# US 9,038,251 B1 · Quick release buckle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,251 B1 - Document ID: US9038251B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 14/044,378 - Filed: 2013-10-02 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2013-10-02 - Assignees: National Molding Corporation - Applicants: Miguel A. Bevilacqua - Inventors: Miguel A. Bevilacqua - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038251B1 ## CPC - A44B 11/2592: {fastening by sliding in the main plane or a plane parallel to the main plane of the buckle (A44B11/2503, A44B11/2584 take precedence)} - A44B 11/266: {with at least one push-button acting parallel to the main plane of the buckle and perpendicularly to the direction of the fastening action} - Y10T 24/45524: including resiliently biased projection component or surface segment - Y10T 24/45529: Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage - Y10T 24/45623: and operator therefor - Y10T 24/45628: for plural, oppositely shifting, similar interlocking components or segments - A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A buckle assembly structured for quick release and including a gripping assembly structured to removably retain an end connector in a locked position. Two locking segments are movably connected to one another and disposable between a closed orientation and a release orientation. The locked position includes the locking segments disposed in gripping engagement with the connector when the connector is disposed between the locking segments. A quick release assembly may be selectively positioned into a separating engagement with the locking segments to at least partially define a positioning thereof from their closed orientation into their release orientation. A secondary release assembly is connected to the gripping assembly and is independently operable to release the connector from the gripping engagement with the locking segments. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A buckle assembly structured for quick release of an associated connector, said buckle assembly comprising: a gripping assembly structured to removably retain the connector in a locked position, said gripping assembly comprising at least two locking segments movable relative to one another between a closed orientation and a release orientation, said locked position comprising said locking segments disposed in gripping engagement with the connector when in said closed orientation and the connector retained between said locking segments, a quick release assembly connected to said gripping assembly and positionable into a separating engagement with said locking segments to at least partially define disposition of said locking segments from said closed orientation into said release orientation, and a secondary release assembly connected to said gripping assembly and including at least one release member disposable between a rest position and a release position, said release position comprising a separating engagement of said one release member between said locking segments, and said rest position comprising said one release member normally biased outwardly, in spaced relation to corresponding peripheral portions of said locking segments when in said rest position, wherein said peripheral portions comprise an outwardly flared opening dimensioned and configured to facilitate receipt of said release member there through and at least partially between said locking segments. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said locking segments include at least one grip member, said grip members collectively disposed in said gripping engagement with the connector when in said closed orientation. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said grip members protrude outwardly from corresponding ones of said locking segments, into an aligned relation to apertures of the connector when in said closed orientation, to further define said gripping engagement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said grip members are collectively disposed and structured to define an access opening between said locking segments, said access opening dimensioned and disposed to receive the connector there through into said locked position between locking segments. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said access opening comprises an outwardly flared configuration structured to facilitate sliding, separating engagement of the connector with said grip members and between corresponding ones of said locking segments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said locking segments are connected into a biased, confronting relation to one another, to at least partially define said closed orientation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said locking segments collectively define a jaw structure, said jaw structure normally biased into said closed orientation and being at least partially separable into said release orientation, at least upon selective positioning of said quick release assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said quick release assembly comprises a head portion concurrently disposable into said sliding engagement with said two locking segments upon a selective positioning of a remainder of said release assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said quick release assembly comprises an elongated pull member connected to said head portion, said pull member movably disposed on said gripping assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, said selective positioning comprising an outwardly directed force exerted on said pull member in a direction away said gripping assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 8 further comprising an activating structure disposed on each of said locking segments, said head portion disposed in said separating engagement with said activating structures upon said selective positioning of said quick release assembly. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 10 wherein activating structures collectively comprise a substantially convergent configuration cooperatively disposed and structured with said head portion to exert a sliding engagement of said head portion on said activating structures and a concurrent separation of said locking segments into said release orientation. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said quick release assembly further comprises a head portion and an elongated pull member connected to said head portion, said head portion disposed in sliding engagement with said locking segments upon a selective positioning of said pull member, said pull member moveably disposed on said gripping assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, said selective positioning of said pull member comprising an outwardly directed force exerted thereon in a direction away from said gripping assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 12 further comprising activating structures disposed on said locking segments, said head portion disposed in said separating engagement with said activating structures upon said selective positioning of said pull member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said activating structures collectively comprise a substantially convergent configuration cooperatively disposed and structured with said head portion to exert a sliding engagement of said head portion there between and a separation thereof into said release orientation. ### Claim 15 A buckle assembly structured for quick release of an associated connector, said buckle assembly comprising: a gripping assembly structured to removably retain the connector in a locked position, said gripping assembly comprising at least two locking segments movable relative to one another between a closed orientation and a release orientation, said locked position comprising said locking segments disposed in gripping engagement with the connector when in said closed orientation and the connector retained between said locking segments, a quick release assembly connected to said gripping assembly and positionable into a separating engagement with said locking segments to at least partially define disposition of said locking segments from said closed orientation into said release orientation, and a secondary release assembly including at least two release members moveably connected to said gripping assembly and concurrently disposable between a rest position and a release position, said release position comprising a separating engagement of said release members between said locking segments, and said rest position comprising an outwardly spaced relation of said release members relative to substantially oppositely disposed peripheral portions of said locking segments, at least when said locking segments are in said closed orientation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 15 wherein each of said oppositely disposed peripheral portions comprise an outwardly flared opening dimensioned and configured to facilitate receipt of a correspondingly disposed of one of said release members there through and between said locking segments. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 15 further comprising a housing connected to said gripping assembly; said release members movably connected to said housing in an outwardly biased relation to said locking segments when said release members are in said rest position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A buckle assembly as recited in claim 17 wherein said release members are integrally and flexibly connected to said housing and removably attached, with said housing, to said gripping assembly.