Abstract:
A buckle assembly has a female buckle portion formed by a housing with a hollow interior and at least two openings, and at least two male buckle portions, each having at least one locking leg. There is an actuating device disposed within the housing and accessible through an aperture in the housing. The actuating device has latching mechanisms for cooperating with the locking legs for locking the male buckle portions within the female buckle portion when the locking legs of the male portions are inserted through the openings of the housing. Pulling the actuating device toward the aperture moves the latching mechanisms away from the male buckle portions and releases the male buckle portions from the housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a buckle assembly having a female buckle portion that can be secured to a corresponding male buckle portion. The female buckle portion according to the invention can accommodate multiple male buckle portions at once, and has a release mechanism for releasing all of the attached male buckle portions with a single movement. 
         [0003]    2. The Prior Art 
         [0004]    In a standard two-piece buckle, a male portion is snapped into a female portion and is then released, either by pushing a central button, pulling a lever, or squeezing locking legs of the male portion together. In certain applications, it is desired to have male and female buckles engaged in one location, for example in the small of one&#39;s back, yet have the ability to release the buckles in a more accessible area, such as near the shoulder, while making the system with as low a profile as possible. This system would be of particular advantage with cut-away tactical vests worn by the military and law enforcement, where a cummerbund or hip belt needs to be disassembled from the back but the release mechanism can be placed in a more accessible area. It is important that all of the buckles be released simultaneously to free the wearer from the vest, but the system must be secure enough so that the buckles are not inadvertently released while the wearer is moving through obstacles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a female buckle portion that allows at least one male buckle portion to be released simultaneously with a single movement from a remote location. 
         [0006]    These and other objects are accomplished by a buckle assembly comprising a female buckle portion formed by a housing with a hollow interior and at least one opening, and at least one male buckle portion having at least one locking leg. There is an actuating device disposed within the housing and accessible through an aperture in the housing. The actuating device has latching mechanisms for cooperating with the locking legs for locking the male buckle portions within the female buckle portion when the locking legs of the male portions are inserted through the openings of the housing. Pulling the actuating device toward the aperture moves the latching mechanisms away from the male buckle portions and releases the male buckle portions from the housing. The actuating device can be connected to a cable having a handle on one end, so that the handle can be disposed in a remote location from the female buckle portion. 
         [0007]    In a preferred embodiment, the actuating device has sliding surfaces that slide against the male buckle portions when the actuating device is pulled, to push the male buckle portions out of the female buckle portion. These sliding surfaces can be located on an opposite side of the male buckle portions from the at least one latching mechanism, so that while the latching mechanism is releasing the male buckle portion on one side, it is being pushed out via pressure on the other side as well. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the locking legs on the male portion have a locking pawl on a free end, and the latching mechanism comprises a protrusion that interacts with the locking pawl to prevent the male buckle portion from exiting the female buckle portion. Pulling on the actuating device pulls the protrusion away from the locking pawl to release the male buckle portion. 
         [0009]    To further secure the male buckle portions inside the female buckle portion, there can be two additional latching mechanisms disposed in the housing opposite the latching mechanisms on the actuating device, such that inserting the male buckle portions through the openings causes the latching mechanisms on the actuating device to engage one side of the male buckle portions, and the latching mechanism on the housing to engage an opposite side of the male buckle portions. This is particularly effective if the male buckle portions each have two locking legs. This way, the latching mechanism on the actuating device engages one locking leg, and the latching mechanism on the housing engages the other locking leg of each male portion. The sliding surfaces push the male buckle portions out of engagement with these additional latching mechanisms when the actuating device is pulled. In another embodiment, the latching mechanisms are located only on the housing, and not on the actuating device. Pulling upward on the actuating device causes sliding surfaces on the actuating device to free the male locking legs from the latching mechanisms on the housing, and release the male buckle portions. 
         [0010]    To keep the actuating device in a pre-loaded position, there can be at least one spring disposed within the housing and which presses the actuating device away from the aperture, so that the male buckle portions snap into the actuating device when the male buckle portions are inserted through the openings. The upward pressure on the actuating device from pulling the actuating device must be sufficient to overcome the force of the springs in order to release the male buckle portions. This prevents inadvertent release of the male portions. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, there are two male buckle portions, two openings in the housing, and two latching mechanisms on the actuating device, such that pulling the actuating device releases all four male portions simultaneously. In another embodiment, there are four male buckle portions, four openings in the housing, and four latching mechanisms on the actuating device, such that pulling the actuating device releases all four male portions simultaneously. 
         [0012]    The buckle assembly according to the invention is particularly suited for attaching to additional similar buckle assemblies, to create a “daisy chain”, where pulling on a single actuating mechanism pulls the actuating mechanisms of all attached buckle assemblies. This works by attaching a front end of one actuating device on one buckle assembly, to a rear end of an actuating device on an adjacent buckle assembly, so that pulling on one actuating device pulls the second actuating device also. 
