Releasable connecting device

Abstract

A device for reversibly connecting together a first element and a second element designed to be alternately connected and disconnected includes a male element, inserted into a female element to move from a mutually disengaged state to a mutually engaged state, and a slider, for actuation/release of the engaged state, which is slidingly engaged by the male element into the female element. The relative movement of the actuation/release slider and the male element is transferred to first releasable locking members of the male element, which cooperate with corresponding second locking members of the female element to move from a stable locked state to a stable unlocked state of the male element by a movement of the slider in the direction of insertion. Furthermore, the male element includes a handle having the slider at least partially and slidingly housed therein.

Claims

1. A device for reversibly connecting together a first element and a second element, said first and said second elements are designed to be alternately connected and disconnected, comprising: a male element (1) designed to be connected to one end of said first element, said male element (1) being inserted into a female element (2), designed to be connected to one end of said second element, such that said male element (1) and said female element (2) move from a mutually disengaged state to a mutually engaged state; and a slider (3) for actuation/release of said mutually engaged state, said slider (3) being slidingly engaged by said male element (1) along an axis of insertion of said male element (1) into said female element (2), a relative movement of said slider (3) and said male element (1) being transferred to first releasable locking members of said male element (1), which cooperate with corresponding second locking members of said female element (2) to move from a stable locked state to a stable unlocked state of said male element (1) relative to said female element (2), the movement from the unlocked state to the locked state being obtained by causing the movement of said slider (3) in a direction of insertion, wherein said male element comprises a handle (13) having said slider (3) at least partially and slidingly housed therein.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle (13) and said slider (3) are formed as one piece.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle (13) has a housing seat (131) for said slider (3), which is formed within a thickness of walls of said handle (13), the housing seat (131) having abutment surfaces (132) for abutment of corresponding outer surfaces (37) of said slider (3) such that, from the locked state, the movement of said handle (13) in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion will cause the abutment surfaces (132) to abut the outer surfaces (37) of said slider (3), thereby causing the slider (3) to move in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion, from the locked state to the unlocked state.

4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle (12) has a hole (133) at an end opposite to the female element (2), making the slider (3) is accessible from outside the handle (13).

5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider (3) moves from a rearwardmost state, corresponding to the active unlocked state, to a forwardmost state, corresponding to the locked state, and wherein said slider (3) consists of an elongate element (31) having an enlarged head (32) at an end that faces said female element (2), such that as said enlarged head (32) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state, said enlarged head presses said first locking members toward inner walls of said female element (2), causing said first locking members to engage the second locking members located on the inner walls of said female element (2).

6. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, when said slider (3) is in the rearwardmost state, said slider projects out of a hole (133) in said handle (13) with an end opposite to said enlarged head (32).

7. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein, when said slider (3) is in the rearwardmost state, said slider has an end opposite to said enlarged head (32) within said handle (13).

8. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said handle (13) has at least one aperture for indicating the rearwardmost state or the forwardmost state of said slider (3).

9. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two first locking members consist of two peripheral tongues (111, 112), said enlarged head (32) having two head edges at each end, which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end sections of said two peripheral tongues (111, 112), with said head edges of said enlarged head (32) acting as abutment surfaces for said end head edges of said peripheral tongues (111, 112), such that said two peripheral tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship as said slider (3) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said two peripheral tongues (111, 112) have an outer tapered lead-in end section, said enlarged head (32) of the slider (3) having a curved surface (33), on an outer side facing toward said female element (2), the curved surface (33) connecting to the two end sections of said peripheral tongues (111, 112) in the forwardmost state of said slider (3), thereby forming a seamless surface therewith.

11. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said slider (3) is provided at a longitudinal axis of said male element (1), said first locking members being placed at sides of said slider (3), and having each a first engagement tooth (115) which connects to a corresponding second engagement tooth (211) on inner walls of said female element (2).

12. The device as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said two first locking members consists of a rigid element, which are in a stable maximum close-together relationship when said slider (3) is in the rearwardmost state, whereas said two rigid elements (111, 112) are in a maximum spaced-apart relationship when said slider (3) is the forwardmost state.

13. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the two first locking members consist of two peripheral tongues (111, 112) which have an outer tapered lead-in end section, each tongue (111, 112) having, at a given distance from said lead-in end section, a first engagement tooth (115) formed by a recess (116) in said tongue, said recess (116) being located at a connection area with a substantially longitudinal straight section of said tongue, said enlarged head (32) of the slider (3) having a curved surface (33), on an outer side facing toward said female element (2), said curved surface (33) connecting to two end sections of said tongues (111, 112) in the forwardmost state of said slider (3), thereby forming a seamless surface therewith, said enlarged head (32) having two head edges at each end, which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end sections of said two tongues (111, 112), said head edges of said enlarged head (32) acting as abutment surfaces for said head edges of said tongues (111, 112), such that said two tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship as said slider (3) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13, wherein said enlarged head (32) has two extensions, which are inclined in relation to the axis of insertion, said extensions forming guide wings (322) cooperating with stop wings (117), each tongue having a stop wing (117), which extends with a given inclination toward said guide wings (322), said guide wings (322) and said stop wings (117) cooperating together to ensure that said wings are spaced apart as the slider moves forward and that the wings are drawn close together as the slider moves rearward, thereby ensuring locking engagement or disengagement in response to a push or pull action on said slider (3).

15. The device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the enlarged head (32) has two grooves inclined in relation to a sliding axis of said slider (3), said grooves being adapted to cooperate with said tongues (111, 112) to drive said two tongues (111, 112) outwards as said slider (3) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state and inwards as said slider (3) moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state, such that said two tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship as said slider (3) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state and such that said two tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pulled and held in a maximum close-together relationship as said slider (3) moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state.

16. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first element is a weight pocket, and the second element is at least part of a diving jacket, said male element (1) having fixation members (35, 38) for fixation of said weight pocket.

17. A reversible connection device for reversibly connecting together a first element and a second element, said first and said second elements being designed to be alternately connected and disconnected, comprising: a male element (1) designed to be connected to one end of said first element; a female element (2) receiving said male element and designed to be connected to one end of said second element, such that said male element (1) and said female element (2) move from a mutually disengaged state to a mutually engaged state, and a slider (3) for actuation/release of said mutually engaged state, said slider (3) being slidingly engaged by said male element (1) along an axis of insertion of said male element (1) into said female element (2), a relative movement of said slider (3) and said male element (1) being transferred to first releasable locking members of said male element (1), which cooperate with corresponding second locking members of said female element (2) to move from a stable locked state to a stable unlocked state of said male element (1) relative to said female element (2), a movement from the unlocked state to the locked state being obtained by causing a movement of said slider (3) in said direction of insertion, wherein said slider (3) moves from a rearwardmost state, corresponding to the unlocked state, to a forwardmost state, corresponding to the stable locked state, and wherein said slider (3) consists of an elongate element (31), which has an enlarged head (32) at an end that faces said female element (2), such that as said enlarged head (32) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state, said enlarged head presses said first locking members toward inner walls of said female element (2), causing said first locking members to engage with the second locking members located on the inner walls of said female element (2).

18. The device as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first locking members consist of two peripheral tongues (111, 112), said enlarged head (32) having two head edges at each end, which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end sections of said two peripheral tongues (111, 112), with said head edges of said enlarged head (32) acting as abutment surfaces for said end head edges of said peripheral tongues (111, 112), such that said two peripheral tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship as said slider (3) moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

Description

[0095] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a few embodiments, illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which:

[0096] FIGS. 1a to 1c show three different views of the device of the present invention, according to a possible embodiment;

[0097] FIGS. 1d to 1f show the system of the present invention according to a possible embodiment;

[0098] FIGS. 1g to 1h show the device of the present invention according to a further embodiment;

[0099] FIGS. 1i and 1l show a further variant embodiment of the device of the present invention;

[0100] FIGS. 2a to 2d show four different views of the device of the present invention, according to a further embodiment;

[0101] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the reversible connection device of the present invention;

[0102] FIGS. 4a and 4b show two sections of the device of the present invention with the male element inserted in the female element, in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0103] FIGS. 5a and 5b show the male element of the device of the present invention with the slider in the rearwardmost state and in the forwardmost state respectively;

