Patent GB-779659-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to releasable interconnecting devices
Inventor: GIBBINS DENIS GEORGE
IPC: B64D17/32
Filed: 1954-06-29
Abstract: 779,659. Strap fastenings. IRVING AIR CHUTE OF GREAT BRITAIN, Ltd. June 15, 1955 [June 29, 1954], No. 19046/54. Class 44. A releasable interconnecting device comprises two connector parts 1, 2, adapted to make interengagement upon two portions thereof being moved laterally into face to face relationship, in conjunction with means 9 slidable with respect to the engaged portions and serving to prevent or permit lateral movement and resultant disengagement of said portions dependent upon the position of said slidable means with respect to said connector parts and releasable retaining means 11 for preventing or permitting sliding movement of said slidable means, wherein protective means 15 are provided for opposing inadvertent freeing of said retaining means, said protective means requiring movement in at least two directions from the position in which it opposes inadvertent freeing of said retaining means to release said retaining means. As shown, the tail portions of the parts 1, 2 are each provided with a groove 5, 6 and a tongue 7, 8 forming the interengaging portions and shaped so that by moving the parts laterally towards each other the tongues are received within the grooves so that the outer surfaces of the parts 1, 2 are brought into a flush condition. The end faces of the grooves and tongues are tapered so that a force tending to separate the parts in a longitudinal direction tends also to separate said parts in a lateral direction. The slidable means 9 is a rectangular sleeve mounted on the part 2 and movable to a position where it embraces the tongue and groove portions of the two parts and so prevents the lateral separation. The sleeve can however be slid to a position where it permits the separation. The releasable retaining means 11 is a detent pin mounted on a leaf-spring 12, the far end of which is secured to the head portion of the part 2. The pin 11 engages the hole 10 in the sleeve and a button 14 is provided on the spring, pressure on which releases the pin 11 from the hole to permit the sleeve to slide to its other position where it releases the two parts 1 and 2. The protective means is a shield 15 fitted to the sleeve 9. The end portions of the shield are roughened to provide finger grips and each also has a groove 17 for engagement by the ends of a leaf-spring 18 secured to the rear face of the sleeve 9, the spring tending to urge the shield to a position in which its front is spaced from the adjacent face of the sleeve 9. The shield can, however, be pressed against the force of the spring to a position in which a slot can engage under the head of the button 14 to prevent its depression. The shield is provided with pins 20 extending inwardly from its ends and these pins engage U-shaped grooves 21 in the sleeve 9. Each groove 21 has a short leg and a long leg and when the pins 20 are in the long legs the slot is engaging under the head of the button 14, so preventing movement of the sleeve 9. Movement of the shield so that the pins 20 move from the long legs into the short legs of the grooves 21 first disengages the button 14 and then causes the shield to depress the button, freeing the pin 11 from the slot 10 so that the sleeve 9 is free to move. The shield then moves in three directions to free the button. Further movement of the shield then carries the sleeve with it so that the parts 1 and 2 can be disengaged. The edge of the shield is chamfered for ease in depressing the button 14 and for ease in re-engaging the two parts 1 and 2 the edge of the sleeve is chamfered as indicated at 22 so that it can depress the pin 11 when passing over it. The parts 1 and 2 are provided with slots 3, 4 for the connection of straps or the like.