fastener

Abstract

A fastener (10) for releasably securing a member, comprising a body (11) including a shank (13) and a recess (12) configured to receive the member. A door (21) is mounted for axial sliding on the shank (13) between a closed position in which the door closes the mouth of the recess for retaining the member and an open position. Resilient means engage the door (21) and the shank (13) to urge the door (21) to the closed position and a latch (24) is mounted on opposite sides of the door (21), wherein each latch is self-closing and engages the body to retain the door in the closed position, thereby providing a self-locking fastener which requires three independent actions to release for greater security.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly to self-locking gated fasteners that require multiple independent actions to release, in order to provide protection against accidental release. Background Technology

[0002] US8365365B2 describes a hook-type fastener with a sliding door, the sliding door being actuated by a spring to close the hook. It can be used to releasably fasten slender, flexible components such as belts, slings, tethers, ropes, cords, chains, etc. A disadvantage of this fastener is that the user must perform a separate manual action, turning the retainer to place the door in its latched closed position. Therefore, it should be understood that a higher level of security or protection against unintentional release is needed, and such security or protection is available if the need for this separate manual action can be avoided. The object of the present invention is to address the above-mentioned need, or more generally, to provide an improved automatic locking door control fastener. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect of the invention, a fastener for releasably securing a member is provided, the fastener comprising:

[0004] A body comprising a handle and a groove configured to receive the component;

[0005] A door, the door being mounted on the handle to slide axially between a closed position and an open position, the door closing the opening of the groove for retaining the member in the closed position;

[0006] A resilient device, which engages the door and the handle to push the door to the closed position, and

[0007] A pair of latches are mounted on opposite sides of the door, wherein each latch is self-closing and engages the body to hold the door in the closed position.

[0008] The elastic device preferably includes elastic components or assemblies, such as springs (e.g., coil springs, leaf springs, cantilever springs, gas springs), elastic members (e.g., elastic blocks), etc.

[0009] The latch can be any known type of latch, such as a sliding latch, a pivoting latch, or a combination of sliding and pivoting latches, and can be made self-closing by providing a resilient latch closing device, such as a spring (e.g., a helical spring, leaf spring, cantilever spring, gas spring), a resilient member (e.g., an elastic block), etc.

[0010] Preferably, the groove is positioned near one longitudinal end of the body.

[0011] Preferably, the groove is defined by a hook-shaped portion of the body. Preferably, the hook-shaped portion has a non-concave angle.

[0012] Preferably, the latches are similar, each latch including a latch bar that is pivotally mounted to rotate about a corresponding generally transverse pivot axis.

[0013] Preferably, the latch bar is generally axially elongated, and the two generally transverse pivot axes are generally located in the transverse plane.

[0014] Preferably, the pivot axis is located between the opposing first and second ends of the latch lever, with one of the first and second ends of each latch lever adjacent to a shoulder on the handle.

[0015] Preferably, the slot extends through the handle and is substantially axially aligned, with the opposite end of the latch spring receiving in the slot abutting a corresponding latch bar to push one of the first and second ends inward.

[0016] Preferably, the second end protrudes from the recessed circumferential surface of the door, and most preferably from the conical recessed surface.

[0017] The shafts can be held in corresponding holes in the body, each shaft pivotally supporting a latch bar. However, preferably, a one-piece retainer extends through each latch bar to define each pivot.

[0018] Preferably, the one-piece retainer is a channel receiving portion in the periphery of the door.

[0019] Preferably, the one-piece retainer includes a section of wire initially formed in a U-shape, the wire having two parallel arms that are inserted through a latch bar before the ends of the arms are bent together to form a loop, thereby permanently retaining the latch bar and the latch spring.

[0020] Preferably, the elastic device includes a helical spring extending around the handle, one end of the helical spring engaging the door and the other end engaging a fixing device adjacent to one end of the handle.

[0021] Preferably, the fixing device is held in a hole that extends substantially laterally through the shaft.

