BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety belt and harness releases and in particular to a remotely released harness.

There are often instances where a harness requires releasing but are not immediately accessible. Releasing animal leashes from collars generally require a handler to reach to a buckle attached to the collar, which is not always convenient or even possible. Merely releasing the leash results in the animal dragging the leash along with the animal, allowing the leash to be snagged by objects along the animal's path.

Vehicles generally include a belt or harness for restraining motion of occupants. The belts or harness generally include a buckle to retain individual elements, and the buckle must be released to allow the occupants to exit the vehicle. In some instances, it may be difficult for the occupant or rescue personnel to reach the buckle.

A need thus remains for apparatus to release a buckle without physically reaching the buckle.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a buckle assembly including a housing enclosing a locking bar for securing a latch. The latch is inserted into a latch cavity of the buckle assembly, pushing the spring-loaded locking bar into the housing until a convex feature of the latch passes a convex feature of the latch cavity, and slides to the side, whereupon the locking bar is extended by a compression spring, thereby locking the latch from release from the buckle assembly. The latch is released from the latch cavity by pulling a release cord or cable or trigger attached to the locking bar to overcome the spring tension and draw the locking bar up, thus allowing the latch to move away from the convex feature of the latch cavity and be released from the latch cavity.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a buckle-style fitting which includes a housing, a locking bar, and a insertable and releaseable latch. The housing contains a latch block and the latch includes a convex portion which slide past the latch block, and then is urged laterally by a locking bar to overlap the latch block to retain the latch in the housing. A cord is attached to the locking bar, and allows a user to draw the locking bar away from the latch, allowing the latch to move laterally and withdraw from the housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a circular cross-section latch (circular cross sections of varying diameter along the length of the latch, forming a body of revolution about the centerline CL) which is a separate element inserted and removed from the housing assembly. The circular cross-section latch communicates with the blocking bar, pushing it out of the way until a convex portion of the circular cross-section latch passes a latch block in the housing, allowing a compression spring to return the blocking bar to its original location, thereby blocking the circular cross-section latch from removal from the housing assembly.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a circular cross-section latch. The circular cross-section latch may rotate in the housing allowing the leash and housing to rotate with respect to an animal collar.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a circular cross-section latch attachable to an animal collar and a slot for attachment of a leash. The circular cross-section latch may be released by an animal handler without reaching to the collar.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a quick release by pulling on the cord or cable or trigger from either a near or far distance.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a remote release buckle with a release cord or cable pulled to overcome the compression spring which retains the blocking mechanism, sliding it out of contact with the latch, thereby allowing the key to disconnect from its mating shape and slip out of the housing assembly. A release spring may be included to urge the latch out of the housing.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a remote release buckle providing a fitting with the ability to withstand expected statically applied load for 60-seconds without permanent deformation, yet retain its other requirements of functional significance.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a remote release buckle including a buckle fitting with the ability to positively engage itself such that the buckle cannot appear to be engaged when in actuality it is partially engaged or not engaged, preventing inadvertent release upon crash or fall.

