One-way safety locking buckles

Abstract

The present invention provides one-way safety locking buckles. The one-way safety locking buckle has a buckle portion and a snap fastener socket. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion. The one-way safety locking buckle can be removably connected to a snap fastener stud by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket onto the snap fastener stud. The snap-fastener socket has an unsnap lock which prevents removal of the snap-fastener socket and the buckle from the snap-fastener stud in certain directions. The unsnap lock allows the one-way safety locking buckle to be removed from the snap-fastener stud in a particular direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally pertains to buckles. More specifically, the present invention pertains to one-way safety locking buckles. In embodiments, the buckles are snap fastener buckles which have an adjustable strap connection and which unsnap from a snap fastener stud in only one direction. The present invention also pertains to methods of making buckles and methods of using buckles.

Buckles having snap fasteners exist. However, such existing buckles have allowed the buckle to be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in any direction. Buckles which can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in any direction have been used on. football helmets. Football helmets typically have a chin strap which is inserted into a buckle. The buckle has a snap fastener which snap-fits to a snap fastener stud on the football helmet. Accordingly, the chin strap is attached to the football helmet by the buckle and snap fastener. The chin strap is detached from the football helmet by pulling on the chin strap in any direction and unsnapping the snap fastener from the snap fastener stud.

However, the existing buckles have experienced problems and can be improved. The existing buckles can be removed from the snap fastener stud in any direction. Because the buckles can be removed in any direction the chin strap may be unintentionally removed from the football helmet. For example, during a football play a player wearing the football helmet may be hit such that a force is applied to the helmet or chin strap which unsnaps the buckle from the football helmet. The chin strap can become partially or fully detached from the football helmet. Also, the football helmet may undesirably fall off of the player's head during the football play. Undesired removal of the football helmet from the player's head can be unsafe and can expose the player to serious injury.

Buckles having snap fasteners have also been used in various other applications. Again, such buckles have been removable from the snap fastener stud in any direction. Inadvertent or undesirable detachment of the buckle from the snap fastener stud can happen for various reasons. Accordingly, various problems can occur because of the inadvertent or undesirable detachment of the buckle from the snap fastener stud.

Football helmets have included metal buckles having metal snap fasteners which can be unsnapped in any direction and metal snap fastener studs. Such metal buckles with snap fasteners and metal studs have multiple components which require separate manufacture and then assembly. Thus, improvements can be made to buckles with snap fasteners and the studs.

Accordingly, needs exist to improve buckles for the reasons mentioned above and for other reasons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides new buckles and methods. Embodiments of the present invention include one-way safety locking buckles or snap fastener buckles. In an embodiment, a one-way safety locking buckle has a buckle portion and a snap fastener socket. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion. The one-way safety locking buckle can be removably connected to a snap fastener stud by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket onto the snap fastener stud. The snap-fastener socket has an unsnap lock which prevents removal of the snap-fastener socket and the buckle from the snap-fastener stud in certain directions. However, the unsnap lock allows the one-way safety locking buckle to be removed from the snap-fastener stud in a particular direction.

The present invention is described in an embodiment of a football helmet. However, the present invention is broader than football helmets and not limited to football helmets.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a snap fastener buckle has a buckle portion having an adjustable strap connecting portion, and a snap fastener socket extending from the buckle portion. An unsnap lock is provided on the snap fastener socket.

The unsnap lock may be in a fixed position relative to the buckle portion such that during use the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

The adjustable strap connecting portion may have first and second strap-receiving slots. Also, the snap fastener socket may extend from the buckle portion between the first and second strap-receiving slots.

The snap fastener socket may extend from the buckle portion in a fixed position such that the unsnap lock remains in a fixed position relative to the buckle portion.

The adjustable strap connecting portion may have a first orientation-defining engagement structure on one of the buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, and a second orientation-defining engagement structure on the other of the buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, the first and second orientation-defining engagement structures engaged with each other such that an unsnap direction of the snap fastener socket is at a desired orientation relative to the buckle portion.

