WO2011123196A1

WO2011123196A1 - Buckle

Info

Publication number: WO2011123196A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/025359
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael N. Milbright
Original assignee: D B Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 2010-03-31
Filing date: 2011-02-18
Publication date: 2011-10-06
Also published as: JP2013523255A; US20110239413A1; EP2552271A1; MX2012011335A; AU2011233679A1; BR112012023909A2; CN102802458A; SG184258A1; CA2790196A1

Abstract

A buckle (700) that includes a catch (702), a buckle housing (704) and at least one pawl (710, 720) is provided. The catch has a manipulation end (702a) and a lead end(702d). The lead end has at least one shoulder (702g, 702h) that has at least one tooth (702e, 702f). The at least one pawl has a manipulation portion (710a, 720a) and an engaging portion (710c, 720c). The manipulation portion is configured and arranged to allow a manipulation force to rotate the at least one pawl in relation to the buckle housing. The engaging portion of the at least one pawl includes an engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage the at least one shoulder of the catch. The engaging edge includes at least one notch. Moreover, the at least one tooth of the at least one shoulder of the catch is selectively received in the at least one notch of the engaging edge of the at least one pawl.

Description

BUCKLE

BACKGROUND

[0001] Buckles are well known in the art and prevalent in a variety of applications. One application in which buckles are used is to connect straps in fall-arrest harnesses worn by persons who work at dangerous heights. It is imperative in this type of application that the buckles do not inadvertently disconnect.

[0002] For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved and effective buckle with enhanced inadvertent disconnect protection.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0003] The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention.

[0004] In one embodiment, a buckle is provided. The buckle includes a catch, a buckle housing, at least one pawl and a biasing member. The catch has a manipulation end and a lead end opposite the manipulation end. The lead end has at least one shoulder that has at least one tooth. The at least one pawl is rotationally coupled to the buckle housing. The at least one pawl has a manipulation portion and an engaging portion. The manipulation portion is configured and arranged to allow a manipulation force to rotate the at least one pawl in relation to the buckle housing. The engaging portion of the at least one pawl includes an engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage the at least one shoulder of the catch. The engaging edge includes at least one notch. Moreover, the at least one tooth of the at least one shoulder of the catch is selectively received in the at least one notch of the engaging edge of the at least one pawl. The at least one biasing member is configured to exert a biasing force on the at least one pawl to engage the engaging edge of the at least one pawl with the at least one shoulder of the at least one catch.

l BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The present invention can be more easily understood and further advantages and uses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is an exploded side perspective view of a buckle of the prior art;

[0007] Figure 2 is a front view of the buckle of Figure 1 with the catch disconnected from the housing;

[0008] Figure 3 is a front view of the buckle of Figure 1 with the catch of the buckle engaged by the housing;

[0009] Figure 4 is a front view of a plate of a buckle of the housing of the buckle of Figure i ;

[0010] Figure 5 is a front view of a buckle of another embodiment of the prior art with the catch disconnected from the housing;

[0011] Figure 6A is a front perspective view of yet another embodiment of a buckle of the prior art;

[0012] Figure 6B is an exploded front perspective view of the buckle of Figure 6 A;

[0013] Figure 7 A is a front view of a partial buckle housing and catch of a buckle of one embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] Figure 7B is a front perspective view of the partial buckle housing and catch of Figure 7A;

[0015] Figure 7C is a front view of the partial buckle housing and catch of Figure 7 A with the catch disconnected from the partial buckle housing; and

[0016] Figure 7D is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a partial buckle housing and catch of the present invention.

[0017] In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention.

Reference characters denote like elements throughout Figures and text. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention provide a buckle with enhanced inadvertent unlocking protection abilities to prevent an inadvertent releasing of a catch from a buckle housing of a buckle. An example buckle 100 of the prior art is illustrated in Figure 1. Buckle 100 generally includes a first member or buckle housing 101 and a second member or catch 170. In operation, a first harness strap is secured to the housing 101 in a manner already known in the art, and a second harness strap is secured to the catch 170 also in a manner already known in the art. The catch 170 is releasably latched to the housing 101 in order to releasably connect the two harness straps to one another.

