Non-Directional Instant locking fastner

Abstract

An accessibility-enhanced instant locking fastener system comprising of a cylindrical tongue and a catch with funnel-shaped opening, enabling easy insertion and pushing for locking, without precise alignment or directional orientation. The omni-directional locking clasp system, typical use of which may be for seat belt buckling systems, are configured so that the once the tip of the tongue meets the opening of the hole in the clasp, latching can be accomplished by simply pushing the tongue into the funnel-shaped opening without the necessity to precise directional alignment unlike the flat tongue plates of locking buckles typically found in conventional seat belt harnesses.

1 . A non-directional, instantaneously locking fastener, comprising of a tongue with spheroidal tip and a receiving clasp with roughly funnel-shaped opening and insertion channel, wherein the tongue may be inserted into the clasp through insertional channel for locking and releasing, in all lateral-directional orientations. 
     
     
         2 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the clasp has an opening and insertion channel with transversely isotropic internal shape to allow indiscriminant insertion of the tongue into the clasp. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the tongue has a tapering profile and the clasp has matching insertion channel connected to its opening, preventing the tongue from traveling further within the clasp after it reaches locking position. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener as set forth in  claim 1  with the tongue connected to a grip in spherically bulked shape at the opposite end from the spheroidal tip for non-directional gripping and indiscriminant insertion of the tongue into the clasp, and preventing the tongue from traveling further within the clasp after it reaches locking position. 
     
     
         5 . A fastener, comprising of a tongue with a transversely isotropic shaft and a receiving clasp with funnel-shaped opening where the clasp contains a set of spring-loaded protruding hooks to lock and hold the tongue by its hooks and maintain the lock in all directional orientations of the tongue. 
     
     
         6 . A fastener, comprising of a tongue with a spheroidal tip and a receiving clasp with funnel-shaped opening leading to an insertion channel of a locking mechanism comprising of a casing, a set of base plates with the insertion channel with its end forming an internal wall, a release button in the shape of a funnel movably connected to the insertion channel from an extended position to a retracted position, a set of latching bars for locking the tongue, release keys connected to the release button to unlatch the tongue from the latching bars, and an ejector for moving the tongue in the direction of withdrawal of the tongue from the clasp during movement of the release keys from the extended position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener as set forth in  claim 6  where the tongue has a recess in the form of a circular groove near its tip, which allows the locking mechanism in the clasp to catch and lock the tongue and maintain locked, in all lateral orientations of the tongue. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener as set forth in  claim 6  with the locking mechanism includes a set of springs positioned to provide constant pressure to keep the latching bars in locked position and butted against the internal wall of the insertion channel to prevent the freeing of the tongue unless the latching bars are pushed apart to allow the tongue to escape when the release keys are pushed under the latching bars. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the casing is part of a guide for the release button, the base plates have guide holes for the release keys, the latching bars movable transversely to insertion channel for selective engagement and disengagement by the release keys slidably guided by the guide holes on the base plates, said release key being provided with ramps for pushing the latching bars out of engagement with the recess in the tongue when the release button is depressed.