         [0013]    To keep the actuating device mounted securely within the female portion, the actuating device can be equipped with a central channel through which guidance pins on the housing extend. These guidance pins allow the actuating device to slide in a single axial direction to allow the actuating device to release the male buckle portions, but prevent any lateral movement within the female buckle portion. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the actuating device is disposed entirely within the female portion, and is attached to a cable that extends through the aperture in the female portion. Pulling the cable pulls the actuating device. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the actuating device acts on additional mechanisms within the female portion to release additional buckles. In this embodiment, there is at least one lever mounted within the housing. The lever has a fulcrum and two free ends; one free end is connected to a cable and the other free end is disposed so that the actuating device contacts this other free end and pivots the lever when the actuating device is pulled, thus pulling the cable. The cable is connected to a male buckle portion, so that pulling the actuating device pulls the male buckle portion connected to the cable and releases it from a corresponding female portion. Ideally, there are two of these levers, each lever being connected to a cable that is connected to a male buckle portion. 
         [0016]    In another embodiment, there is at least one cable connected to the actuating device, and extending through the housing, and at least one cable guide connected to the housing, so that pulling the actuating device pulls the one cable and causes the one cable to slide along the one cable guide. There can be another male buckle portion connected to the cable, so that pulling the actuating device also pulls this other male buckle portion. Ideally, there are two cables, two cable guides, and a male buckle portion connected to each of the cables. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
           [0018]    In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 1  in a released position; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 3  in a released position; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 5  in a released position; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 7  in a released position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 9  in a released position; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows a front cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows the buckle assembly of  FIG. 11  in a released position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    Referring now in detail to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the buckle assembly according to the invention. Buckle assembly  10  comprises a housing  11  with four side openings  12  through which four male buckle portions  20  are inserted. Each male buckle portion  20  has strap retaining bars  22 ,  23  and a locking leg  24 . Each locking leg  24  has a locking pawl  25  located on its distal end. Inside housing  11  is an actuating device  30 , which is held in place by springs  36 . Actuating device  30  consists of four latching mechanisms in the form of arms  33  which have catches  34 . Catches  34  interact with locking pawls  25  to lock male buckle portions  20  inside housing  11  when male buckle portions  20  are inserted through side openings  12 . 
         [0032]    To release male buckle portions  20 , the user pulls upward on handle  32  which is mounted on neck  31  of actuating device  30 . This causes springs  36  to compress and causes arms  33  with catches  34  to move upward and out of engagement with locking pawls  25 . At the same time, shoulder elements  35  on lower arms  34  and shoulder elements  38  on bottom section  37  move upward and slide against slanted sections  26  of locking legs  24 . This sliding motion propels male buckle portions  20  outward to eject male buckle portions  20  from housing  11 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0033]    An alternative embodiment of the buckle assembly is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Here, there are two male buckle portions  50 , each with strap securing bars  51 ,  52 . Male buckle portions  50  each have two locking legs  53  with a locking pawl  54  on the end of each locking leg. Actuating device  42  is mounted inside housing  40  and protrudes through both the bottom and top of housing  40 . Actuating device  42  has a central leg  47  onto which side arms with latching mechanism  43  are disposed on the top side, and shoulder elements  46  are disposed on the bottom side. A handle  44  is located at the top of actuating device  42 . Inserting male buckle portions  50  into housing  40  causes locking pawls  54  to snap into engagement with latching mechanism  43  on the top, and catch  41  on housing  40  to engage on the bottom, as shown in  FIG. 3 . To release male buckle portions  50 , handle  44  is pulled upward, as shown in  FIG. 4 , which moves latching mechanism  43  out of engagement with the upper locking leg  53 . At the same time, shoulder elements  46  press upward on locking pawl  54  on the lower locking leg  53  and force male buckle portions  50  outward and away from housing  40 . Actuating device  42  is maintained within housing  40  via guide rails  48  on housing  40 . Actuating device  42  can slide up and down but is prevented from lateral movement by guide rails  48 . 
         [0034]    One advantage of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  is that multiple buckle assemblies can be connected together and actuated simultaneously with a single pull. To do this, handle  44  on one actuating mechanism is connected to a bottom of an adjacent actuating mechanism via aperture  45  by any conventional means, such as a screw. This way, pulling upward on a first actuating mechanism will also pull any connected actuating mechanisms and release all male buckle portions for any of the connected assemblies. 
