Patent Publication Number: US-11044970-B1

Title: Attachment system with quick release

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an attachment system for attaching a buckle, D-ring or other structure to a length of webbing or a strap. In particular, the invention relates to an attachment system that can be quickly and easily attached or detached from the structure, so that the structure can be removed from the webbing without adjusting the webbing. 
     2. The Prior Art 
     A plastic fastener is often used to connect two sections of a webbing that bear tension, has the purposes such as lacing and adjustment, and is widely used in bags and suitcases. Common fasteners can often take the form of a two-piece side release buckle having a male portion and a female portion. As for the connection between the male and female portions and the webbing, the webbing is usually sewn around a closed cross bar, and the closed cross bar is integrally formed with the fastener, thus achieving the advantages of a low cost and high durability. However, this kind of closed cross bar cannot be replaced, which results in the lack of rework elasticity in production and also blocks the development of a repairing market at the consumer end. Therefore, fasteners with a quick release function were designed, which allow the removal of the fastener without affecting the structure of the fastener or of the webbing. For example, some buckles are equipped with a slot in the cross bar, so that the buckle can be removed by sliding the webbing through the slot until it clears the bar. However, due to the slot, the strength of the cross-bar in this situation is significantly reduced, so that the device is prone to breakage under large degrees of tension. In another solution such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,560 to Anscher, the webbing attachment bar can be unclipped from the buckle at one end to release the webbing. This too has reduced strength as compared to a single piece closed cross-bar, due to the unbalanced stress on the two ends, causing the weaker edge to break first. While these devices can be useful, it would be desirable to have a quick-attach system that is completely independent of the webbing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an attachment system that can be quickly and easily detached from the strap or webbing, yet does not compromise the strength or integrity of the device. This object is accomplished according to the invention by a device for attachment to webbing or a strap, comprising an attachment portion and an operating portion that can be easily attached to and detached from each other. The attachment portion comprises a base body having front and back walls with a cavity between the front and back walls, at least one transverse bar connected to the base body and separated from the base body by a gap, and two locking hooks extending into the cavity in a direction opposite the at least one transverse bar. 
     The operating portion has two side legs, top sections connected to the side legs and a gap between the top sections. The operating portion is pliable so that squeezing the side legs together narrows the gap. Each of the top sections of the operating portion has a locking hook extending therefrom. The operating portion is connectable to the attachment portion by pressing the side legs together and inserting the locking hooks of the operating portion into the cavity of the attachment portion, and then releasing the side legs so that the locking hooks of the attachment portion engage the locking hooks of the operating portion. The operating portion is detachable from the attachment portion by squeezing the side legs together until the locking hooks on the operating portion clear the locking hooks on the attachment portion, and moving the operating portion away from the attachment portion. 
     In one embodiment, there can be at least one, and preferably two prongs extending from the attachment portion opposite the at least one transverse bar. The prongs are disposed in the gap between the top sections of the operating portion when the operating portion is attached to the attachment portion and help to guide the operating portion into alignment with the attachment portion while connecting the two portions together. In another embodiment, the device does not have any prongs. 
     In use, a strap is connected to the attachment portion and extends through a space between the transverse bar and the base body, and around a bottom of the attachment portion, and is then closed in a loop, so that the base body is contained within the loop. When the attachment portion is connected to the operating portion the strap extends around a bottom of the top sections of the operating portion as well. In practical use, the attachment portion is first placed in the webbing loop, and the legs of the operating portion span left and right sides of the webbing loop. The operating portion is fastened to the attachment portion as described above, so that the corresponding locking hooks of each of the portions engage each other. The other end of the operating portion can be attached to a second strap or loop of webbing as well. 
     Once connected, the assembly of the attachment portion and operating portion is therefore firmly fastened into the webbing loop. When external tension is applied on the operating portion, and it is attempted to pull the assembly of the attachment portion and operating portions away from the webbing loop, the underside of the top sections of the operating portion are continuously pressed against an inner side of the webbing loop. When the tension continues to increase beyond the form that the material of the attachment portion can maintain, the legs will gradually deform in an attempt to escape toward the gap. However, this just presses the locking hooks of the operating portion more deeply into the attachment portion, thus strengthening the connection. The possibility of the legs escaping from the webbing is thus counteracted and prevented. The higher the tension is, the stronger the counter-acting force provided by the webbing. The structure of the present invention is easy to assemble and allows for arbitrary assembly and disassembly without affecting the sewn webbing loop. In an assembled state, the tension and the general fastener are just as strong as a conventional system without the quick release function. 
     The webbing can be formed from any suitable material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, cloth or any suitable material in the form of a belt, strap, tape, etc. 
     In one embodiment, rear wall of the attachment portion has apertures therein so that the locking hooks of the operating portion are visible through the apertures when the operating portion is connected to the attachment portion. 
     The operating portion can be any suitable functional object. In one embodiment, the operating portion is a D-ring. In another embodiment, the operating portion is a female portion of a two-piece side-release buckle, wherein the operating portion has a main body connected to the side legs, with a cavity within the main body for receiving a male portion of the side-release buckle. The operating portion could also form the male portion of a side-release buckle. Other suitable objects are a male buckle or female buckle of a sliding buckle, a swivel hook buckle, a swivel square ring, a press release buckle, a ladder buckle, a tri-glide buckle, an O-ring, a square ring, a triangular ring, a snap hook, or a rope-adjusting buckle. It can also be any electronic device: a light-emitting device, a video screen, a telephone, a remote contact tool, a video camera, a video recorder, a microphone, an amplifier, a fan cooler, a fan heater, an insulation device, a portable power source, an electronic protective case, a tension meter, etc. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the side legs are disposed entirely outside of the base body when the operating portion is connected to the attachment portion. This makes it easier to attach the operating portion to the attachment portion, as only the ends of the top sections having the locking hooks enter the cavity of the base body, leaving the side legs outside of any interference with the webbing loop. The side legs can be equipped with ridges to increase a user&#39;s grip. Other gripping structures could also be used. 
     In another embodiment, the device can be used on a Molle (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) system, where the device is sewn in place on a tactical vest by sewing two ends of the strap that extends around the attachment portion. The operating portion can then be switched out as needed, keeping the attachment portion in place. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       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. 
       In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the attachment system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the attachment system in a disassembled state, 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the attachment system as assembled; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of the attachment portion connected with a webbing loop; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the entire attachment system connected with the webbing loop; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view along lines VI-VI of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the attachment system with a webbing loop attached, 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view along lines VIII-VIII of  FIG. 7 , 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the attachment system; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a portion of the attachment system of  FIG. 9  in a disassembled state; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of the attachment system of  FIG. 9  with a webbing loop attached; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the attachment system of  FIG. 9  in use on a Molle system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings,  FIGS. 1-3  show a first embodiment of the system  10  according to the invention. System  10  consists of an attachment portion  20  and an operating portion  30 , which are configured to be attached and detached from each other with a simple action. Attachment portion  20  has a base body  21  formed from a front wall  22  and a rear wall  23 , with a cavity  218  between the front wall  22  and rear wall  23 . A transverse bar  24  is connected to base body  21  and separated by a gap in which a second transverse bar  25  is located. Transverse bar  25  is separated by a slot to allow for webbing attachment during use. Two prongs  28 ,  29  extend down from base body within cavity  218 . As shown in the cross-section in  FIG. 8 , locking hooks  201 ,  202  extend from base body  21  within cavity  218 , on either side of prongs  28 ,  29 . In an alternative embodiment, these prongs can be eliminated. Locking hooks  201 ,  202  face each other. 
     Operating portion  30  is in the form of a D-ring and is formed from two side legs  31 ,  32 , which are each connected to an inwardly extending top section  33 ,  34 , respectively. Top sections  33 ,  34 , are separated by a gap  38 . Top section  33  has a locking hook  35  extending upward therefrom, and top section  34  has another locking hook  36  extending therefrom. The locking hooks  35 ,  36  each face outward, away from the gap. The operating portion  30  is constructed of a pliable material, so that pressing legs  31 ,  32 , together causes the gap to narrow and the locking hooks  35 ,  36 , to move toward each other. The rear wall of the attachment portion  20  has apertures  26 ,  27  therein so that the locking hooks  35 ,  36  of the operating portion  30  are visible through the apertures  26 ,  27  when the operating portion  30  is connected to the attachment portion  20 . 
       FIG. 3  shows attachment portion  20  and operating portion  30  connected to each other, the details of which will be explained below with reference to  FIG. 8 . The system  10  according to the invention is configured so that the operating portion  30  can be connected to a strap  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-7 , in a secure and reliable manner, yet be easily detachable from attachment portion  20 . To assemble the system, strap  40  is first sewn in a loop that serves as a rigid point for attachment bar  25  to attach attachment portion  20  within the loop, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The closed end of the loop is not shown, as it can be located at any distance from attachment portion  20 . As the attachment bar  25  is a transverse bar separated by a gap, the two ends of the loop of strap  40  can enter the attachment bar  25  through the gap. When attached, attachment portion  20  is securely held in place inside the loop of strap  40 . It can be undone and reused within the other loops of strap  40  or any other strap. 
