One-piece connecting or fastening apparatus inexpensively and simply manufactured

Abstract

A one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The one-piece connecting apparatus is formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal and provides reliable construction. The one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle by the associated male connector structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority pursuant to 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/771645, filed on Feb. 09, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connecting or fastening apparatus that permits two objects to be quickly and detachably interconnected, and more particularly to a one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The present invention also relates to an article of manufacture or stamp from a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating the one-piece connecting apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of connecting apparatus have provided for the engagement and detachable interconnection of male and female members. Apparatus for mounting an object on a belt is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,347,693 and 5,839,173 to Applicant, which patents being hereby specifically incorporated by reference in their entirety. In such apparatus, the female member defines a receptacle, and a male member has a part-circular head or button with a straight side which is slid into the receptacle of the female member through an open-top slot past a retaining structure which projects into the entry end of the slot. On entry into the receptacle, the head moves the retaining structure out of the way to permit passage. The retaining structure prevents movement of the head out of the receptacle in any but a single rotational orientation of the head, and thus the female and male members are detachably interconnected.

The known female members may be unitary, one-piece structures or multiple piece structures, however, all known female members must be attached though various securing means to a belt clip structure for further mounting of an object on a belt. Female members are known to be secured to the belt clip structure by riveting the member to a stiffening plate on all four corners of the member and then riveting the belt clip structure to the stiffening plate. The process of securing a female member to a belt clip structure though rivets and a stiffening plate increases both the time and material cost of manufacturing, as well as increasing the difficulty of the manufacturing process and allowing more opportunity for errors in manufacture to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for detachably interconnecting two objects, which avoids the disadvantages of prior apparatus while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

To this end, a one-piece connecting apparatus formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal provides reliable construction. A one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle.

Another object of the invention is an article of manufacture or stamp from a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating a one-piece connecting apparatus. The article is flat and generally rectangular in shape with two opposed long sides and two opposed short sides and including a V shaped cut-out disposed on a short side and a cam portion positioned along a long side for providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the V shaped cut-out. Further included is another flat generally rectangular shaped second half coupled to a short side of the first half of the article cooperating with the first half to form a clip portion.

Important features of the invention include apparatus being of simple, economical construction, which is resistant to wear, with the provision of an integrally formed metal, one-piece, female connecting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the inventions, the accompanying drawings and description illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof, from which the inventions, structure, construction and operation, and many related advantages may be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of objects interconnected by prior art connecting apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, perspective view of the connecting apparatus of FIG. 1, with the objects separated and with the apparatus oriented in preparation for connection;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the female structure of the connecting apparatus, taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a one-piece female connector structure formed from a single material in accordance with the present invention as adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the one-piece female connector structure of FIG. 4 formed from a single material in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the one-piece female connector structure of FIG. 4 formed from a single material in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the one-piece female connector structure of FIG. 4 illustrating the extending of the single material member second planar wall for folding into a separate interconnected planar wall cooperating to define the receptacle between folded first and second planar walls illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the one-piece female connector structure of FIG. 4 illustrating the forward folded first planar wall substantially parallel with the rearward second planar wall of FIG. 7 in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an article of manufacture or stamp according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the described embodiments set forth in the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a holster, generally designated by the numeral 10, which may be of the type for carrying a mobile radio or pager or the like. The holster 10 has a rear wall 11 which may be provided with a stiffening plate 12 (see FIG. 2 according to the prior art). The holster 10 is adapted to be carried on a belt 14 by means of a hanger loop 15. The loop 15 comprises a folded-over length of material defining legs 16 and 17 joined by a bight 18. The distal ends of the legs 16 and 17 may be joined by any suitable means, such as snaps or the like (not shown). The inner surface of the leg 16 may be provided with a stiffening plate 19.

Referring also to prior art FIGS. 2-3, the holster 10 is adapted to be mounted on the hanger loop 15 by means of a connecting apparatus 20. The connecting apparatus 20 includes a male structure 21, which is fixedly secured to the holster 10 and is adapted to mateably engage with a female structure 30, which is fixedly secured to the hanger loop 15. The male structure 21 includes a flat, rectangular base plate 22, which is fixedly secured to the stiffening plate 12 on the holster 10, as by rivets 23. Integral with the base plate 22 centrally thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom is a stud 25, which includes a circularly cylindrical shank 26 integral at its distal end with a disk-like, part-circular head 27, which is coaxial with the shank 26 and is truncated along a chord thereof to define a straight side edge 28.

The female structure 30 is preferably of unitary, one-piece construction, having a flat, substantially planar base wall 31, including spaced-apart and coplanar upper and lower rectangular portions 32 and 33 fixedly secured to the leg 16 and the stiffening plate 19 of the hanger loop 15, as by rivets 34. Offset forwardly a slight distance from the base wall 31 and substantially parallel thereto is a generally rectangular, flat, planar front wall 35, joined at its upper and lower edges to the lower and upper edges, respectively, of the base wall portions 32 and 33 by short rectangular shoulders 36 and 37. The upper shoulder 36 is cut away in a central region thereof to define an entrance slot 38 which opens into a receptacle 39. An elongated aperture 40 is formed in the front wall 35, the upper end of which opens at the entrance slot 38, and the lower end of which is defined by an arcuate seat 41. The aperture 40 has straight side edges which, respectively, extend from the opposite ends of the seat 41 to the shoulder 36 and the entrance slot 38.

