Safety buckle with provision for emergency release

Abstract

A device for releasably connecting a first element with a second element includes a male element connectable to one end of the first element, and a female element connectable to one end of the second element such that the male and female element pass from a disengagement condition to a mutual engagement condition. A slider activates and deactivates engagement and is engaged to the male element such to slide along the axis of insertion of the male element inside the female element. The relative motion between the activation/deactivation slider and the male element is transmitted to first removable locking members, belonging to the male element and cooperating with corresponding second locking members belonging to the female element, such to pass from a stable locking condition to a stable release condition of the male and female elements via a movement of the slider along the axis of insertion.

Claims

1. Device for releasably connecting a first element to a second element, the first and the second elements being alternately connectable and disconnectable, comprising: a male element (1) connectable to one end of said first element, such that when said male element (1) is inserted into a female element (2) connectable to one end of said second element, said male element (1) and said female element (2) pass from a disengagement condition to a mutual engagement condition; and a slider (3) activating/deactivating said engagement condition, said slider (3) being engaged to said male element (1) to slide along a direction of insertion of said male element (2) inside said female element (2), wherein a relative motion between said slider (3) and said male element (1) is transmitted to first removable locking members, belonging to said male element (1) and cooperating with corresponding second locking members belonging to said female element (2), such to pass from a stable locking condition to a stable release condition of said male element (1) with said female element (2), wherein passage from the locking condition to the release condition is performed by an action moving said slider (3) in said direction of insertion, wherein said slider (3) passes from a maximum backward condition, corresponding to the release condition, to a maximum forward condition, corresponding to the locking condition, said slider comprising an elongated element (31), at an end faced towards said female element (2), has an enlarged head (32), such that said enlarged head (32), passing from a maximum backward condition to a maximum forward condition, pushes said first locking members towards inner walls of said female element (2), such that said first locking members engage the second locking members placed on the inner walls of said female element (2), wherein the two first locking members comprise two peripheral tongues (111, 112), wherein said enlarged head (32) has two head edges on each end, configured to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of end portions of said two tongues (111, 112), said head edges of said enlarged head (32) being surfaces for abutment of said head edges of said tongues (111, 112), such that said two tongues (111, 112) are symmetrically pushed and held in maximum mutual spreading apart condition during passage from the maximum backward condition to the maximum forward condition of said slider (3), wherein said slider (3) is provided at a longitudinal axis of said male element (1), said first locking members being positioned at sides of said slider (3) and each having a first engagement tooth (115) coupling into a corresponding second engagement tooth (211) provided on inner walls of said female element (2), wherein the two first locking members comprise two peripheral tongues (111, 112), which (111, 112) on an outside have a leading tapered end portion, wherein each tongue (111, 112) has, at a specific distance from said end portion, said first engagement tooth (115) comprising a notch (116) of said tongue, said notch (116) being placed at a connecting area of a substantially longitudinal straight portion of said tongue, wherein said enlarged head (32) of the slider (3) has, on the outside towards said female element (2), a curved surface (33), which is connected to the two end portions of said tongues (111, 112) in the maximum forward condition of said slider (3), such to provide a harmonious continuation surface thereof, wherein said enlarged head (32) has two extensions inclined with respect to the direction of insertion, said extensions being guide flaps (322) cooperating with abutment flaps (117), wherein each tongue has an abutment flap (117) extending with a specific inclination towards said guide flaps (322), and wherein said guide flaps (322) and said abutment flaps (117) cooperate to provide a mutual spreading apart of said flaps with said slider in the forward condition and an approaching of said flaps with said slider in the backward condition, therefore guaranteeing a locking engagement or disengagement upon a pushing or pulling action by said slider (3).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first element comprises a weight pouch, and wherein the second element comprises at least a part of a scuba diving jacket, the device connecting a weight pouch to a pocket of a scuba diving jacket.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said two tongues (111, 112) on an outside have a leading tapered end portion, and wherein said enlarged head (32) has, on an outside in the direction of said female element (2), a curved surface (33), which is connected to the two end portions of said two tongues (111, 112) in the maximum forward condition of said slider (3), thereby providing a harmonious continuation surface thereof.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein each of said two first locking members comprises a rigid element, said rigid elements (111, 112) being in a stable maximum mutual approaching condition when said slider (3) is in the maximum backward condition, and in a maximum mutual spreading apart condition when said slider (3) is in the maximum forward condition.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said tongues (111, 112) are connected to said male element by hinge elements (5).

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said female element (2) has at least one cutout (122) configured to indicate the maximum backward condition or the maximum forward condition of said slider (3).

7. Device for releasably connecting a first element to a second element, the first and the second elements being alternately connectable and disconnectable, comprising: a male element (1) connectable to one end of said first element, such that when said male element (1) is inserted into a female element (2) connectable to one end of said second element, said male element (1) and said female element (2) pass from a disengagement condition to a mutual engagement condition; and a slider (3) activating/deactivating said engagement condition, said slider (3) being engaged to said male element (1) to slide along a direction of insertion of said male element (2) inside said female element (2), wherein a relative motion between said slider (3) and said male element (1) is transmitted to first removable locking members, belonging to said male element (1) and cooperating with corresponding second locking members belonging to said female element (2), such to pass from a stable locking condition to a stable release condition of said male element (1) with said female element (2), wherein passage from the locking condition to the release condition is performed by an action moving said slider (3) in said direction of insertion, wherein said slider (3) passes from a maximum backward condition, corresponding to the release condition, to a maximum forward condition, corresponding to the locking condition, said slider comprising an elongated element (31), at an end faced towards said female element (2), has an enlarged head (32), such that said enlarged head (32), passing from a maximum backward condition to a maximum forward condition, pushes said first locking members towards inner walls of said female element (2), such that said first locking members engage the second locking members placed on the inner walls of said female element (2), wherein said male element (1) comprises a first bottom part (11) comprising at least two peripheral tongues (111, 112) and a central housing channel for slidably housing said slider (3), said male element (1) comprising a second cover part (12), which couples with said first bottom part (11) to allow said slider (3) to slidingly engage, and wherein first bottom part (11) is made as one piece and comprises a frame having a rear wall (119) from which two peripheral uprights (111, 112), two internal uprights (1110, 1120), and a central upright (113) extend, said peripheral uprights being configured to compose said two tongues (111,112), said central upright (113) being a guide element for sliding said slider (3), and said internal uprights (1110, 1120) having coupling seats for corresponding coupling teeth (121, 123) belonging to said second cover part (12).

Description

(1) These and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clear from the following description of some embodiments shown in the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device for releasably connecting a weight pouch to a pocket of a scuba diving jacket of the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b are two sections of the device of the present invention with the male element inserted in the female element, in the release and locking condition respectively;

(4) FIGS. 3a and 3b are the male element of the present invention with the slider in the maximum backward condition and in the maximum forward condition respectively;

(5) FIGS. 4a and 4b are two sections with respect to the transverse plane and the longitudinal plane of a perspective view of the male element of the device of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the device of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 is a side section of the device of the present invention connected to a weight pouch;

(8) FIGS. 7a and 7b are a top view of the device of the present invention, in the release and locking condition respectively;

(9) FIGS. 8a and 8b are two sections of the device of the present invention with the male element inserted in the female element, in the release and locking condition respectively;

(10) FIGS. 9a-9c are a further variant embodiment of the device of the present invention.

(11) It is noted that the variant embodiment shown in the annexed figures is shown only for illustrative purposes and for better explaining the concepts and advantages of the device of the present invention, but it has not to be considered as a limitation of the inventive concept of the present patent application, which is to provide a device for releasably connecting a weight pouch to a pocket of a scuba diving jacket having a male element easily insertable and/or removable from the female element, further having an active locking condition and an active release condition.

(12) With particular reference to FIG. 1, the device for releasably connecting a weight pouch to a pocket of a scuba diving jacket of the present invention comprises a male element 1 connectable by means of a band to a weight pouch.

