Buckle assembly

a buckle and assembly technology, applied in the direction of press-button fasteners, garment fasteners, fastenings, etc., can solve the problems of v-shaped straps or webbing configurations that are difficult to achieve and/or adjust using a conventional buckle assembly, and drag on the straps. achieve the effect of easy strap or web adjustmen

Inactive Publication Date: 2008-09-18
ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides buckle assemblies that allow for easy adjustment of straps or webs. The buckle assembly includes a male buckle housing and a female buckle housing connected to the male buckle housing. The buckle assembly has an outwardly bowed strap bar with a tear-drop shaped cross-section that provides a strap clearance area between the strap and the wearer's body. The buckle assembly also includes release buttons and large button openings to prevent accidental engagement of the release buttons. The technical effects of the present invention are improved adjustability and comfort for the wearer.

Problems solved by technology

However, typical buckle assemblies include straight sidewalls that do not accommodate such V-shaped strap arrangements well, thereby dragging on the straps and making strap adjustment somewhat difficult.
Thus, a V-shaped strap or webbing configuration may be difficult to achieve and / or adjust using a conventional buckle assembly, such as the buckle assembly 10.

Method used

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Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0026]FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate top isometric and side views, respectively, of a buckle assembly 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the buckle assembly 50 includes a male buckle or first housing 52 removably connected to a female buckle or second housing 54. The male buckle housing 52 includes release buttons 56 connected to flex arms (hidden from view). The release buttons 56 are received and retained within button openings 58 formed in the female buckle housing 54. When a user wishes to disconnect the male buckle housing 52 from the female buckle housing 54, the user squeezes the release buttons 56 toward one another, at which point the release buttons 56 and / or flex arms disengage from corresponding structure within the female buckle hosing 54.

[0027]Both the male and female buckle housing 52, 54 include main bodies 59, 60, respectively connected outwardly curved or bowed loop bars 62, 64, respectively, through outwardly angled or bo...

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Abstract

A buckle assembly includes a first housing and a second housing removably connected to the first housing. Each of the first and second housings may include a main body connected to an outwardly bowed strap bar through outwardly angled lateral walls, such that a strap channel is formed between the main body, the outwardly bowed strap bar and the outwardly angled lateral walls. The strap bar may provide a strap clearance area between a strap secured to the strap bar and a body to which the buckle assembly is secured.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 918,008 entitled “Buckle Assembly,” filed Mar. 14, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a buckle assembly, and more particularly, to a buckle assembly having strap or web adjusting members that allow for quick and easy strap or web adjustment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]A typical buckle assembly includes a male buckle member that is removably secured to a female buckle member. Each buckle member includes a web or strap securing structure, such as a loop bar and channel, that is configured to adjustably secure a web or strap therein.[0004]FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of a conventional buckle assembly 10. The buckle assembly 10 includes, as noted above, a male buckle member 12 that is removably connected to a female buckle member 14. T...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A44B11/25
CPCA44B11/006A44B11/266Y10T24/45581Y10T24/45524Y10T24/45529
InventorPONTAOE, JOHN S.
OwnerILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC