Abstract:
A releasable attachment apparatus has multiple components that allow for easy storage, deployment and detachment of small portable items carried on the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a retractable unit having a housing inside of which are a reel, a spring coil biasing rotation of the reel, and a tensile member carried on the reel. The housing has a female opening that fittingly receives a connector so that there is minimal swivel action in the connector and thus minimal strain on the tensile member when the tensile member is fully retracted in drawing the connector to a stored configuration with the retractable unit. The apparatus also includes a fastener that is adapted to carry the small portable items and is removably attached to the connector. The apparatus also includes a locking switch which is movable between a neutral position that allows rotation of the reel and a locking position which locks the reel against rotation.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to quick release connectors that can be carried on a person&#39;s body, in particular, quick release connectors adapted for tethering small items, such as tools, gear, small electronic devices, badges and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Apparatus with releasable attachment are known, especially those for personal use in carrying small portable items such as keys, badges, gear, whistles and small tools. Hanging such items on a ring attached to a distal end of a cable, chain, cord, or monofilament and the like (collectively herein referred to as a “tensile member”), wound on a retractable reel is also known where such reel is contained in a housing that can be clipped to a belt or waistband. While the retractable reel conveniently allows the tensile member to be extended when items are in use and retracted when such use is completed, the tensile member can be one of the first components that suffers strain and fatigue, especially at the location of attachment to the ring on which the items are hung. In particular, swivel action of the items such as when tensile member is retracted and/or when the user of the apparatus is walking wears down the tensile member at the location of attachment. Thus while the majority of the apparatus may be in good working condition, the tensile member is prematurely worn to a stage where the ring and the items thereon can easily detach completely from the apparatus. 
     Locking mechanisms that control the rotation of retractable reels are also known. Locking mechanisms are often used with retractable tape measures. However, such locking mechanisms can be complicated with multiple moving parts, thus increasing the cost of manufacture, the risk of malfunction and breakage and/or the overall weight and size. 
     Helical metal rings are commonly provided on key chains as a means by which keys and other small portable items can be removably attached. While such rings securely attach the keys or other small portable items, dexterity and strength are often required in order for a user to pry open the rings. Moreover, the helical configuration of the rings does not allow certain items to slide on or off easily. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable that a releasable attachment apparatus provide an attachment that minimizes, if not eliminates, swivel motion between the items attached and the housing, so as to minimize wear and tear on the tensile member. Moreover, it is desirable that the releasable attachment apparatus provide a locking mechanism with a simple design that uses a minimal number of components to reduce cost of manufacturing, the risk of malfunction and/or the overall size and weight. Furthermore, it is desirable that the releasable attachment apparatus provides a means by which items can be readily attached and detached in a secured manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a portable releasable attachment apparatus for personal use having multiple components that allow for easy storage, deployment and detachment of small items carried on the apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus has a retractable unit having a housing inside of which are a reel, a spring coil biasing rotation of the reel, and a tensile member carried on the reel. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the housing has a female opening in which a connector can dock so that there is minimal swivel action in the connector and thus minimal strain on the tensile member when the tensile member is fully retracted in drawing the connector to a stored configuration with the retractable unit. The apparatus also includes a fastener that is adapted to carry the small portable items and is removably attached to the connector. The apparatus also includes a locking switch which is movable between a neutral position that allows rotation of the reel and a locking position which locks the reel against rotation. 
     In a more detailed embodiment, the switch interacts with a locking cam adapted to move a ratchet of the switch into locking contact with the reel to lock the reel against rotation, and a release cam adapted to move the ratchet out of contact with the reel. Also in a more detailed embodiment, the fastener includes a U-shaped member having at least one end adapted for releasable engagement with the fastener, wherein the end is secured against release unless the fastener is detached from the connector. 
     The present invention is also directed to an embodiment of a releasable attachment apparatus where the connector member and/or the fastener is configured to adopt a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, and where the fastener is configured to further adopt a detached configuration whether the connector is stored or deployed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a releasable attachment apparatus in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1A  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a deployed configuration. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a deployed and detached configuration. 
         FIG. 1C  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a connector in a stored configuration, a fastener in a deployed/detached configuration and a dual connector in a open configuration. 
