Quick release buckle

A two-part buckle is provided with male and female components and associated surfaces for engagement one against the other when the male buckle component is inserted in the female buckle component. A portion of the female buckle component defines a lever for deflecting the male buckle component and disassociating the engaging surfaces for releasing the male buckle component from the female buckle component. A lanyard is secured to the lever for operating the lever portion of the female buckle component.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to two-part buckles for connecting straps and, more particularly to quick release, load-bearing buckles for shoulder straps or the like on backpacks and other equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buckles of various types are known for use in many different applications, including, for example, clothing, sporting gear, luggage, safety and other equipment, military gear and the like. Two-part buckle assemblies are known in a variety of different constructions. In a two-part buckle, cooperating first and second buckle parts are provided with structure having interlocking components, allowing releasable locking engagement of the components.

In a two-part buckle, it is known to provide a female buckle component attached to one part of an article and a male buckle component attached to another part of the article. For example, the female component may be anchored to one end of a strap and the male component connected to another end of the same strap or a different strap. The female buckle component defines a chamber or pocket into which the male component can be inserted, with various types of interlocking engagement provided within the pocket for elements of the female buckle component and of the male buckle component. It is known to disengage the male buckle component from the female buckle component by depressing one or more parts of the male buckle component from interlocking engagement with parts of the female buckle component.

Such known buckles have worked well in a variety of applications, both light duty and heavy duty. However, particularly for buckles designed to carry heavy loads, the procedure for disengaging the male buckle component from the female buck component can be difficult to perform, particularly if weight is still applied against the buckle. To disengage the buckle easily, it is sometimes necessary to independently support the weight of the article, to thereby remove force exerted against the buckle components. Even so, because of the resiliency of the buckle components, disengagement can be difficult. However, buckles that release more easily may have insufficient holding strength to support heavy loads.

In some applications and use of such buckles, it is necessary to release the buckle quickly in an emergency situation, with the user under personal duress. For example, military or police personnel often are required to carry heavy loads supported by straps and buckles around their shoulders. In a critical or emergency situation, it is desirable to release the load quickly so that the individual is unburdened from the load being carried. As one example, it is advantageous for a soldier to be able to release a backpack quickly if the soldier encounters the enemy. The heavy backpack is still supported by straps over the shoulders of the individual carrying it, and it is inconvenient and time consuming to attempt to separately support the backpack so that the buckle can be disengaged more easily.

Others, too, may experience emergency situations in which it is desirable to quickly release a buckle, even while still supporting a heavy load. Outdoor enthusiasts, such as mountain climbers, rock climbers, hikers and the like may encounter emergency situations in which it is desirable to release backpacks for personal safety reasons. Again, releasing known buckles while the buckle components are still under tension from supporting a load can be difficult, and independently supporting the load to make buckle release easier is time consuming and may not even be possible under the particular emergency situation.

What is needed in the art is a two-part buckle that has sufficient holding strength to support heavy loads, yet can be released quickly, easily and reliably while still supporting the load.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a quick release buckle having a male component insertable into a female component, with a toggling cover on the female component that can be moved to release and help eject the male component from the female component.

In one aspect thereof, the present invention provides a buckle with a female buckle component having a housing with a roof and a floor having an edge. A lid is pivotally connected to the housing and defines a pocket with the housing. The lid has a flange adjacent the floor; and a male buckle component has a forward end for insertion into the pocket. A portion of the forward end extends over and beyond the floor, confronting a portion of the flange. A lip of the forward end is engaged against the edge of the floor.

In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a two-part buckle with a female buckle component and a male buckle component configured for insertion of the male buckle component into the female buckle component. Male buckle component surfaces and female buckle component surfaces are configured and arranged to engage one against another for securing the male buckle component in the female buckle component. A lever pivotally connected to the female buckle component confronts a portion of the male buckle component to deflect the male buckle component for repositioning the surfaces of the male buckle component away from the surfaces of the female buckle component to uncoupling the buckle.

In still another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a two-part buckle with first and second buckle components each having strap receiving ends for attaching the components to strap ends. The components each have surfaces thereof associated with each other for engagement one against another to couple the components to each other. One component has a lever connected thereto and underlying at least a part of the other component, for deflecting the other component to disengage the surfaces from each other and uncouple the components from each other.

An advantage of the present invention is providing a two-part buckle that is strong and secure and will support heavy loads.

Another advantage of the present invention is providing a two-part buckle that can be released quickly, easily and reliably with a simple motion, even under situations of duress or emergency.

