U.S. patent application number 11/357688 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-23 for one-way safety locking buckles.
Invention is credited to William R. Bordt, Katsushi Kitano.
Application Number | 20070193006 11/357688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38426622 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070193006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kitano; Katsushi ; et
al. |
August 23, 2007 |
One-way safety locking buckles
Abstract
The present invention provides one-way safety locking buckles.
The one-way safety locking buckle has a buckle portion and a snap
fastener socket. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle
portion. The one-way safety locking buckle can be removably
connected to a snap fastener stud by snap-fitting the snap fastener
socket onto the snap fastener stud. The snap-fastener socket has an
unsnap lock which prevents removal of the snap-fastener socket and
the buckle from the snap-fastener stud in certain directions. The
unsnap lock allows the one-way safety locking buckle to be removed
from the snap-fastener stud in a particular direction.
Inventors: |
Kitano; Katsushi;
(Lexington, KY) ; Bordt; William R.; (Lexington,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael S. Leonard;EVEREST INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP
P.O. Box 708
Northbrook
IL
60065
US
|
Family ID: |
38426622 |
Appl. No.: |
11/357688 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/323 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 17/0011 20130101;
Y10T 24/3423 20150115; A44B 17/0017 20130101; A44B 17/0035
20130101; A44B 17/0029 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/323 |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Claims
1. A snap fastener buckle, comprising: a buckle portion having an
adjustable strap connecting portion; and a snap fastener socket
extending from the buckle portion and having an unsnap lock.
2. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the unsnap lock is
in a fixed position relative to the buckle portion such that during
use the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener
stud in substantially only one direction.
3. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the adjustable
strap connecting portion comprises first and second strap-receiving
slots.
4. The snap fastener buckle of claim 3, wherein the snap fastener
socket extends from the buckle portion between the first and second
strap-receiving slots.
5. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap fastener
socket extends from the buckle portion in a fixed position such
that the unsnap lock remains in a fixed position relative to the
buckle portion.
6. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, further comprising a first
orientation-defining engagement structure on one of the buckle
portion and the snap fastener socket, and a second
orientation-defining engagement structure on the other of the
buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, the first and second
orientation-defining engagement structures engaged with each other
such that an unsnap direction of the snap fastener socket is at a
desired orientation relative to the buckle portion.
7. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap fastener
socket comprises a ring channel; a split ring is positioned in the
ring channel and is substantially exposed toward a socket center;
and the unsnap lock comprises a lip covering a portion of the split
ring facing toward the socket center.
8. The snap fastener buckle of claim 7, wherein the lip is located
at a position relative to the buckle portion such that during use
the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud
in substantially only one direction.
9. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle portion
is at least partially made of a material selected from the group
consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations
thereof.
10. The snap fastener buckle of claim 9, wherein the snap fastener
socket is at least partially made of a material selected from the
group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and
combinations thereof.
11. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap fastener
socket and the buckle portion are integrally molded together with
plastic material.
12. The snap fastener buckle of claim 11, wherein the snap fastener
socket has a cone shape and the unsnap lock is a thickened portion
at one side of the snap fastener socket.
13. A device, comprising: an object; a snap fastener stud attached
to the object; a strap adjustably connected to a buckle; and a snap
fastener socket extending from the buckle and removably
snap-connectable to the snap fastener stud, the snap fastener
socket having an unsnap lock which when the snap fastener socket
and the snap fastener stud are snap-connected together prevents
removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in
a lock direction and permits removal of the snap fastener socket
from the snap fastener stud in an unlock direction.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the unlock direction is
substantially only one direction.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the object is a helmet.
16. The device of claim 15, wherein the strap is a chin strap.
17. The device of claim 13, wherein the object is sports
equipment.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein the buckle is at least
partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of
metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the snap fastener socket is at
least partially made of a material selected from the group
consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations
thereof.
20. A method of making a snap fastener buckle, comprising:
orientating a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable
direction relative to a desired unsnapping direction of a
strap-receiving buckle; and attaching the snap fastener socket to
the strap-receiving buckle.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising engaging a first
orientation-defining structure on one of the snap fastener socket
and the strap-receiving buckle with a second orientation-defining
structure on the other of the snap fastener socket and the
strap-receiving buckle.
