For the sake of brevity the initial discussion shall be limited to the use of the present invention as a rotational connector when coupling a hand-held drill with a rotational tool, in particular a hole-saw, with later discussions providing alternative uses of the present invention.

Hand held tools such as hole-saws are very widely used for many applications. In the case of a hole-saw there is provided a flat solid base that is locked by a drill, the base providing support for the hole-saw. Some bases include multiple diameter grooves adapted to accommodate hole-saws of different diameters. Yet others are single sized hole-saws.

A universal problem when using hole-saws is that when a hole has been drilled through a material, the material that has been cut out, commonly referred to as the plug, remains embedded within the hole-saw and needs to be removed. Typically the plug is jammed tightly within the hole-saw and considerable force needs to be used to remove the plug using a sharp instrument, such as a screwdriver.

However, some materials, such as plastic, possess material characteristics that make their removal difficult. The ejection of those plugs typically requires the whole hole-saw assembly to be removed from the drill to then try and force the plug out.

In response to this widely recognized problem, various improved hole-saw assemblies have been proposed that try and provide and improved method of removing the plug. Whilst some of these have been found to work well, they are generally mechanically quite complicated. Further, the hole-saw is a dedicated size being limited to a pre-determined diameter and to drill larger size holes requires the use of a whole new hole-saw assembly.

A still further limitation of existing hole-saw assemblies is that they can at any one time only accommodate one hole-saw and do not enable the simultaneous use of two different sized hole-saws.

In relation to other rotational tools such as grinding disks or sanding disks, it may be necessary to use a number of different types of disks to finish the surface being treated to a particular standard. Yet other applications or rotational tools, such as car polishing pads, require a change in polishing pads as the surface being polished changes in its characteristics. Forever changing the tool mounted on a rotational device takes effort and time leading to frustration and time inefficiency. For that reason it is not uncommon for end users to avoid changing the tool and continue to use the one they have already coupled even though another may be more appropriate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a universal rotational connector, that enables tools to be mounted onto rotational devices, that overcomes at least some of the abovementioned problems or provides the public with a useful alternative.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for a connector means particularly adapted for use with hole-saws, and other rotational tools including but not limited to tools such as grindings disks, polishing pads, and sanding disks.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a connector means enabling the tool to be easily attached to and removed from the rotational tool.

It is still a further objet of the present invention to provide for a universal connector that can be used to couple objects to rotating mechanical means whereby the tool is rotationally driven.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore in one form of the invention there is proposed a connector assembly including: a base adapted to rotate around a longitudinal axis and including an attachment means for attaching a device thereto, said base further including a connecting means; a co-axial driving means adapted to rotate around said longitudinal axis and adapted for rotational engagement of said base connecting means; a co-axial locking ring adapted to rotate around its longitudinal axis and further adapted to rotate between a first and a second position relative to said driving means, said locking ring adapted to engage said base connecting means when in said first position to prevent longitudinal relative motion of said base, driving means and said locking ring.

In preference when said locking ring is in said second position, said base is free for longitudinal motion from said driving means and locking ring.

In preference said attachment means extends outwardly in the longitudinal direction and said connecting means extends inwardly in the opposite direction.

In preference said locking ring is biased to said first position.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed a connector assembly including: a boss having a longitudinal axis said boss including an attachment means extending longitudinally in one direction said boss further including a projection extending in an opposite direction, said projection including a shoulder; a driving means coaxially aligned with said boss and including a body having a passage coaxially aligned with said projection ; a locking ring coaxially aligned with said driving means and boss and including a passage, said locking ring rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said locking ring passage is aligned with said driving means passage and said projection allowing said projection to be freely insertable and removable and in said second position said locking ring passage being misaligned thereby locking said projection shoulder to said driving means.

Preferably there are at least two projections co-axially aligned with two driving means passages and two locking ring passages.

In a still further form of the invention there is proposed a rotational tool support assembly including: a boss adapted at one end to support a tool and at the other end two shafts ; a driving means coaxially aligned with said boss and including a body having two bores therethrough coaxially aligned with said shafts; a locking ring coaxially aligned with said driving means and boss and including two holes, said locking ring rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said locking ring holes are aligned with said bores and said shafts allowing said shafts to be freely insertable and removable and in said second position said holes being misaligned thereby locking said shafts to said locking ring.

