Patent Publication Number: US-5020193-A

Title: Connector

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to connectors and more particularly to connectors for securing straps to a flexible breathing mask. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Breathing masks conventionally comprise a facepiece made of rubber, synthetic rubber or flexible resin and a head harness. The head harness straps are sometimes permanently secured to the mask but it is preferred to have them removable. A variety of connectors have been used to removably connect harness straps to masks but they are complex and may require special tools for assembly and disassembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive connection between a facepiece and a harness strap that can be assembled and disassembled by hand. In accordance with the invention, the connector comprises a unitary flexible mounting lug and a rigid slotted buckle, said mounting lug comprising a substrate, a web extending vertically from said substrate, an elongate flange extending from one side of said web substantially horizontal to and spaced from said substrate, and an opposing lip extending from the opposite side of said web, said buckle comprising a plate having a slot that passes said flange, lip and web on elastic deformation of the mounting lug, whereby the buckle is secured between the substrate and the flange and lip. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a breathing mask having connectors of this invention. 
     FIG. 2 through line 2--2 of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a section through line 3--3 of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a breathing mask comprises a rubber-like facepiece 2 and a harness 4 comprising elastic straps 6 and adjustable straps 8. The straps are attached to slotted buckles 10 or 12 which are in turn removably secured to flexible mounting lugs 14 integrally molded with the mask. 
     As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting lug web 16 extends vertically from the facepiece substrate 18. An elongate flange 20 extends from one side of the web substantially horizontal to the substrate. The flange is tapered, and thus more flexible, toward its free end. 
     A lip 22 extends from the other side of the web and is preferably spaced the same distance as flange 20 from substrate 18. The free end of the web is curved on a radius, taken from point 24, equal to the thickness of the web. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a stiff buckle 10 for attachment to adjustable strap 8 has parallel side members 28 and 29 and cross members 30 and 32 forming a slot 34 that fits over mounting lug 14. 
     To secure the buckle to the face piece, the flange 20 is inserted through the slot in the buckle and the buckle is manually worked over lip 22 and web 16. The buckle is thus secured between the substrate and flange 20 and lip 22; it is very resistant against separation from forces applied through the strap. The buckle is easily removed by twisting it around the axis of the strap to release it over lip 22. 
     The adjustable straps 8 are threaded through crosspieces 35 and 36. The thickness of the buckle at crosspiece 35 is greater than the space between substrate 18 and flange 20, so the buckle tilts the mounting lug more tightly engaging lip 20 against the buckle. 
     The elastic straps 6, best seen in FIG. 3, are permanently secured to buckle 12. Buckle 12 has a slot formed by the buckle body 38 and crosspiece 40 that fits over the mounting lug as previously described. 
     Although this invention has been described particularly in relation to breathing masks, it will be recognized that the invention can be used for other purposes, within the scope of the appended claims.