Patent Publication Number: US-2006018718-A1

Title: Connector having a mechanical lock and a one-step release

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
      This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/590,109, filed Jul. 22, 2004. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to the field of connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a category of connectors commonly referred to as quick-release connectors. The present invention further relates to connectors particularly applicable with underwater diving equipment such as weight systems for buoyancy control devices that allow for the selective release of weight to adjust buoyancy.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      It is generally known to provide a connector for releasably coupling the ends of two or more bands, straps, belts, webbing, and the like together. It is also generally known to provide a connector having features such as quick-release, quick-connect, mechanical locking, etc. Connectors having one or more of these features are commonly used with luggage, backpacking equipment, and the like. Such connectors may also be suitable for use with weighting systems used on buoyancy control devices for underwater diving. Connectors used with underwater weighting systems should provide a positive lock that is easy to disengage, but configured to protect against accidental disengagement.  
      A buoyancy control device, more commonly known as a buoyancy compensator, is a standard piece of equipment used by SCUBA divers to help offset changes in buoyancy during the course of a dive. The buoyancy of a scuba diver during a dive can depend on a number of factors, such as the weight of the diver, the weight of the equipment carried by the diver, the depth of the dive, the temperature of the water, and numerous other factors. Consequently, the buoyancy of the diver can vary significantly during the course of a dive or between dives. A buoyancy compensator helps to offset these changes in buoyancy, thereby making it easier for the diver to maintain or achieve a desired depth.  
      A buoyancy compensator is typically a vest-like harness that is worn around the diver&#39;s torso. It generally includes four major elements: a weighting or weight system, an adjustable gas cell, a means of securing a gas tank, and storage pockets. The weighting system is typically made up of lead weights that are attached about the waist of the diver on a weight belt or contained within pockets mounted at the side panels of the buoyancy control device. The weighting system is used to overcome the buoyancy force exerted on the diver by the water, which then allows the diver to sink. In emergency situations, the weights of the weighting system are removed and dropped such that the diver quickly ascends.  
      Weighting systems may be coupled directly to the diver (e.g., weight belts, weight harnesses, etc.) or alternatively may be coupled to or integrated with other underwater diving equipment (e.g., a buoyancy compensator, etc.). As can be appreciated, weighting systems need to remain in a securely locked position but also must be selectively releasable by the diver to release weight when desired and/or necessary. Further, accidental release of weight during a dive could result in an undesired and uncontrolled ascent, which could result in substantial injury to a diver.  
      The most common type of connector used to with underwater weighting systems are hook and loop fasteners. Hook and loop fasteners are popular because of the relative ease that weights can be inserted and fastened to the weight system. Unfortunately, a hook and loop fasteners are not a mechanical lock, have limited strength, and the interfaces tend to wear out over time. Also, the interfaces may become contaminated to degree that the hook and loop is no longer functional.  
      Another type of connector that is commonly used with underwater diving equipment are referred to as rip-cord type releases, wherein a user pulls a cord to release all of the weight in the case of an emergency. Rip-cord systems are often difficult to thread and re-thread into the weighting system. In addition, with rip-cord releases, the emergency release is often different than the release at the end of dive and the diver may become confused.  
      Another known weight release system uses a connector that disengages by a pull on a handle which “automatically” releases the weight system. A problem with such known weight release systems is that they can be released accidentally by the diver or by getting caught on an underwater obstruction (e.g., coral reef, shipwreck, rocks, etc.).  
      Connectors having mechanical locks are also generally known. However, such connectors often require a user to make more than one manipulation in order to disengage the connector. In other connectors having mechanical locks, the connectors are susceptible to accidental disengagement.  
      Thus, there is a continuing need for a connector that is particularly suitable for use with a buoyancy control device and a weighting system for a buoyancy control device that: (1) provides a positive mechanical lock, (2) that is designed to minimize the likelihood of accidental disengagement, and (3) that enables the user to quickly and easily release the weight pouch from the weight pocket in a single manipulation.  
      Accordingly, to provide a connector having any one of the above mentioned features would represent a significant advance in the art.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      According to one embodiment, a connector providing a mechanical lock and simplifying the manipulation required for disengagement by a user is provided. The connector includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion detachably engaged with the first connector portion. The second connector portion has a base member and a locking member pivotally coupled to the base member. The locking member and the base member both having a handle portion and an engagement portion. The connector further includes a biasing member disposed between the handle portions urging at least one of the engagement portions towards a locked position. The second connector portion is disengaged from the first connector portion by a squeezing and pulling motion of the handle portions by the user.  
