Patent Description:
It is often desirable to attach articles such as clips lights and whistles to buckles or other attachment devices, to improve their utility. <CIT>shows a buckle having a whistle integrally formed therewith. The whistle is formed at an end of the female member and extends crosswise across the buckle. The problem with this single piece arrangement is that if the additional device is damaged, the whole buckle has to be replaced.

<CIT> shows a whistle pivotally connected to a buckle. This whistle is connected to the female portion of the buckle and is embedded in a recess on one side of the buckle. Other variations show the whistle embedded in other portions of various securing mechanisms. The problem with these devices having the embedded accessories is that it is very difficult for the user to find and also open the device, especially in the circumstances when the user can only use their hand to find the buckle without seeing it, such as when the buckle is used on the sternum strap of a backpack. In addition, either one of the legs or the center guidance of the male buckle has to be eliminated in order to house the whistle. In this case, the strength of the connection and the stability of the buckle is unavoidably affected.

<CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>, discloses a multi-function buckle having a noisemaker and a fire starter housed within the multifunction buckle. The multifunction buckle may further have a light emitting device. A whistle of the buckle can have two configurations, one in which the whistle is deployed for use, and one in which the whistle is stowed within the multi-function buckle. The multi-function buckle has two end bars on opposite sides for attaching to a strap.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a buckle or other attachment system that can hold a secondary device that is a separate part and can be replaceable. It is another object of the invention to provide an attachment system in which the secondary device does not interfere with the functioning of the primary device.

This object is accomplished by an attachment system comprising the features of claim <NUM>. The attachment system comprising a primary device and a secondary device connected to the primary device in a pivoting manner. The primary device has a main body, a front, a rear, two lateral sides and a bar for attaching the primary device to another object. Each of the lateral sides has a protrusion extending laterally outward from the lateral sides. The secondary device has two lateral sides and a top bar connecting the two lateral sides. Each of the lateral sides is equipped with an aperture that corresponds to one of the protrusions on the primary device, so that fitting the protrusions into the apertures pivotally connects the primary device to the secondary device, with the lateral sides of the secondary device being disposed outside of the lateral sides of the primary device. The secondary device can be pivoted between a folded position where the secondary device lies against the primary device, and an open position where the secondary device is raised up from the primary device. The secondary device can be rotation about a wide angle, without affecting the position of the buckle.

The secondary device preferably has an elongated section extending from the lateral sides and opposite the bar. The elongated section terminates in a free end that in the open position is pivoted away from the primary device. The elongated section contains the operative features of the secondary device. The secondary device can include any one of several different operative features, such as a whistle, luminous device, security lock, or thermal sensor.

In the invention, the primary device is a two-piece buckle, with a male portion and a female portion, and in particular, a side-release buckle in which locking legs of the male portion protrude through side slots in the female portion. The secondary device is connected to the exterior of the lateral sides of the male portion. The female portion has a front side and a rear side, and the front side has an indentation corresponding to a shape of the secondary device, so that in a folded position, the secondary device rests in the indentation of the female portion. When the secondary device is closed, it lays on the top surface of the buckle in the indentation. Part of the secondary device is hidden and is surrounded by the buckle, and as a result protection to the critical part of the secondary device is formed. In addition, in this design, the male buckle portion has both legs and a center guidance piece, so that the strength and stability is maintained, even with the addition of the secondary device.

According to the invention, the top bar of the secondary device extends beyond a top edge of the male portion, so that pressing down on the bar causes the secondary device to pivot from a folded position to an open position. This eliminates the need for the user to pry up the free end of the secondary device in order to use it.

The primary device can also take the form of other attachment devices, such as a D-ring, strap adjuster, cord lock or cord end. When a cord lock or cord end is used, instead of a bar to attach the cord, these elements have an aperture in which the cord is locked.

The present invention has many benefits over prior devices. For example, since the secondary device is a separate part and can be replaceable, the user can have an option to change the device with another secondary device based on the user's need. The secondary device is placed on top of the primary device, so the user can easily detect the location of the device and open it. In addition, the location of the secondary device does not affect the structure or operation of the primary device. The user can raise the secondary device to the raised position and have full access to all sides of the primary device for attachment to a strap or other item.

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:.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, <FIG> show a first embodiment of the system <NUM> according to the invention. System <NUM> comprises a buckle having a male portion <NUM>, a female portion <NUM>, and a secondary device <NUM> in the form of a whistle. Male portion <NUM> is formed of a main body <NUM> with a central guide <NUM>, two locking legs <NUM>, <NUM>, an attachment bar <NUM> spanning an opening <NUM> bounded by side walls <NUM>, and a top edge <NUM>. On each side wall <NUM> is a protrusion <NUM> extending outwardly.

Female portion <NUM> is formed of a hollow main body <NUM> having openings <NUM>, <NUM> for receiving locking legs <NUM>, <NUM> and an attachment bar <NUM> at its end. An opening <NUM> receives male portion <NUM> to lock male portion <NUM> to female portion <NUM> when locking legs <NUM>, <NUM>, snap into openings <NUM>, <NUM>. Guide flanges (not shown) are disposed inside female portion <NUM> to guide central guide <NUM> of male portion <NUM> as it is inserted into female portion <NUM>. A longitudinal indentation <NUM> runs down the length of female portion <NUM> and is configured to receive main body <NUM> of secondary device <NUM>.

