Patent Application
20240057727
The present invention relates generally to buckle systems and methods. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a multiple point buckle system having a single lock and release apparatus and methods of use thereof.
Buckle devices are commonly used in association with fabric straps to secure and hold people and/or objects in place to prevent or minimize injury and/or damage. The most prevalent examples of such buckle devices are those associated with common seatbelts with which motor vehicles are equipped. Standard seatbelt buckles include a single metal buckle plate engaged with a fabric strap, the single metal buckle plate having a single narrowed buckle plate tongue extending away from the fabric strap. The seatbelt buckle further includes a single buckle receiver defining a single slot for receiving the single buckle plate tongue, the single buckle receiver making a familiar “clicking” sound upon secured engagement with the single buckle plate tongue. While single-engagement buckle systems, like standard seatbelts, tend to be easy to use and are likely effective for their intended purposes, some circumstances require a scalable buckle system, such as a system that is capable of accommodating single-engagement requirements as well as various multi-engagement requirements. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a scalable buckle system and associated method.
Existing multi-engagement buckle systems are typically used where the added security associated with additional engagements outweighs the added complexity associated with the multi-engagement buckle system. For instance, when a person is seriously injured, that person often needs to be transported to a medical facility for treatment of the injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, an injured person's torso and/or limbs may need to be securely attached to a transport litter, stretcher, backboard, gurney, or similar apparatus for transport. In such situations, it is typically very important for at least the body parts surrounding the injury, if not the subject's entire body, to be attached to the transport apparatus in a way which minimizes movement to avoid further injury. Accordingly, multiple strap extensions are usually required for attachment of the subject with minimal movement during transport.
Some medical transport systems utilize multiple two-point buckle devices to secure a patient to a medical transport apparatus; however, this arrangement has several disadvantages. First, attaching multiple separate straps and buckles makes the process of securing a patient to and releasing the patient from a transport apparatus slow and cumbersome, and initial improper connections can further complicate and slow the process. In many cases, particularly if a patient's condition is life-threatening, time is of the essence for strapping the patient to a transfer apparatus and releasing the patient from the transfer apparatus at the desired destination. Any wasted time in the buckle attachment and release process could ultimately negatively impact a patient's prognosis. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a multi-engagement buckle system that facilitates quick engagement and disengagement of the various buckle components. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to have a multi-engagement buckle system that reduces the risk of an initial improper connection.
Additionally, use of multiple individual straps and buckle devices results in overlapping straps and necessitates placement of the buckles in a manner spaced apart from one another to avoid contact between the buckles. This method can lead to unwanted sliding of the straps, bunching, and gaps between the straps and subject, which can make the system less secure than desired and allow more movement of the subject. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that facilitates the elimination or otherwise minimization of movement of the subject.
Other multi-engagement buckle systems include apparatuses and harnesses commonly used in racing. Nevertheless, these buckle systems include complicated buckle locking and release apparatuses or include multiple buckle receivers or multiple connection points attached together. Such buckle system locking and release designs are overly complicated and time consuming. Moreover, oftentimes connection of these buckle systems requires at least two hands to properly attach and lock. In medical injury or other fast-paced scenarios utilizing safety straps and buckles, having a free hand can be very beneficial during attachment and release of a buckle system to allow for multitasking. In some extreme situations, a second hand may not be available for such tasks. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that is easy to use. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that utilizes a single buckle locking and release feature. Furthermore still, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that can be attached and released with a single hand.
A further disadvantage of currently available buckle systems is their general lack of customizability in directional arrangement of their connection straps. These systems are limited by the positioning of the buckle receiver and buckle tongue or alternative engagement piece attached to the straps, and placement of the straps in relation to the subject to be secured cannot be significantly adjusted without losing some security of the attached straps, thereby sacrificing stability. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that is customizable. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to have a buckle system that is customizable without sacrificing stability.
