QUICK-ACTION FASTENER FOR REMOVABLE ATTACHMENT OF PNEUMATIC DAMPERS, DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLDS, COVER PLATES, BOTTOM PLATES AND OTHER COMPONENTS OF PRESSURE BOXES OF PAPERMAKING MACHINES

Quick connect apparatus for headbox components in a paper making machine, e.g., apparatus to quickly connect and disconnect the equalizing chamber portion of the air cushion damper from associated distribution header and turbulence sections of the machine, include an elongate locking rod extending over a substantial portion of the end region of the components to be attached, the locking rod being mounted for longitudinal movement. The locking rod is provided with spaced locking portions adapted to lockingly engage correspondingly spaced portions of adjacent components to which said component is to be attached. The components are quickly connected in one embodiment by the longitudinal movement of the elongate locking rod or, in another embodiment, by the rotational movement thereof, whereby the locking portions on the rod are moved into and out of locking engagement with the corresponding spaced locking portions of the other component.