1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to connecting devices and more particularly to connectors such as those used for fastening and securing belts, webbing, straps, animal collars and similar and related applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide variety of two-piece connectors have been devised for use in securing together the ends of a length of material. Frequently, such connectors are made of metal or plastic, even a combination thereof. In recent years, black ABS plastic connectors have become almost ubiquitous in their use on backpacks and luggage. Such connector devices consist of two pieces, one male and a corresponding female, for interlocking and retention. Successful connection of the two pieces is usually achieved through the deployment of barbed spring members, which engage openings in the opposing connector piece.
Such existing connectors have the inherent disadvantage of requiring the manufacture of separate distinct bodies for both male and female connector halves.
The connector of the present invention employs the locking interaction of a series of tongue-and-groove structures to provide a simple, ingenious, innovative and convenient closure mechanism. One embodiment of the present invention is a connector providing, when closed, a smooth unitary appearance, with clean and uninterrupted lines. Opposing rotational forces may be applied to the ends of the connector in order to open the connector and enable separation of its component halves.
The connector halves may be fastened together in the following manner. The respective body halves of the connector may be properly fitted together and, with the imparting of a rotational motion to one half relative to the other, full closure of the connector may be secured.
The cooperation of a spring-loaded captive ball or pin arrangement and a corresponding receiver socket serves to maintain the connector in a closed position.
A cylindrical pin projects from one connector body half, axially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the connector body. The other connector body half is adapted to receive the cylindrical pin within a corresponding bore, also axially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the connector body.
To fasten the connector, the pin of one body half is inserted into the corresponding bore of a second body half. Then the two body halves are rotated opposite one another until the spring-loaded captive ball assembly of each body half is brought into cooperation with the receiver socket of the other body half, to maintain secure closure of the connector.
As the connector body halves are rotated relative to each other, formed knuckles on each body half engage with gaps or passages between the knuckles on the other body half. The knuckles and gaps engage as tongue-and-groove structures to provide resistance to longitudinal tensioning forces.
The knuckle and passage structures are generally planar in profile and oriented generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the connector.
One half of the knuckles and passages of each connector body half have a section of the generally planar surface shaped to trend toward a curved surface approaching a leading edge. This enables the corresponding knuckles and passages to rotate and engage each other in an interlocking fashion. Each connector body half is identical but for the presence of the cylindrical pin or the defined cylindrical bore located along the central longitudinal axis of the engaging end of the body half. This high degree of structural similarity enables the connector of the present invention to be manufactured at lower cost and provides for more efficient use of materials.
To maintain the connector of the present invention in its closed and fastened configuration, a spring-tensioned captive ball or pin arrangement and a corresponding receiver socket or dimple is incorporated into the design. This captive ball or pin assembly is spring-loaded and adapted to engage with a corresponding dimple or socket defined in the mating face of the corresponding body half. The spring force may be increased or decreased by varying the type of spring or its degree of compression. Varying the spring force serves to vary the amount of rotational force necessary to open or close the connector. Variations in the size and shape of the ball or pin and the receiving dimple or socket may also be used to achieve the desired closure force.
A better understanding of the present invention may be realized from a consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present invention is generally related to a connector for releasably coupling together two components. The present invention relates more particularly to an interlocking two-piece connector device, for releasably securing together the ends of a length, or two lengths, of strap material, webbing, line or similar items. While the illustrated preferred embodiment is described below in terms of a connector mechanism for releasably securing together two ends of a length of a strap material, equivalent materials such as nylon webbing, leather, fabric, cord, line, chain, or rope are contemplated as falling within the scope of this disclosure.
Generally, the present invention provides a means for releasably fastening together the ends of a strap, or connecting two straps. The utility of such an invention is readily apparent for use in conjunction with animal collars and leads, belts, jewelry, bracelets, necklaces and the like.
Referring now to
The two connector body halves 12, 12′ have proximal knuckles 22, 221 and proximal passages 24, 24′ formed adjacent pin receiving bore 20 and pin 18, respectively. Adjacent proximal knuckles 22 and 22′ are distal passages 28 and 28′ respectively. Adjacent proximal passages 24 and 24′ are distal knuckles 26 and 26′, respectively.
The connector body halves 12 and 12′ can be properly fitted together in only one orientation. Pin 18 is inserted into pin receiving bore 20 with the two halves at approximately right angles to each other relative to the central axis. The connector halves 12 and 12′ are rotated relative to each other, thereby causing proximal knuckles 22 and 22′ to enter and engage with proximal passages 24 and 24′, respectively. Similarly, such rotation causes distal knuckles 26 and 26′ to enter and engage with distal passages 28 and 28′, respectively.
Proximal knuckles 22 and 22′ have proximal knuckle faces 40 and 40′, respectively, each being formed with an at least partially radiussed or curved surface. This is to permit rotational engagement of proximal knuckles 22 and 22′ with proximal passages 40 and 40′. Proximal passages faces 42 and 42′ are planar, as shown in
In a similar manner, distal passages 28 and 28′ have distal passage faces 46 and 46′, respectively, wherein each distal passage face is shaped with an at least partially radiussed or curved planar cross section, to permit rotational engagement of distal knuckles 26 and 26′ within distal passages 28 and 28′. Distal knuckle faces 44 and 44′ are planar in cross section, in order to limit the rotation of connector body halves 12 and 12′.
Connector body halves 12 and 12′ are considered to be in a fastened mode when proximal knuckle faces 40 and 40′ contact proximal passage faces 42 and 42′, respectively, and distal knuckle faces 44 and 44′ contact distal passage faces 46 and 46′, respectively.
Each connector body half 12, 12′ contains a captive ball assembly 30 and 30′. Captive ball assembly 30 and 30′ comprises a retaining bore 36 and 36′ (not shown). These retaining bores 36, 36′ contain springs 34, 34′ (not shown) and balls 32, 32′. Balls 32 and 32′ are restrained by swaging the opening of retaining bores 36, 36′. Spring 34 urges ball 32 outwardly to the opening of retaining bore 36.
The corresponding location on the other connector body half defines a receiving dimple or socket 38 or 38′. These receiving dimples 38, 38′ engage balls 32, 32′ of captive ball assemblies 30 and 30′, respectively, in order to retain the connector body halves in a closed configuration.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2956324 | Klein | Oct 1960 | A |
3253842 | Rabe | May 1966 | A |
3372440 | Burson, Jr. | Mar 1968 | A |
3520033 | Usuda | Jul 1970 | A |
3570078 | Neumann et al. | Mar 1971 | A |
4000544 | Fildan | Jan 1977 | A |
4008513 | Griffiths | Feb 1977 | A |
4161806 | Hennisse et al. | Jul 1979 | A |
4581910 | Brooks et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
5377394 | Fildan | Jan 1995 | A |