Quick-Release Buckle Preventing Unintentional Release Under Tension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quick-release buckles for shoulder straps suffer from unintentional release under high tension, as they lack sufficient strength to maintain the connection when the strap is pulled.

Innovation Solution

A quick-release buckle design featuring a socket member, a plug member, and a locking member, where the plug member engages with the locking member in a way that requires opposite direction pulling to release, preventing unintentional release when tension is exerted by the shoulder strap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional plug and socket buckle design is used, then easy release operation is achieved, but the buckle releases unintentionally under high tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of releaseVSAvoidresistance to unintentional release

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional buckle mechanism by requiring the plug to be pulled in the opposite direction of strap tension for release. Instead of the strap pulling the plug out, the release action requires pulling the plug against the tension direction, thereby preventing unintentional release while maintaining easy intentional release operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The buckle design incorporates preliminary anti-action by positioning the locking surfaces and engagement geometry such that the strap tension itself reinforces the locked state. The plug's engagement surfaces are designed to be pushed together by tension, creating a self-reinforcing mechanism that prevents release before the release action is even attempted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If the plug member is designed for easy release, then quick unlocking is achieved, but the connection strength under tension is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of unlockingVSAvoidconnection strength under tension

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The release mechanism is inverted so that the quick-release action is achieved by pulling the plug against the tension direction rather than allowing tension to pull it out. This maintains high connection strength under normal use while enabling rapid intentional release through the opposite-direction pull action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8495804B2Quick-release buckle for a shoulder strap and preventing unintentional release when tension is exerted by the shoulder strap

Publication Date: 2013.07.30 TUMI INC

AI summary

A quick-release buckle for a shoulder strap and preventing unintentional release when tension exerted by the shoulder strap. The buckle includes a socket member, a plug member, and a locking member. The plug member has the shoulder strap connected thereto, and is replaceably engaged with the socket member. The locking member is an operative part of the socket member. The plug member replaceably engages in the locking member in such a manner so to be released therefrom, the locking member is released and the plug member has to be pulled in a direction opposite to that in which tension from the shoulder strap is exerted so as to prevent the unintentional release of the quick-release buckle when the tension is exerted by shoulder strap, while the tension exerted by the shoulder strap when the plug member is engaged in the locking member assures unintentional release of the quick-release buckle.