Having Inserted End Formed By Oppositely Biased Surface Segments Patents (Class 24/625)
  • Patent number: 5893199
    Abstract: A buckle having a device for gripping a length of webbing, comprising a buckle body formed from two side arms connected by an end arm. A locking device is connected to the ends of the side arms. A first transverse bar is mounted between the two side arms. A second transverse bar having a gripping surface is mounted between the first transverse bar and the end arm, and is vertically offset from the first transverse bar. A gripping cam is pivotally mounted between the two side arms and in between the transverse bars. The gripping cam has a gripping surface that contacts the second transverse bar and an opposite free end. A length of webbing threaded between the second transverse bar is securely held between the gripping surfaces of the transverse bar and gripping cam until the free end of the cam is pressed downward. If the cam breaks, the webbing is still held in place by the two transverse bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: National Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5890635
    Abstract: A carrying attachment includes a clamping member and a retaining member. The clamping member includes a lug portion with a flat major surface, and left and right jaw arms which extend from the first lug portion and which are of a dimension sufficient for flexing toward each other. Each of the jaw arms includes a clamping segment that defines an inner clamping wall transverse to the flat major surface, and a first outer wall. The inner clamping walls of the clamping segments of the jaw arms are shaped so as to clamp a constricted part of a container therebetween. A hook end portion extends from the clamping segment and defines an inner wall and a second outer wall which are transverse to the flat major surface and which form deflection junctures with the inner clamping wall and the first outer wall. The hook end portion has a snapping protrusion that extends from the second outer wall in a direction opposite to the inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Assignee: Dyna Chain Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nai-Foun Wu, Eric Wu
  • Patent number: 5889653
    Abstract: A strap spring mounts a heat sink to an electronic device by snapping holes in the leg over ears of a catch on the socket. Two perpendicularly extending springs have an opening between them so that the springs fit between the fins of a heat sink and are latched in ratched indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Thermalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Clemens, Matthew C. Smithers
  • Patent number: 5860199
    Abstract: A quick-release belt buckle which includes a body fastened to a first end of a belt, the body having a I-shaped retainer block supported on a spring in between a bottom plate and a top cover plate, and a plug member fastened to a second end of the belt, the plug member having a hooked retaining portion at a front end thereof which is forced into engagement with a beveled bottom wall of the retainer block when the plug member is inserted into a mouth in an open frame in the body, the plug member being disconnected from the retainer block when the retainer block is pressed down to compress the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Inventor: Chun Chien Liu
  • Patent number: 5857819
    Abstract: A cotter pin which is engageable with a fastening member is formed from a wire and includes a bight with a pair of legs that extend therefrom. Specifically, the bight is formed with shoulders that will substantially conform with a surface of the fastening member. Also, each end of the legs of the cotter pin is formed with a retainer member which has an abutment that will substantially conform with another surface of the fastening member. More specifically, one surface is at one end of an aperture which passes through the fastening member, and the other surface is at the other end of the aperture. Each retainer member is formed with a point at the end of its respective leg, and these points are spaced from each other by a distance which is less than the diameter of the aperture that is formed through the fastening member. For engagement of the cotter pin with the fastening member, the points of the retainer members are positioned at an opening of the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Macbrud Corporation
    Inventors: Banning Gray Lary, Paul W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5855057
    Abstract: A plug and socket-type buckle assembly in which the plug portion comprises a base and a flexible plate integrally formed therewith. A locking lug extends across the free end of the plate and protrudes above and below the flat surfaces of the plate. The socket portion comprises a top part and a bottom part integrally formed therewith to define a cavity for receiving the plug portion. The top part has a flexible release button integrally formed therewith, with a downwardly projecting tip. There is at least one projecting ledge disposed on the inside surface of the top part for engaging one side of the locking lug when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion. A flexible tongue is integrally formed with the bottom part and has means for engaging an opposite side of the locking lug when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion. Downward pressure on the release button when the plug portion is inserted in the socket portion disengages the locking lug from the projecting ledge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: National Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5852854
