Magnetic buckle

Abstract

A magnetic buckle is disclosed. The buckle assembly has a first buckle part, a second buckle part, and a locking cover. The first buckle part and the second buckle part have magnets that attract each other. The locking cover is connected to the first buckle part and has a sliding element, a spring connected to the sliding element, a pivot for connecting the locking cover to the first buckle part, and a front attachment element and a rear attachment element. The second buckle part has an engagement flange for engaging the front attachment element and the rear attachment element. The first buckle part and the second buckle part can be connected together by placing the first buckle part and the second buckle part together so that the magnets attract each other; sliding the sliding element against the force of the spring until the attachment element engages the engagement flange; and then releasing the sliding element to allow the spring to return to a rest position.

Description

Background of the Invention 1. Technical Field

[0002] 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 cooperating magnets on each of the two pieces. 2. Background technology

[0004] Two-piece buckles are commonly used to connect two belts together, such as in seat belts. 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

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a two-piece buckle assembly which is easy to engage and disengage and which locks securely.

[0006] This and other objects are achieved by a buckle assembly having a first buckle part that mates with a second buckle part, and a locking cover connected to the first buckle part and assisting in locking and unlocking the two buckle parts to each other. Each buckle part may have at least one strap retaining bar so that the buckle part can be used to connect two straps or articles together. Preferably, at least one of the buckle parts has two strap retaining bars so that a strap can be adjustably connected thereto. When the two buckle parts are locked together, the strap retaining bar of the first buckle part is located at the opposite end of the strap retaining bar of the second buckle part.

[0007] The buckle part has a base having a plurality of outer surfaces and a plurality of inner surfaces. The first buckle part has a first base and a first front recess on one longitudinal end of the first base, a first rear recess on the opposite longitudinal end of the first base, and a magnet enclosed in the first base between the first front recess and the first rear recess. The second buckle part has a second base and a second front recess on one longitudinal end of the second base and a second rear recess on the opposite longitudinal end of the second base, a magnet enclosed in the second base, a front engagement flange disposed between the second front recess and the magnet, and a rear engagement flange disposed between the second rear recess and the magnet.

[0008] The locking cover is connected to the first buckle part and is composed of a sliding element, a spring connected to the sliding element, a pivot arranged adjacent to the spring, a front attachment element arranged adjacent to the pivot, and a rear attachment element connected to an end of the sliding element opposite to the pivot. The front attachment element extends through a first front recess of the first buckle part, the rear attachment element extends through a first rear recess of the first buckle part, and the pivot is rotatably retained in the first buckle part to connect the locking cover to the first buckle part.

[0009] The first buckle part and the second buckle part can be connected together by placing the inner surface of the first buckle part against the inner surface of the second buckle part, which causes the magnets to attract each other; then sliding the sliding element of the locking cover toward the first rear recess against the force of the spring until the front attachment element of the locking cover engages the front engagement flange of the second buckle part and the rear attachment element of the locking cover engages the rear engagement flange of the second buckle part. The sliding element is then released to allow the spring to return to the rest position, wherein the engagement flanges hold the front and rear attachment elements in the locked position.

[0010] In one embodiment, there is a pull rod connected to the spring opposite the pivot. The first buckle part can be disengaged from the second buckle part when the buckle part is in the locked position by pulling the pull rod against the force of the spring in a direction away from the second buckle part until the front attachment element pivots about the pivot to release the front attachment element from the first engagement flange; and sliding the sliding element toward the first rear recess until the rear attachment element disengages from the rear engagement flange. A pull tab on the draw strap can be connected to the pull rod to help move the pull rod against the spring force.

[0011] The pivot shaft is connected to the first buckle part by inserting it into the pivot recess of the first buckle part. The pivot recess contains opposing pivot slots that receive the pivot shaft so that the pivot shaft is retained in the slot but can rotate under pressure from the pull rod.

