U.S. patent application number 11/031679 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for break-free safety release buckle and fastener.
Invention is credited to Carroll L. Johnson.
Application Number | 20070199182 11/031679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38442665 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199182 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Carroll L. |
August 30, 2007 |
Break-free safety release buckle and fastener
Abstract
A quick-release fastening device is disclosed. The device
includes a first fastening component having upper and lower
surfaces and first and second end portions. A pair of first and
second elongated jaw elements are disposed on the first component
first end portion and form a channel-like socket therebetween. The
jaws define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening
accessing the socket. The first jaw element has a length dimension
less than the second jaw element. A tubular pocket is defined in
the first member first end portion adjacent the channel-like socket
to form a pivot point for the jaw elements. A second fastening
component has first and second end portions, the second fastening
component first end portion being adapted for releasable engagement
with the first fastening component first end portion. Finally, a
stud is mounted in the second fastening component first end
portion. The stud is sized for releasable engagement within the
channel-like socket and further includes an elongated cut-out
portion which forms a slot along a substantial portion of the
length of the stud, the slot being sized to match the first jaw
element to enhance engagement of the stud within the socket without
affecting release resistance of said stud imposed by said jaw
elements.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Carroll L.; (Grand
Junction, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carroll L. Johnson
2658 Paradise Way
Grand Junction
CO
81506
US
|
Family ID: |
38442665 |
Appl. No.: |
11/031679 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60535026 |
Jan 8, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/265BC |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 11/2542 20130101;
Y10T 24/4736 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/265.0BC |
International
Class: |
A44B 11/00 20060101
A44B011/00 |
Claims
1. A quick-release fastening device comprising: a first fastening
component having upper and lower surfaces and first and second end
portions; a pair of first and second elongated jaw elements
disposed on said first component first end portion and forming a
channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism
having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said first
jaw element having a length dimension less than said second jaw
element; a tubular pocket defined in said first member first end
portion adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for
said jaw elements; a second fastening component having first and
second end portions, said second fastening component first end
portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said first
fastening component first end portion; and a stud mounted in said
second fastening component first end portion, said stud being sized
for releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and
further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove
along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove
being sized to match said first jaw element to enhance engagement
of said stud within said socket without affecting release
resistance of said stud imposed by said jaw elements.
2. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the length dimension of said first jaw element is defined
by a pair of notched end portions.
3. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said stud includes a pair of cylindrical end portions
disposed at the ends of said groove, said cylindrical end portions
being sized and shaped to match the notched end portions of said
first jaw element to enhance entry of said stud into said
socket.
4. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the release resistance of said stud from the elongated jaw
opening of said gripping mechanism is defined by the elasticity of
said jaw elements and the spacing between said channel-like socket
and said tubular pocket pivot point adjacent thereto.
5. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 4,
wherein said device further comprises a variable release resistance
mechanism.
6. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 5,
wherein said variable release resistance mechanism comprises a slot
defined in the spacing between said channel-like socket and said
tubular pocket pivot point to interconnect the same, said slot
extending the entire width of said first fastening component.
7. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 6,
wherein a connection bridge is disposed in a central portion of
said slot to increase the release resistance of said stud.
8. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 5,
wherein a vertical aperture is disposed through said first
fastening component at the center of said spacing and is adapted to
receive a rivet member to increase the release resistance of said
stud.
9. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 8,
wherein said rivet member includes a central portion having a
reduced diameter to vary the release resistance of said stud.
10. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said first fastening component comprises a release member
in the form of a buckle adapted to adjustably attach to a
connecting strap, and wherein said second fastening component
comprises a fastening link adapted to attach to a second
article.
11. A safety release system for fasteners to provide a break-away
release fastener and buckle mechanism adapted for attachment to
webbing and other devices used to secure equipment on or about a
wearer and to other equipment and devices, such that the separating
member of the system may be constructed as a reusable assembly or
component of an assembly or as a tamper-proof replaceable
sacrificial safety break fastener to provide automatic release
under varied pre-determined amounts of tension on the buckle
assembly, said system comprising: a release member having upper and
lower surfaces and first and second end portions; a pair of upper
and lower elongated jaw elements disposed on said release member
first end portion and forming a channel-like socket therebetween to
define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening
accessing said socket, said upper jaw element having a length
dimension less than said lower jaw element; a lateral opening
defined in said release member first end portion adjacent said
channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said jaw elements; an
open slot defined in the space between said lateral opening and
said channel-like socket; a buckle assembly attached to said
release member second end portion; a fastening link having first
and second end portions, said fastening link first end portion
being adapted for releasable engagement with said release member
first end portion; a transversely oriented stud mounted in said
fastening link first end portion, said stud being sized for
releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and further
including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove along a
substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove being
sized to match said upper jaw element to enhance engagement of said
stud within said socket.
