Side-release buckle assembly

Abstract

 A buckle assembly (40,70) includes a female connection member (70) having open button areas (76), and a male connection member (40) configured to mate with the female connection member (70). The male connection member (40) may include deflectable lateral arms (46) having buttons (48) that are configured to be positioned within the open button areas (76), and at least one flexible and resilient strut member (58) connecting the lateral arms (46) together.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/729,599 entitled "Side Release Buckle," filed October 24, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a buckle assembly, and more particularly to a side-release buckle assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A conventional side-release buckle assembly includes a male connection member that is configured to mate with a female connection member, such as shown and described in United States Patent No. 5,465,472, entitled "Buckle." Each connection member is configured to retain a strap, such as a seatbelt or backpack strap. The male connection member includes integral buttons that may be engaged to release the male connection member from the female connection member, thereby disconnecting the buckle assembly.

[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a disconnected conventional buckle assembly 10. The buckle assembly 10 includes a male connection member 12 and a female connection member 14. The male connection member 12 includes a pair of flexible lateral arms 16 having buttons 18 at distal ends 20. A rigid strut member 22 extends between the lateral arms 16. A strap receiving channel 21 is formed through the male connection member 12 between the rigid strut member 22 and a strap bar 23, which is configured to clamp into a strap. The lateral arms 16 are configured to pivot in the direction of arcs A and A' about pivot points 24 defined by the union of the rigid strut member 22 and the lateral arms 16. In general, the rigid strut member 22 is disposed between the pivot points 24 and the strap-receiving channel 21. As such, the pivot points 24 are distally located from the strap bar 23. As shown in Figure 1, the rigid strut member 22 extends between the arms 16 and is integrally connected to the main body 25 of the male connection member 12. Thus, the rigid strut member 22 is inflexible.

[0005] In order to secure the male connection member 12 into the female connection member 14, the male connection member 12 is urged into the female connection member 14 in the direction of arrow B. A guide beam 26 of the male connection member 12 moves into a reciprocal channel (not shown) formed in the female connection member 14 to ensure proper mating alignment between the male and female connection members 12 and 14, respectively. As the male connection member 12 is urged into the female connection member 14, the lateral arms 16 deflect inwardly in the directions of arcs A and A' until the buttons 18 reach button openings 28 formed through the female connection member 14. When the buttons 18 enter the button openings 28, the tension stored in the lateral arms 16 snapably forces the lateral arms 16 and the buttons laterally outward, so that the buttons 18 are secured within the button openings 28. At this point, the male connection member 12 is secured to the female connection member 14.

[0006] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the conventional buckle assembly 10 in which the male connection member 12 is securely mated into the female connection member 14. In order to disconnect the male connection member 12 from the female connection member 14, the buttons 18 are squeezed toward one another in the direction of arcs A and A'.

[0007] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the button openings 28 may be too small to allow a user to engage the buttons 18. As shown in Figure 2 in particular, the buttons 18 are bound on three sides (as shown in Figure 2, the top, bottom, and one lateral portion) by fixed, rigid structure of the female connection member 14 that defines the button openings 28. If an operator is wearing gloves, or has oversized fingers, fixed structural support walls 29 and 31 of the female connection member 14 that define the button openings 28 may interfere with the operator's fingers, thereby impeding further squeezing of the buttons in the directions of arcs A and A' toward the center of the female connection member 14. As such, an operator may find it difficult, or impossible, to disconnect the male connection member 12 from the female connection member 14.

[0008] Thus, a need exists for a buckle assembly having mating components that may be easily disconnected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a first buckle connector/connection member, and a second buckle connector/ connection member. The first connection member may have first and second open button areas. The second connection member is configured to mate with the first connection member into a securely connected position, and includes a first deflectable arm, a second deflectable arm, and at least one flexible resilient strut member.