In a yet a further form of the invention there is proposed a hole-saw assembly including: a hole-saw having at one end a plurality of cutting teeth and at the other end two shafts; a mandrel coaxially aligned with said hole-saw and including a body having two bores therethrough coaxially aligned with said shafts; an annulus coaxially aligned with said mandrel and hole saw and including two holes, said annulus rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position, wherein in said first position said annulus holes are aligned with said bores and said shafts allowing said shafts to be freely insertable and removable and in said second position said holes being misaligned thereby locking said shafts to said annulus.

In preference said annulus is biased to said second position.

In preference said assembly includes a base from which therein extend the two shafts said base including a mounting means for mounting of a hole-saw thereon.

In preference said hole-saw includes a threaded inner bore adapted to engage a threaded outer projection extending from said base.

In preference said shafts include a flute adjacent said outer end and a cap on said outer end, the cap having an inner surface adapted to engage the annulus when said annulus is in said second position to thereby lock the shafts from longitudinal movement from the annulus.

Preferably said assembly includes a drill-bit mounted on said mandrel, said drill-bit extending through and beyond said hole-saw.

In another form of the invention there is proposed a hole-saw assembly including: a hole-saw having a longitudinal body with a plurality of cutting teeth at one end and a threaded inner bore at the other end; a base including a disk co-axially aligned with said hole-saw body and including a threaded projection extending longitudinally therefrom, said projection adapted to be engaged by said hole-saw threaded bore, said disk including a pair of shafts extending in a longitudinal direction away from said hole-saw, each

said shaft including a column adjacent said base a flute adjacent said shaft outer end and a chamfered cap, the diameter of said cap approximately equal to or less then the diameter of said column; a mandrel co-axially aligned with said base and hole-saw and including a body having a drill bit extending therefrom, said drill bit passing through central apertures in the base and said hole-saw, said mandrel further having two bores therethrough co-axially aligned with said base shafts ; a annulus resting on top of said base and being rotatable between a first and a second position, said annulus further including two holes wherein said holes in the first position are aligned with the bores in said mandrel and the shafts of said base, and in said second position are misaligned, the thickness of the mandrel body and annulus being such that the flute is engaged by said annulus with the cap extending beyond the annulus so that when in said second position the annulus locks said shafts in a relative longitudinal position.

In preference said assembly includes an inner and an outer hole-saw mounted on said mandrel, said inner hole-saw extending beyond said outer hole-saw.

In a yet further form of the invention there is proposed a hole-saw assembly for use in a drilling machine including a hole-saw and a mandrel assembly characterised in that there is included a biased member which when in a first position, is adapted to engage with and lockingly retain said hole-saw when it is mounted onto said mandrel and upon movement to a second position, said biased member is adapted to unlock and release said hole-saw allowing said mandrel and said hole-saw to be separated.

An advantage of such an arrangement is that a hole saw may be rapidly removed and re-attached to a mandrel without the use of threads and without the use of a tool. This is particularly advantageous when the hole saw becomes clogged and needs to be cleared or when the hole saw is interchanged with a hole saw of a different size.

Still a further advantage is that by utilising a boss, commonly available hole-saws may be used with the mandrel.

In a yet further form of the invention there is proposed a connector assembly including: a base having a longitudinal axis and including an attachment means for attaching a device thereto, said base further including a connecting means; a co-axial mating means adapted engage said base; a co-axial locking ring adapted to rotate around its longitudinal axis between a first and a second position relative to said mating means, said locking ring adapted to engage said base connecting means when in said first position to prevent longitudinal relative motion of said base, mating means and said locking ring.

Such an assembly may be used to connect various objects together, with multiple assemblies being used to connect larger devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a connector assembly embodying the present invention and illustrating the tool being a hole-saw, base or boss, mandrel or driving means and locking ring, the hole-saw threadably engaging the boss; Figure 2 is a side view of the mandrel or driving means of Figure 1 embodying the present invention; Figure 3 is a top view of the mandrel or driving means of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view of the connector assembly of Figure 2 when in a disconnected state, with the boss yet to engage the driving means; Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1, illustrating the position of the boss engaging the mandrel; Figure 6 is a detailed partial underside perspective view of the locking ring of the assembly of Figure 1 when in a locked or biased position; Figure 7 is a detailed partial underside perspective view of the locking ring of the assembly of Figure 1 when in an unlocked position; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a single piece hole-saw and boss used in the present invention when the hole-saw and boss is a single piece integral unit; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternate configuration of the coupling of the hole-saw to the boss where the hole-saw is screwed to the base or boss; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connector assembly adapted for rotationally coupling two different diameter hole-saws with the boss having a longer thread; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a connector assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention where the coupling shafts of the boss are housed within the locking ring and do not protrude through its upper surface; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the hole-saw and base of Figure 11 illustrating the shorter shafts; Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the hole-saw assembly of Figure 11 when the hole- saw and base are mounted to the mandrel; Figure 14 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present invention where the tool is a polishing pad including internal threads to engage the boss; Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly according to the present invention where the tool is a circular wire brush mounted on the boss using a threaded cap;

Figure 16 is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly as in Figure 15 but where the locking ring is rotationally held within the mandrel, the mandrel including internal thread for connection to a driving means; Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention the boss including an outer sleeve engaging over said mandrel and supporting connecting shafts; Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of the connector assembly of the present invention the boss including an outer sleeve engaging over said mandrel and supporting outer diameter connecting projections; Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the use of a connector assembly in coupling a rotational disk to an axle assembly; Figure 20 is a cross-sectional exploded view of the assembly of Figure 19 when used to mount a vehicle wheel; Figure 21 is a cross-sectional assembled view of the assembly and wheel of Figure 20; Figure 22 is a perspective view of the wheel of Figure 21 including the mounted rotational disk; Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view of a connector assembly where the wheel includes integral connector shafts before assembly; Figure 24 is the view of Figure 23 when the assembly has been coupled; Figure 25 is the view as in Figure 23 when the locking ring has locked the assembly; Figure 26 is a detailed partial view of the locking of the connecting shafts to the mandrel; Figure 27 is a detailed partial view of the locking as in Figure 26 but having an additional feature of inside tapered surfaces to aid in the locking of the shafts ; Figure 28 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly embodying the present invention when used on a ratchet spanner; and Figure 29 is a schematic perspective view of the assembly of Figure 27 with a different connecting shaft configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings.

Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts.

As discussed above, the present invention has many applications and is not limited to the particular embodiments that are described herein by way of example only.

The connector assembly is shown used with a hole-saw in Figures 1-13 with Figures 8-10 illustrating different configurations of the hole saw and its base, and Figures 11-13 illustrating shorter

connecting shafts and different configuration locking ring where the shafts do not protrude beyond the outer surface of the locking ring.

Figures 14-16 illustrate different tools that can use the connector assembly, the different tools mounted onto the base or boss using different arrangements.

Figures 17 and 18 illustrate a variation on the shafts or projections that are used to rotationally lock the boss to the mandrel including a variation on the configuration of the locking ring.

Figure 19-27 illustrate the use of the present invention when coupling larger rotational objects to a driving means, such as when coupling vehicle wheels to the axle.

Finally, Figure 28 and 29 illustrate the use of this invention on other rotational means such as a simple ratchet spanner.

It is to be understood that although the present invention is directed to coupling a rotational driving means with a tool or object that is to be rotationally driven, it could equally well be employed as a static connector that is quick to couple and decouple. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the rotational driving situation only but rather to all instances where a quick and secure coupling is required and especially so where the coupling is to support for rotational motion through the assembly.

It is to be further understood that clusters of such connectors may be used together to provide for the easy coupling and de-coupling of large devices such as, for example, vehicle bull bars on the front of vehicles that may need to be removed when driving in pedestrian or city areas.

We now discuss the drawings and embodiments in detail.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5 there is shown a connector assembly 10 including a tool, namely hole- saw 12, base or boss 14, and mandrel or driving means 16.

The hole-saw 12 includes a cylindrical body 18 having cutting teeth 20 at one end thereof. At the opposite end the hole-saw 12 includes a threaded bore 22 (with inner threads), the outer surface of the hole-saw body 18 adjacent the bore 22 including circumferentially disposed shoulders 24 to enable a tool (not shown) such as a wrench to engage the hole-saw 12 for rotational movement thereof.

