US6138330A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety snap buckle having blocking action
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1999-02-12
•
Granted: 2000-10-31
•
Expires: 2019-02-12
Abstract
Abstract The device is a snap buckle with a safety feature--a blocking element 16 which blocks the action of the side catch arms 11a&b and prevents the buckle from being inadvertently disengaged. A male plug 10, having side catch arms 11a&b and a central member 12, forms one part of the device. A female socket 13, having openings 14a&b, a depressible member 15, and a blocking element 16 forms the other part of the device. To engage, plug 10 and socket 13 are urged together. Side catch arms 11a&b ride over blocking element 16 to engage openings 14a&b, and are then blocked from disengagement by blocking element 16. To disengage, depressible member 15 is depressed to disable the blocking action of blocking element 16, and side catch arms 11a&b are then pressed inward to disengage said side catch arms 11a&b from socket 13.
Inventors
- 👤 John Alexander Galbreath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:11
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B11/00; A44B11/25; A44B11/26; A44B11/263; A44B11/266; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45471; Y10T24/45524; Y10T24/45545; Y10T24/45581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A buckle, comprising: (a) a male part having catching means, and (b) a female part having at least one hinged member located thereon, and having an open end, a front surface, and a back surface, and (c) a blocking element, associated with said hinged member, that blocks the disengagement of said catching means, whereby disengagement of said male part from said female part requires separate and independent pressure on said depressible member and said catching means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A buckle, comprising: (a) a male part having catching means, and (b) a female part having at least one hinged member located thereon, and having an open end, a front surface, and a back surface, and (c) a blocking element, associated with said hinged member, that blocks the disengagement of said catching means, whereby disengagement of said male part from said female part requires separate and independent pressure on said depressible member and said catching means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said catching means comprise one catch arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said catching means comprise two catch arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said female part has a closed end, and said hinged member extends from said closed end of said female part.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said hinged member extends from said open end of said female part.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein one said hinged member is located on said front surface of said female part.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein one said hinged member is located on said back surface of said female part.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1, wherein one said hinged member is located on said front surface of said female part, and one said hinged member is located on said back surface of said female part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said blocking element has an elongated shape with a wedge-shaped cross section.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said blocking element has an elongated shape with a rectangular-shaped cross section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said female part has a slot located thereon, and said blocking element projects into said slot during engagement and disengagement of said male part and said female part.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said blocking element is fully contained within said female part during engagement and disengagement of said male part and said female part.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said male part has a central member spaced laterally apart from said catching means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 13, wherein an additional catch is located on the end of said central member, said additional catch engaging a wedge-shaped surface of said blocking element during engagement of said male part and said female part.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein indicating means are located on at least one said hinged member, thereby facilitating optimal pressure application on said hinged member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 15, wherein said indicating means comprise a button.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 15, wherein said indicating means describe the operation of the buckle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein at least one said hinged member and said female part are formed together, of one-piece construction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1, wherein at least one said hinged member and said female part are formed apart, of multiple-piece construction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1, wherein pulling means are associated with said blocking element, and said pulling means can be pulled to exert pressure on said blocking element and said hinged member, thereby moving said blocking element to a position wherein disengagement of said catching means is not blocked.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4150464A
Cited
US4569106A
Cited
US4672725A
Cited
US4688337A
Cited
US4793032A
Cited
US4825515A
Cited
US4912950A
Cited
US4987661A
Cited
US5119532A
Cited
US5131122A
Cited
US5144725A
Cited
US5311649A
Cited
US5291641A
Cited
US5419020A
Cited
US5383257A
Cited
US5438737A
Cited
US5459910A
Cited
US5551131A
Cited
US5548879A
Cited
US5774956A
Cited
US5845376A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-10-31 | 2004-05-01 | 2004-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-31 | 2008-05-01 | 2008-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-31 | 2012-05-01 | 2012-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |