US4688337A — Buckle type fastener

Claim 1

Independent Claim 200 words

A two piece fasteners comprising: a receptacle and a clamp; the clasp comprising a base, a substantially rigid stem protruding therefrom, a pair of resilient arms extending from the stem, and locking means on the arms; the arms extending back toward the base of the clasp to form an arrowhead shaped so that when the clasp and receptacle are pulled apart without releasing the locking means they become more tightly engaged; the receptacle comprising a body that defines a cavity adapted to receive and to cooperatively engage the pair of resilient arms within the cavity; wherein each locking means comprises an engaging surface extending from an outside surface of the resilient arms and a lock receiving means for cooperatively engaging the engaging surface with the receptacle; first guide means extending from the distal end along the substantial portion of the length of the rigid stem and a cooperating second guide means extending along an inside surface of the cavity, the first guide means comprising a slot that runs longitudinally through the rigid stem, splitting the stem into two separate pieces; and means for disengaging the locking means disposed on the resilient arms so that the receptacle clasp can be separated.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 200 words

A two piece fasteners comprising: a receptacle and a clamp; the clasp comprising a base, a substantially rigid stem protruding therefrom, a pair of resilient arms extending from the stem, and locking means on the arms; the arms extending back toward the base of the clasp to form an arrowhead shaped so that when the clasp and receptacle are pulled apart without releasing the locking means they become more tightly engaged; the receptacle comprising a body that defines a cavity adapted to receive and to cooperatively engage the pair of resilient arms within the cavity; wherein each locking means comprises an engaging surface extending from an outside surface of the resilient arms and a lock receiving means for cooperatively engaging the engaging surface with the receptacle; first guide means extending from the distal end along the substantial portion of the length of the rigid stem and a cooperating second guide means extending along an inside surface of the cavity, the first guide means comprising a slot that runs longitudinally through the rigid stem, splitting the stem into two separate pieces; and means for disengaging the locking means disposed on the resilient arms so that the receptacle clasp can be separated.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 93 words

The fastener of claim 1, wherein: the receptacle comprises two substantially parallel side surfaces, and an opening at one end adapted to receive the clasp piece, the opening forming a cavity within the body of the receptacle, the cavity defining top and bottom inside surfaces, and substantially parallel side inside surfaces, each of the top and bottom inside surfaces having a lock receiving means; and the rigid stem extends substantially centrally from and normal to the base of the clasp, and the resilient arms extend from the distal portion of the rigid stem.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The fastener of claim 2, wherein the included angle between the rigid stem and any of the resilient arms is about 15°, and the included angle between the resilient arms is about 30°.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

The fastener of claim 1, wherein the first guide means comprises two elements that extend from the distal end along a substantial portion of opposite sides of the resilient member, and the second guide means comprises two elements, one along two opposite inside surfaces of the cavity, each element of the second guide means cooperating with the respective element of the first guide means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The fastener of claim 4, wherein the elements of the first guide means comprise slots and the elements of the second guide means comprise cooperating grooves.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 26 words

The fastener of claim 4, wherein the elements of the first guide means comprise grooves and the elements of the second guide means comprise cooperating slots.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

The fastener of claim 4, wherein the second guide means comprises a wall dividing the cavity in two, the wall cooperating with the slot.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 32 words

The fastener of claim 1 wherein each locking means comprises a tab, the tab comprising the engaging surface and a leading surface extending obtusely from the outside edge of the resilient arm.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 31 words

The fastener of claim 8, wherein each tab further comprises a surface, interposed between the engaging surface and the leading surface, adapted to slidably engage an inside surface of the cavity.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The fastener of claim 1, wherein the outside surface of each resilient arm curves concavely at its distal region and is adapted to engage the finger.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The fastener of claim 10, wherein the curved distal portion of the outside surface of the resilient arm is ridged.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

The fastener of claim 1, wherein the receptacle and clasp each includes means for attaching a belt or the like thereto, at least one of the attaching means including means for selectively adjusting the length of the belt.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 25 words

The fastener of claim 1 wherein the receptacle and clasp pieces are molded from a material selected from the group comprising nylon, acetal, and polypropylene.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 206 words

