Requiring Manual Force Applied Against Bias To Interlock Or Disengage Patents (Class 24/615)
  • Patent number: 8720018
    Abstract: The lock member includes: a plate-like base portion positioned on a top side of the socket; a holder retaining the base portion to the socket; an operating portion connected to the base portion and movable in a direction intersecting the base portion by an external operation; and a lock portion restricting disengagement of the engaged portions and the engaging portions. The lock portion is positioned in the socket and connected to the operating portion via a joint inserted in the cutout. Without the external operation, the lock portion is present in movement paths where the engaging portions move to be disengaged from the engaged portions. When the operating portion is moved by the external operation, the lock portion is moved away from the movement paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Kenichi Yoshie, Ming Yi Huang
  • Patent number: 8695181
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member and a female member. The male member includes: a base; a pair of legs that project from the base; engaging portions that are provided on the legs to be engageable with the female member; and a linking body that links the pair of legs. The linking body includes a curved portion that is curved such that the middle thereof is closest to the base. A pair of projecting portions that are substantially parallel with an insertion direction of the male member extend from the base to be disposed outside the curved portion such that the curved portion is interposed therebetween. With this arrangement, the linking body for linking the pair of legs can be disposed with less possibility that other objects are caught in a space in the male member and without increasing a length dimension in the insertion direction more than necessary. The male member can be stably held relative to the female member against a torsion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kaneko, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8677575
    Abstract: A clasp for jewelry has a female member and a male member insertable into the female member. Upon insertion, a plurality of engagements can be formed between the male and female members, such that two hands of a user can be required to disengage the male member from the female member. A satellite positioning system can be contained therein the female member so that the location of a wearer of the clasp can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventor: Jenny Bergstrom
  • Patent number: 8677576
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base provided with a belt attachment; a pair of legs projecting from the base; an engaging portion formed to the legs; and a connecting portion connecting the legs to each other. The socket includes: a body provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space formed in the body and housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening; an engaged portion formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a cutout dented toward the insertion opening from an edge of the belt attachment. The cutout is formed over an area surrounded by the legs and the connecting portion when the legs and the connecting portion are housed in the housing space while the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Tomoko Yagami, Yasutaka Nishida, Takeshi Harada, Kenichi Yoshie
  • Patent number: 8667651
    Abstract: A combined diving utensil has a buckling assembly, a seesaw and a fastening element. The buckling assembly includes a male buckle and a female buckle. Of which, one end of the female buckle is provided with an opening, and the other end provided with a mating joint. One end of the male buckle is provided with a threading portion, and the other end provided with an extension coupled with the mating joint. A plurality of ribs are set on one surface of the fastening element, which is set on the threading portion of the male buckle. A stopper is set close to the end of the fastening element. The seesaw is provided with a thrust rib plate, which is mated with a plurality of ribs on the fastening element and pivoted on the female buckle via the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Ching-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 8648735
    Abstract: Provided is a safety directional indicator to improve highway safety. Embodiments of the invention include devices for guiding a driver of a vehicle in a desired direction, typically away from highway workers, pedestrians, curbs, and opposing lanes of traffic. Specifically included is a safety directional indicator system comprising a flexible belt with a plurality of light transmitting bars disposed along the belt and having a plurality of LEDs disposed at one elongated end of each light transmitting bar and in operable communication with a control system for illuminating the LEDs in a manner to indicate a direction for traffic. Safety devices according to the invention can be stand-alone devices, devices capable of being attached to objects or structures at a highway scene, or configured to be worn on a person's body. An object of the safety devices according to embodiments of the invention is to increase driver awareness of highway situations especially during conditions of restricted visibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Paul Haynes, Eric Collins