[0104] FIGS. 6a and 6b show two sections as taken along the transverse plane and the longitudinal plane of a perspective view of the male element of the device of the present invention;

[0105] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the device of the present invention;

[0106] FIG. 8 shows a lateral view of the device of the present invention, connected to a weight pocket;

[0107] FIGS. 9a and 9b show a top view of the device of the present invention, in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0108] FIGS. 10a and 10b show two sections of the device of the present invention with the male element inserted in the female element, in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0109] FIGS. 11a to 11c show a further variant embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0110] It shall be understood that the variant embodiments as shown in the accompanying drawings are only proposed by way of illustration and for a better understanding of the principles and advantages of the device of the present invention, and shall not be intended to limit the inventive principle of the present patent application, i.e. to provide a reversible connection device that affords easy and efficient engagement/disengagement of the male element with/from the female element, i.e. the two elements that compose the device of the present invention.

[0111] Particularly referring to FIGS. 1a to 2d, the device of the present invention is a reversible connection device for reversibly connecting together a first element and a second element, said elements being designed to be alternately connected to and disconnected from each other.

[0112] The device comprises a male element 1, designed to be connected to one end of the first element, which male element 1 is inserted into a female element 2, designed to be connected to one end of the second element, such that the male element 1 and the female element 2 move from a mutually disengaged state, as shown in FIG. 3, to a mutually engaged state, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1f, 1h and 2a.

[0113] The device further comprises a slider 3 for actuation/release of the engaged state, which is slidingly engaged by the male element 1 along the axis of insertion of the male element 1 into the female element 2.

[0114] The relative movement of the actuation/release slider 3 and the male element 1 is transferred to first releasable locking members of the male element 1, which cooperate with corresponding second locking members of the female element 2 to move from a stable locked state to a stable unlocked state of the male element 1 relative to the female element 2.

[0115] Particularly, the movement from the unlocked state to the locked state is obtained by an action of movement of the slider 3 in the direction of insertion.

[0116] It shall be noted that the male element is inserted into the female element in the direction of the longitudinal axis A as shown in FIG. 1a.

[0117] Particularly, the male element 1 comprises a handle 13 having the slider 3 at least partially and slidingly housed therein.

[0118] Thus, the slider 3 is disengaged from the handle 13.

[0119] FIGS. 3 to 11c show a few variant embodiments which intend to describe the interactions between the slider and the locking members, whereas FIGS. 1a to 2d show a few embodiments of the part of the inventive device that is designed to be held by a user to move the slider 3.

[0120] Particularly referring to FIGS. 1a to 1c, the slider 3 is shown within the handle 13, such that it may slide in the direction of axis A, FIG. 1b, to push, as described below, the first locking members for engagement of the male element 1 with the female elements 2.

[0121] Particularly if the slider 3 is pushed toward the female element 2 along axis A, it will actuate the locked state, whereas if it is pushed along axis A away from the female element 2, it will actuate the unlocked state.

[0122] According to the variant embodiment as shown in the figures, the handle 13 has a housing seat 131 for the slider 3, which is formed in the thickness of the walls of the handle 13.

[0123] Furthermore, the housing seat 131 has abutment surfaces 132 for abutment of corresponding outer surfaces 37 of the slider 3 such that, from the locked state, any movement of the handle 13 in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion will cause the abutment surfaces 132 to abut against the surfaces 37 of the slider 3, thereby causing the slider 3 to move in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion, from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0124] As shown in the figures, in order to actuate the locked state, the slider 3 is pushed toward the female element 2, whereas in order to actuate the unlocked state, the handle 13 may be pushed away from the female element 2: as soon as the abutment surfaces 132 contact the surfaces 37 of the slider 3, the slider 3 is pulled rearwards with the handle and actuates the unlocked state.

[0125] It shall be noted that the abutment surfaces may be located at any point of the housing seat 131.

[0126] A variant embodiment showing a different position of the abutment surfaces is shown in FIGS. 1d to 1h.

[0127] In the variant as shown in FIGS. 1d to 1h, the abutment surfaces 37 of the slider 3 are located at the end of the slider 3 opposite to the female element 2, such that they may cooperate with corresponding surfaces 132 of the housing seat 131 formed within the handle 13. Advantageously, the handle 13 has a hole 133 at the end opposite to the female element 2, such that the slider 3 can be accessed from outside the handle 13.

