Releasable buckle

A releasable buckle configured to engage at least a first strap element, the releasable buckle comprising:

• a body of unitary molded construction including a hollow sleeve portion defining a through passage extending between a proximal slot opening and a distal slot opening, wherein lateral openings are disposed along opposing lateral the sides of the sleeve portion, the sleeve portion including at least one pair of locking tabs comprising raised profile detents disposed at the interior of the sleeve portion at an elevation below the lateral openings, the locking tabs having inboard edges cooperatively defining a constriction within the sleeve portion;
• a depressible button of unitary molded construction held in reciprocating relation within the distal slot opening, the depressible button including a button base and a pair of fingers projecting in diverging angled relation away from the button base, wherein at least portions of the fingers extend through and out of the lateral openings, and an extended button detent projecting away from the button base at a position between the fingers;
• and
• a male latch member of unitary molded construction configured to be inserted into the proximal slot opening, the latch member including a pair of legs projecting away from a latch base and an elongated post mounted between the legs, wherein the elongated post extends in substantially parallel relation to the legs and has a length such that a free end of the post extends to a position beyond tips of the legs, the legs each including an elongated resilient spring segment operatively connected to an enhanced diameter distal head and wherein a raised shoulder is disposed between the spring segment and the distal head, wherein the legs are configured to flex inwardly during insertion of the latch member into the sleeve portion, wherein the distal heads are configured to extend at least partially through the lateral openings and to snap in locking relation behind the locking tabs when the distal heads are pushed past the locking tabs, and wherein the button detent and the elongated post are oriented for disposition in substantial alignment within the sleeve portion such that upon forced depression of the button, the fingers are configured to urge the distal heads radially inwardly and the button detent is configured to apply a pushing force against the post such that the latch is forced out of the body.

A releasable buckle adapted to engage at least a first strap element, the releasable buckle comprising:

• a female body of unitary molded construction including a hollow sleeve portion defining a through passage extending between a proximal slot opening and a distal slot opening, wherein the sleeve portion has a reduced diameter throat segment disposed intermediate the proximal slot opening and a distal slot opening, wherein lateral openings are disposed along opposing lateral concave sides of the sleeve portion, the sleeve portion including at least one pair of locking tabs comprising raised profile detents disposed at the interior of the sleeve portion at an elevation below the lateral openings, the locking tabs having inboard edges cooperatively defining a constriction within the sleeve portion;
• a depressible button of unitary molded construction held in reciprocating relation within the distal slot opening, the depressible button including a button base having convex curved lateral sides, the depressible button further including a pair of fingers projecting in diverging angled relation away from the button base, wherein at least portions of the fingers extend through and out of the lateral openings, and an extended button detent projecting away from the button base at a position between the fingers generally aligned with an axis of symmetry of the button base;
• and
• a male latch member of unitary molded construction adapted to be inserted into the proximal slot opening, the latch member including a latch base adapted to engage the first strap element in cinching relation, the latch member further including a pair of legs projecting away from the latch base and an elongated post mounted at a cross-support extending between the legs, wherein the elongated post extends between the legs in substantially parallel relation to the legs, the elongated post having a length such that a free end of the post extends to a position beyond tips of the legs, wherein the legs each include an elongated resilient spring segment and an enhanced diameter distal head, wherein a raised shoulder is disposed between the spring segment and the distal head, wherein the legs are configured to flex inwardly during insertion of the distal heads into the sleeve portion as outboard surfaces of the distal heads travel in camming relation over inboard surfaces of the locking tabs, wherein the distal heads are configured to extend at least partially through the lateral openings and to snap in locking relation behind the locking tabs when the distal heads are pushed past the locking tabs, wherein upon insertion of the latch member into the body, the button detent and the elongated post are disposed in substantial alignment such that upon forced depression of the button, the fingers are configured to urge the distal heads radially inwardly from the locking tabs and the button detent is configured to apply a pushing force against the elongated post to force the latch out of the body.