Abstract:
The present invention provides a connector for releasable joining of two ends of material. The invention involves two generally symmetrical connector halves which engage with one another to maintain a connection capable of resisting opposing tension forces. A spring-force ball and socket arrangement is incorporated in each body half to maintain a secure connection. Rotatable interlocking tongue-and-groove structures provide ease of use and effective resistance to tension forces.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to connecting devices and more particularly to connectors such as those used for fastening and securing belts, webbing, straps, animal collars and similar and related applications. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   A wide variety of two-piece connectors have been devised for use in securing together the ends of a length of material. Frequently, such connectors are made of metal or plastic, even a combination thereof. In recent years, black ABS plastic connectors have become almost ubiquitous in their use on backpacks and luggage. Such connector devices consist of two pieces, one male and a corresponding female, for interlocking and retention. Successful connection of the two pieces is usually achieved through the deployment of barbed spring members, which engage openings in the opposing connector piece. 
   Such existing connectors have the inherent disadvantage of requiring the manufacture of separate distinct bodies for both male and female connector halves. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The connector of the present invention employs the locking interaction of a series of tongue-and-groove structures to provide a simple, ingenious, innovative and convenient closure mechanism. One embodiment of the present invention is a connector providing, when closed, a smooth unitary appearance, with clean and uninterrupted lines. Opposing rotational forces may be applied to the ends of the connector in order to open the connector and enable separation of its component halves. 
   The connector halves may be fastened together in the following manner. The respective body halves of the connector may be properly fitted together and, with the imparting of a rotational motion to one half relative to the other, full closure of the connector may be secured. 
   The cooperation of a spring-loaded captive ball or pin arrangement and a corresponding receiver socket serves to maintain the connector in a closed position. 
   A cylindrical pin projects from one connector body half, axially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the connector body. The other connector body half is adapted to receive the cylindrical pin within a corresponding bore, also axially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the connector body. 
   To fasten the connector, the pin of one body half is inserted into the corresponding bore of a second body half. Then the two body halves are rotated opposite one another until the spring-loaded captive ball assembly of each body half is brought into cooperation with the receiver socket of the other body half, to maintain secure closure of the connector. 
   As the connector body halves are rotated relative to each other, formed knuckles on each body half engage with gaps or passages between the knuckles on the other body half. The knuckles and gaps engage as tongue-and-groove structures to provide resistance to longitudinal tensioning forces. 
   The knuckle and passage structures are generally planar in profile and oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector. 
   One half of the knuckles and passages of each connector body half have a section of the generally planar surface shaped to trend toward a curved surface approaching a leading edge. This enables the corresponding knuckles and passages to rotate and engage each other in an interlocking fashion. Each connector body half is identical but for the presence of the cylindrical pin or the defined cylindrical bore located along the central longitudinal axis of the engaging end of the body half. This high degree of structural similarity enables the connector of the present invention to be manufactured at lower cost and provides for more efficient use of materials. 
   To maintain the connector of the present invention in its closed and fastened configuration, a spring-tensioned captive ball or pin arrangement and a corresponding receiver socket or dimple is incorporated into the design. This captive ball or pin assembly is spring-loaded and adapted to engage with a corresponding dimple or socket defined in the mating face of the corresponding body half. The spring force may be increased or decreased by varying the type of spring or its degree of compression. Varying the spring force serves to vary the amount of rotational force necessary to open or close the connector. Variations in the size and shape of the ball or pin and the receiving dimple or socket may also be used to achieve the desired closure force. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A better understanding of the present invention may be realized from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of a closed connector in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first body half of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second body half of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of the underside of the connector of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a view from the inner end of one of the body halves of the connector of  FIG. 1 , showing details of the coupling arrangement. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention is generally related to a connector for releasably coupling together two components. The present invention relates more particularly to an interlocking two-piece connector device, for releasably securing together the ends of a length, or two lengths, of strap material, webbing, line or similar items. While the illustrated preferred embodiment is described below in terms of a connector mechanism for releasably securing together two ends of a length of a strap material, equivalent materials such as nylon webbing, leather, fabric, cord, line, chain, or rope are contemplated as falling within the scope of this disclosure. 
   Generally, the present invention provides a means for releasably fastening together the ends of a strap, or connecting two straps. The utility of such an invention is readily apparent for use in conjunction with animal collars and leads, belts, jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and the like. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , the connector  10  is shown including two connector body halves  12  and  12 ′. Each connector body half  12  and  12 ′ defines an attachment opening  16  and  16 ′ for receiving strap ends  14  and  14 ′. Connector body half  12 ′ ( FIG. 3 ) defines a pin securing bore  19  for securely retaining a pin  18 . Connector body half  12  ( FIG. 2 ) defines a pin receiving bore  20  for receiving pin  18  of connector body half  12 ′. Pin  18  and pin receiving bore  20  are axially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of connector  10 . 
   The two connector body halves  12 ,  12 ′ have proximal knuckles  22 ,  221  and proximal passages  24 ,  24 ′ formed adjacent pin receiving bore  20  and pin  18 , respectively. Adjacent proximal knuckles  22  and  22 ′ are distal passages  28  and  28 ′ respectively. Adjacent proximal passages  24  and  24 ′ are distal knuckles  26  and  26 ′, respectively. 
   The connector body halves  12  and  12 ′ can be properly fitted together in only one orientation. Pin  18  is inserted into pin receiving bore  20  with the two halves at approximately right angles to each other relative to the central axis. The connector halves  12  and  12 ′ are rotated relative to each other, thereby causing proximal knuckles  22  and  22 ′ to enter and engage with proximal passages  24  and  24 ′, respectively. Similarly, such rotation causes distal knuckles  26  and  26 ′ to enter and engage with distal passages  28  and  28 ′, respectively. 
   Proximal knuckles  22  and  22 ′ have proximal knuckle faces  40  and  40 ′, respectively, each being formed with an at least partially radiussed or curved surface. This is to permit rotational engagement of proximal knuckles  22  and  22 ′ with proximal passages  40  and  40 ′. Proximal passages faces  42  and  42 ′ are planar, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in order to restrict complete rotation of connector body halves  12  and  12 ′. 
   In a similar manner, distal passages  28  and  28 ′ have distal passage faces  46  and  46 ′, respectively, wherein each distal passage face is shaped with an at least partially radiussed or curved planar cross section, to permit rotational engagement of distal knuckles  26  and  26 ′ within distal passages  28  and  28 ′. Distal knuckle faces  44  and  44 ′ are planar in cross section, in order to limit the rotation of connector body halves  12  and  12 ′. 
   Connector body halves  12  and  12 ′ are considered to be in a fastened mode when proximal knuckle faces  40  and  40 ′ contact proximal passage faces  42  and  42 ′, respectively, and distal knuckle faces  44  and  44 ′ contact distal passage faces  46  and  46 ′, respectively. 
   Each connector body half  12 ,  12 ′ contains a captive ball assembly  30  and  30 ′. Captive ball assembly  30  and  30 ′ comprises a retaining bore  36  and  36 ′ (not shown). These retaining bores  36 ,  36 ′ contain springs  34 ,  34 ′ (not shown) and balls  32 ,  32 ′. Balls  32  and  32 ′ are restrained by swaging the opening of retaining bores  36 ,  36 ′. Spring  34  urges ball  32  outwardly to the opening of retaining bore  36 . 
   The corresponding location on the other connector body half defines a receiving dimple or socket  38  or  38 ′. These receiving dimples  38 ,  38 ′ engage balls  32 ,  32 ′ of captive ball assemblies  30  and  30 ′, respectively, in order to retain the connector body halves in a closed configuration.