12. The safety release system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
length dimension of said upper jaw element is defined by a pair of
notched end portions, and said stud includes a pair of cylindrical
end portions disposed at the ends of said groove, said cylindrical
end portions being sized and shaped to match the notched end
portions of said upper jaw element to enhance angled entry of said
stud into said socket yet not effect break-away release resistance
of said stud from said gripping mechanism socket.
13. The safety release system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the
break-away release resistance of said stud through the elongated
jaw opening of said gripping mechanism is defined by the elasticity
of said jaw elements and the slot between said channel-like socket
and said lateral opening pivot point adjacent thereto.
14. The safety release system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said
device further comprises a variable break-away release resistance
mechanism.
15. The safety release system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
slot extends the entire width of said release member.
16. The safety release system as claimed in claim 14, wherein a
bridge is disposed in a central portion of said slot to increase
the break-away release resistance of said stud by limiting movement
of said jaw elements relative to each other until breakage of said
bridge.
17. The safety release system as claimed in claim 14, wherein a
vertical aperture is disposed through said release member at the
center of said slot and is adapted to receive a rivet member to
increase the break-away release resistance of said stud by limiting
movement of said jaw elements relative to each other until breakage
of said rivet member.
18. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 17,
wherein said rivet member includes a central portion having a
reduced diameter to vary the break-away release resistance of said
stud by varying the breakage strength of said rivet member.
19. The safety release system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said
release member is in the form of a buckle mechanism adapted for
attachment to webbing and other devices used to secure equipment on
or about a wearer and to other equipment and devices, and wherein
said fastening link is the separating member and is adapted to
attach to a second article including webbing and other devices.
20. A quick-release buckle and fastener device having a break-away
safety release mechanism, said device comprising: a buckle member
having upper and lower surfaces, a buckle end portion and
quick-release end portion; a pair of upper and lower elongated jaw
elements disposed on said quick-release end portion and forming a
channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism
having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said upper
jaw element having a length dimension less than said lower jaw
element; a tubular pocket defined in said quick-release end portion
adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said
jaw elements; an open slot defined in the space between said
tubular pocket and said channel-like socket; a variable break-away
release resistance mechanism disposed in a central portion of said
open slot to increase the break-away release resistance of said
device by limiting movement of said jaw elements relative to each
other; a fastening link having a release attachment end portion and
a connector end portion, said fastening link release attachment end
portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said buckle
member quick-release end portion; and a transversely oriented stud
mounted in said fastening link release attachment end portion, said
stud being sized for releasable engagement within said channel-like
socket and further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a
groove along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said
groove being sized to match said upper jaw element to enhance
engagement of said stud within said socket without affecting
break-away release resistance imposed by said jaw elements.
21. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said variable break-away release resistance mechanism
comprises a bridge disposed in a central portion of said slot to
increase the break-away release resistance of said stud by limiting
movement of said jaw elements relative to each other until breakage
of said bridge.
