Patent ID: 7562422

Claim:
A locking fastener for a strap, which comprises: a base plate having a main body portion, the main body portion having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the base plate having a keyhole formed through the thickness thereof between the first and second surfaces, the keyhole being defined by a widened opening and a narrowed opening communicating with the widened opening, the base plate further having a first slot formed through the thickness thereof between the first and second surfaces, the base plate further having a first opening formed at least partially through the thickness thereof in the second surface thereof, and a second opening formed at least partially through the thickness thereof in the second surface thereof, the second opening being spaced apart from the first opening; and a locking plate having a first surface and an opposite second surface, the locking plate being reciprocatingly slidable on the second surface of the base plate, with the first surface of the locking plate facing the second surface of the base plate, the locking plate having a forward end and a rearward end situated longitudinally opposite the forward end, the forward end of the locking plate defining an open pocket formed through the thickness of the locking plate, the first surface of the locking plate including at least one protrusion extending outwardly therefrom, the at least one protrusion being selectively received by one of the first opening and the second opening as the locking plate respectively slides on the base plate between at least a first position and a second position, the locking plate further having situated thereon a knob post extending outwardly from the first surface thereof and through the first slot of the base plate, the knob post being reciprocatingly movable in the first slot of the base plate as the locking plate slidably moves thereon between the at least first position and the second position, the knob post being movable by the user to position the locking plate in the at least first position with respect to the base plate, wherein the open pocket of the forward end of the locking plate is in alignment with the widened opening of the keyhole formed in the base plate, and in the second position with respect to the base plate, wherein the open pocket of the forward end of the locking plate is in alignment with the narrowed opening of the keyhole formed in the base plate.