Attachment loop including connectors

Abstract

This attachment loop (11) comprises a male element (13) and a female element (15) intended to be reversibly mechanically fastened to the male element (13). The male element (13) and the female element (15) each comprise a male connector (23) and a female connector (25), respectively, cooperating with the male connector (23) to transmit a signal and / or fluid between the two connectors (23; 25) when the male element (13) and the female element (15) are mechanically fastened. The attachment loop includes a means (31) for inserting an angular deflection between the male connector (23) and the female connector (25). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Attachment loop comprising connectors technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to fastening loops for reversibly connecting two straps.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a mechanical fastening loop comprising electrical, and / or fluidic, and / or optical fiber connectors, capable of being connected or disconnected when locking or unlocking the loop. Previous techniques

[0003] Buckles are used in various fields to connect two straps in a reversible and easy way for a user.

[0004] The buckles are used for example to connect backpack straps, belts or even tactical infantry vest straps, generally to facilitate the placement of the straps and then adjust them by locking the buckles.

[0005] Tactical vests are generally equipped with electronic equipment, a power supply for said equipment, and various power cables extending from the front to the back of the vest. To facilitate donning the tactical vest, these cables include connectors ensuring both electrical and mechanical connection of the cables.

[0006] It is often necessary to perform two separate operations, one for connecting or disconnecting each mechanical fastening loop, and the other for connecting or disconnecting each electrical connector. This double operation often proves tedious.

[0007] Existing loops performing a dual function of mechanical and electronic fastening are not reliable, and are particularly likely to fail due to excessive mechanical stress. Description of the invention

[0008] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide a loop combining the functions of electrical and / or fluidic connection and / or optical fiber as well as mechanical support, thus creating a single component to be attached or detached.

[0009] The present invention relates to a fastening loop comprising a male element and a female element intended to be mechanically and reversibly secured to the male element, the male element and the female element comprising, respectively, a male connector and a female connector cooperating with the male connector so as to transmitting a signal and / or fluid between the two connectors when the male and female elements are mechanically joined, the attachment loop comprising a means for inserting an angular deflection between the male and female connectors.

[0010] Additionally, the male and female elements are also designed to be able to be mechanically separated so as to prevent further signal or fluid transmission between the two male and female connectors.

[0011] Thus, the loop allows two straps to be joined mechanically and electrically and / or fluidly and / or optically by a single movement. Furthermore, vibrations and mechanical stresses that could damage the connectors are reduced by means of their floating nature, achieved by means of the insertion means, which allows for an angular displacement between the male and female connectors.

[0012] In various embodiments, the male and female connectors are electrical and / or fluidic and / or optical fiber connectors, preferably electrical.

[0013] In one embodiment, the attachment loop includes at least one sealing gasket positioned between the male connector and the female connector.

[0014] Advantageously, the loop includes at least one electromagnetic shielding seal around the male and female connectors.

[0015] Advantageously, the male and female connectors each include a shielding re-entry at one end intended to be extended by a cable surrounded by a shielding braid, the shielding re-entry being configured to retain the shielding braid of said cable.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the male and female connectors are cylindrical.

[0017] In one embodiment, the loop includes a keying element so as to prevent the male element from being joined with the female element in the wrong direction.

[0018] Advantageously, the male element includes a central guide comprising one of the male or female connectors.

[0019] Advantageously, the central guide includes the means for inserting an angular deflection between the male connector and the female connector.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the means for inserting an angular deflection between the male connector and the female connector comprises a sphere-shaped envelope, one of the male or female connectors comprising a sphere-shaped portion inserted into the sphere-shaped portion of the envelope so that said connector has an angular deflection.

[0021] The present invention also relates to equipment comprising a first strap, a second strap, and a fastening buckle as defined above Previously, the first strap was associated with one of the male and female connectors, and the second strap was associated with the other connector. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] is a schematic view of a detail of an embodiment of a equipment, such as a tactical vest or belt, comprising an attachment loop according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a fastening loop according to the invention;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a fastening loop according to the invention; and

[0026] [Fig.4] is a schematic view of an embodiment of a fastening loop of type “Cobra®” according to the invention. Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0027] A detail of equipment 1 according to an embodiment of the invention has been schematically represented in [Fig.1].

[0028] Equipment 1 is for example a bag, a belt, or even a tactical vest for an infantryman.

[0029] Equipment 1 includes a first strap 3, a second strap 5, a first cable 7 attached to the first strap 3, a second cable 9 attached to the second strap 5, and an attachment loop 11.

[0030] The first and second cables 7 and 9 are for example integrated into the straps 3 and 5 using a lining, or simply fixed in contact with the straps 3 and 5.