      According to another embodiment, a buoyancy control device is provided. The buoyancy control device includes an apparel unit, a weight system integrated into the apparel unit, and a retaining system coupled to the apparel unit for releasably retaining the weight system to the apparel unit. The retaining system includes a connector. The connector includes a first connector portion and a second connector portion detachably engaged with the first connector portion. The second connector portion has a base member and a locking member pivotally coupled to the base member. The locking member and the base member both having a handle portion and an engagement portion. The connector further includes a biasing member disposed between the handle portions urging at least one of the engagement portions towards a locked position. The second connector portion is disengaged from the first connector portion by a squeezing and pulling motion of the handle portions by the user.  
      According to yet another embodiment, a method of disconnecting a weight from a buoyancy control device is provided. The method includes the step of coupling a connector to the buoyancy control device that releasably retains the weight to the buoyancy control device. The connector includes first and second connector portions. The second connector detachably engages the first connector portion and includes a locking member and a base member. The locking member and the base member both include handle portions and engagement portions. The method further includes the step of coupling one of the first connector portion and the second connector portion to the buoyancy control device and the other of the first connector portion and the second connector portion to the weight. The method further includes the steps of squeezing together the handle portions of the base member and the locking member to disengage at least one of the engagement portions and pulling the second connector away from the first connector to release the weight from the buoyancy control device. The steps of squeezing and pulling are performed in a single manipulation step by a user.  
      The present invention further relates to various features and combinations of features shown and described in the disclosed embodiments.  
      Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary first embodiment illustrated in a locked position.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector according to an exemplary second embodiment.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a connector according to the first embodiment illustrating the connector being disengaged.  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector according to the first embodiment illustrating the connector being disengaged.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a connector according to the second embodiment illustrated in a disengaged position.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a buoyancy control device including a weighting system and a retaining system that includes a connector of the first embodiment for securing the weighting system to the buoyancy control device.  
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged fragmentary view of the buoyancy control device of  FIG. 6  illustrating a weight pouch and a weight being removed from a weight pocket of the buoyancy control device utilizing the connector of the first embodiment.  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a connector according to the second embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 9  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 8  illustrated in a locked position.  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 8  illustrated in a disengaged position.  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 8  illustrated in a disengaged position.  
       FIG. 12  is top perspective view of a connector according a third exemplary embodiment.  
       FIG. 13  is a top perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 12  illustrated in a disengaged position.  
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of the connector of  FIG. 12  according to the third embodiment. 
    
    
      While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Before proceeding with the description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, several general comments can be made about the applicability and the scope thereof.  
      First, one particular connector is illustrated in the FIGS., namely one having a first connector portion and a second connector portion that are configured to be releasably coupled. In addition, one suitable application for the connector is shown, particularly, the connector is illustrated in the FIGS. as a connector suitable for use with a weighting system of a buoyancy compensator device used for underwater diving. It should be understood at the outset that the present invention has particular applicability to diving applications but may have other potential applicability beyond weighting systems, such as luggage, backpacking equipment, tie-down devices, and any other application where a connector may be used to releasably secure together the ends of straps, belts, bands, webbing, etc.  
      In addition, the materials used for the construction of the connector, both the connector portions and the biasing member, can be selected from any of those currently in use for connectors of this type or any other appropriate material.  
      Proceeding now to the description of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments, the FIGS. illustrate a connector  10  of the type that is suitable for use with underwater diving equipment such as weight systems for buoyancy compensators or the like. As mentioned above, connector  10  is not limited to applications involving underwater diving equipment and could be configured and dimensioned to be used in any of a variety of applications wherein it would be desirable to hold straps, cords, bands, etc. together.  
