting and remotely releasing an end-fitting to a connector substantially as hereinbefore described, said method including the steps of: - placing the end-fitting in a receiving portion of the connector, - closing the latch to engage with the end-fitting, 14 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 - moving the keeper member to a locked position preventing unlocking of the latch, irrespective of fluctuations in tension applied to the latch by the end-fitting, - remotely releasing the end-fitting by passing a signal to the connector to 5 unlock the keeper member and permit opening of the latch. The present invention may thus provide significant advantages over the prior art including provision of a choker connector capable of being remotely actuated to assist in the release of a noose from about a log and that includes a keeper member to maintain the choker connecter in a closed position when the cable is not loaded and 10 wherein a load applied to the cable places strain predominantly on the choker body and not the keeper member or latch pivot. Thus, the latch and keeper member may not require the same structural strength as the prior art and may be relatively less vulnerable to damage. Brief Description of Drawings 15 Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Shows a side perspective view of a choker connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment with an end-fitting loaded in the 20 connector. Figures 2a-f Shows side section views of the loading and releasing sequence of a choker connector of figure 1. 15 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 Figure 3 Shows a side section view of the choker connector with a noose formed about a tree log and with the keeper member in an unlocked position. Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention 5 Figures 1-3 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention including a choker connector (1) having a body (2) in which a coupling portion, in the form of an eye (3), is provided for passing a cable (19) (shown only in figure 3) therethrough for passing around a log (18) as is shown only in figure 3. A pivoting latch (4) is provided, which in a closed position (shown in figures 1, 2c-e 10 and figure 3) is engageable to an end-fitting (5) on the cable (19) to releasably secure the end fitting (5) to the connector (1). The latch (4) is biased to an open position (see figures 2a, b, f) by a spring (not shown) about a latch axle (7). To assist a user in pivoting the latch (4) to the closed position against the pivot bias a thumb tab (9) is provided on one end of the latch (4). 15 A keeper member (6) is provided and is capable of being remotely actuated between unlocked (see figures 2a, b, e, f) and locked (see figures 2c, d) positions, respectively permitting or preventing pivoting of the latch (4). In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures the keeper member (6) is a solenoid actuator including a coil and a metal core free to slide along the coil axis under the 20 influence of a magnetic field set up by the coil when current is passed therethrough. The keeper member (6) is biased toward the locked position (shown in figures 2c, d) by a spring (not shown) and is capable of being moved to the unlocked position 16 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 (shown in figures 2a, b, e, f and figure 3) by passing electrical current to the keeper member (6). As can be seen in figures 2b and 2c, when the latch (4) is pivoted toward the closed position the biased keeper member (6) impinges on the surface (10) of the latch (4) 5 until mating with a recess (14) (shown in fig 2c and 2d) to prevent the latch (4) from pivoting toward the open position. When in the closed position (see figure 2d, e and figure 3), the latch (4) bears on the body (2) at an inclined (across the axis of tensile force represented by F) surface (13) of a mouth (12) of the recess (11) and is maintained in the closed position by; 10 a) the engagement of the end-fitting (5) with the latch (4) when the cable (19) is under tension, represented by force F, and b) the keeper member (6) in the locked position when tension applied by the end-fitting is released. Thus, to release the end-fitting (5), the tension must be released and the keeper 15 member (6) moved to the unlocked position so that the latch (4) is permitted to pivot to the open position. With respect to figures 2 and 3, when tension is placed on the cable (19) the end-fitting (5) engages with the latch (4) along an acute (with respect to the direction of force F) angled edge (20) of the latch (4) and pushes the latch (4) against the inclined 20 surface (13). Thus the majority of the force from the end-fitting (5) is passed to the inclined surface (13) and not to the latch axle (7) or keeper member (6). A portion of the end-fitting (5) also impinges directly onto the inclined surface (13). 17 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 The sequence of loading and releasing an end-fitting (5) to the choker connector (1) is shown in figure 2 and involves six main stages, respectively represented by figures 2a-f as follows: a) Initially the cable is passed through the eye (3) and around a log (18) (shown only in figure 3) with the end-fitting (5) ready for connection to the connector (1). The latch (4) is biased by a spring to an open position so the recess (11) can receive the end-fitting (5). b) The end-fitting (5) is placed in the recess (11). An aperture (17), shown in figure 1, allows a user to sight the recess (11) thus aiding the user to correctly insert the end-fitting (5). c) With respect to figure 2c the latch (4) is pivoted against the spring bias to a closed position by pushing against thumb tab (9). As the latch (4) is pivoted, the keeper member (6) mates with the recess (14) to prevent the latch (4) from pivoting toward the open position. d) As the cable is pulled through the eye (3) the end-fitting (5) is pulled towards the mouth (12) of the recess (11) until it impinges on an acute (with respect to the direction and axis of force F) angled edge (21) of the latch (4). The latch (4) thus bears against the inclined surface (13) of the mouth (12) along edge (8) as can be seen in figure 2d. As tension is placed on the cable to tighten the noose formed about the log the predominant resulting force F is transferred to the body (2) of the choker connector (1) via the inclined surface (13) both directly, and via the latch (4). James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 e) When the end-fitting (5) is to be released, the keeper member (6) is actuated to an unlocked position as shown in figure 2e while the latch (4) is retained in the closed position by the tension on the cable, i.e. force F. f) When the tension (F) on the cable is released, the latch (4) can pivot to an 5 open position to allow the end-fitting (5) to be released as is shown in figure 2f. Though not shown in the drawings for clarity, there is provided within the choker connector (1) a control module including a receiver, power supply and associated circuitry for actuating the keeper member (6) when a predetermined wireless signal is transmitted to the receiver. The control module is programmable to actuate each 10 particular keeper member (or groups thereof), on receiving a particular signal. To prevent moisture and detritus from damaging the receiver, power supply and/or associated circuitry, the control module is provided within a hermetically sealed enclosure (15). To perform maintenance, charge/replace the power supply and/or program the control module, the enclosure (15) may be accessed by detaching a 15 cover (16). With respect to figure 3 the choker connector (1) is shown with a cable (19) passed about a log (18) and connected to the end-fitting (5) via a hihged link (21). The cable (19) passes thorough the eye (3) and when the log (18) is to be moved, is pulled therethrough, tightening the noose formed about the log (18) and maintaining the latch 20 (4) in the closed position. The choker connector (1) has a surface (22) for resting substantially tangentially against the log (18). Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 19 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> * A« James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A connector for remotely releasable attachment to an end-fitting, the connector including: a body including a coupling portion, and a latch moveable between an open and closed position, said latch being engageable with said end-fitting to secure the end-fitting to the connector in said closed position, the latch being biased toward an open position configured to release the end-fitting, characterised in that said connector further includes a movable keeper member capable of being remotely actuated to engage with the latch by moving between an unlocked and a locked position, respectively permitting and preventing opening of the latch irrespective of fluctuations in tension applied to said latch by the end-fitting.

2. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latch is pivotable between said open and closed positions.

3. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein latch is capable of reversible linear movement between said open and closed positions.

4. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the latch is biased toward the open position for automatic opening when the keeper member is moved to an unlocked position and the tension on the cable is released. 20 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57

5. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the keeper member is a solenoid actuator.

6. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the latch is configured such that in said closed position the latch impinges on a portion of the body and is maintained in said closed position by; - the engagement of the end-fitting with the latch when the end-fitting is under tension, and - the keeper member in the locked position when tension applied by the end-fitting is released.

7. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the end-fitting is attached to a cable.

8. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein said coupling portion is formed as a passageway (hereinafter 'eye') through the connector.

9. A connector as claimed in claim 8 wherein the eye is adapted to permit passage of the cable whilst preventing the passage of the end-fitting.

10. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the body includes a recess for receiving the end-fitting, wherein the latch in the closed position prevents removal of the end-fitting from said recess.

11. A connector as claimed in claim 10 wherein the recess for receiving the end-fitting is visible to a user to assist in placing the end-fitting within the recess before closing the latch. 21 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57

12. A connector as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the recess includes a mouth, wherein the latch in the closed position bears on a portion of said mouth.

13. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the latch and/or keeper member are substantially enclosed within the body of the choker connector.

14. A connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein the keeper member is capable of being actuated by a predetermined radio or other wireless signal.

15. A connector as claimed in claim 14 wherein the predetermined signal required to actuate the keeper member is programmable.

16. A connector as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein any electronic componentry and associated power supply, for actuating the keeper member is enclosed within a hermetically sealed housing in the connector.

17. A connector as claimed in claim 16 wherein the housing, or portion thereof, is constructed from a material substantially transparent to the transmission frequency of said predetermined signal.

18. A connector as claimed in claim 16 wherein an antenna is communicatively coupled to a signal receiver of the keeper member and extends to an external region of the housing.

19. A connector as claimed in any of the previous claims wherein connector includes a location indicating means coupled to a transmitter for indicating the location of the connector via emission of a location signal. 22 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57

20. A connector as claimed in claim 19 wherein the connector is programmed to actuate the keeper member when the choker connector moves to a predetermined location.

21. A connector as claimed in claim 19 wherein the transmitter is configurable to automatically generate a location signal according to predetermined criteria.

22. A connector as claimed in claim 21 wherein said predetermined criteria includes elapsing of a predetermined time period between locking of the keeper member and receipt of a release signal.

23. A connector as claimed in claim 21 wherein said predetermined criteria is a trigger signal, wherein the transmitter is programmed to generate said location signal upon receiving said trigger signal.

24. A connector as claimed in any one of claims 19 to 23 wherein the location signal is a continuous high powered radio frequency signal.

25. A connector as claimed in claim 19 to 24 wherein the transmitter is capable of deactivation automatically or manually to prevent signal generation when the power source is being charged or when the choker connector is not in use.

26. A method of connecting and remotely releasing an end-fitting to a connector as claimed in any one of the previous claims, said method including the steps of: - placing the end-fitting in a receiving portion of the connector, - closing the latch to engage with the end-fitting, 23 James & Wells Ref: 42468/57 - moving the keeper member to a locked position preventing unlocking of the latch, irrespective of fluctuations in tension applied to the latch by the end- - remotely releasing the end-fitting by passing a signal to the connector to unlock the keeper member and permit opening of the latch.

27. A plurality of connectors as claimed in claim 14 wherein each keeper member is actuated by a unique signal associated with a respective connector.

28. A plurality of connectors as claimed in claim 14 wherein the keeper member of each connector is actuated by a common signal associated with the identity of the plurality of choker connectors.

29. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described and with respect to the accompanying representations.

30. A method of attaching an end-fitting to a connector as hereinbefore described and with respect to figure 2. fitting HARVESTECH INDUSTRIES LIMITED by their Attorneys JAMES & WELLS 24 </div>