[0022] Preferably, the fixing device includes one end of an elongated flexible member, such as a steel wire rope.

[0023] The present invention provides a fastener that is effective and efficient in operation and provides protection against accidental release by requiring three independent release actions (two separate latches and door sliding) and automatic locking. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Preferred forms of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the first embodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 1a Is it through Figure 1 A partial cross-sectional view in the longitudinal plane at one end of the fastener body;

[0027] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the fasteners assembled in the closed position;

[0028] Figure 3 Is it through Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the fastener in the center longitudinal plane;

[0029] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the fastener;

[0030] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the fasteners in the open position;

[0031] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram of one-handed operation of medium fasteners;

[0032] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 and 10 These are, respectively, a plan view and a side view of the fourth embodiment of the fastener of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 11 and 12 They are Figure 9 and 10 The cross sections BB and AA;

[0036] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 Improvements include arrows showing the sliding motion of the door to open the fasteners;

[0037] Figure 14 and 15 They are Figure 9 Top and side perspective views of the fasteners;

[0038] Figures 16 to 22 A fifth embodiment of the fastener of the present invention is shown;

[0039] Figure 23 A sixth embodiment of the fastener of the present invention is shown in longitudinal section;

[0040] Figure 24 A longitudinal sectional view of a seventh embodiment of the fastener of the present invention is shown, the fastener being secured to a complementary connector housed in one axial end of a door, and

[0041] Figure 25 yes Figure 24 The cross section CC is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0042] See Figures 1 to 5 A first embodiment of the fastener 10 according to the invention generally includes an elongated body 11 having a groove 12 formed near a first longitudinal end 14 and a shank 13 extending to an opposing longitudinal end 15. The first longitudinal end 14 may include a hook-shaped portion of the body 11 defining the groove 12. The body 11 may have a generally elongated shape with its two ends 14, 15 having the same cross-section. The groove 12 extends generally laterally and may taper longitudinally to a narrower end 17 from an elongated opening 16 generally aligned with the outer surface of the shank 13. The closed end 17 may be concave and define an arcuate surface. The groove 12 may be relatively shallow in its lateral dimension so as not to extend across an imaginary central longitudinal plane (not shown) of the body 11. A slot 18 may extend through the body 11 and may be longitudinally elongated and at least partially intersect the groove 12. Near the inner end of the slot 18, the body includes laterally opposing shoulders 36. A plurality of planes 19 may be provided on the exterior of the body 11 and longitudinally aligned. Hole 20 can extend laterally through longitudinal end 15.

[0043] like Figure 1aAs best shown, the hook-shaped portion of end 14 of body 11 can have a non-reentrant form. At the tip of the free end 80 of the hook-shaped portion, the surface of the groove 12 defines a tangent 81. The tangent 81 may be generally parallel to (or open from) the opposite face 82 of the groove 12 to provide a non-reentrant form, avoiding the need for a component received in the groove 12 to pass through a throat before reaching the closed end 17. This shape differs from a reentrant form (not shown) in which the tangent 81 is closed by rotation along direction 83, such that the free end 80 defines the throat of the groove 12. Fastener 10 also includes a door 21, an elastic device in the form of a compression spring 23, a pair of latch levers 24a, 24b, a one-piece retainer 26, and a tether 27.

