DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
This invention relates to mechanical engineering.

Particularly, this invention relates a reusable safety fuse link.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
While handling animals such as horses, cattle etc., they are, typically, restrained in their sheds while resting to ensure that they do not stray. However, the restraining mechanism that is to be used cannot be a foolproof restraining mechanism.

This is important because, in the event of fires or the like events, the animal needs to ‘break’ free. Thus, the restraining mechanism needs to be such that while it ‘restrains’ an animal under ‘normal’ tension load, it should ‘break’ / ‘snap’ under ‘duress’ tension load when the animal exerts more than ordinary force.

To address this, safety links (through which a leash is passed) were developed which comprise a snap-fit junction / lock which break away when the restrained animal exerts more than the ordinary force under duress. When a sudden, forceful, pull is applied by the animal, the link breaks open allowing for a quick release. This can protect the animal from harm.

According to prior art, a simple ring or a simple loop was provided around the snap-fit junction / lock which to keep the snap-fit junction / lock in place. However, it was observed, over several years, that while the snap-fit junction / lock, per se, posed no problems and allowed the animal to break free, under duress or some such event, the overlapping loop snapped out hitting the animal at various places including the eye and such part; thereby, causing unnecessary trauma / injuries – considering the force (a lot of force is transferred from the snap-fit junction / lock on to the ring / loop which is why it snaps) of the breaking point of the loop under duress.

Moreover, these loops were designed to work at only two load bearing capacities: high load and low load. There is a need for it to work at continuously variable loads.

Furthermore, it was observed that these rings / loops kept getting lost because they would just fly off in any random direction; this renders the entire link useless once the ring / loop flies off. There is a need to make the assembly reusable.

Furthermore, there is also a need for an assembly such that reduced force is transferred to the ring / loop from the junction / lock.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
An object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse link which has enhanced safety towards animals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse link which is reusable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse which adapts to continuously varying force.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse where reduced force is transferred at its snap fit junction / lock.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse which is reusable.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a safety fuse

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
According to this invention, there is provided a reusable safety fuse link comprising:
- a curvilinear link having two free ends; the two free ends being configured to be releasably engaged with each other;
- a snap-fit mechanism allowing the two free ends to be coupled in an engaged position and, upon snapping, allowing the two free ends to be decoupled in a disengaged position;
characterized, in that,
o said snap-fit mechanism configured by the two free ends consisting of a first end which ends in a ball and a second end which ends in an assembly with a socket to receive the ball in an all-ensconcing grip; and
o said snap-fit mechanism covered by a loop which is co-axial to the link and is fitted onto the outer perimeter of the link.

In at least an embodiment, the curvilinear link is made of plastic.

In at least an embodiment, said socket having ventrally located slits which allow for the engaging – disengaging function of the ball from the socket since the socket grips the ball resiliently.

In at least an embodiment, said loop (approaches said snap-fit mechanism from the second end and ensconces the socket completely in its engaged position with the ball within the socket.

In at least an embodiment, said loop is a mushroom head loop with its first end gripping the link and its second end being open and configured to be contouring the second free end.

In at least an embodiment, an internal slot of the loop locks in with the neck of the second free end and prevents it from moving beyond the second free end and out of the link as such.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
The invention will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a complete view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 2a illustrates a front view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 2b illustrates a perspective view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 2c illustrates a top view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 2d illustrates a bottom view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 3a illustrates a front view of a portion of the safety fuse of this invention without its loop;
FIGURE 3b illustrates a top view of a portion of the safety fuse of this invention without its loop;
FIGURE 4 illustrates a loop of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 5a illustrates a front view of the safety fuse of this invention;
FIGURE 5b illustrates a side view of the safety fuse of this invention; and
FIGURE 5c illustrates an isometric view of the safety fuse of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
According to this invention, there is provided a reusable safety fuse link.

FIGURE 1 illustrates a complete view of the safety fuse of this invention

FIGURE 2a illustrates a front view of the safety fuse of this invention.
FIGURE 2b illustrates a perspective view of the safety fuse of this invention.
FIGURE 2c illustrates a top view of the safety fuse of this invention.
FIGURE 2d illustrates a bottom view of the safety fuse of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, a curvilinear link (10) is provided with two free ends (12a, 12b); the two free ends (12a, 12b) being configured to be releasably engaged with each other. A preferred mechanism is a snap-fit mechanism which allows the two free ends (12a, 12b) to be coupled in an engaged position and, upon snapping, allows the two free ends (12a, 12b) to be decoupled in a disengaged position.

Preferably, the curvilinear link (10) is made of plastic.

FIGURE 3a illustrates a front view of a portion of the safety fuse of this invention without its loop.
FIGURE 3b illustrates a top view of a portion of the safety fuse of this invention without its loop.

FIGURE 4 illustrates a loop of the safety fuse of this invention.

FIGURE 5a illustrates a front view of the safety fuse of this invention.
FIGURE 5b illustrates a side view of the safety fuse of this invention.
FIGURE 5c illustrates an isometric view of the safety fuse of this invention.