         FIG. 1D  is a front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1  with a connector in a deployed configuration, a fastener in a deployed/detached configuration and a dual connector in a detached configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the apparatus of claim  1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with a switch in a locking position, taken along line A-A. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with a switch in a locking position, taken along line B-B. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 , with a switch in a neutral position, taken long line A-A. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the connector of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of an embodiment of a switch. 
         FIG. 8A  is a cross-sectional view of the switch of  FIG. 8 , taken along line A-A. 
         FIG. 8B  is a cross-sectional view of the switch of  FIG. 8 , taken along line B-B. 
         FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional view of the switch of  FIG. 8 , taken along line C-C. 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of a fastener. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a connector and a fastener of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1 ,  1 A,  1 B,  1 C and  2  illustrate an embodiment of a releasable attachment apparatus  10  with multiple components that are releasable, separable and/or detachable from each other. The apparatus  10  has a retraction unit  12 , a connector  14  and a fastener  16  for a device  17  ( FIG. 1C ), for example, a key, a small tool or gear, a badge, and the like. In fact, the apparatus has an overall shape that resembles a key with a circular portion and an elongated portion. At its proximal end  18 , the connector  14  is tethered to a tensile member  20  dispensed from the retraction unit. At its distal end  22 , the connector  14  is adapted for releasable coupling to the fastener  16 . Advantageously, by means of a retractable reel housed in the retraction unit  12 , the connector  14  along with the fastener  16  can readily assume a stored configuration relative to the retraction unit ( FIG. 1 ), and a deployed configuration remote from but remaining tethered to the retraction unit ( FIG. 1A ). Further, by means of releasable coupling with the connector  14 , the fastener  16  can readily assume a detached configuration remote from the connector  14  whether the connector is deployed ( FIG. 1B ) or stored ( FIG. 1C ). Moreover, the fastener  16  includes an attachment member  19  which can be closed ( FIG. 1B ), open ( FIG. 1C ) or fully detached ( FIG. 1D ) from the fastener  16 . In accordance with the present invention, the connector  14  is adapted to minimize, if not prevent, swivel motion of the connector when it is in the stored configuration, which swivel motion would otherwise prematurely weaken the tensile member  20  at the location of attachment to the connector. Moreover, as a safety feature, the attachment member  19  can be released only when the fastener  16  is detached from the connector  14 . Furthermore, a switch  55  on the retraction unit  12  enables a user to lock and unlock the deployment and extension of the tensile member  20  from the retractor unit  12 . The retraction unit  12  can be carried on a belt, for example, by means of a clip  25  affixed to a housing  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The housing has a generally circular cross section and thus an outer circumference as seen in  FIG. 1 , with a generally planar profile as seen in  FIG. 2 , and is formed of two, generally similar housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . The housing halves are configured to contact each other along a generally circular periphery edge  31  ( FIG. 2 ). Extending outwardly at the top and the bottom of the periphery edge of each housing half and lying in the planar profile of the housing are portions  32  and  33 . Top portion  32   b  of the second housing half  30   b  has an alignment prong  34  extending perpendicularly to the planar profile toward the first housing half  30   a . The prong  34  is received in a recess  35  formed in the top portion  32   a  of the first housing half  30   a . The top portion  32   b  also has a pair of opposing periphery edge projections  36  (see also  FIG. 2 ) extending toward the first housing half  30   a  that are received in recesses  37  formed in the periphery edge  31  of the first housing half  30   a . Also in each of the top portions  32   a  and  32   b  are corresponding and aligned through-holes  38  adapted to receive screws (not shown) to releasably fasten the housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  together. 
     Bottom portions  33   a  and  33   b  of the housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  also have corresponding and aligned through-holes  38  adapted to receive screws to releasably fasten the housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  together. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, each of the bottom portions  33   a  and  33   b  has a recess formations  40  which jointly form a cradle or docking station. With a concave formation with an outwardly-facing opening, the cradle conformingly receives the correspondingly-shaped, if not similarly-shaped, proximal end  18  of the connector  14  which can nest fittingly in the cradle when the connector is in the stored configuration, as when the tensile member  20  is fully retracted. 
