AU2013201138A1 - Latching device - Google Patents

Abstract

- 22 Device (40) for coupling to an article by entry of a part (29) of the device into an opening 5 (28) in the article. The part (29) is movable, after entry into the opening (28), to a locked position preventing withdrawal of the part (29) and the device (40) from the opening (28). A locking element (90) of the device (40) is operable to lock the part (29) in the locked position. 27 ' 28 30 20 35 28 38 32 FIGURE 1 26 45 24 20 38 FIGURE 2 FIGURE 3

Description

-. 1 LATCHING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 Balls for playing a ten-pin bowling game are usually provided with openings sized and positioned such that the ball can be grasped by the bowler preparatory to swinging release of the ball towards the pin. However, means may be provided permitting holding the ball otherwise. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The following patents describe arrangements in which the ball is provided with a retractable handle or the like which can be moved to extend from the ball, for carrying the ball: 15 US Patent No. 4,256,305 US Patent No. 4,332,383 US Patent No. 624,808 US Patent No. 838,026 20 US Patent No. 1,079,956 Alternatively a handle may be demountably attached to the exterior spherical surface the ball, such as use of suction pads (US Patent No. 2,147, 907), or a carrying frame may be provided, the frame having a release mechanism which can be activated to release the ball 25 (US Patent No. 5, 082, 265). In other cases, the ball may have an inwardly extending bore or the like which can removably receive a device having a carrying handle and an expansible resilient element which can be inserted into the bore and expanded by operation of a suitable mechanism to 30 firmly secure the device in the bore with the handle extending externally, the handle however being demountable from the ball by release of the expansion of the resilient -2 element to cause it to contract under natural resilience of the resilient element. Such arrangements are described in, for example: US Patent No. 2,738,192 5 US Patent No. 4,258,947 Or the handle may be expansible against resilient force applied to relatively moveable parts of the handle to effect gripping within a ball, as in US Patent No. 676024. 10 The holding may be simply for ease of transport of the ball, and/or may be designed to permit the ball to be forwardly swung by the user and released at an appropriate point in the swing to launch the ball towards the pins. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 15 The invention provides a coupling device for use in coupling to an article having an opening therein, the opening presenting a transverse formation, the device having a first part insertable into the opening, a second part movable with respect to the first part to a first condition at which it 20 does not extend sidewardly with respect to the first part to the extent that it prevents movement of the first part into the opening to position the second part in the opening beyond said formation, and to a second condition at which, when the first part and the second part are so positioned in the opening with the second part positioned at a location beyond said formation, the second part extends from the first part sufficiently to prevent 25 withdrawal of the first part and the second part from the opening by engagement between the second part and said formation, and locking means operable when the second part is at said location and in said second condition to lock the second part against movement away from the second location, for effecting said coupling, 30 said coupling means being subsequently operable to unlock the second part to allow it to move to said second condition to permit withdrawal of the first and second parts -3 from the opening, for decoupling the device from said article, said locking means being operable externally of the article, when the device and article are coupled, to effect the locking and unlocking of the second part. 5 The article may be a ball, such as a ten-pin bowling ball. The formation may be a continuous or part continuous flange. Preferably, it is a substantially continuous flange permitting free rotation of the article when the article and device are coupled. 10 The invention also provides an article for coupling to a coupling device, the article having an opening therein, the opening presenting a transverse formation, the device having: a first part insertable into the opening, 15 a second part movable with respect to the first part to a first condition at which it does not extend sidewardly with respect to the first part to the extent that it prevents movement of the first part into the opening to position the second part in the opening beyond said formation, and to a second condition at which, when the first part and the second part are so positioned in the opening with the second part positioned at a location 20 beyond said formation, the second part extends from the first part sufficiently to prevent withdrawal of the first part and the second part from the opening by engagement between the second part and said formation, and locking means operable when the second part is at said location and in said second condition to lock the second part against movement away from the second location, for 25 effecting said coupling, said coupling means being subsequently operable to unlock the second part to allow it to move to said second condition to permit withdrawal of the first and second parts from the opening, for decoupling the device from said article, said locking means being operable externally of the article, when the device and 30 article are coupled, to effect the locking and unlocking of the second part. The invention also provides a device for coupling to an article by entry of a part of -4 the device into an opening in the article, the part being movable, after entry into the opening, to a position prevent withdrawal of the part from the opening, and a locking element operable to lock the part in said position. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 10 Figure 1 is perspective view of a ten-pin bowling ball and a device formed in accordance with the invention, these being de-coupled; Figure 2 is an axial section of the ten-pin bowling ball of Figure 1; 15 Figure 3 is a partly sectioned perspective view of a latching element incorporated into the ten-pin bowling ball of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an axial section of the device of Figure 1, in condition for latching to the ten pin ball of Figure 1; 20 Figure 5 is a side view of the latching device of Figure 1; Figure 5A is a fragmentary opposite side view of the latching device of Figure 1; 25 Figure 6 is an axial section of the latching device of Figure 1, similar to Figure 4 but showing the latching device in a condition permitting insertion and withdrawal of the latching device into and from the ten-pin bowling ball; Figure 6A is a view corresponding to a lower part of Figure 6, showing a component of the 30 latching device in a different condition; -5 Figure 6B is a cross-section view on the line 6B-6B in Figure 6; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the latching device and ten-pin bowling ball of Figure 1, in coupled condition; 5 Figure 8 is a perspective view of a latching element incorporated into the latching device of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the ten-pin bowling ball of Figure 1, showing, in broken 10 lines the location of an interior biasing element thereof; Figure 10 is a fragmentary axial section of the ten-pin bowling ball of Figure 1, axially through the latching element of Figure 2, and showing the latching device of Figure 1 coupled thereto; 15 Figure 11 is a view like Figure 10, but showing the latching device being decoupled from the ten-pin bowling ball; Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to part of Figure 6A, but 20 illustrating a modification of the invention; and Figure 13 is an enlarged view corresponding to part of Figure 6 shown by phantom line "C" in that Figure and illustrating how outwards pivotal movement of a latching element of the deice of Figure 1 is limited. 25 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows an article 25, in the form of a ten-pin bowling ball 20, and a coupling device 40 couplable thereto for carrying the ball. The coupling device has, generally, a 30 first part 27 and a second part 29 movable with respect to the first part to releasably interconnect the device 40 and ball 20.

C:\NRPoRtblD CC\MAS'3408506_.DO C. /03/2012 -6 The ball 20 is formed from hard plastics material, and sized for use in ten-pin bowling. The ball has a cylindrical axial opening 24, open to its surface, in which is positioned a coaxial hollow cylindrical latching element 30. Latching element 30 is secured, as by 5 adhesive, within opening 24. As shown in Figure 3, the latching element has a hollow cylindrical side wall 32, co-axial with opening 24, the cylindrical interior of which, when the latching element is positioned in ball 20, forms a cylindrical opening 28 of the ball 20. Latching element 30 is open at both ends, but when it is positioned in ball 20, the lower end of it is closed by an inner end surface 26 of the opening 24 in the ball 20, and opening 10 28 is likewise closed at its inner end by surface 26. Between the ends of the latching element, about one third of the way from the outer end to the inner end, latching element 30 has a formation 45 in the form of has an endless annular latching surface in the form of an annular step 35. The side to side interior dimension of the latching element and thus the side to side dimension of opening 28 is less at a portion 38 thereof between the location of 15 the step 35 and the outer end of opening 28 than at a portion 29 thereof between the location of step 35 and the inner end of the opening 28 and element 30. Referring particularly to Figure 4, coupling device 40 has a handle 42, formed for example from plastics material, from which extends a generally cylindrical shaft part 60. Handle 42 20 has an opening 44 therethrough, large enough to enable a user's hand to pass thereinto for grasping the handle and the device 40. Handle 42 also has an interior cavity 46, housing working components of the device 40. Shaft part 60 has a hollow cylindrical element 62 fixed at one end within handle 42 such as 25 by moulding the handle therearound, and extending from the handle. Shaft part 60 also includes an end part 64. End part 64 has a hollow cylindrical interior 65 open to both axial ends of the end part, and at one end 66, internally threaded. Shaft part 60 has a correspondingly threaded end 68 and this is threadedly received within threaded end 66 of end part 64, so that the end part 64 is secured to the shaft part and extends therefrom in 30 coaxial alignment therewith. Alternatively, for example the end part 64 may be moulded around the shaft part 60, in which case these may not need to be threaded.

