Lockable Snap-Clip Fastener

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority on prior filed U.S. Provisional Application number 61 / 533 , 1 04, filed 9 September 201 1 and as a continuing application of prior filed U.S. Non-provisional Application 1 3 /439,034, filed 4 April 201 2 and incorporates both prior Applications by reference in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of fasteners and more

particularly relates to a lockable snap-clip fastener.

BACKGROUND ART

The present invention is a lockable snap clip that comprises fewer parts than prior art snap clips and uses them in a simple arrangement which makes the snap clip of the present invention advantageous over the prior art.

The present invention represents a departure from the prior art in that the snap clip of the present invention allows for a lockable snap clip which is simple and intuitive to use that will remain in either a locked or unlocked configuration until the user desires to switch from one to the other.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of snap-clip fasteners, this invention provides a lockable snap-clip fastener. As such, the present invention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved lockable snap-clip fastener that is easy and intuitive to use, uses few

component parts and is economical to manufacture.

To accomplish these objectives, the snap-clip fastener according to the present invention comprises two jaw members joint at a pivot and biased by a spring in a closed position. A locking bar passes through one jaw member and slides underneath an end of the spring. The bar may pass to one side or the other of the jaw member through which it passes and is held in position by the spring. In one position, the bar blocks passage of the other jaw member, while it allows passage in the other position.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined in order that the more detailed description that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may better be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claims that follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equ ivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fastener depicting the best mode of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an alternate perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1 .

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the fastener of FIG. 1 .

Figure 4 is an alternate exploded view of the fastener of FIG. 1 .

Figure 5 is a plan view of the fastener of FIG. 1 , unlocked.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 4, taken along line A-A.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 4, taken along line B-B.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the fastener of FIG. 1 , locked.

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 4, taken along line C-C.

Figure 1 0 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 4, taken along line D-

D.

Figure 1 1 is an alternate perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1 .

Figure 1 2 is a perspective view of the fastener of FIG. l in use on either end of a sling. Figure 1 3 is a perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 1 , attached to a mounting loop.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the locking snap-clip fastener is herein described. It should be noted that the articles "a", "an", and "the", as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The following reference numerals are used to indicate the following components of the displayed preferred embodiment:

8 - connection hardware;

1 0 - fastener;

1 2 - mandible;

1 3 - spring;

1 4 - maxilla;

1 5 - roll pin;

1 6 - lock bar;

1 8 - sling;

22 - stop;

24 - distal tab;

26 - hooked tooth

28 - lever;

40 - cradle;

42 - pivot hole;

43 - floor;

44 - channel; 45 tooth;

46 back ridge;

48 attachment bar;

62 first tapered end;

64 ridge;

66 - off-center vertical notch;

68 -second tapered end.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , two jaw bodies, a mandible 1 2 and a maxilla 1 4, form the fastener 1 0. Maxilla 1 4 cradles mandible 1 2. The mandible 1 2 and maxilla 1 4 pivot relative to each other about a roll pin 1 5 and are biased in a closed position by torsion spring 1 3. Lock bar 1 6 passes through a middle portion of the maxilla 1 4 and may selectively impede movement of the mandible 1 2 relative thereto. This impediment allows the fastener 1 0 to be locked in an immovable position at the will of the user.

Figures 3 and 4 depict the components of the fastener in greater detail.

The mandible 1 2 features a hooked tooth 26 on one end and a lever 28 on the other. Two distal tabs 24 are located on either side of the mandible 1 2 , roughly one third of the length of the mandible 1 2 from a terminal end of the lever 28. Tabs 24 both feature coaxial through holes. A stop 22 is located on one side of the mandible 1 2 underneath the lever 28 and behind one tab 24. The maxilla 1 4 features a cradle 40 which interfaces with the hooked tooth 26. Cradle 40 features a floor 43 and two sides, which each terminate in a tooth 45 , with space defined between each tooth 45 and the floor 43. Maxilla 1 4 also features an attachment bar 48 opposite the cradle. The attachment bar 48 defines a hind end of the maxilla 1 4. Two pivot holes 42 are provided in opposite walls of the maxilla 1 4, such that, when properly positioned, the holes in the tabs 24 are coaxial with the pivot holes 42. A roll pin 1 5 or similar structu re is therein inserted to join the mandible 1 2 and maxilla 1 4 and serve as a pivot bar about which the jaw bodies respectively pivot. Torsion spring 1 3 is positioned about the roll pin 1 5, between the tabs 24, and is anchored with one arm in a slot on a back ridge 46 of the maxilla 1 4 (FIG. 1 1 ). The torsion spring 1 3 biases the jaw bodies in a closed position.

The locking bar 1 6 passes through a channel 44 behind the pivot holes 42 in the maxilla 1 4. The locking bar features two tapered ends 62 , 68, an off- center vertical notch 66 and a ridge 64 residing in a similarly off-center horizontal notch. Together, ridge 64 and the horizontal notch form two detents on either side of the ridge 64. When in position, the horizontal notch resides underneath the end of the spring 1 3 anchored in the back ridge 46. The interplay between these pieces is shown in a better view in FIG. 8.

In use, shown in FIGS. 5- 1 0, the locking bar 1 6 is pushed to one side or the other. In an open position, shown in FIGS. 5-7, stop 22 is positioned over the notch 66, thereby allowing relative movement between the mandible 1 2 and maxilla 1 4. Spring 1 3 resides in an outer edge detent of the ridge 64 in the horizontal notch. Spring pressure biases the spring 1 3 against the locking bar 1 6 and maintains the locking bar's position. To lock the fastener, shown in

FIGS. 8- 1 0, a user presses the exposed tapered end of the locking bar 1 6 until enough force is applied to the spring 1 3 to cause it to jump ridge 64 and settle on its other side's detent. In this position, stop 22 is not positioned over vertical notch 66, but rather over a solid portion of the locking bar 1 6. This then prevents the mandible 1 2 and maxilla 1 4 from pivoting and opening the fastener. The locking bar 1 6 of the fastener then requires positive pressure from the user to switch from one position to another and remains in that position until the user consciously desires to change.

This fastener 1 0 may be used in many different functions, such as the sling 1 8 shown in FIG. 1 2. In any setting, a strap may be secured about attachment bar 48 in any of the known, conventional means or through any means later discovered. In use, shown in FIG. 1 3, the fastener 1 0 is opened by unlocking it and depressing the lever 28 to separate the mandible 1 2 from the maxilla 1 4. A piece of connection hardware 8, such as a ring or bar, is positioned between the teeth 45 and floor 43 of the maxilla jaw 1 4 and the lever 28 released, thereby closing the hooked tooth 26 arou nd the connection hardware. The fastener 1 0 is then locked as described above.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is capable of being produced in industry and being used as an aid in portage and other fields where carrying or fastening an object to another object is required. This Application illustrates the invention as being in use with a sling; however, the invention is capable of use with other objects, most notably straps and packs, where temporary but secure fastening of two objects is required. The attachment bar 48 is an example means by which the present invention is connected to the target object, in this case a sling. It should be readily appreciated that different attachment means may be utilized for different types of objects and different purposes. The present invention may be manufactured from any appropriate material, metals and plastics being considered ideal for durability and economical construction.