  • Patent number: 8601652
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base provided with a belt attachment; a pair of legs projecting from the base; an engaging portion formed to the legs; and a connecting portion connecting the legs to each other. The socket includes: a body provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space formed in the body and housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening; an engaged portion formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion; and a cutout dented toward the insertion opening from an edge of the belt attachment. The cutout is formed over an area surrounded by the legs and the connecting portion when the legs and the connecting portion are housed in the housing space while the engaging portion and the engaged portion are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Tomoko Yagami, Yasutaka Nishida, Takeshi Harada, Kenichi Yoshie
  • Patent number: 8522410
    Abstract: A releasable buckle including a latch having locking arms adapted to lockingly engage a female component. A folding bridge structure extends between the locking arms. The bridge structure includes a pivot connection zone adapted to engage an elongate release member. Upon tensioning the elongate release member the locking arms are pulled inwardly to disengage from the female component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Brian M Parisi, Scott D Kolasa, Craig E Ernst, Jr., Jeffrey D Anderson
  • Patent number: 8522409
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted for engagement. The plug includes: a base being provided with a belt attachment and a pair of legs; and an engaging portion being formed to each of the legs. The socket includes: a body being provided with a belt attachment and an insertion opening; a housing space being formed in the body and capable of housing the legs inserted from the insertion opening (22); and an engaged portion being formed in the body and engageable with the engaging portion. The body includes an undulation being continuously formed in an insertion direction of the legs on at least one of top and bottom surfaces of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryoichiro Uehara, Yasutaka Nishida
  • Publication number: 20130224667
    Abstract: A survival buckle is disclosed which is durable, easy to use, safe, and can provide the necessary spark to create a fire in almost any setting. The male buckle member comprises a flint cartridge positioned on the center guide rod, and the female buckle member comprises a striking pad. To create a spark, the user will separate the male buckle member from the female buckle member, secure the male buckle member in one hand, secure the female buckle member in the other hand, and strike the flint cartridge against the striking pad in an outward motion. The impact from the flint cartridge causes a portion of the striking pad, heated by friction, to react with oxygen from the atmosphere and create a spark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Dale Roybal
  • Patent number: 8464406
    Abstract: A quick release buckle assembly has a male portion that is inserted into a female portion. Each female portion has a cavity and at a spring-loaded locking device disposed within the cavity. Each male portion has a base with a locking tongue having an aperture, such that inserting the male portion into the open top of the female portion causes the locking device to snap into the aperture in the locking tongue to lock the two buckle portions together. To release the buckle portions, the locking device is pulled upward, in a direction that is between 45 to 90 degrees to the insertion plane of the female portion, until the locking device clears the aperture in the locking tongue. The motion required to release the male portion from the female portion ensures that the buckle will not be inadvertently released by catching on something in the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: National Molding-Duraflex, LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 8448308
    Abstract: A buckle includes a buckle body, two first retainers, and two second retainers connected respectively and detachably to the first retainers. The buckle body includes an insert groove having two upwardly facing openings, two stop portions, and a resilient pressing arm. The first retainers are inserted into the insert groove via the openings, respectively. Each of the first retainers includes a resilient retaining plate biased to a retaining position to prevent removal of the corresponding first retainer from the buckle body. Each of the resilient retaining plates is removable from the retaining position. When the resilient pressing arm is pressed, each of the resilient retaining plates is removed from the retaining position by the resilient pressing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Nuna International B.V.
    Inventors: Jonathan Kirk Mountz, Nathanael Saint
  • Patent number: 8418327
    Abstract: The security buckle includes a first body member having one or more walls defining a receiving cavity and one or more mating slots; and a second body member adapted to engage the receiving cavity, the second body member including one or more latching tabs for engaging the one or more mating slots wherein the second body member is inhibited from disengagement while the one or more latching tabs engage the one or more mating slots, and wherein the first body member includes a portion of the one or more walls defining a security slot adapted for receiving an interfering object that includes an engagement mode for insertion and removal from the slot and an interfering mode for inhibiting the one or more latching tabs from disengaging from the one or more mating tabs until the interfering object is transitioned to the engagement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Inventor: Michael E. Woods
  • Patent number: 8365368
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member and a female member. The male member includes: a base; a pair of legs that project from the base; engaging portions that are provided on the legs to be engageable with the female member; and a linking body that links the pair of legs. The linking body includes a curved portion that is curved such that the middle thereof is closest to the base. A pair of projecting portions that are substantially parallel with an insertion direction of the male member extend from the base to be disposed outside the curved portion such that the curved portion is interposed therebetween. With this arrangement, the linking body for linking the pair of legs can be disposed with less possibility that other objects are caught in a space in the male member and without increasing a length dimension in the insertion direction more than necessary. The male member can be stably held relative to the female member against a torsion force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kaneko, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8333433
    Abstract: A harness apparatus including a first adjustable harness strap, a second adjustable harness strap, and a retainer apparatus. The retainer apparatus includes a first retainer portion slidably attached to the first harness strap, a second retainer portion slidably attached to the second harness strap, and a braking mechanism configured to prevent the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion from moving along the first harness strap and the second harness strap. The first retainer portion is removably attached to the second retainer portion. The braking mechanism includes a braking device configured to apply resistance to the first harness strap and/or the second harness strap and to hold the retainer apparatus in a stationary position along the first harness strap and the second harness strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventor: Mark J. Friedman
  • Patent number: 8286311
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a buckle that includes a male latch having an improved shape. An object of the present invention is to provide the buckle that includes a projected part formed on a hook of the male latch, where the projected part has three projected surfaces projected from three side surfaces of the arm. The buckle comprises: the male latch including a pair of hooks each of which has three projected surfaces; and a female receptacle coupled to the male latch by holding the projected surfaces formed on the each hook of the male latch, where the male latch is inserted into the female receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Jisook Paik
  • Patent number: 8286312
    Abstract: A buckle has plug and socket members which are detachably coupled to each other. The plug member having a base part, a pair of lock arms which project from the base part to be elastically coupled to the socket member, a guide rod which projects from the base part between the pair of lock arms, and bridges which extend from the base part inside the pair of lock arms and are connected to distal ends or middle portions of inner surfaces of the lock arms. The socket member have a chamber which is defined by an upper plate, a lower plate and sidewalls connecting the upper and lower plates and is open at a distal end thereof to receive the pair of lock arms and the guide rod, and engagement parts which are formed outside the chamber to allow distal end portions of the lock arms to be engaged therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Jisook Paik
  • Patent number: 8281464
    Abstract: A buckle includes a first fastener and a second fastener. The second fastener has two hooks. The first fastener includes a socket, a locking piece disposed in the socket, and two first locking portions formed on the socket for mating with the hooks. The locking piece is slidingly connected in the socket to cooperate with the second fastener. When the first fastener is engaged with the second fastener, the locking piece enters the second fastener to restrict the movement of the second fastener, so that the second fastener cannot be released unless the locking piece is removed from the second fastener and the hooks of the second fastener are pressed. Thus, the second fastener can be released only when the locking piece is moved, thereby preventing a problem that the second fastener may be separated from the first fastener when the hooks of the second fastener are incautiously pressed. A user has to move the locking piece with one hand and presses the hooks with another hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Giotto's Industrial Inc.
    Inventor: Wei-Hong Shen
  • Patent number: 8256072
    Abstract: A two-part buckle includes a male buckle component received in a female buckle component. Lock surfaces between the male and female buckle components are provided inwardly of flexible segments of the lock arms and axially between the flexible portion of the lock arm and accessible ends of the lock arms depressed for unlatching the buckle. The lock surfaces angle toward the disengaged positions in the direction of arm movement for unlatching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Scott S. Kolasa, John S. Pontaoe
  • Publication number: 20120210546
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastener and a disassembling apparatus for the same. The fastener (10) of the present invention has a cylindrical hollow body (12) which configures a framework. A through hole (14) is penetrated through an inside of the hollow body (12) in a longitudinal direction thereof. A plurality of coupling legs (16) are formed by deformation slits (18) to extend toward one end portion of the hollow body (12). A coupling protrusion (20) is formed at an outer surface of the front end of the coupling leg (16), while a releasing portion (24) is formed at an inner side of the hollow body (12) which is opposite to the outer surface. A placing step (22) is formed in a stepwise manner at a location adjacent to the other end portion of the hollow body (12) which corresponds to an opposite side of the coupling protrusion (20). A separating protrusion (28) is formed at an end of the other end portion of the hollow body (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: ROBOBUILDER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hong-Min JANG, Seong-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8209825
    Abstract: Release assembly for a personal equipment carrier. Release assembly includes securing component, a plurality of first cable assemblies, a plurality of attachment assembly first portions, trigger termination, and trigger activator. Securing component is attachable to a personal equipment carrier. The first cable assemblies, include an outer member and an inner member. A first end of each first cable assembly outer member is anchored to the securing component. Each attachment assembly first portion includes a detachment portion. The detachment portion is attached to a second end of each first cable assembly inner member. The detachment portion is operable, upon tensioning of the attached first cable assembly inner member, for detaching the attachment assembly first portion from an attached attachment assembly second portion. The trigger termination is connected to the first end of each first cable assembly inner member at the securing component. The trigger activator is connected to the trigger termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Carter
  • Patent number: 8196273
    Abstract: A quick release buckle assembly has a male portion and a female portion. The male portion is inserted into the female portion to lock the buckle assembly together. The male buckle portion is connected to a cable. Pulling the cable with sufficient force causes the male portion to release from the female portion. Several buckle assemblies can be simultaneously released if the cables are connected to a single handle. Pulling on the handle then releases all of the male portions at once.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: National Molding LLC
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 8191212
    Abstract: The security buckle includes a first body member having one or more walls defining a receiving cavity and one or more mating slots; and a second body member adapted to engage the receiving cavity, the second body member including one or more latching tabs for engaging the one or more mating slots wherein the second body member is inhibited from disengagement while the one or more latching tabs engage the one or more mating slots, and wherein the first body member includes a portion of the one or more walls defining a security slot adapted for receiving an interfering object that includes an engagement mode for insertion and removal from the slot and an interfering mode for inhibiting the one or more latching tabs from disengaging from the one or more mating tabs until the interfering object is transitioned to the engagement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Inventor: Michael E. Woods
  • Patent number: 8176605
    Abstract: A buckle, operating between a locked position and a released position, comprising a male buckle member having a plurality of locking members, and a female buckle member. The female buckle member includes a housing, a plurality of engaging portions formed on the housing for engaging with the locking members, a latch member slidably disposed in the housing for preventing the locking members from disengaging with the engaging portions in the locked position, and a bias device connecting the latch member to the housing for biasing said latch member against the locking member in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Yuet Ying Maggie Mok
  • Patent number: 8112850
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member and a female member. The male member is provided with a base, a pair of legs and an engaging portion provided on a distal ends of the legs. The female member is provided with an insertion port, a guide that elastically deforms the distal end of each of the legs inserted through the insertion port in a direction in which the distal ends come closer to each other and a pair of engaged portions formed on both sides of a remote side of the guide. Each of the engaged portions displaces each of the engaging portions in the direction in which the engaging portions get apart with each other and is provided by a concave that has an abutment wall on a rear portion in the releasing direction to be abutted by each of engaging portions. Each of the abutment walls is formed as a slant surface that inclines in the direction in which the abutment walls come closer to each other toward the releasing direction of the male member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 8079117
    Abstract: A buckle assembly including a first buckle portion having an outwardly projecting engagement member. The assembly further includes a second buckle portion including an extended socket structure with one or more resilient biasing arms disposed radially outboard of the extended socket structure. A sleeve member is disposed in reciprocating relation to the second buckle portion at least partially about the extended socket structure. A camming surface is disposed in substantially fixed relation to the sleeve member radially outboard from the resilient biasing arms. The camming surface includes at least one concavity engaging one or more of the resilient biasing arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Pontaoe
  • Publication number: 20110271499
    Abstract: A buckle includes first and second lateral latch connections formed by a male component in a female component, and a third latch connection between the lateral latch connections. The third latch connection includes a cantilevered latch hook disconnected by pressing against a portion of the upper surface of the buckle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Brian M. Parisi
  • Patent number: 8051542
    Abstract: Male and female parts of a buckle have mating shapes which together form ears and depressed eyes of an animal face. The male part has the shape of an anchor with eyes which slide into grooves to lock the parts, and ears which project upward from a slot in the cylindrical female part. Hooks on the female part back secure a cord loop which extends from the female part. A cover snaps on the back of the female part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Inventor: Alexander Buday
  • Publication number: 20110173783
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member (A) and a female member (B). The male member (A) includes: a base (10) to which a string member is attachable; a pair of legs (20) that project from the base (10) and are elastically deformable in directions intersecting an insertion direction of the male member (A); and engaging portions (30) that are provided to the legs (20) and are engageable with the female member (B), When the male member (A) is inserted into the female member (B), parts of the legs (20) come into contact with inner walls of the female member (B) to form biasing portions (70) that bias the male member (A) in an opposite-insertion direction using a resilience of the legs (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hitoshi Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7979966
    Abstract: The male member comprises a base to which a string member can be attached, a pair of legs that project from the base, and an engaging portion that projects from a top surface and a bottom surface of a distal end of each of the pair of legs. The female member comprises: a hollow female member body that comprises an inserting opening into which the male member is inserted and an accommodating space that accommodates the pair of legs of the male member inserted through the inserting opening; an engaged portion provided to an interior of the accommodating space of the female member body with which the engaging portion of the male member is engaged; and a guiding receptacle provided to the interior of the accommodating space to guide the engaging portion to the engaged portion. A guide that abuts to the engaging portion of the male member to guide the engaging portion to the guiding receptacle is provided to the inserting opening of the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Yoshie
  • Patent number: 7895719
    Abstract: The security buckle includes a first body member having one or more walls defining a receiving cavity and one or more mating slots; and a second body member adapted to engage the receiving cavity, the second body member including one or more latching tabs for engaging the one or more mating slots wherein the second body member is inhibited from disengagement while the one or more latching tabs engage the one or more mating slots, and wherein the first body member includes a portion of the one or more walls defining a security slot adapted for receiving an interfering object that includes an engagement mode for insertion and removal from the slot and an interfering mode for inhibiting the one or more latching tabs from disengaging from the one or more mating tabs until the interfering object is transitioned to the engagement mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael E. Woods
  • Patent number: 7882601
    Abstract: A snap clip lug, including receptacle member, clasp member and a post. Receptacle member has a body including a sleeve, first post formation means connected to the body, and a locking slot disposed in relation to the sleeve. The sleeve includes a retaining wall and an opening at one end for receiving the clasp member. Clasp member has a base, second post formation means connected to the base, and a resilient arm extending outwardly from the base and having a locking tab for engaging the locking slot. The locking tab is adapted to slidingly engage the retaining wall and to be received by the locking slot. The post, which is disposed perpendicularly between the receptacle member and the clasp member, is formed from first and second post formation means having engaged one another when the resilient arm is inserted in the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Climax Molybdenum Company
    Inventor: Khanh Phu Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7874049
    Abstract: Disclosed is a buckle attached to a belt or a strap which is connected to a rucksack, a bag, clothing, and a helmet, etc. so as to connect the belt or the strap. The buckle includes: a male member including a body and first latching means; and a female member which includes a body and second latching means rotatably coupled to the body so as to latch on the first latching means, for removably engaging with the male member. The buckle constructed as described above has a simple structure. Thus, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the buckle. Furthermore, there is an advantage in that the second latching means of the female member may be softly pushed, so as to easily release the male member from the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Nam Il Paik
  • Patent number: 7866008
    Abstract: A latching mechanism for securing foot apparel to a user's foot. The latching mechanism comprises a first connecting member, a second connecting member, wherein the first connecting member is capable of mating, or interlocking, with the second connecting member. The first connecting member includes a receiving head having an aperture, and an arm, wherein the arm is adjacent the receiving head and the second connecting member includes a locking tongue and an arm, wherein the arm is adjacent the locking tongue. In some embodiments, the first connecting member and second connecting member include a fastener element. The arm of the first connecting member and the arm of the second connecting member further include an aperture that is capable of receiving a securing mechanism. Additional embodiments of the latching mechanism also include a buckle system including a base having complementary sections capable of mating and being laterally adjustable, a button which actuates a floating locking mechanism, and a dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fotofeet, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen Laks
  • Patent number: 7841345
    Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and at least one locking clip. The frame has a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, at least one of the side frame members including a locking clip receiver assembly. The at least one locking clip has a main body providing a front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and a rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly. The rear portion includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion includes at least one resiliently flexible spring arm that is flexible within the plane of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Memduh Guney, Amal Amarasinghe, Perry Lithgow, Milind Raje, Aaron Davidson, Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 7775010
    Abstract: In a first aspect, a plurality of slab bolster elements, each including a bolster frame member having a male connector disposed on a first end and a female connector disposed on an opposite end, with the male connector including first and second outer prongs for engaging a complementary female connector and the female connector including first and second opposing side walls with first and second transverse slats extending between the side walls so as to form a socket, the male connector further including a flexible prong extending inwardly between the outer prongs, with the flexible prong including a free inward end and a wedge element configured to resiliently contact and lockingly engage the first transverse slat of another of the plurality of slab bolster elements. In a second aspect, a continuous slab bolster assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Dayton Superior Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Lee, Clifford D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7770267
    Abstract: Two wedges extended from the first arm and the second arm of the waist-strap fastener respectively are utilized to engage with the waist-strap button. With inclined surfaces that face with each other on the first arm and the second arm, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is capable of squeezing through the gap between the first arm and the second arm. With the surfaces on the other side of the wedges respectively, the mounting section of the waist-strap button is securely held by the surfaces such that the waist-strap button is secured in the waist-strap fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shun-Min Chen, Jian-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7725993
    Abstract: A passive latch provided in a clasped buckle provides a clasping action with no active release. The passive latch is disengaged when the buckle parts are separated through application of a separation force. The separation force can be provided in part by a component of a pinching force applied to another latch mechanism to release the other latch mechanism. The buckle may include other child resistant features, and can be composed of impact modified nylon to resist loss of tolerances or deformation to contribute to maintaining the child resistant features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Patent number: 7685685
    Abstract: A seatbelt assembly with a buckle has 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 female part can have an arcuate outer surface to increase the overall durability of the buckle and resist damaging external forces or damaging misuse. The female part can also be provided with lateral shoulders to make the female part harder to withdraw and thus more child resistant. The seatbelt assembly with the child resistant buckle can be operated easily by an adult, while remaining secure from disengagement by a typical child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Patent number: 7681288
    Abstract: A child safety buckle used in a child restraint includes structural support and selected materials to resist deformation or failure when subjected to impact or compressive forces. The buckle may have a child resistant feature that is more tolerant to impact or compressive forces due to the structural support and material selection. The structure may include thickened walls or added arcuate portions or ribs. The material can be impact modified nylon to improve durability while resisting deformation and cracking. The resulting buckle design is more robust in harsh environments, while providing consistent operation for restraining a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Patent number: 7650675
    Abstract: A buckle includes a plug 2 and a socket 3 connected to each other in a predetermined connecting direction. The plug 2 includes a tongue-like portion 22 and a first projected portion 23 projected from the tongue-like portion 22 in a thickness direction crossing to the connecting direction and having, thereon, a first locked face 24. The socket 3 includes an insertion hole 32 and a first stepped portion 33 formed at the insertion hole 32 and having, thereon, a first locking face 34 engaged with the first locked face 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Ida
  • Patent number: 7650676
    Abstract: A buckle includes a male member (A) and a female member (B). The male member includes a base portion (10), a pair of leg portions (20) projected from the base portion and an engagement portion (25) that is provided to each of the leg portions and engagement with the female member. The base portion includes a projected portion (14) that is projected in a projecting direction of the leg portions (20), the projected portion (14) projected in such a manner that a projecting amount gradually increases from width-direction ends of the base portion toward a center. The leg portions each include an outer leg piece (21) and an inner leg piece (22) and further includes a tip-end connector (24) that connects the outer leg piece and the inner leg piece. A base end of the inner leg piece is positioned on the projected portion (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Natsuko Saitsu
  • Patent number: 7640639
