Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6684466
-
Patent Number
6,684,466
-
Date Filed
Monday, December 17, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, February 3, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Sandy; Robert J.
- Rodriguez; Ruth C.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 024 57309
- 024 57311
- 024 5781
- 024 57814
- 024 57909
- 024 57911
- 024 5811
- 024 5821
- 024 58212
- 024 58213
- 024 58214
- 024 612
- 024 614
- 024 615
- 024 618
- 024 662
- 024 681
- 280 8011
- 280 808
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A safety buckle assembly including a male member and a female member that interlockingly and releasably engages the male member. The buckle male member is disengaged from the female member by squeezing the side latches towards each other, to disengage the same from the side catches, while simultaneously pressing the push release button such that the central latch is disengaged from the central catch formed in the female member.
Description
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to buckles, and in particular to a snap buckle for releasably connecting straps, belts or the like, that includes various safety features that prevent inadvertent and unwanted release.
Safety straps are traditionally secured to grocery store carts or other similar vehicles to provide a seatbelt-type restraint in an effort to assure the safety of an occupant or item that is being transported in the shopping cart. Such devices are securely attached to the shopping cart in a manner such that the safety buckle does not become accidentally detached from the cart. Additionally, buckles are used to secure loads carried by various item containers such as backpacks, luggage, fanny packs, etc. The aforementioned devices typically utilize a conventional side release buckle wherein a male member having one or two side latching arms is coupled to a female member that has complimentary catches that enable the male and female members to interlockingly engage one another to secure the system.
Due to the type of systems that these side release buckles are utilized in, the buckles may be subject to various pressures on one or both sides thereof. In these conventional systems, pushing inwardly on one or both of the side latching arms such that the catches release the latches effects disengagement of the securement device. Due to the resiliency of the side latching arms, the disengagement of the side latching arms from the catch cause the side latching arms to spring back to their original position. This resilient force forces the male member to accelerate in an outwardly direction resulting in the male member sliding out of the guide channel of the female member. Furthermore, young children may try to disengage the buckle resulting in a risk to injury to the child.
Thus, a buckle with a safety feature, that is both difficult for a young child to disengage and resistant to unwanted and inadvertent disengagement due to external forces exerted on the buckle, is needed.
SUMMARY
The present invention provides a safety buckle assembly that incorporates structural features that enable a strong and reliable coupling between the male and female members of the clip assembly. Due to these structural features, unwanted and inadvertent disengagement of the male member from the female member that may result in harm or damage to the occupants and/or items secured by the buckle is minimized.
According to the present invention, there is provided a safety buckle assembly comprising a male member that interlockingly and releasably engages a female member. The male member includes a base wall that has a pair of side locking arms each having a latch, a central locking arm having a latch, and a plurality of forming ribs extending therefrom. The central locking arm is longer in length than the side locking arms to afford the central locking arm greater resiliency and flexibility. The female member includes a receiving cavity, that receives the male member when the buckle is fastened, a push button release that engages the central locking arm, two opposing side catches that engage the side locking arm latches, a central catch that engages the central latch, and an opening that enables a user to disengage the buckle assembly in an alternative fashion. Two parallel guiding walls are formed in the cavity and used to guide the central locking arm when the male member engages the female member. The correct orientation of the buckle assembly is assured due to the engagement of the forming ribs with projections that extend from the cavity of the female member when the buckle assembly is fastened.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a plan view of a safety buckle assembly according to the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a male member of the safety buckle assembly of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 3
is an enlarged view of a central latch member shown in FIG.
2
.
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a female member of the safety buckle assembly of FIG.
1
.
FIG. 5
is a sectional view of the safety buckle assembly shown in
FIG. 1
taken in the direction indicated by line
5
—
5
of
FIG. 1
to show the buckle with the male member less than fully inserted into the female member.
FIG. 6
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
, but showing the buckle with the central locking arm partially engaging a central catch.
FIG. 7
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
, but showing the buckle with the central locking arm fully engaging the central catch.