[0128] As shown in the figures, particularly FIGS. 1b, 1e and 1g, any user may press the slider 3 and act thereupon due to the presence of hole 133 of the handle 13.

[0129] Furthermore, according to an improvement, the actuation/release slider 3 moves from a rearwardmost state, corresponding to the active unlocked state, to a forwardmost state, corresponding to the active locked state.

[0130] Furthermore, particularly referring to FIG. 1c, the actuation/release slider consists of an elongate element 31 having an enlarged head 32 at the end that faces the female element 2, such that as the enlarged head 32 moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state, it presses the first locking members toward the inner walls of the female element 2, such that the first locking members engage with the second locking members located on the inner walls of the female element 2.

[0131] Particularly referring to FIG. 1c, the elongate element 32 is composed of two parts, i.e. a first part 311 and a second part 312.

[0132] The first part 311 engages with the second part 312.

[0133] Furthermore, the first part 311 has the end 3111 upon which a force is exerted to push the slider 3 forward, and has the surfaces 37 for abutment against the abutment surfaces 132 of the housing seat 131.

[0134] On the other hand, the second part 312 has the enlarged head 32.

[0135] In a possible embodiment, the first part 311 and the second part 312 may be formed of one piece.

[0136] Based on the features as described above and particularly referring to FIGS. 1a to 2d, the operation of the device of the present invention will be described below.

[0137] Once the male element 1 has been inserted into the female element 2, the male element 1 will about the inner walls of the female element 2, whereas the slider 3 will be in its rearwardmost state.

[0138] Particularly, at least the surfaces 134 of the handle 13 will about the walls 23 of the female element 2.

[0139] The locked state is not active yet, whereby the slider 3 is pushed along axis A toward the female element 2, into the forwardmost state.

[0140] The male element 1 and particularly the handle 13 are stationary, and the slider 3 only moves, with the enlarged head 32 pushing the first locking members, which will actuate the locked state.

[0141] Once the male element 1 is engaged with the female element 2, the handle 13 is pulled away from the female element 2, the abutment surfaces 132 contact the surfaces 37, and the slider 3 is pushed in the same direction as the handle 13 and actuates the unlocked state.

[0142] Particularly, FIGS. 1d to 1f show how the male element 1 is inserted into the female element 2.

[0143] In FIG. 1d the male element 1 and the female element 2 are not engaged with each other and the slider 3 is in the rearwardmost state.

[0144] In FIG. 1e the male element is pushed toward the female element in the direction of insertion, but the male element is not engaged with the female element yet, as the slider 3 is still in the rearwardmost state.

[0145] Then, the slider 3 is pushed toward the female element 2, slides within the handle 13 and moves the first locking members for the male element 1 to engage with the female element 2, as shown in FIG. 1f.

[0146] From the forwardmost state, as shown in FIG. 1f, by an action on the handle 13, which is pulled away from the female element 2, the abutment surfaces 132 of the housing seat 131 which abut the surfaces 37 of the slider push the slider to the rearwardmost state, thereby releasing the male element 1 from the female element 2.

[0147] According to a possible embodiment, when the slider 3 is in its rearwardmost state, it may project out of the hole 133 of the handle 13 with the end 3111 opposite to the enlarged head 32, as shown in FIG. 1e.

[0148] Alternatively, when the slider 3 is in its forwardmost state, it has the end 3111 opposite to the enlarged head 32 within the handle 13, as shown in FIG. 1h.

[0149] According to an improvement as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, the handle 13 may have at least one aperture 135, for indicating the rearwardmost state or the forwardmost state of the slider 3.

[0150] According to a possible modified feature of the device of the present invention, the handle 13 and the slider 3 are formed of one piece.

[0151] It shall be noted that this particular configuration does not change the operation of the device of the present invention, and especially the interaction between the enlarged head 32 of the slider 3 and the first locking means of the male element 1 is unchanged.

[0152] This arrangement is shown in FIGS. 1i, 1l, 5a and 5b.