[0010] The first deflectable arm includes a first button configured to be positioned proximate the first open button area when the first connection member is secured to the second connection member. The second deflectable arm includes a second button configured to be positioned proximate the second open button area when the first connection member is secured to the second connection member. The flexible and resilient strut member connects the first and second lateral arms together, such as through a central guide post.

[0011] The buttons are easy to engage due to the fact that they are not completely or substantially surrounded by fixed structure, such as a conventional button hole. That is, the buttons are not positioned through button holes when the first connection member is secured to the second connection member. Instead, less than an entire perimeter of each of the first and second buttons is positioned next to the first and second open button areas, respectively when the first connection member is secured to the second connection member. The first and second open button areas do not surround a perimeter of each of the first and second buttons, respectively. Further, the lateral envelope of each button may be at least as large as the lateral envelope of the open button areas.

[0012] The strut member may include at least one inwardly-bowed strut. Optionally, the strut member may curve or angle toward a central axis of the second connection member.

[0013] Either the first or second connection member may include a guide post, while the other may include a channel configured to receive the guide post. The channel receives the guide post to ensure proper mating alignment of the first connection member with respect to the second connection member.

[0014] Each of the first and second deflectable arms may include a locking member. The second connection member may include at least one locking ledge within a mating cavity. The first connection member may be configured to secure to the second connection member through the locking members snapably securing to the locking ledge(s). The locking member and the locking ledge may each include at least one ramped surface configured to allow the locking member to eject from the locking ledge during disconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a disconnected conventional buckle assembly.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a conventional buckle assembly.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of a male connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 illustrates a lateral view of a male connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a female connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 illustrates a lateral view of a female connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female connection member through line 7-7 of Figure 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 illustrates a lateral view of a buckle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 9 illustrates a top view of a buckle assembly with a female connection member shown in cross-section through line 9-9 shown in Figure 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of a male connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 11 illustrates a top view of a male connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 12 illustrates a lateral view of a male connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female connection member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate top and lateral views, respectively, of a male connection member 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the male connection member 40 includes a main body 42 that includes a strap channel 44 (shown in Figure 4) configured to slidably retain a strap (not shown) therein.

[0030] The male connection member 40 includes lateral arms 46 extending from the main body 42. The lateral arms 46 include engagement buttons 48 proximate the main body 42 that are integrally connected to recessed extension beams 49 that, in turn, integrally connect to locking members 50 distally located from the main body 42. As shown in Figure 4 in particular, the extension beams 49 are recessed in relation to the locking members 50.

[0031] Referring again to Figures 3 and 4, the engagement buttons 48 are configured to be engaged in order to squeeze the lateral arms 46 toward one another. The locking members 50 may be clasps, latches, barbs, or the like, that include curved outer surfaces 52 integrally connected to inner straight edges 54 (not shown in Figure 4), which are in turn integrally connected to a rear retaining edge 56.

[0032] Referring to Figure 3, proximate the main body 42, inwardly bowed struts 58 integrally connect the lateral arms 46 to a central guide post 60 having outer walls 62 and a central opening 64. A cavity 63 may be defined between the bowed struts 58 and the main body 42 in order to provide room for the bowed struts 58 to flex. The bowed struts 58 bow inwardly toward the main body 42. As shown in Figure 3, the bowed struts 58 connect the lateral arms 46 and the central post 60 together to form an M (or W, if inverted) shape.

