Resettable breakaway system
AssigneeThe Gap, Inc.
InventorJohn Redekop
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A breakaway system which is easily reset by a user and does not utilize shear pins or spring loaded tension devices. The inventive device includes a support member having a U-shaped cross-sectional area, an inner member attached to the support member, an outer member pivotally attached to the support member opposite of the inner member, a lip portion attached to the outer member which projects through an opening with the support member, and a spring leveraged arm pivotally attached to the inner member containing a roller opposite thereof which engages a swaged face of the lip portion. The lip portion preferably has a ramped face opposite of the swaged face which allows the lip portion to be reset behind the roller of the arm without requiring the replacement of any components.
Claims10
A resettable breakaway device, comprising:
- an inner member having a first end and a second end;
- an outer member having a proximal end and a distal end;
- said proximal end is pivotally attached to said second end of said inner member;
- a releasable engaging means attached to said inner member and in releasable engagement to said outer member for retaining said outer member substantially parallel to said inner member in a locked position;
- and
- wherein said releasable engaging means comprises:
- a lip portion having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said lip portion is attached to a side of said outer member adjacent said proximal end;
- a leverage means attached to said inner member;
- and
- an engaging member attached to said leverage means, wherein said leverage means applies a force upon said engaging member for retaining said engaging member in contact with said lip portion thereby retaining said outer member in said locked position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.