22. A method of making a snap fastener buckle comprising integrally
molding a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable
direction with a strap-receiving buckle such that the
strap-receiving buckle has a one-way unsnapping direction.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally pertains to buckles. More
specifically, the present invention pertains to one-way safety
locking buckles. In embodiments, the buckles are snap fastener
buckles which have an adjustable strap connection and which unsnap
from a snap fastener stud in only one direction. The present
invention also pertains to methods of making buckles and methods of
using buckles.
[0002] Buckles having snap fasteners exist. However, such existing
buckles have allowed the buckle to be unsnapped from a snap
fastener stud in any direction. Buckles which can be unsnapped from
a snap fastener stud in any direction have been used on. football
helmets. Football helmets typically have a chin strap which is
inserted into a buckle. The buckle has a snap fastener which
snap-fits to a snap fastener stud on the football helmet.
Accordingly, the chin strap is attached to the football helmet by
the buckle and snap fastener. The chin strap is detached from the
football helmet by pulling on the chin strap in any direction and
unsnapping the snap fastener from the snap fastener stud.
[0003] However, the existing buckles have experienced problems and
can be improved. The existing buckles can be removed from the snap
fastener stud in any direction. Because the buckles can be removed
in any direction the chin strap may be unintentionally removed from
the football helmet. For example, during a football play a player
wearing the football helmet may be hit such that a force is applied
to the helmet or chin strap which unsnaps the buckle from the
football helmet. The chin strap can become partially or fully
detached from the football helmet. Also, the football helmet may
undesirably fall off of the player's head during the football play.
Undesired removal of the football helmet from the player's head can
be unsafe and can expose the player to serious injury.
[0004] Buckles having snap fasteners have also been used in various
other applications. Again, such buckles have been removable from
the snap fastener stud in any direction. Inadvertent or undesirable
detachment of the buckle from the snap fastener stud can happen for
various reasons. Accordingly, various problems can occur because of
the inadvertent or undesirable detachment of the buckle from the
snap fastener stud.
[0005] Football helmets have included metal buckles having metal
snap fasteners which can be unsnapped in any direction and metal
snap fastener studs. Such metal buckles with snap fasteners and
metal studs have multiple components which require separate
manufacture and then assembly. Thus, improvements can be made to
buckles with snap fasteners and the studs.
[0006] Accordingly, needs exist to improve buckles for the reasons
mentioned above and for other reasons.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides new buckles and methods.
Embodiments of the present invention include one-way safety locking
buckles or snap fastener buckles. In an embodiment, a one-way
safety locking buckle has a buckle portion and a snap fastener
socket. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion.
The one-way safety locking buckle can be removably connected to a
snap fastener stud by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket onto
the snap fastener stud. The snap-fastener socket has an unsnap lock
which prevents removal of the snap-fastener socket and the buckle
from the snap-fastener stud in certain directions. However, the
unsnap lock allows the one-way safety locking buckle to be removed
from the snap-fastener stud in a particular direction.
[0008] The present invention is described in an embodiment of a
football helmet. However, the present invention is broader than
football helmets and not limited to football helmets.
[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a snap fastener
buckle has a buckle portion having an adjustable strap connecting
portion, and a snap fastener socket extending from the buckle
portion. An unsnap lock is provided on the snap fastener
socket.
[0010] The unsnap lock may be in a fixed position relative to the
buckle portion such that during use the snap fastener buckle can be
unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one
direction.
[0011] The adjustable strap connecting portion may have first and
second strap-receiving slots. Also, the snap fastener socket may
extend from the buckle portion between the first and second
strap-receiving slots.
[0012] The snap fastener socket may extend from the buckle portion
in a fixed position such that the unsnap lock remains in a fixed
position relative to the buckle portion.
[0013] The adjustable strap connecting portion may have a first
orientation-defining engagement structure on one of the buckle
portion and the snap fastener socket, and a second
orientation-defining engagement structure on the other of the
buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, the first and second
orientation-defining engagement structures engaged with each other
such that an unsnap direction of the snap fastener socket is at a
desired orientation relative to the buckle portion.
