MODULAR LOCKING CONNECTORS FOR PORTABLE HARNESS SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES

Abstract

This disclosure relates to modular locking connectors that enable discrete and fully separate components to be easily, quickly, and interchangeably connected together to result in a fully functional buoyancy compensator device. These separate components may include shoulders, waistbands, back panels, bladders or other buoyancy chambers, pockets including those for ballasting weights, and accessories such as knives, lights, signaling devices and the like.

Claims

1. A modular locking connector comprising: a male portion having a substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XY plane, and a post, having a length and an interior, the length of the post defining a Z plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base, the post including an enlarged top with a recess, and the post including a cutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool, and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and a female portion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with a retaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible end and locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the female portion is freely rotating about the male portion.

2. The modular locking connectors of claim 1 wherein there is an area of reduced thickness around the perimeter of the flat base.

3. The modular locking connector of claim 2 wherein the interior surface of the post has a ridge.

4. The modular locking connector of claim 3 where the post is cylindrical in shape.

5. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein the lock of the female portion when engaged with the male portion is releasable.

6. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein the lock of the female portion includes an engaging surface with a slanted edge.

7. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein the lock of the female portion includes an engaging surface with a beveled edge.

8. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein an edge of the recess of the male post portion includes an engaging surface with a slanted edge.

9. The modular locking connector of claim 4 wherein the edge of the recess of the male post portion includes an engaging surface with a beveled edge.

10. The modular locking connector of claim 1 including multiple posts protruding perpendicularly out of the flat base on the male portion.

11. The modular locking connector of claim 10 including multiple posts on the male portion and an elongated retaining channel on the female portion which, when connected, prevents rotation around the Z axis.

12. The modular locking connector of claim 10 including multiple posts on the male portion and multiple retaining channels on the female portion.

13. The modular locking connector of claim 1 wherein the post on the male portion we is non-cylindrical, forming detents such that, when connected to the female portion, free rotation about the Z axis is prevented.

14. A buoyancy compensator assembly for scuba diving comprising: a. A back component having two corresponding shoulder connectors, two corresponding waist connectors, and a corresponding tank support connector; b. A left waist belt component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component; c. A right waist belt component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component; d. A left shoulder component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component; e. A right shoulder component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component; f. An air cell; and g. A tank support, wherein the back component, the two waist belt components, and the two shoulder components are interchangeable.

15. The buoyancy compensator of claim 14 wherein the corresponding shoulder and waist belt connectors on the back component, corresponding back connectors on the left and right waist belt components, corresponding back connectors on the left and right shoulder components, and any other included corresponding connectors are the modular locking connectors of claim 1 comprising: a male portion having a substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XY plane, and a post, having a length and an interior, the length of the post defining a Z plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base, the post including an enlarged top with a recess, and the post including a cutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool, and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and a female portion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with a retaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible end and locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the female portion is freely rotating about the male portion.

16. The buoyancy compensator of claim 15 further including a weight ballasting system having the modular locking connectors of claim 1 for connection to any of the modular components, having modular locking connectors for connection to the two weight ballasting systems.

17. The buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein multiple back components, waist belt components, or shoulder components are connected to another component of the same type whereby the waist belt component is lengthened or the back component is enlarged.

18. The buoyancy compensator of claim 17 wherein the multiple back components, waist, belt components or shoulder components are connected to another component of the same type with a modular locking connector of claim 1.

19. The buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein the back component is split into a top back component and a bottom back component with multiple modular connectors for connecting the top component and the bottom component to another component of the same type thereby shortening or lengthening the assembled back component.

20. A method of manufacturing a buoyancy compensator including manufacturing a back component, manufacturing shoulder components, and manufacturing waist belt components, which are connectable to each other and when connected create a skeleton structure which provides interchangeability of each of the back component, shoulder components, and waist belt components to provide full assembly of a customized buoyancy compensator.

21. The method of manufacturing a buoyancy compensator of claim 20, further including providing releasably locking connectors on each of the back component, shoulder components and waist belt components.

22. The method of manufacturing components of a buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein the components are manufactured with an ergonomically shaped skeleton structure over which a flexible tube of padding material is stretched, creating a padded structure which conforms to the ergonomic shape of the skeleton structure.

23. The method of manufacturing a cover for a buoyancy chamber of a buoyancy compensator of claim 15 wherein the cover is separate from the buoyancy chamber and is constructed from an elastic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the female portion of the modular locking connector.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the male portion of the modular locking connector.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top view of a female portion when locked with a male portion.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a modular locking connector having a male portion with two posts and an elongated female portion when separated.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a top view of a modular locking connector showing a male portion with two posts on the base when locked with an elongated female portion.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a cross section of a female portion when locked with a male portion.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a cross section of an alternate embodiment female and male portion having slanted locking features when locked together.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view of a male locking connector of the single post configuration locked with an elongated female portion.

[0026] FIG. 9 is an outside view of an embodiment of a buoyancy compensator device assembly.

[0027] FIG. 10 is an inside view of an embodiment of a buoyancy compensator device assembly.

[0028] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of a modular locking connector on a buoyancy compensator device assembly.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a view of a skeleton portion of a modular shoulder component alongside its corresponding flexible padded tubing.

[0030] FIG. 13 is a view of the flexible padded tubing assembled onto the skeleton portion of a modular shoulder component.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a top view of an embodiment of an air chamber alongside its cover.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a top view of an embodiment of an air chamber with the cover on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular locking connector includes a male portion (200) and female portion (100).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the male portion (200) has a flat base (202) which defines the XY plane. The flat base on the male portion may include an area of reduced thickness (204) around the perimeter to enhance the ease of attachment of the connector through use of a sewing process. Although sewing is the most practical attachment method for attaching the connector to an underwater device, any other method of attaching the connector is plausible, such as gluing, welding, heat activated adhesive or the like. The male portion includes a post (206) that protrudes perpendicularly out of the flat base (202), the length of the post defining the Z plane. The post (206) on the male portion (200) includes an enlarged top (208), which serves to prevent separation along the Z axis when engaged with the female portion (100). Another embodiment includes more than one enlarged area of the post on the male portion. The interior of the post on the male portion includes a ridge (212) that functions as structural reinforcement to the modular locking connector when assembled. Another embodiment of the male connector includes a radiused base allowing secure connection to radiused components.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, the female portion (100) is comprised of a flat base (102) and a raised receiving area (104) with a retaining channel (108). Similarly to the male portion, the flat base may include an area of reduced thickness (106) around the perimeter for use of a sewing process. The retaining channel includes a lip (110) around the interior edge and-a tongue or lock (116). The lock (116) includes a flexible end (112) and locking end (114), such that when the lock (116) is engaged with the male portion (200), the female portion (100) is freely rotating about the male portion but restrained from translational movement. Another embodiment of the female connector includes a radiused base allowing secure connection to radiused components.

[0036] Further, the post (206) on the male portion (200) includes a recess (214) for engagement with the lock (116) on the female portion (100). One side of the recess on the post of the male portion also includes a cutout (210), which in this preferred embodiment can be circular or flat in shape, aligned in the XY plane, to allow easier insertion of a release tool (such as a pen, screw driver or other ridged, elongated object) to disengage the lock (116) of the female portion (100). In other embodiments, the recess can have various shapes. It is desirable to include access such that disengagement of the connector can be accomplished without specialized tools. Of course any type of tool, including specialized tools, may be used and included with the modular locking connector assembly. Likewise, the cutout could be any shaped aperture which allows for disengagement of the male portion (100) from female portion (200). However, a preferred embodiment, as disclosed herein, provides for an easy, simple method of disengagement without special tools or complicated movements. It is desired to be able to use easily accessible items, such as pens, keys, screwdrivers, paperclips, and the like, to disengage the female portion (100) form the male portion (200). Additional embodiments of cutout (210) may be positioned anywhere along the XY plane. Further additional embodiments of the cutout (210) may be positioned completely through the post (206) on the male portion (200). Multiple cutout sections are also possible. Releasing of the male and female portions, once attached to each other with the connectors, can be configured to require tools, a specific orientation of the modular locking connector or its portions, or an unlocking code for disassembly allowing for a safe and secure life support product, including a buoyancy compensator device.

