Quick release buckle

• US 4,991,272 A
• Filed: 08/09/1988
• Issued: 02/12/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John E. Bianchi
• Original Assignee: John E. Bianchi
• Inventors: Bianchi, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US07/230,309
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 24/616, 24/615, 24/618, 24/196, 24/313
• US Class Current: 24/616
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/266 with at least one push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and perpendicularly to the direction of the fastening action
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3409 Resilient cooperating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45529 Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45534 having connected leading edge and separated trailing arms

Abstract

A resilient plastic buckle assembly utilizes a pair of identical bases for connecting a receptacle and for connecting a clasp to a belt or the like. Bosses and slots on the receptacle and clasp guide the insertion of the clasp into the receptacle and insure their correct relative orientation. Cantilevered latching wings integral with the body of the clasp engage openings in the receptacle and are manually depressible to release the clasp from the receptacle.

Claims

1. In a receptacle and clasp assembly comprising a hollow receptacle having an open end, a clasp receivable in said receptacle through its open end, and means for releasably latching said clasp within said receptacle, the improvement comprising

a pair of separate substantially identical bases;

and means for permanently latching one of said bases to either said receptacle or said clasp comprising;

interengageable channel and connection bar means on said bases on the one hand and on said receptacle and said clasp on the other hand and

interengageable ratchet joint elements on said bases on the one hand and on said receptacle and said clasp on the other hand;

said ratchet joint elements, when interengaged, being located entirely within said channels, and being inaccessible from the exterior thereof.

2. A receptacle and clasp assembly comprising a hollow receptacle having relatively wider front and back walls, relatively narrower top and bottom walls, and an open end;

a clasp receivable in said receptacle through said open end, and means for releasably latching said clasp within said receptacle;

the improvement comprising means for guiding said clasp during insertion thereof into said receptacle including a boss on the interior of one of the front and back walls of said receptacle presenting a camming surface toward the open end of said receptacle, a slot in said clasp engageable with said boss as an incident to insertion of said clasp into said receptacle, a slot in one of the front and back walls of said receptacle, a boss on said clasp presenting a camming surface toward the open end of said receptacle during insertion of said clasp into said receptacle, and a slot in said clasp, said last mentioned slot being engageable with the boss on the wall of said receptacle and the slot in the wall of said receptacle being engageable with the boss on said clasp as an incident to insertion of said clasp in said receptacle.

3. In a receptacle and clasp assembly comprisng a hollow receptacle having relatively wider front and back walls, relatively narrower top and bottom walls provided with finger openings in said top and bottom walls extending into said front and back walls, an open end, and a clasp receivable in said receptacle through said open end and means carried by said clasp for latching the same in engagement with said receptacle upon full insertion of said clasp within said receptacle;

the improvement comprising means preventing insertion of said clasp to such latching position in said receptacle in other than a single relative orientation of said clasp and receptacle;

said insertion preventing means including a longitudinally separated boss and notch on one side of said clasp and a longitudinally separated boss and notch one side of said receptacle;

the boss on said one side of said receptacle being complementary in shape and position to the boss and notch on the said one side of said clasp.