Swivel snap hook connector assembly having increased holding power when

Abstract

A snap hook and complementary buckle member having a connector assembly for connecting the snap hook to the buckle and having increased holding power when under a load including a buckle member having a male connector member to be attached to the snap hook having an elongate stem with first and second opposite ends and a shoulder formed on the first end of the stem having a predetermined shape and exterior dimensions, a snap hook including a female receptor member for receiving the shoulder therein having a tapered channel extending therethrough with a first tapered end, a second opposite flared end and a side wall therebetween forming the channel, the interior dimensions of the first tapered end being smaller, and the interior dimensions of the second flared end being larger, than the exterior dimensions of the shoulder, and at least one slot formed through the side wall of the channel having a first end open to the tapered end and extending along the side wall toward the flared end to terminate in a second closed end of the slot where the slot enables outward resilient expansion of the tapered end for insertion of the shoulder therethrough and where the tapered end closes behind the shoulder about the stem and upon a tensile load between the male and female members the tapered end further collapses against and provides increased holding of the stem behind the shoulder.