High security buckle

Abstract

The present invention discloses a high-security buckle. A buckle portion includes: a buckle body; at least one elastic locking leg, the at least one elastic locking leg being connected to the buckle body; and a locking element, the locking element including a plate with an actuating element. The locking element is connected to the elastic locking leg and can be moved relative to the elastic locking leg by moving the actuating element between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the elastic locking leg can be moved so as to release the buckle portion from a corresponding buckle receiving portion. In the locked position, the locking element prevents the elastic locking leg from flexing, even under external pressure, so as not to release the buckle portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a two-piece buckle for fastening ends of webbing to each other. In particular, the present invention relates to a buckle having a locking mechanism that prevents the buckle from unlocking when engaged. Background Art

[0002] In conventional two-piece buckles, the male portion has a locking element that engages a corresponding element in the female portion to secure the two buckle portions together. In side release buckles, the male portion has two locking legs that engage into two slots in the female portion. Pressing the locking legs inward through the slots allows the male portion to be released from the female portion.

[0003] While this is a simple way to secure the buckle, it is desirable to add an additional security feature so that the buckle cannot be unlocked in this manner when the security feature is engaged. This can deter theft and make the buckle safer around young children and infants.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 6,311,374 discloses a side release buckle with a safety feature in the form of a push button on the male part that interacts with a catch on the female part to lock the two parts together. The buckle can only be released by pressing the push button while pressing the locking legs on the male part together. Although this is an effective safety measure, it generally requires two-handed operation and requires simultaneous action between the two locking elements. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a buckle having a secondary locking mechanism that can be selectively engaged by a user when additional security is desired. It is another object of the present invention to provide a buckle in which the locking mechanism is easily operated with one hand.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a buckle part comprising: a buckle body; at least one elastic locking leg, which is connected to the buckle body; and a locking element, which comprises a plate with an actuating element. The locking element is connected to the elastic locking leg and can be moved relative to the elastic locking leg by moving the actuating element between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the unlocked position, the elastic locking leg can be moved in order to release the buckle part from the corresponding buckle receiving portion. In the locked position, the locking element prevents the elastic locking leg from flexing, even under external pressure, so as not to release the buckle part.

[0007] In one embodiment, the connection between the resilient locking leg and the locking element comprises a protrusion located on at least one locking leg and at least one locking slot located on the locking element. The locking element is connected to the buckle body by passing the protrusion through the at least one locking slot. In the unlocked position, the protrusion is located at one end of the locking slot, and in the locked position, the protrusion is located at the opposite end of one locking slot. In a preferred embodiment, the locking slot is V-shaped, having a vertex and two sides. In the unlocked position, the protrusion is located at the vertex, and in the locked position, the protrusion is located at the top of one of the sides, in particular, at the top of the outer side on each side of the buckle portion. Due to being located at the vertex, pressing on the locking leg causes the protrusion to move along one of the sides of the locking slot, thereby allowing the locking leg to flex until reaching the end of the locking slot. In the locked position, the protrusion is located at the end of one of the sides of the V-shaped slot, preventing any movement of the leg because the protrusion has abutted the end of the slot and cannot move further.

[0008] In order to keep the locking element securely connected to the at least one locking leg, the locking element preferably comprises a further plate which is connected to the plate via the side wall such that the at least one locking leg is positioned between the two plates when the at least one locking leg is connected to the locking element.

[0009] Preferably, the buckle part has two resilient locking legs extending parallel to each other from the buckle body, and each locking leg has two protrusions extending on each of the front and rear sides of each of the locking legs. The plate and the further plate each include two locking slots, so that each protrusion extends through one of the locking slots to connect the locking element to the locking legs.

[0010] In one embodiment, the actuating element comprises a flange extending outwardly from one of the plates of the locking element. The flange may contain a groove extending across the longitudinal extent of the flange. This groove allows a finger to have additional grip on the flange when moving the flange between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0011] The projection is preferably located on the inner edge of at least one locking leg, so that when there are two locking legs, both projections are located on the inner edge. The apex of each of the locking slots is located at the bottom corner of the plate. Therefore, when the projection is disposed in the apex of the locking slot in the unlocked position, the user can flex the locking leg by pressing inwardly on the locking leg. During flexion, the projection slides upward along the inner side of the sides of the V-shaped locking slot. In the locked position, the projection is located at the end of the outer side of each V-shaped slot, so that the inward pressure on the locking leg does not allow any movement of the projection and prevents flexion of the leg. In both the locked position and the unlocked position, the locking element prevents the locking leg from flexing outwardly, thereby adding stability to the buckle portion because the leg is not stressed and possibly broken due to pulling outwardly on the leg.

