COUPLING DEVICE

A coupling mechanism (10) for securing a first object (16) to a second object (24) comprises a well (14) formed in or securable to the first object and a lug (22) formed on or securable to the second object. A shuttle (34) is movable within the lug (22). A first resilient biasing means (48) is arranged to bias the shuttle (34) away from a base of the well (14) when the lug (22) is inserted in the well. A plurality of locking elements (36) are each movable radially in the lug (22), between a retracted position allowing free insertion and withdrawal of the lug (22) into and from the well (14), and an extended position in which the locking element (36) projects into a recess (38) formed in a side wall of the well so as to lock the lug in the well. Each locking element (36) is movable from the retracted position and retained in the extended position by a first surface profile of the shuttle (34). The coupling mechanism (10) comprises a movable stop (30, 32, 42, 44) having: a first position in which the biased movement of the shuttle (34) is limited so that the locking elements (36) interact with the first surface profile of the shuttle (34), and a second position in which the biased movement of the shuttle (34) is extended so as to cause the locking elements (36) to interact with a second surface profile of the shuttle (34) which moves the locking elements (36) from their extended position to their retracted position, thereby allowing withdrawal of the lug (22) from the well and disconnection of the first and second objects (16, 24).