[0014] In the snap fastener buckle, the snap fastener socket may
have a ring channel with a split ring positioned in the ring
channel and substantially exposed toward a socket center. The
unsnap lock may have a lip covering a portion of the split ring
facing toward the socket center. Also, the lip may be located at a
position relative to the buckle portion such that during use the
snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in
substantially only one direction.
[0015] The buckle portion may be at least partially made of a
material selected from the group consisting of metal materials,
plastic materials and combinations thereof. The snap fastener
socket may also be at least partially made of a material selected
from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and
combinations thereof.
[0016] The snap fastener socket and the buckle portion can be
integrally molded together with plastic material. The snap fastener
socket may have a cone shape and the unsnap lock can be a thickened
portion at one side of the snap fastener socket.
[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, a device has an
object, a snap fastener stud attached to the object, a strap
adjustably connected to a buckle, and a snap fastener socket
extending from the buckle and removably snap-connectable to the
snap fastener stud. The snap fastener socket has an unsnap lock
which when the snap fastener socket and the snap fastener stud are
snap-connected together prevents removal of the snap fastener
socket from the snap fastener stud in a lock direction and permits
removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in
an unlock direction.
[0018] The unlock direction may be substantially only one
direction.
[0019] The object may be a helmet. Also, the strap may be a chin
strap.
[0020] The object may be sports equipment.
[0021] The buckle of the device may be at least partially made of a
material selected from the group consisting of metal materials,
plastic materials and combinations thereof. The snap fastener
socket may also be at least partially made of a material selected
from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and
combinations thereof.
[0022] In an embodiment, a method of making a snap fastener buckle
includes orientating a snap fastener socket having a one-way
detachable direction relative to a desired unsnapping direction of
a strap-receiving buckle, and attaching the snap fastener socket to
the strap-receiving buckle.
[0023] The method may further provide engaging a first
orientation-defining structure on one of the snap fastener socket
and the strap-receiving buckle with a second orientation-defining
structure on the other of the snap fastener socket and the
strap-receiving buckle.
[0024] In an embodiment, a method of making a snap fastener buckle
includes integrally molding a snap fastener socket having a one-way
detachable direction with a strap-receiving buckle such that the
strap-receiving buckle has a one-way unsnapping direction.
[0025] Embodiments of the present invention may have various
features and provide various advantages. Any of the features and
advantages of the present invention may be desired, but, are not
necessarily required to practice the present invention.
[0026] One advantage of the present invention can be to provide new
buckles.
[0027] Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide
one-way safety locking buckles which do not unsnap from a snap
fastener stud in any direction.
[0028] Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide
snap fastener buckles that unsnap from a snap fastener stud in
substantially only one direction.
[0029] A further advantage of the present invention can be to
provide buckles which adjustably receive a strap and unsnap from a
snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.
[0030] Yet another advantage of the present invention can be to
reduce inadvertent or unintentional removal of a buckle from a snap
fastener stud.
[0031] A further advantage of the present invention can be to
increase safety and security of devices having snap fastener
buckles.
[0032] Yet another advantage of the present invention can be to
provide improved sports equipment.
[0033] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide
one-way safety locking buckles and corresponding snap fastener
studs made of plastic material.
[0034] Other advantages may include providing new methods of making
and using buckles.
[0035] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed
Description of the Invention and the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0036] FIG. 1 is a front view of a one-way safety locking buckle
according to the present invention.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the one-way safety locking buckle
of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a side view of the one-way safety locking buckle
of FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a front view of a snap fastener stud.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a side view of the snap fastener stud of FIG.
4.
[0041] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the snap fastener stud of FIG. 4
and a front view of a mounting bracket.
[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a snap fastener socket
of the one-way safety locking buckle of FIG. 1 and a snap fastener
stud in a disengaged state.
