Buckle

By designing a structure in which the extension of the buckle plug's legs partially overlaps in the thickness direction, the problem of high operating force for buckle release in existing buckles is solved, achieving lower operating force and higher stability.

CN223600955UActive Publication Date: 2025-11-28YKK CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202520124051.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-09-25
Filing Date
2025-01-20
Publication Date
2025-11-28
Estimated Expiration
2035-01-20

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing buckles require folding the bridge section during release, making it difficult to reduce the force required for release.

Method used

A plug and socket structure was designed, wherein the plug has a base, a first leg, a second leg, an extension of the first leg, and an extension of the second leg. The extension of the leg can be elastically deformed and partially overlaps in the thickness direction to form an annular hole to facilitate the installation and pulling of the operating piece, reducing the force required to release the operation.

Benefits of technology

By optimizing the structure of the plug and socket, the force required for release is reduced, the smoothness of operation and the stability of the plug are improved, and plug damage is prevented.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

A buckle provided with a plug and a socket into which the plug is inserted, the plug being provided with: a base part to which an object to be connected is attached; a first leg portion and a second leg portion protruding from the base portion in an insertion direction of the plug and arranged side by side in a width direction orthogonal to the insertion direction; a first leg extension portion extending from the first leg portion toward the second leg portion; and a second leg extension portion extending from the second leg portion toward the first leg portion, each of the first leg portion and the second leg portion being configured to be engageable with the socket and to be disengageable from the socket according to elastic deformation in the width direction. The first leg extension portion and the second leg extension portion each have a pulling end portion that receives a pulling force from the outside, and the first leg extension portion and the second leg extension portion are disposed so as to at least partially overlap each other when viewed in a thickness direction that is orthogonal to the insertion direction and the width direction, respectively.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model relates to a buckle. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the past, there is known a buckle provided with a socket and a plug inserted into the socket. In addition, as one of such buckles, there is a buckle in which engagement of the socket with the plug is released by operation of an operating piece such as an operating cord (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0003] In the buckle disclosed in Patent Document 1, the plug is provided with a base portion for mounting a connecting body, a pair of leg portions protruding from the base portion and engaged with the socket, and a bridge portion linking tip end portions of the pair of leg portions to each other, and the operating cord is connected to a central portion of the bridge portion. If the operating cord is pulled by a user, the bridge portion is deformed in a manner that the central portion is folded as a crease, and the pair of leg portions are flexed in a manner that they approach each other. As a result, engagement between the pair of leg portions and the socket is released, and the plug is pulled out of the socket.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0006] Patent Document 1: U.S. Patent No. 8522410 Specification SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] However, in the buckle of Patent Document 1 described above, at the time of release operation, the bridge portion needs to be folded, and it is difficult to increase the bending moment of each leg portion. Thus, it is difficult to reduce the force required for the release operation.

[0009] The object of the utility model is to provide a buckle capable of reducing the force required for the release operation.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] The utility model discloses a scheme relates to the buckle with the plug and the socket for the plug is inserted, the plug has: the base is installed for the connecting body, the first leg and the second leg are protruding from the base to the insertion direction of the plug, and arrange the configuration in the width direction with the insertion direction orthogonal, the first leg extension is extended from the first leg to the second leg side, and the second leg extension is extended from the second leg to the first leg side, the first leg and the second leg are formed respectively can with the socket clasp and can according to the elastic deformation of the width direction and from the socket release the clasp, the first leg extension and the second leg extension have the pulling end respectively from the pulling force of outside, when along the thickness direction with the insertion direction and the width direction respectively orthogonal is observed, the first leg extension and the second leg extension are arranged in the mode of at least partially overlapping.

[0012] In the above [1], preferably, when observed along the thickness direction, the first leg extension and the second leg extension extend in a manner of crossing each other.

[0013] In the above [1] or [2], the plug can further have a connecting portion connecting the pulling end of the first leg extension and the pulling end of the second leg extension.

[0014] In the above [3], preferably, the width direction dimension of the connecting portion is more than half of the maximum interval in the width direction between the first leg and the second leg.

[0015] In the above [3] or the above [4], preferably, the connecting portion forms a ring shape surrounding the hole in the thickness direction together with the first leg extension and the second leg extension.

[0016] In any one of the above [1] to the above [5], preferably, during the period in which the first leg extension and the second leg extension change according to the pulling force at the overlapping portion thereof, the first leg extension and the second leg extension maintain a gap in the thickness direction therebetween.

[0017] In any one of the above [1] to the above [6], preferably, the first leg extension and the second leg extension each have a thin-walled portion including the overlapping portion, and the thickness direction dimension of the thin-walled portion is smaller than the thickness direction dimension of the pulling end.

[0018] In any one of the above [1] to the above [7], it is preferable that the plug further includes a bridge portion connecting between the base end portion of the first leg portion and the base end portion of the second leg portion, and a pair of protrusion portions protruding from the bridge portion toward the insertion direction, and the pulling end portion moves between the pair of protrusion portions by the pulling force.

[0019] In the above [8], it is preferable that the bridge portion has an intermediate portion located between the pair of protrusion portions, and the thickness direction dimension of the intermediate portion of the bridge portion is smaller than the thickness direction dimension of the pair of protrusion portions.

[0020] In any one of the above [3] to the above [5], it is preferable that the socket includes a housing portion formed with an opening portion into which the plug is inserted, and the housing portion has a slit formed from the opening portion along the insertion direction and exposing the connection portion to the outside of the housing portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a belt buckle of the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a plug of the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the plug of the first embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 is a side view when the plug of Figure 2 is viewed from the direction of the arrow IV.

[0025] Figure 5 is a V-V line cross-sectional view of Figure 3 .

[0026] Figure 6 is a view showing a socket of the first embodiment and a plan view of the plug combined.

[0027] Figure 7 is a view for explaining a release operation of the plug of the first embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 is a plan view showing a plug of the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 is a plan view showing a plug of the third embodiment.

[0030] EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0031] 1… Buckle, 10, 10A, 10B… Plug, 11… Base, 112A, 112B… Sidewall, 113, 114… Rod, 12A… First leg, 12B… Second leg, 121… Leg piece, 122… Base end, 123… Top end, 125… Engaging part, 125A, 125B… Protrusion, 13A, 13C… First leg extension, 13B, 13D… Second leg extension, 131… Base end, 132… Pull end, 133… Thin wall, 14… Connecting part, 15A… Hole, 16… Bridge, 161… Middle part, 162A… 162B… Support end, 17A, 17B… Protrusion, 18… Rope connection, 181… First connection, 182… Second connection, 18A… Hole, 20… Socket, 21… Mounting part, 211… Rod part, 212A, 212B… Connecting part, 22… Outer shell part, 221, 222… Wall part, 223A, 223B… Side wall part, 224… Guide surface, 225A, 225B… Engaged part, 30… Operating rope, AP… Opening, G… Gap, L… Centerline, P1, P2… Force point, S1, S2… Reception space, SL… Slit, TH… Hole. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, several embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, from the second embodiment onwards, for structures identical to those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used as in the first embodiment, and descriptions will be omitted or simplified.

[0033] [First Implementation]

[0034] Reference Figures 1-7 The first embodiment of this utility model will be described.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the buckle 1 of the first embodiment includes a plug 10 and a socket 20 for inserting the plug 10. A first connected body is installed on the plug 10, and a second connected body is installed on the socket 20. The plug 10 is engaged with the socket 20, thereby connecting the first and second connected bodies to each other. Examples of the first and second connected bodies include any long strip such as a belt, cord, or rope. Furthermore, in this embodiment, an operating piece 30 for release is installed on the plug 10. The operating piece 30 can be a rope or strip-shaped component made of yarn such as braided or knitted yarn, or it can be a component of any shape made of a relatively soft resin, such as an elastomer or silicone.

[0036] In the following description, the length direction of the buckle 1 is defined as the X direction, the width direction (left-right direction) of the buckle 1 is defined as the Y direction, and the thickness direction of the buckle 1 is defined as the Z direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the insertion direction of the plug 10 relative to the socket 20 in the X direction is called the +X direction, and the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the plug 10 (i.e., the withdrawal direction) is called the -X direction. Similarly, the direction towards one side of the Z direction is called the +Z direction, and the direction towards the other side of the Z direction is called the -Z direction. Additionally, the direction towards the center of the buckle 1 in the Y direction is called the inner Y direction, and the opposite direction is called the outer Y direction.

[0037] (Structure of plug 10)

[0038] Reference Figures 2-5 The structure of plug 10 will be explained.

[0039] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the plug 10 includes a base 11 for mounting a first connected object, a first leg 12A and a second leg 12B that protrude from the base 11 in the +X direction and are spaced apart from each other by a Y-direction interval, a first leg extension 13A extending from the first leg 12A, a second leg extension 13B extending from the second leg 12B, and a connecting portion 14 that connects the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B. The plug 10 of this embodiment is integrally formed from a synthetic resin material, for example.