    Abstract: The invention relates to an obturating stopper plug as well as to a method of manufacture of this stopper plug.The stopper plug for obturating any opening (2) and comprising a bead of heat-fusible adhesive (7) deposited upon the said stopper plug is characterized in that the bead of heat-fusible adhesive (7) comprises:(a) an adhesive mixture,(b) a cross-linking agent,(c) an expansion agent decomposing at a temperature close to the cross-linking temperature of the adhesive mixture (a),(d) additives for working purposes.The invention is applicable to the obturation, for example, of an opening in a plate to be passed into a drying oven for paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: Rapid S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Michael Pierrot, Jean-Pierre Leon, Philippe Vigouroux
  • Patent number: 5851194
    Abstract: A quick release orthopedic limb brace having an upright assembly and a clip member. The clip member is quickly and selectively inserted and removed from a clip housing on the upright assembly, at the convenience of a user. When the clip is locked in the clip housing, the resulting joint connection effectively prevents relative movement between the clip and the upright assembly to prevent injury or harm to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Inventor: Richard A. Fratrick
  • Patent number: 5845376
    Abstract: A side release buckle is composed of a female part and a male part. The female part has a compressive device consisting of a spindle, a compression spring, and a wedge-shaped element. The male part has two latching elements and two locking elements and is capable of reaching a preset depth in the course of buckling action such that the locking elements come into contact with the wedge-shaped element of the compressive device of the female part, and that the locking elements move apart by the slope of the wedge-shaped element so as to move in a curving form until the locking elements press against the latching elements, and further that the male part and the female part are buckled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Chen Chang Tung
  • Patent number: 5839793
    Abstract: A child restraint system for use in a vehicle. The restraint includes a harness having a pair of webs extending over and adjacent the child's chest and through a pair of soft socks adjustable along the length of each web. The bottom of each sock includes a rigid base having a slot through which the web extends limiting twisting movement of each web. A quick disconnect connector is pivotally connected to each base allowing the webs extending through the socks to conformingly fit against the child while lateral movement of the webs is limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Indiana Mills & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Merrick, Peter E. Miller, Gerald W. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5794316
    Abstract: A side release buckle having an improved locking mechanism includes a male plug member and a female socket member. The plug member has a pair of resiliently flexible arm members. Each arm member defines a generally V shaped latching surface arranged around the top, bottom and outer side of the arm member. The V shaped latching surface is adapted to engage a complimentary V shaped engagement surface in the socket member when the plug member is fully inserted into the socket member. The V shape of the latching surface allows the latching surface area to be more uniformly distributed around the top, bottom and outer side of the arm member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: National Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5791026
    Abstract: A side release buckle having a retaining strap includes a male plug member and a female socket member. The plug member has a pair of resiliently flexible arm members and a center piece. A retaining strap is disposed between each arm member and the center piece near the distal end of the male plug member. The retaining strap acts to prevent outward extension of the flexible arm members beyond a breaking point. The retaining strap also allows for minimal resistance for inward flexing of the arm members during normal operation of the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5778498
    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 preferred 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 includes an aperture that is capable of receiving a securing mechanism. Some preferred embodiments of the instant invention also include a button element having a stem, wherein the aperture of the receiving head of the first connecting element is capable of receiving the stem of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1998
    Inventor: David A. Laks
  • Patent number: 5774956
    Abstract: A high-security buckle including a pair of flexible side release latches and a third latch accessible on the front of the buckle. A male part of the buckle fits within a tubular body of a female part of the buckle. Disengagement of the male part can be accomplished by squeezing the side release latch catch bodies toward each other while pressing the third catch body into the body of the female part far enough for all three latches to be disengaged simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Michaels of Oregon Co.