[0020] The housing 101 in this embodiment includes first and second outer plates 111 and 112. In one embodiment the first and second outer plates 111 and 112 are made identical to one another for purposes of manufacturing efficiency. At least one intermediate plate 130 is sandwiched between the outer plates 111 and 112. The outer plates 111 and 112 are made of steel in one embodiment, and further in one embodiment, the at least one intermediate plate 130 is made of nylon plastic. Four registration pegs 137 project outward from each side of the intermediate plate(s) 130 and align with respective registration holes 117 in a respective outer plate 111 or 112. An elliptical boss 131 may also be provided on each side of the at least one intermediate plate 130 to align with similarly shaped openings 113 in respective outer plates 111 and 112. Rivets 123 extend through respective holes 103 in one outer plate 111, then through respective holes 133 in the intermediate plate(s) 130, and then through respective holes 103 in the other outer plate 112.

[0021] The housing 101 includes a buckle slide 140 that is preferably made of steel and has a cylindrical middle portion 144 and flat ends 141. As shown in Figure 4, the at least one intermediate plate 130 has a central opening 134 that is sized and configured to accommodate the entire slide 140. Also, each of the outer plates 111 and 112 has a relatively smaller rectangular opening 114 that is sized and configured to accommodate the middle portion 144 of the slide 140. The thickness of the intermediate plate(s) 130 is greater than the thickness of the ends 141, so the ends 141 of the slide 140 are movably retained between the outer plates 111 and 112. The slide bar 140 cooperates with the openings 114 in the plates 111 and 112 to retain the end of a harness strap. The middle portion 144 may be knurled to increase friction between the bar 140 and the strap.

[0022] The at least one intermediate plate 130 also has opposing slots 136 that are sized and configured to accommodate respective springs 160 (or biasing members) between the outer plates 111 and 112. The springs 160 are helical coils that are compressed between respective end walls of respective slots 136, and respective bearing surfaces on respective pawls 158 and 159. Rivets 122 extend through respective holes 102 in one outer plate 111, then through respective holes 152 in respective pawls 158 and 159, and then through respective holes 102 in the other outer plate 112. The pawls 158 and 159 are preferably made of steel and sized to be thinner than the intermediate plate(s) 130. As a result, the pawls 158 and 159 are pivotally mounted between the outer plates 111 and 112.

[0023] The pawls 158 and 159 have respective latching portions (or engaging portions) that are biased toward one another by respective springs 160. This inward pivoting of the pawls 158 and 159 is limited by contact between the pawls 158 and 159 and respective portions of the intermediate plate(s) 130. The pawls 158 and 159 also have respective force receiving portions (or manipulation portions) that project away from one another and outward beyond the perimeter of the outer plates 111 and 112. These manipulation portions or "wings" define bearing surfaces that face away from the catch 170 and in divergent fashion relative to one another.

[0024] The housing 101 has a receiving end 107 that is sized and configured to receive the catch 170. A lead end 171 of the catch 170 is configured for insertion into the housing 101 and between the pawls 158 and 159. More specifically, this lead end 171 of the catch 170 may be described as generally T-shaped, with recessed edges or shoulders 175 on opposite sides thereof. As the end 171 is inserted into the housing 101, it pushes the latching portions of the pawls 158 and 159 away from one another. Upon continued insertion of the end 171, the pawls 158 and 159 encounter the recessed edges 175 of the catch 170 and snap back toward one another (and behind the forwardmost portion of the catch 170). As shown in Figure 3, inspection openings or windows 1 19 in the outer plates 111 and 112 allow a person to visually confirm that the pawls 158 and 159 have snapped into engagement with the catch 170. The catch 170 cannot thereafter by removed from the housing 101 unless both pawls 158 and 159 are rotated to respective "releasing" orientations. An opposite end of the catch 170 is provided with a slot 177 for purposes of retaining the end of a harness strap.

[0025] As a person uses his/her thumb and forefinger to urge respective manipulation portions of the pawls 158 and 159 away from the tab 132, the thumb and forefinger thereafter encounter the relatively wider portion (engaging end) of the catch 170 upon release of the catch 170 from the housing 101. This transitional arrangement facilitates both unlatching and removal of the catch 170 in one continuous motion. In embodiments, additional features are added to ensure the pawls 158 and 159 are not inadvertently rotated into their releasing orientations.