Production and maintenance of buckle systems requires procurement and storage of a large number of components. Unfortunately, shortages of a single component can hold up production of an entire system and/or can prevent or otherwise hinder proper maintenance of a buckle system (for instance when components needing replaced are not available). These problems are exasperated when various configurations of a buckle system require various unique configurations of respective components and subassemblies. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to minimize the number of components and subassemblies required to produce or maintain various unique configurations of a buckle system. Furthermore, it would be beneficial for at least some components or subassemblies of a first configuration of a buckle system to be interchangeable with at least some corresponding components or subassemblies of one or more other configurations of the buckle system.
The present invention comprises a buckle system and method. In some embodiments, the buckle system is part of a strap system having a plurality of strap extensions, such as a litter strap system or the like. In some such embodiments, the buckle system includes a plurality of buckle components engaged with respective strap extensions of the strap system. The various buckle components are further configured to selectively engage and disengage with at least one other buckle component, thereby moving the buckle system between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. By moving the buckle system between the engaged and disengaged configurations, the strap system is moved between closed and open configurations, respectively.
In some embodiments, the buckle system is scalable such that it can accommodate use for a two-point, three-point, four-point, five-point, six-point, seven-point, or eight-point restraint, or other multi-engagement requirements.
In some embodiments, the buckle system facilitates quick engagement and disengagement of various buckle components, such as by providing simple corresponding engagement features. In some such embodiments, the various engagement features reduce the risk of improper connection, such as by providing distinct first, intermediate, and last buckle components and facilitating various proper stack-ups of potential multiple intermediate buckle components. For instance, in some embodiments, universal buckle attachments of the buckle system allow for the ability to place restraint straps in any order while still providing full functionality of the buckle system without issue.
In some embodiments, the buckle system is part of a strap system that is configured to facilitate secure restraint of persons or objects, thereby eliminating or otherwise minimizing movement of the subject.
In some embodiments, the buckle system is easy to use, thereby facilitating use by almost anyone in almost any situation. In some embodiments, the buckle system includes a single locking and release apparatus that can be operated with a single hand. The buckle system further provides a user with the ability to release it with one-hand, completely and quickly releasing all points of restraint to allow for immediate free movement as needed, without sacrificing security of the system when in the locked position.
In some embodiments, the buckle system is customizable to accommodate a variety of uses, such as by adding or removing (or changing thickness of) intermediate buckle components or by adjusting one or more engagement feature of a first and/or second buckle component, such as by increasing or decreasing the length of an engagement post of the first buckle component (by modifying the engagement post or by replacing the engagement post) and/or by changing the orientation of the engagement post, all without sacrificing stability of the system.
In some embodiments, various components and subassemblies of the buckle system can be utilized for various configurations of the buckle system, thereby limiting the number of components and subassemblies required to manufacture, maintain, or reconfigure a large number of buckle systems, thereby decreasing inventory requirements while eliminating or otherwise decreasing part substitution requirements associated with reconfiguring a buckle system.
The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention and various features thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
As required, a detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the principles of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
The present invention covers a buckle system 10 and methods of use thereof. The buckle system 10 includes a variable multiple restraint system which has one lock and release mechanism and is configured for secure attachment of a person or object to an apparatus, as desired. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the buckle system 10 is utilized to securely attach a person to a transport litter, stretcher, backboard, gurney, or similar apparatus for medical transport. In alternative embodiments, the buckle system 10 of the present invention is adapted for safety straps for automobile race driving, parachuting, climbing, ziplining, roller coasters, car seat attachment, or any other type of safety strap usage. In some embodiments, the buckle system 10 of the present invention is permanently affixed to an apparatus to which a subject is to be attached, but in other embodiments, the buckle system 10 is self-contained and can be used in conjunction with an apparatus to which a subject is to be attached.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the buckle system 10 includes a base assembly 100, a locking assembly 200, and optional intermediate components, such as but not limited to universal assemblies 300, each being a component or subassembly of the buckle system 10 (each a “buckle component”). Each buckle component is configured to be connected to a fabric strap extension through a respective strap connection loop 180, 280, 380 of the buckle component. In a preferred embodiment, each buckle component is made of metal, but alternatively, other rigid, durable materials with comparable strength to metals are used. In an exemplary embodiment, each buckle component is substantially flat with two opposing ends: a wide end defining a strap connection loop 180, 280, 380 for connection to a strap extension and a narrowed tongue end configured to engage with at least one other buckle component. In some embodiments, one or more of the buckle components are similar in appearance to a standard seatbelt buckle plate. In alternative embodiments, various buckle components of the present invention form a variety of shapes.
Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment shown in
When assembled around the engagement post 150, the tongue end of a first universal plate 310 is configured to rest on the tongue end of the base plate 110 immediately distal of the base plate 110. Any additional universal assembly 300 used is configured to be placed immediately distal of the previously assembled universal assembly 300. The present buckle system 10 is customizable such that a user can effectively use the buckle system 10 without any universal assemblies 300 and associated straps or with any number of universal assemblies 300 that will fit with the system and their associated straps, as desired. For instance, some buckle systems 10 of the present invention include four universal assemblies 300 used in combination with a base assembly 100 and a locking assembly 200 while other buckle systems 10 include only a base assembly 100 and a locking assembly 200 with no universal assemblies 300. The customizability of the buckle system 10 makes the present invention capable of accommodating different needs. It will be further appreciated that some embodiments of the present invention are intended to be scalable to include either smaller or larger sized buckle components having higher or lower maximum numbers of buckle components.
In alternative embodiments, one or more non-pivotable intermediate components are used instead of one or more universal assembly 300, such as intermediate plates having a tongue end that defines a receiving aperture that is shaped or otherwise keyed to the engagement post 150. In some such embodiments, each non-pivotable intermediate component defines a receiving aperture that is shaped to closely fit around the engagement post 150. In this way, each non-pivotable intermediate plate is configured to extend in a predetermined direction relative to the base assembly 100.
Referring to
The main body 210 of the locking assembly 200 includes a tongue end defining a receiving aperture 230. In some embodiments, the receiving aperture 230 extends through and is defined at least partially by the top plate 212, post end spacer 260, and bottom plate 214. The receiving aperture 230 is configured to receive the engagement post 150 of the base assembly 100 when the locking assembly 200 is in an engaged configuration. In some embodiments, a cross-section of the receiving aperture 230 of the locking assembly 200 is keyed to the engagement post 150 of the base assembly 100, thereby inhibiting rotation of the locking assembly 200 relative to the base assembly 100. In some embodiments, the receiving aperture 230 of the locking assembly 200 is slightly larger than, and shaped similar to, a cross-section of the engagement post 150 such that the locking assembly 200 is configured to key to the base assembly 100 by closely fitting around the engagement post 150 when assembled with the base assembly 100.
The wide end of the locking assembly 200 defines a strap connection loop 280 through the main body 210. In some embodiments, the strap connection loop 280 extends through and is at least partially defined by the top plate 212, strap end spacer 260, and bottom plate 214 and is configured to receive a strap extension. In some embodiments, the locking assembly 200 is configured to be assembled with an attached strap in an approximately 180-degree opposite position relative to a strap attached to the base assembly 100. In alternative embodiments, the locking assembly 200 is positioned at other angular positions in relation to the base assembly 100. In an assembled configuration, the tongue end of the locking assembly 200 is configured to lie either immediately distal of the tongue end of a universal assembly 300 or alternative intermediate component or immediately distal of the tongue end of the base plate 110 when no universal assemblies 300 or alternative intermediate components are being used with the buckle system.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the locking assembly trigger 250 is positioned between the top plate 212 and the bottom plate 214, in approximately the same plane as the post end spacer 260 and the strap end spacer 270. The trigger 250 includes a locking plunger 254 and at least one actuation feature 252. The strap end spacer 270 includes a backstop 272 shaped and configured to receive the trigger 250. The trigger locking plunger 254 is configured to extend through a plunger guide opening 262 in the post end spacer 260 to the locking assembly post receiving aperture 230. The plunger guide 262 is keyed to the trigger plunger 254 so as to help guide the plunger 254 in the proper lateral direction but sized large enough to accommodate forward and backward movement of the trigger 250.
