Requiring Manual Force Applied Against Bias To Interlock Or Disengage Patents (Class 24/615)
  • Patent number: 6684466
    Abstract: A safety buckle assembly including a male member and a female member that interlockingly and releasably engages the male member. The buckle male member is disengaged from the female member by squeezing the side latches towards each other, to disengage the same from the side catches, while simultaneously pressing the push release button such that the central latch is disengaged from the central catch formed in the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Yasutaka Nishida, John J. Valdes
  • Patent number: 6675612
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a bangle having a main body shaped in an openable loop. The inner side of the bangle is worn against the skin of the wearer. The bangle is a discontinuous loop having a first end and a second end engageable with the first end to thereby close the loop of the main body. The locking mechanism includes a bar attached transversely across the first end of the main body on the inner side; the bar has a front edge and a rear edge. A tongue is provided attached at a fixed end to the second end of the main body projecting from the second end, the tongue having a raised detent portion at a free end opposite the fixed end. Alternatively, the bangle is circular in cross-section and the locking mechanism is disposed in the interior of the bangle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Nanasi Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: John Nanasi
  • Patent number: 6665915
    Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle comprising a first section including an engagement portion for engagement with a belt-like, flexible, adjustable fastening member and a latch portion, and a second section which is structured to detachably mate with said latch portion of said first section, said engagement portion being capable of pivotally moving to said latch portion. According to the present invention, irrespective of the direction of a pulling force applied to one end of the adjustable fastening belt engaged with the buckle, no such condition can be produced that the adjustable fastening belt is gradually loosened so that it is finally dropped off the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Camel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koshiro Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6662413
    Abstract: A two-piece harness retainer is adapted to hold a pair of harness straps in side-by-side relation. A tether is provided to limit pivoting movement of a pivotable latch arm included in one of the pieces included in the harness retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Cosco Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Glover
  • Publication number: 20030204940
    Abstract: A two-piece harness retainer is adapted to hold a pair of harness straps in side-by-side relation. A tether is provided to limit pivoting movement of a pivotable latch arm included in one of the pieces included in the harness retainer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventor: Richard Glover
  • Patent number: 6637083
    Abstract: A lanyard, two-piece, high load buckle assembly including a keeper and a cover. The cover is hinged to the keeper and the lanyard is secured thereto. The cover defines an elongated slot. The cover has a cam surface formed on the under surface thereof and terminates in a locking surface. An opening is formed in the cover. The assembly also contains a secure part which includes a base and a tongue section extending from the base. The tongue section has parallel guide arms extending from a rear wall and terminating in leading ends. A member secured to the guide arms is configured with reference to the slot to remove debris from the slot through the opening in the cover. A cam surface formed in the tongue section terminates in a catch surface, such that when the secure part is received in the keeper, the cam surfaces engage and the cover deflects upwardly. The catch surface extends beyond the locking surface and the cover closes fastening the secure part to the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Frank A. Howell
  • Publication number: 20030192153
    Abstract: A quick-connect strap lock assembly for use with, for example a spa cover and a spa, is provided generally comprising a first male clip portion receivable within a second female lock portion and a key portion receivable in a key hole of the lock portion. The male clip portion generally includes a first end with a pair of legs each leg having a barbed end. The male clip portion also typically includes a second end for receiving a strap. The female lock portion generally includes a first main opening sized to receive the legs of the male portion, and a second opening adapted to receive the key. The female lock portion also typically includes one or more posts in communication with the first main opening. The posts are preferably adapted to engage the barbed ends of the male clip portion in order to secure the male clip portion to the female lock portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventor: Rick Vanderpool
  • Publication number: 20030182777
    Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle with a function of untwisting fastening straps, in which a male and a female member constituting the buckle engage with each other in a one-touch manner and both members each connected to fastening straps freely rotate along with a twisting of the straps. The buckle consists of a male member connected to one end of a strap, and a female member removably engaged with two fitting clamps of the male member at a clamp insert opening thereof. A rotary strap connector is connected to one end of another strap and coupled to the female member in such a way that the rotary strap connector is coupled to a connector holder of the female member so as to freely rotate relative to the female member without being undesirably separated from the female member. The rotary strap connector is covered with a cover at each of upper and lower open ends thereof through elastic fitting engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventor: Jin-Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 6622355