[0044] Door 21 has a sleeve-like form with a central hole 22 complementary to the handle 13 received therein, such that door 21 can be in the closed position on handle 13. Figure 2 and 3 ) and opening position ( Figure 5 The door 21 slides axially between the openings 16 and 24a. In the closed position, the door 21 closes the opening 16 by extending over it. In the open position, the door 21 retracts to expose a portion of the opening 16 for inserting a component (not shown). Thus, in the closed position, the recess 12 defines a laterally extending through-hole. The internal support 28 in the hole 22 may be configured to engage with the face 19 to prevent the door 21 from rotating and to abut the stop face 76 (as in the closed position), thereby limiting the travel of the door 21 toward the end 14 of the body 11. Axially aligned slots 29 may extend through the diametrically opposite sides of the door 21 to receive corresponding latch bars 24a, 24b. Laterally opposite recesses 50 in the outer axial ends of the door 21 may be configured to align with the closed end 17 in the closed position, such that a component (not shown) received in the recess 12 and extending laterally also protrudes through the two recesses 50. To be accommodated in the groove 12, the component can be another section of wire rope, a pin, a D-ring, or a link, etc., comprising an elongated portion, such as a cross-section having a substantially constant diameter over its entire length. The opposing longitudinal edges of the elongated portion can be positioned near the opposing concave ends 17 and 77 of the recess 50. Depending on the lateral dimensions of the elongated portion and the movement of the limiting gate 21 toward end 14, the elongated portion can be clamped between ends 17 and 77 and effectively withstand double shear, or it can move freely laterally relative to the fastener 10. The one-piece retainer 26 can be formed from a wire initially U-shaped, such as… Figure 1As shown, the door 21 has two parallel arms 25, 30, each arm providing a pivot to support one of the latch bars 24a, 24b. Before the ends 25a, 30a of the arms 25, 30 bend together to form a loop, thus permanently retaining the latch bars 24a, 24b, the two parallel arms 25, 30 are inserted through corresponding openings 31 in the door 21 and openings 32 in the latch bars 24a, 24b. Channels 33, 34, 35 in the periphery of the door 21 receive portions of a one-piece retainer 26, such that it is recessed within the periphery of the door 21, as shown in… Figure 4 The best view is from the center. In this way, the pivot axes of the two rods are essentially in the same transverse plane.

[0045] The latching levers 24a and 24b are similar, and the hole 32 defines a pivot located between a first longitudinal end 42 and a second longitudinal end 43. The first end 42 of each latching lever may include a protrusion 40 receiving one end of a spring 41, while the second end 43 is configured to abut a shoulder 36 in the closed position. Thus, the spring 41 is used to actuate the first end 42 apart and actuate the second end 43 inward, causing the latching levers 24a and 24b to self-close. Figure 2 Perhaps best shown is the second end 42 of the latch bar 24a, 24b protruding from the circumferential surface 44 of the door 21, which is conical and concave, an ergonomic feature to provide a comfortable position for the user's thumb and fingers on the top of the latch bar 24a, 24b.

[0046] A helical compression spring 23 extends around the handle 13 and has one end that can engage the door 21 and the other end that can engage a fixing device in the form of a wire rope 27 or a similar elongated flexible member, near the longitudinal end 15. In this embodiment, the end of the wire rope 27 forms a loop 78 through the hole 20, which is formed by folding the wire rope 27 back onto itself and permanently securing it to itself, for example, by a crimp 48. The end 15 of the body 11 can be directly crimped to the wire rope 127 at the end of the loop 78 to prevent any relative movement between the body 11 and the wire rope 127, such as slippage of the wire rope 27 through the hole 20.

[0047] Because the latch levers 24a and 24b have independent latching actions, both must be pressed by the user to release the sliding of the door 21, and their relative arrangement means that this can be achieved by means of... Figure 6The figure shows that they can be easily grasped by holding them between the index finger and thumb. The loop formed in the wire rope 27 can also be easily gripped, thus securing the body when the door 21 is retracted, providing one-handed operation. The release of the two latch levers 24a, 24b and the sliding of the door 21 involve three independent actions, each of which must be performed to release the fastener 10, thus reducing the possibility of unintended release. Furthermore, since levers 24a, 24b are self-closing and the sliding door 21 is spring-biased to its closed position, the fastener 10 automatically locks when released by the user.

[0048] In other embodiments of the invention, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components as in the first embodiment.

[0049] Figure 7 A second embodiment of the fastener 110 is shown, which has a similar structure to the first embodiment 10 except for the loop in the wire rope 27. One end of the wire rope 127 is permanently fixed to end 15, for example by directly coiling end 15 of the body 11 to end 51 of the wire rope 127. Using this embodiment, a section of the wire rope 127 is fixed in the groove 12, and a safe, removable loop 128 is formed using the wire rope 127.