(13) The male element 1 is inserted into a female element 2, such that the male element 1 and the female element 2 pass from a disengagement condition to a mutual engagement condition.

(14) There is further provided a slider 3 activating/deactivating the engagement condition, which is engaged with the male element 1 in a manner slidable along the axis of insertion of the male element 1 into the female element 2.

(15) The relative movement between the activation/deactivation slider 3 and the male element 1 is transmitted to first removable locking members, belonging to the male element 1, that cooperate with corresponding second locking members belonging to the female element 2, such to pass from a stable locking condition to a stable release condition of the male element 1 with the female element 2.

(16) The passage from the locking condition to the release condition is carried out by a translation exerted on the slider 3 in the removal direction.

(17) FIGS. 2a and 2b show the two active locking and release conditions of the male element 1 with the female element 2.

(18) As it is clear from the figures the slider 3 passes from a maximum backward condition, FIG. 2a, corresponding to the active release condition, to a maximum forward condition, FIG. 2b, corresponding to the active locking condition.

(19) The slider 3 is composed of an elongated element 31, which, at the end faced towards the female element 2, has an enlarged head 32, such that the enlarged head 32, passing from the maximum backward condition to the maximum forward condition, pushes the first locking members towards the inner walls of the female element 2, such that the first locking members 115 engage the second locking members placed on the inner walls of the female element 2.

(20) As it is clear from FIGS. 2a to 3b the device of the present invention is made in such a manner that the slider has two end-of-travel positions along its travel, one related to the maximum backward condition and one related to the maximum forward condition.

(21) With a particular reference to the figures mentioned above, the slider 3 is provided at the longitudinal axis of the male element 1, while the first locking members are positioned at the sides of the slider 3 and each one has a first engagement tooth 115 coupling into a corresponding second engagement tooth 211 provided on the inner walls of the female element 2.

(22) Particularly each one of the two first locking members is composed of a rigid element made of an elastically deformable material and such rigid elements 111 and 112 are in a stable maximum mutual approaching condition, FIG. 3a, when the slider 3 is in the maximum backward condition, while the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are in the maximum mutual spreading apart condition when the slider 3 is in the maximum forward condition.

(23) Depending on the arrangement, the two rigid elements 111 and 112 can be elastically deformed in the maximum spreading apart condition or in the maximum approaching condition, or in both the conditions.

(24) In the case where the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are elastically deformed in the spreading apart condition, that is in the maximum forward condition of the slider 3, they are elastically loaded and the return to the approaching condition takes place automatically due to intrinsic elasticity issues of the material, when the slider 3 starts the backward travel.

(25) Similarly it occurs when the two rigid elements 111 and 112 are elastically deformed in the approaching condition.

(26) According to a possible embodiment the two rigid elements 111 and 112 can also be hinged at the base, that it they can be free to move without being subjected to any deformations: the passage from engagement to disengagement is generated by the axial forward-backward movement of the slider 3, that, in the maximum forward condition, pushes the two rigid elements 111 and 112 outwardly, while in the maximum backward condition, it pulls the two rigid elements 111 and 122 inwardly.

(27) As it will be described below, according to a preferred variant embodiment of the device of the present invention, the movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112, particularly the inward movement corresponding to the maximum approaching condition thereof, is obtained by the provision of guide flaps 322 cooperating with abutment flaps 117.

(28) With a particular reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the first two locking members are composed of two peripheral tongues 111, 112, which, on the outside, have a leading tapered end portion, preferably curved.

(29) With a particular reference to the shown variant embodiment, the end portion of each tongue 111 and 112 comprises the first engagement tooth 115.

(30) Particularly each tongue 111 and 112 has, at a specific distance from the end portion, the first engagement tooth 115 composed of a notch 116 of the tongue 111 and 112, which is placed at the connecting area of the substantially longitudinal straight portion of the tongue.