CSN4K'ORDIWLIMJU\IM110 LUDC- 1103/2n 12 -7 The interior 65 of the end part 64 presents a cylindrical bore 72 which extends inwardly from the outer end of the end part 64 to the threaded end 66 of the interior 65. Threaded end 66 is of somewhat greater internal diameter than bore 72. The internal diameter of the 5 cylindrical element 62 is also substantially greater than the diameter of bore 72. The interior end of element 62, received in handle 42, is substantially closed by an interior transverse surface 80 of the handle 40. However, handle 42 has a bore 84 coaxial with bore 72, bore 84 extends from surface 80 into cavity 46. This bore is of the same diameter 10 as bore 72. An elongate cylindrical locking element 90 extends coaxially within hollow cylindrical element 62, and is received at inner and outer ends in respective bores 84, 72. Locking element 90 is of diameter only slightly less than the diameter of bores 72, 84, so as to be 15 retained in but freely slidable in these. Locking element 90 is of diameter substantially less than the diameter of the interior of hollow cylindrical element 62. Towards the inner end of the bore 84, but spaced from the end surface 80, the element 90 has an outstanding peripheral flange 98 the periphery of which is clear from the surrounding interior surface 85 of element 62. A helical compression spring 92 is positioned around the upper part of 20 the element 90, between flange 98 and the surface 80, so as to axially bias the element 90 outwardly to a limit position shown in Figure 4. That position is established by then abutting parts of the device within handle 42, as next described. The innermost end of element 90 projects through bore 84 into cavity 46. It has two 25 spaced peripheral flanges 100, 102 and the part of the element 90 between these is received in a forked end portion 108 of a lever 106 mounted within cavity 46. Lever 106 has two oppositely extending arms 112, 114. The lever has a transverse opening therethrough between arms 112, 114 which receives a pin 111 fixed within the cavity 46, so that the lever is pivotal about the pin. Arm 114 extends to end portion 108. The free end of the 30 arm 112 has a slightly convex surface 120 against which bears the free inner end of an actuating element 122 in the form of a pin slidably retained in a cylindrical bore 124 in handle 42. Bore 124 extends through a portion of handle 42 between cavity 46 and the exterior of the handle. Bore 124 has a smaller diameter part 126 leading from cavity 46 and a larger diameter part 128 extending from part 126 to the exterior of the handle. Actuating element 122 has a smaller diameter part 130 received in bore part 126 and 5 extending to lever 106, and a larger diameter part 132 received in bore part 128 and extending, in the condition shown in Figure 1, externally of the handle 42. Part 130 of actuating element 122 has an outstanding peripheral flange 136 positioned in cavity 46. 10 In the condition shown in Figure 4, the spring 92 biases the element 90 outwardly so that the flange 100 thereof bears against end portion 108 of lever 106, to cause the lever to be resiliently biased and rotated clockwise as viewed in Figure 4, to the Figure 4 position. The rotation is limited by outwards urging of the actuating element 122 under influence of 15 spring 92, acting via lever 106. By this, the actuating element 122 is slid lengthwise (and upwardly as viewed in Figure 4) until, as illustrated in Figure 4, the flange 136 on actuating element 122 engages with the interior surface of cavity 46 surrounding bore 124. At this point, then, inwards movement of element 90 is limited since further clockwise movement of the arm 112 under influence of spring 92 is prevented, and spring bias 20 against flange 100 of element 90 is correspondingly resisted. In the condition of Figure 4, the outer end of actuating element 122, at part 132, projects from handle 42. The part 132 is however positioned so that when a user grasps handle 42, with the user's hand in opening 44, the actuating element 122 is easily depressible under 25 engagement of the outer end of the part 132 by the user's thumb, to cause the inner end of the actuating element 122 to bear against the lever arm 112 so pivoting the lever 106 anti clockwise as shown in Figure 4 and move the element 90 upwardly by inwards pressing of end portion 106 on flange 100 of element 90. The condition of Figure 6 is then reached. These movements are effected against resilient bias of spring 92, which then assumes a 30 relatively compressed state. On release of inwards manual pressing of actuating element 122, at part 132 thereof, the coupling device 40 is reverted to the Figure 4 condition, under C:\NRPoribl\D CC\MASU4095n6. .DOC-IM3120 12 -9 bias of spring 92. The outer surface 138 of the end part 64 is generally cylindrical, of somewhat lesser diameter than the inner diameter of flange 38 on latching element 30. At one side, part 64 5 has an outstanding lug 140. Opposite this, an elongate rectangular opening 142 extends inwardly from the surface 138 to open to bore 72. A latching element 150 is pivotally secured within the opening 142, being mounted therein for pivotal movement about the axis of a pin 154 which extends from side to side of opening 142, the pivot axis being normal to and spaced from the axis 155 of the shaft part 60 and end part 64. 