[0012] To further secure the two buckle parts together and prevent disengagement under stress in the horizontal direction, the first buckle part and the second buckle part can each include at least one tooth that engages the magnet housing of the opposing buckle part when the buckle parts are in the locked position. The teeth prevent the buckle parts from moving past each other under tension from the straps connected to the respective buckle parts.

[0013] The magnet may be a circular magnet enclosed in a cylindrical housing in the first and second buckle parts. The teeth may be configured to directly abut the circular housing. Preferably, there are at least two teeth on each of the buckle parts, the at least two teeth abutting the cylindrical housing on the same side of the housing and opposite the position of the teeth from the opposing buckle part.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the front and rear attachment elements of the locking cover are both configured as rings with two vertical support posts and a horizontal bar between the vertical support posts. The engagement flange of the second buckle part is inserted into each of the rings on the top of the horizontal bar to lock the two buckle parts together.

[0015] To assist locking and unlocking, the horizontal rod has a guiding bevel that allows the rod to slide along the engagement flange of the second buckle part during locking and unlocking.Alternative structures of the ring are also conceivable, such as a wall with horizontal grooves or openings.

[0016] In one embodiment, the locking cover is disposed in a guide track on the first buckle part. The guide track has a bottom plate, a side wall, and a depending lip. The locking cover has a fixing flange on a rear end of the locking cover, the fixing flange abutting the underside of the depending lip to hold the locking cover on the first buckle part in a slidable but non-pivotable manner.

[0017] Preferably, the spring is a flat deformation spring which bends under the compressive force from the pull rod or the finger and expands back to the rest position when released. During locking and unlocking of the buckle parts to each other, the deformation of the spring causes the locking cover to slide along the guide rail on the first buckle part. The spring is preferably integrally formed as a single piece with the sliding element and the pivot.

[0018] To further assist in aligning the buckle parts with each other, on each side of the respective base, the first buckle part has a pair of inclined inner sliding surfaces and the second buckle part has a pair of correspondingly inclined inner sliding surfaces. During locking of the first buckle part to the second buckle part, the sliding surfaces of the first buckle part slide along and cooperate with the sliding surfaces of the second buckle part.

[0019] The buckle assembly of the present invention provides a safety locking device enhanced by a magnet, which can be easily locked and unlocked by moving a locking cover. The structure of the first buckle part and the second buckle part and the attraction force of the magnet ensure that the buckle parts are accurately aligned when they are put together, which enables the engagement flange to easily fix the attachment element to firmly lock the buckle parts together. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken 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.

[0021] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views:

[0022] Figure 1 is a top view of a buckle assembly according to the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of line AA;

[0024] Figure 3A is a top perspective view of a buckle assembly according to the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3B is a bottom perspective view of a buckle assembly according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a top view of a first buckle portion having a locking cover;

[0027] Figure 5 is along Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of line BB;

[0028] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a first buckle portion and a locking cover;

[0029] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the first buckle portion without the locking cover.

[0030] Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the first buckle portion;

[0031] Fig. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the locking cover;

[0032] Fig.10 is a side perspective view of the locking cover;

[0033] Fig.11 is a top perspective view of a second buckle portion;

[0034] Fig.12 is a bottom perspective view of the second buckle portion;

[0035] Fig.13A is a top view of the buckle assembly in an unassembled state;

[0036] Fig. 13B is along Fig.13A A cross-sectional view of line CC;

[0037] Fig. 13C is along Fig.13A A cross-sectional view along line C2-C2;

[0038] Fig.14A is a top view of the buckle assembly during the period in which the two parts are locked together;

[0039] Fig. 14B is along Fig.14A A cross-sectional view of line DD;

[0040] Fig. 14C is along Fig.14A A cross-sectional view along line D2-D2;

[0041] Fig.15A is a top view of the buckle assembly in a fully locked position;

[0042] Fig. 15B is along Fig.15A A cross-sectional view of line EE;

[0043] Fig. 15C is along Fig.15A A cross-sectional view taken along line E2-E2;

[0044] Fig.16A is a top view of the buckle assembly at the beginning of the unlocking operation;

[0045] Fig. 16B is along Fig.16A A cross-sectional view of line FF;

[0046] Fig. 16C is along Fig.16A A cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2;

[0047] Fig.17A is a top view of the buckle assembly when the buckle is partially unlocked;

[0048] Fig. 17B is along Fig.17A A cross-sectional view of line GG;

[0049] Fig. 17C is along Fig.17A A cross-sectional view taken along line G2-G2;

[0050] Fig.18A is a top view of the buckle assembly after the two buckle parts are separated;

[0051] Fig.18B is along Fig.18A A cross-sectional view of line HH of ; and

[0052] Fig.18C is along Fig.18A Cross-sectional view along line H2-H2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Figures 1 to 3B The buckle assembly 1 is shown in a fully assembled position. The buckle assembly 1 is composed of a first buckle portion 10, a second buckle portion 20, and a locking cover 30 connected to a slider 40. The housing 17 of the first buckle portion 10 has a first magnet 50 embedded in it, and the housing 27 of the second buckle portion 20 has a second magnet 51 embedded in it. When the buckle portions 10, 20 are close to each other, the magnets 50 and 51 attract each other to help align the buckle portions for locking. The first buckle portion 10 has a strap retaining rod 16, 161 to allow adjustable attachment of the strap. The second buckle portion 20 has a single strap retaining rod 26 for attaching another strap in a non-adjustable manner. Other strap retaining arrangements may also be used, such as having adjustable strap retaining rods on both buckle portions.

[0054] Now refer to Figures 4 to 8 The first buckle part 10 is described in detail. The first buckle part 10 has a body with a front recess 11 and a rear recess 12, both of which extend completely through the first buckle part 10. Two teeth 13 extend downward from the bottom surface of the first buckle part 10. Each tooth 13 has a rearwardly inclined guide surface 131 at its free end. The guide rail 14 is arranged along the top surface of the first buckle part 10. The guide rail 14 has a track base 142, a side wall 141 and a depending lip 143 extending from the side wall 141 on each side. The lower side of the first buckle part 10 has an inner surface 15, which accommodates a housing 17 of the magnet 50.

[0055] like Figures 4 to 6 as well as Figures 9 and 10 The locking cover 30 shown is formed by a slider segment 35 connected to a spring in the form of a deformation segment 34. On the opposite side of the deformation segment 34 is a pull rod 31 connected to a pivot 32. Below the pivot 32 is an attachment element in the form of a front ring 33, which has two side rods 332 ( Fig. 9 At the opposite end of the locking cover 30 is a rear attachment element in the form of a rear ring 37 formed by two side bars 372 connected to a horizontal bar 373 having a guide bevel 371 on its inner face ( Fig.10 ). Adjacent to the rear ring 37 are sliding fixing flanges 36 which extend outwardly and each have a top surface 361 .

[0056] The locking cover 30 is connected to the first buckle part 10 by inserting the front ring 33 into the front recess 11 and the rear ring 37 into the rear recess 12 to form the upper buckle assembly A, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As shown. The pivot 32 is then inserted into the pivot slot 113 in the pivot recess 111 on the first buckle part 10. A guide ramp 112 in the recess 111 is provided to help the pivot 32 slide into the slot 113 where it can be rotated but not accidentally removed. The opposite end of the locking cover 30 is fixed to the first buckle part 10 by sliding the fixing flange 36 under the overhanging lip 143 of the first buckle part 10 so that the upper surface 361 of the fixing flange abuts the overhanging lip 143 and cannot rise upward. At this point, the locking cover 30 is fixed to the first buckle part 10 in a manner that allows the locking cover 30 to move only in a lateral direction toward and away from the strap retaining rod 161. The sliding movement can be obtained by forcing the deformable section 34 to bend under pressure so that the sliding section can move along the guide rail 14 without being removed from the first buckle part 10.