[0031] The fastening loop 11 is shown in [Fig. 1] as a so-called classic loop. However, any other type of loop may be used in the present invention.

[0032] The fastening loop 11 comprises a male element 13 and a female element 15. Said female element 15 is intended to be mechanically secured to the male element in a reversible manner.

[0033] For this purpose, the male element 13 as illustrated comprises two fingers 17 flexible under pressure from a user and ending in hooks configured to be inserted into the female element 15 and to fit into corresponding notches 21 of the female element 15. The male and female elements 13 and 15 are uncoupled by pressure on the hooks 19 when the latter are inserted into the notches 21.

[0034] The male element 13 and the female element 15 each comprise, respectively, a male connector 23 and a female connector 25, cooperating with the male connector 23 when the male element 13 and the female element 15 are mechanically joined. In the In the illustrated embodiment, the male element 13 includes the male connector 23 and the female element 15 includes the female connector 25.

[0035] Each connector 23 or 25 is associated with a strap 3 or 5, for example by being connected to a cable 7 or 9 integrated into the strap.

[0036] In the various embodiments illustrated, connectors 23 and 25, as well as cables 7 and 9, are electrical by way of example. However, the connectors and cables can equally well be connectors and hoses for fluids, particularly for making quick connections for a hydration system or for a hydrogen fuel cell system. Similarly, cables 7 and 9 can include optical fibers connected by connectors 23 and 25.

[0037] The male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25 are rectangular or cylindrical, preferably cylindrical so as to facilitate the insertion of the male connector 23 into the female connector 25. In addition, the male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25 comprise at least one contact point, said contact point being a solder barrel contact, or a crimp contact, or a spring contact, or a strip contact.

[0038] In the case where the contact points of the connectors 23 and 25 are distributed symmetrically in the connectors 23 and 25, for example for a single coaxial contact, the male element 13 can be inserted in two different directions into the female element 15.

[0039] Otherwise, if the male element needs to be inserted in a particular direction, the attachment loop 11 includes a keying element 26 so as to prevent the male and female elements 13 and 15 from being joined together in the wrong direction.

[0040] The first strap 3 is connected to the male element 13 and the second strap 5 is connected to the female element 15. In addition, the first cable 7 is connected to the male connector 23 and the second cable 9 is connected to the female connector 25.

[0041] The attachment loop 11 therefore allows two straps and two cables to be connected quickly, thus simplifying these steps.

[0042] Furthermore, the attachment loop 11 serves as a strap adjustment mechanism when provided on equipment 1. Therefore, the loop allows for a compact coupling in terms of both volume and mass, as the length of cables 7 and 9 can be reduced to the minimum necessary. In use, no cable protrudes, thus avoiding any constraint to a user of said equipment 1.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the male element 13 includes a central guide 27. The latter allows the male element 13 to be inserted into the female element 15 more easily and with greater precision.

[0044] Advantageously, the central guide 27 includes the male connector 23. The male connector 23 is then located in the center of the loop, thus allowing the protect from unwanted contact with the external environment.

[0045] In one embodiment, the electrical cables 7 and 9 are surrounded by an electromagnetic shielding braid (not shown). In order to hold this electromagnetic shielding braid in place, the male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25 each include a shielding reinforcement 29 at their end connected respectively to the cables 7 and 9.

[0046] A cross-sectional view of the attachment loop 11 of [Fig.1] is schematically represented in [Fig.2].

[0047] The attachment loop 11 includes a means 31 for inserting an angular clearance between the male connector 23 and the female connector 25.

[0048] This angular displacement insertion means 31 allows the connectors 23 and 25 to withstand mechanical stresses such as shocks and vibrations. Indeed, a mechanical shock to the attachment loop 11 can cause misalignment of the male element 13 and the female element 15. The angular displacement insertion means 31 compensates for this misalignment and maintains the electrical, and / or fluidic and / or optical connection as appropriate, without damaging the contacts 33 of the male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the means 31 for inserting an angular deflection is provided in the central guide 27. The male connector 23 can therefore be oriented slightly at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the connection with the female connector 25.

[0050] In particular, the means 31 for inserting an angular deflection comprises a concave envelope 35 carried by the male element 13, the male connector 23 comprising a portion of a sphere 37 inserted in the concave envelope 35 such that said male connector 23 is capable of moving with an angular deflection relative to the longitudinal axis of the connection with the female connector 25.

[0051] This means 31 makes the connection of the electrical connectors 23 and 25 more reliable by making one of the two connectors floating and mobile. This means 31 is even more effective and robust against mechanical stresses when the electrical connectors 23 and 25 are cylindrical. In addition, the means 31 facilitates the insertion of the male connector 23 into the female connector 25 when the male element 13 is mated with the female element 25.

