Self-Aligning, Quick Connect and Disconnect Magnetic End Connectors

Abstract

Self-aligning, durable quick connect strap end connector system that includes a pair of identical end connectors configured to slide together and interconnect. Each end connector includes a body with a strap bar and strap slot formed on the body's proximal end. The body includes a narrow section and a lip section that extends downward and rearward. The lip section includes an abutment surface transversely aligned with the body's longitudinal axis. Located adjacent to the abutment surface is a vid area configured to receive the lip section on a second end connector longitudinally aligned with said first end connector. At least one projecting element extends from the abutment surface on said first end connector and fits into a hole formed on the abutment surface of the second end connector. Mounted on each abutment surface is at least one magnet that generate a magnetically attractive force between the two end connectors.

Claims

1. A self-aligning strap end connector system, comprising, a. a first end connector that includes a body with a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, a first surface and a second surface, a strap bar and strap slot formed on said wide body near said proximal end, said wide body includes a narrow section and a lip section formed adjacent to said narrow section and near said distal end, said lip section extends downward from said wide body and includes an abutment surface transversely aligned with said longitudinal axis, said wide body includes a void area adjacent to said abutment surface configured to receive the lip section on a second end connector longitudinally aligned with said first end connector; b. at least one projecting element formed on said abutment surface of said first end connector, said projecting element being perpendicularly aligned on said abutment surface of said first end connector; c. at least one magnet located on said abutment surface of said first end connector; d. a second end connector that includes a body with a distal end, a proximal end, a longitudinal axis, a first surface and a second surface, a strap bar and strap slot formed on said wide body near said proximal end, said wide body includes a narrow section and a lip section formed adjacent to said narrow section and near said distal end, said lip section extends downward from said wide body and includes an abutment surface transversely aligned with said longitudinal axis, said wide body includes a void area adjacent to said abutment surface configured to receive the lip section on said first end connector longitudinally aligned with said second end connector; e. at least one projecting element formed on said abutment surface of said second end connector, said projecting element being perpendicularly aligned on said abutment surface of said second end connector; and, f. at least one magnet located on said abutment surface of said second end connector;

2. The self-aligning strap end connector, as recited in claim 1, further including at least one peg formed on the first end connector and peg hole complimentary to said peg configured to prevent said first and second end connectors from sliding laterally with respect to each other.

Description

THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a self-aligning strap end connector system that includes a pair of connectors attached to the opposite ends of a single strap or dual straps and connected.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the two end connectors and straps shown in FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the first end connector showing the downward movement of the second end connector relative to the first end connector.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the second end connector.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a sectional rear elevational view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional rear elevational view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a sectional rear elevational view similar to the view show in FIG. 5 showing a disc magnet used in place of an elongated magnet.

[0022] FIG. 8 is a sectional rear elevational view like the view show in FIG. 6 showing a disc magnet used in place of an elongated magnet.

[0023] FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a partial perspective view of the first end connector with an elongated, V-shaped magnet attached to the projecting surface with a center peg and a second end connector with a complimentary, V-shaped receiver made of magnetic material or made of ferrous material each magnetically attracted to the V-shaped magnet.

[0024] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of two end connectors.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the two end connectors shown in FIG. 10.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the two end connectors shown in FIG. 10.

[0027] FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of the end connectors shown in FIG. 10.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an end connector showing the relative location of the projecting element and the magnet on the abutment surface.

[0029] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the end connector taken along line 15-15 in FIG. 14.

[0030] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the opposite end connector showing the two holes and a center magnet.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0031] Referring to the FIGS. 1-10, there is shown a set of end connectors 20, 40 affixed to the ends 12, 14 of a single strap or two straps intended to be temporarily joined. Each end connector 20, 40 includes a rigid body 22, 42, and a lip section 26, 46, respectively, formed on its distal end. The first and second end connectors 20, 40 are attached to the ends 12, 14 of the straps so the lip sections 26, 46 are aligned in opposite direction as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, adjacent to each lip section 26, 46 is a center void 29, 49, respectively. Formed on each lip section 26, 46 is an inward facing, transversely aligned abutment surface 28, 48, respectively. During use, the end connectors 20, 40 are longitudinally aligned and pressed together so the lip sections 26, 46 overlap until the abutment surfaces 28, 48 disposed into the voids 29, 49 formed on the adjacent end connector 20, 40 and parallel.

[0032] Formed or attached to the abutment surface 28 on the first end connector 20 is an elongated projecting element 30 with a center axis perpendicularly aligned with the adjacent abutment surface 28. Formed or attached to the abutment surface 48 on the second end connector 40 is a receiver hole 50 (see FIG. 4). The receiver slot 50 is complimentary in shape and size with the projecting element 30 so the projecting element 30 engages the slot 50 when the two abutment surfaces 28, 48 are aligned and registered.

