Tension release fastener
A counter release buckle is provided herein. More particularly, a counter release buckle disengages in a direction opposite the direction that the buckle member is tensioned in. The counter release buckle releases each of the buckle members in the opposite direction of tension that is or would be placed on the buckle member. The buckle also engages the opposing buckle portions by moving them in the direction that the tension is or would be pulling on the respective buckle member.
1. A buckle system configured to be attached to an article that places the buckle in tension when connected, the buckle comprising:
a first engagement member configured to be tensioned in a first direction; and
a second engagement member configured to be tensioned in a second direction, wherein the first engagement member is received into the second engagement member on a side of the second engagement member opposite the first direction, wherein
the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged with one another such that as a tension force is placed on the buckle, the first engagement member is more firmly seated in engagement with the second engagement member; and
the first engagement member is a plug member and the second engagement member is a receiving member that receives the plug member into a receiving channel and the receiving channel is defined by a top plate, a base plate and an end stop portion configured to substantially constrain the plug member to linear travel within the receiving member.
2. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving member and the plug member are secured to one another by a detent structure allowing retention by more than just tension.
3. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving member includes an end stop portion that prevents the plug member from being pulled in the first direction through the receiving member.
4. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel includes a first side and a second side that are sufficiently separated from one another allowing for a portion of the plug member to extend out of the receiving channel when the plug member and the receiving member are latched or being latched.
5. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the plug member includes a body portion in part defining a ring portion to engage and pull in the first tensioning direction.
6. The buckle of claim 5 , wherein the receiving channel includes opposing walls defining a mouth that is narrower than the width of the ring in a relaxed state and wider than the width of the ring portion when the ring is in a tensioned state.
7. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the plug member includes a connection portion on a rear side.
8. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving member includes a connection portion on a bottom side below a base plate.
9. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the first engagement member connection portion is a trestle configured to engage a strap.
10. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel includes a first side and a second side having a separation, wherein a portion of the plug member's connection portion extends through the separation between.
11. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the base plate is stepped on lateral sides thereof with an upper portion of the stepped lateral sides forming a portion of the receiving channel and a lower portion of the stepped lateral sides forming a sliding surface for the plug connection portion.
12. The buckle of claim 2 , further comprising a locking mechanism that prevents or limits the plug member from being removed from the receiving member without user interaction.
13. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the receiving member is more flexible than the plug member.
14. The buckle of claim 13 , wherein the plug member includes protrusions extending out of lateral sides thereof and the receiving channel includes notches on the internal surfaces of the side walls, wherein the notches are suitable to receive the protrusions.
15. The buckle of claim 14 , wherein side walls of the receiving member are configured to flexibly separate from one another allowing the protrusions and the notches to engage or disengage securing the plug member and the receiving member together.
16. A buckle system configured to be attached to an article that places the buckle in tension when connected, the buckle comprising:
a first engagement member configured to be tensioned in a first direction; and
a second engagement member configured to be tensioned in a second direction, wherein the first engagement member is received into the second engagement member on a side of the second engagement member opposite the first direction, wherein
the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged with one another such that as a tension force is placed on the buckle, the first engagement member is more firmly seated in engagement with the second engagement member, and
the first engagement member is a plug member and the second engagement member is a receiving member that receives the plug member into a receiving channel and the receiving channel includes a first side and a second side having a separation, wherein a portion of the plug member's first connection portion extends through the separation between.
17. The buckle of claim 16 , wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged with one another such that as a tension force is placed on the buckle, the first engagement member is more firmly seated in engagement with the second engagement member.
18. The buckle of claim 16 , wherein the receiving member and the plug member are secured to one another by a detent structure allowing retention by more than just tension.
19. The buckle of claim 18 , further comprising a locking mechanism that prevents or limits the plug member from being removed from the receiving member without user interaction.
20. The buckle of claim 16 , wherein the receiving member is more flexible than the plug member.
21. A buckle system configured to be attached to an article that places the buckle in tension when connected, the buckle comprising:
a first engagement member configured to be tensioned in a first direction; and
a second engagement member configured to be tensioned in a second direction, wherein the first engagement member is received into the second engagement member on a side of the second engagement member opposite the first direction, wherein
the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged with one another such that as a tension force is placed on the buckle, the first engagement member is more firmly seated in engagement with the second engagement member,
the first engagement member is a plug member and the second engagement member is a receiving member that receives the plug member into a receiving channel and the receiving member includes a base plate that is stepped on lateral sides thereof with an upper portion of the stepped lateral sides forming a portion of the receiving channel and a lower portion of the stepped lateral sides forming a sliding surface for the plug connection portion.
22. The buckle of claim 21 , wherein the first engagement member and the second engagement member are engaged with one another such that as a tension force is placed on the buckle, the first engagement member is more firmly seated in engagement with the second engagement member.
23. The buckle of claim 21 , wherein the receiving channel includes a first side and a second side that are sufficiently separated from one another allowing for a portion of the plug member to extend out of the receiving channel when the plug member and the receiving member are latched or being latched.
24. The buckle of claim 21 , wherein the receiving member is more flexible than the plug member.
25. The buckle of claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism is a tab that extends at an angle in the first direction from a base plate on the receiving member and has an end surface that is configured to contact a vertical wall of the plug member when the plug member and the receiving member are engaged.
26. The buckle of claim 25 , wherein the tab is resiliently movable such that a finger can press on the tab in order to move the tab below the path of the plug member allowing the plug member to slide clear of the receiving member.
27. The buckle of claim 2 , wherein the plug member includes a body portion that extends from a connection portion, the body portion comprising laterally flexible cantilevered arms.
28. The buckle of claim 27 , wherein the cantilevered arms have protrusions extending laterally from each.
29. The buckle of claim 28 , wherein a cord is connected between the cantilevered arms in a configuration such that as the cord is pulled the arms collapse toward one another.