Patent Publication Number: US-9848676-B2

Title: Buckle connector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention concerns the field of mechanical buckle connectors for releasably connecting two objects. 
     2. Description of the State of the Art 
     During a search for patents related to the present invention, the following U.S. patents were noted: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,987,652; 5,702,135; 4,991,272; 4,796,308; 4,764,989; 3,373,444 and 3,273,163. 
     The prior art includes a large number and variety of buckle connectors comprising cooperating clip members for releasably connecting two objects such as a pair of straps, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,272, for example, or a container and a lid, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,135, for example. Typically, these buckle connectors comprise a first clip member connected to a first object and a second clip member connected to a second object. The first clip member has a slot and at least one shoulder. The second clip member has at least one stop which is mounted on a flexible member of the second clip member. The stop is operable, in a first position, and inoperable in a second position, to engage the shoulder of the first clip member so that, when the stop is in the first position, the clip members and the objects to which they are attached, are releasably connected. The flexible member biases the stop towards the first position and the bias can be overcome in two ways. First, the clip members are provided with a cam surface and a cam that cooperate, when the second member is being inserted into the slot of the first member, to overcome the bias and move the stop to the second position. When the insertion proceeds to a point where the stop is past the shoulder, the flexible member moves the stop to the first position thereby releasably connecting the clip members. Second, when the clip members are connected, the bias can be overcome manually by applying a force to the stop or to the flexible member so that the second clip member can be removed or withdrawn from the first clip member. 
     These kinds of prior art buckle connectors have significant limitations. The flexible members are inherently weak because they are designed to have limited strength so that they may be manually manipulated to overcome their bias when it is desired to disconnect the clip members. Yet, by design, these flexible members must withstand the stresses that arise from forces that would otherwise disconnect the clip members. A primary failure mode for these prior clips is shearing and/or fracturing of the flexible members. Another drawback to these types of prior clips arises from the need to align the first and second clip members in order to connect them. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a buckle connector that is stronger than prior buckles. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a buckle connector comprising first and second clip members that are easy to connect and disconnect. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a buckle connector that is especially suited to releasably connecting a strap to a helmet. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a buckle connector that is especially suited to connecting two straps to each other. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be apparent from the following detailed description with reference, therein, to the several drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a top left perspective view of a first embodiment of a buckle connector, according to my invention, with first and second clip members connected to each other; 
         FIG. 2  is a top right perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a plan view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a top left perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 1  with the first and second clip members disconnected; 
         FIG. 5  is a top left perspective view of a second embodiment of a buckle connector, according to my invention, with first and second clip members connected to each; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom right perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top right perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 5  with the first and second clip members disconnected; 
         FIG. 9  is a top right perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top left perspective view of a third embodiment of a buckle connector, according to my invention, with first and second clip members connected to each other; 
         FIG. 11  is a top right perspective view of the buckle connector shown in  FIG. 10  with the first and second clip members disconnected. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , a buckle connector according to one example of my invention is indicated generally at  10 . The buckle  10  comprises a first clip member  12  and a second clip member  14 . The first clip member  12  comprises a base  16  which is a connector through which the first clip member  12  is connected or fastened to a first object, for example, a helmet (not shown). The identity of the first object and the connection between it and the first clip member  12  are not limited in any way in the broad context of the present invention. The second clip member  14  comprises a connector  18  for connecting the second clip member to a second object. The connection between the second object and the second clip member  12  is not limited in any way in the broad context of the present invention. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 , the second object is a flexible strap S and the connector  18  is a rod  20  around which the strap S is fastened. 
     The first clip member  12  has several features in common with a goggle strap guide which I invented and which is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,530 B2, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. That goggle strap guide comprises a base having a first side, which includes means, preferably an adhesive, for securing the guide to the outside of a helmet. The base has a second side, which has two legs with L-shaped cross-sections extending from opposed edges of the base towards each other to define therewith a partially open strap channel. A strap is received within the channel and the legs restrict up and down, and side to side, movement of the strap while permitting longitudinal movement of the strap within the channel. 
     The base  16  of the first clip member  12  has a first leg  22  and a second leg  24 . The first leg  22  comprises a first portion  26  that extends upwardly, or away from, the base  16  and second portion  28  that extends from first portion  26  of the first leg  22  towards the second leg  24 . The second leg  24  has a first portion  30  that extends upwardly, or away from, the base  16  and second portion  32  that extends from first portion  30  of the second leg  24  towards the first leg  22 . The second portion  28  of the first leg  22  terminates in an edge  34  and the second portion  32  of the second leg  24  terminates in an edge  36 . The edges  34  and  36  are spaced apart so that, for example, the strap S can fit between them. The strap S may be flexible so that, if it is wider than the space between the edges  34  and  36 , the strap S can be manipulated so that it fits between the edges  34  and  36  and can be inserted into and removed from the base  16 . The leg  22  and the base  16  form a groove  38 , and the leg  24  and the base  16  form a groove  40 . 
     The second clip member  14  comprises, as mentioned before, a connector  18  which is located adjacent to a distal end  42  of the clip member  14  which has a proximal end  44  opposite the distal end  42 . The term distal is used here to refer to the fact that it is the distal end  42  of the clip member  14  which first engages or enters the first clip member  12 . First and second stop surfaces  46  and  48  are provided on the clip member  14 , adjacent to the proximal end  44  of the clip member  14 . The stops  46  and  48  face the distal end  42  of the clip member  14 . The position of the stop surfaces  46  and  48  relative to each other is fixed. The position of the stop surfaces  46  and  48  is also fixed relative to the base  16  and relative to the first clip member  12 . This is in contrast to prior art known to me where stop surfaces are provided on flexible arms or members which allow the stop surfaces to move into and out of engagement with a shoulder or shoulders the connect or disconnect the clip members. 
     The clip member  14  has longitudinally extending guide surfaces  50  and  52  located on opposite sides of the clip member  14  between the distal end  42  and the proximal end  44 . The guide surfaces  50  and  52  are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the edges  34  and  36 . The clip member  14  has two stop tips  54  and  56  which are adjacent to the stops  46  and  48 , respectively. The distance between the stop tips  54  and  56  is greater than the distance between the first portion  26  of the first leg  22 , and the first portion  30  of the second leg  24 . 
     In  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 , the clip members  12  and  14  are illustrated in an engaged condition. The guide surface  50  of the second clip member  14  is within the groove  38  and the guide surface  52  is within the groove  40 . The stop surfaces  46  and  48  abut the first and second legs  22  and  24  of the first clip member  12 , respectively, so that the first and second legs  22  and  24  serve as stop engaging shoulders. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the first portions  26  and  30  of the legs  22  and  24  serve as stop engaging shoulders. When the clip members  12  and  14  are engaged, co-action between the stop surfaces  46  and  48 , on the one hand, and the legs  22  and  24 , prevents the clip member  14  from being withdrawn from the clip member  12  when tension is applied to the strap S. 
     In  FIG. 4 , the clip members  12  and  14  are disengaged. Engagement is accomplished as follows. The strap S is positioned between the legs  22  and  24 . The strap S, together with the clip member  14 , is moved to the left, in the direction of the arrow. As the strap S and the clip member  14  are moved, the distal end  42  of the clip member  14  enters the grooves  38  and  40  of the clip member  12 . Further movement of the strap S and the clip member  14  bring the clip member  12  and the clip member  14  into the relative positions shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3  where they are engaged. In these relative positions, the stop surfaces  46  and  48  are in contact with the legs  22  and  24 , which act as shoulders and further movement due to tension applied to the strap S is prevented by the engagement between the stop surfaces  46  and  48 , one the one hand, and the legs  22  and  24 . 
     The clip member  14  may include optional spring locking fingers  58  to prevent unintended disengagement of the clip member  14  from the clip member  12 . The spring locking fingers  58  terminate in spring locking finger tips  60  which are operable, when the clip members  12  and  14  are engaged, to resist removal of the clip member  14  from the clip member  12 . As the clip members  12  and  14  are being moved into engagement, as described above, the spring locking fingers  58  are flexed inwardly, towards each other, as they enter the grooves  38  and  40  and come into contact with the legs  24  and  26 . After the spring locking finger tips  60  pass out of the grooves  38  and  40 , they spring outwardly with the result that the legs  22  and  24  are captive between the stop surfaces  46  and  48 , on the one hand, and the spring finger tips  60 , on the other hand. When it is desired to remove the clip member  14  from the clip member  12 , the spring fingers may be manually moved towards each other enough so that they can enter the grooves  38  and  40  as the clip members  12  and  14  are moved out of engagement. 
     In the clip member  12 , the base  16  may includes raised portions  62  and  64 . In that case, the groove  38  would be defined by the raised portion  62  of the base  16 , the first portion  26  of leg  22 , and the second portion  28  of the leg  22 . Similarly, the groove  40  would be defined by the raised portion  64  of the base  16 , the first portion  30  of the leg  24 , and the second portion  32  of the leg  24 . The raised portions  62  and  64  may be included to provide tolerances so that the clip members fit nicely and, also, to accommodate the thickness of the strap S where it is wrapped around the rod  20 , as the clip member  14  is pulled into the clip member  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 through 9 , a second embodiment of a buckle according to my invention is indicated generally at  100 . The buckle  100  comprises a first clip member  102  and a second clip member  104 . The first clip member  102  is curved and it comprises a base  106  which is a connector through which the first clip member  102  is connected or fastened to a first object, for example, a helmet (not shown). The identity of the first object and the connection between it and the first clip member  102  are not limited in any way in the broad context of the present invention. The second clip member  104  is also curved, like the first clip member  102 . The second clip member  104  comprises a connector  108  for connecting the second clip member  104  to a second object. The connection between the second object and the second clip member  104  is not limited in any way in the broad context of the present invention. In the example shown in  FIGS. 5 through 9 , the second object is a flexible strap S and the connector  108  is a rod  110  around which the strap S is fastened. 
     The first clip member  102  also has several features in common with the goggle strap guide described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,530 B2. That goggle strap guide comprises a base having a first side, which includes means, preferably an adhesive, for securing the guide to the outside of a helmet. The base has a second side, which has two legs with L-shaped cross-sections extending from opposed edges of the base towards each other to define therewith a partially open strap channel. A strap is received within the channel and the legs restrict up and down, and side to side, movement of the strap while permitting longitudinal movement of the strap within the channel. 
     The base  106  of the first clip member  102  has a first leg  112  and a second leg  114 . The first leg  112  comprises a first portion  116  that extends upwardly, or away from, the base  106  and second portion  118  that extends from first portion  116  of the first leg  112  towards the second leg  114 . The second leg  114  has a first portion  120  that extends upwardly, or away from, the base  106  and second portion  122  that extends from the first portion  120  of the second leg  114  towards the first leg  112 . The second portion  118  of the first leg  112  terminates in an edge  124  and the second portion  122  of the second leg  114  terminates in an edge  126 . The edges  124  and  126  are spaced apart so that, for example, the strap S can fit between them. The strap S may be flexible so that, if it is wider than the space between the edges  124  and  126 , the strap S can be manipulated so that it fits between the edges  124  and  126  and can be inserted into and removed from the base  106 . The leg  112  and the base  106  form a groove  128 , and the leg  114  and the base  106  form a groove  130 . 
     The second clip member  104  comprises, as mentioned before, a connector  108  which is located adjacent to a distal end  132  of the clip member  104  which also has a proximal end  134  that is opposite the distal end  132 . The term distal is used here to refer to the fact that it is the distal end  132  of the clip member  104  which first engages or enters the first clip member  102 . First and second stop surfaces  136  and  138  are provided on the second clip member  104 , adjacent to the proximal end  134  of the clip member  104 . The stop surfaces  136  and  138  face the distal end  132  of the second clip member  104 . The clip member  104  has longitudinally extending guide surfaces  140  and  142  located on opposite sides of the clip member  104  between the distal end  132  and the proximal end  134 . The guide surfaces  140  and  142  are spaced apart a distance greater than the distance between the edges  124  and  126 . The clip member  104  has two stop tips  144  and  146  which are adjacent to the stop surfaces  136  and  138 , respectively. The distance between the stop tips  144  and  146  is greater than the distance between the first portion  116  of the first leg  112 , and the first portion  120  of the second leg  114 . 
     In  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 9 , the clip members  102  and  104  are illustrated in an engaged condition. The guide surface  140  of the second clip member  104  is within the groove  128  and the guide surface  142  is within the groove  130 . The stop surfaces  136  and  138  abut the first and second legs  112  and  114  of the first clip member  102 , respectively, so that the first and second legs  112  and  114  serve as stop engaging shoulders. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5 through 9 , the first portions  116  and  120  of the legs  112  and  114  serve as stop engaging shoulders. When the clip members  102  and  104  are engaged, co-action between the stop surfaces  136  and  138 , on the one hand, and the legs  112  and  114 , prevents the clip member  104  from being withdrawn from the clip member  102  when tension is applied to the strap S. 
     In  FIG. 8 , the clip members  102  and  104  are disengaged. Engagement is accomplished as follows. The strap S is positioned between the legs  112  and  114 . The strap S, together with the clip member  104 , is moved to the right, in the direction of the arrow. As the strap S and the clip member  104  are moved, the distal end  132  of the clip member  104  enters the grooves  128  and  130  of the clip member  102 . Further movement of the strap S and the clip member  104  bring the clip member  102  and the clip member  104  into the relative positions shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and 9  where they are engaged. In these relative positions, the stop surfaces  136  and  138  are in contact with the legs  112  and  114  which act as shoulders and further movement due to tension applied to the strap S is prevented by the engagement between the stop surfaces  136  and  138 , one the one hand, and the legs  112  and  114 . 
     The clip members  102  and  104  may include cooperating projections  148  and  150 , respectively, to prevent unintended disengagement of the clip member  104  from the clip member  102 . When the clip members  102  and  104  are engaged, the projection  148  extends towards the clip member  104  and the projection  150  extends towards the clip member  102 . When the clip members  102  and  104  are engaged, they are maintained in a relatively fixed spatial relationship with each other due to the engagement of the clip member  104  with the parts of the clip member  102  that define the grooves  128  and  130 . When the clip members  102  and  104  are engaged, the projections  148  and  150  interfere with each other. By making one or both of the clip members  102  and  104  flexible, one or both of the clip members  102  and  104  can be flexed so that the projections  148  and  150  do not interfere with each other as the clip member  104  is slid into and out of the clip member  102 . When the clip members  102  and  104  are not flexed, the interference between the projections  148  and  150  will resist or prevent the removal of the clip member  104  from the clip member  102 . As the clip members  102  and  104  are being moved into engagement, as described above, the rounded surfaces of the projections  148  and  150  provide a cam action which will cause the clip member  102  and/or the clip member  104  to flex so that the projections  148  and  150  can move past each other. After the projections  148  and  150  move past each other, the cam action will cease and the projections  148  and  150  will resume their interfering relationship, with the result that the projections will maintain the engagement between the clip members  102  and  104 . When it is desired to remove the clip member  104  from the clip member  102 , the clip member  102  and/or the clip member  104  can be flexed manually while the projections  148  and  150  are moved past each other. 
     In the clip member  102 , the base  106  may include raised portions  152  and  154 . In that case, the groove  128  would be defined by the raised portion  152  of the base  106 , the first portion  116  of leg  112 , and the second portion  118  of the leg  112 . Similarly, the groove  130  would be defined by the raised portion  154  of the base  106 , the first portion  120  of the leg  114 , and the second portion  122  of the leg  114 . The raised portions  152  and  154  may be included to provide tolerances so that the clip members fit nicely and, also, to accommodate the thicknesses of the projections  148  and  150 . 
     Another embodiment of a buckle connector according to the invention is indicated generally at  70  in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The buckle connector  70  comprises a first clip member  72  and a second clip member  74 . In every way, the clip member  74  corresponds with the clip member  14  shown in and described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Hence, the clip member  74  will not be described further here. 
     The clip member  72  corresponds in many ways with the clip member  12  but it differs in that it includes a connector  76  for connecting a strap S 2  to the clip member  72 . The connector comprises a rod  78  provided in a base  80  of the clip member  72  and the strap S 2  is fastened to the rod  78 . Thus, the buckle connector  70  is especially suited to connected first and second straps together. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventions are subject to modifications within the limits of the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.