[0026] Figure 5 illustrates another example buckle 200 of the prior art. Buckle 200 includes an identical catch 170 that is selectively latched between similar pawls 258 and 259 on an alternative housing 201. The housing 201 similarly includes at least one intermediate plate secured between first and second outer plates by means of rivets 222 and 223 (and registration pegs 237). Both the pawls 258 and 259 and a slide bar 240 are movably retained between the outer plates. Each of the outer plates on the housing 201 has an end opposite the catch 170 that is bounded by a concave edge, thereby defining a notch. The at least one intermediate plate has a "grippable" portion or tab 232 that spans the notch, and opposite facing sides of the tab 232 are bounded by an arcuate, peripheral ridge 231 that facilitates grasping of the housing 101. Further discussion of buckle 100 and 200 can be found in commonly assigned U.S. Patent No. 6,668,434, issued December 30, 2003, entitled "Harness Buckle and Method of Making the Same" which is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.

[0027] Yet another example buckle 600 of the prior art is illustrated in Figure 6A. In Figure 6A, a front assembled view of a buckle is 600 illustrated. The buckle includes a buckle housing 601 and a catch 620. The buckle housing 601 includes a first plate 602 and a second plate 604. The first plate 602 is coupled to the second plate 604 via rivets 606. A slide 608 is coupled between the first and second plates 602 and 604. Moreover, openings in the first and second plates 602 and 604, such as opening 630 of the first plate 602, allow for access of the slide 608. Sandwiched between the first plate 602 and the second plate 604 are pawls 61 OA and 610B that make up a connecting portion of the buckle 600. The pawls 61 OA and 610B engage shoulder portions 624A and 624B near an engaging end 626 of a catch 620 to lock the catch 620 in the buckle housing 601. In particular, the engaging portion 626 (or "lead" end) of the catch 620 becomes engaged with the pawls when the lead end 626 is inserted in an opening 627 in the buckle housing 601 that is between the pawls 61 OA and 610B and the plates 602 and 604. The catch 620 further has a manipulation end 621 that is opposite the lead end 626. In this example, the buckle housing 600 includes a cam knob 612 that is used to move a locking plate 616 to selectively engage a strap (not shown in this Figure) on the slide 608. The cam knob 612 can be rotated between a locked and an unlocked position. The rotation of the cam knob 612 is contained within stops 614A and 614B.

[0028] In Figure 6B, an exploded front perspective view of the buckle housing 601 is illustrated. As illustrated, the first plate 602 includes opening 630 as discussed above.

Opening 630 is rectangular in shape. The second plate 604 also includes a rectangular opening 512. The slide 608 has a cylindrical mid portion 513 around which a strap or webbing) (not shown) is engaged. The slide 608 further has a first end 514A and a second end 514B. As illustrated, the first end and the second end 514A and 514B each include flat surfaces that abut inner surfaces of the first and second plates 602 and 604 when the first and second plates 602 and 604 are coupled together. This arrangement slidably retains the slide 608 within plates 602 and 604 of the buckle 600. The cylindrical mid portion 513 of the slide 608 is received in the openings 630 and 512 of the respective first and second plates 602 and 512. In one

embodiment the surface of cylindrical mid portion 513 of the slide 608 has knurling (not shown) to increase friction.