      As shown  FIG. 5 , connector  10  includes a first connector portion  20  and a corresponding second connector portion  40 . According to a preferred embodiment, first connector portion  20  is a female connector and second connector portion  40  is a male connector. According to an alternative embodiment, the first connector portion  20  may be the male connector and the second connector portion  40  may be the female connector. According to another embodiment the first connector portion  20  and the second connector portion  40  may both include first portions that may be commonly referred to as a male connector portions and second portions that may be commonly referred to as female connector portions. In each embodiment, the first connector portion  20  and the second connector portion  40  of the connector  10  cooperate to provide a quick-release connector having a mechanical positive lock that is actuatable from a connected state to a disconnected state by means of a single manipulation step. The first connector portion  20  and the second connector portion  40  further cooperate to provide a connector that is configured to minimize the likelihood of an accidental disengagement.  
      According to a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , first connector portion  20  includes a first surface  22  and a second surface  24  for receiving second connector portion  40 . First surface  22  is positioned generally in a front portion  26  of first connector portion  20  and is substantially perpendicular to second surface  24 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, first surface  22  is a front surface from which a guide (e.g., rail, slot, notch, etc.), shown as a pair of channels  28 ,  30  located on sidewalls  32 ,  34  of first connector portion  20 , is recessed. Channels  28 ,  30  extend longitudinally along an axis x-x and are designed to receive second connector portion  40  in a slidable manner.  
      Second surface  24  is a bottom surface that includes an aperture (e.g., recess, opening, etc.) shown as slot  36  for receiving second connector portion  40 . According to a preferred embodiment, slot  36  is a transverse slot configured to receive a locking portion of the second connector portion  40 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, slot  36  extends from one side wall of first connector portion  20  to the opposite side wall. In an alternative embodiment, first connector portion  20  includes a pair of transverse slots  36  along the second surface  24 . While second surface  24  is illustrated as a being a relatively flat surface, in alternatively embodiments, second surface  24  may have a geometry enabling the connector  10  to better conform to the contours of an article to which the connector  10  is mounted (e.g., curved, arcuate, linear, etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, second surface  24  may be configured as a top surface of first connector portion  20 .  
      First connector portion  20  is intended to be coupled to an article and to receive second connector portion  40 . Preferably, first connector portion  10  includes a buckle  37  that is configured to receive a band (i.e. webbing, strap, string, cord, wire, etc.) used to couple first connector portion  20  to the article. According to a preferred embodiment, buckle  37  is positioned generally in a back portion of first connector portion  20  and includes a slot  38 . Preferably, slot  38  is an elongated transverse slot that is dimensioned to receive and retain a band coupling first connector portion  20  to an article. As can be appreciated, buckle  37  may include a plurality slots  38  for securing the band to the connector or for receiving multiple bands. In addition, slot  38  is not limited to an opening extending transversely. Depending on the application, slot  38  may be any of a variety of shapes and may be aligned in any orientation relative to first connector portion  20 . Techniques for coupling a connector to an article are generally known. Accordingly, first connector portion  20  may be coupled to an article in any of a variety of known techniques.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the second connector portion  40  is configured to engage the first connector portion  20  along a mating interface and retain connector  10  in a locked position until a user selectively disengages the connector. According to a preferred embodiment, second connector portion  40  includes a base member  42  and a locking member  44 . Base member  42  and locking member  44  both include handle portions  46 ,  48  and engaging portions  50 ,  52  respectively. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, base member  42  and locking member  44  are two separate members rotatably coupled to each other at a pivot  54 . Pivot  54  may be positioned substantially equidistant from the handle portions  46 ,  48  and the engaging portions  50 ,  52 . Preferably pivot  54  is maintained by a pivot pin  55  extending transversely through the side walls of at least one of the base member  42  and locking member  44  and at least partially engaging the side walls of the other of the base member  42  or the locking member  44  base member  32 . The present invention is not limited to the use of a pivot pin to movably couple the locking member to the base member. According to an alternative embodiment, base member  42  and locking member  44  may be integrally form as single unitary body. For such an embodiment, pivot  54  may be maintained by a living hinge existing between base member  42  and locking member  44 .  
      According to a preferred embodiment, engaging portion  50  of base member  42  is a male connector that is received by first surface  22  of first connector  20  in a slidable manner. Engaging portion  50  includes a structure complimentary to the guide disposed in first surface  24  and according to a particularly preferred embodiment, the complimentary structure includes a pair protrusions (i.e., edges, projections, etc.) shown as rails  56  that slidably engage channels  28 ,  30  of first connector  20 . The engagement of base member  42  and first connector portion  20  preferably limits rotational movement of base member  42  relative to first connector portion  20 . According to an alterative embodiment, engaging portion  50  of base member  42  is a female connector that receives a corresponding male connector that defines the first surface  22  of first connector  20 . For such an embodiment, rails  56  may be provided on first connector portion  20  and corresponding channels  28 ,  30  may be provided on second connector portion  40 .  