[0052] The attachment loop 11 optionally includes at least one sealing gasket 39 positioned between the male connector 23 and the female connector 25. Two sealing gaskets 39 are shown here in [Fig.2], one on the male connector 23, the other on the female connector 25. These sealing gaskets 39 prevent the entry of dust and water at the contact points 33.

[0053] The attachment loop 11 optionally includes at least one shielding seal electromagnetic shielding gasket 41 is positioned around the male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25 when they are engaged. For example, one electromagnetic shielding gasket 41 is positioned around the female connector 25, or two electromagnetic shielding gaskets 41 are positioned around the male and female electrical connectors 23 and 25, respectively.

[0054] The means 31, the positioning of the connectors 23 and 25 in the center of the attachment loop 11, the sealing gasket 39 and the electromagnetic shielding gasket 41 all contribute to making the electrical, and / or fluidic and / or optical connection, as appropriate, of the attachment loop 11 as robust as possible against weathering and external constraints in general.

[0055] The male and female elements 13 and 15 of the fastening loop 11 comprise plastic and / or metal, plastic being preferred for its lightness and metal for its robustness.

[0056] Figure 3 shows a fastener loop 11 called “quick release”, or “ROC®” loop.

[0057] In this embodiment, the description made with reference to Figures 1 and 2 is also applicable, with the exception of the locking means for the male and female elements 13 and 15, represented in Figures 1 and 2 by the fingers 17, the hooks 19 and the notches 21.

[0058] In the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the fastening loop 11 comprises two male and female elements 13 and 15 that extend laterally with respect to the direction of the straps. The male element 13 comprises a stop 43, while the female element 15 comprises a flexible lever 45 that can be operated by a user; the lever 45 can lock the stop when the male and female elements 13 and 15 are coupled.

[0059] A means 31 for inserting an angular clearance between the male connector 23 and the female connector 25 such as the means 31 of [Fig.2] can also be included in this embodiment.

[0060] Other types of fastening loops can also be used, such as a “Cobra ®” loop.

[0061] Figure 4 shows a Cobra-type fastening loop 11 ® » comprising a male element 13 and a female element 15 intended to be mechanically secured to the male element 13 by means of reversible locking means 47 engaging with pawls 49 of the male element 13. Male connectors 23 and female connectors 25 as described above may be positioned, preferably between the locking means 47 and between the pawls 49, respectively, so as to protect said connectors. In a particular embodiment, the male connectors 23 and female connectors 25 may be positioned on the surfaces of the fastening loop 11, these connectors 23 and 25 comprising lamellar contacts.

[0062] Alternatively, the male connector 23 can be positioned on the male element 13 and the female connector 25 on the female element 15.

Claims

Demands

1. Attachment loop (11) comprising a male element (13) and a female element (15) intended to be reversibly mechanically fastened to the male element (13), the male element (13) and the female element (15) respectively comprising a male connector (23) and a female connector (25) cooperating with the male connector (23) so as to transmit a signal and / or a fluid between the two connectors (23; 25) when the male element (13) and the female element (15) are mechanically fastened, characterized in that it comprises a means (31) for inserting an angular deflection between the male connector (23) and the female connector (25), the means (31) for inserting an angular deflection between the male connector (23) and the female connector (25) comprising an envelope (35) in the form of a portion of a sphere, one of the male or female connectors (23) ;25) comprising a portion of a sphere (37) inserted into the portion of a sphere of the envelope (35) such that said connector (23; 25) has an angular deflection.;

2. Loop (11) according to claim 1, comprising at least one sealing gasket (39) positioned between the male connector (23) and the female connector (25).

3. Loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, comprising at least one electromagnetic shielding seal (41) around the male and female connectors (23; 25).

4. Loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the male and female connectors (23; 25) each comprise a shielding re-entry (29) at one end intended to be extended by a cable (7; 9) surrounded by a shielding braid, the shielding re-entry (29) being configured to retain the shielding braid of said cable (7; 9).

5. Loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the male and female connectors (23; 25) are cylindrical.

6. Loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a keying element (26) so as to prevent the male element (13) from being joined with the female element (15) in the wrong direction.

7. Loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the male element (13) comprises a central guide (27) comprising one of the male or female connectors (23; 25).

8. Loop (11) according to claim 7, wherein the central guide (27) includes the means (31) for inserting an angular travel between the male connector (23) and the female connector (25).

9. Equipment (1) comprising a first strap (3), a second strap (5), and an attachment loop (11) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the first strap (3) being associated with one of the male and female connectors (23; 25), the second strap (5) being associated with the other connector (23; 25).

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