    Abstract: A quick connect coupling assembly has a first and second component, and a locking assembly structured to retain the components in an attached orientation with one another. The locking assembly includes a plurality of locking elements each having a locking arm with a locking member mounted to a distal end, wherein the locking members are maintained in an outwardly extending orientation by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may comprise magnetic biasing elements attached to each oppositely disposed locking element, the magnetic biasing elements structured to create a repulsive magnetic force between one another. The quick connect coupling assembly also includes a release mechanism to permit the locking members to be temporarily disposed into a retracted orientation, thereby permitting the first and second components to be detached from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: DeBien Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Humberto de Bien
  • Patent number: 7600513
    Abstract: A connector arrangement joining a respiratory mask and headgear is adapted for single-handed disengagement by the patient. A first, rigid connector part 470 is formed into the rigid mask frame 400, with a mating second connector 600 attached to a strap of the headgear. The connectors are held away from the patient's face by the connection to the mask frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: ResMed Limited
    Inventors: Michael K. Gunaratnam, Philip R. Kwok
  • Patent number: 7600302
    Abstract: A buckle for use with infant seats and the like having a release button slideably mounted within a hollow buckle housing for simultaneously releasing a pair of male buckle members latched in the housing. A bottom bar is slideably mounted into the housing and provided with locking hooks received within openings provided in the housing for permanently locking the bottom bar to the housing. The bottom bar and male projection members are provided with openings for webbing belts. The housing has integral guide ribs for guiding the male members and bottom bar when inserted into the housing to ensure proper insertion and alignment in the housing. All of the members of the buckle assembly are preferably molded of a suitable plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Inventor: James Michael Dillner
  • Publication number: 20090178253
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member, which has two female coupling arms each having a forwardly extending coupling hole and a side opening, a male buckle member, which has two forwardly extending spring arms and two male coupling arms respectively forwardly extending from the spring arms and insertable with the spring arms into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms for engagement with the side openings of the female coupling arms, and an adapter member, which has a mounting base that is inserted into a receiving space between the female coupling arms of the female buckle member before connection of the male buckle member and locked thereto after connection of the male buckle member and a coupling device at the top side for fastening to an external object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: NIFCO TAIWAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yao-Ming Yang
  • Publication number: 20090178251
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member that has two female coupling arms each with a forwardly extending coupling hole and a side opening, and a male buckle member that has two spring arms and two male coupling arms respectively supported on the spring arms and insertable with the spring arms into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms for engagement with the side openings of the female coupling arms. The female coupling arms are elastically outwardly deformable to lower the insertion force of the male buckle member. Disengaging the male coupling arms from the female coupling arms does not cause the female coupling arms to deform elastically outwards, and therefore a high deplugging force is required. An adapter may be provided to secure the female buckle member to an external object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: NIFCO TAIWAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yao-Ming Yang
  • Publication number: 20090178252
    Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member that has two coupling holes axially disposed at two sides of a female buckle base thereof and two side openings transversely disposed at an outer side relative to the coupling holes, and a male buckle member that has two male coupling arms for insertion into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms, a male buckle base, and two spring arms respectively connected between the male coupling arms and two distal ends of the male buckle base, each spring arm having a buffer space and a ?-shaped buffer arm portion connected between the associating male coupling arm and the male buckle base at an outer side of the buffer space for allowing elastic deformation of the spring arm during connection/disconnection between the male buckle member and the female buckle member, achieving the effect of low insertion (plugging) force and high extraction (deplugging) force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: NIFCO TAIWAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yao-Ming Yang
  • Patent number: 7559126
    Abstract: A double action reversible safety buckle is disengaged by pinching side arms together to be free of the socket, while depressing a button or other device to free an internal latch from a catch on the socket. The plug or the socket is symmetrical with respect to the latch on the catch, so that the buckle may be clasped and secured without regard for the orientation of the socket and the plug. The internal latch may be made to be operated concurrently with the side arms, or sequentially to provide additional safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Paul Giampavolo
  • Publication number: 20090100652
    Abstract: A buckle, operating between a locked position and a released position, comprising a male buckle member having a plurality of locking members, and a female buckle member. The female buckle member includes a housing, a plurality of engaging portions formed on the housing for engaging with the locking members, a latch member slidably disposed in the housing for preventing the locking members from disengaging with the engaging portions in the locked position, and a bias device connecting the latch member to the housing for biasing said latch member against the locking member in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: Yuet Ying Mok