Break-free safety release buckle and fastener
First Claim
1. A quick-release fastening device comprising:
- a first fastening component having upper and lower surfaces and first and second end portions;
a pair of first and second elongated jaw elements disposed on said first component first end portion and forming a channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said first jaw element having a length dimension less than said second jaw element;
a tubular pocket defined in said first member first end portion adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said jaw elements;
a second fastening component having first and second end portions, said second fastening component first end portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said first fastening component first end portion; and
a stud mounted in said second fastening component first end portion, said stud being sized for releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove being sized to match said first jaw element to enhance engagement of said stud within said socket without affecting release resistance of said stud imposed by said jaw elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A quick-release fastening device is disclosed. The device includes a first fastening component having upper and lower surfaces and first and second end portions. A pair of first and second elongated jaw elements are disposed on the first component first end portion and form a channel-like socket therebetween. The jaws define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening accessing the socket. The first jaw element has a length dimension less than the second jaw element. A tubular pocket is defined in the first member first end portion adjacent the channel-like socket to form a pivot point for the jaw elements. A second fastening component has first and second end portions, the second fastening component first end portion being adapted for releasable engagement with the first fastening component first end portion. Finally, a stud is mounted in the second fastening component first end portion. The stud is sized for releasable engagement within the channel-like socket and further includes an elongated cut-out portion which forms a slot along a substantial portion of the length of the stud, the slot being sized to match the first jaw element to enhance engagement of the stud within the socket without affecting release resistance of said stud imposed by said jaw elements.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A quick-release fastening device comprising:
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a first fastening component having upper and lower surfaces and first and second end portions;
a pair of first and second elongated jaw elements disposed on said first component first end portion and forming a channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said first jaw element having a length dimension less than said second jaw element;
a tubular pocket defined in said first member first end portion adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said jaw elements;
a second fastening component having first and second end portions, said second fastening component first end portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said first fastening component first end portion; and
a stud mounted in said second fastening component first end portion, said stud being sized for releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove being sized to match said first jaw element to enhance engagement of said stud within said socket without affecting release resistance of said stud imposed by said jaw elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A safety release system for fasteners to provide a break-away release fastener and buckle mechanism adapted for attachment to webbing and other devices used to secure equipment on or about a wearer and to other equipment and devices, such that the separating member of the system may be constructed as a reusable assembly or component of an assembly or as a tamper-proof replaceable sacrificial safety break fastener to provide automatic release under varied pre-determined amounts of tension on the buckle assembly, said system comprising:
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a release member having upper and lower surfaces and first and second end portions;
a pair of upper and lower elongated jaw elements disposed on said release member first end portion and forming a channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said upper jaw element having a length dimension less than said lower jaw element;
a lateral opening defined in said release member first end portion adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said jaw elements;
an open slot defined in the space between said lateral opening and said channel-like socket;
a buckle assembly attached to said release member second end portion;
a fastening link having first and second end portions, said fastening link first end portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said release member first end portion;
a transversely oriented stud mounted in said fastening link first end portion, said stud being sized for releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove being sized to match said upper jaw element to enhance engagement of said stud within said socket. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A quick-release buckle and fastener device having a break-away safety release mechanism, said device comprising:
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a buckle member having upper and lower surfaces, a buckle end portion and quick-release end portion;
a pair of upper and lower elongated jaw elements disposed on said quick-release end portion and forming a channel-like socket therebetween to define a gripping mechanism having an elongated jaw opening accessing said socket, said upper jaw element having a length dimension less than said lower jaw element;
a tubular pocket defined in said quick-release end portion adjacent said channel-like socket to form a pivot point for said jaw elements;
an open slot defined in the space between said tubular pocket and said channel-like socket;
a variable break-away release resistance mechanism disposed in a central portion of said open slot to increase the break-away release resistance of said device by limiting movement of said jaw elements relative to each other;
a fastening link having a release attachment end portion and a connector end portion, said fastening link release attachment end portion being adapted for releasable engagement with said buckle member quick-release end portion; and
a transversely oriented stud mounted in said fastening link release attachment end portion, said stud being sized for releasable engagement within said channel-like socket and further including an elongated cut-out portion forming a groove along a substantial portion of the length of said stud, said groove being sized to match said upper jaw element to enhance engagement of said stud within said socket without affecting break-away release resistance imposed by said jaw elements. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification