Asymmetrically releasable fastener system and cuff for use therewith

A releasable fastener system for fastening a first object to be proximate to a second object, comprising

• a. a buckle comprising
• i. a base of flexible material,
• ii. a top member of flexible material, the top member having a front edge, a rear edge and an upper surface, the top member being coupled to the base at a first leg and a second leg,
• iii. a channel comprising an opening between the base, the top member and the first and second legs, and
• iv. a plurality of generally parallel slots defined in the top member, each slot having a front side being generally straight, a rear side being curved and being tapered in a direction from the top member rear edge toward the top member front edge;
• b. a strap configured to releasably be engaged in the channel, the strap comprising a member of flexible material, the strap having a length, a width, a top surface and a bottom surface, the strap further comprising
• i. a first end at one end of the length and a second end at an opposite end of the length,
• ii. a side edge at one side of the width and an opposite side edge at an opposite side of the width, and
• iii. a plurality of teeth on and extending generally upward from the top surface, each of said plurality of teeth having an elongated first side wall extending generally perpendicularly upward from the strap, and an elongated second side wall tapering from the first side wall in a direction from the strap first end toward the second end, the second side wall being curved, each of said plurality of teeth further including a first short edge and opposing second short edge, each short edge having a shoulder;
• and,
• c. means for disengaging the strap from the buckle when a force asymmetrical with respect to the first direction is exerted on one of the strap and buckle so as to cause the plurality of generally parallel slots and said plurality of teeth to disengage thereby facilitating removal of the strap from the buckle in a direction generally opposite to the first direction,
• whereby the plurality of generally parallel slots are configured to engage the plurality of teeth when the strap first end and at least one of the plurality of teeth are inserted into the buckle channel in a first direction generally perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel slots so as to be fastened and resist removal in a direction opposite to the first direction.

A releasable fastener system, comprising:

• a. a buckle comprising
• i. a base of flexible material,
• ii. a top member of flexible material, the top member having a front edge, a rear edge and an upper surface, the top member being coupled to the base at a first leg and a second leg,
• iii. a channel comprising an opening between the base, the top member and the first and second legs, and
• iv. a plurality of generally parallel teeth extending downward from the top member, each tooth each of said plurality of teeth having an elongated first side wall extending generally perpendicularly upward from the strap, and an elongated second side wall tapering from the first side wall in a direction from the strap first end toward the second end, the second side wall being curved, each of said plurality of teeth further including a first short edge and opposing second short edge, each short edge having a shoulder having a front side being generally straight, a rear side being curved and being tapered in a direction from the top member rear edge toward the top member front edge;
• b. a strap configured to releasably be engaged in the channel, the strap comprising a member of flexible material, the strap having a length, a width, a top surface and a bottom surface, the strap further comprising
• i. a first end at one end of the length and a second end at an opposite end of the length,
• ii. a side edge at one side of the width and an opposite side edge at an opposite side of the width,
• iii. a plurality of slots defined in the top surface, each slot having a front side being generally straight, a rear side being curved and being tapered in a direction from the top surface toward the top member;
• and
• c. means for disengaging the strap from the buckle when a force asymmetrical with respect to the first direction is exerted on one of the strap and buckle so as to cause the plurality of slots and said plurality of teeth to disengage thereby facilitating removal of the strap from the buckle in a direction generally opposite to the first direction,
• whereby the plurality of slots are configured to engage the plurality of teeth when the strap first end and at least one of the plurality of slots are inserted into the buckle channel in a first direction generally perpendicular to the plurality of generally parallel teeth so as to be fastened and resist removal in a direction opposite to the first direction.

A releasable fastener system for a helmet chin strap system including a first strap and a second strap, the releasable fastener system comprising:

• a. a buckle associated with a first strap and comprising
• i. a base of flexible material,
• ii. a top member of flexible material, the top member having a front edge, a rear edge and an upper surface, the top member being coupled to the base at a first leg and a second leg,
• iii. a channel comprising an opening between the base, the top member and the first and second legs, and
• iv. a plurality of generally parallel slots defined in the top member, each slot having a front side being generally straight, a rear side being curved and being tapered in a direction from the top member rear edge toward the top member front edge;
• b. a strap associated with a second strap and configured to releasably be engaged in the channel, the strap comprising a member of flexible material, the strap having a length, a width, a top surface and a bottom surface, the strap further comprising
• i. a first end at one end of the length and a second end at an opposite end of the length,
• ii. a side edge at one side of the width and an opposite side edge at an opposite side of the width, and
• iii. a plurality of teeth on and extending generally upward from the top surface, each of said plurality of teeth having an elongated first side wall extending generally perpendicularly upward from the strap, and an elongated second side wall tapering from the first side wall in a direction from the strap first end toward the second end, the second side wall being curved, each of said plurality of teeth further including a first short edge and opposing second short edge, each short edge having a shoulder;
• and
• c. means for disengaging the strap from the buckle when a force asymmetrical with respect to the first direction is exerted on one of the strap and buckle so as to cause the plurality of generally parallel slots and said plurality of teeth to disengage thereby facilitating removal of the strap from the buckle in a direction generally opposite to the first direction,
• whereby said plurality of generally parallel slots are configured to engage said plurality of teeth when the strap first end and at least one of said plurality of teeth are inserted into the buckle channel in a first direction generally perpendicular to said plurality of generally parallel slots so as to be fastened and resist removal in a direction opposite to the first direction.