Side-release buckle with security feature

Abstract

A side-release buckle having a male member having at least one forwardly dependent catch arm, and a female member having an opening adapted to receive the at least one forwardly dependent catch arm, wherein the at least one forwardly dependant catch arm includes an aperture permitting the connection of a security device. The female member may also include a second opening, the male member having three forwardly dependant catch arms, the middle of which is adapted to penetrate the second opening with an extension member having an aperture capable of receiving a security device. The male member and the female member may be connected by a strap. The female member may include a housing capable of preventing the strap from being loosened when the male member is within the female member.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/494,244 filed Aug. 11, 2003, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an improvement in side-release buckles comprised of at least one releasable latch member, and more particularly to an improved side release buckle providing improved latch security features.

Conventional side-release buckles are well known in the art. A typical example of such known buckles comprises a male or plug member and a female or socket member, wherein the male member has two side-release latch arms, and often even a third center latch arm, all resiliently insertable into an opening in the female member until fitted therein, where they are permitted to spring into their natural condition to extend from within the female member.

The male and female members may be snapped into engagement with each other upon application of a biasing force upon the side-release latch arms and center latch arm, if so provided, and insertion of the male member into the female member. Often, the biasing force will be automatically applied upon insertion due to the internal construction of the female member and external construction of the side-release latch arms and center latch arm of the male member.

For added security, buckles with a center latch arm generally contain a catch body extending upward from the center latch arm. An opening in the female member in registration with the catch body permits the catch body to protrude from the female member upon engagement of the male and female members.

The male and female members of this conventional side-release buckle can be disengaged by squeezing the side-release latch arms of the male member toward each other in addition to pressing the center catch body into the body of the female member far enough for all three latch arms to be disengaged simultaneously, and simultaneously pulling the two members in opposite directions.

Side-release buckles with associated straps provide a convenient means to secure luggage, boxes, laptop computers, and the like and have been used in conjunction with straps in a variety of industries. In particular, side-release buckles are widely used to secure various types of luggage for airline travel.

With increased security and concern for travel safety, there has been a demand for tamper resistant or higher security side-release buckles. Today, travel safety mandates that travelers know whether their checked luggage has been opened by third parties. Conventional side-release buckles do not provide a locking or tamper indicative means, making it more difficult for travelers to be informed if luggage has been searched. The present invention addresses these, and other concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a side-release buckle may comprise a male member having at least one forwardly dependent catch arm, and a female member having an opening adapted to receive the at least one forwardly dependent catch arm, wherein the at least one forwardly dependant catch arm includes an aperture permitting the connection of a security device.

The female member may further comprise a second opening and the male member may further comprise three forwardly dependant catch arms, the middle of which may be adapted to penetrate the second opening with an extension member having an aperture capable of receiving a security device.

The security device may be either a lock or a tamper indicative seal.

The male member and the female member may be connected by a strap, the female member further comprising a housing capable of preventing the strap from being loosened when the male member is within the female member.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a side-release buckle for connecting a strap may comprise a male member having a frame supporting a loop bar at its rear around which a strap is threaded and two forwardly dependant catch arms on each of a first side and a second side, at least one of the catch arms having an aperture within which a security device may be threaded, and a female member having a frontal opening, two side openings, and a loop bar at a rear portion around which the strap is threaded, wherein the male member is capable of penetrating the female member through the frontal opening when the forwardly dependent latch arms are biased toward each other, the forwardly dependant latch arms extending from the two side openings respectively when the male member is within the female member.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a side-release buckle for connecting a strap may comprise a male member having a frame supporting a loop bar at its rear around which a strap is threaded and three forwardly dependant latch arms, two of which extend on a first side and a second side, the third of which extends from a middle, at least one of the catch arms having an aperture within which a security device may be threaded, and a female member having a frontal opening, two side openings, a top opening and a loop bar at a rear portion around which the strap is threaded, wherein the male member is capable of penetrating the female member through the frontal opening when the forwardly dependant latch arms are biased toward each other, the forwardly dependant latch arms extending from the two side openings and the top opening when the male member is within the female member.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a strap system may comprise a side release buckle having a male member with a forwardly dependent catch arm, a female member with an opening adapted to receive the forwardly dependent catch arm, and a strap connecting the male member to the female member, the forwardly dependent catch arm having an aperture, and a security device adapted to be threaded through the aperture to prevent the male member from being withdrawn from the female member.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a method of securing a strap having a first end with a male member having a forwardly dependant catch arm and a female member with an opening adapted to receive the forwardly dependent catch arm, the forwardly dependent catch arm having an aperture for threading a security device therethrough, the security device preventing withdrawal of the male member from within the female member when threaded through the aperture, may comprise inserting a male member of a strap into a female member of the strap such that a forwardly dependent catch arm of the male member extends from an opening in the female member, and threading a security device through an aperture in the forwardly dependent catch arm of the male member to prevent the male member from being withdrawn from the female member.