         [0035]    Yet another embodiment of the buckle assembly is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Here, there are four male buckle portions  70  that are inserted into housing  60 . Actuating device  65  is mounted entirely within housing  60  and is actuated by pulling a cable  80  that extends through an aperture in the top of housing  60 . Cable  80  is covered by a cable sheath  81  on the exterior of housing  60  and slides within cable sheath  81  when cable  80  is pulled. Springs  61  keeps actuating device  65  biased in housing  60  so that male buckle portions  70  snap into actuating device  65  and are retained there until cable  80  is pulled. Latching mechanisms  67  on arms  66  interact with locking pawls  74  on the upper legs of male buckle portions  70  and stops  62  catch on locking pawls  74  of the lower legs of male buckle portions  70 . Male buckle portions  70  are guided into housing  60  via guides  78 , which receive central leg  77  of each of male buckle portions  70 . This prevents male buckle portions  70  from being inserted in a tilted or off-center manner, and ensures secure locking of male buckle portions  70  in housing  60 . 
         [0036]    Actuating device  65  is retained in place inside housing  60  by a set of guide pins  63  that extend through a slot  82  in actuating device  65 . Actuating device  65  can slide along guide pins  63 , but is prevented from lateral movement. 
         [0037]    Pulling cable  80  causes actuating device to move upward, thus freeing locking pawls  74  from latching mechanisms  67  and stops  62 . At the same time, shoulders  68  slide along locking pawls  74  and push male buckle portions out of housing  60 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0038]    Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Here, two male buckle portions  70  are inserted into housing  60 , and are held in place by latching mechanisms  89  on the top and catches  41  on the bottom, which interact with locking pawls  74  on locking arms  73  of male buckle portions  70 . Pulling upward on handle  32  pulls cable  80  disposed inside cable sheath  81  and moves actuating device  85  upward. This causes locking arms  73  of male buckle portions  70  inside housing  60  to be released from latching mechanisms  89  and catches  41 , in the same manner as described above with respect to the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . At the same times, shoulders  86  slide along locking pawls  74  of the lower locking leg and force male buckle portions  70  out of housing  60 . Guide pins  63  which extend through slot  82  in actuating device  85  keep actuating device  85  oriented properly in housing  60 . 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, two additional male buckle portions  170  are also moved by pulling on handle  32 . Here, male buckle portions  170  are connected to a cable  92  inside cable sheath  93 . Cable  92  is connected to one end of a lever  90  mounted on a fulcrum  91  inside housing  60 . Pulling handle  32  causes shoulders  95  of actuating mechanism  85  to press against levers  90  and cause levers  90  to rotate, thus forcing the distal ends of levers  90  downward, as shown in  FIG. 8 . This in turn pulls cables  92  and thus buckles  170 . Buckle  170  can be configured so that pulling on cable  92  acts to release buckles  170  from a corresponding female buckle portion. The exact mechanism for this release is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/456,069 to Anscher, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0040]    Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , except that instead of levers  90 , curved cable guides  99  are mounted inside housing  60 . Cables  92  are connected directly to actuating device  85  and extend around cable guides  99 . Pulling upward on handle  32  forces male buckle portions  70  out of housing  60  in the same manner as described above with respect to the previous embodiments. In addition, pulling upward on handle  32  also pulls cables  92 , which slide around cable guides  99 . This pulling motion thus also pulls male buckle portions  170  and allows them to be released from a corresponding female buckle portion. 
         [0041]    The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7-10  are useful on items like a tactical cut-away vest that must be removed quickly and easily. In this embodiment, male buckle portions  70  could hold the lower part of the vest together via straps on male buckle portions  70 , and male buckle portions  170  could be used to secure the shoulder sections of the vest together when attached to corresponding female buckle portions. Pulling on handle  32  would then release all four buckle portions at the same time to allow the two sides of the vest to separate from each other. 
         [0042]    Yet another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , except that there are no latching mechanisms on actuating device  42 . Here, there are two male buckle portions  50 , each with strap securing bars  51 ,  52 . Male buckle portions  50  each have two locking legs  53  with a locking pawl  54  on the end of only the bottom locking leg, which interacts with catch  41  on housing  40 . Actuating device  42  is mounted inside housing  40  and protrudes through both the bottom and top of housing  40 . Actuating device  42  has a central leg  47  onto which side arms are disposed on the top side, and shoulder elements  46  are disposed on the bottom side. A handle  44  is located at the top of actuating device  42 . Inserting male buckle portions  50  into housing  40  causes locking pawls  54  on the bottom legs  53  to snap into engagement with catch  41  on housing  40 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . To release male buckle portions  50 , handle  44  is pulled upward, as shown in  FIG. 12 , which moves shoulder elements  46  press upward on locking pawl  54  on the lower locking leg  53  to clear catch  41  and force male buckle portions  50  outward and away from housing  40 . 
         [0043]    Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.