[0037] The retaining channel (108) is manufactured in a shape to connect with the post (206) on the male portion (200) and has one closed end. The preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 show a retaining channel that is in the shape of a U. But it will be appreciated that the retaining channel can be in configured in other shapes that are closed at the sides and end to prevent separation along the Y axis as well as one direction of the X axis. In the preferred embodiments of FIGS. 1-4, the retaining channel (108) is configured with lip (110) that, in conjunction with the larger portion of the post (208) on the male portion, prevents separation along the Z axis.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 and described above, the tongue or lock (116) includes flexible end (112) and locking end (114). In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the lock (116) includes a locking end (114) that is biased to rest within the recess (214) in post (206) of the male portion (200) to prevent separation of the modular connector along the X axis. Flexible end (112) provides the ability to use a tool to disengage the male portion (100) from the female portion (200). In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a disengagement tool (not shown) can be inserted into the cutout (210) of the post (206) of male component (200). Upon engagement, lock (116) and flexible end (112) move away from the enlarged top (208) of post (206) allowing lock (116) and flexible end (112) to become displaced from male portion (200). Upon disengagement of lock (116) and flexible end (112) from post (206) separation of the male portion (200) from the female portion (100) can occur. Such separation is achieved when male portion (200) and female portion (100) are moved relative to one another along the X axis.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, one preferred embodiment of the post (206) on the male portion (200) is cylindrical in shape, allowing for three hundred sixty degree (360) free rotation when engaged (301 of FIG. 3) with a respective female portion. Such free rotation provides for ease of use during the process of fitting a device having such modular locking connectors to a user, and provides for easier adjustability and removal of female portion (100) from male portion (200). Such ease of removal is particularly evident when the connector is positioned and secured in place on a device such as a buoyancy compensator or other safety device, as is described herein.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the locking end (114) of the lock (116) of the female connector (100) may be configured with a slanted surface (705) instead of a flat surface (601). Additionally, the recess in the male portion (212) may also be slanted. These slanted surfaces provide a releasably locking engagement which allows the female portion (100) and male portion (200) to disengage from each other in the event of otherwise destructive loads being applied to them. Adjustments to the thickness of the lock (707) will allow adjustment to the load at which the disengagement occurs. Furthermore, adjustments to the angle of the slanted surfaces (212 and 705) with further adjust the load at which the disengagement occurs. It will be appreciated that the angle of the first slanted surface (212) and second slanted surface (705) need not be precisely the same and this difference would provide further adjustment of the disengagement load. An alternate embodiment of this feature is the use of a beveled edge instead of a slanted edge (706).

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of the modular locking connector is designed to specifically resist rotation about the Z axis. In this embodiment, rotation around the Z axis is resisted. This is accomplished by adding an additional male post (206) and lengthening the female retaining channel (108). Keeping the lock the same shape as the standard modular locking connector enables the use of identical release tools as well as having identical strength, release (and even the same over force release) values. An alternate embodiment accomplishes the same rotation resistance by elongating the male post instead of adding an additional one.

[0042] Elongation (or using multiple posts) allows keying connectors (and thus specific modular locking buoyancy compensator device components, described below) to work in predetermined configurations and not others. It also is a clear visual indicator to a customer for where to attach specific components. One embodiment of the male component includes a single elongated post.

[0043] Another embodiment of the male component includes multiple posts (400), as seen on FIGS. 4 and 5. The male portion is intentionally symmetric allowing the inversion of buoyancy compensator device components.

[0044] Multiple posts on the male portion also allow for the design of a stronger female component because such allows the use of two smaller retention channels instead of one larger channel as shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that the standard male connector may be used with the elongated female connector as shown in FIG. 8. Thus, one of the female portion attachment points (FIG. 4) may be used with a male portion which allows rotation (FIGS. 1-3) or a male portion which resists rotation about the Z axis, such as the longer male post (FIG. 4).

[0045] The modular locking connectors disclosed are configured to be used with various safety devices including a buoyancy compensator device. As shown in FIGS. 9-11, the buoyancy compensator device disclosed includes a back component (500), on which two of the basic modular locking connectors of FIGS. 1-5 are attached near the top at shoulder connections (500A and 500B). In addition, in the preferred embodiment, two more modular locking connectors are attached at the lower sides at the waist belt connections (500C and 500D). Additional embodiments may include a tank connector (500F), the addition of lengthened design modular locking connectors generally along the sides of the back component (500E) or at other locations as desired for the application. Further, the preferred embodiment includes attaching female connectors to the back component (500) and place all connectors on the outside, or away from the diver. It may be appreciated, however that the connectors can be placed on the inside of back component (500), again depending on the desired use and configuration of the buoyancy compensator device. In addition, waist belt components (506, 504) can also be included. Waist belt components (506, 504) may have one male modular connector on each (504A and 506A), allowing attachment to the back component (500). Similarly, the shoulder components (S02 and S03) can also include one male modular connector on each shoulder component (502A, 503A) providing attachment to the back portion. A tank support and attachment may also be provided for use in a desired configuration. An air chamber (510) may also be included and attached to the buoyancy compensator device. Air chamber (510) may be held in place on the back portion (500) by various connection methods including a tank strap passing through retaining slots, an auxiliary strap passing through retaining slots which may be secured around the tank by hook and loop fasteners, webbing straps that feed into and are retained by plastic fasteners on the shoulders, or the like. A ballasting weight system (512) may also be included and attached to the back portion (500) using the elongated connectors (500G) and may in a preferred embodiment attached to the waist belt components (504, 506) in a similar manner.

