Connector for a personal safety device

An apparatus, comprising:

• a base having a first flange and a second flange;
• a generally U-shaped structural member having a first end and a second end;
• a bolt having a shaft, a relatively larger diameter head connected to a first end of the shaft, and a relatively larger diameter shoulder connected to an intermediate portion of the shaft, wherein both the first flange on the base and the first end of the structural member are disposed on the shaft and captured between the head and the shoulder;
• a lever having a first portion which extends generally transverse to the bolt and is disposed on the shaft and captured between the shoulder and the first flange on the base, and a second portion which extends generally parallel to the bolt and includes an edge which extends generally transverse to the bolt;
• a spring disposed on the shaft and compressed between the shoulder and the first portion of the lever, wherein absent any externally applied force, the spring biases an opposite, second end of the shaft into aligned holes extending through the second flange on the base and the second end of the structural member, thereby biasing the bolt and the structural member to remain in a closed loop configuration, and wherein the bolt is selectively movable against force exerted by the spring to a position wherein the second end of the shaft is free of the second end of the structural member, and the edge on the lever bears against the shoulder on the bolt to counteract the force exerted by the spring, thereby biasing the bolt and the structural member to remain in an open loop configuration until the lever is moved to release the shoulder and the spring urges the second end of shaft through the second end of the structural member.