[0050] exist Figure 8 In the fastener 210 of the third embodiment shown, a D-ring 251 is received in a hole 20 and connected to a fiber web 55, for example by a ring in the fiber web 55 through which the D-ring 251 passes.

[0051] Figure 9-15 The fourth embodiment of the fastener 310 shown uses a similar component to perform the same function, but instead of a door closed by a compression spring, the door is closed by a tension spring 123. The tension spring 123 is secured to end 15 of the body 111 by a hook-shaped end extending around a loop of wire rope 27, and to the door 121 by another hook-shaped end received in a hole in the door 121. The door 121 is pushed towards its end to reach its closed position (e.g., Figure 9-15 (As shown). The recess 150 is located at the middle position between the axial ends of the door 121 and is U-shaped, such that in the closed position, the integral tongue 60 of the door 121 extends above the opening of the recess 112.

[0052] exist Figure 16-22 In another preferred embodiment shown, and perhaps in Figure 22As best shown, the hook end 14 of the fastener 410 and the recess 212 defined therefrom may have a much larger lateral dimension than the adjacent bar 213 of the body 211, which may be necessary depending on the application. To accommodate this geometry, instead of a door located above the opening of the recess in the closed position, the door 221 may have an engagement 65 abutting the end of the hook portion against a complementary engagement 66 on the body 221. These engagements 65, 66 may be in the form of steps, providing a degree of interlocking in the closed position, thereby contributing to the stability of the hook end of the door 221.

[0053] Figure 16-22 The body 211 is shown to include a head 68 that projects radially outward from the handle 213 to provide a bearing for one end of the compression spring 223, wherein a wire rope receiving hole 220 extends through the head 68.

[0054] Figure 23 A sixth embodiment of the fastener 510 is shown, wherein latch bars 524a, 524b are held pivotally mounted to door 521, but wherein the biasing single spring 41 is replaced by two separate springs (not shown), such as torsion springs mounted around respective latch pivots, each spring biasing a corresponding one of latch bars 524a, 524b to its latched position. Advantageously, this avoids the need for a through-extending slot 18 in handle 513. Furthermore, door 521 can be made to rotate freely about the longitudinal axis of handle, since shoulder 536 defines an annular surface 514 in the transverse plane, and thus abuts latch bars 524a, 524b at any relative angle of rotation between door 121 and handle 513 about the longitudinal axis.

[0055] The two-part connector may include a fastener 610 and a complementary connector 514 releasably secured in one axial end of the door 21, such as Figure 24 and 25 As shown. Fastener 610 is similar to any of the aforementioned fasteners 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, and 510, except for the shape of the end 614 of the elongated body 611, wherein an axially extending channel exists in the hook-shaped end 614 extending into the groove 12, wherein the channel receives the axially extending portion 516 of the connector 514. The connector 514 has a hook-shaped end 515 that is complementary to and engages with both the door 21 and the hook-shaped end 614, such that the extension of the door 21 (to the position shown) secures the connector 514 to protrude from the axial end of the door 21. Despite the modification by the axially extending channel, the elongated member received in the groove 12 and extending laterally to form the ring 128 remains secure and cannot disengage from the groove 12 in the axial direction. By providing the connector 514 on a tool, for example, the fastener of the present invention for attaching to a tether can be used to fasten the tool.

[0056] Various aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only, and it should be understood that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A fastener for releasably securing a component, the fastener comprising: A body comprising a handle and a groove, the handle having a handle axis and the groove having an opening and configured to receive the component; A door, the door being mounted on the handle and sliding axially between a closed position and an open position along the handle axis, wherein in the closed position the door closes the opening of the groove for retaining the member; A resilient device, which engages the door and the handle to push the door to the closed position, and A pair of latches are mounted on opposite sides of the door, wherein each latch is self-closing, driven to engage the body to hold the door in the closed position, and can be manually moved away from the body to release the door from the closed position.

2. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The groove is positioned near one of the longitudinal ends of the body.

3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The groove is defined by the hook-shaped portion of the body.

4. The fastener according to claim 3, wherein, The hook-shaped portion has a non-concave angle.

5. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The latches are similar, and each latch includes a latch lever that is pivotally mounted to rotate about a corresponding generally transverse pivot axis.

6. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein, The latch bar extends generally along the direction of the handle axis, and each substantially transverse pivot axis is located substantially in a transverse plane transverse to the handle axis.

7. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein, Each basic transverse pivot axis is positioned between the opposing longitudinal first and second ends of the respective latch bar, with one of the first and second ends of each latch bar adjacent to a shoulder on the handle.

8. The fastener of claim 7 further includes a latching spring and a slot extending through the shank and substantially aligned with the axis of the shank, wherein the latching spring is received in the slot such that opposite ends of the latching spring abut a corresponding latch bar to push one of the first end and the second end inward to engage the shoulder.

9. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein, A one-piece retainer extends through each latch bar to define the pivot of each latch bar.

10. The fastener according to claim 9, wherein, The one-piece retainer is located in the channel receiving portion of the periphery of the door.

11. The fastener of claim 9 further comprises a latching spring received in a slot extending through the shank and substantially axially aligned, wherein, The one-piece retainer includes a section of wire initially formed in a U-shape, the wire having two parallel arms that are inserted through the latch bar before the ends of the arms are bent together to form a loop, thereby permanently retaining the latch bar and the latch spring.

12. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic device includes a helical spring extending around the handle, one end of the helical spring engaging the door, and the other end of the helical spring engaging a fixing device adjacent to one end of the handle.

13. The fastener according to claim 12, wherein, The fixing device is held in the hole that extends through the handle.

14. The fastener according to claim 12, wherein, The fixing device includes one end of a slender, flexible member.

15. The fastener of claim 1, further comprising a connector having a hook-shaped end complementary to both the hook-shaped ends of the door and the body, wherein, The connector engages with the fastener to protrude from the axial end of the door and is secured by sliding the door to the closed position.

16. A fastener for releasably securing a member, the fastener comprising: A body, the body including a handle and a groove, the groove being configured to receive the component and defined by a hook-shaped portion of the body; A door, the door being mounted on the handle to slide axially between a closed position and an open position, the door closing the opening of the groove for retaining the member in the closed position; A resilient device, which engages the door and the handle to push the door to the closed position, and A pair of latch bars, each latch bar mounted via a corresponding pivot to rotate about a corresponding generally transverse pivot axis, the pair of latch bars being mounted on opposite sides of the door, wherein each latch bar is generally axially elongated and closed by a latch spring to engage the body for holding the door in the closed position.

17. The fastener according to claim 16, wherein, A one-piece retainer extends through each of the latch bars to define the pivot of each latch bar.

18. The fastener according to claim 17, wherein, The one-piece retainer is located in the channel receiving portion of the periphery of the door.

19. The fastener according to claim 17, wherein, The one-piece retainer includes a section of wire initially formed in a U-shape, the wire having two parallel arms that are inserted through the latch bar before the ends of the arms are bent together to form a loop, thereby permanently retaining the latch bar and the latch spring.

20. The fastener according to claim 16, wherein, The elastic device includes a helical spring extending around the handle, one end of which engages the door, and the other end of which engages a fixing device adjacent to one end of the handle.

21. The fastener according to claim 20, wherein, The fixing device is held in the hole that extends through the handle.

22. The fastener according to claim 21, wherein, The fixing device includes one end of a slender, flexible member.

23. The fastener of claim 16 further comprises a connector having a hook-shaped end complementary to both the hook-shaped ends of the door and the body, wherein, The connector engages with the fastener to protrude from the axial end of the door and is secured by sliding the door to the closed position.

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