In the snap fastener buckle, the snap fastener socket may have a ring channel with a split ring positioned in the ring channel and substantially exposed toward a socket center. The unsnap lock may have a lip covering a portion of the split ring facing toward the socket center. Also, the lip may be located at a position relative to the buckle portion such that during use the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

The buckle portion may be at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof. The snap fastener socket may also be at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

The snap fastener socket and the buckle portion can be integrally molded together with plastic material. The snap fastener socket may have a cone shape and the unsnap lock can be a thickened portion at one side of the snap fastener socket.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a device has an object, a snap fastener stud attached to the object, a strap adjustably connected to a buckle, and a snap fastener socket extending from the buckle and removably snap-connectable to the snap fastener stud. The snap fastener socket has an unsnap lock which when the snap fastener socket and the snap fastener stud are snap-connected together prevents removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in a lock direction and permits removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in an unlock direction.

The unlock direction may be substantially only one direction.

The object may be a helmet. Also, the strap may be a chin strap.

The object may be sports equipment.

The buckle of the device may be at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof. The snap fastener socket may also be at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, a method of making a snap fastener buckle includes orientating a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable direction relative to a desired unsnapping direction of a strap-receiving buckle, and attaching the snap fastener socket to the strap-receiving buckle.

The method may further provide engaging a first orientation-defining structure on one of the snap fastener socket and the strap-receiving buckle with a second orientation-defining structure on the other of the snap fastener socket and the strap-receiving buckle.

In an embodiment, a method of making a snap fastener buckle includes integrally molding a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable direction with a strap-receiving buckle such that the strap-receiving buckle has a one-way unsnapping direction.

Embodiments of the present invention may have various features and provide various advantages. Any of the features and advantages of the present invention may be desired, but, are not necessarily required to practice the present invention.

One advantage of the present invention can be to provide new buckles.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide one-way safety locking buckles which do not unsnap from a snap fastener stud in any direction.

Another advantage of the present invention can be to provide snap fastener buckles that unsnap from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

A further advantage of the present invention can be to provide buckles which adjustably receive a strap and unsnap from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

Yet another advantage of the present invention can be to reduce inadvertent or unintentional removal of a buckle from a snap fastener stud.

A further advantage of the present invention can be to increase safety and security of devices having snap fastener buckles.

Yet another advantage of the present invention can be to provide improved sports equipment.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide one-way safety locking buckles and corresponding snap fastener studs made of plastic material.

Other advantages may include providing new methods of making and using buckles.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of a one-way safety locking buckle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the one-way safety locking buckle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the one-way safety locking buckle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a snap fastener stud.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the snap fastener stud of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the snap fastener stud of FIG. 4 and a front view of a mounting bracket.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a snap fastener socket of the one-way safety locking buckle of FIG. 1 and a snap fastener stud in a disengaged state.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the snap fastener socket and the snap fastener stud of FIG. 7 in a snapped together state.

FIG. 9 shows a football helmet having the one-way safety locking buckle of FIG. 1 and the snap fastener stud of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 shows a buckle portion according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a snap fastener socket attached to the buckle portion of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a plastic one-way safety locking buckle according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a plastic snap fastener stud according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One example of a one-way safety locking buckle or snap fastener buckle 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 has a buckle portion 12 and a snap fastener socket 14. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 can be removably connected to a snap fastener stud 16 (FIGS. 4-6) by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket 14 onto the snap fastener stud 16. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion 12 of the one-way safety locking buckle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the buckle portion 12 has a first bridge 18, a first strap-receiving slot 20, a central section 22, a second strap-receiving slot 24, and a second bridge 26. A first strap position retainer 28 is provided on the first bridge 18 and faces toward the first strap-receiving slot 20. A second strap position retainer 30 is provided on the central section 22 and faces toward the second strap-receiving slot 24. The strap position retainers 28, 30 may be teeth, for example. The first and second strap position retainers 28, 30 resist or prevent movement of a strap inserted through the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24.

As will be explained further below with reference to a football helmet, a strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion 12. The buckle portion 12 has an adjustable strap connecting portion which adjustably connects a strap to the buckle portion 12 and the one-way safety locking buckle 10. A free end of the strap is inserted through the first strap-receiving slot 20 from the side of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 having the snap fastener socket 14. The strap passes over the central section 22 on the side of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 opposite the snap fastener socket 14. The strap is then inserted through the second strap-receiving slot 24 to the side of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 having the snap fastener socket 14. The position of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the strap can be changed or adjusted. More or less length of the strap is inserted through the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24 to locate the one-way safety locking buckle 10 at a particular position along the strap. In other words, the one-way safety locking buckle 10 can slide along the strap to place the buckle 10 at a particular position along the strap. The first and second strap position retainers 28, 30 resist or prevent the one-way safety locking buckle 10 from inadvertently changing position along the strap. Either end of the strap can be free, i.e. loose, or temporarily or permanently connected to an object.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 7, the snap fastener socket 14 has at one end a ring channel 32 which is open toward a socket center 34. A neck 36 extends from the ring channel 32 to an inward extending flange 38. The flange 38 has a hole 40 for mounting or attaching the snap fastener socket 14 to the buckle portion 12, for example, at the central section 22 between the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a post 42 extends from the side of the buckle portion 12 opposite the snap fastener socket 14 through a hole in the buckle portion 12 and through the hole 40 in the flange 38 of the snap fastener socket 14. The post 42 attaches the snap fastener socket 14 and the buckle portion 12 together. Any suitable attachment structure can be used for attaching the snap fastener socket 14 and the buckle portion 12 together.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, the snap fastener socket 14 has a split ring 44 positioned in the ring channel 32 and substantially exposed toward the socket center 34. The split ring 44 is a ring which is split at one location on the ring 44. The split allows the split ring 44 to resiliently flex open to a wider inside diameter and then to return to an unflexed inside diameter. Referring to FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 7, the unflexed inside diameter of the split ring 44 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of an enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, as the snap fastener socket 14 is pressed onto the snap fastener stud 16, the split ring 44 flexes open and slips over the enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16. As the snap fastener stud 16 is further inserted into the snap fastener socket 14, the split ring 44 resiliently returns to its unflexed state when the split ring 44 is aligned with a reduced diameter neck 48 of the snap fastener stud 16 as shown in FIG. 8. Accordingly, the snap fastener socket 14, and thus the one-way safety locking buckle 10, is snap-fitted onto the snap fastener stud 16. Removal of the snap fastener socket 14 and the one-way safety locking buckle 10 from the snap fastener stud 16 is the reverse of the snap attaching except for a unsnap locking feature.

The snap fastener socket 14 has a structure which prevents the snap fastener socket 14 from being removed from the snap fastener stud 16 in a certain direction or directions, a lock direction. Referring to FIGS. 1, 7 and 8, the snap fastener socket 14 has an unsnap lock 50. The unsnap lock 50 is a lip 52 extending from an edge of the ring channel 32 toward the flange 38 of the snap fastener socket 14. The lip 52 covers a portion of the split ring 44 facing toward the socket center 34. Referring to FIG. 8, the lip 52 engages the snap fastener stud 16 in a narrowed diameter area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48. The lip 52 is sufficiently non-flexible such that the lip 52 does not significantly flex or bend, and thus, does not easily deform or slip by the enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16.

Operation of the unsnap lock 50 of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 will now be further described. FIG. 8 shows the snap fastener socket 14 snap-fitted to the snap fastener stud 16. The unsnap lock 50 or the lip 52 is locked to the snap fastener stud 16 by being positioned in the narrowed diameter area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48. The snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud 16 can be unsnapped or separated by first starting the separation at a location opposite the lip 52. This is the unlocked direction. The portion of the split ring 44 opposite the lip 52 will slip over the enlarged diameter head 46 of the snap fastener stud 16 as the split ring 44 resiliently flexes to a larger diameter. The lip 52 still remains in the narrowed diameter area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48 because the lip 52 does not flex sufficiently to slip over the enlarged diameter head 46. As the portion of the snap fastener socket 14 opposite the lip 52 slips over the enlarged diameter head 46 and separates from the snap fastener stud 16, then the snap fastener socket 14 can be further separated from the snap fastener stud 16 and the lip 52 is pulled out of the narrowed diameter area 54 of the reduced diameter neck 48.

With the snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud 16 snap-fitted together as shown in FIG. 8, the lip 52 prevents the snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud 16 from being unsnapped or separated in all directions except the unlocked direction described in the previous paragraph in which the unsnapping begins opposite the lip 52. If an unsnapping is attempted, intentionally or inadvertently, in any direction other than the unlocked direction, the lip 52 engages the enlarged diameter head 46 and prevents the snap fastener socket 14 from being removed from the snap fastener stud 16.

Various features of the lip 52 can be designed to enhance or decrease the locking effect as desired. For example, the size of the lip 52 can be increased or decreased to cover a greater or lesser portion of the split ring 44. A larger lip 52 would tend to increase the locking effect and a smaller lip 52 would tend to reduce the locking effect. A relatively reduced locking effect may allow for unsnapping of the snap fastener socket 14 and the snap fastener stud 16 in a larger range of directions, while a relatively increased locking effect may narrow the range of direction that can unsnap the device. The flexibility of the lip 52 can be adjusted to enhance or reduce the locking effect. Further, more than one lip 52 can be provided to increase the locking effect.

The position or location of the unsnap lock 50, e.g. the lip 52, relative to the buckle portion 12 can be important. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 will unsnap from the snap fastener stud 16 in the unlocked direction as described above. Accordingly, the snap fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12 by orientating the snap fastener socket 14 having a one-way detachable direction (i.e., the unlocked direction) to a desired unsnapping direction of the one-way safety locking buckle 10. Then, the snap fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12. The snap fastener socket 14 is attached to the buckle portion 12 at a fixed position so that the unsnapping direction remains fixed. One structure to locate the snap fastener socket 14 in a desired position relative to the snap fastener stud 16 is tab 56 (FIGS. 7 and 8) extending from the snap fastener socket 14 which fits into a corresponding slot in the buckle portion 12. The tab 56 can be a cut-out portion of the flange 38, for example. FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 show a cut-out hole 58 in the flange 38 where the tab 56 was cut-out from the flange 38. The location of the tab 56 on the snap fastener socket 14 and the location of the slot in the buckle portion 12 are defined so that when the tab 56 is inserted into the slot and the snap fastener socket 14 is fixedly attached to the buckle portion 12, the lip 52 is orientated in the desired position to provide the one-way safety locking buckle 10 with a desired unsnapping or detaching direction.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, another structure for attaching a one-way snap fastener socket 14′ to a buckle portion 12′ is shown. The buckle portion 12′ is the same as the buckle portion 12 described above, except the buckle portion 12′ has a swaged portion 59. Prior to swedging, the swaged portion 59 is straight and extends upward through the hole 40′ in a flat flange 38′ of the snap fastener socket 12′. Then, the straight swaged portion 59 is swaged (deformed) against the flange 38′ to securely attach the snap fastener socket 14′ and the buckle portion 12′ together. The swaged portion 59 replaces the post 42 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

A desired orientation of the one-way unsnap direction of the snap fastener socket 14′ relative to the buckle portion 12′ is achieved by a first orientation-defining engagement structure on one of the snap fastener socket 14′ and the buckle portion 12′, and a second orientation-defining engagement structure on the other one of the snap fastener socket 14′ and the buckle portion 12′. The first and second orientation-defining engagement structures are engaged with each other such that the orientation of direction of the one-way unsnap of the snap fastener socket 14′ is set as desired relative to the buckle portion 12′. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the first and second orientation-defining engagement structures are the tab 56′ of the snap fastener socket 14′ extending into the slot 61. The tab 56′ and slot 61 engagement sets the orientation of the unsnap direction relative to the buckle portion 12′ and prevents the orientation from changing, i.e., prevents the positions of the snap fastener socket 14′ and the buckle portion 12′ relative to each other from changing. The location of the slot 61 on the buckle portion 12′ can be selected to provide a desired orientation of the snap fastener socket 14′ and its unsnap direction relative to the buckle portion 12′. Similarly, the location of the tab 56′ on the snap fastener socket 14′ can be selected to provide a desired orientation of the snap fastener socket 14′ and its unsnap direction relative to the buckle portion 12′. Of course, other first and second orientation-defining engagement structures may be used with the present invention.

The buckle portion 12′ is shown as having two slots 61. Because the buckle portion 12′ is symmetrical, the snap fastener socket 14′ can be attached to the buckle portion 12′ using either slot 61. Also, multiple tabs 56′ could be provided on the snap fastener socket 14′ to engage multiple slots 61. Furthermore, the buckle portion 12′ could have multiple slots 61 at different angular positions around the central swaged portion 59 to allow for a selection of one of multiple possible different orientations during assembly.

The present invention is described as being a one-way buckle, having a one-way detachable direction, unsnapped in only one direction, etc. This single direction of the present invention can include some minor variation of direction or range of directions. Accordingly, the single direction of present invention can include a substantially single direction or generally in one direction. Also, the unsnap lock 50 of the present invention does not necessarily prevent unsnapping by any force regardless of magnitude. For example, in an embodiment, the unsnap lock 50 prevents unsnapping in the directions other than the unlock direction for forces up to at least about 50 lbs.

Referring to FIG. 9, an embodiment of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 applied to sports equipment, particularly a football helmet 60 will be described. The football helmet has a chin strap 62 having a chin holding pocket 64, a long strap extension 66 and a short strap extension 68. The opposite side of the football helmet 60 and the chin strap 62 is a mirror image of FIG. 9. A one-way safety locking buckle 10 is provided on the short strap extension 68 by inserting the short strap extension 68 through the first and second strap-receiving slots 20, 24. The position of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the short strap extension 68 is adjusted as desired. When the short strap extension 68 is pulled tight through the buckle portion 12 so there is no slack, the first and second strap-position retainers 28, 30 hold the buckle 10 in the set position on the short strap extension 68. Another one-way safety locking buckle 10 is similarly provided on the long strap extension 66 and the strap extensions on the opposite side of the football helmet 60.

The football helmet 60 has a hard, protective helmet shell 70. A snap fastener stud 16 is provided at a particular location for each of the one-way safety locking buckles 10 to attach the chin strap 64 to the helmet shell 70. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the long strap extension 66 is shown unsnapped from its snap fastener stud 16 and flipped over to show the snap fastener socket 14. The one-way safety locking buckle 10 on the short strap extension 68 is shown snap-fitted to its snap fastener stud 16. Referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 9, the snap fastener stud 16 is attached to the helmet shell 70 by positioning a threaded mounting bracket 72 inside of the helmet shell 70 at a mounting hole through the helmet shell 70. The snap fastener stud 16 is positioned on the outside of the helmet shell 70 at the mounting hole such that the threads of a threaded fastener 74 engage the threads of the mounting bracket 72. The snap fastener stud 16 is then tightened to the mounting bracket 72 to securely attach the snap fastener stud 16 to the helmet shell 70.

The long strap extension 66 of the chin strap 62 can be removed (unsnapped) from its snap fastener stud 16 by pulling on the free end of the long strap extension 66 towards the chin holding pocket 64 at the front of the football helmet 60. The short strap extension 68 can be similarly removed (unsnapped) by also pulling on the free end of the short strap extension 68 towards the chin holding pocket 64 at the front of the football helmet 60. If a force is applied to the long or short strap extensions 66, 68 in any other direction, for example forces applied during a football play, the one-way safety locking buckles 10, 10 do not unsnap from their respective snap fastener studs 16, 16 because of the unsnap locks 50, 50. The unlock direction of the one-way safety locking buckles 10 can be set to any desired direction by selecting the orientation of the snap fastener socket 14, particularly the lip 52, relative to the buckle portion 12 as discussed above.

Any portion or portions of the one-way safety locking buckle 10 or the entire one-way safety locking buckle 10 can be made out of any suitable material or combination of materials. For example, the one-way safety locking buckle 10, the buckle portion 12, or the snap fastener socket 14 can be at least partially made of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof. Similarly, any portion or portions or all of the snap fastener stud 16 can also be made out of any suitable materials.

FIG. 12 shows another one-way safety locking buckle 110 embodiment. The one-way safety locking buckle 110 is made of plastic material, for example by injection molding. The one-way safety locking buckle 110 has some similar features as the one-way safety locking buckle 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The one-way safety locking buckle 110 has a buckle portion 112 and a snap fastener socket 114. The one-way safety locking buckle 110 can be removably connected to a plastic snap fastener stud 116 shown in FIG. 13 by snap-fitting the snap fastener socket 114 onto the snap fastener stud 116. A strap can be adjustably inserted into the buckle portion 112 of the one-way safety locking buckle 110.

The buckle portion 112 has a first bridge 118, a first strap-receiving slot 120, a central section 122, a second strap-receiving slot 124, and a second bridge 126. A first strap position retainer 128 is provided on the first bridge 118 and faces toward the first strap-receiving slot 120. A second strap position retainer 130 is provided on the central section 122 and faces toward the second strap-receiving slot 124. The strap position retainers 128, 130 may be teeth, for example. Height-extending sides 131, 131 are provided on the sides of the one-way safety locking buckle 110.

The snap fastener socket 114 has a structure which prevents the snap fastener socket 114 from being removed from the snap fastener stud 116 in a certain direction or directions, a lock direction. The snap fastener socket 114 has an unsnap lock 150 which is a thickened portion 152 at one side of the cone-shaped socket 114. The thickened portion 152 engages the snap fastener stud 116 in a narrowed diameter area 154 of a reduced diameter neck 148. The thickened portion 152 is sufficiently non-flexible such that the thickened portion 152 does not significantly flex or bend, and thus, does not easily deform or slip by the enlarged diameter head 146 of the snap fastener stud 116.

The plastic one-way safety locking buckle 110 operates and functions similar to the one-way safety locking buckle 10 described previously.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A snap fastener buckle, comprising:

a buckle portion having an adjustable strap connecting portion; and

a snap fastener socket extending from the buckle portion and having an unsnap lock.

2. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the unsnap lock is in a fixed position relative to the buckle portion such that during use the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

3. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the adjustable strap connecting portion comprises first and second strap-receiving slots.

4. The snap fastener buckle of claim 3, wherein the snap fastener socket extends from the buckle portion between the first and second strap-receiving slots.

5. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap fastener socket extends from the buckle portion in a fixed position such that the unsnap lock remains in a fixed position relative to the buckle portion.

6. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, further comprising a first orientation-defining engagement structure on one of the buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, and a second orientation-defining engagement structure on the other of the buckle portion and the snap fastener socket, the first and second orientation-defining engagement structures engaged with each other such that an unsnap direction of the snap fastener socket is at a desired orientation relative to the buckle portion.

7. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein

the snap fastener socket comprises a ring channel;

a split ring is positioned in the ring channel and is substantially exposed toward a socket center; and

the unsnap lock comprises a lip covering a portion of the split ring facing toward the socket center.

8. The snap fastener buckle of claim 7, wherein the lip is located at a position relative to the buckle portion such that during use the snap fastener buckle can be unsnapped from a snap fastener stud in substantially only one direction.

9. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle portion is at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

10. The snap fastener buckle of claim 9, wherein the snap fastener socket is at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

11. The snap fastener buckle of claim 1, wherein the snap fastener socket and the buckle portion are integrally molded together with plastic material.

12. The snap fastener buckle of claim 11, wherein the snap fastener socket has a cone shape and the unsnap lock is a thickened portion at one side of the snap fastener socket.

13. A device, comprising:

an object;

a snap fastener stud attached to the object;

a strap adjustably connected to a buckle; and

a snap fastener socket extending from the buckle and removably snap-connectable to the snap fastener stud, the snap fastener socket having an unsnap lock which when the snap fastener socket and the snap fastener stud are snap-connected together prevents removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in a lock direction and permits removal of the snap fastener socket from the snap fastener stud in an unlock direction.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the unlock direction is substantially only one direction.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein the object is a helmet.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the strap is a chin strap.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the object is sports equipment.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the buckle is at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the snap fastener socket is at least partially made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal materials, plastic materials and combinations thereof.

20. A method of making a snap fastener buckle, comprising:

orientating a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable direction relative to a desired unsnapping direction of a strap-receiving buckle; and

attaching the snap fastener socket to the strap-receiving buckle.

21. The method of claim 18, further comprising engaging a first orientation-defining structure on one of the snap fastener socket and the strap-receiving buckle with a second orientation-defining structure on the other of the snap fastener socket and the strap-receiving buckle.

22. A method of making a snap fastener buckle comprising integrally molding a snap fastener socket having a one-way detachable direction with a strap-receiving buckle such that the strap-receiving buckle has a one-way unsnapping direction.