In some embodiments, the locking assembly 200 includes a biasing mechanism 240 for biasing the trigger 250 towards an extended position. In some such embodiments, the biasing mechanism 240 is positioned between the strap end spacer backstop 270 and the trigger 250. In an exemplary embodiment, the locking assembly 200 is configured to move from the engaged configuration to a locking configuration upon the trigger moving to its extended position while the locking assembly 200 remains engaged with the base assembly 100. When the locking assembly is in the locking configuration, the locking plunger 254 of the trigger 250 is engaged with the engagement post 150 of the base assembly 100, thereby moving the buckle system to a locked configuration. In some embodiments, the locking plunger 254 extends into the receiving aperture 230 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the receiving aperture 230, thereby facilitating engagement of the locking plunger 254 with the engagement post 150 when the locking assembly is in the engaged configuration. In the embodiment shown in
The trigger 250 of the locking assembly 200 includes one or more actuation features 252 to allow a user to apply force to counteract the biasing force from the biasing mechanism 240 and to move the trigger 250 towards a retracted position. In the embodiment shown in
In some embodiments, the locking assembly trigger plunger 254 is engaged with an engagement feature 152 of the engagement post 150 when the buckle system 10 is in the locked configuration. In some embodiments, the engagement post 150 of the base assembly 100 includes multiple engagement features 152 configured for receiving the trigger locking plunger 254. The particular engagement feature 152 to be utilized in a multi-engagement feature embodiment is determined based on the number (and thickness) of universal plate(s) 310, or alternative intermediate plate(s), being used with the buckle system 10. In an alternative embodiment, the engagement post 150 has one engagement feature 152 for receiving the trigger locking plunger 254, thereby controlling or otherwise influencing the number (and thickness) of universal plate(s) 310, or alternative intermediate plate(s), that can be used.
To assemble the buckle system 10 of the present invention, any universal assemblies 300 and/or alternative intermediate components to be utilized are engaged with the engagement post 150 of the base assembly 100, the locking assembly trigger 250 is retracted, the locking assembly 200 is engaged with the engagement post 150, and the locking assembly trigger 250 is released, the biasing mechanism 240 moving the trigger 250 into extended, locked position with the trigger locking plunger 254 engaging an engagement post engagement feature 152. By moving the buckle system 10 to the locked configuration, the locking assembly 200 is secured to the base assembly 100, and any universal plates 310 or alternative intermediate plates are secured therebetween.
Actuation of the actuation features 252 to counteract the biasing mechanism 240 disengages the trigger plunger 254 from an engagement feature 152 of the engagement post 150, such as by removing the trigger plunger 254 from an engagement hole, and allows the locking assembly 200 and any universal plates 310 or alternative intermediate plates to be removed from around the engagement post 150.
The biasing mechanism 240 biases the trigger 250 and holds the buckle system 10 in a locked position. In further embodiments of the present invention, the buckle system 10 includes an additional safety lock for retaining the trigger plunger 254 within an engagement feature 152 to prevent accidental release of the buckle system 10.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.
Although the foregoing detailed description of the present invention has been described by reference to an exemplary embodiment, and the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention has been shown and described, it will be understood that certain changes, modification or variations may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, other than those specifically set forth herein, may be achieved by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that such changes, modification or variations are to be considered as being within the overall scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is contemplated to cover the present invention and any and all changes, modifications, variations, or equivalents that fall with in the true spirit and scope of the underlying principles disclosed and claimed herein. Consequently, the scope of the present invention is intended to be limited only by the attached claims, all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the invention is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/399,056, filed Aug. 18, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63399056 | Aug 2022 | US |
