Quick release snap

An hardware snap of the quick release type comprising:

• a generally flat, elongated, sheet metal body having a fixed load supporting hook with a free end and an open side;
• means forming an elongated tubular sheet metal portion on said body with an outer cylindrical surface and an end facing generally toward said free end of said hook;
• a locking sleeve reciprocally mounted onto said outer cylindrical surface;
• spring means in said tubular portion for biasing said sleeve toward said end of said tubular portion and, thus toward said free end of said hook;
• a locking finger with first and second ends and having a cam surface at said first end;
• means for pivotally mounting said finger by said second end on said free end of said hook and about an axis generally perpendicular to said flat body, said locking finger movable between an open position with said first end spaced from said tubular portion and a closed position with said first end in said tubular portion;
• said sleeve having a camming portion to be engaged by said cam surface for forcing said sleeve away from said finger and against said spring means as said finger is moved into said closed position;
• said elongated sheet metal body including a second side opposite and parallel with the side formed by said tubular portion and a second end opposite the end formed by the fixed load supporting hook, said two sides and two ends defining an aperture in said body,
• said second end having an opening, said opening defining a barrel portion, open at both ends and opening into said aperture and,
• a swivel element having a body, a neck and a head, said body supporting a hole defining an eye, said neck connecting said head and said body, said neck being of sufficient size and length to float freely in said barrel and said head being sufficiently small to float freely in said aperture but sufficiently large so as not to pass through said barrel, said neck positioned in said barrel with said head in said aperture for forming a swivel eye at said second end of said snap.

An hardware snap of the quick release type comprising:

• a two piece body having a load supporting hook forming one end of said body with a fixed hook extending from said body and having a free end, said load supporting hook having an open side;
• each piece of said two piece body being contoured and fitted together for forming a first side and a second side said first side and said second side being substantially parallel to each other, with said first side extending into said fixed hook and said second side forming an elongated tubular portion with an outer cylindrical surface;
• a slot extending along part of said tubular portion and opposite said first side;
• a spring secured in said tubular portion and providing a biasing force;
• a locking sleeve reciprocally mounted about said outer cylindrical surface and biased by said spring for covering at least part of said slot;
• an hook closure finger coupled to the free end of said fixed hook and extending at least into said slot for closing said open side when said hook closure finger is positioned in said slot;
• means for pivotally mounting said hook closure finger to said free end of said fixed hook for permitting said finger to move between a closed position and an open position, and
• a cam surface at the other end of said hook closure finger for contacting said locking sleeve in its travel from an open position toward the closed position for sliding said locking sleeve along the outer cylindrical surface of said tubular portion against the spring bias for providing access to said slot for the said other end of said finger, said locking sleeve returning to its biased position after said hook closure finger enters said slot for retaining said hook closure finger within said slot for closing said load supporting hook and locking said snap.

A snap swivel of the quick release type comprising:

• a generally rectangular, multi-layer sheet metal body having a multi-part load supporting hook at one end and a swivel mounted eye at the other end;
• a first part of said multi-part load supporting hook extending from a first side of said body in an arc beyond said one end and terminating in a free end substantially short of said one end at the side opposite said first side defining an opening in said multi-part load supporting hook;
• a tubular portion formed by a rounded separation of at least two parts of said multi-layer sheet metal body extending along at least part of the length of said side opposite said first side;
• a slot in said tubular portion and extending along part of the length of said tubular portion;
• a sleeve mounted for reciprocal travel along the outer surface of said tubular portion and for covering at least part of said slot;
• means for urging said sleeve in a first direction of travel along the outer surface of said tubular portion for covering at least an end portion of said slot to prevent passage through said slot;
• a second part of said multi-part load supporting hook having a first end pivotally coupled to said free end of said first part and said second part extending from said first end to a second end providing sufficient length for a portion of said second part adjacent its said second end to enter said tubular portion through said slot for closing the opening in said multi-part load supporting hook and,
• means coupled to said sleeve for moving said sleeve in a second direction in response to application of pressure on said means for uncovering said end portion of said slot for permitting a part of said second part adjacent the said second end of said second part to pass through said slot and enter or leave said tubular portion.