    Abstract: A mounting structure for buckles, cord locks and the like is provided with a base and a body for placement on opposite sides of the article to which the component is to be secured. A first connector part in the nature of a rack is provided on one of the body and base, and a lug is provided on the other of the body and the base for engagement at various locations along the rack to secure the body and base on opposite sides of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jordi Badrenas Buscart, John S. Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6615460
    Abstract: The invention describes a lanyard coupler or buckle with an optionally manual or automatic breakaway feature. The buckle includes insert and receptacle members, each of which have a variable insert stop means that can mutually interact either adversely or reciprocally when the insert is placed within the receptacle. Adverse interaction results in partial insertion, frictional coupling, and an automatic release of the members upon application of tensional force. Reciprocal interaction results in full penetration and a locking interactional coupling of the insert arms with the receptacle. Manual compression of the arms is then required for separation of the two members. Lanyard and card attachment means are provided on both members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: David Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 6604265
    Abstract: A buckle with male and female mating parts, in which the male part includes features to prevent disengagement operation by a child. The child resistant features include added ribs, webbing in the form of flanges or struts, or barbs or prongs that increase the difficulty for disengaging the buckle. The buckle can be operated easily by an adult, while remaining secure from disengagement by a typical child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Publication number: 20030135966
    Abstract: To supply a strap buckle that can be formed in an inexpensive mold, that has a miniaturized and simplified structure and thus is expensive, and to which a belt, etc., formed into a loop can be attached easily, such that male part 1 is composed of push-through ring 10 for belt attachment and insertion part 7; aforementioned insertion part 7 is composed of slit 9 that bifurcates it and two catching pieces 6, 6 that are folded back and outwardly from the ends of thereof; female part 2 is shaped approximately like a rectangular cylinder; male part insertion hole 3 is provided at one end in the longitudinal direction and loop cord mounting hole 12 is provided at the other end; and catch-receiving side hole 4 is provided on its side 8 and catch-receiving projection 5 of male part catching piece 6 is provided on both sides, on the insertion hole 3 side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Masaru Tejima
  • Publication number: 20030121129
    Abstract: A buckle device is disclosed for fastening a first belt relative to a second belt. The device includes a first member having a first and a second portion, the first portion being anchored to the first belt. A second member releasably interlocks with the first member, the second member having a first and a second part, the first part being anchored to the second belt. The second portion of the first member includes a latch which extends flexibly from the first portion, the latch having a proximal and a distal end. A receptacle defines a first and a second opening and a cam is disposed between the latch and the receptacle. The second part of the second member includes a further latch which extends flexibly from the first part, for the releasable reception thereof within the receptacle. The further latch has a first and a second end and a further receptacle defines a first and a second aperture. The further receptacle receives therein the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20030121130
    Abstract: A mounting structure for buckles, cord locks and the like is provided with a base and a body for placement on opposite sides of the article to which the component is to be secured. A first connector part in the nature of a rack is provided on one of the body and base, and a lug is provided on the other of the body and the base for engagement at various locations along the rack to secure the body and base on opposite sides of the article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jordi Badrenas Buscart, John S. Pontaoe
  • Publication number: 20030110605
    Abstract: A safety buckle assembly including a male member and a female member that interlockingly and releasably engages the male member. The buckle male member is disengaged from the female member by squeezing the side latches towards each other, to disengage the same from the side catches, while simultaneously pressing the push release button such that the central latch is disengaged from the central catch formed in the female member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Yasutaka Nishida, John J. Valdes
  • Patent number: 6571434
    Abstract: A connector mechanism for releasably securing a length of material and a fastening mechanism together is provided. The connector device comprises a compressible first device connected to the fastening mechanism with at least a portion of the material receivable within the first device. A second device is positionable over at least a portion of the first device. A securing mechanism associated with the first device and the second device releasably secures the first device to the second device wherein the second device compresses the first device about the portion of the material receivable therein thereby securing the first device to the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Inventor: Kim A. Ortiz
