Abstract:
A buckle is provided for use with a halter. The buckle includes a first coupler sized for close fitting insertion into a second coupler. A triangular shaped latch is pivotally secured within the second coupler for retaining the first coupler therein. A spring is enclosed within the latch for biasing the latch in a locking position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 181,548 entitled Quick Halter Buckle filed July 27, 1988. 
    
    
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to quick release buckles. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     The present invention provides an efficient, economical buckle system for use with animal halters. 
     Generally, when attaching a halter to an animal, such as a horse, one or more straps having punch holes therein are threaded through corresponding buckles. The strap is pulled against the frame of the buckle until the halter is properly positioned on the animal. The prong of the buckle is then inserted through an aligned punch hole in the strap for securing the strap on buckle. The halter is removed from the animal by pulling the strap against the frame of the buckle until the prong of the buckle releases the strap. The strap may then be threaded back through the buckle and the halter removed. In certain instances, the halter may be secured to and removed from the animal several times over the course of a day, thus requiring repetitive manipulation of the halter straps through the buckle. 
     Additionally, when the halter is secured to a field animal, the halter straps may become wet and/or the associated hardware impacted with debris. Under these conditions, the time and effort required to manipulate the halter straps through the impacted hardware may be substantial. 
     The present invention eliminates many of these disadvantages by providing a quick connecting and releasing buckle for use with a halter. The buckle of the present invention can be connected with minimal effort and may be released with one hand. Additionally, the present invention is designed such that the internal components of the buckle are shielded from debris, thus ensuring reliable operation of the buckle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a buckle constructed in accordance with the invention showing portions in elevation for clarity of illustration. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the second coupler. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the buckle taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1 with one side plate removed. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the buckle. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the buckle with portions broken away illustrating the internal components in an unlocking position. 
     FIG. 6 is a similar view of the buckle in FIG. 5 illustrating the internal components in a locking position. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of a modified buckle with portions broken away illustrating the internal components in an unlocking position. 
     FIG. 8 is a similar view of the buckle in FIG. 7 illustrating the internal components in a locking position. 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of another modified buckle with portions broken away illustrating the internal components in a locking position. 
     FIG. 10 is a similar view of the buckle in FIG. 9 illustrating the internal components in an unlocking position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a buckle designated generally by the reference numeral 20. The buckle includes a first coupler 22 and a second coupler 23. 
     The second coupler 23 has a cavity 24 defined by a top wall 26, a bottom wall 28, a front wall 30 (FIG. 4), a rear wall 32, a first side wall 34 and a second side wall 36. The second coupler 23 also includes a first rectangular aperture 38 in the op wall 26 adjacent the first side wall 34. The first rectangular aperture 38 is sized for receiving a portion of the first coupler 22. The second coupler 23 further includes a second rectangular aperture 40 in the second side wall 36, extending between the front wall 30 and the rear wall 32. The front wall 30 has a notch 41 aligned with the second aperture 40 (FIG. 5) for a purpose to be discussed below. A U-shaped ring 42 is secured on the bottom wall 28 for receiving a halter strap (not shown). 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a guide 43 is secured to and extends inwardly from the rear wall 32. The guide 43 runs substantially the length of the rear wall 32 and is spaced a distance from and in parallel alignment with the first side wall 34. The rear wall 32 also includes a shoulder 44 for a purpose to be discussed below. 
     The first coupler 22 has a front side 45 and a rear side 46. The first coupler 22 further includes a tongue 48 and a head 50, having an oval aperture 52 for receiving a halter strap (not shown). The head 46 is integral with an upper end 54 of the tongue 48. The tongue 48 also includes a lip 56 adjacent the lower end 58 of the tongue. The tongue 48 further includes a groove 60 in the rear side 46 thereof, extending from the lower end 58 and 10 terminating in the upper end 54 of below the level of the head 50. 
     The tongue 48 is sized for close fitting cooperation with the portions of the buckle defining the first rectangular aperture 38. Additionally, the groove 60 is sized for a close sliding fit with the guide 43. In this way, not only is the lateral movement of the tongue 48 within the second coupler 23 reduced but, any debris attached to the tongue 48 is substantially removed therefrom when the first coupler 22 and the second coupler 23 are united. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the buckle 20 also includes a triangular shaped latch 62 having a base 64, a first side 66 and a second side 68. The first side 66 has an aperture 70 therein. A pin 72 is inserted through the aperture 70 and secured within the cavity 24 between the front wall 30 and the rear wall 32. In this way, the latch 62 pivots on the pin 72 within the cavity 24. The latch 62 also has a triangular shaped opening 74 therethrough defined by the base 64, the first side 66 and the second side 68. The opening 74 is sized for receiving the shoulder 44 and a spring 76. The spring 76 is compressed between the shoulder 44 and the base 64 of the latch 62. In this way, the force of the spring 76 biases the latch 62 into a locking position (FIG. 6). It will now be appreciated that the second aperture 40 in combination with the notch 41 provides a finger access to the second side 68 of the latch 62, such that the latch 62 may be pivoted between the locking position (FIG. 6) and an unlocking position (FIG. 5). 
     As shown in FIG. 5, when the latch 62 is positioned in the unlocking position, the base 64 is rotated towards the second side wall 36 such that a corner 78, defined by the intersection of the base 64 and the second side 68, does not overlie the lip 56. In this position, the first coupler 22 may be removed from the second coupler 23. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 6, when the latch 62 is positioned in locking position, the base 64 rotates away from the second side wall 36 and towards the tongue 48 such that the corner 78 overlies the lip 56. In this position, the first coupler 22 is retained within the second coupler 23. 
     It will be appreciated that in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the notch 41 is sized such that portions of the front wall 30 overlie portions of the second side 68 of the latch 62 when the latch is pivoted between the locking and the unlocking positions. In this way, the entire opening 74 of the latch 62 is enclosed within the second coupler 23 and debris is prevented from entering the opening 74 to possibly interfere with the operation of the spring 76. It will be further appreciated that portions of the second side 68 of the latch 62 adjacent the notch 41 extend outwardly from the notch 41 when the latch is pivoted between the locking and the unlocking positions. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and designated by reference character 20A is similar to the embodiment 20 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, except that portions of the front wall 30 completely overlie the second side 68 of the latch 62 when the latch 62 is in the unlocking position (FIG. 7). In this way, movement of the latch 62 from the locking position to the unlocking position by inadvertent contact is essentially prevented. 
     The embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and designated by reference character 20B is similar to the embodiments 20 and 20A with the exception that both the front wall 30 and the rear wall 32 have similar sized, vertically aligned notches 41a therein. In this embodiment, the notches 41a are sized such that portions thereof overlie portions of the opening 74 in the latch 62. In this way, the spring 76 is substantially but not completely enclosed within the second coupler 23. 
     Changes may be made in the construction, operation, and arrangement of the various parts, elements, and procedures described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.