[0012] This configuration is particularly useful when the buckle portion described above is part of a two-piece side release buckle assembly. The buckle portion is insertable into a recessed buckle receiving portion having a hollow body having an interior cavity, an open end, a cutout in the hollow body, and two side openings in the hollow body for receiving two locking legs. The buckle portion is connected to the recessed receiving portion by inserting the locking legs into the cavity until the locking legs extend through the side openings and snap into place, and the buckle portion is disconnected from the recessed portion by bringing the locking legs together until the locking legs leave the side openings. The use of a locking element prevents the buckle portion from being released from the recessed receiving portion when the actuating element is moved into the locked position because the locking legs cannot be pressed inwardly to release the buckle portion from the receiving portion.

[0013] In this embodiment, when the buckle portion is connected to the recessed receiving portion, an actuating element in the form of a flange extends through a cutout in the recessed receiving portion so as to be accessible to the user. The present invention provides a unique and simple way to add additional security to the buckle assembly, making it safer around young children and theft-proof, while still being easy to activate and deactivate. In the present invention, the user must first slide the actuating element into the unlocked position, thereby freeing the legs, in order to release the buckle assembly. The sliding movement of the actuating element must occur before pressing on the locking legs to release the male buckle portion. If normal operation of the buckle assembly without the enhanced security is desired, the user may also leave the buckle assembly in the unlocked position.

[0014] In addition, the buckle assembly of the present invention exhibits an enhanced anti-breaking function. Compared with a conventional side-release buckle, this configuration can always prevent the two elastic arm members of the male buckle portion from bending outward, and can prevent the two arms from being damaged by pulling caused by improper insertion of the male buckle into the female buckle.

[0015] The buckle according to the present invention also allows one-handed operation in different steps: different sections provide different functions without damaging each other; and the buckle can be adjusted and used with one hand, thereby providing maximum convenience and is far superior to other buckles with safety functions, such as the buckle disclosed in patent U.S. Patent No. 6,311,374, which requires two-handed operation.

[0016] The present invention also provides enhanced performance of the buckle: when in a locked state, the product is entirely transformed into a rigid body that can withstand the pulling of the webbing at both ends to the greatest extent, thereby ensuring the safety of the bag. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the accompanying drawings are designed only for illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

[0018] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the several views:

[0019] Figure 1 An exploded view showing a buckle assembly according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A buckle assembly, wherein the locking element is assembled on the buckle part;

[0021] Figure 3 The following view shows Figure 2 Buckle assembly;

[0022] Figure 3A Show Figure 3 a side view of the buckle portion shown;

[0023] Figure 4 Shown fully assembled and in unlocked position Figure 3 Buckle assembly;

[0024] Figure 5 Shown in unlocked position Figure 4 The buckle part;

[0025] Figure 6 The buckle assembly is shown in a locked position; and

[0026] Figure 7 The buckle portion is shown in the locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Referring now to the drawings in more detail, and in particular, Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a buckle assembly 1 according to the present invention. The buckle assembly is composed of a male buckle portion 10, a female receiving portion 20 for receiving the male buckle portion 10, and a locking element 30, the locking element 30 being connected to the male buckle portion 10, such as Figure 2 shown.

[0028] In this embodiment, the male buckle portion 10 is the male portion of a side release buckle having a buckle body 11 connected to a central leg 14 and two locking legs 12, each locking leg 12 having an engagement end 13, Figure 4 and Figure 6 In the assembled position shown, the engagement ends 13 extend through the side openings 22 in the hollow body 21 of the female receiver 20 to lock the male buckle portion 10 to the female receiver 20. Pressing the engagement ends 13 inwardly toward each other allows the male buckle portion 10 to be released from the female receiver 20. This operates in the usual manner for side release buckles, except in the present invention there is now a locking element 30 that prevents the male buckle portion 10 from being released from the female receiver 20.

[0029] The locking element 30 is formed by a front plate 31, a rear plate 32 and a side wall 33, the side wall 33 connecting the front plate 31 and the rear plate 32. Two V-shaped locking slots 34 are located at the lower outer corners of each of the front plate 31 and the rear plate 32. Each of the V-shaped locking slots 34 has a vertex 35 and two sides: an outer side 36 and an inner side 37.

[0030] Correspondingly, the male buckle portion 10 has a protrusion 15 on each of the locking legs 12 that fits into the locking slot 34 on the locking element 30 to secure the locking element 30 to the male buckle portion 10, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown.

[0031] Figure 3 1 shows a rear view of the buckle assembly 1. In this view, it can be seen that the rear plate 32 has an actuator 38 disposed at its top edge. The actuator 38 is in the form of a flange having a groove 39 extending across its width, as shown in FIG. Figure 3A In the assembled state, when the buckle assembly 1 is fully assembled, the actuator 38 projects outwardly from the buckle assembly 1 through the cutout 28 in the recessed receiving portion 20 and is therefore accessible to a user.

[0032] exist Figures 4 to 7 The operation of the locking element can be seen in . Figure 4 and Figure 5 The buckle assembly 1 and the male buckle portion 10 are shown in an unlocked state, respectively, and Figure 6 and Figure 7 The buckle assembly 1 and the male buckle part 10 are shown respectively in a locked state.

[0033] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the unlocked state shown, the locking element 30 is slid upward via the actuator 38 until the protrusion 15 rests within the apex 35 of the locking slot 34. In this state, pressing the engagement ends 13 inwardly allows the protrusions 15 to slide within the locking slot 34 until they reach the end of the inner side 37 of the locking slot 34, thereby giving the locking legs 12 sufficient clearance to exit the recessed receiving portion 20. This allows the buckle assembly to operate in the same manner as a conventional side release buckle. However, the locking element adds additional stability to the locking legs 12 because the locking element resists outward movement of the locking legs 12 due to the shape of the locking slot 34, and thus resists disconnection and excessive strain on the buckle portion 10.

[0034] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the locked position shown, the locking element 30 prevents the male portion from being released from the female receiving portion 20. To move the locking element 30 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the user slides the actuator 38 downward, which causes the locking element to slide downward until the protrusion 15 moves from being seated in the apex 35 to the top of the outer side 36 of the locking slot 34, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 In this position, inward pressure on the engagement end 13 will not cause the locking leg 12 to move inwardly because the edge of the locking slot 34 completely blocks the protrusion 15 from moving inwardly. In this position, outward movement is also blocked. The only way to release the male buckle portion 10 from the female receiver 20 is to first slide the actuator 38 back into place. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Sliding the actuator and depressing the engagement end 13 to release the male buckle portion 10 from the female receiving portion 20 can be performed with the same hand.

[0035] The present invention provides an additional measure of security against theft because when the buckle assembly 1 is in the locked position, unlocking requires two separate actions, which are more time consuming and more noticeable, and the mechanism that moves the locking element to the unlocked position cannot be seen or understood by a passing thief. In addition, the locking element provides additional security when used around young children, as the child may not be aware of the need to move the locking mechanism into the unlocked position before releasing the male buckle portion from the female receiving portion.

[0036] Thus, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A buckle part, comprising: Buckle body, at least one resilient locking leg connected to the buckle body, and a locking element comprising a plate having an actuating element, the locking element being configured for connection to the at least one locking leg, wherein the locking element is movable relative to the at least one locking leg by sliding the actuating element between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the unlocked position the resilient locking leg flexes under external pressure, and wherein in the locked position the locking element prevents the resilient locking leg from flexing under external pressure, The buckle portion further comprises a protrusion on the at least one locking leg and at least one locking slot on the locking element, wherein the locking element is connected to the at least one locking leg by passing the protrusion through the at least one locking slot, wherein in the unlocked position the protrusion is located at one end of the at least one locking slot, and in the locked position the protrusion is located at an opposite end of the at least one locking slot, Wherein the at least one locking slot is V-shaped having an apex and two sides, and wherein in the unlocked position the protrusion is located at the apex, and in the locked position the protrusion is located at a distal end of one of the sides.

2. Buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a further plate connected to the plate with the actuating element via a side wall such that the at least one locking leg is disposed between the two plates.

3. The buckle portion according to claim 2, wherein the buckle body has two resilient locking legs, wherein each locking leg has two protrusions extending on each of the front and rear sides of the locking leg, and wherein the plate with the actuating element and the further plate each include two locking slots, so that each protrusion extends through a respective one of the locking slots to connect the locking element to the locking leg.

4. The buckle portion of claim 1, wherein the actuation element includes a flange extending outwardly from the locking element.

5. The buckle portion of claim 4, wherein the flange contains a groove extending across the longitudinal extent of the flange.

6. The buckle portion of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is located on an inner edge of the at least one locking leg.

7. The buckle portion of claim 1, wherein the apex of the locking slot is located at a bottom corner of the plate having the actuating element.

8. A buckle assembly comprising a buckle portion according to claim 3 and a recess portion having a hollow body, the hollow body having an internal cavity, an open end, a cutout in the hollow body, and two side openings in the hollow body for receiving the two locking legs, wherein the buckle portion is connected to the recess portion by inserting the locking legs into the cavity until the locking legs extend through the side openings, and the buckle portion is disconnected from the recess portion by pressing the locking legs together until the locking legs leave the side openings.

9. The buckle assembly of claim 8, wherein the actuation element extends through the cutout so as to be accessible to a user when the buckle portion is connected to the recessed portion.

10. The buckle assembly of claim 9, wherein the locking slots are each V-shaped having a vertex and two sides, and wherein in the unlocked position, the protrusion is located at the vertex, and in the locked position, the protrusion is located at the top end of one of the sides of each locking slot.

11. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein the edges of each locking slot form an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein in the unlocked position, pressing the locking legs inward causes the protrusion to slide along the inner edge of each locking slot, and wherein in the locked position, the protrusion is located at the end of the outer edge of each locking slot.

12. The buckle assembly of claim 8, wherein the sidewall of the locking element abuts the locking legs and prevents the locking legs from flexing outwardly.

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