[0043] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the snap fastener socket
and the snap fastener stud of FIG. 7 in a snapped together
state.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows a football helmet having the one-way safety
locking buckle of FIG. 1 and the snap fastener stud of FIG. 4.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a buckle portion according to the present
invention.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a snap fastener socket
attached to the buckle portion of FIG. 10.
[0047] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plastic one-way safety
locking buckle according to the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a plastic snap fastener
stud according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] One example of a one-way safety locking buckle or snap
fastener buckle 10 according to the present invention is shown in
FIGS. 1-3. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 has a buckle
portion 12 and a snap fastener socket 14. The one-way safety
locking buckle 10 can be removably connected to a snap fastener
stud 16 (FIGS. 4-6) by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket 14
onto the snap fastener stud 16. A strap can be adjustably inserted
into the buckle portion 12 of the one-way safety locking buckle
10.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the buckle portion 12 has a
first bridge 18, a first strap-receiving slot 20, a central section
22, a second strap-receiving slot 24, and a second bridge 26. A
first strap position retainer 28 is provided on the first bridge 18
and faces toward the first strap-receiving slot 20. A second strap
position retainer 30 is provided on the central section 22 and
faces toward the second strap-receiving slot 24. The strap position
retainers 28, 30 may be teeth, for example. The first and second
strap position retainers 28, 30 resist or prevent movement of a
strap inserted through the first and second strap-receiving slots
20, 24.
[0051] As will be explained further below with reference to a
football helmet, a strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle
portion 12. The buckle portion 12 has an adjustable strap
connecting portion which adjustably connects a strap to the buckle
portion 12 and the one-way safety locking buckle 10. A free end of
the strap is inserted through the first strap-receiving slot 20
from the side of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 having the
snap fastener socket 14. The strap passes over the central section
22 on the side of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 opposite the
snap fastener socket 14. The strap is then inserted through the
second strap-receiving slot 24 to the side of the one-way safety
locking buckle 10 having the snap fastener socket 14. The position
of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the strap can be changed
or adjusted. More or less length of the strap is inserted through
the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24 to locate the
one-way safety locking buckle 10 at a particular position along the
strap. In other words, the one-way safety locking buckle 10 can
slide along the strap to place the buckle 10 at a particular
position along the strap. The first and second strap position
retainers 28, 30 resist or prevent the one-way safety locking
buckle 10 from inadvertently changing position along the strap.
Either end of the strap can be free, i.e. loose, or temporarily or
permanently connected to an object.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, the snap fastener socket 14
has at one end a ring channel 32 which is open toward a socket
center 34. A neck 36 extends from the ring channel 32 to an inward
extending flange 38. The flange 38 has a hole 40 for mounting or
attaching the snap fastener socket 14 to the buckle portion 12, for
example, at the central section 22 between the first and second
strap-receiving slots 20, 24. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a post 42
extends from the side of the buckle portion 12 opposite the snap
fastener socket 14 through a hole in the buckle portion 12 and
through the hole 40 in the flange 38 of the snap fastener socket
14. The post 42 attaches the snap fastener socket 14 and the buckle
portion 12 together. Any suitable attachment structure can be used
for attaching the snap fastener socket 14 and the buckle portion 12
together.
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the snap fastener socket 14 has
a split ring 44 positioned in the ring channel 32 and substantially
exposed toward the socket center 34. The split ring 44 is a ring
which is split at one location on the ring 44. The split allows the
split ring 44 to resiliently flex open to a wider inside diameter
and then to return to an unflexed inside diameter. Referring to
FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 7, the unflexed inside diameter of the split ring
44 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of an enlarged
diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16. Referring to FIGS. 7
and 8, as the snap fastener socket 14 is pressed onto the snap
fastener stud 16, the split ring 44 flexes open and slips over the
enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16. As the snap
fastener stud 16 is further inserted into the snap fastener socket
14, the split ring 44 resiliently returns to its unflexed state
when the split ring 44 is aligned with a reduced diameter neck 48
of the snap fastener stud 16 as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the
snap fastener socket 14, and thus the one-way safety locking buckle
10, is snap-fitted onto the snap fastener stud 16. Removal of the
snap fastener socket 14 and the one-way safety locking buckle 10
from the snap fastener stud 16 is the reverse of the snap attaching
except for a unsnap locking feature.