[0029] The pawls 61 OA and 610B are pivotally coupled between the first plate 602 and the second plate 604 via rivets 606. Biasing members 504A and 504B bias the respective pawls 61 OA and 610B to a select pivot rotational position that engages catch 620 when the catch 620 is inserted in the opening 627 between the pawls 61 OA and 610B of the buckle housing 601. In the embodiment of Figure 6B, the locking member 616 is generally L-shaped having a first portion 532 and a second portion 534. The first portion 532 of the locking member 616 has a generally oval shaped passage 530. A first side 521 of the first plate 602 has a recess 502 shaped to receive the first portion 532 of the locking member 616. The second portion 534 of the locking member 616 fits in opening 630 of the first plate 602. The cam knob 612 includes an activation portion 552 and a retaining portion 550. The retaining portion 550 extends from the activation portion 552 of the cam knob 612 as illustrated. The first plate 602 of the buckle 600 includes a retaining aperture 503 that is in recess 502. The retaining portion 550 of the cam knob 612 extends through retaining aperture 603 of the first plate 502. A fastener 518 engages the retaining portion 550 of the cam knob 612 to retain the cam knob 612 in the buckle housing 601. Other types of fastener systems are contemplated, such as but not limited to, threadably engaging systems. The activation portion 552 of the cam knob 612 is received in the oval shaped passage 530 of the locking member 616. Rotation of the cam knob 612 causes the activation portion 552 (which is also generally oval in shape in one embodiment) to engage the generally oval shaped passage 530 of the locking member 616 to move the locking member 616 in relation to the first plate 602. Further discussion of example buckle 600 and the locking member 616 can be found in the commonly assigned U. S. Patent Application No 12/414,364 filed on March 30, 2009 entitled "Buckle" that is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.

[0030] Figures 7A, 7B, and 7C illustrate a partial buckle housing 700 and a catch 702 of one embodiment of the present invention. The catch 702 in this embodiment includes a manipulation end 702a, a lead end 702d and a mid-section 702c that extends between the manipulation end 702a and the lead end 702d. The manipulation end 702a of the catch 702 includes a catch slot 702b that is designed to engage a strap (not shown). The lead end 702d includes a first shoulder 702g and second shoulder 702h. Extending from the first shoulder 702g is a first tooth 702e. Extending from the second shoulder 702h is a second tooth 702f. As illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, the first and second teeth 702e and 702f extend in a direction toward the manipulation end of the catch 702a.

[0031] The partial buckle housing 700 includes two spaced pawls 710 and 720, the pawls 710 and 720 are rotationally coupled to buckle plate 704. In particular the first and second pawls 710 and 720 are coupled to buckle plate 704 by rivets 714. The first pawl 710 includes a manipulation portion 710a that allows for a manipulation force to rotate the first pawl 710 about a rivet connection 714a. The first pawl 710 further includes a mid-portion 710b about which rivet connection 714a is located. The first pawl 710 further includes an engaging portion 710c. Engaging portion 710c includes a first engaging edge 710g that is designed to engage the first shoulder 702g of the catch 702. Further, the first engaging edge 710g of the first pawl 710 includes a notch 710e that is designed to receive the tooth 702e of the catch 702. Pawl 710 further includes a biasing slot 710d that is designed to receive a first end of a biasing member 712a.

[0032] The second pawl includes a manipulation portion 720a that is designed to allow a manipulation force to rotate pawl 720 about rivet 714. The second pawl 720 further includes a mid-portion 720b. A rivet connection 714b is located about the mid-portion 720b. The second pawl 720 further includes an engaging portion 720c that has a second engaging edge 720g that is configured to engage the second shoulder 720h of the catch 720. The second engaging edge 720g of the second pawl 720 includes a second notch 720e that is configured to receive the second tooth 702f of the catch 702. The engaging portion 720c of the second pawl 720 further includes a second slot 720d configured to receive a first end of a biasing member 712b.

