Patent Application
20190150574
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a web-connecting assembly, and, more particularly, to a web-connecting assembly having a button that is configured to be engaged to release a separable components.
Buckles are used to securely connect components together. For example, various bags, backpacks, and the like have male and female buckle members connected to straps, webbing, or the like. Each strap, for example, is looped through a web channel on a buckle member. In order to connect the straps together, the male buckle member is connected to the female buckle member.
In various applications, web-retaining devices are used to secure straps or webs together. Known web-retaining devices include a hook that is configured to connect to another component. In general, the hook is long, particularly in relation to the other component to which it is configured to connect. Also, known web-retaining devices often include multiple joints or connections that are susceptible to breaking. Further, manipulating such devices to actuate gates to unhook the components may prove difficult for various individuals. As an example, an individual typically has to press a deflectable beam of the book inward and then remove a portion of another component within the hook while the beam is deflected inward. Also, the styling of known web-retaining devices may be considered outdated.
Accordingly, a need exists for a web-retaining device that is smaller, stronger, and easier to manipulate.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide a web-connecting assembly that may include a connecting member and a securing member. The connecting member may include a connecting stud, and a first web channel. The first web channel is configured to retain a first web. The securing member may include a housing defining a retaining chamber, a button pivotally secured to the housing, and a second web channel. The second web channel is configured to retain a second web. The button is configured to be moved between an open position in which a portion of the connecting stud is able to move into and out of the retaining chamber, and a closed position in which the button securely traps the portion of the connecting stud within the retaining chamber. The connecting member is securely connected to the securing member when the button securely traps the portion of the connecting stud within the retaining chamber.
The connecting stud may include a stem connected to a distal head. The portion of the connecting stud may include the distal head. The head may include a circumferential base connected to a distal rim. The portion of the connecting stud may be configured to rotate relative to the retaining chamber when the connecting member is securely connected to the securing member.
The securing member may include opposed guide ramps that lead into the retaining chamber. The opposed guide ramps are configured to guide the portion of the connecting stud into the retaining chamber when the button is in the open position.
The button may be configured to be pivoted into the open position through movement of the portion of the connecting stud on the opposed guide ramps toward the retaining chamber. Alternatively, the button may be configured to be pivoted into the open only when engaged by an individual. The opposed guide ramps may connect to opposed ledges separated from a panel by a space. The portion of the connecting stud may be configured to be secured within the space when the connecting member is securely connected to the securing member.
The button may include one or more pivot arms that pivotally connect the button to the housing. The pivot arm(s) extend into the retaining chamber a distance that exceeds half a depth of the housing. The button may include a canted beam that is configured to urge the button into the closed position. The button may include a barrier lip that is configured to prevent the portion of the connecting stud from ejecting from the retaining chamber when the button is in the closed position.
The securing member may include a button-retaining pin that is configured to prevent the button from ejecting from the housing. The button-retaining pin may be initially connected to the housing through one or more flash connections. The button-retaining pin may be configured to be driven between portions of opposed pivot arms of the button.
Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
The connecting member 102 may include a first cross beam 106 connected to a second cross beam 108 through lateral struts 110 and 112. The cross beams 106 and 108 may generally be aligned with one another, such as being parallel to one another, while the struts 110 and 112 are generally aligned with one another, such as being parallel to one another and perpendicular to the cross beams 106 and 108. As shown, the cross beams 106, 108 and the struts 110, 112 may be curved or otherwise have arcuate portions. Alternatively, the cross beams 106, 108, and the struts 110, 112 may be straight, linear components. The cross beams 106, 108, and the struts 110, 112 define an internal web channel 114 that is configured to receive and retain webbing, such as a strap, belt, cord, rope, or the like.
A connecting stud 116, such as a post, column, tab, or other such protuberance, extends upwardly (as shown with respect to the orientation of the web-connecting assembly 100 in
The securing member 104 may include a cross beam 120 connected to opposed connecting beams 122 through lateral struts 124 and 126. The connecting beams 122 may connect to a central main body or housing 128. The cross beam 120 may generally be aligned with the connecting beams 122, such as being parallel thereto, while the struts 124 and 126 are generally aligned with one another, such as being parallel to one another and perpendicular to the cross beam 120 and the connecting beams 122. As shown, the cross beam 120, the connecting beams 122, and the struts 124, 126 may be curved or otherwise have arcuate portions. Alternatively, the cross beam 120, the connecting beams 122, and the struts 124, 126 may be straight, linear components. The cross beam 120, the connecting beams 122, the struts 124, 126, and the housing 128 define an internal web channel 130 that is configured to receive and retain webbing, such as a strap, belt, cord, rope, or the like.
The housing 128 may include a retaining shroud 132 that extends downwardly from the connecting beams 122 about a central axis 134 of the securing member 104. The central axis 134 may be a central lateral axis that bisects the securing member 104 into two symmetrical halves. In the connected position, the central axis 134 of the securing member 104 may be coaxial with the central axis 118 of the connecting member 102. A button 136 is pivotally secured to the retaining housing 132.
In operation, the button 136 is pivoted into an open position to expose a retaining chamber defined within the retaining shroud 132. For example, an individual may press an upper portion of the button 136 to pivot the button into an open position. When the button 136 is in the open position, at least a portion (such as a head) of the connecting stud 116 is moved into the retaining chamber and engaged in a secure position by one or more features within the retaining chamber. After the connecting stud 116 is securely positioned in the retaining chamber, the button 136 is pivoted back to a securing position, in which the button 136 securely traps the connecting stud 116 in the retaining chamber. In this manner, the connecting member 102 securely connects to the securing member 104.