[0054] The snap fastener socket 14 has a structure which prevents
the snap fastener socket 14 from being removed from the snap
fastener stud 16 in a certain direction or directions, a lock
direction. Referring to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the snap fastener socket
14 has an unsnap lock 50. The unsnap lock 50 is a lip 52 extending
from an edge of the ring channel 32 toward the flange 38 of the
snap fastener socket 14. The lip 52 covers a portion of the split
ring 44 facing toward the socket center 34. Referring to FIG. 8,
the lip 52 engages the snap fastener stud 16 in a narrowed diameter
area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48. The lip 52 is sufficiently
non-flexible such that the lip 52 does not significantly flex or
bend, and thus, does not easily deform or slip by the enlarged
diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16.
[0055] Operation of the unsnap lock 50 of the one-way safety
locking buckle 10 will now be further described. FIG. 8 shows the
snap fastener socket 14 snap-fitted to the snap fastener stud 16.
The unsnap lock 50 or the lip 52 is locked to the snap fastener
stud 16 by being positioned in the narrowed diameter area 54 of the
reduced diameter neck 48. The snap fastener socket 14 and the snap
fastener stud 16 can be unsnapped or separated by first starting
the separation at a location opposite the lip 52. This is the
unlocked direction. The portion of the split ring 44 opposite the
lip 52 will slip over the enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap
fastener stud 16 as the split ring 44 resiliently flexes to a
larger diameter. The lip 52 still remains in the narrowed diameter
area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48 because the lip 52 does not
flex sufficiently to slip over the enlarged diameter head 46. As
the portion of the snap fastener socket 14 opposite the lip 52
slips over the enlarged diameter head 46 and separates from the
snap fastener stud 16, then the snap fastener socket 14 can be
further separated from the snap fastener stud 16 and the lip 52 is
pulled out of the narrowed diameter area 54 of the reduced diameter
neck 48.
[0056] With the snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud
16 snap-fitted together as shown in FIG. 8, the lip 52 prevents the
snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud 16 from being
unsnapped or separated in all directions except the unlocked
direction described in the previous paragraph in which the
unsnapping begins opposite the lip 52. If an unsnapping is
attempted, intentionally or inadvertently, in any direction other
than the unlocked direction, the lip 52 engages the enlarged
diameter head 46 and prevents the snap fastener socket 14 from
being removed from the snap fastener stud 16.
[0057] Various features of the lip 52 can be designed to enhance or
decrease the locking effect as desired. For example, the size of
the lip 52 can be increased or decreased to cover a greater or
lesser portion of the split ring 44. A larger lip 52 would tend to
increase the locking effect and a smaller lip 52 would tend to
reduce the locking effect. A relatively reduced locking effect may
allow for unsnapping of the snap fastener socket 14 and the snap
fastener stud 16 in a larger range of directions, while a
relatively increased locking effect may narrow the range of
direction that can unsnap the device. The flexibility of the lip 52
can be adjusted to enhance or reduce the locking effect. Further,
more than one lip 52 can be provided to increase the locking
effect.
[0058] The position or location of the unsnap lock 50, e.g. the lip
52, relative to the buckle portion 12 can be important. The one-way
safety locking buckle 10 will unsnap from the snap fastener stud 16
in the unlocked direction as described above. Accordingly, the snap
fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12 by
orientating the snap fastener socket 14 having a one-way detachable
direction (i.e., the unlocked direction) to a desired unsnapping
direction of the one-way safety locking buckle 10. Then, the snap
fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12. The snap
fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12 at a fixed
position so that the unsnapping direction remains fixed. One
structure to locate the snap fastener socket 14 in a desired
position relative to the snap fastener stud 16 is tab 56 (FIGS. 7
and 8) extending from the snap fastener socket 14 which fits into a
corresponding slot in the buckle portion 12. The tab 56 can be a
cut-out portion of the flange 38, for example. FIGS. 1, 7 and 8
show a cut-out hole 58 in the flange 38 where the tab 56 was
cut-out from the flange 38. The location of the tab 56 on the snap
fastener socket 14 and the location of the slot in the buckle
portion 12 are defined so that when the tab 56 is inserted into the
slot and the snap fastener socket 14 is fixedly attached to the
buckle portion 12, the lip 52 is orientated in the desired position
to provide the one-way safety locking buckle 10 with a desired
unsnapping or detaching direction.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, another structure for
attaching a one-way snap fastener socket 14' to a buckle portion
12' is shown. The buckle portion 12' is the same as the buckle
portion 12 described above, except the buckle portion 12' has a
swaged portion 59. Prior to swedging, the swaged portion 59 is
straight and extends upward through the hole 40' in a flat flange
38' of the snap fastener socket 12'. Then, the straight swaged
portion 59 is swaged (deformed) against the flange 38' to securely
attach the snap fastener socket 14' and the buckle portion 12'
together. The swaged portion 59 replaces the post 42 of FIGS. 1 and
2.