10 The latching element 150 has an elongate first part 156 through one end of which extends pin 154, and a free end portion 158 which extends outwardly away from axis 155. In one position of the latching element 150, shown in Figure 4, the latching element 150 is mainly confined within opening 142. However, free end portion 158 of the latching element does 15 then extend from the opening, outwardly of the peripheral surface 138 of the end part 64. In this condition, portion 158 presents at the end thereof towards handle 42, a catch surface 162 which extends normally from the surface 138. In this condition, too, the end of portion 158 remote from pin 154 presents an angled cam surface 166 which extends, in the direction toward the free end shaft part 60 and end part 64, inwardly from a location 20 adjacent the outer end of catch surface 162 to a location within the opening 142. The lug 140 presents a configuration generally complementary to (and possibly a mirror image) of that part of free end portion 158 of the latching element 150 that extends exteriorally of opening 142 in the condition of Figure 4, particularly having a catch surface 25 168 then arranged in the same transverse plane 170 as catch surface 162 and an angled cam surface 174 extending inwardly in the direction towards the free end of shaft part 62 and end part 64 from a location adjacent the outermost end of catch surface 168. The locking element 90 is over most of its length of circular cross-section. However, as 30 shown in Figure 8, at the end portion 178 thereof received in bore 72, the cross-section is relieved, so that at this part is of semicircular cross-section as shown in Figure 6B. In U:\NKPolblUU\MA5U4(fM56_ .DOC-I1/3/2012 - 10 particular, the portion 178 presents a transverse surface 179 which is substantially diametric and extends lengthwise of the portion 178. In the condition of Figure 4, portion 178 is positioned within bore 72 so that it is adjacent to and engaged at surface 179 with an inwardly facing projection 190 on the inner surface of the latching element 150. Projection 5 190 is located at an end of the latching element away from the axis of pivotal movement of the latching element. By this engagement, the latching element 150 is prevented from anticlockwise pivotal movement as viewed in Figure 4 past the position at which this engagement occurs. At this position, as mentioned, the free end portion 158 of the latching element extends from the surface 138 of end part 64 so to present a configuration 10 complementary to that lug 140, as illustrated in Figure 4. However, in the condition shown in Figure 6 where the element 90 is withdrawn by action of lever 106 under pressing of actuating element 122, element 90 is withdrawn in bore 72 so that end portion 178 thereof no longer adjacent the projection 190 and, as shown in Figure 6A, the element 150 can pivot anticlockwise as viewed in Figures 6 and 6A so that the projection 190 is further 15 accommodated in bore 72, and the end portion 158 of the element 150 no longer extends substantially from the opening 142. When the element 150 is so positioned, subsequent movement of the element 90 back towards the condition of Figure 2, under influence of spring 92 when thumb pressure is released from actuating element 122 causes the end of the element 90, at the free end of end portion 178 thereof, to engage a sloping surface 192 20 on projection 190 so that the element 150 is pivoted clockwise as viewed in Figures 4, 6 and 6A back to the position of Figure 4, from which position inwards pivoting of the free end of the element 150 is again prevented. In the condition of Figure 4, the transverse diametrical dimension of the end part 64 25 including the latching element 150 and lug 140 is reduced, at the lengthwise location of lug 140 and end portion 158 of latching element 150, compared to that which prevails when the latching element is in the condition of Figure 6A. In the condition of Figure 6A, this dimension is less than the internal diameter of the internal flange 38 on latching element 30 of ball 20. In the condition of Figure 4, that dimension is greater than that internal 30 diameter, but less than the internal diameter of the element 30 inwards of the flange 38.