(31) The enlarged head 32 of the slider 3 on the outside towards the female element 2 has a curved surface 33 which is connected to the two end portions of the tongues 111 and 112 in the maximum forward condition of the slider 3, FIG. 3b, such to be an harmonious continuation surface thereof.

(32) Particularly the curved surface 33 has an arcuate portion with a length corresponding to the portion of maximum distance of the two tongues 111 and 112, in the maximum forward condition of the slider 3.

(33) Moreover the enlarged head 32 has two head edges 321, shown in FIG. 4b, on each end, intended to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end portions of the two tongues 111 and 112.

(34) The head edges 321 of the enlarged head 32 therefore have surfaces for the abutment of the head edges of the tongues 111, 112, such that the two tongues 111, 112 are symmetrically pushed and held in the maximum mutual spreading apart condition during the passage from the maximum backward condition to the maximum forward condition of the slider 3.

(35) With a particular reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the enlarged head 32 has two extensions 322 belonging to the elongated element 31 positioned rearwardly of the curved surface 33 and of the enlarged head 32.

(36) Such extensions 322 extend with an inclination with respect to the axis of insertion and they form two guide flaps 322 cooperating with the abutment flaps 117.

(37) Each tongue 111 and 112 has an abutment flap 117 extending with a specific inclination towards the guide flaps 322, and that cooperates with the guide flaps 322, in such a manner to guarantee the movement of the tongues in the desired manner, that is it allows them to spread apart upon insertion and to approach upon removal, thus guaranteeing the engagement or disengagement of the locking upon the pushing or pulling action by the slider 3.

(38) The provision of the abutment flaps 117 and of the guide flaps 322, together with the provision of the abutment surfaces of the head edges of the enlarged head 32 and of the tongues 111 and 112, allows two mutual snap actions to be obtained in the maximum forward and backward conditions of the slider 3.

(39) Advantageously the guide flaps 322 and abutment flaps 117 are stabilization guides that exert opposite actions during the travel of the slider 3.

(40) Particularly, as it is clear from FIGS. 3a and 3b, in the maximum backward condition of the slider 3, the tongues 111 and 112 are firmly held in the mutual approaching condition by means of the contact of the flaps 322 and 117, similarly in the maximum forward condition of the slider 3, the tongues 111 and 112 are firmly held in the mutual spreading apart condition by the contact of the head edge 321 with the end of the engagement tooth 115 and by the contact between the flaps 322 and 117.

(41) From the maximum backward condition, FIG. 3a, to the maximum forward condition, FIG. 3b, the guide flaps 321 slide on the upper surface of the abutment flaps 117.

(42) Therefore the contact of the flaps 321 and 117 is kept in the maximum backward condition up to the maximum forward condition.

(43) The movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112 from the maximum mutual approaching condition to the maximum mutual spreading apart condition, leads to a negligible elastic tensile condition.

(44) The movement of the rigid elements 111 and 112 that generates the engagement of the engagement tooth 115 with the inner walls of the female element 2 is due to the movement of the slider 3, that, in the maximum forward condition, pushes the rigid elements 111 and 112 outwardly with respect to the elongated element 31.

(45) Similarly in the maximum backward condition, the slider 3 pulls towards itself the elongated elements 111 and 112 in the maximum mutual approaching condition.

(46) The contact of the flaps 117 and 322 during the travel of the slider 3 allows the two rigid elements 111 and 112 to obtain both a stable maximum approaching condition and a stable maximum spreading apart condition.

(47) FIGS. 4a to 6 show a variant embodiment of the device of the present invention showing the particular arrangement of the components of the device, particularly it shows how they are divided and assembled together.

(48) Particularly the female element 2 is composed of a sheath element allowing the male element 1 to be inserted therein, the second engagement tooth 211 being provided on the inner walls of said sheath element.

(49) According to the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the female element 2 has means 21 fastening the female element 2 to the diver's jacket 4.

(50) The male element 1 is composed of a first bottom part 11 comprising the two peripheral tongues 111 and 112 and a central housing channel for slidably housing the slider 3.