[0033] Because the male connection member 40 does not include a rigid strut member, such as that of the assembly 10 shown with respect to Figures 1 and 2, the main pivot points of the lateral arms 46 are located closer to the load applied proximate the main body 42 as compared to a conventional buckle assembly. Further, the bowed struts 58 provide increased support between the lateral arms 46, thereby bracing the lateral arms 46 and preventing them from breaking off at the pivot points. Overall, the lateral arms 46 of the male connection member 40 are longer and the buttons 48 are bigger than conventional buckle assemblies. Thus, the buttons 48 are easy to engage, and the arms 46 are easily deflected. The movement of the lateral arms 46 with respect to the struts 58 is further described in United States Patent Application No. 11/351,923 entitled "Side-Release Buckle Assembly", filed February 10, 2006 (Docket No. 15414), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0034] The bowed struts 58 are configured to flex inwardly toward the main body 42 into the central cavity 63 when the lateral arms 46 are squeezed toward one another. In response to the flexing of the bowed struts 58, the outer walls 62 of the central guide post 60 flex toward one another. The flexing of the bowed struts 58 and the outer walls 62 ensures that the central guide post 60 remains positioned about the axial center X of the male connection member 40. The bowed struts 58 resist the squeezing force exerted into the engagement buttons 48 such that when force is no longer applied, the resistive force in the struts 58 returns the lateral arms 46 back to their at-rest positions (as shown in Figure 3).

[0035] The flexible, bowed struts 58 allow an operator to more easily squeeze the lateral arms 46 toward one another as compared to a rigid bridge connecting the arms together (as shown in Figure 1, for example). Because the struts 58 are curved and flexible, less force may be applied to the engagement buttons 48 to squeeze the lateral arms 46 toward one another (as compared to lateral arms that are connected to a straight, rigid bridge or connection member).

[0036] Figure 5 illustrates a top view of a female connection member 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The female connection member 70 includes a main body 72 that includes a strap channel 74 configured to slidably retain a strap (not shown) therein.

[0037] A button area 76 is located at either side of the female connection member 70. The button areas 76 are free and open areas. That is, the button areas 76 are not bound on three or more sides (i.e., top, bottom, and at least one lateral portion) by fixed structure. As shown in Figure 5, the top (in relation to the orientation shown in Figure 5) of the button area 76 is not bound by a fixed, rigid, structural wall. The engagement buttons 48 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) are configured to be positioned proximate and/or within the button areas 76. Because the button areas 76 are not bound on three sides by fixed structural walls, an operator may easily engage the engagement buttons 48 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) to release the male connection member 40 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) from the female connection member 40. The operator may engage the engagement buttons 48 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) without structural portions of the female connection member 70 blocking further movement. That is, there is not bound button hole that can block movement of an operator's finger with respect to the button. Moreover, the engagement buttons 48 may be larger than conventional buckle assemblies because the engagement buttons 48 are not constrained by a button hole or structurally limited area.

[0038] Figure 6 illustrates a lateral view of the female connection member 70, while Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the female connection member 70 through line 7-7 of Figure 6. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the female connection member 70 includes a mating chamber 77 within the main body 72. In the center of the mating chamber 77, interior walls 78 define a post receiving channel 80. The central guide post 60 (shown in Figure 3) is configured to mate with the post receiving channel 80 in order to properly align the male connection member 40 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) during mating. A guide rib 82 within the channel 80 is configured to mate into the central opening 64 or slot formed through the central guide post 60.

[0039] Ramped surfaces 84 are located at upper and lower portions of the mating chamber 77. The ramped surfaces 84 are configured to assist in ejecting the male connection member 40 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) during a disconnection operation.

[0040] Referring to Figure 7, locking ledges 86 are positioned at either side of the main body 72 proximate the button areas 76 at upper and lower portions of the mating chamber 77. The locking ledges 86 include slanted surfaces 88 that angle toward the strap channel 74. The locking ledges 86 terminate in bent edges 90, or, optionally, a straight edge.

[0041] Figure 8 illustrates a lateral view of a buckle assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 8, the male connection member 40 is securely retained by the female connection member 70. In order to disconnect the male connection member 40 from the female connection member 70, the engagement buttons 48 are squeezed toward one another to release the locking member 50 (shown in Figures 3 and 4) from the locking ledges 86 (shown in Figure 7). As shown in Figure 8, the engagement buttons 48 may abut the female connection member 70 at two sides. The engagement surface of the engagement button 48 and the portion of the engagement button 48 proximate the main body 42 of the male connection member 40 are not covered or bounded by any portion of the female connection member 70. As such, a user can easily engage the engagement buttons 48 to disconnect the buckle assembly 100.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, the lateral envelope of the engagement button 48 is at least as large as the lateral envelope of the button area 76 (hidden by the engagement button 48). Thus, the engagement button 48 is not constrained by the female connection member 70. In other words, the engagement button 48 is not positioned through a button hole, or any other structure that might contact an operator's finger.