Also formed through the front wall 35 is a generally V-shaped slot 44, the legs of which are spaced laterally from and extends substantially parallel aperture 40. The slot 44 serves to define a cam tab 45, which is generally triangular in shape, having an outer cam surface 46 and an inclined distal end, and projecting rearwardly therefrom is a short flange 48. The cam tab 45 is bent out of the plane of the front wall 35 toward the base wall 31, so that the distal tip of the cam tab 45 lies substantially in the plane of the base wall 31 (see FIG. 3). The right-hand leg of the slot 44 cooperates with the aperture 40 to define therebetween a stop finger 49. Unitary with the upper portion 32 of the base wall 31 and depending from the lower edge thereof in the plane thereof is an elongated backing arm 50, which is shaped similar to and aligned with the aperture 40. The receptacle 39 is generally the space between the front wall 35 and the backing arm 50. The female structure 30 is mounted on the hanger loop 15 so that, in use, the receptacle 39 will open upwardly when the hanger loop 15 is mounted on the belt 14 of a user. Thus, the female structure 30 defines an open-top or top-loading receptacle 39.

With reference to FIGS. 4-8 and particularly the perspective view of FIG. 4, a one-piece female connector structure 100 formed from a single material member is shown in accordance with the present described embodiment as adapted for cooperation with discussed associated male connector structures for interconnecting objects with reliable construction. The structure 100 is formed entirely of a single piece of material such as a formed metal, and includes its member folded into separate planes. A suitable metal material such as steel is used as the member from which the structure 100 is formed. In the preferred embodiments, each of the male and female structures is preferably formed of a suitable metal, such as a suitable die cut steel, although it will be appreciated that other materials could be used.

A first planar wall 102 is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall 104, such that the first wall 102 and the second wall 104 respectively cooperate to define a receptacle 106 therebetween. The first wall 102 has an aperture 108 therein communicating with the receptacle 106 and extending to its peripheral edge, and the first wall 102 has an entrance that opens at the peripheral edge of the first wall 102 as a generally V-shaped slot. The aperture 108 defines a seat opposite the entrance opening at the peripheral edge of the first wall 102. A cam portion 110 is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle by the associated male connector structure. The cam portion 110 may be formed with the folded first wall 102 as illustrated with the cam portion 110 residing on the first wall 102 and inclined from the plane of said first wall 102 into the receptacle 106 and toward the plane of the second wall 104. Alternately the cam portion 110 may be formed with the folded second wall 104 of the metal member forming the one-piece female connector structure 100.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side elevational view of the structure 100, and FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof formed from the single material in accordance with the present described embodiment. The metal member of the present described embodiment for the one-piece female connector structure 100 is formed by folding approximately 180 degrees into the separate planes. To this end the perspective view of FIG. 7 shows the one-piece female connector structure 100 with dashed lines extending the single material member second planar wall for folding into a separate interconnected planar wall cooperating to define the receptacle between folded first and second planar walls illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 8. With reference to FIG. 5, the second wall of the member is further extended and folded into a third planar wall 112 residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls 102, 104, with the third planar wall 112 providing for securing the structure for use by a user. Thus, the second wall can be folded approximately 180 degrees into the third planar wall as being provided for securing. The third planar wall 112 is thus formed by folding approximately 180 degrees into the separate plane to provide a hanger loop or the like for mounting on a user's belt for use.

Referring to FIG. 8, a front elevational view of the one-piece female connector structure 100 is shown illustrating the forward folded first planar wall 102 substantially parallel with the rearward second planar wall 104 in accordance with the present described embodiment. As shown, the aperture 108 defines the seat opposite the entrance as a generally V-shaped slot, with the first wall 102 including a pair of guide edges extending along side the aperture 108 from said seat opposite the entrance.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top plan view of an article of manufacture or stamp 200 from a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating a one-piece female connecting apparatus according to the present described embodiment. The article or stamp 200 is generally divided into two flat generally rectangular halves including a first half or first member 202 and a second half or second member 204.

The first half or first member 202 has first and second opposed long sides 206 and 208 respectfully, and third and fourth opposed short sides 210 and 212 respectfully. The short side 210 of first half or member 202 is coupled to second half or member 204, and a generally V shaped cut-out is disposed on the peripheral edge of short side 212 opposite short side 210 and generally centered along side 212, as seen in FIG. 9. Alternatively, second half 204 can be coupled to either short side 210 or 212, and the generally V shaped cut out can also be on either short side 210 or 212.