FIG. 8
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
, but showing a push release button engaging the central locking arm.
FIG. 9
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
, but showing the central locking arm being disengaged from the central catch by an external actuator.
FIG. 10
is a top view of the safety buckle assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11
is a bottom view of the safety buckle assembly of FIG.
10
.
FIG. 12
is a perspective view of a male member of the safety buckle assembly of FIG.
9
.
FIG. 13
is a sectional view of the safety buckle assembly shown in
FIG. 10
taken in the direction indicated by line
13
—
13
of
FIG. 10
to show the buckle with the male member fully inserted into the female member.
FIG. 14
is a view similar to
FIG. 13
, but showing the buckle assembly of
FIG. 10
with a permanent locking mechanism engaging the buckle assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1
shows a buckle assembly
100
according to one embodiment of the present invention. The buckle assembly
100
is composed of a male member
200
that is interlockingly and releasably coupled with a female member
400
. The buckle assembly
100
including the male and female members
200
,
400
may be molded from a variety of extrudable materials. These may include LDPE, HDPE, ABS, polystyrene, polypropylene, acetates, butyrates, nylons, polyphenylene sulfides, acetals, polycarbonates, thermoplastic rubbers, and polyesters, among others.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, the male member
200
generally includes a handle
202
, and an engagement portion
204
, wherein handle
202
is separated from engagement portion
204
by a base wall
206
. The handle
202
has a generally rectangular shape and is formed by a sloping back wall
208
that is spaced from and parallel to base wall
206
, and two opposing side walls
210
,
212
that connect base wall
206
to back wall
208
to define an opening
214
therebetween. Connected to side walls
210
,
212
is a bar
216
that traverses opening
214
and configured to retain a strap, belt, or some other form of elongated member such as a member
490
shown in FIG.
4
.
The engagement portion
204
generally includes base wall
206
and a plurality of projections that extend therefrom including two side locking arms
218
,
220
, a central locking arm
222
, and a plurality of forming ribs
240
,
242
,
244
, and
246
. Each of the side locking arms
218
,
220
includes an extension member
223
,
224
and a latch element
226
,
228
, respectively, that is disposed on the distal end of each extension member
223
,
224
. The side locking arms
218
and
220
are configured to be resilient in relation to base wall
206
. In this manner, side locking arms
218
and
220
bend horizontally in the directions of arrows
230
and
232
, respectively, when a sufficient amount of force is exerted upon them. As seen from
FIG. 2
, a diameter D of latch elements
226
and
228
is sufficiently larger than a diameter d of extension members
223
and
224
such that a user may be able to manipulate side locking arms
218
and
220
with ease when engaging or disengaging the buckle assembly. Additionally, latch elements
226
and
228
each include a sloping surface
248
and
250
, respectively, that is configured to engage female member
400
during the engagement process of buckle assembly
100
. Latch elements
226
and
228
also include engagement surfaces
252
and
254
, respectively, that are configured to engage complimentary catches formed in female member
400
, discussed below.
The central locking arm
222
includes a groove
234
located therein that runs substantially the entire length of locking arm
222
. A central latch element
236
, encircled by the dotted line shown in
FIG. 2
, is disposed on the distal most end of central locking arm
222
. The central locking arm
222
is configured to be resilient in relation to base wall
206
in that central locking arm
222
bends in a vertical direction indicated by arrow
238
when a sufficient amount of force in the direction of arrow
238
is exerted upon it. As shown in
FIG. 2
, central locking arm
222
has a length L that is longer than a length l of the side locking arms
218
and
220
. The length L affords central locking arm
222
a high degree of flexibility and a large contact surface when the buckle system is engaged. The combination of the large contact area and the high degree of flexibility effects a more reliable and secure engagement between male member
200
and female member
400
. The central latch
236
will be described in more detail with reference to
FIG. 3
, discussed below.