[0043] Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the buckle assembly 100 with the female connection member 70 shown in cross-section through line 9-9 shown in Figure 8. In order to mate the male connection member 40 with the female connection member 70, the male connection member 40 is urged toward the female connection member 70 in the direction of arrow A. During this movement, the central guide post 60 and the locking members 50 enter the mating chamber 77.

[0044] As the male connection member 40 is mated to the female connection member 70, the central guide post 60 is mated into the post receiving channel 80 defined by the interior walls 78 of the female connection member 70. The mating relationship between the central guide post 60 and the post receiving channel 80 ensures that the male connection member 40 is properly aligned with respect to the female connection member 70. While the male connection member 40 is shown having the central guide post 60, and the female connection member 70 is shown having the post receiving channel 80, this arrangement may be reversed, such that the male connection member 40 includes a post receiving channel, while the female connection member 70 includes the guide post.

[0045] During the mating process, the curved outer surfaces 52 of the locking members 50 slidably engage the slanted surfaces 88 (hidden by the extension beams 49, but shown in Figure 7). As the male connection member 40 continues to move in the direction of arrow A, the curved outer surfaces 52 continue to slide over the slanted surfaces 88, and the slanted surfaces 88 force the locking members 50 toward one another. Because the extension beams 49 are recessed areas, the lateral surfaces of the locking ledges 86 do not engage lateral surfaces of the extension beams 49.

[0046] The curved outer surfaces 52 of the locking members 50 continue to slide over the slanted surfaces 88 until they reach the bent edges 90. Once the curved outer surfaces 52 move past the bent edges 90 in the direction of arrow A, the lateral arms 46 snap back away from each other, and the rear retaining edges 56 of the locking members 50 snapably engage the bent edges 90. Thus, the male connection member 40 is secured to the female connection member 70. In this position, the extension beams 49 of the lateral arms 46 are positioned between the upper and lower locking ledges 86, while the locking members are securely wedged between the bent edges 90 and a strap wall 102 that partially defines the strap channel 74.

[0047] In order to disconnect the male connection member 40 from the female connection member 70, the engagement members 48 are squeezed toward one another. As mentioned above, the engagement buttons 48 may be bound on two sides by structural portions of the female connection member 70. Thus, an operator may easily engage the engagement buttons 48 without the operator's fingers being blocked from movement by structure defining a button hole. That is, the engagement buttons 48 are free and open.

[0048] As the engagement buttons 48 are inwardly squeezed, the lateral arms 46, and therefore the locking members 50, inwardly move in response thereto. As the locking members 50 move inwardly, the rear retaining edges 56 disengage from the edges 90 of the locking ledges 86. During this time, the upper and lower ramped surfaces 84 of the female connection member 70 provide a camming action that tends to eject the male connection member 40 from the female connection member 70, or vice versa. As the lateral arms 46 move in the direction of arrow B, the curved outer surfaces 52 of the locking members 50 engage the slanted surfaces 88 (hidden in Figure 9). The slanted surfaces 88, as noted above, exert an inwardly directed force into the locking members 50. When no urging force in the direction of arrow A is being applied to the male connection member 40, the force exerted by the slanted surfaces 88 into the locking members 50 (which, as noted, are moving in the direction of arrow B) provides a further camming action that acts to eject the locking members 50, and therefore the male connection member 40, from the mating cavity 77. The ejection is assisted by the lateral arms 40 returning to their at-rest position.