L:\lmronDIucWmAu1tW3U4 k_ i.UUU-RlU3/20, 2 -11 The coupling device 40 is attachable to the ball 20 by grasping the device with the hand through the opening 44, depressing the part 132 to retract the element 90, so that the condition of Figure 6 is assumed, and advancing the end part 64 of the device into the opening 28 of element 30 so that the lug 140 and the end portion 158 of element 150 pass 5 the annular step 35, and then releasing the part 132 so that the spring 92 reverts the coupling device 40 to the condition of Figure 4. In this condition, withdrawal of the end part 64 from the ball is prevented by engagement of the surfaces 162 and 168 on latching element 150 and lug 140 with the inner step. This is illustrated in Figure 10. The latching arising because of the described inter-engagement with end portion 178 of element 90 and 10 lug 190 on latching element 150, which prevents inwards displacement of latching element 150. Figure 11 illustrates the movement of the device 40 to enter the end part 64 into the element 30, in the case where the latching element 150 remains in the position shown in 15 Figure 4, notwithstanding withdrawal of element 90. Here, the sloping cam surfaces 166 and 174 on the element 150 and lug 140 engage the radially inner peripheral edge of the flange 42 as entry proceeds. In the case of the element 150, the engagement causes generation of an axially inwards force that inwardly pivots the element 150 sufficiently to enable the element 150 and lug 140 to pass the flange. 20 Clockwise rotation of latching element 150, as described in Figures 4 and 6 is limited so that during insertion of device 40 into element 30, the described engagement between the flange 42 and cam surface 166 on latching element 150 occurs. If latching element 150 were permitted to swing in the clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 4 and 6, the cam 25 surface 166 might be disposed so far outwards, radially, that insertion of the device 40 is prevented by engagement of the inner side of the latching element 150 with flange 42 or even with the outer surface of the ball, or such engagement might occur if the lower end of the latching element 150 in-board of the cam surface 166 is externally exposed. The latching element 150 has a an outstanding protuberance 153 for so limiting the clockwise 30 movement of the latching element 150. Protuberance 153 is at the outer part of the end of element 150 which is uppermost as viewed in Figures 4 and 6. The clockwise pivoting of C:\NRMOlbDCCMAS\M08516_ 1. DOC-1913/2012 - 12 the latching element 150 is limited by engagement between this protuberance 153 and the adjacent transverse end surface 143 of the opening 142. At this limit position, shown in Figure 13, cam surface 166 on latching element 150 is still disposed at a position for proper camming engagement with the flange 42, i.e. cam surface 166 is still at least in 5 substance disposed within the opening 142. By this, insertion of the device 40 into the element 30 can occur while ensuring inwards displacement of the outer end of element 150 as described. It is desirable that means be provided to inhibit rotation of the element 90 relative to end 10 element 64. For example, as shown particularly in Figure 8A, the free end of portion 178 of element 90 may have a part cylindrical in any event sloping end surface 198, in such case, the movement of the element 90 may be such that, in the fully withdrawn position of Figure 2, the projection 190 on the latching element 150 is arranged to remain engaged with the extremity of free end part, at surface 198, the projection being of sufficient 15 transverse extent and configuration that rotation is inhibited by transverse engagement of the projection 190 and end surface 198. The described device permits free rotation of the ball 20 with respect of the device, about axis 155, when it is coupled to the ball, with the ball suspended therefrom, the lug 140 and 20 element 150 being able to relatively slide around the annular step 35 of flange 38. If desired, such rotation could inhabited by for example forming step 35 with notches which accommodate the lug 140 and element 150. In use of the device 40, the ball 20 may be engaged with the device 40 and with the ball 25 suspended from the device 40, the bowler may then swing the ball by grasping and swinging device 40, releasing the suspended ball at a desired point in the swing to dispatch it towards the bowling pins. It will be appreciated from the above that in the described embodiments, the handle 40 and 30 shaft part 60 constitute the described first part 27 of the device and the element 150 the described second part 29.

C:\NRLPotb\DCC\MAS\340SS06_1.DOC-1 03/2012 - 13 Balls used in ten pin bowling may be provided with an internal biasing element, providing a weight that is eccentric with respect to the centre of the ball. A skilled bowler may take advantage of this to control the path of movement of the ball when bowled, so that it 5 curves towards right or left as the ball approaches the pins, depending on how the bowler releases the ball when bowling. The ball 20 may be provided with a weight element 202 (Figs. 9, 10 & 11) for a similar purpose, disposed inwardly from ball opening 28, between the opening and the centre of the ball. As shown, this element is of circular, disc-like form, disposed with its central axis aligned with an inwards axial projection of opening 28, 10 and with the weight being relatively spaced from the centre of the ball, adjacent opening 28. It may be of different form however preferably axially symmetrical in the sense that it its outer surface is a surface of rotation about a radial axis common with the axis of opening 28, or that it is, e.g. formed from similar equi-axially disposed parts, and/or interleaved or axially displaced sets of such . 15 The device 40 may be adapted for uses other than described,. for example attaching to any article having an opening into which the device may be co-operatively entered. The device may be adapted for latching of an element like element 150 at more than one inwards radial position. For example, if the end portion 178 of element 90 is stepped to present a 20 series of surfaces at different positions from the axis of the element 30, corresponding inwards movement may be prevented to varying extents depending on the relative axial position of the element 90. Also, although the device has only one movable element 150, it may have two or more each adapted to be latched against inwards rotation by engagement with appropriately positioned surfaces on element 90. For example, if surface 25 179 on element 190 were to be somewhat outwardly disposed with respect to axis 155, lug 140 may be replaced by an element 150 adapted to be latched against inwards rotation by engagement a surface, being a surface like surface 179 but oppositely disposed. While it has been found convenient to form the element 30 with a step 35 for coupling to 30 the lug 140 and element 150, the step 35 may be replaced by other suitable formations 45 such as inwardly directed lugs or an inwards directed annular flange on the inner C:\NRPortb\DCC\MAS\34R506_lDDC-l03/2012 -14 circumference of element 30. Also, the positioning of the step 35 or equivalent away from the outer end of element 30 is helpful because it then requires that the end part 64 be well inserted into the element 30 before the lug 140 and element 150 engage it. By this, and because of the reduced diameter portion 28 of element 30 between the outer end of element 5 30 and step 35, the end part 64 is largely confined to axial movement with respect to element 30, so that proper camming engagement between step 35 and element 150 is facilitated, whereas proper engagement may require some care if the step 35 were to be positioned e.g. at the outer end of element 30. In the latter case, the user may more readily attempt insertion with substantial misalignment between the axes of element 30 and part 10 64, perhaps interfering with the desired camming action. The effectiveness of the arrangement may be enhanced if the side to side dimension of the end part 64 of device 40 is made only slightly less than the side to side dimension of portion 38 of element 30. Nonetheless, an embodiment with the step 35 being formed on an annular flange positioned close to the surface of the ball 20 has been found workable. 15 The condition of the element 150 as shown in Figure 6A is a first condition of the second part 29 at which the second part does not extend sidewardly with respect to the first part 27 to the extent that it prevents movement of the first part 27 into opening 28 past formation 45, and the condition of element 150 in Figure 4 is a second condition of second part 29 at 20 which such movement of the first part 27 out of the opening past formation 45 is prevented. Furthermore, the element 90 of device 40 constitutes a locking means 47 (Figure 4) for locking the second part, in the form of element 150, in the second condition, also operable to allow the second part to move to the first condition. Thus, element 90 is in the condition of Fig. 4 in locking condition whereas in the condition of Figs. 6 and 6A it 25 is in an unlocking condition. The described construction has been advanced merely by way of example and many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which includes every novel feature and combination of features herein 30 disclosed.

