Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof – Including member having distinct formations and mating...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-26
2001-05-08
Sakran, Victor N. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Including member having distinct formations and mating...
C024S615000, C024S616000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06226844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to quick release buckles, and more particularly to side release buckles used to join webbing straps and other articles.
In applications such as backpacks and luggage, quick release buckles are used to fasten webbing straps together, allowing the buckle to be easily and quickly fastened and unfastened and, in some cases, providing adjustability of the length of the strap(s). In a backpack the quick release buckles are used, e.g., to fasten the belt of the pack around the wearer's waist, to fasten a sternum strap around the wearer's chest and, in some cases, to provide releasable, adjustable length compression straps along the sides of the pack. In luggage the buckles are used, e.g., to releasably secure a removable shoulder strap to a gym bag, duffle bag or briefcase.
A typical, previously known side release buckle
10
is shown in
FIGS. 1 and 1A
. It includes male component
12
and cooperating female component
14
. To fasten the buckle, spring arms
16
of male component
12
are inserted into opening
18
of female component
14
(arrows A in FIG.
1
), with center guide
13
sliding into center channel
15
(see
FIG. 1C
) to align the male and female components. The spring arms
16
expand into release openings
20
as the buckle is closed (FIG.
1
A), with shoulder
17
of each spring arm engaging the edge
19
of the release opening. To release the buckle, the user presses the spring arms
16
together, to disengage them from release openings
20
and thereby allow the male and female components to separate (arrows B in FIG.
1
A).
Side release buckle
10
includes webbing receiving portion
22
for receiving a webbing strap. One or both components of the buckle may include a pair of slots
22
a
,
22
b
separated by a bar
24
, as shown on the male component in
FIGS. 1 and 1A
. As shown in
FIG. 1D
, to secure webbing strap
23
, it is threaded through slot
22
a
, over the bar
24
, back through slot
22
b
and under bar
26
. The length of the strap can be adjusted by sliding the strap through the slots. If adjustability is not desired, one or both of the components may include a single slot
22
c
, as shown on the female component in
FIGS. 1 and 1A
. This allows a webbing strap to be threaded through the slot, folded back upon itself, and stitched in place, as shown in
FIG. 1B
(stitching
29
).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention features quick release buckles that include a standard buckle assembly including a first buckle component and a second buckle component that is releasably engageable with the first buckle component (e.g., a male component and a female component as described above). One or both of the buckle components includes a module-receiving portion that is constructed for attachment to any one of an assortment of interchangeable modular components. The ready interchangeability of the modular components also allows a single size of standard buckle assembly to be used in many different applications, with different types and sizes of web receiving portions, and with attachment devices such as snap hooks, hex rings and webbing dividers. For example, one of the buckle components can be attached to a modular component that has a web receiving portion sized to receive a first width of webbing and the other buckle component can be attached to a modular component that has a web receiving portion sized to receive a second, different width of webbing, allowing the quick release buckle to be used to join different widths of webbing. This modularity gives designers and manufacturers of articles that use quick release buckles great flexibility, without the need to specify and stock a large number of different types of quick release buckles. The manufacturer can simply inventory a supply of a single size of standard buckle assemblies and then purchase modular components as needed for different applications.
In one aspect, the invention features a quick release buckle that includes: (a) a first buckle component having an engagement end and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; and (b) a second buckle component having an engagement end constructed for releasable engagement with the engagement end of the first buckle component and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end. Each of the module receiving portions is constructed for fixed engagement with any one of a plurality of different modular components.
Preferred quick release buckles include one or more of the following features. The module receiving portions are substantially identical to each other. The first and second buckle components are side release buckle components. Each module receiving portion includes an aperture constructed to receive a male portion of a modular component in an interference engagement. The fixed engagement is permanent.
In another aspect, the invention features a quick release buckle system that includes: (a) a standard buckle assembly including (i) a first buckle component having an engagement end and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; and (ii) a second buckle component having an engagement end constructed for releasable engagement with the engagement end of the first buckle component and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; and (b) a plurality of modular functional components, each modular component having a first end constructed for engagement with the module receiving portion and a second, opposite fastening end, at least some of the fastening ends being different from each other.
Preferred quick release buckle systems include one or more of the following features. The module receiving portions are substantially identical to each other. The first and second buckle components are side release buckle components. Each module receiving portion includes an aperture constructed to receive a male portion extending from the first end of the modular component in an interference engagement. The fixed engagement is permanent. Each first end of each of the plurality of modular components is substantially identical to every other first end. The fastening end of the modular component includes a functional portion selected from the group consisting of web-receiving slots, hex rings, webbing dividers and snap hooks.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a quick release buckle that includes: (a) a first buckle component having an engagement end and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; and (b) a second buckle component having an engagement end constructed for releasable engagement with the engagement end of the first buckle component. The module receiving portion of the first buckle is constructed for fixed engagement with any one of a plurality of different modular components.
The invention also features methods of assembly of a buckling system. Preferred methods include: (a) providing a standardized buckle having at least one side constructed to receive a modular functional component, (b) providing a set of modular functional components having engaging structure constructed to engage the side of the standardized buckle, (c) selecting a modular functional component from the set, and (d) assembling the modular functional component with the standardized buckle.
Preferred methods may include one or more of the following features. Each individual member of the set of modular functional components includes a functional portion selected from the group consisting of web-receiving slots, hex rings, webbing dividers and snap hooks. The set of modular functional components includes members having different functional portions. The standardized buckle is a quick release buckle, e.g., a side release buckle.
In another aspect, the invention features a buckle assembly system including: (a) a supply of standardized buckles having at least one side constructed to receive a modular functional component, and (b) a supply of modular functional components, including components having different functions, each modular functional component having eng
Lerra Christopher G.
Stewart Stephen
Tauer Mark
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Sakran Victor N.
Velcro Industries B.V.
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