ATTACHMENT SYSTEM WITH A CONNECTED ARTICLE

Abstract

An attachment system is formed by a primary device and a secondary device connected to the primary device in a pivoting manner. The primary device has a main body, two lateral sides and a bar for attaching the primary device to another object. Each of the lateral sides has a protrusion extending laterally outward from the lateral sides. The secondary device has two lateral sides, each equipped with an aperture that corresponds to one of the protrusions on the primary device, so that fitting the protrusions into the apertures pivotally connects the primary device to the secondary device, with the lateral sides of the secondary device being disposed outside of the lateral sides of the primary device. The secondary device can be pivoted between a folded position where the secondary device lies against the primary device, and an open position where the secondary device is raised up.

Claims

1. An attachment system comprising: a primary device in the form of a two-piece buckle formed of a male portion having at least one locking leg and a female portion having a hollow cavity into which the at least one locking leg of the male portion is inserted to lock the buckle, the male portion having a main body, a front, a rear, two lateral sides and a bar or opening for attaching the primary device to another object, each of the lateral sides having a protrusion thereon; and a secondary device pivotally connected to the male portion, the secondary device having two lateral sides, each of the lateral sides being equipped with an aperture that corresponds to one of the protrusions on the male portion so that fitting the protrusions into the apertures pivotally connects the primary device to the secondary device, with the lateral sides of the secondary device being disposed outside of the lateral sides of the primary device, so that the secondary device can be pivoted between a folded position where the secondary device lies against the primary device, and an open position where the secondary device is raised up from the primary device.

2. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device has an elongated section extending from the lateral sides, the elongated section terminating in a free end that in the open position is pivoted away from the primary device.

3. (canceled)

4. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the primary device is a D-ring.

5. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the primary device is a strap adjuster.

6. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the primary device is a cord lock.

7. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the primary device is a cord end.

8. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device is a whistle.

9. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device is a luminous device.

10. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device is a security lock.

11. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the secondary device is a thermal sensor.

12. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the female portion has a front side and a rear side, and wherein the front side has an indentation corresponding to a shape of the secondary device, so that in a folded position, the secondary device rests in the indentation of the female portion.

13. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the lateral sides of the secondary device are connected by a top bar that extends beyond a top edge of the male portion, so that pressing down on the top bar causes the secondary device to pivot from a folded position to an open position.

14. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the buckle is a side-release buckle.

15. The attachment system according to claim 1, wherein the bar on the primary device is accessible through an opening in the secondary device, said opening being bounded by the sidewalls and bar of the secondary device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0012] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0013] FIG. 1 shows the attachment system according to the invention fully assembled in a folded position;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of all of the components of the system;

[0015] FIG. 3 shows the male and female buckle parts assembled without the secondary device;

[0016] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the secondary device;

[0017] FIG. 5 shows the attachment system with a secondary device in the form of a whistle;

[0018] FIG. 6 shows the attachment system with a secondary device in the form of a luminous device;

[0019] FIG. 7 shows the attachment system with a secondary device in the form of a security lock;

[0020] FIG. 8 shows the attachment system with a secondary device in the form of a thermal sensor;

[0021] FIG. 9 shows an alternative attachment system with the primary device being a D-ring;

[0022] FIG. 10 shows the attachment system with the primary device being a tension lock strap holder;

[0023] FIG. 11 shows the attachment system with the primary device being a slip lock strap holder;

[0024] FIG. 12 shows the attachment system with the primary device being a cord lock; and

[0025] FIG. 13 shows the attachment system with the primary device being a cord end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1-5 show a first embodiment of the system 10 according to the invention. System 10 comprises a buckle having a male portion 20, a female portion 30, and a secondary device 40 in the form of a whistle. Male portion 20 is formed of a main body 21 with a central guide 22, two locking legs 23, 24, an attachment bar 25 spanning an opening 26 bounded by side walls 27, and a top edge 28. On each side wall 27 is a protrusion 29 extending outwardly.