  • Publication number: 20030079320
    Abstract: An accommodating portion (13) is formed at the center of a body (8) of a first member (1) having a belt attachment (10). The accommodating portion (13) has an opening (14) on the front and back sides thereof, the opening (14) being sufficient for molding a bulging head (42) of the rotary shaft (40) therein, a groove (15) sufficient for molding a neck portion (41) of the rotary shaft (40) is provided at the center of the lower side of the opening, and a concave groove (22) capable of molding a part of the neck portion (41) is formed in lateral direction. The rotary shaft (40) is integrated with the second member (2) at an upper side of a body (9) thereof and has an insert hole of an insert-type male body at a lower side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6553637
    Abstract: An improved movable buckle structure, wherein its male connector and female connector are made of metal, is characterized in that two pivotal connecting bases and a guiding block are integrally coupled and disposed at the front lateral side of the male connector, and two concave grooves are disposed between the inner side of the two pivotal connecting bases and the outer side of the guiding block for embedding two elastic brackets, fixing in position, and providing elasticity. It makes two latching blocks to extend outward or contract inward such that the female connector can be locked or detached. Such structure can stand coldness and will not become brittle, and further can strengthen the exerted tension as well as the durability and artistic look, and thus enhancing the company's competitiveness and satisfying the consumer's needs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Inventor: Ang-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6532632
    Abstract: A buckle for receiving a strap member and for snap-fitting to a snap stud located on a helmet, the buckle including a metal member having opposite ends and opposite first and second substantially planar surfaces, with an aperture located between the ends and a slit on either side of the aperture, each of the slits including a plurality of rugous surfaces suitable for frictionally engaging a strap member positionable there through. A metal snap configured to be matingly engagable with the snap stud of the helmet is affixed adjacent to the first surface of the metal member by a fastener connectingly associated with the metal snap and the aperture of the metal member. A plastic material substantially encases the metal member except that at least a portion of the rugous surfaces and a portion of the first surface of the metal member adjacent the metal snap are not encased by the plastic material and remain exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: P. David Halstead
  • Patent number: 6530133
    Abstract: A clasp for a watch wristband includes: two male (2) and female (4) joining parts able to be coupled by inserting the male part (2) into the female part (4); and a resilient locking mechanism, provided on the male part (2), locking with a catching mechanism provided on the female part (4), when the male part (2) is pushed into an engagement position in said female part (4) so that it is then impossible to pull outwardly the male joining part (2), the male (2) and female (4) joining parts being able to be uncoupled from each other by pushing the male part (2) further into the female part (4) so that the locking mechanism is released from the catching mechanism and the male joining part (2) can be pulled out of the female joining part (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Management Services AG
    Inventors: Clément Meyrat, Nicolas Ehrsam
  • Publication number: 20030041423
    Abstract: A side-release buckle including a female portion with an extension is disclosed. The present buckle includes a male portion and the female portion. The female portion has an opening for receiving the male portion. After the male portion is attached to the female portion, the extension of the female portion can cover the whole rear part of the male portion. Thus, only an integratedly plain surface of the female portion including the extension can be seen from a front view. There can print different drawing on the plain surface to increase delicacy of the buckle. Further, the belt connected to the male portion is prevented from being worn because of the shielding protection of the plain surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Chu Shan Lai
  • Publication number: 20030033697
    Abstract: A lanyard system conveniently suspends entry badges, keys or other objects about the neck. The system comprises a connector having a male buckle portion and a female buckle portion. The male buckle portion has an attachment coupling thereon such that the male buckle portion can be selectively mounted within a female buckle portion and can selectively receive an attachment thereon. Knobs on the sides of the connector provide a convenient gripping surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Bryan K. Hicks, Brandon Robert Mackay
  • Patent number: 6513207
    Abstract: A belt connecting device having a female member and male member engagable with each other; an engaged/disengaged portion of the female member having a substantially U-shaped pinching resilient portion open at a side of a belt connecting portion, having a narrow portion in the middle thereof, and extending substantially on one plane from the other end; an engaging/disengaging portion of the male member having a protruded portion projecting substantially from a rear middle portion of said plate shaped body and at least a belt connecting portion side end face portion thereof having a configuration to be circumscribed by a pinching surface of the pinching resilient portion of the female member; and a substantially C-shaped attachment flange, having a gradually increasing projection, whose rear face engages with a surface attachment face of the pinching resilient portion at an upper end of the protruded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Tomohisa Ishida