Forming ribs
240
,
242
,
244
, and
246
each extend from base wall
206
and are configured to be relatively stiff. Forming ribs
240
and
242
are disposed between and spaced equidistantly from side locking arm
218
and central locking arm
234
. Similarly, forming ribs
244
and
246
are disposed between and spaced equidistantly from side locking arm
220
and central locking arm
234
.
Referring to
FIG. 3
, a more detailed description of central latch
236
will be given. Central latch
236
of the central locking arm
222
includes a recess
302
, a sloping surface
304
, and a wall
306
. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
, recess
302
is disposed at the most distal end of groove
234
, and has a substantially planar surface. Recess
302
is separated from groove
234
by a downwardly sloping surface
304
. Therefore, recess
302
, bordered by sloping surface
304
and wall
306
, forms central latch
236
that is configured to retain a catch formed on the female member
400
, discussed below.
Female member
400
will be discussed with reference to
FIGS. 4 and 5
. Female member
400
generally consists of a body
402
and a strap retaining portion
404
. Body
402
includes a first open end
406
, a second closed end
408
bordered by back wall
410
shown in dotted lines, retaining projections
412
,
414
, and
416
, push release button
418
, side catches
420
and
422
, opening
424
, guiding walls
426
and
428
, and a central catch
430
shown in dotted lines.
Open end
406
is defined by a lower surface
432
, an upper surface
434
, and two side surfaces
436
and
438
that join lower surface
432
and upper surface
434
. A cavity
440
is defined between open end
406
and back wall
410
of the body. Projections
412
,
414
, and
416
are formed in most proximal edge of lower surface
432
are configured to fittingly engage forming ribs
240
,
242
,
244
, and
246
when the buckle assembly is engaged. Guiding walls
426
and
428
are disposed on lower surface
432
of body
402
and are substantially the same length as cavity
440
. Guiding walls
426
and
428
are configured to engage central locking arm
222
when male member
200
is inserted into female member
400
. In a preferred embodiment, guiding walls
426
and
428
are connected to back wall
410
for a more stable buckle system.
Side surfaces
436
and
438
have sloping surfaces
446
and
448
, respectively, formed therein that are configured to engage side locking arms
218
and
220
when male member
200
is inserted into female member
400
. Side catch
420
is defined by an opening
442
formed in the sloped surface
446
of side surface
436
. Similarly, side catch
422
is defined by an opening
444
formed in sloped surface
448
of side surface
436
. Side catches
422
and
420
are configured to interlockingly engage latch elements
226
and
228
, respectively, when the buckle assembly is engaged.
Central catch
430
is formed on and extends from upper surface
434
a distance into the cavity
440
of body
402
. Central catch
430
is configured to engage central latch
236
of central locking member
222
when the buckle assembly is engaged. Push release button
418
is formed on upper surface
434
of body
402
and includes an upper free end
450
and a lower fixed end
452
wherein upper end
450
is translatable, in a downward direction in relation to a fixed lower end
452
, when a downward force is exerted thereon. Push button
418
is configured to resiliently engage central locking member
222
in an effort to disengage male member
200
from female member
400
. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, push release button
418
is formed in a circular configuration to more comfortably accommodate a user's finger upon actuation of button
418
. However, push button
418
may embody any other convenient shape that is suitable for its purpose.
Strap retaining portion
404
of female member
400
includes a strap retaining bar
458
, shown in dotted lines, that is configured to retain a strap, belt, or some other form of elongated member such as the member
490
shown in FIG.
4
. Opening
424
is a substantially rectangular opening formed in upper surface
434
of body
402
and configured such that wall
306
of central latch
236
is visible to a user looking at upper surface
434
of engaged buckle assembly
100
in a downwardly direction, such as seen in FIG.
1
. One example of the operation of the opening
424
will be discussed below with reference to disengaging the buckle assembly
100
of the present invention.