[0153] Particularly, FIG. 1i shows the device of the present invention in which the male element 1 and the female element 2 are not engaged with each other, whereas FIG. 1l shows the locked state, in which the male element 1 is engaged with the female element 2.

[0154] FIGS. 2a to 2d show an embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0155] This embodiment includes all the features as described above with reference to FIGS. 1a to 1l, and has the same operation.

[0156] The embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2a to 2d features a different design of the slider 3, particularly its enlarged head 32, as well as a different arrangement for fixation of the male element 1 to the first element.

[0157] These differences will be expressly described below with the help of the description of FIGS. 2 to 11c.

[0158] As mentioned above, FIGS. 3 to 11c have the purpose of illustrating the operation of the device of the present invention, particularly referring to the interaction between the slider 3, namely its enlarged head 32, the locking members of the male element 1 and the locking members of the female element 2.

[0159] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the two active unlocked and locked states of the male element 1 relative to the female element 2.

[0160] As clearly shown by the figures, the slider 3 moves from a rearwardmost state, as shown in FIG. 4a, corresponding to the active unlocked state, to a forwardmost state, as shown in FIG. 4b, corresponding to the active locked state.

[0161] As clearly shown in FIGS. 4a to 5b, the device of the present invention has such a design that the slider has a stroke with two limit stop position, one for the rearwardmost state and the other for the forwardmost state.

[0162] Particularly referring to the above mentioned figures, the slider 3 is provided at the longitudinal axis of the male element 1, whereas the first locking members are placed at the sides of the slider 3, and each have a first engagement tooth 115 which connects to a corresponding second engagement tooth 211 on the inner walls of the female element 2.

[0163] Particularly, each of the two first locking members consists of a rigid element made of an elastically deformable material, and these rigid elements 111 and 112 are in a stable maximum close-together relationship, as shown in FIG. 5a, when the slider 3 is in the rearwardmost state, whereas the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are in a maximum spaced-apart relationship when the slider 3 is the forwardmost state.

[0164] In this construction, the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are susceptible to elastic deformation either in their maximum spaced-apart relationship or in their maximum close-together relationship, or in both.

[0165] If the two rigid elements 111 are 112 are elastically deformed when they are in their maximum spaced-apart relationship, i.e. when the slider 3 is in the forwardmost state, they are elastically loaded and automatically snap back to their close-together relationship due to the inherent elasticity of the material, as soon as the slider 3 starts its rearward stroke.

[0166] A similar situation occurs if the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are elastically deformed when they are in their close-together relationship.

[0167] According to a possible embodiment, the two rigid elements 111 and 112 may also be hinged to the base, which means that they may be free to move without being subjected to any deformation: the movement from engagement to disengagement is generated by the axial forward-rearward movement of the slider 3 which pushes the two rigid elements 111 and 112 outwards in the forwardmost state, and pulls the two rigid elements 111 and 112 inwards in the rearwardmost state.

[0168] As described hereinbelow, according to a preferred variant embodiment of the device of the present invention, the movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112, and particularly their inward movement to their maximum close-together relationship, is obtained due to the provision of guide wings 322 cooperating with stop wings 117.

[0169] Particularly referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the two first locking members consist of two peripheral tongues 111 and 112, which have an outer tapered lead-in end section, preferably curved.

[0170] With particular reference to the illustrated variant embodiment, the end section of each tongue 111 and 112 comprises the first engagement tooth 115.

[0171] Particularly, at a given distance from the end section, each tongue 111 and 112 has the first engagement tooth 115 formed by a recess 116 in the tongue 111 and 112, which is located at the connection area with the substantially longitudinal straight section of the tongue.

[0172] The enlarged head 32 of the slider 3 has a curved surface 33, on the outer side facing toward the female element 2, which connects to the two end sections of the tongues 111 and 112 in the forwardmost state of the slider 3, as shown in FIG. 5b, thereby forming a seamless surface therewith.

[0173] Particularly, the curved surface 33 has an arched section whose length corresponds to the maximum spaced-apart length between the two wings 111 and 112, when the slider 3 is in its forwardmost state.

[0174] Furthermore, the enlarged head 32 has two head edges 321, as shown in FIG. 6b, at each end, which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end sections of the two tongues 111 and 112.