A buckle comprising: a receptacle and a clasp; the clasp comprising a base, a substantially rigid stem extending substantially centrally from and normal to the base of the clasp, and a pair of resilient arms extending from the distal portion of the rigid stem having locking means disposed thereon and forming an arrowhead shape so that the receptacle and clasp become more tightly engaged when pulled apart without releasing the locking means; the receptacle comprising two substantially parallel side surfaces, and an opening at one end adapted to receive the clamp piece, the opening forming a cavity within the body of the receptacle, the cavity defining top and the bottom inside surfaces and substantially parallel side inside surface, each of the top and bottom inside surfaces having a lock receiving means; first guide means extending from the distal end along a substantial portion of the length of the rigid stem and a cooperating second guide means extending along an inside surface of the cavity, the first guide means comprising a slot that runs longitudinally through the rigid stem, splitting the stem into two separate pieces; and means for disengaging the locking means disposed on the resilient arms so that the receptacle and clasp may be separated.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 206 words

A buckle comprising: a receptacle and a clasp; the clasp comprising a base, a substantially rigid stem extending substantially centrally from and normal to the base of the clasp, and a pair of resilient arms extending from the distal portion of the rigid stem having locking means disposed thereon and forming an arrowhead shape so that the receptacle and clasp become more tightly engaged when pulled apart without releasing the locking means; the receptacle comprising two substantially parallel side surfaces, and an opening at one end adapted to receive the clamp piece, the opening forming a cavity within the body of the receptacle, the cavity defining top and the bottom inside surfaces and substantially parallel side inside surface, each of the top and bottom inside surfaces having a lock receiving means; first guide means extending from the distal end along a substantial portion of the length of the rigid stem and a cooperating second guide means extending along an inside surface of the cavity, the first guide means comprising a slot that runs longitudinally through the rigid stem, splitting the stem into two separate pieces; and means for disengaging the locking means disposed on the resilient arms so that the receptacle and clasp may be separated.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The buckle of claim 14 wherein the included angle between the rigid stem and any of the resilient arms is about 15°, and the included angle between the resilient arms is about 30°.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 64 words

The buckle of claim 14, wherein the first guide means comprises two elements that extend from the distal end along a substantial portion of opposite sides of the resilient member, and the second guide means comprises two elements, one along two opposite inside surfaces of the cavity, each element of the second guide means cooperating with the respective element of the first guide means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 26 words

The buckle of claim 16, wherein the elements of the first guide means comprise slots and the elements of the second guide means comprise cooperating grooves.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

The buckle of claim 16, wherein the elements of the first guide means comprise grooves and the elements of the second guide means comprise cooperating slots.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

The buckle of claim 16, wherein the second guide means comprises a wall dividing the cavity in two, the wall cooperating with the slot.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The buckle of claim 14, wherein each locking means comprises an engaging surface extending from an outside surface of a resilient arm, and the lock receiving means comprises a surface adapted to engage the engaging surface of the locking means.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The buckle of claim 20, wherein each locking means comprises a tab, the tab comprising the engaging surface and a leading surface extending obtusely from the outside edge of the resilient arm.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 31 words

The buckle of claim 21, wherein each tab further comprises a surface, interposed between the engaging surface and the leading surface, adapted to slidably engage an inside surface of the cavity.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 26 words

The buckle of claim 14, wherein the outside surface of each resilient arm curves concavely at its distal region and is adapted to engage the finger.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 20 words

The buckle of claim 23, wherein the curved distal portion of the outside surface of the resilient arm is ridged.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 38 words

The buckle of claim 14, wherein the receptacle and clasp each includes means for attaching a belt or the like thereto, at least one of the attaching means including means for selectively adjusting the length of the belt.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 27 words

The buckle of claim 14 wherein the receptacle and clasp pieces are each integrally molded from a material selected from the group comprising nylon, acetal, and polypropylene.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1990-08-24	1991-02-23	1991-08-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1994-08-24	1995-02-23	1995-08-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1998-08-24	1999-02-23	1999-08-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Buckle type fastener

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