The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 13, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 20, 2000
Michael R. Williams, Houston, TX (US);
Frank M. Pattee, Kenner, LA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A breakaway joint for releasably connecting a first component to a second component, comprises a first member to which the first component is attached; a second member to which the second component is attached; a plurality of columnar members each having first and second ends, the first ends being coupled to the first member; and a mechanism engaged by both the second member and the second ends of the columnar members for latching the first member to the second member and for converting a tensile load acting between the first and second members into a compressive load acting on the columnar members; wherein when the tensile load reaches a predetermined level, the columnar members will buckle and the latching means will release the first member from the second member.