    Inventors: John M. French, Johannes G. F. Wigger
  • Patent number: 5769560
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for detachably joining two adjacent portable stage modules. The clamp assembly is attached to the underside of one of the modules. When not in use, a spring biases the clamp away from the attachment bracket. The clamp includes two resilient, outwardly curving wing elements. Each wing element has a pair of opposing locking slots or engaging surfaces. A variable distance from a midpoint of a line segment between the two forward locking slots to the rear locking slots is the operational criterion for detachably joining two stage modules. When the wing elements are inwardly biased toward each other, thereby assuming a tension position, the distance between the midpoint and the rear locking slots is greater than when the wing elements are in a relaxed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Wenger Corporation
    Inventor: Grant S. Quam
  • Patent number: 5737810
    Abstract: A side release buckle has a female member and a male member which includes a central post that is received in a channel of the female member and a pair of spaced somewhat parallel flexible engagement or latching arms having protuberances or heads that have crescent shaped latching shoulders. The arms flex inwardly as they enter an opening into a cavity of the female member and then outwardly when the heads are aligned with the side aperture at which the crescent shaped shoulders engage surfaces of the side walls of the female member adjacent these apertures. The crescent shaped shoulders supply increased bearing area capable of resisting more efficiently the linear and torsional loads normally encountered by side released buckles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: American Cord & Webbing Co, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Krauss
  • Patent number: 5729877
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pinch resistant buckle assembly to reduce the potential for pinching the skin of a person when connecting a female receptacle and a male latch of the assembly. The male latch has an outwardly extending engagement portion which is received by a female receptacle. The female receptacle has a body having a chamber adapted to releasably engage the engagement portion of the male latch. The chamber has an opening at the engagement end of the female receptacle body through which the engagement portion of the latch passes to engage the chamber.A guide shield is located adjacent the opening and extends substantially away from the opening in a direction from which the male latch is inserted. Extending the shield outwardly away from the opening effectively enlarges the area of the opening by providing a larger effective area to guide the engagement portion of the male latch into the opening. The guide shield provides an extended surface leading into the chamber through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1998
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Kwai Kong, Thomas K. Geraty, Christopher G. Asplin
  • Patent number: 5657493
    Abstract: A diving mask includes a frame with a front portion and first and second side portions and enclosing at least one lens, a flexible skirt secured to the frame and constructed and arranged to provide a water-tight seal between the frame and the user's face, at least one of the side portions having one of a first and second coupling portions of a quick-release buckle assembly, and a mask strap having first and second ends, at least one of which being engaged with the other of the first and second coupling portions for effecting a releasably lockable coupling of the strap to the frame. A major feature of the present invention is that the mask strap is adjustable in length independently of its attachment to the mask frame, while being readily detachable from the mask frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Dacor Corporation
    Inventors: James Ferrero, James R. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5620210
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for connecting adjacent ends of conduits, primarily used for aircraft fuel, water and oxygen lines having redundant locking features is provided. This coupling can be manipulated with one hand and includes laterally spaced locking tines which engage a mating channel for locking the coupling in secured relationship. The coupling assembly can be manipulated with one hand and has viewing ports to ensure that all parts are in place. A pivotal locking member is provided to supply additional redundancy. The locking member has at least one fin which is received between the locking tines and snaps into locking position when the coupling is securely fastened. If the coupling is not securely fastened, the fin will not fit between the tines, thereby preventing the locking member from snapping into locked position. Thus, the mechanic will know that the coupling is not securely fastened and will take steps to remedy the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Stanley Aviation Corporation
    Inventors: Todd A. Eyster, Albert B. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5602719
    Abstract: An electronic package assembly that has a clip which attaches a heat sink to an electronic package and can be rotated to separate the package from a socket. The assembly includes a socket that is mounted to a printed circuit board and attached to a lower frame. The electronic package is attached to an upper frame that is pivotally connected to the lower frame. The package can be plugged and unplugged from the socket by rotating the upper frame relative to the lower frame. The clip has a first end with an aperture that is connected to a corresponding tab of the lower frame, and a second opposite end that has an aperture which is connected to a corresponding tab of the upper frame. The clip has a spring portion that extends across the heat sink and which presses the heat sink onto the package. The second clip end has a handle portion which allows the end user to pull the clip and rotate the upper frame away from the lower frame to detach the package from the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Kinion
  • Patent number: 5590444