C:\NRPodb\DCC\MAS\34185116_.DOC.IAD3/2012 - 15 Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 5 The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge. 10

Claims (26)

1. Coupling device for use in coupling to an article having an opening therein, the opening presenting a transverse formation, 5 the device having a first part insertable into the opening, a second part movable with respect to the first part to a first condition at which it does not extend sidewardly with respect to the first part to the extent that it prevents movement of the first part into the opening to position the second part in the opening beyond said formation, and to a second condition at which, when the first part and the 10 second part are so positioned in the opening with the second part positioned at a location beyond said formation, the second part extends from the first part sufficiently to prevent withdrawal of the first part and the second part from the opening by engagement between the second part and said formation, and locking means operable when the second part is at said location and in said second 15 condition to lock the second part against movement away from the second location, for effecting said coupling, said coupling means being subsequently operable to unlock the second part to allow it to move to said second condition to permit withdrawal of the first and second parts from the opening, for decoupling the device from said article, 20 said locking means being operable externally of the article, when the device and article are coupled, to effect the locking and unlocking of the second part.

2. Coupling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking means is a locking element mounted with respect to the first part for sliding movement between locking and 25 unlocking positions at which the second part is respectively locked and unlocked.

3. Coupling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second part is a latching element pivotally secured to said first part for movement between said first and second conditions thereof, sidewardly with respect to the first part. 30

4. Coupling device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first part has an axially -17 extending free end part which is insertable into said opening, said latching element being mounted to said fee end part for said pivotal movement thereof about an axis transverse to and spaced from an axis of said free end part.

5 5. Coupling device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking element is slidingly movable to effect said locking by moving it to said locking position, at which a portion of the locking element blocks pivotal movement of the latching element inwards past said second condition, by engagement of an inner portion of the latching element with a surface of the latching element at the side thereof, and is slidingly movable to effect said unlocking 10 by moving it to said unlocking position at which inwards pivotal movement of the latching element is not so-blocked, and inwards pivotal movement of the latching element may occur to said first condition.

6. Coupling device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said latching element is mounted 15 for said pivotal movement in a side opening of the free end part, so as to extend from the pivot axis thereof in the direction towards a free end of free end portion, the latching element in said second condition thereof presenting an outwardly directed a catch surface engageable with a latching surface of said transverse formation, which catch surface, in the first condition of the latching element is relatively withdrawn in said side opening the 20 direction transverse to said axis of the end part.

7. Coupling device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the latching element has, away from the pivot axis thereof, an angled cam surface which in the second condition of the latching element extends outwardly from an inner location to an outer location, said inner location 25 being further from said axis of the end part than the outer location, and further from the free end of the end part than the inner location, whereby, by camming action of said cam surface against said formation during entry of the first and second parts into said opening with said latching element unlocked and in said second condition to cause the latching element to be pivoted to said second location. 30

8. Coupling device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the end part has an - 18 outstanding lug thereon circumferentially displaced with respect to said latching element and which presents a further catch surface for engagement with the latching surface of said transverse formation. 5

9. Coupling device as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 having a handle for manual grasping of the device by a user's hand, end part of said first part being formed as an end part of a shaft part of the device, said shaft part having an elongate element which extends from the handle to the end part.