With reference to
FIGS. 2-7
, the engagement of buckle assembly
100
will be described in detail. During the operation of fastening the buckle assembly, engagement portion
204
of male member
200
is aligned with cavity
440
of female member
400
such that the distal end of central locking arm
222
is inserted between guiding walls
426
and
428
and latch elements
226
and
228
of side locking arms abut side surfaces
438
and
436
, respectively. At this point, an engagement force is exerted upon the male and female members
200
and
400
such that side locking arms
218
and
220
are moved in the direction of arrows
230
and
232
, respectively, as a result of the enlarged diameter D and sloped surfaces
248
and
250
of latch elements
226
and
228
, respectively, engaging side surfaces
438
and
436
. At this point, a greater portion of the length L of central locking arm
222
is positioned in cavity
440
, between guiding walls
426
and
428
, with central latch
236
positioned just proximate of central catch
430
, as shown in FIG.
5
. At this point, engagement portion
204
of male member
200
has resiliently conformed to the shape of first open end
406
and cavity
440
of female member
400
such that latch elements
226
,
228
, and
236
may slide into alignment with complimentary side catches
422
,
420
and central catch
430
, respectively. As male member
200
is further inserted within female member
400
, wall
306
of central locking arm
222
engages a sloping surface
502
of central catch
430
and is forced in a downward direction, as shown in FIG.
6
. At this point, a distal portion of sloping surfaces
248
and
250
are adjacent to openings
444
and
442
, respectively. Additionally, projections
416
and
414
are in alignment with forming ribs
240
and
242
. Similarly, projections
414
and
412
are in alignment with forming ribs
244
and
246
.
Continuation of the engagement force upon male and female members
200
and
400
results in wall
306
of central latch
236
being pushed over the distal most part of slope surface
502
resulting in central locking arm
222
resiliently moving in an upward direction, back to its original state, as seen in FIG.
7
. Thus, central catch
430
is retained between wall
306
and sloping surface
304
. Additionally, latch elements
226
and
228
are positioned adjacent to openings
444
and
442
, respectively, in a manner such that engaging walls
252
and
254
are adjacent to openings
444
and
442
, respectively. Therefore, the forces exerted on sloping surfaces
248
and
250
by side surfaces
438
and
436
, respectively, cease to exist allowing latch elements
226
and
228
to fill openings
444
and
442
. Due to the resiliency of side locking arms
218
and
220
, side locking arms
218
and
220
resume their original position in relation to central locking arm
222
. In this manner, engagement surfaces
252
and
254
engage side catches
422
and
420
. Furthermore, projections
416
and
414
engage forming ribs
240
and
242
, respectively, and projections
414
and
412
engage forming ribs
244
and
246
.
In this manner, a secure buckle arrangement is effected due to the mating of side catches
422
and
420
and central catch
430
of female member
400
with latches
226
,
228
, and
236
, respectively, of male member
200
. Additionally, a proper engagement of male member
200
with female member
400
is assured due to the forming ribs engagement to projections
412
,
414
, and
416
. For example, if male member
200
is inserted into female member
400
in a reverse manner such that sloping surface
248
engages side surface
436
and sloping surface
250
engages side surface
438
, forming ribs
240
,
242
,
244
, and
246
would engage the most proximal surface
454
of upper surface
434
. This engagement would prevent latch elements
226
,
228
and
236
from engaging catches
422
,
420
, and
430
, respectively, thus prohibiting the securement of male member
200
to female member
400
.
The disengagement of buckle assembly
100
will now be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 1-4
,
8
and
9
. To disengage male member
200
from female member
400
, a force must be exerted upon latches
226
and
228
to push them towards one another in the direction of arrows
230
and
232
. The movement of latches
226
and
228
in this direction releases engagement surfaces
252
and
254
from side catches
422
and
420
, respectively. This operation is well known in the art and thus will not be described in any further detail. In addition to the force exerted upon latch elements
226
and
228
, a simultaneous downward force must be exerted upon push release button
418
to disengage central latch
236
from central catch
430
. Once a sufficient force has been exerted upon push button
418
, central locking arm
222
will be forced in a downward direction through the actuation of push button
418
upon central locking arm
222
, as seen in FIG.