    Abstract: A releasable buckle is provided having a male member and female member. The male member includes a base having first and second sides, an end surface therebetween, at least one resilient spring arm extending from the end surface and at least one portion adjacent the first side extending from the base. The female member includes a top and bottom wall and a channel disposed therebetween and an opening exposing the cavity for receiving the male member. The female member further includes means complimentary in shape and position to the portion for receiving the portion. The portion extending from the male member and the means for receiving the male member together constitute an interlocking key system which functions to distribute the stress from the loads to the top and bottom walls of the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: American Cord & Webbing Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Krauss
  • Patent number: 5584106
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for releasably connecting a first strap to a second strap. The buckle assembly includes a male clasp and a female. The male clasp frictionally engages the first strap with row of teeth along a strap bar. A planar shield on the male clasp covers the strap bar to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. The female buckle engages the second strap and can be readily connected and disconnected from the male strap with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5584105
    Abstract: A quick disconnect buckle includes a female member with opposed side openings and a lateral opening and a male member with longitudinally extending arms and an intermediate bar that includes a lug that engages with the lateral opening. Camming surfaces on the arms and side openings causing the arms to cam against the bar to thereby lift the lug out of the lateral opening to free the male member from the female member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1996
    Assignee: American Cord & Webbing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Krauss
  • Patent number: 5551131
    Abstract: A multiple-piece buckle having a socket member and at least one plug member, wherein the plug member has a resilient tongue having a pair of laterally projecting wings or latches near a distal end thereof, and wherein the socket member includes a pair of lugs which are adapted to engage the latches to lock the plug member into the socket member. The socket member includes a hinged plate or button in a top face thereof which can be depressed to force the wings of the resilient tongue of the plug member away from the lugs to release the wings so as to disengage the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: National Molding Corp.
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5548879
    Abstract: A fastener device including a male fastener, a female fastener and a lock button. The male fastener has a pair of opposite outward projecting pressing latch boards integrally formed at two front ends thereof. Each pressing latch board has an integral inward projecting latch lug formed with a middle notch. The lock button is rotatably disposed on a latch seat of the female fastener and has a boss formed with lock blocks, whereby the lock button can be rotated to make the lock blocks of the boss thereof engaged into the notches of the latch lugs of the male fastener, so that the pressing latch boards of the male fastener are prevented from being withdrawn and unlocked from the latch seat of the female fastener by external force to achieve a reliable locking effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Chen-Chuan Wu
  • Patent number: 5546642
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a two-piece side-release buckle is provided comprising releasably connectable male and female members. The male member includes a strap connector base portion on which a strap or a belt may be attached. The male member also includes two resilient arms extending outwardly from the base portion. The arms each include at a free end distal to the base portion separate upper and lower abutment surfaces. The upper and lower abutment surfaces are discrete and spaced-apart from each other. The female member includes a body with a cavity therein, in which the arms of the male member may be inserted for coupling the male and female members. The body includes retaining surfaces in the cavity that are adapted for engaging one of the abutment surfaces of the male member when the male and female members are coupled to securely lock the members together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5544013
    Abstract: A CPU radiating flange mounting device including two hangers respectively made from a springy wire rod and pivotably connected to two opposite sides of a radiating flange for hanging on projecting rods on two opposite sides of a CPU holder to secure the radiating flange to the CPU holder above a CPU, which is mounted within the CPU holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Inventor: Ming D. Chiou
  • Patent number: 5540476
    Abstract: A convertible top having improved supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) for securing pliable covering (10, 12, and 14) to the linkage assembly. The means for securing the pliable covering (10, 12, and 14) includes one or more grooves (18, 20 and 22) supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) and attaching means (24, 26, 28) on the pliable covering (10, 12 and 14) which engages a groove (18, 20 or 22) in the supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) to secure the pliable covering (10, 12 and 14) in place. A method of assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventor: Lendell E. Cowsert
  • Patent number: 5507076
    Abstract: A side release buckle having an improved locking mechanism includes a male plug member and a female socket member. The plug member has a pair of resiliently flexible arm members. Each arm member includes a recess or notch disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the arm member which is adapted to engage a tooth arranged in a corresponding position in the socket member when the plug member is fully inserted into the socket member. Since the engagement or retaining force between the recess and the tooth lies along the central longitudinal axis of the arm members, this force directly opposes the load force on the buckle which acts to separate the two buckle pieces. Because of the proper positioning and arrangement of the recess and the tooth, the load force and the retaining force are aligned along the same axis, thereby providing increased holding power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5498834
