Locking fastener for a strap

• US 6,032,339 A
• Filed: 03/03/1999
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D'Addario & Company Inc
• Original Assignee: Innovative Automation LLC
• Inventors: D'Addario, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US09/261,842
• Time in Patent Office: 370 Days
• Field of Search: 24/649, 24/650, 24/590, 24/591, 24/301, 24/302, 24/265 WS, 24/265 BC
• US Class Current: 24/649
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1092 of the socket-and-pin type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/53 Projection or cavity rotates about axis of cavity access opening to interlock
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 24/54 having projection rotatably connected to its member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45079 Belt, strap, harness, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45262 Pin, post and receiver
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45707 having aperture therein alignable with parallel access opening
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4736 Buckle connected

Abstract

A fastener for fastening a strap to an article having an end pin attached thereto, the fastener having a retention portion and an engagement portion defining a fastener aperture where movement of the engagement portion relative to the retention portion acts to close the fastener aperture about a reduced diameter portion of the end pin. A locking mechanism restricts movement of the engagement portion thereby maintaining the fastener aperture in its engagement position.

Claims

1. A fastener for securing a strap onto an article to be supported, said article having an end pin thereon including a reduced diameter portion and a larger diameter terminal portion, said fastener comprising a first member having a retention portion for receiving the end pin, said retention portion defining a first portion of a fastener aperture, and an engaging member comprising a rotatable disk having an engagement portion defining a second portion of a fastener aperture so that rotation of the engaging member relative to the first member defines the size of the fastener aperture.

2. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism for restricting movement of the engagement portion relative to the retention portion, thereby fixing the size of the fastener aperture.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein the outer edge of the rotatable disk is scalloped.

4. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the locking mechanism comprises a detent, said detent engaging concave elements of the scalloped edge of the disk.

5. The fastener of claim 3 wherein the scalloped outer edge has 36 concave elements equally spaced about the outer edge of the disk.

6. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the engagement portion comprises a perimeter of an eccentric aperture on the rotatable disk.

7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein the engagement portion comprises a beveled wall for facilitating engagement of the reduced diameter portion of the end pin.

8. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising means for attachment to a strap.

9. The fastener of claim 8 wherein the means for attachment comprises a slot in the fastener through which the strap passes.

10. The fastener of claim 8 wherein the means for attachment comprises one or more raised bosses corresponding to one or more holes in a terminal end of the strap.

11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the housing comprises an opening for exposing at least a portion of the outer edge of the disk.

12. The fastener of claim 1 further comprising a housing.