Secondary device <NUM> has side walls <NUM> connected to main body <NUM>, and a top bar <NUM> connecting side walls <NUM>, with an opening <NUM> in between side walls <NUM>. On each side wall <NUM> is an aperture <NUM>, which is sized to receive a respective one of the protrusions <NUM> of male portion <NUM>, to attach secondary device <NUM> to male portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, placing secondary device <NUM> over male portion <NUM> and snapping protrusions <NUM> into apertures <NUM> connects secondary device <NUM> to male portion <NUM> in a pivoting manner. Main body <NUM> of secondary device <NUM> rests in indentation <NUM> of female portion <NUM> when secondary device <NUM> is in the folded position as shown in <FIG>. This protects the end and bottom side of the secondary device from damage during use.

<FIG> shows secondary device <NUM> in an open position so that secondary device can be operable. The hinge arrangement shown allows a wide range of pivoting, up to <NUM>° or more. In <FIG>, secondary device <NUM> is in the form of a whistle <NUM>. This is useful as a rescue device, especially when applied to backpacks or life jackets. In order to open secondary device <NUM> from the folded position to the raised position, the user merely has to press down on top bar <NUM>, which causes secondary device <NUM> to pivot out of the folded position where it is ready for use. The configuration of secondary device <NUM> does not interfere with the function or structure of male and female portions <NUM>, <NUM>, because it is attached to the exterior of male portion <NUM> and fits over the buckle portions, while allowing their normal functions.

Secondary device <NUM> can take on many different configurations. As shown in <FIG>, secondary device <NUM> can be in the form of a luminous device <NUM>. This is also useful as a rescue device, especially when applied to life jackets or backpacks. Luminous device <NUM> can be equipped with a switch that turns it on automatically once secondary device <NUM> is moved to the raised position, or can have a manual switch. As shown in <FIG>, secondary device <NUM> can be in the form of a security lock <NUM>. This is particularly useful on military or police equipment. As shown in <FIG>, secondary device <NUM> can also be in the form of a thermal sensor <NUM>. This has a special applicability to baby carriers, to provide a signal to caregivers of a temperature change. Other devices could also be incorporated into secondary device <NUM>.

In addition to varying secondary device <NUM>, the primary device itself can take on other forms. Instead of a side-release buckle, the primary device can take the form of a D-ring, as shown in <FIG>. In this case, secondary device <NUM> snaps into protrusions <NUM> that are disposed on either side of strap retaining bars <NUM>, <NUM>, and can be pivoted up and away from the D-ring <NUM> when in use.

<FIG> shows another variation, in which secondary device <NUM> is snapped onto protrusions <NUM> in the exterior sidewalls <NUM> of a tension lock strap retainer <NUM>, having strap retaining bar <NUM> in its interior.

<FIG> shows yet another variation, in which secondary device <NUM> is snapped onto protrusions <NUM> in slip lock strap retainer <NUM>. A strap holding bar <NUM> runs longitudinally along strap retainer <NUM> to attach the device to another component.

Another variation is shown in <FIG> in the form of a cord lock <NUM>. Secondary device <NUM> is snapped onto protrusions <NUM> on the outside of lateral walls <NUM> of cord lock <NUM>. A cord is locked to the device by pushing spring-loaded button <NUM> inward until openings <NUM>, <NUM> line up, and placing the cord through both openings. Releasing button <NUM> moves the openings out of alignment and locks the cord to cord lock <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another variation, in the form of a cord end <NUM>. Here, secondary device <NUM> is snapped onto protrusions <NUM> on the lateral sides <NUM> of cord end <NUM>. A cord <NUM> is held inside cord end <NUM> through opening <NUM> by molding or other means.

The present invention provides a novel way to attach a tool or other device to a buckle or other attachment element, without interfering with the functioning of the buckle.

Claim 1:
An attachment system (<NUM>) comprising:
a primary device having a main body (<NUM>), a front, a rear, two lateral sides and a bar or opening for attaching the primary device to another object, each of the lateral sides having a protrusion (<NUM>) thereon;
a secondary device (<NUM>) pivotally connected to the primary device, the secondary device having two lateral sides, each of the lateral sides being equipped with an aperture (<NUM>) that corresponds to one of the protrusions on the primary device so that fitting the protrusions (<NUM>) into the apertures (<NUM>) pivotally connects the primary device to the secondary device (<NUM>), with the lateral sides of the secondary device (<NUM>) being disposed outside of the lateral sides of the primary device, so that the secondary device (<NUM>) can be pivoted between a folded position where the secondary device (<NUM>) lies against the primary device, and an open position where the secondary device (<NUM>) is raised up from the primary device,
wherein the primary device is a two-piece buckle, with a male portion (<NUM>) and a female portion (<NUM>), characterized in that the secondary device (<NUM>) is connected to lateral sides of the male portion (<NUM>),
wherein the lateral sides of the secondary device (<NUM>) are connected to each other by a top bar (<NUM>) that extends beyond a top edge of the male portion (<NUM>), so that pressing down on the top bar (<NUM>) causes the secondary device (<NUM>) to pivot from a folded position to an open position.