Patent ID: 6615460
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A44B,Y10T

Abstract:
An optionally manual or automatic disengaging buckle comprising separable cooperating insert and receptacle members couplable in a first and second orientation, said receptacle comprising a generally flat rectangularly tubular body having inner and outer side walls relatively wider than top and bottom walls, an open first end for receiving the insert and a closed second end with an inner surface, the inner surface having variable insert stop means including a raised region with a first edge proximate to the inner wall and a second edge proximate to the outer wall, said insert stop located equidistant between the top and bottom walls and protruding a predetermined distance toward the first end with the first edge protruding relatively further than the second edge, and said top and bottom walls including locking means including paired slots located in the top and bottom walls at an equivalent predetermined distance from the first end; and said insert comprising a base having a central post extending away from the base, said post including a tip, inner, outer, upper and lower sides, and also including variable insert stop means at the tip having a centrally located stop region with inner and outer edges, the outer edge extending relatively further from the base than the inner edge, said insert additionally comprising upper and lower opposing resilient arms with outer sides facing away from the post, the arms having first and second ends and located on opposite upper and lower sides of the post, the first ends springedly attached proximate to the tip of the post with the arms extending alongside of and diagonal to the post and second ends spaced apart relatively further than the distance between the top and bottom walls of the receptacle, the tips of the second ends flat and generally parallel to the base, and the arms and post dimensioned to fit within the receptacle by compression of the resilient arms toward the post as the insert is moved into the receptacle, such that, when the insert is inserted into the receptacle in the first orientation, the insert stop of the receptacle reciprocally cooperates with the insert stop of the insert, thereby providing full penetration of the insert and snapping engagement of arms into the corresponding locking slots, and when the insert is inserted in the converse orientation relative to the receptacle, the insert stop of the receptacle is adverse to the insert stop of the insert, thereby preventing full penetration of the insert and preventing the flat tips of the arms from entering the locking slot.