[0175] Therefore, the head edges 321 of the enlarged head 32 have abutment surfaces for the head edges of the tongues 111 and 112, such that the two tongues 111 and 112 are symmetrically pushed and held in the maximum spaced-apart relationship as the slider 3 moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

[0176] Particularly referring to FIGS. 5a, 5b and 2b, the enlarged head 32 has two extensions 322, which are part of the elongate element 31 and are placed behind the curved surface 33 and the enlarged head 32.

[0177] These extensions 322 are inclined to the axis of insertion, and form two guide wings 322 cooperating with stop wings 117.

[0178] Each tongue 111 and 112 has a stop wing 117, which extends with a given inclination toward the guide wings 322, and cooperates with the guide wings 322 to ensure that the tongues move as desired, i.e. that they are spaced apart during insertion and that they are drawn close together during removal, thereby ensuring locking engagement or disengagement in response to a push or pull action on the slider 3.

[0179] The presence of the stop wings 117 and the guide wings 322, as well as the presence of the abutment surfaces of the head edges of the enlarged head 32 and the tongues 111 and 112, provides two snap-fit interlocking connections as the slider 3 is in its forwardmost and rearwardmost states.

[0180] Advantageously, the guide wings 322 and the stop wings 117 act as stabilization guides, which have an opposing action during the stroke of the slider 3.

[0181] Particularly, as clearly shown in FIGS. 2b, 5a and 5b, when the slider 3 is in its rearwardmost state, the tongues 111 and 112 are stably held in their close-together relationship due to the contact of the wings 322 and 117, and likewise then the slider 3 is in its forwardmost state, the tongues 111 and 112 are stably held in their spaced-apart relationship due to the contact with the head edge 321 with the end of the engagement tooth 115 and due to the contact between the wings 322 and 117.

[0182] From the rearwardmost state, as shown in FIG. 5a, to the forwardmost state, as shown in FIGS. 2b and 5b, the guide wings 322 slide on the top surface of the abutment wings 117.

[0183] Therefore, contact of the wings 322 and 117 is maintained from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

[0184] The movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112 from their maximum close-together relationship to their maximum spaced-apart relationship generates a negligible elastic stress.

[0185] Indeed, the movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112 which causes the engagement tooth 115 to engage with the inner walls of the female element 2 is caused by the movement of the slider 3 which, in its forwardmost state, pushes the rigid elements 111 and 112 outwards with respect to the elongate element 31.

[0186] Likewise, in the rearwardmost state, the slider 3 pulls the elongate elements 111 and 112 near it, to their maximum close-together relationship.

[0187] Contact of the wings 117 and 322 during the stroke of the slider 3 affords both a stable maximum close-together relationship and a stable maximum spaced-apart relationship of the two rigid elements 111 and 112.

[0188] FIGS. 6a to 8 show a variant embodiment of the device of the present invention, representing the particular conformation of the parts of the device, and particularly how they are divided and assembled together. Particularly, here the handle and slider elements form a single piece, as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1i, 1l, 5a and 5b, but the features that will be described below will also apply to the embodiment of the inventive device in which the slider 3 is slidably housed within the handle 13, as shown in FIGS. 1a to 1h and in FIGS. 2a to 2c.

[0189] Particularly, the female element 2 consists of a pocket element which can receive the male element 1 therein, the second engagement tooth 211 being provided on the inner walls of said pocket element.

[0190] According to the variant embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, the female element 2 has fixation means 21, for fixing the female element 2 to the diving jacket 4.

[0191] The male element 1 consists of a first bottom part 11 comprising two peripheral tongues 111 and 112 and a central housing channel for slidably housing the slider 3.

[0192] Furthermore, the male element 1 comprises a second lid part 12, which connects to the first bottom part 11 for slidable engagement of the slider 3 therein.

[0193] The male element 1 is preferably connected to the weight envelope by means of fixation members, in any manner known in the art.

[0194] FIG. 8 particularly shows the use of the reversible connection device of the present invention, as connected to a weight pocket 5.

[0195] Various fixation members may be envisaged in this case.

