Retaining assembly

• US 7,284,304 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2005
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tumi Incorporated (Tumi Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tumi Incorporated (Tumi Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Scicluna, Paul Victor, Fenton, Timm John
• Primary Examiner(s): Brittain; James R
• Application Number:
  US11/238,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20060143880A1
• Time in Patent Office: 754 Days
• Field of Search: 24652-656, 246/016, 246/69, 247/02, 246/004, 246/005, 246/007, 246/008
• US Class Current: 24/654
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1092 of the socket-and-pin type
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4566 including slidably connected and guided element on receiving member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45733 and position locking-means therefor

Abstract

A retaining assembly includes a first portion capable of being attached a strap, a second portion capable of being secured to the first portion, the second portion including a retaining portion capable of cooperating with a harnessing member; and a member capable of sliding over the retaining portion and cooperating with the second portion in a plurality of positions. When the member is in a first position, the combination of the retaining portion and the member is capable of retaining the harnessing member, and the retaining assembly is prevented from pivoting around the harnessing member.

Claims

1. A retaining assembly comprising:

a first portion capable of being attached to a strap;

a second portion capable of being secured to the first portion, the second portion including a retaining portion capable of cooperating with a harnessing member; and

a latching member capable of sliding over the retaining portion and cooperating with the second portion in a plurality of positions;

wherein, when the latching member is in a first position, the combination of the retaining portion and the latching member is capable of retaining the harnessing member, and the retaining assembly is prevented from pivoting around the harnessing member.

2. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion is approximately C-shaped.

3. The retaining assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring capable of positioning the latching member in a second position to allow the retaining assembly to be assembled to the harnessing member.

4. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a section of the latching member is approximately J-shaped.

5. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a metal.

6. The retaining assembly of claim 5, wherein the metal comprises aluminum.

7. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the latching member comprises a thermoplastic.

8. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the harnessing member is rectangular in at least a part of its cross-section.

9. The retaining assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining portion comprises a semi-rectangular shape.