The guide ramps 148 connect to opposed ledges 152 that may reside in a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis 134. The opposed ledges are spaced apart from one another, thereby providing space for the stein 138 of the connecting stud 116 to pass therebetween. A flat panel 154 may extend between the lateral walls 145 within the retaining chamber and is separated from the ledges 152 a vertical distance that allows the head 140 of the connecting stud 116 to be securely retained therein. The flat panel 154 may reside in a plane that is parallel to the plane in which the ledges 152 reside.
The button 136 includes an outer engageable face 156 that connects to an upper panel 158, which may be perpendicular to the face 156. One or more pivot arms 160 extend inwardly into the retaining chamber 143 from an interior surface of the face 156. A pivot joint 162, such as a cylindrical bearing, extends from a distal end of the pivot arm 160 and is configured to pivotally retain a reciprocal structure (such as a cylindrical post that fits into a central opening of the pivot joint 162, or a reciprocal recessed area that receives and retains the pivot joint 162) that inwardly extends from one or both of the lateral walls 145. The pivot arm(s) 160 are configured to allow the button 136 to be pivoted between open and closed positions with respect to the housing 128. The pivot arm(s) 160 may extend further away from the face 156 than the upper panel 158. That is, the pivot arm(s) 160 may be longer than the upper panel 158.
Optionally, an individual may not need to directly engage the button 136 in order to expose the retaining chamber 143. Instead, as the connecting stud 116 is urged into the retaining chamber 143 over the ramps 148 (which guide the connecting stud 116 toward and into the retaining chamber 143) in the direction of arrow 184, the head 140 of the cylindrical stud 116 abuts into a lower edge 186 of the button 136 and forces the button 136 to pivot open in the direction of arc 180, as the connecting stud 116 continues to be urged in the direction of arrow 184.
In order to securely connect the connecting member 102 to the securing member 104, the securing member continues to be urged into retaining chamber 143 in the space between the ledges 152 and the panel 154 until the head 140 abuts into the rear wall 146 of the housing 128, thereby positioning the head 140 on the ledges 152 in a secure seated position. In this position, the lower edge 186 of the button 136 no longer contacts the top of the head 140. As such, the button 136 pivots back to its at-rest position (such as by the canted beam 194 forcing the button 136 back to the closed position), thereby trapping the head 140 within the retaining chamber 143, which in turn securely connects the connecting member 102 to the securing member 104.
As shown, the pivot arm 160 extends deep into the retaining chamber 143 proximate to the rear wall 146 of the housing 128. For example, the length of the pivot arm 160 may exceed half the depth d of the housing 128. In at least one embodiment, the length of the pivot arm 160 exceeds 0.75 d. Alternatively, the length of the pivot arm 160 may be greater or lesser than 0.75 d. In this manner, the pivot arm 160 is long enough to provide an opening between the button 136 and the housing 128 of sufficient clearance to allow the head 140 of the connecting stud 116 to pass therethrough.
Because the head 140 includes a circular cross-section and the stem 138 also includes a circular cross-section, the connecting member 102 may rotate relative to the securing member 104 (or vice versa) about a central axis 201 (which may be a coaxial combination of the axes 118 and 134 of the connecting member 102 and the securing member 104, respectively) of the assembly 100. The ability of the connecting member 102 and the securing member 104 to rotate in such a manner provides the assembly 100 with the ability to adapt to various connection orientations and movements, for example. Alternatively, the connecting stud 116 may include other cross-sections that prevent rotation or allow limited rotation between the connecting member 102 and the securing member 104.
In order to remove the head 140 from the retaining chamber 143 (and disconnect the connecting member 102 from the securing member 104), the button 136 is engaged so that the pivot arm 160 pivots about the pivot axis 182, thereby removing the barrier lip 202 from the rim 144, and providing a path of sufficient clearance to allow the head 140 to be removed from the retaining chamber 143. Once the path of sufficient clearance is formed by way of the button 136 pivoting to the open position, the connecting member 102 may be disconnected from the securing member 104 in the direction of arrow 210.
The button 136 provides a pivoting release. The button 136 is pivotally secured to the housing 128 through one or more pivot arms 160 that allow the release button 136 to pivot over an arc. The length of the pivot arm 160 allows the button 136 to pivot open (thereby providing a path through which the head 140 may pass) and close. The relatively long pivot arm 160 allows for an opening of sufficient size to allow the head 140 to enter and exit the retaining chamber 143. As noted above, the button 136 may include more than one pivot arm 160.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a locking geometry that protects against inadvertent separation of the connecting member 102 from the securing member 104. The locking interfaces and interaction between the head 140 and the button 136 ensures that the head 140 remains secured within the retaining chamber 143 until the button 136 is engaged by an individual into an open position. As shown in
The pin 304 may be used with any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, with respect to
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide web-connecting assemblies that are shorter than known hooking devices. In comparison to known hooking devices, embodiments of the present disclosure provide web-connecting assemblies that are shorter, stronger, and easier to manipulate. The short, compact length of the web-connecting assemblies is realized by using a connecting stud that secures into a retaining chamber, for example, instead of a hook component.
While various spatial and directional terms, such as top, bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.
Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.
To the extent used in the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, to the extent used in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
Various features of the disclosure are set forth in the following claims.
This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/988,967, entitled “Push-Button Release Web-Connecting Assembly,” filed May 6, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61988967 | May 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15306776 | Oct 2016 | US |
| Child | 16256530 | US |