[0057] The second buckle portion 20 is Fig.11 and Fig.12 . The second buckle part 20 has a front recess 22 and a rear recess 21. The tooth 23 extends upward from the rear buckle part 20 adjacent to the rear recess 21 and has a guide slope 231. The housing 27 encloses the magnet 51 between the two recesses 22, 21. Adjacent to the rear recess 21 is a rear engagement flange 211 with a guide slope 2111, and adjacent to the front recess 22 is a front engagement flange 221 with a guide slope 2211.

[0058] exist FIG. 13A to FIG. 15C FIG. 4 shows the connection between the upper buckle assembly A formed by the first buckle part 10 and the locking cover 30 and the second buckle part 20. Fig.13A , Fig. 13B and Fig. 13C As shown, the buckle parts 10 and 20 are brought close to each other so that the magnets 50 and 51 attract each other and align the two parts together. The inclined sliding surfaces 155, 156 of the first buckle part 10 slide along the inclined sliding surfaces 255, 256 of the second buckle part 20 to help this alignment (see Figures 3 to 4). Figure 8 At this stage, the front loop 33 points to the front recess 22 of the second buckle part 20 and the rear loop 37 points to the rear recess 21 of the second buckle part 20 .

[0059] like Fig.14A , Fig. 14B and Fig. 14C As shown, once the buckle parts 10, 20 are brought together, the rear engagement flange 211 abuts the lower surface 351 of the slider segment 35. At the same time, the front ring 33 abuts the front engagement flange 221, causing the deformation segment 34 to bend as the pivot 32 rotates in the pivot slot 113. The rear ring 37 also abuts the rear engagement flange 211. Further pressure to bring the two buckle parts together forces the deformation segment 34 to bend and causes the horizontal rod 331 of the front ring 33 to slide along the guide bevel 2211 of the front engagement flange 221 using its guide bevel 3311, while the horizontal rod 371 slides along the guide bevel 2111 of the rear engagement flange 211 as the slider segment 35 moves horizontally toward the rear of the buckle assembly 1. The pressure on the buckle parts is maintained until the horizontal rod 331 leaves the front engagement flange 221 and the horizontal rod 371 leaves the rear engagement flange 211, so that the engagement flanges 221, 211 snap onto the front ring 33 and the rear ring 37 and fix the front ring and the rear ring to the second buckle part 20, as shown in FIG. Fig.15A , Fig. 15B and Fig. 15CAs soon as this happens, the slider segment 35 moves back to its original position and the deforming segment 34 returns to the rest position, in which the buckle parts 10, 20 are firmly held together. And at this time, the teeth 13 of the first buckle part 10 rest against the housing 27 of the second buckle part 20, and the teeth 23 of the second buckle part 20 rest against the housing 17 of the first buckle part 10, to prevent the buckle parts from being disengaged under the horizontal force caused by the straps attached to the strap retaining rods 16, 161 and 26.

[0060] exist FIG. 16A to FIG. 18C FIG. 4 shows the disengagement of the first buckle part 10 and the second buckle part 20. The user starts the disengagement process by pulling the slider 40, as shown in FIG. Fig. 16B As shown, this causes the pull rod 31 to rotate the shaft 32 in the pivot slot 113 and causes the deformation section 34 to deform, as shown in FIG. Fig.16A , Fig. 16B and Fig. 16C At the same time, this rotational movement causes the horizontal rod 331 of the front ring 33 to slide out of engagement with the front engagement flange 221, as shown in FIG. Fig. 17B In addition, the force of the deforming spring 34 causes the slider segment 35 to slide backward and causes the horizontal rod 371 of the rear ring 37 to move out of engagement with the rear engagement flange 211, as shown in FIG. Fig. 17B and Fig. 17C At this time, the two buckle parts 10, 20 can be separated by breaking the magnetic force between the magnets 50, 51, that is, continuing to pull the slider 40 until the magnetic force is broken and the two buckle parts 10, 20 are separated, as shown. Fig.18A , Fig.18B and Fig.18C shown.