22. The quick-release fastening device as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said variable break-away release resistance mechanism
comprises a vertical aperture disposed through said buckle member
at the center of said slot, and a removable rivet member disposed
in said vertical aperture to increase the break-away release
resistance of said stud by limiting movement of said jaw elements
relative to each other until breakage of said rivet member, said
rivet member including a central portion having a selectively
variable reduced diameter to vary the break-away release resistance
of said stud by varying the breakage strength of said rivet member.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. provisional patent
application No. 60/535,026, filed Jan. 8, 2004.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to safety release
mechanisms, quick release mechanisms, and fasteners which are
designed to free a wearer (including humans and other animals) from
equipment, harnesses, and bindings of such equipment which secure
it on or about the wearer. These devices are also appropriate for
use on luggage and other items which could become entangled with
other equipment such as in automated handling systems, conveyers,
etc. In many situations items attached to or around the wearer can
become caught or entangled, thereby trapping and subjecting the
wearer or equipment to potential injury including possible fatal
injury or equipment damage which could occur if the worn device
and/or harness remained firmly connected. Specifically, this
invention is related to fasteners, buckles, and tension releasing
devices which are designed to automatically release or separate
when a designed tension or pull against the device is exceeded.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0003] Potential dangers of entrapment, strangulation, drowning,
broken bones and other disastrous injury from entangled equipment
worn on or about persons and animals have been long known and
recognized as is evidenced by the number of releasing collars,
bindings, harnesses and various fittings for such harnesses, which
are designed as quick release fasteners, or as automatically
separating connectors of such equipment. Typical of these devices
are separating lanyards used for identification cards and badges
worn about the neck, and various animal and pet collars. Most such
devices are constructed with a low tension release, which makes
them unsuited for use in other applications which require them to
hold under a greater release tension. Further, many are a separate
member sewn or otherwise integrated into the harness or securement
of the device in addition to still other fasteners which are used
to connect and disconnect the device from the wearer.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0004] It is one object of the present invention to provide a
safety release mechanism which is adaptable to the design of many
known buckles and fasteners, such that the release member is a
combined part of the fastener, providing an inexpensive compact
safety release fastener which can also be selectively attached,
removed, or adjusted for length and fit by conventional means.
[0005] It is an additional object to provide a safety release
fastener which can easily be adapted in a tamper-proof design, such
that a universal separating member can be adapted by the
manufacturer to provide various pre-determined fixed release
tensions in the same device, thereby reducing manufacturing costs
and providing greater flexibility of application by eliminating the
need for separate additional tooling to duplicate the basic member
for each of various release tensions.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
safety release connection which allows the fitting to swivel on its
attachment to the fastener to better conform to contours such as
the generally rounded contours normally surrounded by belts,
shoulder straps and neck collars.
[0007] Still further, it is an objective to provide a releasable
buckle connection of fewer parts at lower overall cost by providing
greater efficiency in manufacturing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and form
a part of the specification illustrate preferred and alternate
embodiments of the present invention and, together with a
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0009] In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a safety release ladderlock fastener
which is used on some downhill ski pole straps. This snap together
design is typical of known prior art fasteners.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing showing the release member
and strap link of the present invention as it would be adapted to a
present one piece (length adjustable) webbing fastener commonly
known as a ladderlock fastener.
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a safety release ladderlock buckle member
assembled to a sewable connecting link as one example of alternate
fastening members which could be used with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing showing the release member
of the present invention as it would be adapted to a two piece
separable fastener commonly known as a side release buckle.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of a ladderlock release
member showing an alternate embodiment in which a break-away rivet
is used to modify the release portion of a standard break free
buckle member for a greater tension to be necessary to separate the
members.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross section drawing of the alternate
embodiment of FIG. 5, showing details of the aperture and barbed
rivet used in the release member of the modified fastener.
[0016] FIG. 7 shows the strap link and ladderlock release member as
separate components, oriented as they would be positioned for
assembly.
[0017] FIG. 8 shows the rotational movement of the link member to
connect the link to the release member. FIG. 8 illustrates various
positions of the members in connecting the stud into the grip jaws
of the release member, shown as a connected assembly in FIG. 9.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross-section through the strap link and a side
view of the release member of the preferred tamper proof ladderlock
embodiment showing additional details of the bridged rib between
the hinge and grip apertures of the release member, and a cut-out
portion which allows the stud to be assembled into the rigid jaws
of the bridged release member.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a partially broken away drawing which illustrates
a preferred tamper proof embodiment of the release member in which
an interior portion of the open distance between the hinge aperture
and grip aperture is bridged, forming an integral rib or webbed
portion of the buckle which is sized to break when a predetermined
pull tension is exceeded allowing the two buckle portions to
separate.
[0020] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective detail drawing showing
the configuration of one of the cylindrical structures formed on
the terminal ends of the stud. These structures prevent the stud
from exiting the jaws of the release member when the buckle members
are rotated 180.degree. from their assembly position. Also shown is
a cut-out notch on the side of one of the jaws which allow the
cylindrical structures to pass into the grip aperture when the
buckle members are assembled as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0021] FIG. 12 shows a ladderlock assembly in which the primary
buckle member has been raised to slack off the length/tension
adjustment of the webbing straps. The drawing illustrates how the
short cylindrical structures on the ends of the stud prevent its
exiting from the grip jaws when the members are rotated 180.degree.
from their assembled position.