[0040] The base 11 has a pair of sidewall portions 112A and 112B arranged with a Y-direction gap between them, and rod portions 113 and 114 connecting the pair of sidewall portions 112A and 112B. There is a gap between the rod portions 113 and 114 for the first connected body to pass through. The first connected body is mounted on the base 11 by wrapping at least one of the rod portions 113 and 114.

[0041] The first leg 12A and the second leg 12B, together with the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B, have a rotationally symmetrical shape with reference to the center line C passing through the center of the plug 10 in the Y direction and the center of the plug in the Z direction, respectively.

[0042] Specifically, the first leg 12A and the second leg 12B each have a leg piece 121 extending from the side wall portion 112A (or side wall portion 112B) of the base 11 in the +X direction and a locking portion 125 provided on the leg piece 121 and configured to engage with the socket 20.

[0043] The leg piece portion 121 has a base end portion 122 that is the -X side end portion connected to the side wall portion 112A (or the side wall portion 112B) and a top end portion 123 that is the +X side end portion. Although not particularly limited, the leg piece portion 121 as a whole forms a curved shape that is more toward the Y direction inner side as it is more toward the +X direction. In addition, the leg piece portion 121 is configured to be elastically deformable toward the Y direction inner side when a release operation described later is accepted.

[0044] The engagement portion 125 is configured to be engageable with the socket 20 in the -X direction and releasable from the socket 20 in accordance with elastic deformation of the leg piece portion 121. The engagement portion 125 of the present embodiment is provided at the top end portion 123 of the leg piece portion 121 and has a pair of protrusions 125A, 125B protruding from the top end portion 123 to both sides in the Z direction.

[0045] The first leg extension portion 13A extends from the top end portion 123 of the first leg portion 12A toward the second leg portion 12B side and has a base end portion 131 connected to the first leg portion 12A and a pulling end portion 132 that is a top end portion separated from the base end portion 131 in the Y direction. The first leg extension portion 13A is formed in a continuous manner with the first leg portion 12A and has a curved shape that is more toward the -X direction as it is more toward the second leg portion 12B side.

[0046] As described above, the second leg extension portion 13B has a shape obtained by rotating the first leg extension portion 13A by 180 degrees with the center line C of the plug 10 as a reference. Thus, for the second leg extension portion 13B, the same description as that of the first leg extension portion 13A can be applied except for the reversal of the Z direction.

[0047] Specifically, the second leg extension portion 13B extends from the top end portion 123 of the second leg portion 12B toward the first leg portion 12A side and has a base end portion 131 connected to the second leg portion 12B and a pulling end portion 132 that is a top end portion separated from the base end portion 131 in the Y direction. The second leg extension portion 13B is formed in a continuous manner with the second leg portion 12B and has a curved shape that is more toward the -X direction as it is more toward the first leg portion 12A side.

[0048] In the present embodiment, when the plug 10 is viewed from the Z direction, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B are arranged so as to overlap each other at a portion between the base end portion 131 and the pulling end portion 132 (see FIG. 6). Figure 3 Hereinafter, a specific description will be given. Note that hereinafter, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B will be referred to as leg extension portions 13A, 13B.

[0049] When the plug 10 is viewed from the Z direction, the leg extension portions 13A, 13B extend in a manner of crossing each other. For example, the first leg extension portion 13A is disposed in a manner of passing on the -Z side of the second leg extension portion 13B, and the second leg extension portion 13B is disposed in a manner of passing on the +Z side of the first leg extension portion 13A. Thus, the pulling end portion 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A is disposed between the second leg portion 12B and the second leg extension portion 13B, and the pulling end portion 132 of the second leg extension portion 13B is disposed between the first leg portion 12A and the first leg extension portion 13A.

[0050] The base end portions 131 of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B are disposed at positions different from each other in the Z direction, that is, in ranges not overlapping each other in the Z direction (see FIG. 6). Figure 4 For example, the base end portion 131 of the first leg extension portion 13A is connected to the convex portion 125B on the -Z side of the first leg portion 12A, and the base end portion 131 of the second leg extension portion 13B is connected to the convex portion 125B on the +Z side of the second leg portion 12B.

[0051] On the other hand, the pulling end portions 132 of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B are disposed at positions identical to each other in the Z direction. For example, the pulling end portions 132 of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B are located at the central portion of the plug 10 in the Z direction, and the leg extension portions 13A, 13B have shapes inclined with respect to the Z direction from the base end portions 131 toward the pulling end portions 132.