The method may further comprise the steps of opening the security member and unthreading the security member from the aperture in the forwardly dependent catch arm.

The method may further comprise the step of withdrawing the male member from the female member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of disengaged male and female members of a triple latch arm side-release buckle in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the male and female members of FIG. 1 engaged to each other with a privacy seal attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawing, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

The present invention generally comprises a male member and female member, wherein the male member has two side-release latch arms and, in a preferred embodiment, a center latch arm with a catch body. Either one or both side-release latch arms, or the catch body of a center latch arm if so employed, contain an aperture to provide a means to secure a locking device such as a padlock, tamper indicative seal, or cable tie. When all members are engaged and a locking device is affixed to the aperture, disengagement of the male and female members may only occur if the locking device is removed or otherwise compromised. Such a locking device may be made of plastic and easily cut off or broken off.

Currently, various federal agencies and other departments with an interest in travel and luggage safety and security have the authority to open and search luggage and to remove any locks or security means which may hinder them from doing so. The present invention will be beneficial to both travelers and agencies or departments dealing with luggage safety and security.

For instance, a frangible tamper indicative seal used to secure the present side-release buckle can be purchased and installed by the traveler. Such seals can come in a variety of colors, each with a means for identification such as a bar code or a number, wherein if removed, the luggage owner can readily identify if his or her luggage has been opened. Further, the party responsible for opening the luggage can easily remove the frangible seal and re-seal the buckle with a new seal, possibly of a different color, bar code or number. Resealing the luggage may calm travelers concerns regarding luggage security, and additionally, a tamper evident seal containing a bar code could result in a record of who handled the luggage and when it was handled.

It is therefore beneficial to provide a high security side-release buckle, and preferably a triple latch arm side-release buckle, wherein at least one of the latch arms provides an aperture. When all latch arms are engaged, a tamper indicative frangible seal can be affixed to the aperture, resulting in an advantageous tamper evident security means. Such seals include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,655 issued to Fuehrer and hereby incorporated herein by reference. Other seals include PrivaSeal™ seals. (PrivaSeal™ is a trademark of Stanton Concepts, Inc., P.O. Box 139, Stanton, N.J., 08885 USA).

The utility of the present security side-release buckle can extend beyond the travel industry, providing a security means for any component secured by the present side-release buckle. Such components include various boxes, laptop computers, or the like. Additionally, the security means may consist of both frangible and non-frangible mechanisms.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a side-release buckle 1 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The side release buckle 1 comprises a male member 8 and female member 4. The male member 8 comprises a base 24, a portion of which forms a loop attachment bar (not shown), and a fitted bar 18 for securing a belt 28.

The base 24 includes a forward extending frame 26 which supports a pair of side-release latch arms 6 and a center latch arm 30 in a manner such that they extend away from the base 24.

Each of the side-release latch arms 6 include a flexible web extending from the frame 26 on opposite sides, located at the leading end of each side-release latch arm 6, and arranged for engagement with guided grooves (not shown) in the female member 4. The side-release latch arms 6 are resiliently flexible towards each other by deflection of the web portion.

The center latch arm 30 extends generally parallel to the side-release latch arms 6 and is cantilevered to the frame 26, providing for downward resilient flexibility when engagement with the female member 4 occurs. The center latch 30 is provided with a catch body 14 at its forward end and arranged for engagement with guided grooves (not shown) in the female member 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the female member 4 also comprises a top wall 36, a bottom wall 38 and side walls 40 between the top wall 36 and the bottom wall 38. One end of the female member 4 forms an opening 42 for insertion of the male member 8 to be engaged therein, while the other end 44 of the female member 4 is provided with a fastening portion (not shown) spanning the space between the side walls 40, and provided to affix a belt 28 or the like thereto in a looped arrangement. The other end 44 may be configured so as to prevent the belt 28 from being loosened when the male member 8 is within the female member 4. Preferably, the belt 28 attached to the female member 4 is be non-adjustable.