[0022] FIG. 13 is a simplified drawing of the manner in which cores
are positioned in a hand cast mold to form the bridge between the
apertures in the release member. Cores of production molds would be
similarly positioned to form the bridge or rib between the
apertures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention will generally be constructed of
semi-rigid material similar to that used in the manufacture of
plastic fasteners and buckles which are generally formed by
injection molding, although other suitable material and methods of
forming may be used.
[0024] In the following description major parts of the assembly
will be referred to as a release member 1 and a fastening link 6.
While the jaws 4, stud 5, and related structures can be
incorporated on either buckle portion, in the preferred and
illustrated embodiment the jaws 4 will be incorporated as part of
the primary buckle member to which the break free invention is
adapted. In this manner, when the rivet 10, bridge 13, or other
such limiting device is broken or the jaws 4 eventually fail, the
broken or failed members can be easily replaced as part of a
replacement release member. If the jaws were reversed, as being
part of the fastening link, it would be necessary to remove
stitching or other fastenings which were originally used to attach
the broken member, and to re-sew or otherwise re-attach a
replacement onto the article to which the break free buckle was
attached.
[0025] In preferred form the notched jaw 4 is the upper jaw when
adapted to a ladderlock buckle to prevent the stud from exiting the
jaws 4 when the buckle member is raised to slack off tension on the
strap, as illustrated in FIG. 12. Conversely, it may be preferred
for the notched jaw 4 to be incorporated as the lower jaw of side
release buckles for a better visual appearance when the buckle is
viewed in its normal position, and to prevent the stud from exiting
the jaws if the buckle members are rotated to an extreme contour
beyond that around which the assembly would be normally fastened.
It should be understood, however, that the notched jaw 4 may be in
either upper or lower position.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, perspective views are shown
of a known one piece ladderlock buckle adapted with jaws 4 and
other break free structures of this invention as the primary
release member 1 and a fastening link 6. In FIG. 4 a known side
release buckle is illustrated as being adapted with the jaws 4 and
other structures of this invention as the primary release member 1.
Although only two types of buckles are shown as examples in this
specification other buckles and fasteners can be adapted in a
similar manner to function as safety release devices. The fastening
link 6 has one or more apertures 2 which define transverse bar
structures through which a webbing or strap passes, the strap being
further connected to itself after passing through and around the
bar(s) by sewing or other known means to secure the link member 6
to the webbing. Alternately, for specific uses a length of webbing
could be integrally molded, welded or made secure to the link 6 by
any other known means. In alternate forms a sewable tab such as is
shown in FIG. 3, other known fastenings such as rivets, or still
other fastening devices can be incorporated in the fastening link
6. A hinge and grip aperture 3 is formed through the separating
member 1 with jaws 4 which clasp a connecting structure or stud 5
which is formed integral in the strap link 6. The release member 1
can swivel around the stud 5, allowing the complete assembled
fastener to conform to irregular or rounded contours around which
the strap may be fastened. When the fastener is subjected to a
tension pull in excess of the limits of the material
characteristics and configuration of the release portion, the jaws
4 open to allow the stud 5 to pass through separating the primary
release member 1 from the link 6. The release member 1 can normally
be re-connected to the separating link 6 for a number of cycles
depending on the characteristics and strength of the material used
in its manufacture.
[0027] An alternate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in which
one or more apertures 9 are formed through the release member 1
perpendicular to the hinge and grip aperture 3. A non-removable
manufacturer installed limiting fastener such as a tamper proof
rivet 10 or the like passes through and is permanently installed in
the aperture 9, being retained in the aperture 9 by a barbed
retainer 11 or other permanent fastening means. In this fashion the
rivet 10 restricts the function of the hinge 7, requiring a greater
tension pull to break the limiting fastener or rivet 10, thus
allowing the jaws 4 to open and the buckle or fastener members to
separate. When the rivet 10 has broken, the release member 1 can
normally be reconnected to the fastening link 6, but the members
will separate at the lower tension of the previously described
standard buckle assembly shown in FIGS. 2 & 4. A new break-free
release member 1 (or rivet 10, at the manufacturer's discretion)
must be installed to restore the original break free tension.
