Magnetic buckle

Abstract

A buckle assembly (1) has two buckle parts (10, 20), each buckle part having a base body (11, 21) with a fastening hook (13, 23) and a fastening recess (12, 22) and a magnet (30) connected to an inner surface (111, 211). The buckle parts (10, 20) are configured so that placing the inner surface (111, 211) of one buckle part (10, 20) against the inner surface (211, 111) of the other buckle part (20, 10) causes the magnets (30) to engage each other and causes the fastening hook (13, 23) of each buckle part (10, 20) to enter the fastening recess (12, 22) of the other buckle part (20, 10) to lock the two buckle parts (10, 20) together and prevent disengagement under tension in opposite directions parallel to the longitudinal extent of the buckle assembly (1). There is a fastening tenon (16, 26) connected to the base body (11, 21) and extending into a fastening recess (12, 22) on each of the buckle parts (10, 20). When a fastening hook (13, 23) enters the fastening recess (12, 22), the fastening hook (13, 23) engages with a corresponding fastening tenon in the fastening tenon (16, 26) to lock the two buckle parts (10, 20) together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a magnetic buckle. In particular, the present invention relates to a two-piece sliding buckle that is held in place by mating magnets on each of the parts. Background Art

[0002] Two-piece buckles are commonly used to connect two belts, such as two belts in a seat belt, together. Typically, the buckle locks together via a spring-loaded latch mechanism that can be released by raising or lowering the latch or by pressing a button. Summary of the invention

[0003] An object of the present invention is to provide a two-piece buckle assembly that is easily engaged and disengaged and does not require moving parts, such as springs or hinges.

[0004] This and other objects are achieved by a buckle assembly comprising a first buckle portion and a second buckle portion; the first buckle portion comprising a base body having an outer surface and an inner surface, a fastening hook on one longitudinal end and a fastening recess on the other longitudinal end, the magnet being connected to the inner surface; and the second buckle portion comprising a base body and a magnet having an outer surface, an inner surface, a fastening hook on one longitudinal end and a fastening recess on the other longitudinal end, the magnet being connected to the inner surface. The buckle portions are configured so that placing the inner surface of the first buckle portion against the inner surface of the second buckle portion causes the magnets to engage with each other and causes the fastening hook of each buckle portion to enter the fastening recess of the other buckle portion to lock the two buckle portions together and prevent disengagement under tension in opposite directions parallel to the longitudinal extent of the buckle assembly.

[0005] There is a fastening tenon connected to the base body and extending into a fastening recess on each of the first buckle part and the second buckle part. When the fastening hook enters the fastening recess, the fastening hook engages with a corresponding one of the fastening tenons to lock the two buckle parts together. Preferably, the tenons each have a bevel along one side thereof, which facilitates disengagement of the parts. The buckle parts are disengaged from each other by sliding the buckle parts in opposite directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the buckle until the fastening tenon leaves the recess in the fastening hook. The force required to move the buckle parts so that they are disengaged must exceed the magnetic force holding the two buckle parts together and the friction force of the tenon connecting the fastening hook.

[0006] In order to keep the fastening hook and the fastening tenon engaged, the fastening hook has a notch in its end portion so that when the two buckle parts are connected together, the end of each tenon engages into a notch in the corresponding one of the fastening hooks. When sufficient lateral force is applied to disengage the buckle parts from each other, the bevel in the tenon allows the tenon to slide out of the notch more easily.

[0007] To assist in disengaging the buckle portions relative to each other, the buckle portions are shaped so that when the two buckle portions are connected together, a lateral edge of the first buckle portion extends beyond a lateral edge of the second buckle portion, and an opposite lateral edge of the second buckle portion extends beyond an opposite lateral edge of the first buckle portion. In this way, the outwardly extending edges are more easily grasped and pressed by a user to disengage the buckle portions. In addition, there may be a plurality of finger grips on the lateral edge of the first buckle portion and the opposite lateral edge of the second buckle portion.

[0008] Preferably, each of the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion has at least one strap retaining bar connected to the base body at the end having the fastening recess to allow the buckle portion to be connected to other objects.

[0009] In one embodiment, the fastening recess extends completely through the base body of the first buckle part and the second buckle part, so that the fastening tenon can be seen from the outer surface of each of the first buckle part and the second buckle part, and when the buckle parts are locked to each other, the bottom of the fastening hook of one buckle part can be seen through the recess of the other buckle part. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] 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 drawings are designed only for illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the present invention.

[0011] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the several views:

[0012] Figure 1 A bottom view of a buckle assembly according to the present invention is shown;

[0013] Figure 2 A side view of a buckle assembly is shown;

[0014] Figure 3 Shows top and side perspective views of a buckle assembly;

[0015] Figure 4 Shown along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of FIG.

[0016] Figure 5shows a top view of a first buckle portion according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 6 shows a bottom view of a first buckle portion;

[0018] Figure 7 showing a side view of a first buckle portion;

[0019] Figure 8 Shown along Figure 5 A cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of ;

[0020] Fig. 9 shows a top view of the second buckle portion;

[0021] Fig.10 showing a bottom view of the second buckle portion;

[0022] Fig.11 showing a side view of the second buckle portion; and

[0023] Fig.12 Shown along Fig. 9 A cross-sectional view along line XII-XII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Now refer to the accompanying drawings in detail, Figures 1 to 4 A buckle assembly 10 according to the present invention is shown. The buckle assembly 1 includes a first buckle portion 10 and a second buckle portion 20. The buckle portion 10 has a buckle body 11 having an outer surface 112 and an inner surface 111. The buckle portion 20 has a buckle body 21 having an outer surface 212 and an inner surface 211. On their respective outer edges extending beyond the overlapping portions of the buckle bodies 11, 21, there are strap retaining bars 15, 25, respectively. Additional strap retaining bars 220 are also present on the buckle portion 20 to allow adjustment of the strap connected thereto. Additional bars may also be present on the buckle portion 10 if desired. The side edge 113 of the buckle portion 10 extends beyond the overlapping portions of the buckle bodies 11, 21, and the side edge 213 of the buckle portion 20 extends beyond the overlapping portions of the buckle bodies 12, 21 on the opposite side.

[0025] Each buckle part 10, 20 is Figures 5 to 12 The two buckle parts can be constructed to be identical or can be made to differ in appearance and / or structure as long as their mating features are intact.

[0026] Figures 5 to 8 The buckle portion 10 is shown in its unassembled state. Figure 6As shown, the inner surface 111 has a recess 12 with a guide surface 19, and a fastening tenon 16, which is connected to the buckle body 11 at the top end and extends downward into the recess 12, terminating at a horizontally extending free end 17. The fastening tenon 16 is configured so that it can bend when pressure is applied. The free end 17 has a bevel 18 on one edge. There is a fastening hook 13 on the opposite side of the buckle body 11, which extends upward from the inner surface 111. The fastening hook 13 has a notch 14 on its outer side. The fastening hook 13 may also have a bevel 144 on one corner. The notch 14 has at least one inclined side wall 146. As shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, the magnet 30 is disposed in the cavity 31 of the buckle portion 10 and is covered by the inner surface 111, which includes a slot 113 ( Figure 6 ).like Figure 5 As shown, the recess 12 extends completely through the outer surface 112 such that the fastening tenon 16 is visible from the outer surface 112 of the buckle portion 10 .

[0027] Figures 9 to 12 The buckle portion 20 is shown in its unassembled state. Fig. 9 As shown, the inner surface 211 has a recess 22 with a guide surface 29, and a fastening tenon 26, which is connected to the buckle body 21 at the top end and extends downward into the recess 22, terminating in a horizontally extending free end 27. The free end 27 has a bevel 28 on one edge. The fastening tenon 26 is configured so that it can bend when pressure is applied. There is a fastening hook 23 on the opposite side of the buckle body 21, which extends upward from the inner surface 211. The fastening hook 23 has a notch 24 on its outer side. The fastening hook 23 may also have a bevel 244 on one corner. The notch 44 has at least one inclined side wall 246. As shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown, the magnet 30 is disposed in the cavity 31 of the buckle portion 20 and is covered by the inner surface 211, which includes a slot 223 ( Fig. 9 ).like Fig.10 As shown, the recess 22 extends completely through the outer surface 212 such that the fastening tenon 26 is visible from the outer surface 212 of the buckle portion 20 .

[0028] The operation of the buckle assembly 10 is specifically referred to Figure 4The description is as follows: To assemble the buckle part 10 and the buckle part 20, the two buckle parts are placed together so that their inner surfaces 111, 211 face each other and the strap fixing rods 15, 25 are located on opposite ends. The attractive force of the magnet 30 on each of the buckle parts 10, 20 pulls the buckle parts 10, 20 together so that the fastening hook 13 extends into the recess 22 and engages with the fastening tenon 26, wherein the free end 27 extends into the notch 14. The elastic force of the fastening tenon 26 on the fastening hook 13 keeps the fastening hook 13 firmly in place against the guide surface 29 in the recess 22. Similarly, on the other side, the fastening hook 23 extends into the recess 12 and engages with the fastening tenon 16, wherein the free end 17 extends into the notch 24. The elastic force of the fastening tenon 16 on the fastening hook 23 keeps the fastening hook 23 firmly in place against the guide surface 19 in the recess 12. The secure engagement of the fastening hooks 13, 23 in the recesses 22, 12, respectively, prevents - such as by tension on a strap (not shown) connected to the rods 15, 25 - the buckle parts 10, 20 from disengaging when a force is applied in the longitudinal direction L. The buckle is securely fixed even when a force is applied in a vertical direction, i.e. perpendicular to the inner surface of the buckle parts.

[0029] To disengage the buckle parts 10, 20, the user simultaneously presses the side edges 113, 213 of the buckle parts 10, 20 inwardly in the region of the finger grips 125, 225, respectively, in the direction of the arrows P extending in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. This causes the buckle parts 10, 20 to slide laterally relative to each other toward the center of the buckle assembly. As the buckle parts slide laterally, the locking hooks 13, 23 of each buckle part also slide laterally along the guide surfaces 29, 19 until they pass the inclined surfaces 28, 18 of the fastening tenons 26, 16, respectively. The inclined side walls 146, 246 of the recesses 14, 24 allow the fastening hooks 13, 23 to be more easily disengaged from the fastening tenons 16, 16, respectively. The bend in the fastening tenons allows them to bend while sliding along the inclined side walls 146, 246 of the recesses 14, 24, while moving out of engagement with the fastening hooks. In addition, the lateral sliding breaks the attractive force between the two magnets 30, and the two buckle parts 10, 20 can be easily released from each other.

[0030] The present invention provides a simple and secure way to attach two buckle components together without requiring significant force to disengage the components. Thus, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent that numerous changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly, comprising: a first buckle portion, the first buckle portion comprising a buckle body having an outer surface and an inner surface, a fastening hook on one longitudinal end and a fastening recess on the other longitudinal end, and a magnet connected to the inner surface; as well as a second buckle part, the second buckle part comprising a buckle body and a magnet, the buckle body having an outer surface, an inner surface, a fastening hook on one longitudinal end and a fastening recess on the other longitudinal end, the magnet being connected to the inner surface, wherein the buckle portions are configured such that placing an inner surface of the first buckle portion against an inner surface of the second buckle portion causes the magnets to engage with each other and causes the fastening hooks of each buckle portion to enter the fastening recesses of the other buckle portion to lock the two buckle portions together and prevent disengagement under tension in opposite directions parallel to the longitudinal extent of the buckle assembly, and wherein the buckle portions are configured to disengage from each other by pressing the buckle portions in opposite directions extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the buckle assembly until the magnets disengage from each other; wherein the buckle assembly further comprises a fastening tenon connected to the base body and extending into the fastening recess on each of the first buckle part and the second buckle part, wherein when the fastening hook enters the fastening recess, the fastening hook engages with a corresponding fastening tenon in the fastening tenons to lock the two buckle parts together; and wherein the fastening recess extends completely through the base bodies of the first buckle part and the second buckle part such that the fastening tenon can be seen from an outer surface of each of the first buckle part and the second buckle part.

2. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The fastening hooks have notches in their end portions so that when two of the buckle parts are connected together, the end of each tenon engages into the notch in a corresponding one of the fastening hooks.

3. The buckle assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The ends of the tenon each have a bevel along one side thereof, wherein when the buckle part is pressed in an opposite direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, the bevel slides along the recess until the fastening tenon leaves the recess to release the buckle parts from each other.

4. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion has at least one strap retaining bar connected to a base body at the end having the fastening recess.

5. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the two buckle parts are connected together, the lateral edge of the first buckle part extends beyond the lateral edge of the second buckle part, and wherein the opposite lateral edge of the second buckle part extends beyond the opposite lateral edge of the first buckle part.

6. The buckle assembly of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of finger grips on the lateral edge of the first buckle portion and the opposite lateral edge of the second buckle portion.

7. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the fastening recesses on the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion is defined by a guide surface configured to guide the fastening hook out of engagement with the fastening tenon during disengagement of the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion.

8. The buckle assembly according to claim 2, wherein: Each recess has at least one outwardly extending side wall such that the outwardly extending side wall slides over the securing tenon during disengagement of the buckle portions from one another.

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