     Then, operating portion  30  is connected to attachment portion  20  with strap  40  already attached, by inserting locking hooks  35 ,  36  into cavity  218  until locking hooks  35 ,  36  engage locking hooks  201 ,  202  on attachment portion  20 , as shown in the cross-section in  FIG. 8 . During assembly, strap  40  is placed between top sections  33 ,  34 , which then extend into the loop on either side of strap  40 , and hooks  35 ,  36  are then attached to attachment portion  20  within the loop of strap  40 , so that strap  40  now wraps around the underside of top sections  33 ,  34  of operating portion  30 , such as shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . 
     Upward tension on strap  40  away from operating portion  30  presses operating portion  30  toward attachment portion  20 , preventing any chance of separation. As the tension increases, either by increased tension on strap  40 , or by tension from a strap attached to the bottom of operating portion  30 , legs  31 ,  32  and top sections  33 ,  34  are deformed, which presses hooks  35 ,  36  even more tightly into engagement with hooks  201 , 202  within attachment portion  20 , by the pressure of strap  40 . Thus, the tighter the tension on strap  40 , the more secure the connection between operating portion  30  and attachment portion  20 . To detach operating portion  30  from attachment portion  20 , the tension on strap  40  is slackened to create room for movement, and the user presses legs  31 ,  32  toward each other until locking hooks  35 ,  36  clear locking hooks  201 ,  202 , at which point operating portion  30  can be disengaged from strap  40  through gap  38 . 
     Another embodiment of the attachment system is shown in  FIGS. 9-11 . Here, instead of a D-ring, operating portion  50  is a female part of a two-piece side-release buckle. Operating portion  50  comprises a female buckle body  58  having two side openings  501 ,  502  for receiving side legs  62 ,  63  of a corresponding male buckle body  60 . Female buckle body  58  has two side legs  51 ,  52 , arranged on the opposite side of female buckle body  58  from the main opening  59  which receives male buckle body  60 . Side legs  51 ,  52  are connected to top sections  53 ,  54 , which are separated by a gap  580 . Each top section  53 ,  54 , is equipped with a locking hook  55 , 56 , which interact with corresponding locking hooks on attachment portion  20  in the same way as described with respect to  FIG. 8 . Attachment portion  20  shown here is identical to attachment portion  20  from  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     Strap  40  is connected to attachment portion  20  in the same manner as described with respect to  FIG. 4 , and then operating portion  50  is connected to attachment portion  20  to connect the system together, with strap  40  extending around and underneath top sections  53 ,  54  of operating portion  50 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . A second strap  70  can be connected to male buckle body  60 , so that the system can connect two straps  40 ,  70  together in a simple and secure fashion. Instead of a D-ring or side-release buckle, operating portion  30 ,  50  can take on any suitable structure, such as a swivel hook buckle, a swivel square ring, a press release buckle male part, a press release buckle female part, a magnetic auto-connecting buckle male part, a magnetic auto-connecting buckle female part, a ladder buckle, a tri-glide buckle, a snap button, an O-ring, a square ring, a triangular ring, a snap hook, or a rope adjusting buckle. It can also be any electronic device: a light-emitting device, a video screen, a telephone, a remote contact tool, a video camera, a video recorder, a microphone, an amplifier, a fan cooler, a fan heater, an insulation device, a portable power source, an electronic protective case, a tension meter, etc. The operating portion  50  can be interchanged with fixed attachment portion  20  so that different elements can be easily connected and disconnected from strap  40 , without removing attachment portion  20 . Side legs  51 ,  52  can be equipped with ridges  504  (see  FIG. 9 ) to assist a user in gripping the operating portion  50 . 
     Another alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 12 , which shows attachment portion  20  and operating portion  50  in a Molle system for use on a tactical vest or other item. Here, attachment portion  20  is connected to strap  40  in the same way as described above with respect to  FIGS. 9-11 . However, instead of strap  40  being sewn into a loop, strap  40  is sewn along attachment lines  47 ,  48  onto a substrate  80 , which can be any type of flat sewable structure, such as a tactical vest. In use, strap  40  is first sewn in place and then attachment portion  20  is connected by fitting attachment bar  25  around strap  40 , which places attachment portion  20  underneath strap  40 . Then, operating portion  50  can be connected to attachment portion  20  in the same manner described above with respect to  FIGS. 9-11 . The flexible nature of the fabric of substrate  80  can be used to provide extra slack in the space between strap  40  and substrate  80  during assembly and disassembly of operating portion  50  with attachment portion  20 . In use after assembly, the substrate is stretched flat so that there is little slack between attachment lines  47 ,  48 . Tension on operating portion  50  by pulling strap  70  connected to male buckle body  60  only presses operating portion  50  more strongly against attachment portion  20 , due to the pressure on operating portion  50  by attachment line  48 . 
     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.