A cut-out forming a cam portion 214 is disposed on the first half 202 laterally offset toward one of the long sides 206 or 208 for providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out. As described, the article or stamp 200 includes the member 202 having the generally V shaped cut-out disposed on the peripheral edge of one of the third or fourth opposed short sides, with the cam portion laterally offset along one of the first or second long sides for providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out. As seen in FIG. 9, the cam portion 214 is positioned along side 208 and wholly disposed to one side of the horizontal mid line (M) of first half 202 opposite the generally V shaped cut-out. Additionally, a cut-out forming a guide portion 215 may be disposed adjacent the cam portion 214 for providing a guiding structure to also cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out.

The first half 202 may taper along the first and second long sides from the third and forth short sides toward the horizontal mid line (M), as seen in FIG. 9. Further, the first half 202 is capable of folding approximately 180 degrees at the horizontal mid line (M) creating two separate planes which cooperate with each other to define a receptacle therebetween and wherein the cam portion 214 extends into the receptacle. Additionally, small circular shaped cut-outs may be included and located generally at each of the four corners of the first half 202, such that the circular cut-outs align in groups of two when the first half 202 is folded.

Second half or second member 204 has first and second opposed long sides 216 and 218 respectfully, and first and second opposed short sides, 220 and 222 respectfully. The generally rectangular second half or member 204 may be narrower than the generally rectangular first half 202, as seen in FIG. 9, and is capable of being folded to create a third plane cooperating with the first half 202 to form a clip portion. First half 202 and/or second half 204 may comprise a suitable metal material, such as steel, etc., and first and second halves 202 and 204 respectfully, may also be formed entirely of a single piece of metal or steel, as seen in FIG. 9.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that there has been provided an improved connecting apparatus of simple and economical construction. While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims

1. A one-piece female connector structure adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects, said female structure being formed from a single material and comprising:

a member folded into separate planes with a first planar wall interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, said first wall and said second wall respectively cooperating to define a receptacle therebetween;

said first wall having an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of said first wall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheral edge; and

a cam portion formed with said member and extending into the receptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said member comprises a suitable metal material.

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said member is folded approximately 180 degrees into said separate planes.

4. The structure of claim 1, wherein said aperture defines a seat opposite said entrance.

5. The structure of claim 1, wherein said aperture defines a seat opposite said entrance, said first wall including a guide edge extending along one side of said aperture from said seat to said entrance opposite said cam portion.

6. The structure of claim 1, wherein said second wall of said member is further extended and folded into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided for securing the structure for use by a user.

7. The structure of claim 1, wherein said second wall of said member is further extended and folded into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided as a hanger loop for mounting on a user's belt for use.

8. The structure of claim 1, wherein said cam portion is formed with the folded first wall of said member, said cam portion residing on said first wall inclined from the plane of said first wall into the receptacle and toward the plane of the second wall.

9. The structure of claim 1, wherein said cam portion is formed with the folded second wall of said member, said cam portion residing on said second wall inclined from the plane of said second wall into the receptacle and toward the plane of the first wall.

10. An article comprising:

a member having a flat generally rectangular shape including first and second opposed long sides and third and fourth opposed short sides;

a generally V shaped cut-out disposed on a peripheral edge of one of the third or fourth opposed short sides; and

a cam portion laterally offset along one of the first or second long sides for providing a retaining structure to cooperate with the generally V shaped cut-out.

11. The article according to claim 10, wherein the cam portion is wholly disposed to one side of a horizontal mid line of the member opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.

12. The article according to claim 10, further comprising a second member having a flat generally rectangular shape and including two opposed long sides and two opposed short sides, wherein one of said short sides of the second member is coupled to one of said third or fourth short sides of the member opposite the generally V shaped cut-out.

13. The article according to claim 12, wherein said article comprises a suitable metal material.

14. The article according to claim 11, wherein the member is folded approximately 180 degrees at the horizontal mid line creating two separate planes which cooperate with each other to define a receptacle therebetween and wherein the cam portion extends into the receptacle.

15. The article according to claim 12, wherein the second member is folded to create a third plane cooperating with the member to form a clip portion.

16. The article according to claim 12, further comprising a small circular shaped cut-out located generally at each of the four corners of the member wherein the circular cut-outs align in groups of two when the member is folded.

17. The article according to claim 12, wherein the second member is narrower than the member.

18. The article according to claim 12, wherein the member tapers along the first and second long sides from the third and fourth short sides toward the horizontal mid line.

19. A one-piece female connector structure adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects, said female structure being formed from a single material and comprising:

a member folded approximately 180 degrees into separate planes with a first planar wall interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, said first wall and said second wall respectively cooperating to define a receptacle therebetween;

said first wall having an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of said first wall and having an entrance which opens at said peripheral edge;

said second wall of said member being further extended and folded approximately 180 degrees into a third planar wall residing in a third plane separate from said first and second planar walls, said third planar wall being provided for securing the structure for use by a user; and

a cam portion formed with said member and extending into the receptacle, said cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture.

20. The structure of claim 19, wherein said third planar wall is provided as a hanger loop for mounting on a user's belt for use.