      Locking member  44  is designed to detachably secure base member  42  to first connector portion  20  thereby retaining second connector portion  40  to first connector portion  20  by creating a mechanical lock. According to a preferred embodiment, the engaging portion  52  of locking member  44  includes a detent  58  that is adapted to engage slot  36  disposed in the second surface  24  of first connector portion  20 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment detent  58  includes an inclined surface  60  to assist in camming detent  58  into a locked position when second connector portion  40  is being inserted into first connector portion  20 . Inclined surface  60  may be a substantially flat surface, or alternatively may be a curved surface as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , engaging portion  52  of locking member  44  is urged into the locked position by a biasing element  62 . According to a preferred embodiment, biasing element  62  is a spring disposed between handle portions  46 ,  48  that urges engaging portion  52  towards engaging member  50 . Biasing element  62  is intended to maintain engaging portion  52  in the locked position until disengagement is desired by the user. In alternative embodiments, biasing element  62  may be integrally formed with second connector portion  40 .  
      Handle portions  46 , 48  enable a user to selectively disengage second connector portion  40  from first connector portion  20  thereby unlocking the connector  10 . Handle portions  46 ,  48  are designed to allow a user to disengage the connector in a one step manipulation of handle portions  46 ,  48 . Disengagement of the second connector portion  40  from the first connector portion  20  is actuated by squeezing the handle portions  46 ,  48  together with sufficient force to overcome biasing element  62 . Such a configuration is intended to prevent accidental and unintentional disengagement of connector  10 . Squeezing the handle portions together disengages detent  58  from slot  36 . Removing detent  58  from slot  36  enables engaging portion  50  to slidably disengage from first surface  22 .  
      According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 - 5 , base member  42  defines the top surface of second connector portion  40 . In such an embodiment, handle portion  46  preferably has a geometry that generally conforms to inner portion of a user&#39;s hand. Preferably a user&#39;s fingers wrap around the end of handle portion  46  to reach handle portion  48  of the locking member  44 . Such a configuration advantageously provides for quick-release of connector  10  when disengagement is desired. When a user squeezes the handle portions  46 ,  48  together, the user&#39;s hand is already in a position to pull the second connector portion  40  out of the first connector portion  20 . Accordingly, connector  10  is actuatable from a connected state to a disconnected state by means of a single manipulation step. According to an alternative embodiment, locking member  44  defines the top surface of second connector portion  40 . In such an embodiment, handle portion  48  preferably has a geometry that generally conforms to the inner portion of a user&#39;s hand.  
      According to a preferred embodiment, engagement of connector  10  is accomplished by slidably inserting the engaging member  50  of second connector portion  40  into the guide mechanism recessed in the first surface  22  of first connector portion  20 . As engagement portion  50  is being inserted into first surface  22 , the inclined surface  60  of detent  58  contacts first connector portion  20  and is cammed into engagement with slot  36 . Biasing element  62  retains the engaging portion  52  in the locked position until a sufficient force is applied to the handle portions  46 ,  48 .  
      Similar to first connector portion  20 , second connector  40  is intended to be coupled to an article. Preferably, second connector portion  40  includes a buckle  41  that is configured to receive a band (i.e., webbing, strap, string, cord, wire, etc.) used to couple second connector portion  40  to the article. According to a preferred embodiment, buckle  41  is formed in locking member  44  and positioned between handle portion  48  and engaging portion  52 . In alternative embodiments, buckle  41  may be formed in base member  42 . Preferably, buckle  41  includes a slot  43  that is an elongated transverse slot dimensioned to receive and retain a band coupling second connector portion  40  to an article. As can be appreciated, buckle  41  may include a plurality slots  43  for securing the band to the connector or for receiving multiple bands. In addition, slot  43  is not limited to an opening extending transversely. Depending on the application, slot  43  may be any of a variety of shapes and may be aligned in any orientation relative to second connector portion  40 . Techniques for coupling a connector to an article are generally known. Accordingly, second connector portion  40  may be coupled to an article in any of a variety of known techniques.  