(51) Moreover the male element 1 comprises a second cover part 12, coupling to the first bottom part 11 such to allow the slider 3 to slidably engage.

(52) The slider 3 is composed of an elongated element 31 at whose end opposite to the enlarged head 32 there being provided an element of the handle type 34 or the like.

(53) The slider is preferably made as one piece and of plastic material.

(54) The male element 1 preferably is connected to the weight pouch by means of a connection element 35 in any manner known in the prior art.

(55) FIG. 6 particularly shows the use of the releasable connection device of the present invention connected to a weight pouch 5.

(56) The shape of the connection element 35 is such to allow an element made of polyurethane to be used, which has one end cooperating with the connection element 35 and the other end cooperating with the weight pouch.

(57) As an alternative it is possible to provide to use a tape or the like.

(58) With a particular reference to FIGS. 3a to 6, the first bottom part 11 is made as one piece and it is composed of a frame having a rear wall 119, five uprights extending from such wall, two of which are peripheral uprights 111 and 112, two are internal uprights 1110, 1120 and a central channel 113.

(59) According to such variant the peripheral uprights 111 and 112 are the tongues described above, while the central upright 113 is a guide element for facilitating the slider 3 to properly slide.

(60) Advantageously the internal uprights 1110 and 1120 have hooking seats, for corresponding hooking teeth 121, 123 belonging to the second cover part 12, that guarantee the bottom part 11 and the cover part 12 to be assembled and locked.

(61) It is possible to provide further locking elements, such as screws, pins or the like, that fasten together the components of the device of the present invention.

(62) Such pins, screws or the like can provide engagement seats obtained in the thickness of the body of the male element 1.

(63) Finally according to the variant embodiment shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b it is possible to provide a cutout 122, on the female element 2, that shows the locking or release condition of the device of the present invention.

(64) Particularly on the slider 3 it is possible to provide marks identifying the release condition or the locking condition.

(65) On the basis of the position of the slider 3 the cutout 122 of the female element 2 coincides with a different mark: in FIG. 7a the slider 3 is in the maximum backward position and the cutout 122 shows the release condition, while in FIG. 7b the slider 3 is in the maximum forward condition and the cutout 122 shows the locking condition.

(66) FIGS. 8a and 8b show a variant embodiment of the device of the present invention, particularly a section of the device of the present invention in the release and locking conditions respectively.

(67) Particularly the figures show one embodiment wherein the guide flaps 132 and the abutment flaps 117 of the previous figures are not provided.

(68) Even in this case the first two locking members are composed of two tongues 111 and 112.

(69) The enlarged head 32 has two head edges on each end, intended to cooperate with corresponding end head edges of the end portions of the two tongues 111, 112.

(70) As in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the head edges of the enlarged head 32 are abutment surfaces 323 for the head edges 1111 and 1121 of the tongues 111 and 112, such that the two tongues 111 and 112 are symmetrically pushed and held in the maximum mutual spreading apart condition, such as shown in FIG. 8b, during the passage from the maximum backward condition to the maximum forward condition of the slider 3.

(71) In the maximum mutual spreading apart condition the tongues 111 and 112, teeth 115 and 116 are in the condition engaging the corresponding engagement seats provided on the female element 2, such to obtain the locking condition.

(72) Once the slider 3 returns back in the maximum backward condition, FIG. 8a, the tongues 111 and 112 tend to return in the maximum mutual approaching condition.

(73) As anticipated, the maximum mutual approaching condition can be obtained in a different manner and according to different embodiments.

(74) With particular reference to FIGS. 8a and 8b, the maximum approaching condition between the tongues 111 and 112 is obtained by the intrinsic elasticity thereof.

(75) On the contrary a possible alternative is to provide the slider 3, particularly the enlarged head 32, to pull back the tongues 111 and 112 when the slider 3 moves from the maximum forward condition to the maximum backward condition.

(76) An arrangement of such possible alternative for example is the one shown in the previous figures wherein the action of the guide flaps 132 with the abutment flaps 117 allow the slider 3 to pull the tongues 111 and 112 in the maximum approaching condition.