     The tensile member  20  is wound on a reel  42  adapted to rotate about a central axis member  43  projecting perpendicularly from the second housing half  30   b  toward the first housing half  30   a . The reel  42  has a first side that faces the first housing half and a second side that faces the second housing half. Between the first side and the second side is a circumferential channel  45  ( FIG. 3B ) in which the tensile member  20  is wound. Facing the second housing half is an inner annular space  46  surrounding the axis  43  in which a spring coil  47  sits to bias the reel  42  to rotate in a direction that wounds the tensile member  20  in the channel  45  and retracts the tensile member. An inner end of the coil  47  is anchored in a slot  48  in the axis  43 . An outer end of the coil  47  is anchored in a slot  49  formed in the reel  42 . An inner end of the tensile member  20  is anchored in an end cap  50  that sits in a recess  51  formed in the reel  42  on second side facing the second housing half  30   b . A cutout  53  is formed in the second side of the reel to allow the tensile member  20  access to the channel  45 . In  FIG. 3A , on the first side of the reel facing the first housing half are a plurality of circumferential cogs  54  which interact with the switch  55 , as explained further below. 
     The tensile member  20  (e.g., a cable, chain, cord or monofilament) unwinds from the reel  42  and extends outside of the retraction unit  12  when its distal end is pulled with a sufficient force to overcome the biasing retraction force of the spring coil  47 . When the distal end is released, the tensile member  20  rewinds on the reel  42  under the force of the spring coil  47 . With reference to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  5  and  6 , the distal end of the tensile member is fixed in a fitting  56 , such as a bearing, which extends outside of the housing  30  via the opening defined by the cradle  40 . The fitting  56  is anchored in the male proximal end  18  of the connector  14 , with the tensile member  20  passing through a central passage  57  formed in the connector. The passage  57  has a stop junction  58  between a wider passage and a narrow passage which the fitting  56  cannot pass and thus retains the connector  14  on the tensile member  20 . The male proximal end  18  of the connector  14  is drawn into the female cradle  40  via its opening when the tensile member  20  is fully retracted on the reel  42 . A close fitting between the male proximal end  18  and the female cradle  40  advantageously prevents swivel motion of the connector  14  relative to the housing  30  which would otherwise cause premature wear and tear on the tensile member  20  at or near the location of attachment to the connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the female and male formations  18  and  40  are wedge-shaped or tapered (e.g., trapezoidal), having a wider distal lateral dimension and a narrower proximal lateral dimension ( FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  6 ), and both having a generally rectangular cross-section in one embodiment ( FIG. 7 ). Once received in the female formation  40  and maintained in there under positive tension of the spring coil  47  acting on the retraction reel  42 , the male proximal end  18  minimizes motion of the connector  14  relative to the housing  30 . 
     The switch  55  of the retraction unit  12  allow a user to control rotation of the reel. The switch allows the reel to freely rotate or locks the reel against rotation in either direction. That is, the switch  55  is slidable between two positions for controlling the extension of the tensile member  20 : a neutral position ( FIG. 4 ) and a locking position ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ). As shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the switch  55  has an elongated body of a generally arcuate shape to correspond and conform with the circumference of the housing  30 . The switch has an elongated outer user interface portion  62  with a friction inducing outer surface (e.g., a plurality of parallel ridges) between opposing thinner and curved end portions  64 . The raised formation  63  is adapted for contact with a user&#39;s thumb or finger to slide the switch between the neutral and locking positions. The switch also has an inner elongated locking slider  65 , a ratchet  66  extending inwardly from the slider, and a neck portion  67  connecting the interface portion  62  and the slider  65 . The housing  30  is formed with an opening  68  ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) through which the neck  67  extends with the switch  55  slidable but sandwiched between the first and second housing halves  30   a  and  30   b . The interface portion  62  is exposed whereas the slider  65  and the ratchet  66  are inside the housing. The opening  68  in the housing is sufficiently elongated in the circumferential dimension to receive the neck  67  and allow sliding motion of the switch  55  in the circumferential direction between the neutral and locking positions. The interface portion  62  is sufficiently elongated in the circumferential dimension to cover the opening  68  with the switch being in either position. The slider  65  is also elongated in the circumferential direction. On an outwardly facing surface of the slider  65  are ridge formations  70  at each end of the slider. The ridge formations  70  are adapted for engagement with recesses  73  formed in the inner surface of the peripheral edge  31  of the first housing half  30   a  to releasably lock the switch  55  in the locking position ( FIG. 3A ). 