      First connector portion  20  and second connector portion  40  are preferably made of plastic. In various alternative embodiments, first connector portion  20  and second connector portion  40  may be made from a variety of conventionally known or otherwise appropriate materials.  
      As previously mentioned, connector  10  is particularly suitable for use with a buoyancy control device used for underwater diving having a weight release system. An exemplary embodiment of a such a buoyancy control device and weight release system is illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a buoyancy control device  100  generally includes apparel unit  120  and weighting systems  140 . Apparel unit  120  is configured to be worn by the diver and provides an adjustable gas cell (not shown) which may be selectively inflated or deflated to adjust a buoyancy of the user during a dive. To allow for such adjustment, apparel unit  120  generally includes the means for inflating and deflating the gas cell. Such means preferably include elbow tube  180 , inflator hose  200  and mouth piece  220 . Elbow tube  180  is in communication with the gas cell and is connected to inflator hose  200 . Inflator hose  200  is connected to mouth piece  220 . Mouth piece  220  enables the user to inflate the gas cell orally by channeling air blown into the mouth piece into the gas cell. Mouth piece  220  includes a valve mechanism which allows the user to release gas from the cell by pushing a button. Various other conventionally known means for selectively inflating and deflating the gas cell may be provided in apparel unit  120 .  
      Although not shown, apparel unit  100  additionally includes a tank mounting mechanism such as that described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/629,604, entitled Buoyancy Control Device Storage Pockets, filed on Jul. 31, 2000 by Sergio A. Angelini, the full disclosure which, in its entirety, is hereby incorporated by reference.  
      In an exemplary embodiment, apparel unit  120  is in form of a vest including a back panel  260 , a right shoulder strap  280 , a left shoulder strap  300 , a right front panel  320  and a left front panel  340 . Back panel  260  is a panel that covers the diver&#39;s back when buoyancy control device  100  is worn by the diver. Back panel  260  is connected to right and left shoulder straps  280  and  300  and right and left from panels  320 ,  340 .  
      In alternative embodiments, buoyancy control for apparel unit  120  may be in the form of a belt or a pull-over rather than a vest. Instead of having a right and left panel, apparel unit  120  may have one front panel that is attached to each side of back panel  260  and covers the area of the divers body that both right front panel  320  and left panel  340  are shown covering in  FIG. 6 . In such a one front panel configuration, apparel unit  100  is pulled down over the diver&#39;s head. In another embodiment, apparel unit  120  includes only a single right or left panel. In such an embodiment, rather than having a front panel extend from each side of the back panel  260  and terminate near the center of the divers torso, and show in  FIG. 6 , the single right or left panel extends from one side of back panel  260  and terminates on the other side of back panel  260 . In yet another alternative embodiment, apparel unit  120  includes a right and left front panel, but the right and left front panel do not necessarily terminate near the center or midsagital plane of the body of the diver. As will now be appreciated, apparel unit  100  may have a variety of different configurations enabling buoyancy control of device  120  to be worn by the diver.  
      Weighting systems  140  are integrated into apparel unit  120  and enable the user or diver to compensate for excess positive buoyancy (given by wetsuit/drysuit and/or natural body composition) prior to a dive by adding a proper amount of weights. They also allow quick release in case of an emergency. Weighting systems  140  are disposed on each of right panel  320  and left front panel  340  and are substantially identical to one another. For ease of discussion, weighting system  140  on front panel  320  is discussed. Weighting system  140  generally includes pocket  380 , weight pouch  400  and retaining system  420 . Pocket  380  extends along front panel  320  and defines an interior  440  sized to receive weight pouch  400  and an opening  460  through which weight pouch  400  is inserted into interior  440 . In the exemplary embodiment, interior  440  and opening  460  are oriented in a downward direction when device  100  is being worn by the diver. As a result, weight pouch  400  and weight  540  within weight pouch  400  can be removed from interior  440  and released.  
      As shown by  FIG. 7 , pocket  380  is preferably formed by panels  480  and  500  which are sewn together to define interior  440  and opening  460 .  