[0061] 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 thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A buckle assembly, comprising: a first buckle portion comprising a first base, a first front recess on one longitudinal end of the first base, a first rear recess on another longitudinal end of the first base opposite to the one longitudinal end, and a first magnet attached to the first base between the first front recess and the first rear recess, a second buckle portion including a second base, a second front recess on one longitudinal end of the second base, a second rear recess on another longitudinal end of the second base opposite to the one longitudinal end, a second magnet attached to the second base, a front engagement flange disposed between the second front recess and the second magnet, and a rear engagement flange disposed between the second rear recess and the second magnet, and a locking cover connected to the first buckle portion, the locking cover comprising a sliding element, a spring connected to the sliding element, a pivot disposed adjacent to the spring, a front attachment element disposed adjacent to the pivot, and a rear attachment element connected to an end of the sliding element opposite to the pivot, wherein the front attachment element extends through the first front recess of the first buckle portion, the rear attachment element extends through the first rear recess of the first buckle portion, and the pivot is rotatably retained in the first buckle portion to connect the locking cover to the first buckle portion, wherein the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion are configured such that placing the first buckle portion against the second buckle portion causes the first magnet and the second magnet to attract each other, and the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion are configured to lock together by: sliding the sliding element toward the first rear recess against the force of the spring until the front attachment element engages the front engagement flange and the rear attachment element engages the rear engagement flange; and then releasing the sliding element to allow the spring to return to a rest position, wherein the front engagement flange and the rear engagement flange hold the front attachment element and the rear attachment element in a locked position, The buckle assembly further includes a pull rod connected to the spring, wherein the first buckle portion is configured to be disengaged from the second buckle portion when the buckle portion is in the locked position by: pulling the pull rod in a direction away from the second buckle portion against the force of the spring until the front attachment element pivots about the pivot to release the front attachment element from the front engagement flange; And sliding the sliding element toward the first rear recess until the rear attachment element is disengaged from the rear engagement flange.

2. The buckle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pull head connected to the pull rod.

3. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first buckle portion and the second buckle portion each have at least one strap retaining bar.

4. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first buckle portion includes a pivot recess having a pivot slot, the pivot slot receiving the pivot shaft.

5. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first buckle portion further comprises at least one tooth, the at least one tooth engaging the second buckle portion when the buckle portion is in the locked position.

6. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the second buckle portion further comprises at least one tooth, the at least one tooth engaging the first buckle portion when the buckle portion is in the locked position.

7. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the front attachment element and the rear attachment element are each configured as a loop having two vertical support posts and a horizontal bar between the two vertical support posts.

8. The buckle assembly of claim 7 , wherein each of the horizontal rods has a guide ramp, the guide ramp of the front attachment element allowing the horizontal rod to slide along the front engagement flange of the second buckle portion during locking and unlocking, and the guide ramp of the rear attachment element allowing the horizontal rod to slide along the rear engagement flange of the second buckle portion during locking and unlocking.

9. The buckle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the locking cover is disposed in a guide rail on the first buckle part, the guide rail having a bottom plate, a side wall and a depending lip, and the locking cover also includes a fixing flange located on the rear end of the locking cover, the fixing flange being adjacent to the lower side of the depending lip to hold the locking cover on the first buckle part.

10. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring is a leaf spring.

11. The buckle assembly of claim 10, wherein the spring is integrally formed with the sliding element as a single piece.

12. The buckle assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first buckle portion has a pair of inclined inner sliding surfaces, and the second buckle portion has a pair of correspondingly inclined inner sliding surfaces, and wherein during locking of the first buckle portion to the second buckle portion, the sliding surfaces of the first buckle portion slide along and cooperate with the sliding surfaces of the second buckle portion.

13. The buckle assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnets are circular and enclosed in cylindrical housings in the first and second buckle portions.

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