Fastening system and method(s)

A method of operating a fastening system, the method comprising:

• providing a buckle assembly on an object, the buckle assembly comprising:
• a base comprising:
• a top;
• a pawl formed on the top;
• a first digit surface formed on the base, the first digit surface configured to receive a first force from a first digit of a hand, and
• a bottom adjoining the object, wherein the bottom is oppositely disposed from the top;
• and
• a slider slidingly engaged with the base, and movable between a first position and a second position, the slider comprising:
• a second digit surface formed on the slider, the second digit surface configured to receive a second force from a second digit of the hand;
• providing a strap, comprising:
• a proximal end configured to attach to the object;
• a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end;
• a front surface between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a back surface parallel to, and offset from, the front surface;
• and
• an array of teeth formed on the back surface, wherein a portion of the array of teeth is adjacent to the object,
• wherein an engaged section of the strap is located between the base and the slider;
• wherein the first digit surface of the base is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• and
• wherein the second digit surface of the slider is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• positioning a section of the strap between the base and the slider;
• transitioning, alternately, the buckle assembly between:
• an engaged condition, wherein the slider is positioned at the first position, the slider is offset from the top of the base by a first distance;
• the first force and the second force are zero, and the pawl is adjoining the array of teeth;
• and
• a released condition, wherein the slider is positioned at the second position, the slider is offset from the top of the base by a second distance that is greater than the first distance, the first force and the second force are equal and opposite, and the strap is free-to-move relative to the buckle assembly;
• tensioning the strap by moving the strap relative to the buckle assembly;
• and sliding the slider, relative to the base, from the first position to the second position where the slider is offset from the top of the base by the second distance and the array of teeth of the strap are disengaged from the pawl.

A method of operating a fastening system for an object, the method comprising:

• providing a buckle assembly comprising:
• a base comprising:
• a bottom adjoining the object;
• a top oppositely disposed from the bottom;
• a pawl formed on the top;
• and
• a first digit surface formed on the base, the first digit surface configured to receive a first force from a first digit of a hand;
• and
• a slider movable between a first position and a second position, the slider comprising:
• a second digit surface formed on the slider, the second digit surface configured to receive a second force from a second digit of the hand;
• providing a strap comprising:
• a proximal end configured to attach to the object;
• a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end;
• a front surface between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a back surface parallel to, and offset from, the front surface;
• and
• an array of teeth formed on the back surface, wherein the array of teeth is adjacent to the object, the array of teeth comprising:
• an engaged section of the strap located between the base and the slider;
• wherein the providing the buckle assembly further comprises providing the first digit surface of the base is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• wherein the providing the slider of the buckle assembly further comprises providing the second digit surface of the slider is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• and
• transitioning, alternatively, the buckle assembly between:
• an engaged condition wherein:
• the first force and the second force are zero;
• the slider is positioned at the first position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a first distance;
• and
• the pawl is adjoining the array of teeth;
• and
• a released condition wherein:
• the first force and the second force are equal and opposite;
• the slider is positioned at the second position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
• and
• the strap is free-to-move relative to the buckle assembly.

A fastening system, comprising:

• a buckle assembly, comprising:
• a base comprising;
• a bottom;
• a top oppositely disposed from the bottom;
• and
• a pawl formed on the top;
• a first digit surface formed on the base, the first digit surface configured to receive a first force from a first digit of a hand;
• a slider slidingly engaged with the base between a first position and a second position, the slider comprising:
• a second digit surface formed on the slider, the second digit surface configured to receive a second force from a second digit of the hand;
• and
• a strap passing through the buckle assembly, the strap comprising:
• a proximal end configured to attach to an object;
• a distal end disposed oppositely disposed from the proximal end;
• a front surface disposed between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a back surface parallel to, and offset from, the front surface;
• and
• an array of teeth formed on the back surface, wherein the array of teeth is adjacent to the object;
• each of the array of teeth comprises:
• a slope;
• a flank;
• a peak defined by an intersection of the slope and the flank of each of the array of teeth;
• a root defined by an intersection of the slope and the flank of two respective adjacent teeth, respectively of the array of teeth;
• a tangential line passing through the root;
• wherein the slope is inclined to the tangential line through the root, at a first angle;
• and
• wherein the flank is inclined to the tangential line through the root, at a second angle;
• wherein the first digit surface of the base is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• wherein the second digit surface of the slider is directly adjacent to the front surface of the strap;
• an engaged condition wherein:
• the first force and the second force are zero;
• the slider is positioned at the first position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a first distance;
• and
• the pawl is adjoining the array of teeth;
• a released condition wherein:
• the first force and the second force are equal and opposite the slider is positioned at the second position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
• and
• the strap is free-to-move relative to the buckle assembly.

A fastening system for a wearable, the fastening system comprising:

• a buckle assembly comprising:
• a base comprising:
• a bottom adjoining the wearable;
• a top oppositely disposed from the bottom;
• and
• a pawl formed on the top;
• a slider slidingly engaged with the base between a first position and a second position comprising:
• a first rib guideway formed therein;
• a strap comprising:
• a proximal end configured to attach to the wearable;
• a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end;
• a front surface disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, comprising:
• a first rib formed thereon;
• wherein the first rib guideway slidingly engages with the first rib of the strap to reduce friction therebetween;
• a back surface parallel to and offset from the front surface;
• an array of teeth formed on the back surface, wherein the array of teeth comprises:
• a portion of the array of teeth is adjacent to the wearable;
• and
• an engaged section located between the proximal end and the distal end;
• an engaged condition wherein:
• the slider is positioned at the first position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a first distance;
• and
• the pawl is adjoining the array of teeth;
• a released condition wherein:
• the slider is manipulated by an equal and opposite pinching force to slide the slider relative to the base, from the first position to the second position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
• and
• the strap is free-to-move relative to the buckle assembly.

A fastening system for a wearable, the fastening system comprising:

• a buckle assembly defining a first radius of curvature, comprising:
• a base comprising:
• a bottom adjoining the wearable;
• a top oppositely disposed from the bottom;
• and
• a pawl formed on the top;
• a slider slidingly engaged with the base between a first position and a second position;
• a strap defining a second radius of curvature, comprising:
• a proximal end configured to attach to the wearable;
• a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end;
• a front surface disposed between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a back surface parallel to and offset from the front surface;
• an array of teeth formed on the back surface, wherein the array of teeth comprise:
• a portion of the array of teeth is adjacent to the wearable;
• and
• an engaged section located between the proximal end and the distal end;
• an engaged condition wherein:
• the slider is positioned at the first position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a first distance;
• and
• the pawl is adjoining the array of teeth;
• a released condition wherein:
• the slider is manipulated by an equal and opposite pinching force to slide the slider relative to the base, from the first position to the second position;
• the slider is offset from the top of the base by a second distance that is greater than the first distance;
• the strap is free-to-move relative to the buckle assembly;
• and
• the second radius of curvature that is smaller than the first radius of curvature.