(77) Generally, since it does not depend on the intrinsic elasticity of the tongues 111 and 112, it is possible to provide members on the enlarged head 32 that move the tongues 111 and 112 during the passage of the slider 3 from the maximum forward condition to the maximum backward condition and vice versa, that is members carrying out an action similar to that of the guide flaps 132 and the abutment flaps 117.

(78) A possible implementation will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c.

(79) According to a possible embodiment the abutment surfaces 232 and the end surfaces 1111 and 1121 can have such a shape that, starting from a locking condition, the removal of the male element 1 from the female element 2 causes the tongues 111 and 112 to be compressed and causes the slider 3 to move from a maximum forward condition to a maximum backward condition.

(80) Moreover according to a further variant embodiment, shown in FIG. 8b, the two tongues 111 and 112 on the outside have a leading tapered end portion, preferably curved.

(81) The enlarged head of the slider 3 on the outside towards the female element 2, has a curved surface 33, which curved surface 33 is connected to the two end portions of the tongues 111, 112 in the maximum forward condition of the slider 3, such to be an harmonious continuation surface thereof.

(82) FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c show a further variant embodiment of the device of the present invention.

(83) Tongues 111 and 112 are hinged at the bottom part 11 by means of hinges 5.

(84) With a particular reference to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the tongues 111 and 112 are provided at the two different sides of the bottom part 11, but they can be obviously provided also at the same side.

(85) In the case the tongues 111 and 112 are provided at the two opposite sides of the bottom part 11 it is possible to provide to use two different sliders 3, that is a slider 3 for each tongue 111 and 112 responsible for the movement thereof.

(86) Particularly in FIG. 9a, the slider 3 is in the maximum backward condition, the tongues 111 and 112 are in the maximum approaching condition and the male element is released with respect to the female element.

(87) In FIG. 9b the slider 3 is in the maximum forward condition, the tongues 111 and 112 are in the maximum spreading apart condition and the male element 1 is attached to the female element 2, by the action of the teeth 115 and 116 that are in the condition engaged with the corresponding engagement seats provided on the female element 2.

(88) The shape of the enlarged head 32 and of the end portion of the tongues 111 and 112 can be such to allow the enlarged head 32 to push the tongues 111 and 112 in the maximum mutual spreading apart condition during the forward movement of the slider 3 and such to allow the enlarged head 32 to pull back the tongues 111 and 112 during the backward movement of the slider 3.

(89) Such movement for example can be obtained by the interaction of the contact surfaces of the enlarged head 32 and of the tongues 111 and 112, as well as by the hinges 5 that allow the tongues 111 and 112 to pivot.

(90) As an alternative it is possible to provide the enlarged head 32 only to push the tongues 111 and 112 in the maximum mutual spreading apart condition, but once the slider 3 is in the maximum backward condition, and to provide such tongues to be free to pivot due to the provision of the hinges 5 and therefore the male element can be removed from the female element 2.

(91) According to a further embodiment it is possible to provide elastic elements, of the spring type, inside the hinges 5 that urge the tongues 111 and 112 to remain in the mutual approaching condition.

(92) Particularly as said above such variant embodiment aims at providing a device that has all the mentioned characteristics, as an alternative or in combination, and that is usable in the automotive field, as an emergency solution for releasing the safety belts after an accident, for example in the case when it could be difficult to use the usual release button.

(93) Such variant is clearly shown in FIG. 9c, the borders of the safety belt can be sewn passing through the slots 6 related to the male element 1 and to the female element 2.

(94) Thus the male element 1 is fastened to the female element 2, and in case of emergency, by operating the slider or sliders 3, the tongues are moved and the male element 1 is released from the female element 2.

(95) Therefore it is sufficient to operate the eyelet 36 provided at the end opposite to the enlarged head 32 and connected to the slider 3, for example by inserting one finger and pulling, such to release the male element 1 from the female element 2.