Latch systems and methods for straps

Abstract

A latch system has a socket assembly and a plug assembly. When the socket assembly is within a predetermined distance from the plug assembly, a socket magnet member and a plug magnet member displace the socket assembly towards the plug assembly. To place the latch system in an engaged configuration, the head portion of the plug member passes through a main opening in a socket housing and a plug opening in a socket plate such that the head portion is within the primary chamber. To place the latch system in a latched configuration, the socket assembly is displaced relative to the plug assembly to arrange at least a portion of the socket plate within a head gap defined by a head portion of a plug member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A latch system comprising:
 a socket plate having a plug opening therein;   a socket magnet member;   a plug plate;   a plug member attached to the plug plate; and   a plug magnet member attached to the plug member;   wherein the plug opening comprises a first portion and a second portion thereof;   wherein the first portion of the plug opening is generally rectangular in shape and the second portion of the plug opening is generally triangular in shape; and   wherein the socket magnet member is supported in a fixed relation to the plug opening of the socket plate.   
     
     
         2 . The latch system of  claim 1  wherein the plug member further comprises a shaft portion and a head portion; wherein the shaft portion spaces the head portion away from the plug plate. 
     
     
         3 . The latch system of  claim 2  wherein the first portion of the plug opening is sized to permit passage of the head portion of the plug member; and wherein the second portion of the plug opening is sized to prevent passage of the head portion of the plug member. 
     
     
         4 . The latch system of  claim 2  wherein when the plug member is disposed through the plug opening in the socket plate, the plug magnet member is magnetically attracted to the socket magnet member. 
     
     
         5 . The latch system of  claim 4  wherein when the latch system is in an engaged configuration, the plug member disposed is through the first portion of the plug opening. 
     
     
         6 . The latch system of  claim 5  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration, the shaft portion of the plug member is disposed in the second portion of the plug opening and the head portion of the plug member overlaps the socket plate adjacent to the second portion of the plug opening. 
     
     
         7 . The latch system of  claim 6  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration, the head portion of the plug member overlaps a terminal portion of the socket plate. 
     
     
         8 . The latch system of  claim 2  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration or an engaged configuration, the plug plate is adjacent to an outer surface of the socket plate and the head portion of the plug member is adjacent to an inner surface of the socket plate. 
     
     
         9 . The latch system of  claim 8  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration, the shaft portion of the plug member is adjacent to a terminal portion of the socket plate, and the head portion of the plug member overlaps the inner surface of the terminal portion of the socket plate. 
     
     
         10 . The latch system of  claim 9  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration, the shaft portion of the plug member is disposed in the second portion of the plug opening. 
     
     
         11 . A latch system comprising:
 a socket plate having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plug opening extending from the inner surface to the outer surface;   a socket magnet member disposed in a fixed relation to the inner surface of the socket plate;   a plug plate;   a plug member attached to the plug plate; and   a plug magnet member attached to the plug member;   the plug opening having a first portion for receiving the plug member, and a second portion for retaining the plug member.   
     
     
         12 . The latch system of  claim 11  wherein the plug member comprises a shaft portion extending from the plug plate, and a head portion attached to an end of the shaft portion; wherein the head portion has a rear surface adjacent to the shaft portion. 
     
     
         13 . The latch system of  claim 12  wherein the plug member is capable of passing through the first portion of the plug opening but not through the second portion of the plug opening. 
     
     
         14 . The latch system of  claim 12  wherein when the latch system is in a latched configuration, the rear surface of the head portion is adjacent to the inner surface of the terminal portion of the socket plate. 
     
     
         15 . The latch system of  claim 14  wherein at least one of the socket magnet member and the plug magnet member comprise a magnet. 
     
     
         16 . The latch system of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the socket magnet member and the plug magnet member comprise magnetically attractable material. 
     
     
         17 . The latch system of  claim 1  wherein the socket magnet member comprises a magnet, and the plug magnet member comprises magnetically attractable material. 
     
     
         18 . The latch system of  claim 1  wherein the socket magnet member comprises magnetically attractable material, and the plug magnet member comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         19 . The latch system of  claim 1  wherein the socket magnet member comprises a magnet, and the plug magnet member comprises a magnet. 
     
     
         20 . The latch system of  claim 1  wherein the plug magnet member is attached to the head portion of the plug member.