[0046] Multiple modular locking connectors can be used on any of the components to allow for positioning adjustments. For example, if two or more connectors are attached in a line to the end of a waist band, then the waist band may be attached to the back component in multiple positions allowing the waist band to be longer or shorter according to preferred assembly of the buoyancy compensator device. It is likewise possible to attach multiple connectors to the back component to accomplish similar adjustments, releasable adjustments, configurations or the like. Similarly, the back portion could be configured with the male portions of the modular connector instead, or even a combination of male and female portions to further constrain or instruct the assembly configuration options.

[0047] In addition, it is possible to split the back portion into a top section and a bottom section with multiple modular connectors implemented to allow shortening or lengthening of the assembled back portion and buoyancy compensation device.

[0048] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, air chamber (510) is modular and can be configured with a separate cover that may provide additional benefits. Since the separate cover does not actually hold air, it is free to be made of highly elastic material (such as neoprene, lycra, spandex, etc.) without limitations required by air impermeability. Such highly elastic materials allow the covered air chamber to be tucked away and stored until needed, at which time the elastic material may stretch out of the way and allow the air chamber (510) to expand. In addition, the air chamber (510) may include a cover which provides a canvas for branding and advertising, including the use of various types of decoration, impressions, artistic images, colors and the like. In addition, a cover may be provided which is completely independent from the air chamber (510), and can be made out of lightweight and disposable materials allowing the customer to change the look of their product as desired without significant cost.

[0049] The use of the disclosed modular locking connectors provides a buoyancy compensator device that allows individualized custom sizing of a product using non-custom components. As disclosed herein, the preferred embodiment provides custom sizing including standard small, medium and large size capabilities. In addition, the preferred embodiments of the disclosed buoyancy compensator device allow it to be configured so that all of the different sized components are fully compatible with each other and fully interchangeable. For example, a large back panel may be used with medium shoulders and small waistbands. Given the initial example of three different sizes of small, medium, and large, there are 27 different size configurations that are possible. Multiple size configurations result in the ability to create a custom fit device, including a customizable buoyancy compensator device, for any given body type or size. Other components, including the air chamber such as air chamber (510), can also be configured to be in different sizes and likewise be fully compatible with any given sizing configuration.

[0050] This interchangeability of different components is also applicable across product platforms. For example, a lightweight buoyancy compensator device model could be configured with waistbands from a more deluxe model if the diver wishes to have more padding on their waist. Alternately different components can be configured towards specific diving activities (like photography, research, fishing, search and rescue, etc.) all of which require a different set of features such as attachment points, pockets, durability, reflectiveness, and visibility. Many options for customizable configuration are available including but not limited to features, colors, and comfort.

[0051] Another benefit of manufacturing in components or modules is the ability to manufacture many of the components in a customizable manner. As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, the modular nature of the components of this disclosure enables the method of creating a simple support portion (120), such as a skeleton (125), to which the structural elements of the component are attached. For example, on a shoulder component, the modular connectors, buckles (121), straps (122), and d-rings (123) would be attached to the skeleton (120). Padding and other ergonomic features are then configured in a flexible tube fashion (124) into which the support portion is inserted. The flexible tube, when inserted into the support portion conforms to the shape of the support portion (120) as shown in FIG. 13. This allows for the straightforward manufacturing of shapes that would otherwise be too difficult or time consuming to product.

[0052] Further novel to this modular design is the manufacturing, packaging, and sale of the components individually, allowing for the end user to purchase a custom configured product direct from the manufacturer.

[0053] Reference throughout this specification to the embodiment, this embodiment, the previous embodiment, one embodiment, an embodiment, a preferred embodiment another preferred embodiment or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in the embodiment, in this embodiment, in the previous embodiment, in one embodiment, in an embodiment, in a preferred embodiment, in another preferred embodiment, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0054] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary or specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications, alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangement as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Any such changes, modifications, alternative, equivalents and the like may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.