US 12,232,578 B2
Quick release buckle and harness comprising the same
Christopher S. McLeod, Lake Elmo, MN (US); and Michael T. Weiss, Hastings, MN (US)
Assigned to 3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US)
Appl. No. 17/998,968
Filed by 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, St. Paul, MN (US)
PCT Filed Jun. 1, 2021, PCT No. PCT/IB2021/054802
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Nov. 16, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/255564, PCT Pub. Date Dec. 23, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/039,613, filed on Jun. 16, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0172320 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. A44B 11/25 (2006.01); A62B 35/00 (2006.01)
CPC A44B 11/2519 (2013.01) [A62B 35/0025 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A quick release buckle comprising:
a housing defining a first opening therethrough and comprising an engaging surface disposed adjacent to the first opening;
a webbing received through the first opening of the housing;
a first pawl pivotally mounted to the housing;
a second pawl pivotally mounted to the housing;
a catch at least partially received between the first pawl and the second pawl;
a first pawl biasing member engaged with the first pawl and configured to bias the first pawl into engagement with the catch;
a second pawl biasing member engaged with the second pawl and configured to bias the second pawl into engagement with the catch;
a bar slidably received within the housing and extending across the first opening;
a first bar biasing member engaged with the bar; and
a second bar biasing member engaged with the bar,
wherein the first bar biasing member and the second bar biasing member are configured to bias the bar toward the engaging surface, such that the webbing is gripped between the bar and the engaging surface;
wherein the bar comprises a first extension and a second extension at opposing ends of the bar, wherein each of the first extension and the second extension is configured to slide relative to the housing, and wherein the first bar biasing member engage the first extension and the second bar biasing member engage the second extension;
wherein the housing further defines a first groove and a second groove opposing the first groove, and wherein the first extension is configured to slide along the first groove and the second extension is configured to slide along the second groove;
wherein the first bar biasing member is received in the first groove and the second bar biasing member is received in the second groove
and, wherein:
the housing further comprises a first support surface, a first lateral surface extending from the first support surface, a second lateral surface extending from the first support surface and opposite to the first lateral surface, and a first end surface extending from the first support surface and connected to the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface;
the first support surface, the first lateral surface, the second lateral surface and the first end surface define the first groove;
a length of the first lateral surface is greater than a length of the second lateral surface, such that the first support surface slidably receives the first extension of the bar thereon; and
the first bar biasing member engages with the first end surface and is at least partially received between the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface
and, further wherein:
the housing comprises a first housing part defining the first opening therethrough and a second housing part connected to the first housing part and defining a second opening therethrough aligned with the first opening, such that the webbing is received through the second opening, with the first housing part comprising the first support surface, the first lateral surface, the second lateral surface, and the first end surface that define the first groove, with the second housing part comprising a cover surface that covers the first groove.