The base 14 includes disk 26. Extending co-axially from the disk 26 is a threaded projection 28 (with outer threads), of a size and shape to be engaged by the bore 22 thus enabling hole-saw 12 to be tightly screwed onto the base. The disk 26 includes shoulders 30 for engagement by a tool. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that by the use of two tools, one on the hole-saw 12 and one on the base 14, the hole-saw may also be removed from the base.

Extending adjacent the edge of the disk 26 and in the opposite direction to the projection 28 are two identical shafts 32 and 34. Since the shafts perform the same function and operate in exactly the same way, only one will be described in the rest of the description. It is however to be understood that the description applies equally well to both.

Shaft 32 includes a column 36 extending from the disk and attached to the disk using well-known techniques such as threads or press fitting. Adjacent the outer end of the column 36 is a flute 40, the

column then having a chamfered cap 42 fixed on its outer end whose outer diameter is equal to the diameter of the column 36.

The mandrel 16 includes a longitudinal body 44 extending co-axially from and rotationally affixed to which is a drill bit 46. Extending in the opposite direction to the drill bit 46 is an arbour 48 having shoulders 50 and is insertable into a drill (not shown) as is well known in the art. The body 44 includes two holes 52 and 54 whose location and size is such to allow for the insertion and passage through of shafts 32 and 34 therein, shaft 32 insertable into hole 52 and shaft 34 insertable into hole 54.

Typically, the holes 52 and 54 are of a diameter to effectively enable the shaft to be mounted to the body 44.

The length of the body 44 is the same length as that of the shaft column 36 from the disk 26 to the flute 40 so that when the shaft 32 is inserted into body 44 the flute and the cap protrude beyond the body 44.

Located on top of the body 44 is a co-axial annulus or ring 56, rotatably movable between a first and a second position. The annulus 56 includes two correspondingly shaped and sized apertures 58 and 60 that are aligned with the holes 52 and 54 when the annulus is in the first position and are misaligned when the annulus is in the second position.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the shaft flute 40 and cap 42 then extend into the annulus when it is aligned with the body. The thickness of the annulus 56 is equal to the width of the flute 40 so that when fully inserted into the mandrel only the cap 42 extends beyond the surface plane of the annulus 56.

When the annulus is in the second position with the shaft 32 fully inserted into the mandrel, the upper surface of the annulus 62 engages the lip 64 of the cap 42, effectively preventing the shaft 32 from being withdrawn from the mandrel 16. This effectively therefore locks the base 14 and hence the hole- saw 12 to the mandrel 16 enabling the hole-saw to be used to drill a hole.

The annulus is biased to the second position, that is, the locked position and a rotational force has to be applied to rotate it to the first position to enable for the withdrawal of the shafts 32 and 34. The rotation from the biased second position to the first position is generally in the same direction as the rotation of the drill.

The skilled addressee will now appreciate that the present hole-saw assembly enables for the very quick mounting and mounting of a hole-saw and base to a mandrel that is already mounted in a drill.

Since the diameter of the hole-saw is independent of the size of the base and hence the mandrel, one may have a number of hole-saws ready that simply mount and unmount to and from the mandrel by rotating the annulus between the first and second positions.

However, to further assist in quick mounting of the hole-saw base 14 to the mandrel 16, the circular edges 66 of holes 58 and 60 on the underside 68 of the annulus 56, that is the side that faces the base 44, may be tapered or chamfered. As the shafts 32 and 34 are inserted into the mandrel through holes 52 and 54 and apertures 58 and 60, the cap forces the annulus to rotate to the first position. As the

cap passes beyond the upper surface of the annulus, the biasing means causes it to snap back into its biased position thereby locking the base and hence the hole-saw to the mandrel. This provides the tool operator with an automatic"snap-fit"arrangement.

Body 44 is typically clamped onto the drill bit 46 using a grub screw 70. However, it may equally well be attached, as would be known by the skilled addressee, using other common techniques.

The annulus is secured in its position using a circlip 72. To prevent rotation of the circlip that may effectively block one of the apertures 58 or 60, a cusp (not shown) or projection may be used to lock the circlip relative to the annulus.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 there is shown in detail the locking ring or annulus 56 and specifically the biasing arrangement. The annulus includes a groove 74 within which is located the biasing means, typically a spring (not shown). At one end of the groove is located a channel 76 within which slidably moves a pin 78. The pin engages a correspondingly shaped bore (not shown) in the body 44 whereby it is locked into place when the annulus is placed on top of the body. The length of the channel 76 within which the pin can effectively move, the two positions illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, then limits rotation of the annulus as shown in Figure 3.

As discussed above the hole-saw is mounted onto the base or boss. However, the hole-saw may be manufactured integrally with the shafts that engage the mandrel. This embodiment is illustrated in Figure 8 wherein one can see that the hole-saw 80 has integral shafts 82 and 84 whose shape and function is the same as discussed earlier. These shafts may be press fitted, screwed or secured to the hole saw by other means or be integrally manufactured with the hole-saw. Such a hole-saw may be for example manufactured using machining or metal casting processes. An advantage of this is in the reduction of parts for manufacture resulting in reduced costs.

To assist in handling the shafts, if they were to be screwed into the hole saw, they may include shoulders 86 that can be engaged by a tool, the shoulder also a feature of the earlier embodiment.

In the case where the hole-saw is of a significant diameter, as illustrated in Figure 9, the hole-saw 88 may be attached to the base 90 not by using threaded engagement members but rather by the use of screws 92 and 94 that pass through apertures 96 and 98 in the bottom of the hole-saw and engage the ends of shafts 100 and 102 respectively thereby locking the hole-saw to the base 90.

In an alternate embodiment, the projection 28 of the base 14 illustrated in Figures 1-5 may be made significantly longer than is currently known. This would then enable two hole-saws to be mounted on the one base. This is a particularly useful feature where the operator may wish to drill a bigger hole over an existing hole wherein the size of the smaller hole-saw is chosen to be the size of the already existing hole. The smaller hole-saw is then used as an effective guide center to be able to cut out the bigger hole in a symmetrical arrangement. As illustrated in Figure 10 the hole-saw assembly according to this preferred embodiment includes a smaller hole-saw 104 that extends beyond a larger hole-saw 106 in the longitudinal direction. The diameter of the smaller hole-saw 104 is chosen so that its outside surface 108 engages the inner surface of hole 110 in wall 112. The smaller hole-saw 104 ensures that when hole-

saw 106 engages the wall, it does not gyrate ensuring that the larger hole 114 to be cutout in the wall is co-axial with the smaller hole 110.

Illustrated in Figures 11 to 13 is a hole-saw assembly according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hole-saw 12 and base 26 are of the same type as described above. However the total length of the shafts 116 and 118 are somewhat shorter, the shafts still having flutes 40 and caps 42. The shorter shafts, assuming that the base and the locking ring or annulus are the same size, results in the shafts not protruding beyond the annulus as was the case in the earlier embodiment. This is clearly illustrated in Figures 11 and 13 where one can see that the shafts 116 and 118 do not protrude beyond the upper surface 120 of the annulus 122.

Since the shafts 116 and 118 no longer protrude beyond the annulus 56, the previously described locking technique of the mandrel to the shafts is no longer available. For that reason, holes 124 and 126 adjacent the upper surface 120 of the annulus 56 are partially enlarged to provide an inner shoulder 128 that can be engaged by the lip 64 of the cap 42. Accordingly, the annulus holes 124 and 126 are of a circular cross-section only for the length of the flute 40 from the annulus bottom surface 68, and are then enlarged to accommodate for the rotational movement of the annulus 56 to lock and unlock the shafts 116 and 118 to the mandrel.

This embodiment overcomes the need for a dimple or the like to prevent the clip 72 for any rotational movement. It also prevents the caps from interfering with the drill chuck and eliminates the risk of the caps catching the circlip. It additionally provides for a more visually pleasing appearance.

The diameter of the caps in this embodiment may be less than the shaft diameter to provide more material in the wall of the holes 124 and 126 when manufacturing the lock ring.

Although not shown it is to be understood that in some instance a locking pin may be sued to ensure that the locking ring does not disengage. This may be especially the case where the rotational motion is very fast indeed, such as that of grinding disks that rotate close to 18,000 revolutions per minute. Such a locking ring could be easily incorporated into the present design and it is not intended to discuss it in further detail herein.

