One-piece connecting or fastening apparatus inexpensively and simply manufactured

Abstract

A one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The one-piece connecting apparatus is formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal and provides reliable construction. The one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle by the associated male connector structure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 USC 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 771645, filed on Feb. 09, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a connecting or fastening apparatus that permits two objects to be quickly and detachably interconnected, and more particularly to a one-piece connecting apparatus that allows an object to be quickly and detachably interconnected and is inexpensive and simple to manufacture. The present invention also relates to an article of manufacture or stamp from a suitable metal material such as steel for fabricating the one-piece connecting apparatus. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] A number of connecting apparatus have provided for the engagement and detachable interconnection of male and female members. Apparatus for mounting an object on a belt ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is a general object of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for detachably interconnecting two objects, which avoids the disadvantages of prior apparatus while affording additional structural and operating advantages.

[0008] To this end, a one-piece connecting apparatus formed entirely of a single piece of material such as formed metal provides reliable construction. A one-piece female connector structure is adapted for cooperation with an associated male connector structure for interconnecting objects. The female structure is formed from a single material and includes a member folded into separate planes. A first planar wall is interconnected and substantially parallel with a second planar wall, such that the first wall and the second wall respectively cooperate to define a receptacle therebetween. The first wall has an aperture therein communicating with the receptacle and extending to a peripheral edge of the first wall, and the first wall has an entrance that opens at its peripheral edge. A cam portion is formed with the member and extends into the receptacle, with the cam portion being laterally offset to one side of the aperture to inhibit movement out of the receptacle.

[0010] Important features of the invention include apparatus being of simple, economical construction, which is resistant to wear, with the provision of an integrally formed metal, one-piece, female connecting structure.

Problems solved by technology

The process of securing a female member to a belt clip structure though rivets and a stiffening plate increases both the time and material cost of manufacturing, as well as increasing the difficulty of the manufacturing process and allowing more opportunity for errors in manufacture to occur.

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