      Weight pouch  400  contains a removable weight  540  and is sized to be removably positioned within interior  440  of pocket  380 . In the exemplary embodiment, weight pouch  400  includes a pair of flaps  580 ,  600  which are releasably secured to one another to close an opening (not shown) through which weights are positioned in weight pouch  400 . As will be appreciated, weight pouch may have any of a variety of alternative size, shapes and configurations, as well as closing mechanisms, so long as weight pouch  400  is removably positioned within interior  440  of pocket  380 .  
      Retaining system  420  releasably retains weight pouch  400  and its weight  540  within interior  440  of pocket  380 . Retaining system  420  generally includes connector  10 , a strap  68 , and a strap  70 . As described above, connector  10  includes first connector portion  20  and second connector portion  40 . According to an exemplary embodiment, strap  68  is coupled to first connector portion  20  and strap  70  is coupled to second connector portion  40 . According to a preferred embodiment, strap  68  couples first connector portion  20  to apparel unit  120  while strap  70  couples second connector portion  40  to weight pouch  400 . Connector portions  20  and  40  are configured to be releasably connected to one another so as to releasably secure weight pouch  40  to apparel unit  12 . As mentioned above, the engagement of connector portions  20  and  40  form a mechanical lock which is actuatable between a connected state and a disconnected state by a single manipulation step whereby connector portions  20  and  40  may be disconnected without requiring that the hand of the user be repositioned multiple times to perform multiple manipulations.  
      Because connector portions  20  and  40  form a mechanical lock releasable securing weight pouch  400  to apparel unit  120 , weight pouch  400  is better retained within pocket  380  since the mechanical lock provided by connector portions  20  and  40  is more durable and wear resistant than conventionally used hook and loop fastener arrangements. At the same time, because connector portions  20  and  40  provide a mechanical lock that is actuatable from the connected state to the disconnected state through a single manipulation step (described above), weight pouch  400  and its weight  540  may be more easily uncoupled or disconnected from apparel unit  120  and released to adjust the buoyancy of the diver. This is especially important in emergency situations.  
       FIGS. 2 and 8 - 11  illustrate another embodiment of a connector  210  including a first connector portion  212  and a second connector portion  214 . In this embodiment, the biasing member  216  is better illustrated for example in  FIG. 2  where it shows a bent and loaded piece of spring sheet steel  218  arranged between handle portions  222 ,  224  of the second connector portion  214 . As also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , straps  226  and  228  can be operatively connected to the first and second connector portions  212 ,  214  respectively. In this embodiment, the handle portions  222 ,  228  may be pushed together simply by one&#39;s fingers as shown for example in  FIG. 9-11  illustrating how the respective first and second connector portions  212 ,  214  are unlocked and decoupled. Similar to the first embodiment, this embodiment also allows the second connector portion to be disengaged from the first connector portion by a squeezing and pulling motion of the handle portions by a user.  
       FIGS. 12-14  illustrates yet a third embodiment of the present invention similar in operation to the first and second embodiments.  FIGS. 12-14  depict a connector  252  which includes first and second connector portions  254 ,  256 . This connector  252  may be incorporated into a weighting and jacketing system similar to the previous embodiments or otherwise used in association with a weight-release system with diving apparel such as vest, belts and the like in a number of different manners using buckles. In this embodiment, the second connector portion  252  provides for a female connector while the first connector portion  254  provides for a male connector. This is seen for example in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , thus illustrating that the invention is broad enough and encompasses different mating interfaces and that the male and female portions can be arranged on either the first or second connector portion.  
      In this embodiment, the second connector portion  252  includes a base member and  262  and a locking member  264  which are pivotably connected by way of pivot pin  266 . The locking member  264  and the base member  262  each define handle portions  272  and  274 , respectively. Similar to previous embodiments, the locking member  264  is pivoted relative to the base member  262  to release detents  276  (see  FIG. 14 ) from slots  278  formed into the projecting insert  282  from the first connector portion  254 . The projecting insert  282  is adapted to be received within a formed recess  284  which is defined by the base member  262 . In this embodiment, the base member defines one or more channels  286  which slidably receive one or more corresponding flanges or guide rails  288 . Also shown in this embodiment is a spring  292  which is adapted to have one end retained on the inside surface of the base member  262  and another end which engages the concave underside surface of the handle  272  of the locking member  264 .  
      It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the connector  10  as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and/or omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims.  
      All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirely herein.  
      The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.  
      Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.