8
. Once latches
226
and
228
, and central latch
236
have been disengaged from side catches
422
and
420
, and central catch
430
, respectively, a disengagement force may be exerted upon male member
200
and female member
400
that effectively pulls male member
200
and female member
400
in opposite directions to effect disengagement of the buckle assembly
100
. Due to the requirement of disengaging three latches from their respective catches before the buckle assembly may be disengaged, the accidental disengagement of the buckle assembly due to external forces on one or two latches included in the buckle assembly is averted. Due to the design of the buckle assembly
100
, a user may use one hand to facilitate the disengagement of the male member
200
from the female member
400
.
As seen in
FIGS. 1 and 4
, push release button
418
is formed substantially in the center of upper surface
434
and central catch
430
is disposed close to back wall
410
, intermediate push release button
418
and back wall
410
. Due to the length L of central locking arm
222
and the placement of central catch
430
within cavity
440
of female member
400
, push release button
418
engages central locking arm
222
at a point substantially in the center of central locking arm
222
, as seen in
FIG. 8
, during the disengagement of buckle assembly
100
. Those having skill in the art can appreciate that the combination, of the placement of push release button
418
, central catch
430
, and central latch
236
, and the manner in which push release button
418
engages central locking arm
222
, allows for a very stable disengagement of buckle assembly
100
.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a second method of disengagement of male member
200
from female member
400
may be affected. In this embodiment, opening
424
may also be used to disengage central latch
236
of central locking arm
222
from central catch
430
. The opening has the further benefit of being configured to enable the addition of structural features to the female member during and after manufacturing. These features may include the internal central catch
430
, or other features that may be desired. The emergency disengagement method of the present invention will now be described in detail. Opening
424
is configured such that it physically borders central catch. Additionally, the dimensions of opening
424
are such that wall
306
of central locking arm
222
may be clearly seen and manipulated to effect the release of central latch
236
from central catch
430
. To effect this end result, an external actuator
900
that has a distal configuration comparable to the dimensions of opening
424
may be used to exert a downward force on wall
306
of central locking arm
222
such that central catch
236
disengages central latch
430
, as seen in FIG.
9
. At this point, the disengagement of male member
200
from female member
400
is accomplished by the simultaneous disengagement of side catches
422
and
420
from latch elements
226
and
228
in the same manner as described above. In this manner, if push release button
418
were to ever become inoperable, the buckle assembly of the present invention may be disengaged by utilizing a second method that is fast, safe, and reliable while ensuring that the operation of buckle assembly
100
is not compromised any further. To this end, emergency release opening
424
gives a user an alternative method to release buckle assembly
100
without damaging the assembly any further.
FIG. 10
illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Referring to
FIG. 10
, a buckle assembly
1000
is shown wherein a male member
1200
is interlockingly engaged to a female member
1100
. In this embodiment, a push release button
1002
is formed in a top surface
1004
and has a free end
1006
that faces male member
1200
and a fixed end
1008
that faces a strap retaining bar
1014
. A central catch
1010
, shown in dotted lines, is formed intermediate push release button
1002
and proximal end
1012
of female member
1100
.
FIG. 11
illustrates a bottom view of buckle assembly
1000
shown in FIG.
10
. In this embodiment, opening
1102
is formed in a bottom surface
1104
of female member
1100
. Opening
1102
may be utilized to effect a permanent securement of male member
1200
to female member
1100
(discussed below), though the opening
1102
enables central catch
430
to be configured inside the female member easily and inexpensively. Other parts of female member
1100
are the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.
4
.
FIG. 12
illustrates male member
1200
of buckle assembly
1000
. In this embodiment, a central locking arm
1202
has a length L that is shorter than a length l of side locking arms
1204
and
1206
. A central latch
1204
is formed on central locking arm
1202
and has substantially the same configuration as central latch
236
shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3
of the present invention. Other parts, as well as other operating steps, are the same as male member
200
shown in
FIG. 2
of the present invention.