[0049] Thus, the male connection member 40 may be secured to, and disconnected from, the female connection member 70. While the discussion above focused on the male connection member 40 being urged into and away from the female connection member 70, it is to be understood that the motion is relative. That is, instead of the male connection member 40 being urged into the female connection member 70 to secure the buckle assembly 100, the female connection member 70 may be urged into the male connection member 40.

[0050] Figure 10 illustrates a top view of a male connection member 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The male connection member 110 is similar to the male connection member 40, except that the lateral arms 112 connect to the central guide post 114 through flexible curved struts 116. The struts 116 inwardly curve toward the center of the male connection member 110, but away from the main body 118. As shown in Figure 10, a cavity is disposed between the struts 116 and the main body 118. As such, the struts 116 may inwardly flex into the cavity 120. While the struts 116 connect the lateral arms 112 and the central guide post 114 together in an "M" or "W" shape, the struts may be configured to connect these components together in various other shapes, such as a "V" or "U". Alternatively, the lateral arms 112 may connect to the guide post 114 through flexible straight connection struts, which may be horizontally oriented, or positioned at an angle with respect to the guide post 114.

[0051] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate top and lateral views, respectively, of a male connection member 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The male connection member 200 is similar to the male connection member 40 shown and described with respect to Figures 3 and 4. The central guide post 202 of the male connection member 200, however, may be a solid piece of material without a central guide channel. Further, as shown in Figure 4, in particular, the engagement buttons 204 located on the lateral arms 206 may be substantially taller than the engagement buttons 48 (shown, for example, in Figures 3 and 4). The large size and height of the engagement buttons 204 allows easy grasping and engagement.

[0052] Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a female connection member 210 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The female connection member 210 is similar to the female connection member 70 shown, for example, in Figure 7. The female connection member 210 may or may not include the central guide rib 82 (shown in Figure 7). Additionally, the female connection member 210 may include additional ramped surfaces 212 that cooperate with ramped surfaces 214 (similar to the ramped surfaces 84, shown in Figure 7) that assist in ejecting a male connection member (such as male connection member 40 shown in Figures 3 and 4, or male connection member 200 shown in Figures 11 and 12) during a disconnection operation.

[0053] Thus, embodiments of the present invention provide a buckle assembly having mating components that may be easily disconnected. The female connection member has large button areas configured to receive engagement buttons of the male connection member. The large button area bound the engagement buttons on less than three sides (i.e., less than top, bottom, and one lateral portion), and do not include additional structure or impediments that hinder an operator from engaging the buttons. Additionally, the flexible strut members allow the lateral arms to be easily deflected into a disconnected position. Thus, an operator with large fingers, and/or wearing gloves, can easily operate the buckle assembly.

[0054] Further, the central guide post of the male connection member and the central guide channel of the female connection member cooperate to ensure that the male connection member stays centered with respect to the female connection member during connection and disconnection processes. Thus, the buckle assembly may be easily and smoothly connected and disconnected. Moreover, uneven engagement and release of the latch arms is minimized.

[0055] While various spatial terms, such as upper, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, and the like may used to describe portions of the buckle assembly, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like.

[0056] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention. It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.

[0057] Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly comprising:

a female connection member having open button areas; and

a male connection member configured to mate with said female connection member into a securely connected position, said male connection member comprising:

deflectable lateral arms having buttons, said buttons configured to be positioned within said open button areas; and

at least one flexible and resilient strut member connecting said lateral arms together.

2. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein less than an entire perimeter of each of said buttons abuts said female connection member when said male connection member is secured to said female connection member.

3. The buckle assembly of claim 2, wherein said open button areas do not surround said entire perimeter of each of said buttons when said male connection member is secured to said female connection member.

4. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said open button areas has a first envelope, wherein each of said buttons has a second envelope, and wherein said second envelope is at least as large as said first envelope.

5. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one flexible and resilient strut member comprises at least one inwardly-bowed strut.

6. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one flexible and resilient strut member comprises at least one strut that curves toward a central axis of said male connection member.

7. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said male and female connection members comprises at least one guide post, and the other of said male and female connection members comprises at least one channel configured to receive said guide post, wherein said at least one channel is configured to receive said at least one guide post to ensure proper mating alignment of said male connection member with respect to said female connection member.

8. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said lateral arms comprises a locking member, wherein said female connection member comprises a locking ledge, said male connection member configured to secure to said female connection member through said locking member snapably securing to said locking ledge.

9. The buckle assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one of said locking member and said locking ledge comprises at least one ramped surface configured to allow said locking member to eject from said locking ledge during disconnection.

10. A buckle assembly comprising:

a first connection member having first and second open button areas; and

a second connection member configured to mate with said first connection member into a securely connected position, said second connection member comprising:

a first deflectable arm having a first button, said first button configured to be positioned proximate said first open button area when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member;

a second deflectable arm having a second button, said second button configured to be positioned proximate said second open button area when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member; and

at least one flexible and resilient strut member connecting said first and second lateral arms together.

11. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein less than an entire perimeter of each of said first and second buttons is positioned next to said first and second open button areas, respectively, when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member.

12. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein said first and second open button areas do not surround a perimeter of each of said first and second buttons, respectively, when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member.

13. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said first and second open button areas has a first envelope, wherein each of said first and second buttons has a second envelope, and wherein said second envelope is at least as large as said first envelope.

14. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one flexible and resilient strut member comprises at least one inwardly-bowed strut.

15. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one flexible and resilient strut member comprises at least one strut that curves toward a central axis of said second connection member.

16. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of said first and second connection members comprises at least one guide post, and the other of said first and second connection members comprises at least one channel configured to receive said guide post, wherein said at least one channel receives said at least one guide post to ensure proper mating alignment of said first connection member with respect to said second connection member.

17. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein each of said first and second deflectable arms comprises a locking member, wherein said second connection member comprises at least one locking ledge, said first connection member configured to secure to said second connection member through said locking members snapably securing to said at least one locking ledge.

18. The buckle assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of said locking member and said locking ledge comprises at least one ramped surface configured to allow said locking member to eject from said locking ledge during disconnection.

19. A buckle assembly comprising:

a first connection member having first and second open button areas, and at least one post receiving channel positioned within a mating cavity; and

a second connection member configured to mate with said first connection member into a securely connected position, said second connection member comprising:

a first deflectable arm having a first button, said first button configured to be positioned proximate said first open button area when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member;

a second deflectable arm having a second button, said second button configured to be positioned proximate said second open button area when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member;

at least one guide post;

a first flexible and resilient strut member connecting said first deflectable arm to said at least one guide post; and

a second flexible and resilient strut member connecting said second deflectable arm to said at least one guide post, wherein said first and second deflectable arms are connected together through said first and second flexible and resilient strut members and said at least one guide post,

said at least one channel configured to receive said at least one guide post to ensure proper mating alignment of said first connection member with respect to said second connection member.

20. The buckle assembly of claim 19, wherein less than an entire perimeter of each of said first and second buttons is positioned next to said first and second open button areas, respectively, when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member, wherein said first and second open button areas do not surround said entire perimeter of each of said first and second buttons, respectively, when said first connection member is secured to said second connection member, wherein each of said first and second open button areas has a first envelope, wherein each of said first and second buttons has a second envelope, and wherein said second envelope is at least as large as said first envelope.

21. The buckle assembly of claim 19, wherein each of said first and second deflectable arms comprises a locking member, wherein said second connection member comprises at least one locking ledge, said first connection member securing to said second connection member through said locking members snapaby securing to said at least one locking ledge.

22. The buckle assembly of claim 21, wherein each of said locking member and said locking ledge comprises at least one ramped surface configured to allow said locking member to eject from said locking ledge during disconnection.

Drawing