NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a joint that employs a unique spring-loaded mechanism that automatically secures a ball hitch upon insertion into a coupler. This eliminates the need for the locking lever found in most conventional ball joints. Connections made using MSFC's quick-connect joint are easier, safer, and more reliable than those made using conventional ball joints

Nabors, Sammy A.

NASA Technical Reports Server

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
www.nasa.gov
Mechanical and Fluid Systems
BENEFITS
 Ü Easy locking—With one 
easy step, the quick-
connect joint is fully secure. 
No more hassles with 
locking levers and safety 
fasteners.
 Ü Safe locking—Eliminating 
the locking lever reduces 
the safety risk caused by 
human error and safety 
fastener malfunctions.
 Ü Easy release—The 
joint can be released by 
pressing a lever or button, 
even while under load.
 Ü Full range of motion—The 
joint allows three degrees 
of freedom (i.e., allows tip, 
tilt, and rotation).
A Better Quick-Connect 
Passive Capture Joint
NASA offers companies a passive ball joint  
design that enables reli-able and convenient  
one-step locking.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center has developed a 
joint that employs a unique spring-loaded mechanism that 
automatically secures a ball hitch upon insertion into a 
coupler. This eliminates the need for the locking lever found 
in most conventional ball joints. Connections made using 
MSFC’s quick-connect joint are easier, safer, and more 
reliable than those made using conventional ball joints.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150006872 2019-08-31T10:55:52+00:00Z
NASA’s Technology Transfer Program 
pursues the widest possible applications 
of agency technology to benefit US 
citizens. Through partnerships and 
licensing agreements with industry, 
the program ensures that NASA’s 
investments in pioneering research find 
secondary uses that benefit the economy, 
create jobs, and improve quality of life.
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 In
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NASA Technology Transfer Program
Bringing NASA Technology Down to Earth
PUBLICATIONS 
U.S. Patent No. 6,540,426
THE TECHNOLOGY
Researchers at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center developed this invention to 
facilitate the connection of  equipment in space. Researchers were unable to find a 
commercially available joint that would provide automatic locking while also allowing 
motion with three degrees of  freedom. The quick-connect joint was developed in 
response to this need.
Simple in construction, MSFC’s quick-connect joint consists of  the standard ball hitch 
and coupler components found in conventional ball joints. The novelty in the design 
lies in the coupler. Conventional couplers employ a yoke that locks the ball hitch in 
place once the locking lever is latched. The quick-connect joint replaces the yoke and 
lever with a spring loaded locking ball. When the ball hitch is inserted into the coupler, 
the ball hitch depresses the locking ball into a recess that allows the ball hitch to slip 
into the coupler housing. Once the ball hitch is fully seated, the spring within the 
recess pushes the locking ball firmly onto the neck of  the ball hitch. With the proper 
coupler housing design, the ball hitch is completely immobilized by the locking ball; 
therefore, the design does not require the use of  a locking lever. Furthermore, the ball 
hitch is free to rotate within the coupler housing while still fixed securely within the 
coupler. Pressing a separate lever or button pushes the locking ball back into the recess, 
allowing the ball hitch to be released. NASA has developed prototypes of  the quick-
connect joint. 
Modified designs are currently being developed for a space satellite automated 
docking mechanism. The docking mechanism combines a directional guide and two 
actuators with the basic ball joint technology to provide a practical system for docking. 
Automated release of  the capture ball is also facilitated.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Sammy A. Nabors
Marshall Space Flight Center
Huntsville, AL 35812 
256.544.5226 
sammy.nabors@nasa.gov
http://technology.nasa.gov/ 
www.nasa.gov
FS-2002-03-49-MSFC
MFS-31616-1
APPLICATIONS 
Manufacturers of conventional ball joints 
could license and incorporate MSFC’s 
design into existing products as well as 
new products. The simplicity of the design 
enables most any company to license 
and develop a business based upon this 
quick-connect joint. This technology could 
be used in a wide array of applications 
and markets:
 Ü Trailer hitches (fifth wheel and 
standard)
 Ü Robotics
 Ü Power trains
 Ü Agricultural implements
 Ü Fluid transfer systems
 Ü Aerospace docking


A Better Quick-Connect Passive Capture Joint

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