     In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 ,  8 A- 8 C, the interface portion has the greatest length in the circumferential dimension, with the slider and the ratchet having lesser lengths. In the width dimension, the interface portion  62  has the greatest width, with the slider  65  having a lesser width and the ratchet  66  have the least width. As such, the interface portion  62  spans over both housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  whereas the slider  65  and the ratchet  66  reside primarily in the first housing half  30   a . A gap  69  next to the neck  67  between the interface portion  62  and the slider  65  is mostly occupied by one of the peripheral projection  36  extending from the second housing half  30   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the ridge formations  70  extend only about half the width of the slider  65 . 
     Interacting with the ratchet  66  are a release cam  75  and a locking cam  76  formed as protrusions on the inner surface of the first housing half  30   a  projecting toward the second housing half  30   b . The release cam  75  is situated near the switch  55  and is elongated with an outer-facing surface  77  generally following the curvature or circumference of the reel  42 , which contacts an inner facing surface of the ratchet near the attached end of the ratchet. When the switch  55  is moved to the neutral position (in the counter-clockwise direction  FIG. 4 ), the outer-facing surface  77  of the release cam  75  pushes the ratchet  66  outwardly so that an enlarged end  78  of the ratchet is free from contact with any cogs  54  so that the reel  42  can rotate in one direction under the force of the spring coil  47  or rotate in the other direction under the force of the user pulling and extending the tensile member  20 . Notably, the ridge formations  70  on the slider  65  help push the ratchet  66  inwardly toward the release cam  75  in ensuring the enlarged end  78  is flexed away from the cogs  54 . 
     The locking cam  76  is situated near enlarged end  78  and is of a generally triangular shape with a surface  91  that is angled relative to the circumferential direction. As the switch  55  is moved to the locking position (in the clockwise direction in  FIG. 3A ), the surface  91  of the locking cam  76  comes into contact with and pushes the enlarged end  78  inwardly to engage a cog  54  which locks the reel  42  against rotation in either direction. 
     The switch  55  can be made of any suitable material that is sufficiently rigid yet flexible and elastic to enable the ratchet  66  to releasably interact with the cams  75  and  76  and engage the reel  42 . Plastics, such as acetal resins, are suitable materials. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connector  14  at the outer end of the tensile member  20  has a distal male portion  22 . The proximal and distal portions  18  and  22  together present a generally planar profile that aligns with the planar profile of the retraction unit  12  when the connector is in the stored configuration ( FIG. 2 ). The distal male portion  22  of the connector is adapted to be received in a proximal female portion  86  of the fastener  16  ( FIG. 9 ). In the disclosed embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the distal male portion  22  projects distally from the proximal male portion  18  and includes a pair of opposing outwardly facing elongated deformable prongs  81  (each with a catch protrusion  82 ). In between the two side prongs  81  are a plurality of elongated stop members  83  which lie coplanar with the prongs  81 . As illustrated, the male portion  22  lies within a single plane, which plane tends to be also coplanar with the housing  30  when the connector  14  is nested in the receiving female cradle  40  of the housing  30  ( FIG. 2 ). The elongated stop members or stop prongs  83  are parallel to the side prongs  81  and of generally equal length to the side prongs  81 . The connector  14  can be made of any suitable material, for example, acetal resin materials, such as that sold under the trademark DELRIN®, that provides sufficient rigidity and elasticity to allow the side prongs  81  to be pressed inwardly toward each other so that they can be inserted into the fastener  16  and to allow the side prongs  81  to spring back so they lock within the fastener  16 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 9 , the fastener  16  has a “pocket” body  85  with a generally planar profile that aligns with the connector  14  and the retraction unit  12  when the fastener  16  is engaged with the connector  14  in the stored configuration ( FIG. 2 ). The body  85  has a proximal female portion  86  that defines an opening through which the male distal portion  22  of the connector  14  is inserted and received in an interior cavity  87  or pocket of the body. A planar divider  88  is provided in the interior cavity  87 , and elongated side apertures  89  are formed in the body so that the side prongs  81  of the connector  14  can extend outwardly with the catch  82  latching a proximal end of the apertures  89 . The side apertures  89  also allow a user access to the prongs  81 . When a user squeezes the prongs  81  together, the connector  14  and the fastener  16  are released from each other. Additional aperture  90  are provided for material and weight reduction and aesthetic purposes. The fastener can be made of any suitable material with sufficient rigidity, for example, plastics such as polycarbonate. 