[0033] Attached to the projecting element 30 and inserted into each slot 50 are two magnets 34, 64, respectively. The magnets 34, 64 are oriented with their magnetic poles in opposite directions so they attract with placed in close proximity. In one embodiment in FIGS. 2-5, the magnets 34, 64 are elongated bars that extend longitudinally substantially the entire over the projecting element 30 or the slot 50. In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the magnets 34, 64 are small circular or square disc magnets.

[0034] FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a partial perspective view of the first end connector 20 with an elongated, V-shaped magnet 30 attached to the projecting surface with a center peg 80 attached thereto and showing second end connector 40 with a complimentary, V-shaped receiver 64 made of magnetic material or made of ferrous material each magnetically attracted to the V-shaped magnet 30 and showing a peg hole 84 formed on the receiver 64 configured to receive the peg 80 and prevent lateral movement of the first and second end connectors.

[0035] FIGS. 10-15 show another embodiment of the system 10 that uses a pair of modified first and second end connectors, 120, 140. Each first and second end connector 120, 140 includes a rigid body 122, 142 with a strap bar 124, 144, and a strap receiving slot 126, 146, formed on its proximal end 123, 143, respectively. Formed on the distal end 127, 147 of each end connector 120, 140 is a transversely aligned lip section 128, 148, respectively. Formed on the rigid body 122, 142 located above the lip section 128, 148 is a narrow section 129, 149, respectively. Each end connector 120, 140 includes a longitudinal axis 130, 150 and a transverse axis 132, 152, respectfully. The lip section 128, 148 is perpendicularly aligned with the longitudinal axis 130, 150 and parallel with the wide body's transverse axis 132, 152, respectively. Formed on each lip section 128, 148 is a transversely aligned abutment surface 13, 156, that faces the proximal end of the body 124, 144, respectively.

[0036] Like the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the proximal ends on the first and second end connectors are attached to the opposite ends of the single strap or to the ends 12, 14 of two separate straps. The inside surface of each end connector 120, 140 between the rigid body 122, 142 and the lip section 128, 148 curves inward forming a wide void area 134, 154 configured to receive the lip section 128, 148 on the adjacent end connector 120, 140, respectively. The widths and lengths of the two abutment surfaces 136, 156 are identical. The widths and lengths of the two abutment surfaces 136, 156 are also nearly identical to the wide void areas 134, 154 enabling the two end connectors 120, 140 when oriented in opposite directions, to be longitudinally aligned and their distal ends overlapping. When the distal ends overlap, the transverse surfaces 136, 156 on the two end connectors 120, 140 abut and prevent movement of the end connectors 120, 140 towards their proximal ends.

[0037] Formed or attached to the abutment surface 136 on the first end connector 120 is at least one projecting element 166 perpendicularly aligned with the abutment surface 136. Formed or attached to the abutment surface 156 on the second end connector 140 is a receiver hole 176. The receiver hole 176 is complimentary in shape and in size with the projecting element 166 so the projecting element 166 fits into and engages the receiver hole 176. In one embodiment, there are two pairs of projecting elements 166 and receiving holes 176 on opposite sides of the end connectors, 120, 140, respectively.

[0038] Attached to the abutment surface 136, 156 on each end connector 120, 140 is a magnet 164, 174, respectively. The magnets 164, 174 on the two end connectors 120, 140 are longitudinally aligned with their poles oriented in opposite directions so they attract when brought with inches of each other. In one embodiment, the magnets 164, 174 are disc magnets with outer surfaces flush or even with the abutment surfaces 136, 148, respectively.

[0039] During assembly, the end connectors 120, 140 are oriented so their distal ends overlap. The top and bottom surfaces of the end connectors are rotated so the lip sections 128, 148 fits into the void areas 134, 154 on the opposite end connector. The abutment surfaces on the end connectors are parallel and resist longitudinally directed pulling forces on the end connectors 120, 140. The two projecting elements 166 on the second end connector extend into holes 160 formed on the first end connector 120 and resist side-to-side movement and up/down movement of the two abutment surfaces 136, 156. The two magnets 166, 166 hold the two abutment surfaces 136, 156 together when little no pulling force is exerted on the two end connectors 120, 140.

[0040] In compliance with the statute, the invention described has been described in language more or less specific on structural features. It should be understood however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown, comprises the preferred embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is therefore claimed in its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately interpreted under the doctrine of equivalents.