The engagement of central locking arm
1202
with central catch
1010
is shown in FIG.
13
. As seen in detail in
FIG. 13
, when male member
1200
is interlockingly engaged with female member
1100
, central latch
1204
of central locking arm
1202
engages central catch
1010
to effect the securement of male member
1200
to female member
1100
. As seen in
FIGS. 10-13
, one having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the securement and disengagement of buckle assembly
1000
is effected in substantially the same manner as the securement and disengagement of buckle assembly
100
, described above.
With reference to
FIG. 14
, a method and apparatus for effecting a securement of buckle assembly
1000
is shown. As illustrated in
FIG. 14
, opening
1102
may be utilized to prevent the disengagement of central catch
1010
from central latch
1204
. In this effort, a securement mechanism
1400
, comprising resilient legs
1402
,
1404
and base
1406
, is configured to engage female member
1100
via opening
1102
. One having ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that legs
1402
and
1404
prevent central locking arm
1202
from moving in a downwardly direction and thus preventing central latch
1204
from disengaging central catch
1010
when push release button
1002
is manipulated. Therefore, male member
1200
is prevented from disengaging female member
1100
when securement mechanism
1400
is in place.
Although the present invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only, and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.
Claims
- 1. A safety buckle assembly comprising:a male member including: a base wall; a pair of side locking arms extending from the base wall; a central locking arm extending from the base wall and disposed between the side locking arms; at least one forming rib extending from the base wall; and a female member configured to interlockingly engage the male member, wherein the at least one forming rib ensures a correct orientation of the male member when the male member interlockingly engages the female member and wherein the female member includes a first open end, a second closed end, and at least one projection disposed on the first open end wherein the at least one projection is configured to engage the at least one forming rib when the male member interlockingly engages the female member; wherein the female member further includes a resilient push release button, and a cavity disposed between the first open end and the second closed end and defined by a top wall having top and bottom surfaces, a bottom wall substantially parallel to and spaced from the top wall, and a pair of opposing side walls connecting the top and bottom walls, wherein the push release button is formed in the top wall of the cavity; wherein a catch is disposed on the bottom surface of the top wall of the female member and configured to engage the central locking arm when the buckle is fastened; and wherein the push release button is disposed between the catch and the open end and is configured to force the central locking arm in a downward direction to thereby disengage the central locking arm from catch when the push release button is forced in a downward direction.
- 2. A safety buckle assembly comprising:a) a male member including: (1) a base wall; (2) a pair of side locking arms extending from the base wall; (3) a central locking arm extending from the base wall and disposed between the side locking arms, the central locking arm including a latch formed thereon; and b) a female member configured to interlockingly engage the male member, the female member including: (1) a catch configured to interlockingly engage the latch and a push release button formed therein and disposed intermediate the catch and the base wall; and (2) an opening, whereby a user may gain access to the latch via the opening to disengage the latch from the catch.
- 3. The safety buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the opening is configured to enable addition of structural features to the female member.
- 4. The safety buckle assembly of claim 3 wherein the structural feature comprises the catch.
- 5. The safety buckle assembly of claim 2 wherein the female member further includes a top wall having top and bottom surfaces, a bottom wall substantially parallel to and spaced from the top wall, and a pair of opposing side walls connecting the top and bottom walls, a first open end defined by an opening between the top, bottom, and pair of side walls, a second closed end substantially parallel to and spaced from the open end and defined by a back wall connecting the top, bottom, and a pair of side walls, a catch disposed on the top wall and configured to interlockingly engage the central locking arm when the buckle is fastened, wherein the opening is defined in the top wall.
- 6. The safety buckle assembly of claim 5 wherein the male member further includes at least one forming rib, and wherein the female member further includes a projection that extends from the first opening, the at least one forming rib configured to engage the projection when the buckle assembly is fastened.
- 7. The safety buckle assembly of claim 5 wherein the female member further includes a resilient push button release assembly formed in the top wall between the first open end and the opening.