     A distal end of the fastener  16  includes the U-shaped dual connector  19  having an elongated or tensile member  101  (for example, a stainless steel cable) which forms a loop and whose two sides with ends are capped with fittings  102  that are releasably received in a pair of recesses  103  formed in opposing lateral extensions  104  of the body  85  immediately distal of the apertures  90 . The member  101  lies in the plane of the body  85  and the apparatus  10  ( FIG. 2 ). Fittings  102  have an interference fit (they fit snugly together) with the recesses  103 . The interference fit between fittings  102  and the recesses  103  secures the two fittings  102  in the recesses  103  until the user pushes  101  axially to release at least one of the fittings from the recess, such as to hook or remove an item, such as a key. The recesses are blocked on the outside but have partially blocked angled openings  106  facing inwardly toward each other such that the user needs to push upward and proximally the side of the member  101  to be released so the fitting  102  clears the extension  104  and is released from the recess  103  via the opening  106 . With one fitting released ( FIG. 1C ) or both fittings released ( FIG. 1D ), small tools or keys can be hung on or removed from the member  101 . Advantageously, while the fastener  16  is coupled to the connector,  14 , the fittings  102  are secured in the recesses  103  and not releasable from the fastener. That is, the ends of the stop prongs  83  of the connector  14  abuts the fittings  102  and prevent the fittings from being dislodged from the recesses  103 . Thus, as a security feature, the member  101  can only be released from the fastener  16  while the fastener  16  is detached from the connector  14 . In one embodiment, only one fitting is removable from the recess whereas the other fitting is fixed in the recess ( FIG. 1C ). In another embodiment, both fitting are removable from the recesses ( FIG. 1D ). 
     In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the connector  14  and/or the fastener  16  can adopt numerous configurations for different uses and applications, including 
     (1) a joint stored configuration where both the connector and the fastener are in the stored configuration, attached and proximate the retraction unit ( FIG. 1 ) 
     (2) a joint deployed configuration where both the connector and fastener are remote from the retraction unit but still attached to the retraction unit ( FIG. 1A ) 
     (3) a detached configuration where the fastener is separated from the connector and the retraction unit ( FIGS. 1B ,  1 C and  1 D) where the connector is either stored ( FIG. 1C ) or deployed relative to the retraction unit ( FIGS. 1B and 1D ). 
     In another alternate embodiment as shown in  FIG. 10 , the bottom portions  33  of each of the housing halves  30   a  and  30   b  jointly form a male formation  110  that is docked or fittingly received in a proximal female end  112  of the connector  14 . It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the interface between the retraction unit  12  and the connector  14  can be reversed to provide the same anti-swivel feature of the aforementioned embodiment. That is, the male formation  110  and the proximal female end  112  can be similarly wedge-shaped or tapered (e.g., trapezoidal), having a wider proximal lateral dimension and a narrower proximal lateral dimension, and both having a generally rectangular cross-section. Nested together, the male formation  110  and the female formation  112  secures the connector  14  to the retracting unit  12  in a manner that minimizes swivel motion of the connector  14  relative to the retracting unit  12 . It is also understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the interface between the connector  14  and the fastener  16  can also be reversed with the connector having a female distal end and the fastener having a distal end. 
     The preceding description has been presented with reference to certain exemplary embodiments of the invention. Workers skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes to the described structure may be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principal, spirit and scope of this invention. It is understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Rather, it should be read as consistent with and as support for the following claims which are to have their fullest and fairest scope.