Still another advantage of the present invention is providing a two-part buckle made of parts that are strong and that have multiple points of engagement to close securely for supporting heavy loads, yet can be released quickly and easily with a simple motion from the user.

A further advantage of the present invention is providing a buckle that can be secured to a web or strap easily, and that is of low profile to be unobtrusive and comfortable in use.

A still further advantage of the present invention is providing a two-part buckle that can be closed or latched quickly, easily and reliably.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is providing a buckle that is strong and secure and that will release non-catastrophically under high loads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, and toFIG. 1in particular, a quick release buckle10in accordance with the present invention is shown. Buckle10is illustrated secured to and between strap ends12and14, which may be ends of different straps or may be opposite ends of a single strap. Strap ends12and14can be secured to an article or device such as a backpack, bag or other item, and buckle10can be associated with a variety of different articles, such as luggage, clothing, safety and other equipment or the like. The strap or straps having strap ends12and14also can be ends of a strap or belt intended to be secured over the shoulder of a user, or around the waist of the user. Buckle10also can be used with straps for holding objects to devices or things rather than to individuals.

As illustrated more clearly inFIG. 2, buckle10includes a female buckle component16and a male buckle component18secured to strap ends12and14, respectively. Female buckle component16receives male buckle component18in a manner so as to secure male buckle component18within female buckle component16and prevent accidental or inadvertent disengagement of buckle10. The manner in which female buckle component16and male buckle component18are secured releasably one to another will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Female buckle component16and male buckle component18can be made of a variety of materials, with numerous plastics being suitable.

Buckle10further includes a lanyard20which interconnects female buckle component16and male buckle component18as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Lanyard20is a short strap or rope, and may be made of material similar to strap ends12and14. Nylon is one suitable material.

Female buckle component16includes a housing22generally defining a pocket24for receiving male buckle component18. Female buckle component16further includes a lid26which is pivotally connected to housing22, and is pivoted for disconnecting and ejecting male buckle component18from female buckle component16. Lid26forms an inner end of pocket24, and is somewhat hollow for receiving a portion of male component18, as will be described.

Housing22has a strap-receiving end28for receiving strap end12. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, strap-receiving end28includes a slot30associated with other slots32and34spaced along housing22, through which strap end12can be passed in a weaving-like manner. Alternatively, end28can be of a variety of configurations known to those skilled in the art, including, for example, a single bar around which strap end12is wrapped and secured in a non-adjustable fashion.

At strap-receiving end28, housing12defines a chamber36having opposed walls38and40with apertures42and44therein, respectively. Lid26is positioned in chamber36and includes pins46and48that are received in apertures42and44, respectively. Lid26is loosely received in chamber36and apertures42and44, with pins46and48allowed to pivot within apertures42and44to provide a limited toggling motion of lid26relative to housing22. Lid26defines a slot50through which lanyard20is passed. As shown inFIG. 2, the pivoting, toggling type motion of lid26in housing22can be effected by pulling lanyard20generally outwardly.

Male buckle component18includes a strap-receiving end52for engaging strap end14. The structure and arrangement of strap-receiving end52can differ from one application and use of buckle10to another, as required. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, strap-receiving end52includes a bar54defining slots56and58through which strap end14is wrapped, as shown inFIG. 6, allowing adjustment of the position of male buckle component18along the length of strap end14. A forward end60of male buckle component18is received in pocket24of female buckle component16. Rearward from forward end60, a hole62is provided in male buckle component18, and lanyard20includes a pin or snap64releasably secured in hole62. Member64can include a deformable or compressible end larger in diameter than the diameter of hole62, so that member64can be secured in and removed from hole62repeatedly. A distal end66of lanyard20extends beyond member64. Thus, lanyard20can be secured against buckle10with only a short distal end66thereof being loose. Lanyard20will thereby lie against buckle10in a non-obtrusive manner.

The manner in which male buckle component18is secured within pocket24of female buckle component16will be described with reference to the perspective views of individual buckle components inFIGS. 3–5and the cross-sectional views of the engaged buckle10inFIGS. 6 and 7. It should be understood that buckle10can be used in various positions, including horizontal, vertical and angular orientations. Any references in this description to “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower” and similar terms implying direction or orientation are used for purposes of clarity in description relative to the orientations of the various views in the drawings, and should not be understood to limit the invention in any way.

Forward end60of male buckle component18includes a base70having a central portion72with a rearward facing lip74on a lower surface, near the distal end thereof. An angular face76leads to lip74from the distal end of central portion72. Base70has a slight T-shaped configuration, with outwardly extending wings78and80from central portion72. Wings78and80have sloped lower surface82and84, respectively. Forward end60further includes forwardly projecting, upwardly oriented arms86and88.