[0027] Female portion 30 is formed of a hollow main body 31 having openings 32, 33 for receiving locking legs 23, 24 and an attachment bar 34 at its end. An opening 36 receives male portion 20 to lock male portion 20 to female portion 30 when locking legs 23, 24, snap into openings 32, 33. Guide flanges (not shown) are disposed inside female portion 30 to guide central guide 22 of male portion 20 as it is inserted into female portion 30. A longitudinal indentation 37 runs down the length of female portion 30 and is configured to receive main body 41 of secondary device 40.

[0028] Secondary device 40 has side walls 42 connected to main body 41, and a top bar 44 connecting side walls 42, with an opening 47 in between side walls 42. On each side wall 42 is an aperture 43, which is sized to receive a respective one of the protrusions 29 of male portion 20, to attach secondary device 40 to male portion 20. As shown in FIG. 1, placing secondary device 40 over male portion 20 and snapping protrusions 29 into apertures 43 connects secondary device 40 to male portion 20 in a pivoting manner. Main body 41 of secondary device 40 rests in indentation 37 of female portion 30 when secondary device 40 is in the folded position as shown in FIG. 1. This protects the end and bottom side of the secondary device from damage during use.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows secondary device 40 in an open position so that secondary device can be operable. The hinge arrangement shown allows a wide range of pivoting, up to 180 or more. In FIGS. 1-5, secondary device 40 is in the form of a whistle 46. This is useful as a rescue device, especially when applied to backpacks or life jackets. In order to open secondary device 40 from the folded position to the raised position, the user merely has to press down on top bar 44, which causes secondary device 40 to pivot out of the folded position where it is ready for use. The configuration of secondary device 40 does not interfere with the function or structure of male and female portions 20, 30, because it is attached to the exterior of male portion 20 and fits over the buckle portions, while allowing their normal functions.

[0030] Secondary device 40 can take on many different configurations. As shown in FIG. 6, secondary device 40 can be in the form of a luminous device 47. This is also useful as a rescue device, especially when applied to life jackets or backpacks. Luminous device 47 can be equipped with a switch that turns it on automatically once secondary device 40 is moved to the raised position, or can have a manual switch. As shown in FIG. 7, secondary device 40 can be in the form of a security lock 48. This is particularly useful on military or police equipment. As shown in FIG. 8, secondary device 40 can also be in the form of a thermal sensor 49. This has a special applicability to baby carriers, to provide a signal to caregivers of a temperature change. Other devices could also be incorporated into secondary device 40.

[0031] In addition to varying secondary device 40, the primary device itself can take on other forms. Instead of a side-release buckle, the primary device can take the form of a D-ring, as shown in FIG. 9. In this case, secondary device 40 snaps into protrusions 59 that are disposed on either side of strap retaining bars 51, 52, and can be pivoted up and away from the D-ring 50 when in use.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows another variation, in which secondary device 40 is snapped onto protrusions 69 in the exterior sidewalls 62 of a tension lock strap retainer 60, having strap retaining bar 63 in its interior.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows yet another variation, in which secondary device 40 is snapped onto protrusions 79 in slip lock strap retainer 70. A strap holding bar 73 runs longitudinally along strap retainer 70 to attach the device to another component.

[0034] Another variation is shown in FIG. 12 in the form of a cord lock 80. Secondary device 40 is snapped onto protrusions 89 on the outside of lateral walls 88 of cord lock 80. A cord is locked to the device by pushing spring-loaded button 84 inward until openings 82, 83 line up, and placing the cord through both openings. Releasing button 84 moves the openings out of alignment and locks the cord to cord lock 80.

[0035] FIG. 13 shows another variation, in the form of a cord end 90. Here, secondary device 40 is snapped onto protrusions 99 on the lateral sides 91 of cord end 90. A cord 92 is held inside cord end 90 through opening 93 by molding or other means.

[0036] The present invention provides a novel way to attach a tool or other device to a buckle or other attachment element, without interfering with the functioning of the buckle.

[0037] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.