- 8. The safety buckle assembly of claim 5 wherein the female member further includes two parallel guiding walls attached to the bottom wall that extend substantially the length of a cavity defined between the first open and the first closed end, the guiding walls engaging the central locking arm when the buckle is fastened.
- 9. The safety buckle assembly of claim 5 wherein each of the side locking arms further includes a distal end and a latch disposed on the distal end, and wherein the side walls each include an opening formed therein, the opening configured to receive the latch when the buckle is fastened.
- 10. A safety buckle assembly comprising:a) a male member including: (1) a base wall; (2) a pair of side locking arms extending from the base wall; (3) a central locking arm extending from the base wall, disposed between the side locking arms, and having a length that is longer than the side locking arms, the central locking arm having a latch formed thereon; and b) a female member including: (1) a top wall; (2) a bottom wall; (3) a pair of interconnecting side walls; (4) a back wall; (5) a first open receiving end disposed opposite the back wall, defined by the top, bottom, and pair of side walls, and configured to receive the male member; (6) a push release button formed in the top wall of the female member; and (7) a catch, disposed intermediate the push release button and the back wall, that is configured to engage the latch.
- 11. The safety buckle assembly of claim 10 wherein the female member further includes at least one projection disposed on the first open end, and wherein the male member further includes at least one forming rib extending from the base wall, the at least one projection configured to engage the at least one forming rib when the buckle assembly is fastened.
- 12. The safety buckle assembly of claim 10 further including an opening formed in the top wall and disposed adjacent the catch.
- 13. The safety buckle assembly of claim 12 wherein the opening is configured to enable addition of structural feature to the female member.
- 14. The safety buckle assembly of claim 13 wherein the structural feature comprises the catch.
- 15. The safety buckle assembly of claim 10 wherein the female member further includes two parallel guiding walls attached to the bottom wall that extend substantially a length of a cavity defined between the first open end and the back wall, the guiding walls engaging the central locking arm when the buckle is fastened.
- 16. A safety buckle assembly comprising:a) a male member including: (1) a base wall, (2) a pair of side locking arms extending from the base wall, (3) a central locking arm extending from the base wall, disposed between the side locking arms, and having a length that is longer than the side locking arms, the central locking arm having a latch formed thereon, and (4) at least one forming rib extending from the base wall, and b) a female member including: (1) a top wall having top and bottom surfaces, a bottom wall substantially parallel to and spaced from the top wall, and a pair of opposing side walls connecting the top and bottom walls; (2) a first open end defined between the top, bottom, and pair of side walls; (3) a second closed end substantially parallel to and spaced from the open end and defined by a back wall connecting the top, bottom, and pair of side walls; (4) a push release button disposed in the top wall; (5) a cavity defined between the first open end and the back wall; (6) a catch disposed on the top wall between the push release button and the back wall, and configured to interlockingly engage the central locking arm when the buckle is fastened; (7) an opening defined in the top wall whereby a user may gain access to the interior of the female member and disengage the central locking arm from the catch; (8) two parallel guiding walls attached to the bottom wall that extend substantially the entire length of the cavity and are configured to engage the central locking arm; and (9) at least one projection configured to engage the at least one forming rib when the buckle is fastened.
- 17. A safety buckle assembly comprising:a) a male member including: (1) a base wall; (2) a pair of side locking arms extending from the base wall and having a length 1; (3) a central locking arm extending from the base wall having a length L>1 and a central catch formed in a distal end thereof; and b) a female member configured to interlockingly engage the male member, including: (1) a top wall having a first end and a second end; (2) a bottom wall; (3) a pair of interconnecting side walls; (4) a back wall formed connecting the second end of the top wall to the bottom and interconnecting side walls; (5) a resilient push release button formed within and substantially equidistant from the first and second ends and adapted to move in a downwardly direction; and (6) a central catch disposed on the top wall between the push release button and the back wall, wherein the push release button is configured to engage the central locking arm at a point that is located substantially in the center of the length L when moved in the downwardly direction.
US Referenced Citations (20)