[0033] The first biasing member 712a includes a second end that abuts a portion of the buckle plate 704 to assert a biasing force on the engaging portion 710c of the first pawl 710. Likewise the second biasing member 712b has a second end that abuts a surface of buckle plate 704 to assert a biasing force on the engaging portion 720c of the second pawl such that the engaging portion 710c of the first pawl 710 and the engaging portion 720c of the second pawl 720 have biasing forces that push the engaging portions 710c and 720c towards each other to engage the lead end 702d of the catch 702. When the lead end 702d of the catch 702 is engaged with the engaging portion 710c of the first pawl and the engaging portion 720c of the second pawl 720, the respective first and second teeth 702e and 702f are received in the respective notches 710e and 720e of the first and second pawls 710 and 720. This arrangement helps prevent the inadvertent disengagement of the catch 702 from the buckle when only one manipulation portion 710a or 720a of one respective first or second pawl 710 or 720 is engaged. Hence if only one manipulation portion 710a or 720a of the respective first and second pawls has a manipulation force asserted on it, the catch 702 will not disengage from the buckle. Further in this embodiment, the catch must first be pushed inward into a buckle housing containing pawls 710 and 714 for the teeth 702e and 702f of the catch 702 to disengage from the respective grooves 710e and 720e of the pawls 710 and 720 before manipulation forces on the manipulation portions 710a and 720a of the pawls 710 and 720 can rotate to allow the catch 702 to be removed from the buckle housing. Also illustrated in Figure 7A is a slide 706 that is received in an opening 708 of the plate 704. [0034] Figure 7D further illustrates another embodiment of a catch 702 coupled with pawls 710 and 720 that are pivotally coupled to buckle plate 730. Buckle plate 730 in this embodiment extends beyond the manipulation portions 710a and 720a of the first and second pawls 710 and 720. This restricts access to the manipulation portions 710a and 720a of the respective pawls 710 and 720 to help prevent inadvertent manipulation of manipulation portions 710a and 720b. As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention help prevent pawls of a buckle from being inadvertently rotated into their releasing orientations.

[0035] The partial buckle housing 700 illustrated in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C as well as the buckle plate 730 in Figure 7D are implemented into the buckle housings as described above. The buckle housings along with a catch form a buckle. Hence, buckles 100, 200 and 600 can implement pawls 710 and 720 and catch 702 as described above to create a buckle with enhanced inadvertent unlocking protection abilities. For example, pawls 710 and 720 and catch 702 of Figures 7 A through 7D can be implemented in buckle 100 by replacing pawls 158 and 159 and catch 170 and in buckle 600 by replacing pawls 610a and 610b and catch 620. Further, in an embodiment that reduces the access to the manipulation portion of the pawls, buckle plate 730 of Figure 7D can replace plate 112 of Figure 1 and plate 604 of Figure 6B to implement this feature in the Buckles 100 and 600.

[0036] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.

Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A buckle comprising:

a catch having a manipulation end and a lead end opposite the manipulation end, the lead end having at least one shoulder, the at least one shoulder having at least one tooth;

a buckle housing;

at least one pawl rotationally coupled to the buckle housing, the at least one pawl having a manipulation portion and an engaging portion, the manipulation portion configured and arranged to allow a manipulation force to rotate the at least one pawl in relation to the buckle housing, the engaging portion of the at least one pawl including an engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage the at least one shoulder of the catch, the engaging edge including at least one notch, the at least one tooth of the at least one shoulder of the catch selectively received in the at least one notch of the engaging edge of the at least one pawl; and

at least one biasing member configured to exert a biasing force on the at least one pawl to engage the engaging edge of the at least one pawl with the at least one shoulder of the at least one catch.

2. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pawl includes a biasing slot configured and arranged to receive an end of the biasing member.

3. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the at least one tooth of the at least one shoulder extends from the at least one shoulder in a direction toward the manipulation end of the catch.

4. The buckle of claim 1, wherein the at least one pawl and the at least one biasing member are configured and arranged to retain the lead end of the catch within the buckle housing.

5. The buckle of claim 1, wherein the buckle housing further comprise:

at least one plate, the at least one pawl coupled to the at least one plate.

6. The buckle of claim 5, wherein the at least one plate restricts access to the manipulation portion of the pawl.

7. The buckle of claim 1 , wherein the manipulation end of the catch further includes a catch slot configured and arranged to receive a strap.

8. The buckle of claim 1, further comprising:

a slide movably coupled within an opening of the housing of the buckle to receive a strap.

9. The buckle of claim 8, further comprising:

a locking member configured and arranged to lock the strap on the slide.