Rivets constructed in various breaking strengths determined by
material composition and/or reduced diameter controlled breaking
portions 14 can be used to provide various higher release tensions
than that of the standard release buckle. In this manner, and by
using color coding or a marked identification 12 to indicate the
breaking strength or other designation of the rivets 10,
manufacturers can provide buckles and fasteners with varying
pre-determined safety release tensions at minimum cost, since
additional tooling is needed only for limiting rivets 10 and
installation hardware (or tooling for other limiting means which
may be installed into the release portion of universal
fasteners).
[0028] A preferred alternate embodiment of the standard release
member 1 of the buckle assembly is illustrated by a broken-away
section in FIG. 10. In this construction a portion of the open
distance between the hinge aperture 7 and grip aperture 8 in the
jaws 4 is bridged, forming a limiting connection 13 of the jaws 4
which will break, allowing the buckle portions 1 & 6 to
separate when a predetermined pull tension greater than that of the
standard (unbridged) buckle portions shown in FIGS. 2 & 4 is
exceeded. When only the connecting bridge portion 13 is broken the
buckle members can be reassembled, although they will only grip at
the lower release tension of the first described standard
embodiments. In this construction, the release member 1 of the
buckle assembly is a sacrificial tamper-proof part which must be
replaced with a new part when the bridge 13 is broken to restore
the designed release tension of the member 1, whereas the safety
control function of the previously described riveted member could
be circumvented by the installation of a bolt, screw or other
connecting member.
[0029] A stud 5 on the link member is shown in a cross-section
drawing in FIG. 9, and in a detail perspective drawing in FIG. 11.
A cut-out portion 15 in the stud 5 and cut-away notches 16 in the
upper jaws of the release member 1 allow entry of the stud 5 into
the rigid jaws 4 of the release member 1 when the link 6 is rotated
downward (upward in the case of a side release buckle) opposite the
notched jaw 4 and toward the release member 1 of the assembly as is
indicated by an arrow X shown in FIG. 8. The buckle members are
also shown in various positions in FIG. 9. Short cylindrical
structures 17 at both ends of the stud 5 are sized to pass through
notches 16 in the upper jaw 4 of the release member 1 when the
buckle members 1 & 6 are assembled. The cylindrical structures
17 prevent the stud 5 from exiting the jaws 4 of the release member
1 when the strap link 6 is positioned 180.degree. from its
installed position, as is shown in FIG. 12. These cylindrical
structures 17 also help provide smooth pivotal movement of the
interconnected buckle members 1 & 6 and prevent the cut-out
portion 15 of the stud 14 catching on the jaws 4 of the release
member 1 of the buckle when the strap link 6 is rotated within the
separating member 1.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a simplified drawing which illustrates the method
of forming the bridge 13. Mold cores A & B can be selectively
positioned closer together or farther apart from each other in the
mold cavity as shown by arrows A & B to adjust the length of
the bridge 13 for greater or lesser length and breaking strength
related to various pull tensions. To prepare a mold for manual
casting processes a continuous core cavity of sufficient length to
accommodate casting a bridge across the width of the jaws 4 of the
release member is formed in the mold. Before casting the part cores
A & B are placed in the mold cavity and adjusted to form the
required length of the bridge. The mold is then closed and cast in
usual fashion. For machine molding processes, tooling adjustment is
provided to position the cores A & B in the correct proximity
to form the required bridge length. Normally the cores would be
assembled to automatic slides, cams or other pull devices which
draw the cores from the parts as the mold halves open, and
reposition the cores in the mold cavity when the halves close.
[0031] In other alternate embodiments requiring still greater
release tensions the hinge aperture 7 could be eliminated, with the
entire space of the hinge aperture 7 and bridge 13 filled in solid,
leaving only the grip aperture 8 in the release member 1. In this
construction the jaws 4, stud 5 or other desired buckle portions
could be designed to break under a maximum load.
[0032] Although the illustrations in this application show only two
common fasteners it should be understood that the principles and
break-free design disclosed in this application can be adapted to
many common fasteners, including but not limited only to center
release and cam buckles, snap hooks and fasteners, webbing rings,
cord closures, tie-downs and associated hardware. Therefore, the
specification and claims should be interpreted to include
modification of all appropriate fasteners to function as a
break-free release device in combination with separating members
generally similar to those which are disclosed herein.
[0033] The foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments
of the present invention have been described in detail in varying
modifications and alternate embodiments. It should be understood
that the foregoing description is exemplary only, and that the
scope of the present invention is to be limited to the claims as
interpreted in view of the prior art. Moreover, the invention
illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the
absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed
herein.
* * * * *