GB2204631A - Releasable connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A connector, for a chain cord or the like comprises a body member (1) presenting an open end cavity to receive an end of the chain etc, an anchoring pin (2) within the cavity and opposite an opening in the side wall of the member (1), and a closure element (5) movable between an open position permitting engagement (or disengagement) of the chain relative to the pin and a closed position trapping it in the cavity. <IMAGE>

Description

Releasable Connectors This invention relates to connectors for releasable attachment to elongate members such as chains, cords, ropes, straps or the like.

For some applications, such as connectors for personal ornaments, ease of detachability is often preferred to strength and the connectors may be easily broken under tensile loading.

On the other hand, in some connectors, preference is gIven to the strength of the connector rather tn to its ease of use.

The connector of the present invention is capable of offering ease of use at the same time as secure attachment and strength, without detriment to its appearance, so as to be useful for a wide variety of applications.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a connector for releasable attachment to an elongate member such as a chain, cord, rope, strap or the like, comprising a body member having a cavity therein, an anchoring member mounted securely within the cavity and a movable closure element displaceable between an open position in which the elongate member can be engaged over (or removed from) the anchor member, and a closed position in which the elongate member is trapped in the cavity against disengagement from the anchor member.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which i Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the main constructional principles underlying the invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are perspective views of two forms of connector according to the invention; Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 each illustrate a further embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a body part 1 having a pin-like anchoring member 2 fast therewith over which an end ring 4 of a chain 3 is engaged and a closure element 5 movable into its closed position, in which it prevents disengagement of the ring 4 from pin 2.

The closure element 5, in its open position, permits ready disengagement and engagement of the ring 4 relative to pin 2. It is movable into its closed position in various directions, i.e. axially of the pin (arrow A) or transversely of the pin (arrow B or direction C at right angles thereto).

It will be seen that tensile loads applied to the chain 3 are transmitted directly to pin 2 and reacted by body 1, without any forces being transmitted to the closure element 5.

In the various embodiments illustrated and described in Figs. 2A, 2B, 3 and 4, the body member 1 is of generally cylindrical tubular form, the anchoring pin 3 being disposed within the cavity of the member, which is open at its end to receive the cord, chain or like.

The member 1 has an opening in its side wall opposite the free end of the anchoring pin 2 to permit the end ring 4 (or equivalent) to be engaged over the pin.

In Figs. 2A and 2B, the closure element 5 is formed by a sleeve which slides axially over the adjacent end portion of the body member 1. In Fig. 2A, it is initially separate from the body member and is placed over it after the ring of the elongate member has been engaged over the pin, so as to close off the side wall opening and trap the end of the elongate member within the cavity. It may be adequately retained in its closing position by friction.

In Fig. 2B, the member 5 is captive to the body member and is movable from an inner open position, to an axially outer position in which it covers the side wall opening, being limited in its outer position by a stop or detent 6.

In Fig. 3, the closure element is formed by a sleeve 5 rotatably mounted on the body member. It has a side wall opening 7 which registers with the opening of the body member only in the open position.

In other rotational positions of the sleeve, its side wall closes off the side wall opening of the main body member 1.

In Fig. 4, the closure element is formed by a hinged flap 8, shown partially open in the left hand part of the Figure, and closed in the right hand part.

Each of the above described connector is doubleended and may be used for connecting together two separate elongate members or opposite ends of a single member, such as a necklace chain or the like. These connectors are particularly useful for such a purpose, because of their ease of use, security and neat, compact design. However, such connectors may also be scaled up for non-ornamental, structural applications.

In Fig. 5, there is shown a strap connector, for example applied to a belt 3 for personal wear.

The body member 1 is of channel section, with the pin 2 secured in its bottom wall, and forms part of a belt buckle 9, secured permanently to one end of the belt.

The opposite end of the belt has a hole 4 for engagement over the pin 2 within the channel and the closure element is a rectangular loop 5 shown loosely mounted on the strap and engageable over the body channel 1 to secure the belt.

Fig. 6 illustrates a connector for a fishing line, say of nylon cord 3 having an end loop 4. The body 1 is again of generally tubular form and may be attached at one end to a length of line 3 carrying a hook 10. In the same manner as in Figure 2A, the loop is engaged over pin 2 and a separate sleeve 5 acts as the closure element, being telescopically slidably over the body member 1.

Finally Fig. 7 illustrates a possible application of the connectors like those of Figs. 2A, 2B and 3, showing how they may be used to connect up lengths of ornamental chain 3, at the users discretion.

It will be seen that in each case the connector is easy to use, secure in retaining the elongate member and can be relatively compact.

Many variations and modifications will, of course, be possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A connector for releasable attachment to an elongate member such as a chain, cord, rope, strap or the like, comprising a body member having a cavity therein, an anchoring member mounted securely within in the cavity and a movable closure element displaceable between an open position in which the elongate member can be engaged over (or removed from) the anchor member, and a closed position in which the elongate member is trapped in the cavity against disengagement from the anchor member.

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is open at one end of the body member to perit the elongate member to extend into the cavity axially thereof, the anchor member extends transversely of the axis of the cavity and the body member has an opening in its side wall, opposite the anchor member, the said opening being selectively closable by the closure element.

3. A connector according to claim 2 in which the closure element is mounted in the body member for sliding axial movement relative thereto.

4. A connector according to claim 2, wherein the closure element is mounted on the body member for rotation relative thereto, and has in its side wall an aperture which registers with the body member side wall in the closed position of the closure element.

5. A connector according to claim 2 wherein the closure element is hingedly connected to the body member and closes the said opening in the closed position of the closure element.

6. A connector according to any preceding claim wherein the anchor member comprises a simple pin having one end secured to the body member and wherein its opposite, free end is closely adjacent the closure element in the closed position of the latter.

7. A connector substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.