Modular locking connectors for portable harness systems, methods and devices

Abstract

This disclosure relates to modular locking connectors that enable discrete and fully separate components to be easily, quickly, and interchangeably connected together to result in a fully functional buoyancy compensator device. These separate components may include shoulders, waistbands, back panels, bladders or other buoyancy chambers, pockets including those for ballasting weights, and accessories such as knives, lights, signaling devices and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular locking connector comprising:
 a male portion having a substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XY plane, and a post, having a length and an interior, the length of the post defining a Z plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base, the post including an enlarged top with a recess, and the post including a cutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool, and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and   a female portion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with a retaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible end and locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the female portion is freely rotating about the male portion.   
     
     
         2 . The modular locking connectors of  claim 1  wherein there is an area of reduced thickness around the perimeter of the flat base. 
     
     
         3 . The modular locking connector of  claim 2  wherein the interior surface of the post has a ridge. 
     
     
         4 . The modular locking connector of  claim 3  where the post is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         5 . The modular locking connector of  claim 4  wherein the lock of the female portion when engaged with the male portion is releasable. 
     
     
         6 . The modular locking connector of  claim 4  wherein the lock of the female portion includes an engaging surface with a slanted edge. 
     
     
         7 . The modular locking connector of  claim 4  wherein the lock of the female portion includes an engaging surface with a beveled edge. 
     
     
         8 . The modular locking connector of  claim 4  wherein an edge of the recess of the male post portion includes an engaging surface with a slanted edge. 
     
     
         9 . The modular locking connector of  claim 4  wherein the edge of the recess of the male post portion includes an engaging surface with a beveled edge. 
     
     
         10 . The modular locking connector of  claim 1  including multiple posts protruding perpendicularly out of the flat base on the male portion. 
     
     
         11 . The modular locking connector of  claim 10  including multiple posts on the male portion and an elongated retaining channel on the female portion which, when connected, prevents rotation around the Z axis. 
     
     
         12 . The modular locking connector of  claim 10  including multiple posts on the male portion and multiple retaining channels on the female portion. 
     
     
         13 . The modular locking connector of  claim 1  wherein the post on the male portion we is non-cylindrical, forming detents such that, when connected to the female portion, free rotation about the Z axis is prevented. 
     
     
         14 . A buoyancy compensator assembly for scuba diving comprising:
 a. A back component having two corresponding shoulder connectors, two corresponding waist connectors, and a corresponding tank support connector;   b. A left waist belt component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component;   c. A right waist belt component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component;   d. A left shoulder component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component;   e. A right shoulder component which includes a corresponding connector for connection to the back component;   f. An air cell; and   g. A tank support,   
       wherein the back component, the two waist belt components, and the two shoulder components are interchangeable. 
     
     
         15 . The buoyancy compensator of  claim 14  wherein the corresponding shoulder and waist belt connectors on the back component, corresponding back connectors on the left and right waist belt components, corresponding back connectors on the left and right shoulder components, and any other included corresponding connectors are the modular locking connectors of  claim 1  comprising:
 a male portion having a substantially flat base, the flat base defining an XY plane, and a post, having a length and an interior, the length of the post defining a Z plane, protruding perpendicularly from the flat base, the post including an enlarged top with a recess, and the post including a cutout, aligned in the XY plane, to allow insertion of a release tool, and the interior surface of the post having a ridge; and 
 a female portion having a substantially flat base, a raised receiving area with a retaining channel including a lip, and a lock including a flexible end and locking end, wherein, when engaged with the male portion, the female portion is freely rotating about the male portion. 
 
     
     
         16 . The buoyancy compensator of  claim 15  further including a weight ballasting system having the modular locking connectors of  claim 1  for connection to any of the modular components, having modular locking connectors for connection to the two weight ballasting systems. 
     
     
         17 . The buoyancy compensator of  claim 15  wherein multiple back components, waist belt components, or shoulder components are connected to another component of the same type whereby the waist belt component is lengthened or the back component is enlarged. 
     
     
         18 . The buoyancy compensator of  claim 17  wherein the multiple back components, waist, belt components or shoulder components are connected to another component of the same type with a modular locking connector of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         19 . The buoyancy compensator of  claim 15  wherein the back component is split into a top back component and a bottom back component with multiple modular connectors for connecting the top component and the bottom component to another component of the same type thereby shortening or lengthening the assembled back component. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing a buoyancy compensator including manufacturing a back component, manufacturing shoulder components, and manufacturing waist belt components, which are connectable to each other and when connected create a skeleton structure which provides interchangeability of each of the back component, shoulder components, and waist belt components to provide full assembly of a customized buoyancy compensator. 
     
     
         21 . The method of manufacturing a buoyancy compensator of  claim 20 , further including providing releasably locking connectors on each of the back component, shoulder components and waist belt components. 
     
     
         22 . The method of manufacturing components of a buoyancy compensator of  claim 15  wherein the components are manufactured with an ergonomically shaped skeleton structure over which a flexible tube of padding material is stretched, creating a padded structure which conforms to the ergonomic shape of the skeleton structure. 
     
     
         23 . The method of manufacturing a cover for a buoyancy chamber of a buoyancy compensator of  claim 15  wherein the cover is separate from the buoyancy chamber and is constructed from an elastic material.