US Patent 7313848 Canopy release buckle with dual action release lever

A dual action canopy release for releasably holding a parachute harness securement strap in a buckle. The canopy release may be activated by a forward movement of a lever arm or a rearward movement of the lever arm. The lever arm cooperates with an actuating lever having a first position, wherein the actuating lever holds a latch in a locked position, and a second position, wherein the actuating lever releases the latch thereby allowing the latch to move to an unlocked position. Either the forward movement or the rearward movement of the lever arm causes the actuating lever to move to the second position. In the unlocked position, the latch allows parachute harness securement strap to be withdrawn from the buckle.