[0052] In addition, the leg extension portions 13A, 13B each have a thin wall portion 133 formed at a portion overlapping the other. The Z direction dimension Hl of the thin wall portion 133 is smaller than the Z direction dimension H2 of the pulling end portion 132, and a gap G in the Z direction is formed between the thin wall portions 133 of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B (see FIG. 6). Figure 5 Note that the base end portions 131 of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B preferably have larger Z direction dimensions than the thin wall portions 133.

[0053] In addition, the leg extension portions 13A, 13B elastically deform together with the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B in accordance with the pulling force applied to each pulling end portion 132. Thus, the positions of the portions overlapping each other of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B vary in accordance with the pulling force applied to each pulling end portion 132. Here, during the period in which the positions of the portions overlapping each other of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B vary in accordance with the pulling force, the leg extension portions 13A, 13B maintain the gap G in the Z direction therebetween. In other words, the gap G in the Z direction is always present between the leg extension portions 13A, 13B overlapping each other in the Z direction when the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are manipulated.

[0054] As described above, the leg extension portions 13A, 13B are disposed in a manner of crossing each other in the Z direction, and the positions of the portions overlapping each other of the leg extension portions 13A, 13B vary in accordance with the pulling force applied to each pulling end portion 132. Thus, the gap G in the Z direction is always present between the leg extension portions 13A, 13B overlapping each other in the Z direction when the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are manipulated. Figure 3As shown, the connecting portion 14 connects between the pull end portion 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A and the pull end portion 132 of the second leg extension portion 13B. In addition, the connecting portion 14 extends in the Y direction while being bent in a manner that the central portion of the connecting portion 14 in the Y direction protrudes in the -X direction. The dimension W1 of the connecting portion 14 in the Y direction is not particularly limited, but is preferably half or more of the maximum interval W2 in the Y direction between the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. The Z direction dimension of the connecting portion 14 is equal to the Z direction dimension H2 of the pull end portion 132, and is preferably the same degree as each of the Z direction dimensions of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0055] Note that the dimension W1 of the connecting portion 14 in the Y direction corresponds to the dimension between the portion farthest from the first leg portion 12A in the first leg extension portion 13A extending toward the second leg portion 12B and the portion farthest from the second leg portion 12B in the second leg extension portion 13B extending toward the first leg portion 12A.

[0056] The connecting portion 14 forms a ring shape that surrounds the hole 15A in the Z direction together with the leg extension portions 13A, 13B. This hole 15A is a hole through which the operation piece 30 can pass. That is, the operation piece 30 passes through the hole 15A and is connected to the connecting portion 14 by being hung around the connecting portion 14.

[0057] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plug 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first leg portion 12A, a second leg portion 12B, a connecting portion 14, and a bridge portion 16. Figure 2 Figure 3 As shown, the plug 10 according to the present embodiment further includes a pair of protrusion portions 17A, 17B protruding in the +X direction from the bridge portion 16.

[0058] The bridge portion 16 has an intermediate portion 161 between the pair of protrusion portions 17A, 17B and a pair of support end portions 162A, 162B on both sides of the intermediate portion 161. The bridge portion 16 has a shape bent in a manner that the intermediate portion 161 is located on the +X side than the support end portions 162A, 162B. The intermediate portion 161 has a shape recessed in the Z direction on both sides than the protrusion portions 17A, 17B. That is, the Z direction dimension H3 of the intermediate portion 161 is smaller than the Z direction dimension H4 of the protrusion portions 17A, 17B (see Fig. 2). Figure 5

[0059] The protrusion portions 17A, 17B extend in the +X direction from the bridge portion 16 while forming a housing space S1 opening in the +X direction between the protrusion portions 17A, 17B. This housing space S1 can house the connecting portion 14 in a state of being displaced in the -X direction at the time of the release operation described later.

[0060] Structure of the socket 20

[0061] ​​Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The structure of the socket 20 will be described. Note that, Figure 6 is a view in which a cross-sectional view of the central portion of the socket 20 in the Z direction and a front view of the plug 10 are combined.

[0062] The socket 20 has a mounting portion 21 capable of mounting the second connected body and a housing portion 22 provided with the mounting portion 21. The socket 20 of the present embodiment is integrally molded of a synthetic resin material.

[0063] The mounting portion 21 has a bar portion 211 arranged along the Y direction and a pair of link portions 212A, 212B linking between both end portions of the bar portion 211 and the housing portion 22. There is a gap for the second connected body to pass through between the bar portion 211 and the housing portion 22, and the second connected body is wound around the bar portion 211.