Pocket24of female buckle component16is defined by a floor90and a roof92. Floor90terminates at an end94. As illustrated inFIG. 6, floor90is of sufficient length such that when male buckle component18is fully inserted in female buckle component16, base70extends beyond floor90to position lip74against floor end94. Floor90is provided further with enlargements96and98near the corners thereof, adjacent floor end94. During engagement of buckle10, wing surfaces82,84slide over and beyond enlargements96,98. Upon fill insertions of male buckle component18in female buckle component16, wings78,80and enlargements96,98engage one against another, respectively. Sufficient separation is provided between the forward end of base70and the distal ends of arms86and88such that a slight wedging effect occurs of forward end60within pocket24. Arms86,88are disposed against roof92such that central portion72is held against floor90with lip74is held against floor end94and wings78,80held against enlargements96,98. Thus, male buckle component18is not easily withdrawn from female buckle component16in that base70is held forcibly against floor90, with three points of engagement between components16and18. Lip74is held forcibly against floor end94, and wings78,80are held forcibly against enlargements96,98.

Lid26defines a central channel100, with flanges102and104on opposite sides thereof. With male buckle component18fully inserted in female buckle component16, portions of flanges102and104are disposed generally beneath and are confronted by wings78and80. Lifting lid26relative to housing22elevates flanges102and104against wings78and80, causing deflection of base70in an upward direction away from floor90. Lip74is thereby elevated above the upper edge of floor90at floor end94, and wings78,80are elevated away from enlargements96,98. With the points of engagement thus removed, male buckle component18can be withdrawn from female buckle component16. Even if weight is supported by buckle10, such that force is applied in opposite directions on strap ends12and14, buckle10can still be released. The prying, lever action from the rotation of lid26about pivot points defined by pins46,48facilitates deflection of base70to disengage male component18from female component16. Oppositely directed forces applied against female buckle component16and male buckle component18facilitate disengagement of buckle10by pulling male buckle component18from female buckle component16.

When buckle10is designed for supporting heavy loads, the parts thereof are necessarily rigid and strong. To assist locking male buckle component18within female buckle component16, chamfered edges110,112are provided on the forward distal ends of arms82and84so that sliding engagement is facilitated of arms82,84against roof92. The sloping lower surfaces82,84of wings78,80and angular face76further facilitate coupling of buckle10by directing forward end60into pocket24and providing smooth, angular sliding surfaces. During final insertion of component18in component16, angular surfaces82,84of wings78and80slide over sloping surfaces114and116of flanges102and104, respectively. Flanges102,104are thereby deflected downwardly, to hold lid26in the downward or closed position. During disengagement, sloping surfaces114,116of flanges102,104lifting against surfaces82,84elevate base70smoothly, and urge male buckle component18rearward to facilitate ejection of forward end60from pocket24. The desired release force requirements can be achieved in buckle10through selection of appropriate material stiffness and through the angular relationships of adjacent surfaces in female buckle component16and male buckle component18, such as, for example lip74and floor end94.

Buckle10incorporates various additional alignment features to aid coupling of female component16and male component18. Such alignment features can include a rib120in pocket24on roof92, as well as the shape and size of inlets to pocket24and the overall size and shape of forward end60. With the use of such features, proper alignment is aided to direct male component18into female component16, and to ensure that male buckle component18is not inverted relative to the proper orientation with respect to female component16. Coupling of buckle10is achieved easily even under difficult conditions, including darkness.

To uncouple buckle10, distal end66of lanyard20is grasped and pulled outwardly to disengage pin64from hole62. By further pulling lanyard20outwardly and upwardly, lid26is rotated, causing the upward levering action of flanges102and104against wings78and80described previously. As a result, male component18is uncoupled from female component16, and can be withdrawn therefrom. When buckle10is reconnected, as described previously herein by inserting male component16in female component18, after buckle10is fully coupled, lanyard20can be secured by aligning pin64with hole62and forcing the end of pin64into hole62. Securing lanyard20to male buckle component18minimizes the potential for lifting lid26inadvertently.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view along a line similar to that ofFIG. 7, but illustrating a second embodiment lid126. Lid126is similar to lid26, but has the further inclusion of an extension128. Depressing extension128toggles lid126in a manner similar to pulling lanyard20, to release male component18from female component16. Extension128provides an alternative way to release buckle male component18that can be used instead of pulling lanyard20, and facilitates the release of male component18if lanyard20is missing or otherwise not readily usable.