10. A buckle comprising:

a buckle housing;

a first pawl rotationally coupled to the buckle housing, the first pawl having a first manipulation portion and a first engaging portion, the first manipulation portion configured and arranged to allow a manipulation force to rotate the first pawl in relation to the buckle housing, the first engaging portion of the first pawl including a first engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage a first shoulder on a lead end of a catch, the first engaging edge of the first pawl including a first notch configured and arranged to receive a first tooth on the first shoulder of the catch;

a second pawl rotationally coupled to the buckle housing a spaced distance from the first pawl, the second pawl having a second manipulation portion and a second engaging portion, the second manipulation portion configured and arranged to allow a force to rotate the second pawl in relation to the buckle housing, the second engaging portion of the second pawl including a second engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage a second shoulder on the lead end of the catch, the second engaging edge of the second pawl including a second notch configured and arranged to receive a second tooth on the second shoulder of the catch;

a first biasing member configured and arranged to exert a force on the first pawl to engage the first engaging portion of the first pawl on the first shoulder of the catch; and a second biasing member configured and arranged to exert a force on the second pawl to engage the second engaging portion of the second pawl on the second shoulder of the catch, wherein both first and second manipulation portions of the first and second pawls are simultaneously manipulated to release the first and second engaging portions of the first and second pawls from the first and second shoulders of the catch.

11. The buckle of claim 10, further comprising:

the first pawl having a first biasing slot configured to receive an end of the first biasing member; and

the second pawl having a second biasing slot configured to receive an end of the second biasing member.

12. The buckle of claim 10, wherein the buckle housing includes at least one plate.

13. The buckle of claim 12, wherein the at least one plate restricts access to the first and second manipulation portions of the first and second pawls.

14. The buckle of claim 10, further comprising:

a slide movably coupled within an opening to the housing of the buckle to receive a strap.

15. The buckle of claim 14, further comprising:

a locking member configured and arranged to lock the strap on the slide.

16. The buckle of claim 15, further comprising:

a cam knob rotationally coupled to the buckle housing, the cam knob configured and arranged to manipulate the locking member.

17. A buckle comprising:

a catch having a manipulation end and a lead end opposite the manipulation end, the lead end having a first shoulder and a second shoulder, the first shoulder having a first tooth and the second shoulder having a second tooth; a buckle housing having passage to receive the lead end of the catch;

a first pawl rotationally coupled to the buckle housing, the first pawl having a first manipulation portion and a first engaging portion, the first manipulation portion configured and arranged to allow for a manipulation force to rotate the first pawl in relation to the buckle housing, the first engaging portion of the first pawl including a first engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage the first shoulder of the lead end of the catch when the lead end of the catch is inserted in the passage of the buckle housing, the first engaging edge of the first pawl including a first notch configured and arranged to receive the first tooth on the first shoulder of the catch;

a second pawl rotationally coupled to the buckle housing a spaced distance from the first pawl, the second pawl having a second manipulation portion and a second engaging portion, the second manipulation portion configured and arranged to allow a force to rotate the second pawl in relation to the buckle housing, the second engaging portion of the second pawl including a second engaging edge configured and arranged to selectively engage the second shoulder on the lead end of the catch when the lead end of the catch is inserted in the passage of the buckle housing, the second engaging edge of the second pawl including a second notch configured and arranged to receive a second tooth on the second shoulder of the catch;

a first biasing member configured and arranged to exert a first biasing force on the first pawl to engage the first engaging portion of the first pawl on the first shoulder of the catch; and a second biasing member configured and arranged to exert a second biasing force on the second pawl to engage the second engaging portion of the second pawl on the second shoulder of the catch, wherein both first and second manipulation portions of the first and second pawls are simultaneously manipulated to release the first and second engaging portions of the first and second pawls from the first and second shoulders of the catch.

18. The buckle of claim 10, further comprising:

the first pawl having a first biasing slot configured to receive a first end of the first biasing member, the buckle housing forming a second biasing slot configured to receive a second end of the first biasing member; and

the second pawl having a third biasing slot configured to receive a first end of the second biasing member, the buckle housing forming a fourth biasing slot configured to receive a second end of the second biasing member.

19. The buckle of claim 10, wherein the buckle housing includes at least one plate that restricts access to the first and second manipulation portions of the first and second pawls.

20. The buckle of claim 10, further comprising:

a slide movably coupled within an opening to the housing of the buckle to engage a strap;

a locking member configured and arranged to lock the strap on the slide; and a cam knob rotationally coupled to the buckle housing, the cam knob configured and arranged to manipulate the locking member.