The reader will now appreciate the significant advantages that are provided in using a rotational connector that is the subject of the present invention. Such a rotational connector is particularly useful when used to mount hole-saws, for example, to a hand drill. However, other tools may equally well be mounted onto the connector assembly.

For example, as illustrated in Figure 14, the present invention may equally well be used to mount a polishing pad 130 having a threaded boss that screws on and engages threaded projection 28 on the base 26, the configuration of the assembly otherwise being as described earlier with minor inessential modifications such as not having the shaft shoulders 86 that assist in screwing the shafts to the boss.

Other tools, such as the wire brush 134, as illustrated in Figure 15, may also be rotationally mounted to the threaded projection by the use of a threaded collar 136 that clamps the central disk 138 supporting the wire brush 134.

Other modifications to the connector assembly of the present invention may include modifying the mandrel so that it houses the locking ring 56 within the mandrel, the outer end including a threaded bore 140 that allows the mandrel to be threadably attached to a shaft or the like, the other parts remaining essentially the same as discussed above, or claiming a combination thereof. Thus the assembly as in Figure 16 may also include the use of a collar 136 that clamps grinding disk 142 to boss 14.

The skilled addressee should now appreciate the elegant solution provided to the problem of being able to quickly mount and dismount a tool onto a driving means or a mandrel by the use of a locking ring that engages the boss housing the tool to prevent it from moving apart from the mandrel, whilst the mandrel can then rotationally drive the boss and hence the tool.

Thus other shapes of the boss and mandrel clearly fall within the scope of the invention including those illustrated in Figures 17 and 18.

Figure 17 illustrates a hollow boss 144 having a cylindrical outer wall or sleeve 146 extending in one direction from a base, a threaded projection 148 for the mounting of a tool thereon extending in the opposite longitudinal direction. Extending symmetrically from the upper end 150 of the wall 146 are a pair of symmetrical and circumferential shafts 152 and 154 that engage co-axial apertures 156 and 158 in both the upper end of mandrel 160 and the locking ring 162 respectively, the locking mechanism being the same as that described earlier. Sleeve 146 is so dimensioned to slide over the inner end 164 of the mandrel until the end 152 of wall 146 abuts against the inside shoulder 166 of the mandrel 160. The assembly illustrated is used to support a hole-saw, hence a drill bit 168 is mounted within the mandrel and held there using a threaded screw 170. The mandrel includes a shaft 172 that provides the rotational torque when the shaft is attached to a driving apparatus such as a power drill (not shown).

Illustrated in Figure 18 is an alternate way of configuring the assembly to provide the same useful affect. Thus the boss 174 is also a hollow boss having a base 176 and a sleeve 178 having an upper end 180. Extending from the end of sleeve 180 are a pair of projections 182 each projection including a shaft 184 and a tapered end 186, each shaft having an opposing cutout 188 to define an inner shoulder 190.

The tapered end 186 provides for the rotational force to rotate the locking ring 192 (clockwise in this illustration) to allow the projections 182 to slide through the locking ring grooves 194 and into grooves 196 of mandrel 198 until the shoulders 190 of both projections pass through the ring grooves 194 at which point the ring 192 being biased rotates back into its biased position or anticlockwise. At that time the inner shoulder 190 abuts against part of the upper surface 198 of the locking ring 192. The height of the cutout 188 is of the same order as the thickness of the locking ring 192 resulting in the boss 174 held tightly to the mandrel 198. The width of the projections 182 adjacent the cutout 188 is also of the same order as the perimeter width of the mandrel grooves 196. Hence, as the mandrel is caused to rotate through a rotating force applied to the mandrel shaft 198, the rotational torque is applied to the boss through the interaction of the mandrel grooves to the boss projections.

To dismount the assembly one simply needs to rotate the locking ring until the ring grooves and the mandrel groove are aligned at which time the tapered projections can simply be pulled out releasing the boss and hence the tool mounted on the boss from the mandrel.

It is to be understood that in the description so far much has been said about the locking ring being biased. Although this may indeed be a preferred feature, the ring need not be biased. In some instances it is sufficient that the ring may be rotatable between two positions, in the first position locking the boss to the mandrel and in the second releasing it, both of the positions being quasi-locked by the use of, for example, a ball bearing so that a initial force has to be applied to rotate the ring from either one of the positions. Such an arrangement may also be useful so that the user"feels"when the ring is rotated from or to either position.

The connector assembly as described in the present invention may also be used in some larger applications. As illustrated in Figures 19 to 27 it maybe used in the mounting of a vehicle wheel to an axle using the same principles discussed above.

Referring specifically to Figures 19-22, current wheels may be retrofitted to accommodate a connector assembly. Thus a disk 200 may include a plurality of threaded projections 202 on one side and a plurality of connector shafts 204 on the other side as described above and extending in the opposite longitudinal direction. The shafts 204 engage a driving means including a mandrel 206 and a locking ring 208 rotatably coupled to axle 210. Thus any rotational motion of the axle is transferred to the disk 200, the disk attached to the wheel 212 by virtue of shafts 202 passing though holes 214 in the wheel rim 216 and secured by the use of well known wheel nuts 218. One can now immediately appreciate that when the disk has been fixed to the wheel, from then on one only need to use the locking ring to be able to remove the new wheel assembly that now includes the wheel as well as the disk with the connecting shafts. Of course, one needs to ensure that the design meets the various statutory standards and that the locking ring can be locked in the locked position. This can easily be achieved by a locking pin (not shown) or by electro-mechanically controlling the relative angular position of the locking ring, something that could even be controlled by the driver inside the vehicle and something that could, for example, by use of a key, only be activated when the vehicle has stopped moving.

Advantageously, a wheel rim, such as mag wheels, may be constructed with the connecting shafts being an integral part of the wheel. This is illustrated in Figures 23-27 where the wheel rim 220 has integral connecting shafts 222 that engage the mandrel 206 and locking ring 208 in the same manner that has been described several times above. In this illustration it is assumed that the locking ring 208 is in fact not biased but is electro-mechanically or hydraulically controllable by the driver. Before attaching the wheel the apertures 224 of the mandrel and 226 of the locking ring are co-axial with the shafts 222 enabling the wheel to be mounted easily onto the mandrel until the heads of the shafts 228 extend beyond the locking ring. The locking ring is then rotated (Figure 25) until the inner surface 230 of the heads of the shafts 228 rests on top of the locking ring upper surface 232 thus locking the wheel in place. It is to

be understood that the caps 228 need not be circular in this embodiment and that they may very well be of a non-symmetrical configuration or any other shape.

In another aspect of the invention and as illustrated in Figure 26 the driving means may be modified to suit the requirement and protect the assembly. Thus as shown the locking ring 208 may be housed within the mandrel 206, the locking ring providing the upper surface 232 that abuts against the shaft cap inner surface 230 to prevent the shaft from slipping from the mandrel.

Another small modification that may be useful is tapering the upper surface 234 of the locking ring 208 as shown in Figure 27 so that upon rotation of the ring 206 a longitudinal force is exerted on the shaft 222 to tightly draw the wheel to the driving means.

The present invention may be useful not only where there is a continuous rotational motion but also in the case of periodic rotational motion where one needs to mount and dismount tools relatively easily. As illustrated in Figures 28 and 29 the present connector assembly may be used in the case of a ratchet spanner or wrench including a driving means 236 and a biased locking ring or annulus 238, the two having co-axial apertures 240 when the ring is in the non-biased position. A socket 242 includes two connecting shafts 244 to engage the driving means and the locking ring, the socket used to do and undo nut as is well known. The use of the present assembly as a wrench and socket combination not only enables for the quick changing of different sized sockets, it also ensures that the sockets do not easily slide off, a problem that is well known.

Of course, the present invention may also be used in a socket and wrench combination having only one connecting shaft as illustrated in Figure 29. Such a combination may be used when the wrench driving means 246 includes a male projection 248 adapted to engage a female aperture 250 in the socket 252. The single connecting shaft 254 helps more with keeping the socket on the wrench rather than with providing the rotational motion, something provided by the engagement of the male and female members.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In any claims that follow and in the summary of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word"comprising"is used in the sense of "including", i. e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.