[0064] The housing portion 22 has a pair of wall portions 221, 222 arranged opposite to each other in the Z direction and a pair of side wall portions 223A, 223B arranged opposite to each other in the Y direction. The housing portion 22 has a housing space S2 capable of housing the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B of the plug 10 and an opening portion AP which is communicated to the housing space S2 and which is open to the -X direction.

[0065] The wall portions 221, 222 have slits SL of a shape cut into the +X direction from the opening portion AP. Each slit SL of the wall portions 221, 222 exposes the link portion 14 of the plug 10 from the housing portion 22 to the +Z direction (or -Z direction). Thus, the operation piece 30 connected to the link portion 14 is pulled out from the housing portion 22 via the slit SL.

[0066] The side wall portions 223A, 223B link both end portions of the wall portions 221, 222 in the Y direction. In addition, the side wall portions 223A, 223B have holes TH which pass through in the Y direction. The hole TH of the side wall portion 223A exposes the first leg portion 12A from the housing portion 22 to the outside in the Y direction, and the hole TH of the side wall portion 223B exposes the second leg portion 12B from the housing portion 22 to the outside in the Y direction.

[0067] Note that the portions of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B of the plug 10 exposed from the holes TH of the socket 20 can be utilized as operation portions at the time of release of the engagement of the buckle 1.

[0068] The housing portion 22 further has a guide surface 224 provided to each inner surface of the side wall portions 223A, 223B and a pair of engaged portions 225A, 225B provided to the wall portions 221, 222, respectively. The guide surface 224 has a surface shape which faces the inside in the Y direction, and the engaged portions 225A, 225B have a surface shape which is continuous to the guide surface 224 and which faces the +X direction.

[0069] (Engaging operation of the buckle 1)

[0070] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 6 The disengaging operation of the buckle 1 will be described. Note that the operation piece 30 of the present embodiment is connected to the link portion 14 via the through-hole 15A.

[0071] The engaging operation of the buckle 1 is the same as that of the conventional buckle, and the plug 10 is inserted into the socket 20 via the opening portion AP. At this time, each of the guide surfaces 224 of the side wall portions 223A, 223B presses each of the engaging portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B toward the inside in the Y direction while guiding them toward the +X direction. Thus, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B become in a state of being flexed toward the inside in the Y direction.

[0072] If the insertion of the plug 10 into the socket 20 is completed, each of the engaging portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B passes over each of the guide surfaces 224 of the side wall portions 223A, 223B and is engaged with the engaged portions 225A, 225B. At this time, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are released from the pressing and return to the original shape.

[0073] By the above, the plug 10 and the socket 20 are engaged. At this time, the operation piece 30 becomes in a state of being exposed from the socket 20 via the slit SL.

[0074] (Disengaging operation of the buckle 1)

[0075] Referring to Figure 7 The disengaging operation of the buckle 1 using the operation piece 30 will be described. Note that the operation piece 30 of the present embodiment is connected to the link portion 14 via the through-hole 15A. Figure 7 is a view showing the plug 10 inside the socket 20, and the illustration of the socket 20 is omitted. In addition, as the disengaging operation, the user performs an operation of pulling the operation piece 30 in the -X direction (refer to the arrow R1 in Figure 7 ).

[0076] When the disengaging operation is performed, the link portion 14 is displaced in the -X direction (refer to the arrow R2 in Figure 7 ), and each of the pulling end portions 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B is housed in the housing space S1. At this time, the first leg portion 12A receives a force in the -X direction via the first leg extension portion 13A, and the second leg portion 12B receives a force in the -X direction via the second leg extension portion 13B. Thus, a bending moment toward the inside in the Y direction with the base end portion 122 as a fulcrum is generated in each of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, and each of the tip end portions 123 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B is displaced toward the inside in the Y direction (refer to Figure 7The result is that the engagement portions 125 of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are disengaged from the engaged portions 225A, 225B, and the plug 10 can be pulled out of the socket 20. After that, if the pulling force in the -X direction based on the operation piece 30 is continuously applied, the plug 10 is pulled out of the socket 20.

[0077] By the above, the disengagement operation of the belt buckle 1 using the operation piece 30 is completed.

[0078] Note that the disengagement operation of the belt buckle 1 of the present embodiment is not limited to the operation of pulling the operation piece 30. That is, as the disengagement operation, the user can perform the operation of pulling the operation piece 30, or the operation of applying pressure to each of the operation portions of the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0079] (EFFECTS OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT)

[0080] As described above, the belt buckle 1 of the present embodiment has the plug 10 and the socket 20 into which the plug 10 is inserted, the plug 10 has the base portion 11, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B which protrude from the base portion 11 in an insertion direction (+X direction) of the plug 10 and are arranged in a width direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the insertion direction, the first leg extension portion 13A which extends from the first leg portion 12A to the second leg portion 12B side, and the second leg extension portion 13B which extends from the second leg portion 12B to the first leg portion 12A side, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are configured to be engageable with the socket 20 and disengageable from the socket 20 according to elastic deformation in the width direction, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B each have a pulling end portion 132 which receives a pulling force from the outside, and when viewed in a thickness direction (Z direction) orthogonal to the insertion direction and the width direction, respectively, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B are arranged so as to at least partially overlap each other.

[0081] In the belt buckle 1 of the present embodiment, when the disengagement operation is received, the pulling force from the outside is applied to each of the pulling end portions 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B. At this time, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B cause the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B to generate a bending moment toward the inside of the Y direction. Thereby, the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B are elastically deformed, and disengaged from the socket 20.

[0082] Further, in the belt buckle 1 of the present embodiment, since the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B are arranged so as to at least partially overlap each other in the Z direction, the degree of freedom of each arrangement of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B is improved in an imaginary plane orthogonal to the Z direction.

[0083] Here, each of the pull end portions 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B is a site at which a pulling force from the outside is received, that is, a force point P1, P2 of a bending moment generated in the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B. In addition, the bending moment generated in the first leg portion 12A is proportional to the Y-direction distance D1 from the base end portion 122 of the first leg portion 12A to the force point P1, and the bending moment generated in the second leg portion 12B is proportional to the Y-direction distance D2 from the base end portion 122 of the second leg portion 12B to the force point P2 (see FIG. 2). Figure 3 ).

[0084] In the present embodiment, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B can be arranged in a manner that the above-described distances D1, D2 are ensured to be large, and as a result, the bending moments generated in the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, respectively, can be increased. That is, the generation efficiency of the bending moment with respect to the pulling force from the outside can be improved. Therefore, in the buckle 1 of the present embodiment, the force required for the release operation can be reduced compared to the past.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B extend in a manner that they cross each other when viewed in the Z-direction.

[0086] According to such a structure, interference of the pull end portions 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B with each other can be suppressed, and the release operation can be smoothly performed.

[0087] The plug 10 of the present embodiment further includes a link portion 14 that links between the pull end portion 132 of the first leg extension 13A and the pull end portion 132 of the second leg extension 13B.

[0088] According to such a structure, by mounting the operation piece 30 to the link portion 14, the pulling force can be appropriately applied to the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B, respectively.

[0089] In the present embodiment, the width direction (Y-direction) dimension W1 of the link portion 14 is more than half of the maximum Y-direction interval W2 between the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0090] In such a structure, the bending moment can be generated more efficiently in the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, respectively. In addition, the operation piece 30 of the same width can be appropriately used.

[0091] In the present embodiment, the link portion 14 forms a ring shape that surrounds the hole 15A in the thickness direction (Z-direction) together with the first leg extension 13A and the second leg extension 13B.

[0092] In such a structure, by passing the operation piece 30 through the hole 15A, the operation piece 30 can be hung around the linking portion 14. Thus, the installation of the operation piece 30 with respect to the linking portion 14 is easy.

[0093] In the present embodiment, during a period in which the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B change in accordance with the pulling force at the portion where they overlap each other, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B maintain a gap in the thickness direction (Z direction) between each other.

[0094] In such a structure, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B can be inhibited from interfering with each other, and the release operation can be smoothly performed.

[0095] In the present embodiment, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B each have a thin-walled portion 133 formed at the portion where they overlap each other, and the Z direction dimension H1 of the thin-walled portion 133 is smaller than the Z direction dimension H2 of the pulling end portion 132.

[0096] In such a structure, since each thin-walled portion 133 of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B is formed thin, the thickness of the entire plug 10 can be inhibited. In addition, since the pulling end portion 132 is formed thick, the strength of each of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B can be increased.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the plug 10 further has a bridge portion 16 linking between the base end portion 122 of the first leg portion 12A and the base end portion 122 of the second leg portion 12B, and a pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B protruding from the bridge portion 16 in the insertion direction (+X direction), and the pulling end portion 132 moves between the pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B due to the pulling force from the outside.

[0098] In such a structure, since the pulling end portion 132 is guided by the pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B, the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B can be inhibited from becoming an unstable posture, and the release operation can be smoothly performed. In addition, excessive pulling force can be prevented from being applied to either of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B, and thus the breakage of the plug 10 can be prevented.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the bridge portion 16 has an intermediate portion 161 located between the pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B, and the Z direction dimension H3 of the intermediate portion 161 of the bridge portion 16 is smaller than the Z direction dimension H4 of the pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B.

[0100] According to such a structure, the bridge portion 16 and the operation piece 30 installed to the linking portion 14 can be appropriately inhibited from interfering with each other.

[0101] In the present embodiment, the socket 20 has a housing portion 22 formed with an opening portion AP into which the plug 10 is inserted, and the housing portion 22 has a slit SL formed in the +X direction from the opening portion AP and exposing the connecting portion 14 to the outside of the housing portion 22.

[0102] According to such a structure, the operation piece 30 mounted to the connecting portion 14 is pulled out from the housing portion 22 via the slit SL, and thus it is possible to appropriately suppress interference of the operation piece 30 with the housing portion 22. In addition, even in a case where the operation piece 30 is pulled in a direction inclined with respect to the X direction, it is possible to apply a pulling force in the -X direction to the operation piece 30.

[0103] [Second Embodiment]

[0104] Reference Figure 8 The second embodiment of the present application will be described.

[0105] The buckle of the second embodiment is a modification example of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment, and has Figure 8 the plug 10A shown in FIG. 10 and the socket 20 of the first embodiment. The plug 10A of the second embodiment has the first leg extension portion 13C and the second leg extension portion 13D instead of the first leg extension portion 13A and the second leg extension portion 13B of the first embodiment.

[0106] Specifically, the first leg extension portion 13C of the second embodiment is connected to a portion on the -X side from the tip portion 123 of the first leg portion 12A. In addition, the base end portion 131 of the first leg extension portion 13C has a shape expanding in the X direction as it approaches the first leg portion 12A, and is connected to the leg piece portion 121 of the first leg portion 12A in a large range in the X direction. Note that the second leg extension portion 13D has substantially the same structure as the first leg extension portion 13C.

[0107] In such a second embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the second embodiment, the strength of each of the connecting portions between the first leg portion 12A and the first leg extension portion 13C and between the second leg portion 12B and the second leg extension portion 13B is increased, and thus it is possible to appropriately suppress breakage of the plug 10A.

[0108] [Third Embodiment]

[0109] Reference Figure 9 The third embodiment of the present application will be described.

[0110] The buckle of the third embodiment is a modification example of the buckle 1 of the first embodiment, and has Figure 9The plug 10B and the socket 20 of the first embodiment are shown. The plug 10B of the third embodiment has a cord connecting portion 18 instead of the connecting portion 14 of the first embodiment.

[0111] Specifically, the cord connecting portion 18 has a first connecting portion 181 provided to the pulling end portion 132 of the first leg extension portion 13A and connecting the operation piece 30 and a second connecting portion 182 provided to the pulling end portion 132 of the second leg extension portion 13B and connecting the operation piece 30. The specific structure of the first connecting portion 181 and the second connecting portion 182 is not particularly limited, but the first connecting portion 181 and the second connecting portion 182 have, for example, a hole 18A for the cord-like operation piece 30 to pass through.

[0112] In such a third embodiment, the same effects as the above-described first embodiment can be achieved. In this embodiment, the cord-like operation piece 30 can be appropriately used.

[0113] [Modified Example]

[0114] The present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the following modified examples can be implemented.

[0115] The plugs 10, 10A, 10B of the above-described embodiments can have a fitting portion provided between the base end portion 122 and the top end portion 123 of the leg piece portion 121 instead of the fitting portion 125 provided to the top end portion 123 of the leg piece portion 121. In this case, the fitting portion has a protrusion shape protruding from the leg piece portion 121 to the outside in the Y direction, and can be fitted in the X direction to the edge portion of the hole TH of the housing portion 22 while being exposed to the outside of the housing portion 22 from the hole TH.

[0116] In the above-described embodiments, the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C and the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D can each be configured to at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the Z direction. For example, the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C and the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D can be integrally overlapped while extending in the same direction (for example, the Y direction) of each other. Alternatively, the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C and the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D can each have a shape extending in an arbitrary direction.

[0117] In each of the above embodiments, the pulling end portion 132 does not necessarily define each of the tip portions of the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C and the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D, but can be an arbitrary portion. For example, the pulling end portion 132 of the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C is preferably a portion disposed at a position exceeding the Y-directional central portion of the plug 10, 10A, 10B from the first leg portion 12A, and the pulling end portion 132 of the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D is preferably a portion disposed at a position exceeding the Y-directional central portion of the plug 10, 10A, 10B from the second leg portion 12B.

[0118] In each of the above first and second embodiments, the linking portion 14 can have a shape extending in an arbitrary direction as long as it links between the pulling end portion 132 of the first leg extension portions 13A, 13C and the pulling end portion 132 of the second leg extension portions 13B, 13D.

[0119] In each of the above embodiments, each structure of the bridge portion 16 and the pair of protruding portions 17A, 17B can be changed, and can also be omitted. In addition to this, the specific shape and size of the plug 10, 10A, 10B of each of the above embodiments can also be changed.

[0120] In the socket 20 of each of the above embodiments, the housing portion 22 has a hole TH exposing the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B, but the hole TH can also be omitted. In other words, the housing portion 22 can also be formed so as to cover the first leg portion 12A and the second leg portion 12B.

[0121] In the socket 20 of each of the above embodiments, the slit SL of the housing portion 22 can also be omitted. In this case, the operation piece 30 can also be pulled out from the opening portion AP of the housing portion 22.

[0122] Each of the above embodiments is not necessarily limited to the form in which the operation piece 30 is provided separately. For example, an operation tab or the like can be provided integrally or separately at a portion corresponding to the linking portion 14 (or each portion of the first leg extension portions 13A and the second leg extension portions 13B closest to the base portion 11 side). In addition, an operator can directly operate the linking portion 14 using a finger or the like.

Claims

1. A buckle, characterized in that, It has plugs (10, 10A, 10B) and sockets (20) for inserting the plugs (10, 10A, 10B). The plugs (10, 10A, 10B) are equipped with: The base (11) is for mounting the connected body; The first leg (12A) and the second leg (12B) protrude from the base (11) toward the insertion direction of the plug (10, 10A, 10B) and are arranged in a width direction orthogonal to the insertion direction; The first leg extension (13A, 13C) extends from the first leg (12A) toward the second leg (12B); as well as The second leg extension (13B, 13D) extends from the second leg (12B) toward the first leg (12A). The first leg (12A) and the second leg (12B) are respectively configured to engage with the socket (20) and to disengage from the socket (20) according to elastic deformation in the width direction. The first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the second leg extension (13B, 13D) each have a pulling end (132) that receives pulling force from the outside. When viewed along a thickness direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the width direction, the first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the second leg extension (13B, 13D) are arranged in a manner that overlaps at least partially.

2. The buckle according to claim 1, characterized in that, When viewed along the thickness direction, the first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the second leg extension (13B, 13D) extend in an intersecting manner.

3. The buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plug (10, 10A) further includes a connecting portion (14) for connecting the pull end (132) of the first leg extension (13A, 13C) with the pull end (132) of the second leg extension (13B, 13D).

4. The buckle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The width dimension (W1) of the connecting part (14) is more than half of the maximum width interval (W2) between the first leg (12A) and the second leg (12B).

5. The buckle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The connecting portion (14), together with the first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the second leg extension (13B, 13D), forms an annular shape surrounding the hole (15A) in the thickness direction.

6. The buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, During the period when the overlapping portions of the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) change according to the pulling force, the first leg extensions (13A, 13C) and the second leg extensions (13B, 13D) maintain a gap in the thickness direction between each other.

7. The buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first leg extension (13A, 13C) and the second leg extension (13B, 13D) each have a thin-walled portion (133) formed at their overlapping portions. The thickness dimension (H1) of the thin-walled portion (133) is smaller than the thickness dimension (H2) of the pulling end (132).

8. The buckle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plugs (10, 10A, 10B) also have: A bridge portion (16) that connects the base end portion (122) of the first leg portion (12A) to the base end portion (122) of the second leg portion (12B); and A pair of protrusions (17A, 17B) protrude from the bridge portion (16) in the insertion direction. The pulling end (132) moves between the pair of protrusions (17A, 17B) using the pulling force.

9. The buckle according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bridge portion (16) has a middle portion (161) located between the pair of protrusions (17A, 17B). The thickness dimension (H3) of the middle portion (161) of the bridge portion (16) is smaller than the thickness dimension (H4) of the pair of protrusions (17A, 17B).

10. The buckle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The socket (20) has a housing portion (22) having an opening (AP) for inserting the plugs (10, 10A, 10B). The outer casing (22) has a slit (SL) formed from the opening (AP) along the insertion direction and exposing the connecting portions (14, 18) to the outside of the outer casing (22).

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Buckle

    US8522410B2