In at least an embodiment, the snap-fit mechanism configured by the two free ends (12a, 12b) comprises a first end (12a) which ends in a ball (12c) and a second end (12b) which ends in an assembly with a socket (12d) to receive the ball (12c) in an all-ensconcing grip which does not release under normal loads (40 kgf / 50 kgf). It can be seen that this socket has slits which allow for the engaging – disengaging function of the ball from the socket since the socket grips the ball resiliently.

In at least an embodiment, the snap-fit mechanism configured is covered by a loop (14) which is co-axial to the link and is fitted onto the outer perimeter of the link. Typically, this loop (14) approaches the snap-fit mechanism from the second end (12b) i.e. the socket (12d) end and ensconces the socket (12d) completely in its engaged position with the ball (12c) within the socket (12d). Typically, this loop (14) is a mushroom head loop (14) with its first end (14a) gripping the link and its second end (14b) being open and configured to be contouring the second free end (12b). The internal slot of the loop (14) locks in with the neck of the second free end (12b) and prevents it from moving beyond the second free end (12b) and out of the link as such. This snap-fit mechanism, with the loop (14), breaks away at loads varying from 20kg to 80kg depending on nature of material that is used. Preferably, the mechanism works ruggedly up until forces of 50 kgf.

According to a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a reusable safety fuse link A and B, in accordance with this invention, was made and its average breaking strength was tested at room temperature of 27 +/- 2 degree Celcius, relative humidity of 65% +/- 5%. Testing Method: Calibrated Testing Machine. The following was observed.

It was ascertained that breakaway force was 51.5 kgf; which is what was desired.

According to another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, a reusable safety fuse link in accordance with this invention, was made and its average breaking strength was tested at room temperature of 27 +/- 2 degree Celcius, relative humidity of 65% +/- 5%. Testing Method: IS: 1969 (Part-1) 2018. The following was observed.

It was ascertained that breakaway force was 41.3 kgf; which is what was desired.

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES:
- This invention, due to the resiliency of the socket, and the loop ensconcing the socket allows for a continuously varying breakaway force;
- This invention, due to the unique loop, allows for reusability since it gets retained onto the link even when the snap-fit lock has disengaged under an increased load;
- This invention, due to the unique loop, allows for enhance safety since it gets retained onto the link even when the snap-fit lock has disengaged under an increased load – i.e. the lock does not just fly away and hit anyone else;
- This invention, due to the unique loop, allows for reduced force transfer since it absorbs shocks when the snap-fit lock has disengaged under an increased load.

The TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENT of this invention lies in providing a snap-fit based a reusable safety fuse link for restraining animals up to a defined force with the snap-fit assembly breaking away beyond a pre-defined safety force. The assembly of this invention provides an add-on safety mechanism which prevents hurt to the animal, being restrained, when it breaks free. The same add-on safety mechanism ensures reusability of the safety fuse. The INVENTIVE STEP lies in how this add-on safety mechanism is configured in terms of its configuration and assembly as also in how this add-on safety mechanism is configured in terms of its break away load in cooperation with the underlying snap-fit junction / lock that is ensconces.

While this detailed description has disclosed certain specific embodiments for illustrative purposes, various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims, and it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM,

1. A reusable safety fuse link comprising:
- a curvilinear link (10) having two free ends (12a, 12b); the two free ends (12a, 12b) being configured to be releasably engaged with each other;
- a snap-fit mechanism allowing the two free ends (12a, 12b) to be coupled in an engaged position and, upon snapping, allowing the two free ends (12a, 12b) to be decoupled in a disengaged position;
characterized, in that,
o said snap-fit mechanism configured by the two free ends (12a, 12b) consisting of a first end (12a) which ends in a ball (12c) and a second end (12b) which ends in an assembly with a socket (12d) to receive the ball (12c) in an all-ensconcing grip; and
o said snap-fit mechanism covered by a loop (14) which is co-axial to the link and is fitted onto the outer perimeter of the link.

2. The reusable safety fuse link as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the curvilinear link (10) is made of plastic.

3. The reusable safety fuse link as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said socket (12d) having ventrally located slits which allow for the engaging – disengaging function of the ball (12c) from the socket (12d) since the socket (12d) grips the ball (12c) resiliently.

4. The reusable safety fuse link as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said loop (14) approaches said snap-fit mechanism from the second end (12b) and ensconces the socket (12d) completely in its engaged position with the ball (12c) within the socket (12d).

5. The reusable safety fuse link as claimed in claim 1 wherein, said loop (14) is a mushroom head loop (14) with its first end (14a) gripping the link and its second end (14b) being open and configured to be contouring the second free end (12b).

6. The reusable safety fuse link as claimed in claim 1 wherein, an internal slot of the loop (14) locks in with the neck of the second free end (12b) and prevents it from moving beyond the second free end (12b) and out of the link as such.

Dated this 24th day of January, 2024

CHIRAG TANNA
of INK IDÉE
APPLICANT’S PATENT AGENT
REGN. NO. IN/PA – 1785