Abstract: A fastener comprises an anchor and a central pin. The anchor has a top plate to which a central leg is connected. At the free end of the central leg are two anchor arms that extend up and outward from the free end, forming an arrowhead shape. Each anchor arm has an outwardly extending lip connected to its free end. The anchor arms are flexible and can flex inward as the anchor is placed through a hole in an item to be fastened. Connected to the top surface of the top plate is a push pin. Depressing the push pin breaks the connection areas to create a two-piece anchor from the single part. The push pin comprises a push button and a pin connected to the underside of the push button. The pin consists of a vertical post having a channel therein for accommodating the central leg of the anchor. Pushing the push button downward causes the anchor arms to be pushed outward and to anchor the fastener into the items to be fastened.

Abstract: A rod clip for connecting a rod to a lever comprises a first portion and a second portion hinged to the first portion. The first portion has a top surface having a recess for receiving a rod, such that folding the second portion over the first portion forms a channel for retaining the rod. There are rod retaining tabs disposed above the channel for retaining the rod in the channel until the second portion can be snapped over the first portion. There is a lock for locking the first portion to the second portion after the second portion is folded over the first portion. There is a lever retaining device disposed on one of the two portions. The hinge is formed by apertures on sides of one of the portions and corresponding protrusions on the other. The protrusions extend into the apertures to allow pivoting of the first and second portions with respect to each other.

Abstract: A buckle mechanism comprises a female portion and at least one male portion adapted to be received within the cavity of the female portion. The male portion has a base, a central leg with a catch and a locking tab. The locking tab seats in the locking slot when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. There is a center button mechanism mounted in the female portion and having a center push button, a spring connected to the center push button and/or to a spring base and at least one flexible leg connected to the spring base. The flexible leg has a catch that interlocks with the catch on the male portion when the male portion is inserted into the female portion. When the center push button is depressed, the spring compresses and causes the flexible leg to bend and release the catch on the male portion so that the male portion is ejected from the female portion when the locking tab is depressed sufficiently to clear the locking slot.

Abstract: A standardized attachment system for an object holding system or object displaying system which is easily assembled, comprising a base section made of one or more pieces that engages a cord and an attachment section that secures the object to be held or displayed, such as an identification badge, key ring, and so forth. The standardized attachment system has a structure for coupling attachment sections and base sections that rotatably couples the attachment sections to the base sections and accommodates different configurations for base sections and attachment sections, as well as different cords and objects for display. Since different configurations of base sections and attachment sections can be used with the same coupling structure, an attachment system can be provided which is both flexible for use in various situations and easy to assemble. The attachment system may be made from an elastically deformable material such as molded plastic in a lightweight, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing manner.

Abstract: An attachment device for a strap comprises a base, bar for attaching the base to a shoulder strap of a backpack and a releasable catch mechanism for securing an implement holder. The implement holder is adapted to be releasably secured to the base via the releasable catch mechanism. The releasable catch mechanism comprises an upwardly extending side wall extending up from the top surface of the base and having an overhanging lip. A flexible arm is integrally formed with the base near the side wall and has a free end extending above the plane of the base. An abutting surface is located on the free end and abuts the implement holder when it is inserted under the overhanging lip. The implement holder comprises a plate, a holder portion attached to the top surface of the plate and an attachment portion extending from the bottom surface of the plate.

Abstract: A rod clip for connecting a rod to a lever comprises a first portion and a second portion hinged to the first portion. The second portion has a top surface having a recess for receiving a rod, such that folding the second portion over the first portion forms a channel for retaining the rod. There is a lock for locking the first portion to the second portion after the second portion is folded over the first portion. The first portion and second portion are in two separate pieces. There is a lever retaining device disposed on one of the two portions. The hinge is formed by apertures on sides of one of the portions and corresponding protrusions on the other. The protrusions extend into the apertures to allow pivoting of the first and second portions with respect to each other. The two portions are separate pieces, but are molded in one single injection molding process, so that the entire clip is molded in an assembled state.

Abstract: An attachment device has a frame with two longitudinal sides and a series of lateral guides disposed along the frame between the two sides. The guides define openings through which a strap extends. When the strap is inserted into the device, it is placed through the openings and over guides. The guides also hold the strap in place so that the device does not slide off the strap. In the relaxed state, the attachment device maintains a serpentine configuration with peaks and valleys. When tension is applied, the device is stretched out but returns to the original serpentine configuration when the tension is removed. The shape and material help absorb the force applied to the strap and reduce its effect on the strap, to thus reduce breakage of the strap and buckles and reduce injury to the user.

Abstract: An attachment device for use with a personal digital assistant (PDA) is provided which generally comprises a back surface, a base, and at least one securement arm. The securement arm(s) are resiliently deflectable to receive and retain the personal digital assistant under the force created in the deflection of the arms, and which allows the PDA to be selectively removed. The attachment device may include attachment apertures to secure the attachment device to a folio or other type of notebook, or to a surface such as a wall, an automobile visor, or an automobile dashboard. The attachment device may also be incorporated into a folio or similar device to provide protection to the personal digital assistant while allowing full access to, and operation of, the PDA.

Abstract: A buckle having a socket member and a plug member which may be coupled to the socket member. Latching surfaces on the plug member are formed on in resiliently flexible legs which extend from the base of the plug member. The socket member includes stopping members for engaging the latching surfaces of the legs in order to couple the plug member to the socket member. A button formed on the socket member includes a releasing member which is pushed down into the socket and forced into a space between the legs, thereby forcing the flexible legs to bend outwardly. As the legs are forced outwardly, eventually their latching surfaces clear the stopping members, and the plug member is released from the socket. The resiliently flexible nature of the legs provides a force upon disengagement of the latching surfaces from the post, which causes the plug member to spring out of the socket.

Abstract: A three-way buckle having a socket member and a pair of plug members which may be coupled to the socket member, wherein the latching surfaces on the plug members are defined in resiliently flexible legs which extend from the base of the plug members. The socket member includes stopping members for engaging the latching surfaces of the legs in order to lock the plug members to the socket member. The plug members are simultaneously releasable from the socket because of the presence of a flap or button which is defined in a top wall of the socket. The button includes a pair of releasing members, one releasing member for each pair of legs, which as they are pushed down into the socket are forced into a space between the legs, thereby forcing the flexible legs to bend outwardly. As the legs are forced outwardly, eventually their latching surfaces clear the stopping members and the plug members are released from the socket.

Abstract: A D-Ring assembly comprises a base having a ring integrally formed therewith and protruding from the top surface of the base, and a grommet having an aperture therethrough. The grommet covers the base so that the ring protrudes through the aperture. In use, the base is mounted underneath the fabric or trim of a briefcase or other item, with the ring protruding through a hole in the fabric. The grommet is mounted on top of the base and fabric and secured to the base. The ring protrudes through the hole in the grommet and can be used to attach straps or other items to the assembly. This assembly is very secure because it does not depend on the strength of a narrow fabric or leather strap to stay mounted. It is also very sleek and attractive because it only protrudes a small amount from the surface of the bag or item to which the assembly is attached.

Abstract: A five-way buckle for a harness system having two shoulder straps, two waist straps and a crotch strap, comprises a center base section having at least one female buckle receptacle, and at least one male buckle section. The male buckle section has a bar for threading a waist belt therethrough and a male buckle portion adapted for releasable locking engagement with the female buckle receptacle on the center base section. There is at least one D-ring formed by a ring portion disposed on the male buckle section and a second ring portion disposed on the center base section. The free ends of the two ring portions meet to form the D-ring when the male buckle section is locked to the center base section. This D-ring is used to secure a shoulder strap to the buckle assembly. The shoulder strap is then immediately released when the male section is removed from the center base section, which causes the ring portions to separate.

Abstract: A buckle assembly comprising a plug portion and a socket portion. The plug portion has a base, a pair of parallel side arms attached to and extending away from the base, the side arms being flexible toward each other, and a center arm disposed between the side arms and connected to the base as well. The center arm has a push button disposed adjacent the base and a catch disposed adjacent the push button. Both the catch and push button extend upward from the center arm. Each side of the socket portion has an aperture for receiving an end of one of the side arms, and the top surface of the socket portion has spaces to allow the push button and catch to protrude therethrough when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion. The buckle assembly is locked by inserting the plug portion into the open end of the socket portion until the side arms protrude through the apertures and the push button and catch protrude through the spaces.

Abstract: A fastener for selectively clamping a zipper cord which includes a base portion having a U-shaped channel therein and a movable locking arm selectively movable from an unlocked to a locked position. The locking arm is provided with a securing protrusion for securing a zipper cord disposed in the U-shaped channel and is sized and adapted so that the locking arm is urged or biased into the locked position as the zipper cord is pulled away from the base portion.