[0196] According to a first embodiment, the fixation members may consist of a connector element 35, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0197] The connector element 35 has such a shape that a polyurethane element may be used, with one end cooperating with the connector element 35 and the other end cooperating with the weight envelope.

[0198] Alternatively, a ribbon or the like may be used.

[0199] For example, particularly referring to FIG. 2d, the fixation members may consist of a buckle having a belt guiding element 38 which is adapted to receive a ribbon therethrough for connection of the weight pocket 5.

[0200] Particularly referring to FIGS. 5a to 8, the first bottom part 11 is formed of one piece, and consists of a frame having a rear wall 119 with five posts extending from such wall, i.e. two peripheral posts 111 and 112, two inner posts 1110, 1120 and a central channel 113.

[0201] In this variant, the peripheral posts 111 and 112 form the above described tongues, whereas the central channel 113 forms a guide element for facilitating the proper sliding movement of the slider 3.

[0202] Advantageously, the inner posts 1110 and 1120 have connection seats for corresponding connection teeth 121, 123 of the second lid part 12, which allow the bottom part 11 and the lid part 12 to be assembled and locked together.

[0203] Further locking elements may be also provided, such as screws, pins or the like, which fix the parts of the inventive device together.

[0204] These pins, screws or the like may have engagement seats formed in the thickness of the body of the male element 1.

[0205] Finally, according to the variant embodiment as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b, an aperture 122 may be provided on the female element 2, indicating the locked or unlocked state of the device of the present invention.

[0206] Particularly, identification symbols 3 may be provided to identify the locked state or the unlocked state.

[0207] Depending on the position of the slider 3, the aperture 122 of the female element 2 coincides with a different symbol; in FIG. 9a, the slider is in its rearwardmost position and the aperture 122 indicates the locked state, whereas in FIG. 9b the slider is in its forwardmost position and the aperture 122 indicates the locked state.

[0208] FIGS. 10a and 10b show a variant embodiment of the device of the present invention, and particularly a section of the device of the present invention in the unlocked and locked states respectively;

[0209] Particularly, the figures show an embodiment in which the guide wings 132 and the stop wings 117 of the previous figures are not provided.

[0210] Also in this case the two first locking members consist of two tongues 111 and 112.

[0211] The enlarged head 32 has two head edges at each end, which are adapted to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end sections of the two tongues 111, 112.

[0212] Like in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the head edges of the enlarged head 32 form abutment surfaces 323 for the head edges of the tongues 1111 and 1121, such that the two tongues 111 and 112 are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship, as shown in FIG. 10b, as the slider 3 moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state.

[0213] When the tongues 111 and 112 are in their maximum spaced-apart relationship, the teeth 115 and 116 are engaged with the corresponding engagement seats on the female element 2, to thereby attain the locked state.

[0214] Once the slider 3 is moved back to the rearwardmost state, as shown in FIG. 10a, the tongues 111 and 112 tend to move back to their maximum close-together relationship.

[0215] As mentioned above, the maximum close-together relationship may be obtained in a different manner and in according with different embodiments.

[0216] Particularly referring to FIGS. 10a and 10b, the maximum close-together relationship of the tongues 111 and 112 is attained due to their inherent elasticity.

[0217] A possible alternative thereto is that the slider 3, and particularly the enlarged head 32, will pull the tongues 111 and 112 back as the slider 3 moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state.

[0218] A configuration of this particular alternative is, for example, the one as shown in the previous figures, in which the action of the guide wings 132 with the stop wings 117 allows the slider 3 to pull the tongues 111 and 112 to their maximum close-together relationship.

[0219] Generally, when not depending on the inherent elasticity of the tongues 111 and 112, members may be provided in the enlarged head 32 for moving the tongues 111 and 112 as the slider 3 moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state and vice versa, i.e. members whose action is similar to that of the guide wings 132 and the stop wings 117.

[0220] A possible arrangement will be now described with reference to FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c.

[0221] According to a possible embodiment, the abutment surfaces 323 and the end surfaces 1111 and 1121 may have such a shape that, in a locked state, as the male element 1 is pulled out of the female element 2, the tongues 111 and 112 are compressed and the slider 3 is moved from a forwardmost state to a rearwardmost state.