When the male member 8 and the female member 4 are engaged, the catch body 14 of the male member 8 is received in and extends outwardly from an aperture 16 in the top wall 36 of the female member 4. In one preferred embodiment, the catch body 14 further provides an aperture 12 wherein a tamper indicative frangible seal or the like may be affixed.

Formed within the side walls 40 of the female member 4 at a diametrically opposed positions are openings 10. The shape and size of each opening 10 is in registration with the shape and size of the catch body 32 of the male member 8. The edge of the openings 10 nearest to the open end 42 of the female member 4 forms the edge for engagement with the male member 8.

As shown in FIG. 2, when engaged, the side-release latch arms 6 of the male member 8 project from openings 10 on the opposing sides of the female member 4. The remainder of the male member 8 is encased by the female member 4, except for a catch body 14 which fits into a corresponding aperture 16 on the center region of the female member 4 and extends above the engaged buckle 2. Both the male member 8 and female member 4 are molded plastic construction and may be made using conventional materials and techniques.

The female member 4 may also incorporate a guard 43 at its open end 42. The guard 43 is preferably configured to completely surround the fitted bar 18 so the belt 28 may not be loosened at the male member 8 when the male member and the female member 4 are engaged.

In a second preferred embodiment, either one or both of the catch bodies 32 of the side-release latch arms 6 contain an aperture 12a, also wherein a tamper indicative frangible seal 50 or the like can be affixed.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

Claims

1. A side-release buckle comprising:

a male member having at least one forwardly dependent catch arm;

a female member having an opening adapted to receive said at least one forwardly dependent catch arm;

wherein said at least one forwardly dependant catch arm includes an aperture permitting the connection of a security device.

2. The side-release buckle of claim 1, wherein said female member further comprises a second opening, said male member comprising three forwardly dependant catch arms, the middle of which is adapted to penetrate said second opening with an extension member having an aperture capable of receiving a security device.

3. The side-release buckle of claim 1, wherein said security device is either a lock or a tamper indicative seal.

4. The side-release buckle of claim 1, wherein said male member and said female member are connected by a strap, said female member further comprising a housing capable of preventing said strap from being loosened when said male member is within said female member.

5. A side-release buckle for connecting a strap comprising:

a male member having a frame supporting a loop bar at its rear around which a strap is threaded and two forwardly dependent catch arms on each of a first side and a second side, at least one of said catch arms having an aperture within which a security device may be threaded; and,

a female member having a frontal opening, two side openings, and a loop bar at a rear portion around which the strap is threaded;

wherein said male member is capable of penetrating said female member through said frontal opening when said forwardly dependant latch arms are biased toward each other, said forwardly dependant latch arms extending from said two side openings respectively when said male member is within said female member.

6. A side-release buckle for connecting a strap comprising:

a male member having a frame supporting a loop bar at its rear around which a strap is threaded and three forwardly dependant latch arms, two of which extend on a first side and a second side, the third of which extends from a middle, at least one of said catch arms having an aperture within which a security device may be threaded; and,

a female member having a frontal opening, two side openings, a top opening and a loop bar at a rear portion around which the strap is threaded;

wherein said male member is capable of penetrating said female member through said frontal opening when said forwardly dependant latch arms are biased toward each other, said forwardly dependant latch arms extending from said two side openings and said top opening when said male member is within said female member.

7. A strap system comprising:

a side release buckle having a male member with a forwardly dependent catch arm, a female member with an opening adapted to receive said forwardly dependent catch arm, and a strap connecting said male member to said female member, said forwardly dependent catch arm having an aperture; and

a security device adapted to be threaded through said aperture to prevent said male member from being withdrawn from said female member.

8. A method of securing a strap having a first end with a male member having a forwardly dependant catch arm and a female member with an opening adapted to receive the forwardly dependent catch arm, the forwardly dependant catch arm having an aperture for threading a security device therethrough, the security device preventing withdrawal of the male member from within the female member when threaded through the aperture, the method comprising:

inserting a male member of a strap into a female member of the strap such that a forwardly dependent catch arm of the male member extends from an opening in the female member;

threading a security device through an aperture in the forwardly dependent catch arm of the male member to prevent the male member from being withdrawn from the female member.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of opening the security member;

unthreading the security member from the aperture in the forwardly dependent catch arm.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of withdrawing the male member from the female member.