  • Publication number: 20030014851
    Abstract: In a buckle of a type in which an insertion body of a male member is inserted into a housing of a female member, the male member is comprised of the insertion body and a belt attaching frame, the insertion body and the belt attaching frame being formed separately while a base end of the insertion body and the belt attaching frame are linked with each other so as to be freely rotatable, and the female member is comprised of the housing and a belt attaching frame, the housing and the belt attaching frame being formed separately while a front end of the housing and the belt attaching frame are linked with each other so as to be freely rotatable. Consequently, the buckle can readily fit a configuration of a surface of a product to be used, particularly a curved state thereof, thereby achieving a stable tightening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryukichi Murai, Ryoji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6507982
    Abstract: The invention provides a buckle which is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body, and which has a good appearance in which a belt attaching portion is hidden from view. The buckle is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body. The insert-in body is provided with engaging rods and a guide rod. The engaging rods are provided at both sides of a base portion of the insert-in body and have engaging portions which engage with engaging holes of the buckle main body. The guide rod is provided at a center of the base portion and can be inserted into an insert-in hole of the buckle main body. At an opposite surface of the base portion are provided a lower surface plate having a belt attaching portion, and an upper surface plate which covers a surface of the lower surface plate. A belt insertion hole into which the belt is inserted is formed between the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate. The buckle main body is formed from an upper surface plate, a lower surface plate and side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6505387
    Abstract: A flexible fastener having a body formed from tightly coiled wire, with a head affixed to one end of the body, the other end being attached to a first structure, which may be a component of a computer system. The fastener functions by maintaining the position of a first structure adjacent to a second structure, which is provided with a slotted flange. The head end of the fastener is lifted and allowed to fall back such that it drops into the slot in the flange, with the head on the side opposite from the first structure, thus maintaining the correct alignment. The fastener may be threaded into a threaded aperture in the first structure, as a means of effecting the attachment to the first structure. The length of the fastener may be adjusted for optimum alignment by threading the fastener to a desired depth in the aperture. A locknut is provided, to lock the fastener to maintain a desired length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Cray Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander I. Yatskov, Thomas A. Auciello, Thomas F. Zimmerman, Douglas Patrick Kelley
  • Publication number: 20020194708
    Abstract: Antistatic agent for external use is attached to a synthetic resin material by coating or spraying, which is used in an attachment for clothes and belongings, such as a slide fastener, a button, a snap button, a hook, a strap fastener, a buckle, a swivel hook, a belt adjuster, a strap for portable goods and the like, or a component of the attachment. Alternatively, antistatic agent for internal use may be mixed in the synthetic resin material. Consequently, the attachment is provided with antistatic function, so that static electricity is discharged easily even if such an attachment is worn by a human body, thereby protecting a human body from electric shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Noritsugu Hamai
  • Patent number: 6463638
    Abstract: A strap retainer for a buckle assembly wherein a strap retaining portion defines a slot. One or more teeth are positioned along the strap retaining portion and extend into the slot. At least one tooth is positioned along an inner edge of the strap retaining portion. The buckle assembly may further include a first mating portion and a second mating portion, each having the strap retaining portion, that engage with a centrally-positioned housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John Pontaoe
  • Patent number: 6460232
    Abstract: A buckle is formed of a female buckle in a hollow shape, and a male buckle including an insertion section to be inserted into the female buckle. The insertion section includes a middle leg, and elastic legs with engaging projections disposed at both sides of the middle leg. The female buckle includes engaging windows engaging the engaging projections of the elastic legs. The elastic legs are elastically deformed inwardly upon insertion operation of the insertion section, and at a predetermined position, the engaging projections enter into the engaging windows elastically. Also, the female buckle includes a pair of dividing plate portions for guiding and holding the middle leg therebetween, and the dividing plate portions extend between inner walls of the female buckle which face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Maruoka
  • Patent number: 6457219
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a male buckle member, a female buckle member for engagement with the male buckle member, a first decorative member fastened to the male buckle member by a hook joint, and a second decorative member fastened to the female buckle member and adapted to show with the first decorative member a particular character design after connection of the male buckle member to the female buckle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Kim Ging Hui Enterprise Limited
    Inventor: Chun Chien Liu
  • Publication number: 20020133922