10 10. Coupling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said locking element extends within said shaft part from the end part to the handle, the handle having an actuating element hand movable, when the handle is grasped by the user, to effect movement of the locking element from the locking position to said unlocking position. 15

11. Coupling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the actuating element has a portion positioned for said movement of the actuating element, said handle having a lever pivotally mounted thereto and having arm acted on by the actuating element, under movement of the actuating element from an unactuated position to an actuated position, to cause another arm of the lever to act on the locking element to slidingly move the locking element to 20 cause the latching element to be moved to said unlocking position.

12. Coupling device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said actuating element is slidably received in said handle. 25

13. Coupling device as claimed in claim 10, having resilient means biasing said latching element to said position for unlocking, said latching element being reverted to said position for locking, and causing actuating element to be reverted to said un-activated condition, on release of said hand holding of the actuating element. 30

14. In combination, a coupling device and an article, said article having an opening therein, the opening presenting a transverse formation, - 19 the device having: a first part insertable into the opening, a second part movable with respect to the first part to a first condition at which it 5 does not extend sidewardly with respect to the first part to the extent that it prevents movement of the first part into the opening to position the second part in the opening beyond said formation, and to a second condition at which, when the first part and the second part are so positioned in the opening with the second part positioned at a location beyond said formation, the second part extends from the first part sufficiently to prevent 10 withdrawal of the first part and the second part from the opening by engagement between the second part and said formation, and locking means operable when the second part is at said location and in said second condition to lock the second part against movement away from the second location, for effecting said coupling, 15 said coupling means being subsequently operable to unlock the second part to allow it to move to said second condition to permit withdrawal of the first and second parts from the opening, for decoupling the device from said article, said locking means being operable externally of the article, when the device and article are coupled, to effect the locking and unlocking of the second part. 20

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said formation is an annular inwardly directed flange in said opening in said article.

16. An article for coupling to a coupling device, the article having an opening therein, 25 the opening presenting a transverse formation, the device having: a first part insertable into the opening, a second part movable with respect to the first part to a first condition at which it does not -extend sidewardly with respect to the first part to the extent that it prevents 30 movement of the first part into the opening to position the second part in the opening beyond said formation, and to a second condition at which, when the first part and the - 20 second part are so positioned in the opening with the second part positioned at a location beyond said formation, the second part extends from the first part sufficiently to prevent withdrawal of the first part and the second part from the opening by engagement between the second part and said formation, and 5 locking means operable when the second part is at said location and in said second condition to lock the second part against movement away from the second location, for effecting said coupling, said coupling means being subsequently operable to unlock the second part to allow it to move to said second condition to permit withdrawal of the first and second parts 10 from the opening, for decoupling the device from said article, said locking means being opei-able externally of the article, when the device and article are coupled, to effect the locking and unlocking of the second part.

17. Article as claimed in claim 16, wherein said formation is an annular inwardly 15 directed flange in said opening.

18. Article as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 in the form of a ball.

19. Article as claimed in claim 18 wherein said ball is a bowling ball 20

20. Article as claimed in claim 19, wherein said ball is a ten-pin bowling ball.

21. Article as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein said ball has biasing means for biasing rolling movement of the ball. 25

22. Article as claimed in claim 21, wherein said biasing means is a weight disposed between the centre of the ball and the said opening in the ball.

23. Device for coupling to an article by entry of a part of the device into an opening in 30 the article, the part being movable, after entry into the opening, to a position preventing withdrawal of the part from the opening, and a locking element operable to lock the part in -21 said position.

24. A device for coupling to an article substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5

25. In combination, an article and device for coupling to the article, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

26. Article for coupling thereto of the device of claim 24, as herein described with 10 reference to the accompanying drawings.