    Abstract: An electronic musical instrument includes a pitch designation device for designating a pitch of a musical tone, and an operation device for setting an operation state of the electronic musical instrument and outputting operation data according to the operation state. When a pitch of a musical tone to be produced is designated, and operation data is outputted, musical tone parameters are read out from storage in accordance with the designated pitch and the operation data. The musical tone parameters include musical tone parameters directly corresponding to the designated pitch, and musical tone parameters for resonance tones. The musical tones are generated according to these readout musical tone parameters. The electronic musical instrument can obtain a resonance effect, a change in tone color, and the like, which are approximate to those of an acoustic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Inagaki, Kazuo Masaki
  • Patent number: 5486981
    Abstract: A heat dissipating assembly which is releasably secured in the assembled configuration by means of a spring clip. The spring clip being configured on one end thereof with a lever or rocker arm which permits its assembly or disassembly by hand without the use of any tools. In the disassembly phase the amount of spring tension forcing the spring clip into an engagement with the adjacent structure is greater than the spring force which is required to rotate the latching component out of the latching engagement with the supporting structure. The latching component may thus be held in the rotated configuration out of latching engagement while spring tension moves it out of engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: International Electronic Research Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Blomquist
  • Patent number: 5471716
    Abstract: A buckle having a male coupling member for attaching to one article and a female coupling member for attaching to another article. The male coupling member includes an article-attaching frame having a pair of side bars, an article-attaching bar joined at their opposed ends to the respective upper ends of the side bars and a proximal bar joined at its opposed ends to the respective lower ends so as to rotate on its own axis, and a locking member including a joint portion integrally mounted on the upper end of the locking member and mounted on the proximal bar so as to rotate on the axis of the locking member which is substantially normal to the axis of the proximal bar. The female coupling member includes a housing body and an article-attaching portion provided on the housing body and attachable to the other article; and means for locking the locking bar into the housing body so as to rotate on the housing body around the axis which is perpendicular to the plane of the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5465472
    Abstract: A plug member of a buckle has a pair of engaging legs receivable in a socket member to couple the plug member and the socket member. The engaging legs are curved inwardly toward each other and each of which has an elongated opening extending longitudinally thereof and extending across its thickness. The socket member includes an upper plate and a lower plate defining therebetween a guide chamber and interconnected by a central guide wall. The socket member includes a pair of retaining portions disposed in the guide chamber for interlocking engagement with a pair of locking portions formed at the leading ends of the respective engaging legs. Each of the engaging legs each has a recessed thin guide portion which is smaller in thickness than an operating portion of each engaging leg. The buckle thus constructed is relatively small in thickness, can be coupled and uncoupled reliably and smoothly with a relatively small force, and is able to withstand undue force or pressure tending to damage the buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Matoba
  • Patent number: 5459910
    Abstract: A buckle assembly for releasably connecting a first strap to a second strap. The buckle assembly includes a male clasp and a female buckle. The male clasp slidably engages the first strap with a strap bar. A planar shield on the male clasp covers the strap bar to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. The female buckle engages the second strap and can be readily connected and disconnected from the male strap with a single hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Anscher
  • Patent number: 5444899
    Abstract: A yieldable safety connection including a male portion (20) insertable into a female portion (30) for separation therefrom when both portions are subjected to counter-directed traction forces exceeding a certain magnitude. The male portion (20) includes a fork-like device (40) including a first arm (21) and a second arm (22), while the female portion (30) includes a first material portion (31) and a second material portion (32) between which the fork-like device of the male portion is located when the male portion has been inserted in the female portion. Both arms of the male portion and both material portions of the female portion are provided with locking devices (23, 24; and 33, 34, respectively), which are provided with abutment surfaces (43, 44 and 73, 74 respectively) oriented at an oblique angle in relation to the major direction of the traction forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Lars Brandel
    Inventor: Leo Koppelomaki
  • Patent number: 5443039
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a collar for a cat, which is releasable if the collar is caught on a dangerous protrusion, such as a tree branch or fence portion, thereby preventing accidental choking of the cat. The collar includes a receptacle buckle with an interior rounded tongue snap portion engageable with a corresponding rounded forked element. The rounded forked element is adapted to receive the rounded tongue snap portion to lock the buckle in place upon the neck of the cat. The forked element of the collar is separated from the receptacle when the cat exerts above normal tensional forces upon the collar, such as when trying to free itself from an obstruction caught in the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: The Hartz Mountain Corp.