[0222] Furthermore, according to a variant embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10b, the two tongues 111 and 112 have an outer tapered lead-in end section, preferably curved.

[0223] The enlarged head 32 of the slider 3 has a curved surface 33, on the outer side facing toward the female element, which curved surface 33 connects to the two end sections of the tongues 111 and 112 in the forwardmost state of the slider 3, thereby forming a seamless surface therewith.

[0224] FIGS. 11a, 11b and 11c show a further variant embodiment of the device of the present invention.

[0225] In this variant embodiment, the enlarged head 32 has two grooves 324 inclined to the sliding axis of the slider 3, which are adapted to cooperate with the tongues 111 and 112 to drive the two tongues 111, 112 outwards as the slider 3 moves from the rearwardmost to the forwardmost state and inwards as the slider 3 moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state, such that the two tongues 111, 112 are symmetrically pushed and held in a maximum spaced-apart relationship as the slider 3 moves from the rearwardmost state to the forwardmost state and such that the two tongues 111, 112 are symmetrically pulled and held in a maximum close-together relationship as the slider moves from the forwardmost state to the rearwardmost state.

[0226] Still particularly referring to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the tongues 111 and 112 are hinged to the bottom part 11 by means of hinges 5.

[0227] Particularly referring to FIGS. 11a and 11b, the tongues 111 and 112 are located on two different sides of the bottom part 11, but they may be obviously also located on the same side.

[0228] If the tongues 111 and 112 are located on the two opposites sides of the bottom part 11, two different sliders 3 may be provided, one slider 3 for each tongue 111 and 112, for moving the latter.

[0229] Alternatively to the above, it will be understood that two independent sliders 3 may be also provided, even when the tongues 111 and 112 are located on the same side of the bottom part 11.

[0230] Particularly in FIG. 11a, the slider 3 is in its rearwardmost state, the tongues 111 and 112 are in a maximum close-together relationship and the male element is released from the female element.

[0231] In FIG. 11b, the slider is in its forwardmost state, the tongues 111 and 112 are in a maximum spaced-apart relationship and the male element 1 is fixed to the female element 2, due to the action of the teeth 115 and 116 which are engaged with the corresponding engagement seats on the female element 2.

[0232] The enlarged head 32 and the end portion of the tongues 111 and 112 may have such shapes as to allow the enlarged head 32 to push the tongues 111 and 112 to their maximum spaced-apart relationship as the slider 3 moves forward, and to allow the enlarged head 32 to pull the tongues 111 and 112 back as the slider moves rearward.

[0233] This movement may be obtained, for instance, by interaction of the contact surfaces of the enlarged head 32 and the tongues 111 and 112 as well as by the hinges 5 that allow rotation of the tongues 111 and 112.

[0234] Alternatively, the enlarged head 32 may be only designed to push the tongues 111 and 112 to their maximum spaced-apart relationship but, once the slider 3 is in the rearwardmost state, these tongues will be free to oscillate due to the presence of the hinges 5 and hence the male element may be pulled off the female element 2.

[0235] According to a further embodiment elastic elements, such as springs, may be provided within the hinges 5 to force the tongues 111 and 112 to remain in their close-together relationship.

[0236] Particularly, as mentioned above, this variant embodiment has the purpose of including all the above described features, alternatively to or in combination with one another, and is used in the automotive field, as an emergency arrangement for unfastening seat belts after an accident, e.g. if the normal unfastening button cannot be easily accessed.

[0237] This variant is clearly shown in FIG. 11c. The ends of the seat belt may be sewn after extending through the slits 6 of the male element 1 and the female element 2 respectively.

[0238] Thus, the male element 1 is fixed to the female element 2 and, in an emergency, the slider/s 3 are actuated to move the tongues and release the male element 1 from the female element 2.

[0239] Therefore, the male element 1 will be released from the female element 2 by simply acting upon the eyelet situated at the end opposite to the enlarged head 32 and connected to the slider 3, e.g. by inserting one finger therein and pulling.

[0240] Finally, based on the above described features and the suggested variant embodiments of the device of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the embodiment with the handle 13 as shown in FIGS. 1a to 2d may be provided in combination with all the embodiments as shown in FIGS. 3a to 11c.