Wireless quick release buckle

• US 9,820,534 B1
• Filed: 09/02/2015
• Issued: 11/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Todd A. Kelley
• Original Assignee: Todd A. Kelley
• Inventors: Kelley, Todd A
• Primary Examiner(s): Sandy, Robert J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, Rowland
• Application Number:
  US14/842,848
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 24603, 24614, 24615
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 11/006 Attachment of buckle to strap for safety buckles A44B11/2553
• 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

Abstract

A wireless quick release buckle. The release buckle includes a male plug fastened into a female socket creating a locked buckle assembly. A wireless signal from a remote control is used to quickly release the male plug from the female socket. The male plug further includes springs, a lock rod and riveted hinges attached to plug arms; the hinges are secured to allow the plug arms to simultaneously move inward. The male plug further includes an actuation mechanism which includes a small motor and a receiver to receive a signal from the remote control which activates the actuation mechanism to thereby quickly release the buckle.

Claims

1. A remote controlled buckle assembly comprising:

a remote control transmitter;

a buckle comprising a male plug and a female socket, the male plug comprises a base portion, riveted hinges, male plug arms and a locking mechanism to prevent the buckle from unlatching, wherein the riveted hinges are placed between the male plug arms and the base portion, wherein the locking mechanism includes a lock rod having two free ends, and a spring provided on each of the two free ends, each male plug arm being attached to the locking mechanism by the two springs, wherein the lock rod is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein when the male plug arms simultaneously move inward, the male plug is released from the female socket, wherein the base portion of the male plug is partially assembled inside a heavy duty nylon strap casing using tubular webbing, wherein the strap casing is a highly abrasion resistant, thick weave hollow tubular design, and wherein the strap casing offers great protection, high strength and flexibility, wherein the strap casing comprises an O-ring made of lightweight polypropylene, wherein the O-ring is used to allow other devices and equipment to be connected to the buckle assembly, the strap casing further comprises a remotely actuated release mechanism configured to lock and release the male plug from the female socket, wherein the actuated release mechanism includes an actuation system driven by mechanical and electrical components, the actuation system is adapted to be powered by a direct current that activates a receiver, the mechanical and electrical components comprise;

a motor that is equipped with a drive shaft anchoring a custom spur centrifugal clutch, the centrifugal clutch turns a series of three spur gears that act as a gear reduction to a rack-and-pinion arm, wherein said rack-and-pinion arm converts a rotational motion from the motor into a linear motion and is connected to the lock rod for lock and quick release actions; and

wherein the buckle is also configured to be manually released by applying pressure on the male plug arms.

2. The remote controlled buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the remote controlled transmitter being selectively operable to transmit a signal to said receiver to release the male plug from the locked position.