    Inventor: Bernard Suchowski
  • Patent number: 5440792
    Abstract: A buckle for fastening loose ends of a strap or the like comprises a male or plug member and a female or socket member releasably engageable therewith. The plug member includes an elastically deformable locking arm and a retaining lug underlying and supporting the arm when the latter undergoes elastic deformation upon engagement with an engaging surface formed in the socket member. The locking arm has an elongated arcuate cavity for snapping engagement with a complementarily shaped engaging surface in the socket member to ensure stable coupling of the two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Kazuo Ida
  • Patent number: 5438737
    Abstract: A buckle assembly configured for one-handed release by an operator thereof, including a pair of clasps, each having a release tab. Each of the clasps are adapted for release by pressure from a single finger of the operator on the release tab. A main buckle is designed to independently and releasably engage the clasps. The main buckle is configured so that both clasps are releasable from the main buckle with two fingers of one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: National Molding Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Anscher, John Bull
  • Patent number: 5433498
    Abstract: With the trim connecting structure in accordance with the present invention, a quarter trim covering a quarter panel and the room inside of side sill comprises a trim body and a side scuff. The trim body is provided with a locking hole with different widths at the upper and lower ends, and the side scuff is provided with a locking claw having a notch so as to be elastically deformed inward in the width direction when the locking claw is inserted into the locking hole. The side scuff is locked into and fixed to the trim body by inserting the locking claw into the locking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Ishiwata
  • Patent number: 5419020
    Abstract: A buckle comprising a plug having a base plate and a pair of resilient arms extending forward from the base plate; each arms having a coupling hook; a socket including a pair of upper and lower walls to define therebetween a chamber for receiving the arms and a pair of coupling lugs mounted in the chamber; as inserted into the chamber, the arms being first compressed laterally thereof by the lugs against its own resiliency and, after the coupling hooks pass beyond the respective lugs expanded under its own resiliency to bring the coupling hooks into coupling engagement with the coupling lugs; and a lock member mounted in the chamber so as to reciprocally move between a locking position and an unlocking position; the lock member comprising two or first or second pairs of locking members, each locking member in each pair being opposed to the other locking member, respectively, in said each pair; the lock member resiliently fitted in an elongated aperture of the upper wall, with the first and second locking memb
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventor: Ryukichi Murai
  • Patent number: 5383257
    Abstract: A buckle is coinjection molded from different resins to provide a visually distinguishable section to which digital pressure is applied to release the buckle. The protuberance of a spring arm of the male member to which digital pressure is applied may be injected molded of a different colored resin or a guard to which digital pressure is applied protects and extends over the projection. The different colored resin may also be luminescent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1995
    Assignee: American Cord & Webbing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Krauss
  • Patent number: 5379496
    Abstract: A cord release buckle includes a cylindrical female member with a central bore and diametrically opposed openings and a cylindrical male member having a pair of spring arms having a hooked head at their free ends. The male member is adapted to be inserted into the female member until the heads of the spring arms snap into the opposed openings to releasably latch the male member to the female member. Several different termination arrangements serve to receive and anchor the ends of cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: American Cord & Webbing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Krauss
  • Patent number: 5375286
    Abstract: A quick-release connector for connecting a handle to a mop head or the like comprises a first section for attachment to the handle and a second section for attachment to the mop head. The first section has a plurality of receptacles which mate with a similar plurality of bayonet projections in the second section. At least one of the bayonet projections is resiliently flexible and flexes outward when the first and second sections are pushed together so as to mate with and be securely gripped by an indentation in the first section providing a positive interlock between the sections. Another of the bayonet projections is a rigid, longer bayonet which acts as a guide when the two sections are connected together. The first section also has a polygon-shaped, shallow recess which mates with a similar polygon-shaped protrusion in the second section when the two sections are pushed together to provide resistance to torsional stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: QRC Partnership
