Release System

Abstract

Systems that may be used to quickly remove gear having straps from a user's body. Certain embodiments provide a housing into which a plurality of plugs may be inserted. A strap may be secured to each plug, and the straps may be used to secure gear to a user's body. When it is desired to remove the gear, a user may disengage all of the plugs with a single movement—either by pulling on an actuating member that is associated with the housing, or by pressing on a plate associated with the housing. Either movement will disengage the plurality of plugs from the housing at one time.

1 . A release system comprising:
 a housing comprising: a frame that defines a plurality of apertures, each aperture comprising an engaging member; a plate positioned within the frame and moveable between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of plugs inserted into the plurality of apertures, each plug comprising an engaging member; and   an actuating member coupled to the frame and configured to selectively depress the plate when the actuating member is moved across the frame and the plate,   wherein, when the plate is in the first position, the engaging members of the plugs are engaged with the engaging members of the apertures to secure the plugs within the apertures, and   wherein, when the plate is in the second position, the plate is depressed and disengages the engaging members of the plugs from the engaging members of the apertures to release the plugs from the apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein the plate is moved into the second position by either depressing the plate or by moving the actuating member. 
     
     
         3 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and the plate comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein, when the plate in the first position, the top surface of the frame is generally on the same level as the top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein, when the plate is in the second position, the plate contacts and applies force to the engaging members of the plugs to thereby disengage the engaging members. 
     
     
         5 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein the engaging member of one of the plugs comprises a slanted surface and an inner surface, and the engaging member of one of the apertures comprises slanted surface and an inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . The release system as in  claim 5 , wherein the inner surface of the engaging member of one of the plugs contacts the inner surface of the engaging member of one of the apertures, thus engaging the engaging member of one of the plugs with the engaging member of one of the apertures. 
     
     
         7 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and sidewalls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, and wherein the plurality of apertures are defined by the sidewalls, the top surface, and the bottom surface of the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein the actuating member comprises an elongated cylinder and a protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The release system as in  claim 8 , wherein when the actuating member is moved across the frame and the plate, the protrusion contacts and depresses the plate, thus moving the plate into the second position. 
     
     
         10 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the frame or the plate is comprised of at least one of nylon, acetal, an impact modified polyacetal resin, or TPOM. 
     
     
         11 . The release system as in  claim 1 , wherein one of the apertures further comprises at least one guide rail, and one of the plugs further comprises at least one channel that mates with the at least one guide rail when the plug is inserted into the aperture. 
     
     
         12 . A release system comprising:
 a housing comprising: a frame that defines a plurality of apertures; a plate positioned within the frame and moveable between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of plugs inserted into the plurality of apertures, each plug comprising an engaging member; and   an actuating member comprising an elongated cylinder and a protrusion, wherein the actuating member is coupled to the frame and the protrusion is configured to selectively depress the plate when the actuating member is moved across the frame and the plate,   wherein, when the plate is in the first position, the engaging members of the plugs are engaged with at least a portion of the apertures to secure the plugs within the apertures, and   wherein, when the plate is in the second position, the plate contacts and applies force to the engaging members of the plugs to thereby release the plugs from the apertures.   
     
     
         13 . The release system as in  claim 12 , wherein the plate is moved into the second position by either depressing the plate or by moving the actuating member. 
     
     
         14 . The release system as in  claim 12 , wherein both an outer top edge of the frame and an outer top edge of the plate are generally circular. 
     
     
         15 . The release system as in  claim 14 , wherein an outer top edge of the plate is concentric with an outer top edge of the frame. 
     
     
         16 . The release system as in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one flexible rib to couple the plate to the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The release system as in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one rib presses on the plate to return the plate to the first position. 
     
     
         18 . A release system comprising:
 a housing comprising:   a frame comprising a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and sidewalls extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, wherein the sidewalls of the frame define the plurality of apertures that are configured to receive a plurality of plugs; and   a plate having a top surface and positioned within the frame, wherein the plate is moveable between a first position and a second position;   an actuating member coupled to the frame and configured to selectively depress the plate when the actuating member is moved across the frame,   wherein, when the plate is in the first position, the top surface of the frame is generally on the same level as the top surface of the plate, and   wherein, when the plate is in the second position, the plate is configured to contact and apply force to the plurality of plugs to thereby release the plugs from the apertures.   
     
     
         19 . The release system as in  claim 18 , further comprising a plurality of plugs inserted into the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         20 . The release system as in  claim 19 , wherein each plug is secured to a strap. 
     
     
         21 . The release system as in  claim 18 , further comprising knobs protruding from the bottom surface of the frame, wherein the knobs may be used to secure the housing to a garment or gear worn by a user.