fastening device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a fixing device with spring closure. The fixing device has a main body, which has a top portion with a distal end, a side wall connected to the top portion, and a hook formed at the distal end of the side wall, with a gap formed between the distal end of the top portion and the hook. The top portion has a first opening at the distal end and a second opening located behind the first opening. A spring gate with overlapping first and second ends is assembled with the main body by inserting the first end into the first opening and the second end into the second opening. The spring gate is pressed into the hook in a resting position to close the gap between the second side wall and the top rod, and the gap is opened by pressing the spring gate inward to release the spring gate from the hook.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device that allows a strip to be releasably attached to or attached to another strip. In particular, this invention relates to a device that allows for simple and quick attachment and removal of a strip loop from and from the device using a spring-loaded closure system. Background Technology

[0002] Buckles with spring-loaded closure systems have been used to releasably attach strips, particularly those with closed-loop ends, to buckles. These types of buckles are used when strip removal may be necessary, or as replacements for broken buckles where the strip has already been sewn in place. The buckle's push rod has a free end to form an open slot and closes via a separate spring-loaded locking element inserted into one or more holes through the end of the push rod. The locking element is then pressed into place such that it extends around a snap fastener on the buckle body, thereby closing the open slot and holding the strip connected to the buckle. A disadvantage of this design is that the spring-loaded locking element is typically formed from wire bent into an L-shape at its end to insert into the hole. This spring-loaded locking element is unstable under high forces because the wire may bend, causing the end to slip out of the hole and release the strip. Furthermore, the spring-loaded locking element in this design must be bent out of its original shape to insert into the buckle's hole, further complicating the design.

[0003] Improvements to this type of device are shown in U.S. Patents 11,439,208 and 11,659,898. In these devices, the retaining spring gate portion is in the form of a slot with an open end, which makes the free arm on the side of the slot prone to breakage under tension. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, one object of this invention is to provide a hook, loop, or other fastening device for attaching a strip, wherein the locking element will not be unintentionally removed from the fastening device during use and under high forces applied to the fastening device. Another object of this invention is to provide a fastening device in which the locking element can be easily assembled with the fastening device without deforming the locking element. Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fastening device that is securely attached to the locking element and has a low risk of breakage even under high tension.

[0005] These and other objectives are achieved by a closed-loop fixing device, such as a hook-and-loop clamp, having a spring-loaded closure. The fixing device has a body formed by a top portion connected to a curved sidewall, the curved sidewall having a hook at its distal end. The hook is separated from the distal end of the top portion by a gap. The top portion has a first opening at the distal end and a second opening behind the first opening for receiving the spring-loaded closure.

[0006] The spring-loaded brake is annular with overlapping ends and is configured to be assembled with the body by inserting a first end of the spring-loaded brake into a first opening and a second end of the spring-loaded brake into a second opening. The spring-loaded brake is configured to snap into a hook in the resting position to close the gap between the sidewall and the top rod. The fixing device is opened by pressing the spring-loaded brake inward to release it from the hook.

[0007] The hook faces inwards from the body, and the spring-loaded gate rotates inwards to allow access to the body for attaching an article to the device. In this embodiment, the spring-loaded gate is positioned within the hook in a stationary position, holding the fixing device in the closed position until a force is applied to move the spring-loaded gate inwards.

[0008] The spring brake is preferably formed of metal wire bent into a loop with overlapping ends. Each end of the spring brake has an extension extending away from the circumferential direction of the spring brake and perpendicular to the end. When the clamp is subjected to force from a pulled connecting device or strip, these extensions serve to anchor the spring brake in a first and second opening and hold the spring brake in the closed position of the abutment hook. To receive the extension in the resting position, a retaining notch is provided near the first and second openings. Inserting the first end through the first opening and rotating the spring brake secures the first end in the first retaining notch, inserting the second end through the second opening and sliding the second extension into the second retaining notch locks the extension in the retaining notch. The retaining notch applies force to the extension to press the spring brake into the resting position of the abutment hook. To open the spring brake, the user presses the spring brake inward, causing it to rotate against the spring force of the wire. The wire of the spring brake is preferably made of a material capable of maintaining its shape under pressure, such as spring steel.

[0009] The first opening is preferably elongated to accommodate the length of the first extension during insertion. The second opening has a preferably L-shaped cross-section, with horizontal and vertical legs. This allows the second extension to be inserted through one of the legs of the L-shape, and then secured by a spring-loaded gate that pivots and slides along the other leg of the L-shape until the extension is seated in the retaining recess.

[0010] The force on the top portion, away from the main body, presses the extension deeper into the notch to prevent the spring brake from opening. Each retaining notch is made large enough to allow the spring brake to rotate between the locked and unlocked positions without releasing it from the opening.

[0011] The top portion of the body also includes a strip retainer pivotally connected to the top portion. The strip retainer is in the form of a closed loop and has a central slot for receiving the strip. The strip retainer can be mounted on a post extending from the top portion of the body to allow the strip retainer to rotate about the post.

[0012] In one embodiment, the strip retainer can be removed from the fixing device and is typically assembled to the fixing device after the spring gate is inserted. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the drawings are intended to be illustrative only and not as limiting definitions of the present invention.

[0014] In the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals denote similar elements in several views:

[0015] Figure 1 A side view of a fully assembled fixing device according to the present invention is shown, the fixing device having a main body, a spring brake and a strip retainer;

[0016] Figure 2 A side view of the main body is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 The spring brake is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 The strip holder is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 The spring brake is shown being assembled with the main body in the first assembly step;

[0020] Figure 6 The spring brake, assembled with the main body in the second step, is shown.

[0021] Figure 7 The spring brake, assembled with the main body in the third step, is shown;

[0022] Figure 8 The spring brake, assembled with the main body in the fourth step, is shown;

[0023] Figure 9 The spring brake, assembled with the main body in the fifth step, is shown;

[0024] Figure 10 The spring brake is shown fully assembled with the main body;

[0025] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 A sectional view along line 11-11;

[0026] Figure 12 It is along Figure 10 A sectional view along line 12-12;

[0027] Figure 13 It is along Figure 10 Sectional view of line 13-13; and

[0028] Figure 14 The strip retainer is shown being assembled onto the body in the final assembly step. Detailed Implementation

[0029] like Figure 1-4 As shown, the fixing device 1 has a body 10 with curved sidewalls 11, a top portion 12, and a hook 13 located at the distal end of the sidewalls 11 and adjacent to the gap G. The hook 13 faces the interior of the sidewalls 11. A spring-loaded gate 20 is mounted to the body 10 and can be opened at angle α to allow a strip or other object to be attached to the fixing device 1. A strip fixing device 30 is connected to the top portion 12.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the top portion 12 of the body 10 has a first opening 14 located at the distal end of the top portion 12, and a second opening 15 located above and behind the first opening 14. The first opening 14 is elongated and extends generally horizontally, while the second opening 15 is L-shaped, wherein the horizontal legs of the L-shape extend toward the distal end of the top portion, and the vertical legs of the L-shape extend upward.

[0031] Spring brake 20 Figure 3 As shown, the spring brake 20 is formed of a U-shaped wire made of a material (e.g., spring steel) that can return to its shape after being subjected to tension. The spring brake 20 has a first side 21, a bottom 22, and a second side 23. End 24 extends perpendicular to the first side 21, and end 25 extends perpendicular to the second side 23, wherein ends 24 and 26 extend in opposite directions to overlap vertically with a space between them. Extension 25 is provided at the end of end 24, and extension 27 is provided at the end of end 26. Extension 25 extends substantially perpendicular to end 24 and is inclined or perpendicular to the first side 21. Extension 27 extends substantially perpendicular to end 26 and is generally parallel or inclined to the second side 23.

[0032] To secure the strip to device 1, strip securing device 30 is pivotally attached to body 10 via post 18 having securing knob 19, which is connected to top portion 12. Strip securing device 30 is in the form of a closed loop 31 with strip receiving opening. Strip can be fed through strip securing device 30 and secured in place by stitching or strip adjusting device. Strip securing device 30 has a central hole 34 and a plurality of securing flanges 32 mounted around the hole 34 on the bottom surface of strip securing device 30.

[0033] The assembly of device 1 is in Figure 5-10 As shown in the diagram. In the first step, the first side 21 of the spring gate 20 is installed by arranging the spring gate 20 at an angle greater than angle α from the rest position until the first opening 14 is aligned with the extension 25. Figure 5 The extension 25 is then fed through the opening 14 until it is fully extended through the opening 14, at which point the first side 21 rotates toward the hook 13. At this point, the second side 23 is positioned in front of the top portion 12, as... Figure 6 As shown. Then, the second side 23 moves toward the second opening 15, wherein the extension 27 is placed into the vertical leg of the opening 15 until it extends completely through the opening 15, as shown. Figure 7 As shown and in Figure 8 On the opposite side of the middle. In Figure 7 As can be seen, during the rotation of the first arm 21, the extension 25 of the first side 21 has now rotated to a position where it can no longer extend out of the opening 14 and rests in the fixing recess 116 in the top portion 12 (see [link]). Figure 11 ).like Figure 8 As shown, the extension 27 now extends fully through the opening 15, but remains removable because it can be pulled out of the opening 15. To secure the extension 27 to the top portion 12, in Figure 9 In the direction of arrow b shown, press the second side 23 toward the distal end of the top portion 12 until the end 26 slides along the horizontal leg of the opening 15 and moves the extension 27 beyond the vertical leg of the opening 15. At this time, as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the extension 27 presses against the fixed recess 16 and cannot be pulled out of the opening 15.

[0034] exist Figure 11-13 The image shows a cross-sectional view of the base 10 with the spring brake 20 fully assembled. Here, it can be seen that the extension 25 is pressed into the recess 116 and cannot move out of the base 10 because it is located outside the opening. Figure 12 In the figure, extension 27 is shown in the fixing recess 16 and is prevented from moving out of the opening 15. The pressure of the object attached to the fixing device in the upward or downward direction cannot pull the spring gate 20 out of the base 10, and the tension actually presses the extensions 25, 27 even more firmly into the fixing recesses 116, 16.

[0035] like Figure 13As shown in the cross-sectional view, to prevent the end 26 with the extension 27 from sliding back toward the vertical portion of the opening 15, a protrusion 115 is provided on the edge of the fixing recess 16. The protrusion 115 is angled to allow the extension 27 to slide along the angled surface 117 and snap into place in the fixing recess 16, but cannot be removed without excessive force.

[0036] Once the spring brake 20 is fully assembled with the base 10, it cannot be easily removed and can withstand high loads without the risk of breakage or unintentional release. The larger width of the top portion 12 and the relatively small size of the openings 14 and 15 also ensure the structural stability of the base during high tension.

[0037] In the final assembly step, the strip fastening device 30 is snapped onto the base 10 by sliding the post 18 and the knob 19 through the hole 34 until the knob 19 protrudes through the hole. At the same time, the flexible tab 32 then snaps between the flange 17 and the post 18 to lock the fastening device 30 to the base 10.

[0038] This invention provides a simple and safe way to provide a closing system in which the spring brake and the main body can resist deformation even under heavy loads.

[0039] Therefore, although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fixing device, comprising: A body having a top portion with a distal end, a sidewall connected to the top portion opposite to the distal end, and a hook formed at the distal end of the sidewall, wherein a gap is formed between the distal end of the top portion and the hook, and the top portion having a first opening at the distal end and a second opening behind the first opening. A ring-shaped spring gate having overlapping first and second ends, the spring gate being configured to be assembled with a body by inserting the first end of the spring gate into a first opening and the second end of the spring gate into a second opening. The characteristic feature is that the spring gate is configured to be pressed into the hook in a resting position to close the gap between the sidewall and the top portion, and wherein the gap is opened by pressing the spring gate inward to release the spring gate from the hook.

2. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end and the second end of the spring brake have extensions that extend perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the spring brake and are configured such that when the first end and the second end are inserted into the first opening and the second opening, the extensions prevent the first end and the second end from being removed from the first opening and the second opening.

3. The fixing device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top portion has a fixing recess adjacent to the first opening, the fixing recess being configured to receive an extension of the first end of the spring brake when the first end of the spring brake is inserted through the first opening and rotated, such that the extension of the first end is located in the fixing recess adjacent to the first opening.

4. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The top portion has a fixing recess adjacent to the second opening, which accommodates an extension of the second end of the spring brake when the second end of the spring brake is inserted through the second opening and subsequently moved laterally, such that the extension of the second end is located in the fixing recess adjacent to the second opening.

5. The fixing device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first opening has an elongated cross-section, and wherein the width of the first opening is at least as wide as the length of the extension at the first end.

6. The fixing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second opening has an L-shaped cross-section, and the width of one leg of the second opening is at least as large as the length of the extension at the second end.

7. The fixing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a protrusion provided on one side of the fixing recess adjacent to the second opening, the protrusion preventing the extension of the second end from sliding out of the fixing recess adjacent to the second opening.

8. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Spring brakes are made of metal wire.

9. The fixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a strip holder rotatably connected to the top portion, the strip holder having a central slot for receiving the strip.

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