    Inventor: David W. Harrah
  • Patent number: 5355562
    Abstract: A buckle includes a triangular projection provided on a male member for deflecting a resilient force of a resilient member toward a direction of removal of the male member. When locking elements of the male member are disengaged from retaining elements of a female member in response to the movement of a pair of actuating members, the triangular projection is operated to thrust out the male member from the female member under the resiliency of the resilient member. Thus, the buckle can be detached with one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K.K.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Matoba, Ryukichi Murai
  • Patent number: 5331726
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a band link with a safety device for use in adjusting and fixing a shoulder band or a waist band of various bags or rucksacks wherein after the band is suitably adjusted according to the physique of the user, the locking piece connected at the side of the band link is moved and fixed toward the band-controlling toothed side, so the band is not disengaged and is fixed as it stands even if excessive force or shock is exerted on the band link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1994
    Inventor: Sam Am Suh
  • Patent number: 5329426
    Abstract: A clip-on heat sink assembly includes a spring and electrically-insulating braces. The spring is shaped to fit over a heat sink and a chip carrier package and engage with the braces which support the chip carrier package. The spring holds the heat sink in place and forces the heat sink and the chip carrier package together in order to maintain good thermal contact. An alternative embodiment includes a spring with the braces attached to form one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation
    Inventor: Angelo Villani
  • Patent number: 5327619
    Abstract: A fastener constructed of a receptacle enclosure shell (10), a frame structure (30) containing flexible beams (34, 35), and a plunger insert (50), is disclosed. The flexible beams (34, 35) contain transverse fins (36, 37) for releasably engaging internal salient ridges (16, 17) extending from within transverse walls (25, 26) of a main cavity (21) defined within receptacle enclosure shell (10) . The receptacle enclosure shell (10), also includes a notched end wall (14) for slidably retaining plunger insert (50). plunger insert (50) has forked fingers (52, 53) that are internally constrained within main cavity (21) of receptacle enclosure shell (10), and are directed towards transverse fins (36, 37) of flexible beams (34, 35), heretofore inserted into receptacle enclosure shell (10). plunger insert (50) also contains a slidable shaft (54) Which extends out through notched end wall (14) of receptacle enclosure shell (10), and at its outermost extremity, projects a boss (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Inventor: Victor A. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5322037
    Abstract: Slip prohibiting engaging portions provided in a female member and a male member elastically fit with each other in the crossing direction relative to a sliding and fitting direction when the female member and the male member are slid and fitted with each other to give a predetermined resistance when the female member and male member are pulled out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Inventor: Masashi Tozawa
  • Patent number: 5319836
    Abstract: A buckle comprises a plug member and a socket member relasably engageable therewith, the plug member including a retainer means in the form of a disc-like collet and a stopper means adapted to hold the retainer means stationery after the latter is rotated into position in the body of the plug member. The retainer means is normally urged upwardly by a coil spring and serves as a fulcrum about which the plug member and the socket member can be moved rotatably relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1994
    Assignee: Yoshida Kogyo K. K.
    Inventor: Kazuo Ida
  • Patent number: 5311649
    Abstract: A bag fastener with a fixing piece includes a locking piece insertable into a fastening body, such that the fastener does not unlock in use. When the unlocking the fastener from a locked condition, the locking piece is released and unlocked from the fastening body. Accordingly it is possible to use the fastener safely because it is not unlocked in use by natural forces, in contrast with known fasteners which are unlocked in use by natural forces acting on the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: Sam A. Suh