[0060] A desired orientation of the one-way unsnap direction of the
snap fastener socket 14' relative to the buckle portion 12' is
achieved by a first orientation-defining engagement structure on
one of the snap fastener socket 14' and the buckle portion 12', and
a second orientation-defining engagement structure on the other one
of the snap fastener socket 14' and the buckle portion 12'. The
first and second orientation-defining engagement structures are
engaged with each other such that the orientation of direction of
the one-way unsnap of the snap fastener socket 14' is set as
desired relative to the buckle portion 12'. In the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first and second orientation-defining
engagement structures are the tab 56' of the snap fastener socket
14' extending into the slot 61. The tab 56' and slot 61 engagement
sets the orientation of the unsnap direction relative to the buckle
portion 12' and prevents the orientation from changing, i.e.,
prevents the positions of the snap fastener socket 14' and the
buckle portion 12' relative to each other from changing. The
location of the slot 61 on the buckle portion 12' can be selected
to provide a desired orientation of the snap fastener socket 14'
and its unsnap direction relative to the buckle portion 12'.
Similarly, the location of the tab 56' on the snap fastener socket
14' can be selected to provide a desired orientation of the snap
fastener socket 14' and its unsnap direction relative to the buckle
portion 12'. Of course, other first and second orientation-defining
engagement structures may be used with the present invention.
[0061] The buckle portion 12' is shown as having two slots 61.
Because the buckle portion 12' is symmetrical, the snap fastener
socket 14' can be attached to the buckle portion 12' using either
slot 61. Also, multiple tabs 56' could be provided on the snap
fastener socket 14' to engage multiple slots 61. Furthermore, the
buckle portion 12' could have multiple slots 61 at different
angular positions around the central swaged portion 59 to allow for
a selection of one of multiple possible different orientations
during assembly.
[0062] The present invention is described as being a one-way
buckle, having a one-way detachable direction, unsnapped in only
one direction, etc. This single direction of the present invention
can include some minor variation of direction or range of
directions. Accordingly, the single direction of present invention
can include a substantially single direction or generally in one
direction. Also, the unsnap lock 50 of the present invention does
not necessarily prevent unsnapping by any force regardless of
magnitude. For example, in an embodiment, the unsnap lock 50
prevents unsnapping in the directions other than the unlock
direction for forces up to at least about 50 lbs.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 9, an embodiment of the one-way safety
locking buckle 10 applied to sports equipment, particularly a
football helmet 60 will be described. The football helmet has a
chin strap 62 having a chin holding pocket 64, a long strap
extension 66 and a short strap extension 68. The opposite side of
the football helmet 60 and the chin strap 62 is a mirror image of
FIG. 9. A one-way safety locking buckle 10 is provided on the short
strap extension 68 by inserting the short strap extension 68
through the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24. The
position of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the short strap
extension 68 is adjusted as desired. When the short strap extension
68 is pulled tight through the buckle portion 12 so there is no
slack, the first and second strap-position retainers 28, 30 hold
the buckle 10 in the set position on the short strap extension 68.
Another one-way safety locking buckle 10 is similarly provided on
the long strap extension 66 and the strap extensions on the
opposite side of the football helmet 60.
