Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Strap-end-attaching devices – Buckle connected
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-14
2001-09-11
Brittain, James R. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Strap-end-attaching devices
Buckle connected
C024S11500R, C024S602000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286190
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a safety coupler and, more particularly to a safety coupler, which is especially suited for connecting straps or the like to an animal halter or bridle for tying the animal to a post, equipment, including a trailer, or the like.
When tying down large animals, such as a horse, the animal is typically placed in a halter with one or more ropes or straps secured to the halter on one end and secured on another end to a fixed structure, such as a post, including a barn post, a fence, a trailer, or the like. Each rope is typically secured to the halter using a coupler or snap. Snaps typically include a ring member through which the strap or rope extends and a hook member which is rotatably mounted to the ring member and which secures to the halter of the animal. The hook member is rotatably mounted to the ring member to permit the rope or strap to rotate freely with respect to the halter. Most snaps include a latch mechanism of some sort which closes the hook member on the halter. Thus, snaps provide a quick way to secure the rope or strap to the halter. Heretofore, snaps have not provided a quick way to release the strap or rope from the animal when the animal is panicked or excited.
When tied, cross-tied, or trailer tied, large animals, and most notably horses, are easily spooked. It could be as simple as someone walking by or the sound of something falling that could trigger the animal into a panic. Once spooked, these larger animals pull on the rope or strap tying them down. As the animal feels more resistance in the rope, the animal tends to pull harder eventually breaking either the halter, snap, rope, or the structure to which the rope is tied, thus exposing the animal, the structure, and any persons in the vicinity of the animal to risk of damage or injury. Further, when the animal finally breaks free the risk of flight is quite high. In contrast, when the tension on the rope is quickly released, a spooked animal will often quickly calm down and are far less likely to run off.
Consequently, there is a need for a coupler or snap which can securely couple a strap or rope to a halter of an animal or the like, so that the animal can be tied off and yet provide a quick release in the event that the animal tries to break free before the animal becomes too panicked or the halter, strap, or rope or structure is stressed to the point of failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a safety coupler which includes a quick release feature. In one form of the invention, a safety coupler includes a first member, which forms a closed loop for coupling to a first item, and a second member which includes a hook and is coupled to the first member. The second member is rotatably mounted to the first member in a transverse opening provided through a portion of the first member. The hook is provided for coupling to a second item whereby the first item is coupled to the second item by the safety coupler. The second member is releasably axially restrained in the transverse opening of the first member such that when a force having a selected magnitude is applied to one of the first and second members generally along the hook's axis of rotation, the second member and the second member decouple thereby decoupling the first and second items.
In one aspect, the second member includes a pin and first and second stops. The pin extends through the transverse opening of the first member with the first and second stops being positioned on opposite sides of the transverse opening for abutting the first member to limit axial movement of the pin through the first opening. The first member is adapted to permit the first stop to pass through the transverse opening when the force is applied to one of the members.
In further aspects, the pin includes an annular member positioned between the first stop and the first member. The annular member is adapted to permit the first stop to pass through the opening when the force is applied to one of the members. Preferably, the annular member comprises a resilient member which compresses when the force is applied. In another aspect, the transverse opening includes an insert, with the insert including a second opening for receiving the pin. The pin is rotatably coupled to the first member in the second opening and is axially restrained in the second opening by the first and second stops. For example, the insert may comprise a rubber or plastic insert such that when the force is applied to the first or second member, the insert releases the pin from the second opening and the second member decouples from the first member. In one form, the first stop compresses the insert and enlarges the second opening when the force is applied to one of the members thus permitting the first stop to pass through the second opening in the transverse opening of the insert and thereby releasing the second member from the first member. In other forms, the insert breaks when the force is applied to the first or second member.
These and other objects and features will become more apparent from the study of the drawings in connection with the description of the preferred embodiments which follow.
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Friend James R.
Friend Roxane
Brittain James R.
Van Dyke Gardner, Linn & Burkhart, LLP
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