    Abstract: A buckle which consists of a female member having an insertion port at an end of a housing and a male member having an insertion portion capable of being inserted into the housing, and is formed of a mounting portion at least on one of the female member and the male member. The mounting portion can mount a locking device or a sealing device for locking or sealing engagement between the female member and the male member and comprises, for example, a mounting column or the like having a through hole. When the insertion portion is inserted into the housing, the through holes are overlapped and a lock bar is inserted into the through hole so as to lock, the engagement between the female member and the male member is locked accurately and easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Takashi Tsukumo, Hiroshi Mitani
  • Patent number: 6401313
    Abstract: A buckle having a first latch member disposed in a body member passage from one end thereof, a second latch member with a latch cam disposed in the passage of the body member from an opposite end thereof, the first and second latch members are positionable in a latching configuration where the first and second latch members are engaged with each other, the first and second latch members are positionable in the passage of the body member in an unlatching configuration where the latch cam is engaged with the body cam and the first and second latch members are disengaged from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth LeVey
  • Patent number: 6393677
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 6389653
    Abstract: A belt end fastener comprises a flatted tubular socket, and a plug to be detachably inserted in the socket. The plug has a plate-like tongue, and a ring projecting from a base of the plug, the tongue having a pair of belt-insertion holes Also the plug has a frame around the tongue, and a pair of resilient locking projections for locking engagement with opposite side walls of the socket when the plug is inserted in the socket. In use, one end of a belt of a bag or other article is inserted through the socket and the belt-insertion holes and is then turned over and is tentatively held in such folded form, whereupon the belt together with the plug is inserted into the socket for fastening. For unfastening the belt, the ring is pulled away from the socket while the locking projections are pressed toward each other against their resilience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matoba
  • Publication number: 20020040516
    Abstract: A belt connecting device facilitating the engagement and disengagement operation of a male member and a female member and not only facilitating the disengagement even when the belt is stretched, but also not disengaging easily even when the belt is slack is provided. The belt connecting device is composed of a female member and a male member which can engage with and disengage from each other. An engaged/disengaged portion of the female member comprises a substantially U-shaped pinching resilient portion open at a side of a belt connecting portion, having a narrow portion in the middle thereof, and extending substantially on one plane from the other end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Tomohisa Ishida
  • Publication number: 20020029443
    Abstract: A connector mechanism for releasably securing a length of material and a fastening mechanism together is provided. The connector device comprises a compressible first device connected to the fastening mechanism with at least a portion of the material receivable within the first device. A second device is positionable over at least a portion of the first device. A securing mechanism associated with the first device and the second device releasably secures the first device to the second device wherein the second device compresses the first device about the portion of the material receivable therein thereby securing the first device to the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Kim A. Ortiz
  • Patent number: 6351876
    Abstract: A first hooking face and a second hooking face which are hooking end faces of an engaging portion of a plug member releasably engage a first engaging face which is a top wall end face of an opening of a socket member and a second engaging face which is a side wall end face thereof respectively, so that an engaging area increases. The side release buckle, therefore, ensures a secure and strong engagement between the plug member and the socket member and is never released easily even when an unexpected external force is applied to a side portion of the engaging portion of the plug member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Publication number: 20020023323
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a clasp for a watch wristband, characterized in that it includes two male (2) and female (4) joining parts able to be coupled by inserting the male part (2) into the female part (4), resilient locking means, provided on the male part (2), locking with catching means provided on the female part (4), when the male part (2) is pushed into an engagement position in said female part (4), so that it is then impossible to pull the male joining part (2) outwards, the male (2) and female (4) joining parts being able to be uncoupled from each other by pushing the male part (2) further into the female part (4), so that the locking means are released from the catching means and the male joining part (2) can be pulled out of the female joining part (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: THE SWATCH GROUP MANAGEMENT SERVICES AG
    Inventors: Clement Meyrat, Nicolas Ehrsam
  • Publication number: 20020017011
    Abstract: The invention provides a buckle which is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body, and which has a good appearance in which a belt attaching portion is hidden from view. The buckle is formed from a buckle main body and an insert-in body. The insert-in body is provided with engaging rods and a guide rod. The engaging rods are provided at both sides of a base portion of the insert-in body and have engaging portions which engage with engaging holes of the buckle main body. The guide rod is provided at a center of the base portion and can be inserted into an insert-in hole of the buckle main body. At an opposite surface of the base portion are provided a lower surface plate having a belt attaching portion, and an upper surface plate which covers a surface of the lower surface plate. A belt insertion hole into which the belt is inserted is formed between the upper surface plate and the lower surface plate. The buckle main body is formed from an upper surface plate, a lower surface plate and side walls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Ryoji Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6305588
    Abstract: A releasable coupling for a suspension stud on a first face wall, especially of a mobile telephone. The coupling includes an orifice made in the wall and a device for axial retention of the stud, a coupling end of which is accommodated in the orifice in order to perform the coupling. The retention device includes a rod which passes through the orifice and is provided at its free end with a device for bearing axially on the perimeter of the orifice. The retention device can move, along a coupling path, between a coupling position in which the bearing device is applied against the wall and an uncoupled position in which the axial bearing device is disengaged from the wall. A device is furthermore provided for immobilizing the retention device with respect to the wall in its coupling position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric France
    Inventors: Stéphane Michel, Laurent Paul Joseph Lamballais, Jean-Yves Raymond Renard, Vincent Antoine Victor Belaïche
  • Publication number: 20010013159
    Abstract: A buckle is formed of a female buckle in a hollow shape, and a male buckle including an insertion section to be inserted into the female buckle. The insertion section includes a middle leg, and elastic legs with engaging projections disposed at both sides of the middle leg. The female buckle includes engaging windows engaging the engaging projections of the elastic legs. The elastic legs are elastically deformed inwardly upon insertion operation of the insertion section, and at a predetermined position, the engaging projections enter into the engaging windows elastically. Also, the female buckle includes a pair of dividing plate portions for guiding and holding the middle leg therebetween, and the dividing plate portions extend between inner walls of the female buckle which face each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 16, 2001
    Applicant: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Maruoka
  • Patent number: 6237826
    Abstract: An improved side-release belt buckle has a male part with a resilient member and a female part with a cavity for releasably securing the resilient member, wherein the female part has a buckle-release aperture on a side (e.g., the top of the buckle) whose geometric normal is substantially aligned with a surface of the wearer's body. The aperture being substantially free of extension into a side (i.e., the front face of the buckle) that has a normal directed away from the wearer's body. The invention has application to saftey buckles for use in strapping firearm holsters and other articles to wearers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Gould & Goodrich Leather, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard B. Gould
  • Patent number: 6233793
    Abstract: A two-step garment closure, especially for front closing brassieres, has a spherically shaped front portion which is depressible to allow the closure to extend from its contracted position into an extended position. When a button-shaped formation on the rear of the slider is actuated from the back of the closure, the slide can separate from the body of the closure. Alternatively the actuator can be pivoted so that the entire operation can be effected from the front. The closure can thus extend from its contracted into an extended position when the actuator is pivotally swung in one sense and the slide can be fully withdrawn from the body when the actuator is depressed in the opposite sense by the wearer also from the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Fildan Accessories Corporation
    Inventor: Karl Wanzenböck
  • Patent number: 6226844
    Abstract: Quick release buckles are provided that include, for example: (a) a first buckle component having an engagement end and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; and (b) a second buckle component having an engagement end constructed for releasable engagement with the engagement end of the first buckle component, and a module receiving portion opposite the engagement end; each of the module receiving portions being constructed for fixed engagement with any one of a plurality of different modular components. Methods of assembling buckling systems and buckle assembly systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Christopher G. Lerra, Stephen Stewart, Mark Tauer
  • Patent number: 6219889
    Abstract: An adjustable clasp comprises a retainer body having an elongate cavity within which slides a strap having saw teeth. The retainer body includes a main generally non-deformable body from which extends a flexible tongue provided with pawls projecting into the cavity to engage the teeth of the strap, and at least one resilient wing facing the flexible tongue and engagable under pressure to disengage the pawls from the teeth of the strap. The retainer body has guide members on the main portion and second guide members close to the opposite end of the main body, to maintain the strap close to the pawls. The second guide members include a contact portion extending from the resilient wing at its end opposite the main portion of the retainer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignees: National Molding of Europe S.r.L., MET S.p.A.
    Inventors: Attilio Lovato, Filippo Perini
  • Patent number: 6189348
    Abstract: A retightenable and resettable strap lock for luggage includes a female buckle member with number wheels, a male buckle member for releasably engaging with the female buckle member, and a strap connected to the female buckle member and the male buckle member. A slide member is mounted in the female buckle member for restraining movement of the strap. An end of the strap is pullable to further tighten the luggage even if the male and female buckle members are engaged with each other, yet loosening of the strap by pulling the end of the strap in the opposite direction is prevented. A pull tab holder is mounted in the male buckle member for receiving two pull tabs of a zipper of the luggage. The pull tab holder is retained in place by the female buckle member when the male and female buckle members are engaged with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Inventor: Chien-Yung Huang
  • Patent number: 6170133
    Abstract: The present invention provides a buckle having a desirable operability wherein a pair of plugs are simultaneously engaged and disengaged from a socket by a simple structure. The buckle comprises a pair of plugs and a socket. Each the plug has a tongue portion to be inserted into the socket and an engaging portion formed at a tip end portion of the tongue portion. The socket is formed with inserting portions into which the tongue portions are inserted respectively, fixed engaged portions which are formed in the inserting portions and with which the engaging portions of the plugs are engaged, and an operating portion which is formed between the engaged portions and which displaces the engaging portions to disengage the engaging portions with the engaged portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 6161266
    Abstract: A modular attachment system for an object holding/displaying system comprises a base module that engages a cord and an attachment module that engages an attachment device used to hold/display an object. Various types of attachment modules may be used with a single base module, thus allowing substitution and flexibility in providing appropriate systems for various situations. The base module and attachment module are releasably connected to facilitate easy substitution. Various attachment devices may be used with the attachment module. The base module may also include a safety release system to allow the cord to disengage in the presence of a strong force. The attachment system may be made from molded plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 6154936
    Abstract: A two-piece lanyard release buckle which comprises a keeper and a secure part. The keeper is comprised of a floor which includes a front portion and a rear portion and a cover spaced apart from the floor, means for flexibly securing the cover and the floor to one another and a lanyard secured to the cover. The opposed surfaces of the floor and the cover define a slot therebetween and a keeper surface is formed on the surface of the cover. The secure part is configured to be received in the slot and is comprised of a front portion and a rear portion. The secure part is characterized by at least one locking finger having a top surface and terminating in a catch tab. When the secure part is received in the keeper, the locking finger engages the keeper surface and locks the secure part to the keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Down East, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank A. Howell, Clarence F. Howell
  • Patent number: 6148486
    Abstract: A belt mounting structure in a buckle which can securely fix a belt in use and allows easy adjustment of an effective belt length and removal of the belt. A belt winding rod freely reciprocates in a direction of fastening the belt and freely rotates at a predetermined angular range within a belt mounting hole. A bulging portion is formed along an upper end edge of the belt mounting hole in the side to which the buckle is connected. A cross-section of a main body of the belt winding rod is formed substantially in a waterdrop shape. A cross-section of each supporting axial portion of the belt winding rod is formed substantially in a shape of an isosceles triangle. When an oblique side portion of the axial portion is mounted and supported on a long side portion of a supporting hole, a tip portion of the main body is pressure contacted to a lower surface of the bulging portion via the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Yoshinobu Takahashi