[0064] The football helmet 60 has a hard, protective helmet shell
70. A snap fastener stud 16 is provided at a particular location
for each of the one-way safety locking buckles 10 to attach the
chin strap 64 to the helmet shell 70. The one-way safety locking
buckle 10 on the long strap extension 66 is shown unsnapped from
its snap fastener stud 16 and flipped over to show the snap
fastener socket 14. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the
short strap extension 68 is shown snap-fitted to its snap fastener
stud 16. Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the snap fastener stud 16
is attached to the helmet shell 70 by positioning a threaded
mounting bracket 72 inside of the helmet shell 70 at a mounting
hole through the helmet shell 70. The snap fastener stud 16 is
positioned on the outside of the helmet shell 70 at the mounting
hole such that the threads of a threaded fastener 74 engage the
threads of the mounting bracket 72. The snap fastener stud 16 is
then tightened to the mounting bracket 72 to securely attach the
snap fastener stud 16 to the helmet shell 70.
[0065] The long strap extension 66 of the chin strap 62 can be
removed (unsnapped) from its snap fastener stud 16 by pulling on
the free end of the long strap extension 66 towards the chin
holding pocket 64 at the front of the football helmet 60. The short
strap extension 68 can be similarly removed (unsnapped) by also
pulling on the free end of the short strap extension 68 towards the
chin holding pocket 64 at the front of the football helmet 60. If a
force is applied to the long or short strap extensions 66, 68 in
any other direction, for example forces applied during a football
play, the one-way safety locking buckles 10, 10 do not unsnap from
their respective snap fastener studs 16, 16 because of the unsnap
locks 50, 50. The unlock direction of the one-way safety locking
buckles 10 can be set to any desired direction by selecting the
orientation of the snap fastener socket 14, particularly the lip
52, relative to the buckle portion 12 as discussed above.
[0066] Any portion or portions of the one-way safety locking buckle
10 or the entire one-way safety locking buckle 10 can be made out
of any suitable material or combination of materials. For example,
the one-way safety locking buckle 10, the buckle portion 12, or the
snap fastener socket 14 can be at least partially made of metal
materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof. Similarly,
any portion or portions or all of the snap fastener stud 16 can
also be made out of any suitable materials.
[0067] FIG. 12 shows another one-way safety locking buckle 110
embodiment. The one-way safety locking buckle 110 is made of
plastic material, for example by injection molding. The one-way
safety locking buckle 110 has some similar features as the one-way
safety locking buckle 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0068] The one-way safety locking buckle 110 has a buckle portion
112 and a snap fastener socket 114. The one-way safety locking
buckle 110 can be removably connected to a plastic snap fastener
stud 116 shown in FIG. 13 by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket
114 onto the snap fastener stud 116. A strap can be adjustably
inserted into the buckle portion 112 of the one-way safety locking
buckle 110.
[0069] The buckle portion 112 has a first bridge 118, a first
strap-receiving slot 120, a central section 122, a second
strap-receiving slot 124, and a second bridge 126. A first strap
position retainer 128 is provided on the first bridge 118 and faces
toward the first strap-receiving slot 120. A second strap position
retainer 130 is provided on the central section 122 and faces
toward the second strap-receiving slot 124. The strap position
retainers 128, 130 may be teeth, for example. Height-extending
sides 131, 131 are provided on the sides of the one-way safety
locking buckle 110.
[0070] The snap fastener socket 114 has a structure which prevents
the snap fastener socket 114 from being removed from the snap
fastener stud 116 in a certain direction or directions, a lock
direction. The snap fastener socket 114 has an unsnap lock 150
which is a thickened portion 152 at one side of the cone-shaped
socket 114. The thickened portion 152 engages the snap fastener
stud 116 in a narrowed diameter area 154 of a reduced diameter neck
148. The thickened portion 152 is sufficiently non-flexible such
that the thickened portion 152 does not significantly flex or bend,
and thus, does not easily deform or slip by the enlarged diameter
head 146 of the snap fastener stud 116.
[0071] The plastic one-way safety locking buckle 110 operates and
functions similar to the one-way safety locking buckle 10 described
previously.
[0072] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *