Quick-release connector with teardrop-shaped configuration

Quick-release connecting apparatus for detachably interconnecting two objects, such as a belt and a device to be carried on the belt, including in combination:

• a female member adapted to be secured to one of the objects and having a front surface, said female member having a generally teardrop-shaped opening in the front surface thereof and a recess formed behind said opening, said opening having a part-circular portion and a lobe portion projecting from said part-circular portion and having an axis which bisects the arc of said part-circular portion, said recess being larger than said opening and communicating with the entire area of said opening and defining a bearing surface along the periphery of said opening, a male member adapted to be secured to the other object and having a stud extending therefrom and a button at the distal end of said stud, said button having the same configuration as said opening and being sized to pass therethrough but having a cross-sectional area substantially greater than that of said stud so that said button forms a flange extending laterally from said stud, said male member being rotatable about the axis of said stud between first and second positions when said stud is disposed in said opening with said button disposed in said recess, said button being aligned with said opening when said male member is in the first position thereof for permitting insertion of said button into and withdrawal of said button from said opening, said button being out of alignment with said opening and engageable with said bearing surface when said male member is in the second position thereof for preventing detachment of said male body from said female body.