BELT ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a strap adjustment system. Prior art

[0002] Multiple configurations of adjustment buckles are known that include a through hole with a rod that divides the through hole into a first portion and a second portion. The buckle defines a ring. The webbing passes through the through hole and around the rod. A first strand of the webbing enters the through hole until it reaches the rod, the webbing turns around the rod to exit the through hole through the second strand that is substantially parallel to the first strand. Once the webbing is tensioned, the second strand is clamped against the buckle by means of the first strand.

[0003] However, in use, the tension in the strap can vary and the strap buckle becomes deformed, resulting in the strap strands moving relative to the adjustment buckle. This results in the initial configuration being deregulated.

[0004] To maintain the desired adjustment, movable rods are known which lock the strap against one of the edges of the ring. The movable rods have teeth which dig into the strap to prevent the strap from slipping. A mounted part is also known which can move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the available space is much larger than the cross-section of the strap so as to facilitate the sliding of the strap in the through hole and therefore facilitate the adjustment of the strap.

[0005] Once the strap is in place, the movable part is folded back into its second position so as to lock the strap against the ring and thus prevent it from becoming unadjusted. The strap is trapped between the body of the adjustment buckle and the movable part. However, once the movable part blocks the strap, it is almost impossible to adjust the strap, which is problematic. This also requires the use of a movable part, which complicates the production of the adjustment buckle. Document WO 2010 / 087998 A1 describes an adjustment system with the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1. Subject of the invention

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide an adjustment system which provides good maintenance of the adjustment of the strap as in the devices of the prior art when the strap is under tension and which provides better maintenance of the adjustment when the tension in the strap decreases while avoiding the use of a movable locking part.

[0007] The strap adjustment system is remarkable in that it features: a strap having a thickness less than a width, itself less than a length, the strap being divided into a first strand and a second strand; an adjustment buckle configured to adjust the strap, the adjustment buckle defining a channel receiving the strap, the strap being able to slide in the channel by pulling on the first strand or the second strand, the channel having a width at least equal to the width of the strap and a height strictly greater than the thickness of the strap; wherein the adjustment buckle has a body, a separating wall and a cover which define the channel, the strap being inserted into the body along the first strand and going around the separating wall to define a loop and exiting the body along the second strand; wherein the cover and the separating wall define a slot for the strap to pass through and the cover is spaced from the separating wall by a distance strictly greater than the thickness of the strap and less than three times the thickness of the strap, so as not to hinder the sliding of the strap, the cover facing the strap in a first direction to form an obstacle to the enlargement of the loop.wherein the first direction is a direction of measurement of the thickness of the strap between two points of deformation of the strap, the two points of deformation corresponding to two points of contact between the strap and the dividing wall between which the strap makes a half turn.

[0008] In a development, the hood defines a plurality of obstacles.

[0009] Advantageously, the hood is mounted removably relative to the body.

[0010] Il It is also advantageous to provide that at least one partition wall is fixedly mounted to the hood.

[0011] In a further development, the at least one partition wall is fixedly mounted to the body.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the cover continuously covers the separating wall and the first strand arranged in the body in the first direction.

[0013] Advantageously, the body defines at least one through hole receiving one of the first strand or the second strand of the strap and the cover covers the through hole.

[0014] Il It is still advantageous to plan for the hood to be clipped onto the body.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover is slidably mounted on the body, the cover defining a passage hole for the strap in a lower face intended to be opposite a hole in the body and forming the obstacle in an upper face.

[0016] Preferably, the separating wall extends only over part of the thickness of the body between the upper face and the lower face. Summary description of the drawings

[0017] Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which: there figure 1 schematically represents an exploded view of a first embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 2 schematically represents a side view of the first embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 3 schematically represents a top view of the first embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 4 schematically represents a longitudinal sectional view of the first embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the Figure 5schematically represents an exploded view of a second embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 6 schematically represents another exploded view of the second embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 7 schematically represents a side view of the second embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 8 schematically represents a top view of the second embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 9 schematically represents a longitudinal sectional view of the second embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 10 schematically represents an exploded view of a third embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 11schematically represents another exploded view of the third embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 12 schematically represents a side view of the third embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 13 schematically represents a top view of the third embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 14 schematically represents a longitudinal sectional view of the third embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 15 represents, schematically, an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 16 schematically represents an exploded side view of a fourth embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention; the figure 17schematically represents an exploded sectional view of a fourth embodiment of an adjustment system according to the invention. Description of the embodiments

[0018] THE figures 1 to 17 illustrate different embodiments of an adjustment system 1 which is configured to adjust the length of a strap 2. The adjustment system 1 comprises a strap 2 having a thickness less than a width, itself less than a length.

[0019] The adjustment system 1 comprises an adjustment buckle 3 configured to adjust the strap 2. The strap 2 slides inside the adjustment buckle 3 so as to define its effective length.

[0020] The adjustment buckle 3 defines at least one channel for the passage of the strap 2. The channel has a width that is greater than or equal to the width of the strap 2. The channel has a height that is strictly greater than the thickness of the strap 2. The width of the channel is measured in the same direction as the width of the strap 2 and the height of the channel is measured in the same direction as the thickness of the strap. These two precautions make it possible not to hinder the sliding of the strap 2 during the adjustment phases where the strap 2 must slide inside the adjustment buckle 3. Advantageously, the length of the channel is at least equal to one time the width of the strap 2, more preferably at least 1.5 times the width of the strap 2 and even more preferably at least 2 times the width of the strap 2. The longer the channel is increased, the more the friction against the walls of the channel increases, which complicates loosening.

[0021] The channel imposes a deformation of the strap so that it forms a loop. The channel can impose an angular deformation equal to 180°, for example, the channel is substantially U-shaped. Alternatively, the channel imposes an angular deformation greater than 180°. The shape of the channel can be any. The strap and the channel define several points of contact. The points of contact define two or at least two points of deformation between which the strap forms a half-turn, that is to say that the strap extending from the first strand to the second strand, it changes direction to return to its point of entry into the adjustment loop or substantially to its point of entry into the adjustment loop.

[0022] The strap 2 enters and exits the adjustment buckle 3 through the same face, preferably the face intended to be in contact with the user. The channel is defined at least in part by a body 4, by a separating wall 5 and by a cover 6. The strap 2 goes around the separating wall 5 to define the buckle.

[0023] Outside the body 4, the two strands of the strap 2 join and are placed on top of each other so that one of the strands is trapped between the body 4 and the other strand. Preferably, the two strands are trapped between the body and the user.

[0024] In order to prevent the strap length from being adjusted when the tension in the strap decreases, it is advantageous for the cover to form an obstacle to the expansion of the loop. The obstacle is positioned facing the strap between the deformation points of the separating wall which require the strap to be deformed through at least 180°. The obstacle is located facing the strap in the direction in which the strap thickness is measured. By being located facing the strap, the obstacle prevents the loop from expanding. The strap may deform slightly, but the variation in size will greatly limit the adjustment or even result in similar back-and-forth movements of the strap strand. Alternatively or in addition, an obstacle may be present in the extension of the first strand, i.e. along the axis which extends the first strand inside the body 4.

[0025] In the embodiments illustrated in figures 1 to 14, the body 4 defines a first through hole 4a and a second through hole 4b which each connect an upper face and a lower face. The holes pass through the body in a direction Z which defines the direction of the thickness of the body 4. The body 4 also defines the separation wall 5. The separation wall 5 separates the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b in a first direction X perpendicular to a second direction Z which connects the upper face to the lower face. According to the embodiments, the cover 6 is mounted movable or immobile relative to the body 4.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 15 to 17, the partition wall 5 is fixedly mounted to the cover 6 and the assembly is removably mounted relative to the body 4. The body 4 defines a through hole and the partition wall 5 divides the through hole into the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b. The assembly formed by the cover 6 and the partition wall 5 defines the slot for the passage of the strap. The slot forms part of the channel.

[0027] The strap 2 is inserted into the adjustment buckle 3 from the underside and makes a loop 2c inside the body 4 by going around the separating wall 5. The separating wall 5 divides the strap 2 into a first strand 2a and a second strand 2b which are arranged one on top of the other at the entrance and exit of the adjustment buckle 3. The intimate contact between the two strands 2a / 2b when the strap 2 is under tension wedges the second strand 2b against the body 4 which makes it possible to maintain the adjustment of the strap 2 when the strap 2 is under tension.

[0028] The adjustment system 1 also comprises a cover 6 fixed to the body 4 and mounted opposite the separating wall 5 in the second direction Z. The cover 6 and the separating wall 5 are separated by a distance greater than the thickness of the strap 2 so as to allow the strap 2 to slide between the separating wall 5 and the cover 6. The cover 6 and the separating wall 5 define a slot intended to receive the strap 2. The height of the slot is greater than the thickness of the strap 2 so as not to hinder the sliding of the strap 2 in the adjustment system 1 during the adjustment phases of the strap 2 in one direction or the other.

[0029] However, the cover 6 limits the possible movements of the strap strands 2 forming the loop 2c when at least one of the strap strands 2 is not under tension. IlIt has been observed that when the strap 2 is pressed against the body of a user, the movements of the user induce a displacement of at least one strand of the strap 2 relative to the adjustment loop 3. These multiple displacements have the effect of causing the strap 2 to slide, which moves in one direction and then in another. However, as the movements progress, a flexible loop 2c of strap 2 ends up forming around the separation wall 5 and this generates a deadjustment of the strap 2.

[0030] In order to limit the amplitude of the loop 2c of strap 2, it is advantageous to provide a cover 6 which is at least opposite the separation wall 5 so as to form an obstacle to the movement of the loop 2c of strap 2 in the second direction Z. The obstacle prevents the strap 2 from forming a loop 2c having too great an amplitude. The minimum separation distance between the cover 6 and the separation wall 5 is less than three times the thickness of the strap 2 and even more preferably less than twice the thickness of the strap 2. The smaller the separation distance, the more difficult it is to have a deadjustment of the strap 2.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the minimum separation distance between the cover 6 and the separation wall 5, i.e. the height of the slot, is between 1.1 and 1.5 times the thickness of the strap 2, preferably between 1.1 and 1.3 times the thickness of the strap 2.

[0032] In one embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 9 , the separating wall 5 is formed by a single wall. The single wall defines at least two points of contact with the strap 2 to impose the deformation of the strap and follow the shape of the channel. In another embodiment illustrated in figures 10 to 14 , the separating wall 5 is formed by several parts, preferably two parts. The two parts of the separating wall 5 come into contact with the two strands 2a of the strap respectively.

[0033] It is advantageous to avoid forming a cover 6 which rests against the strap 2 because this always stresses the same portion of strap 2 when the adjustment of the latter is very rarely carried out. For example, when the strap 2 is involved in the adjustment of a leg loop, it is rare to modify the adjustment of the strap 2 because the length of the leg loop is adapted to the morphology of the user. Increased stress in the strap 2 will cause it to age faster. Having a cover 6 spaced from the separation wall by a distance greater than the thickness of the strap makes it easier to adjust the strap 2 to the correct length.

[0034] The side walls that delimit the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b may have any shape. In one configuration, the separating wall 5 may extend from the upper face to the lower face, i.e. over the entire thickness of the body 4 to separate the two through holes 4a and 4b. In another configuration, the separating wall 5 extends only over a portion of the thickness of the body 4 and the two through holes 4a and 4b may meet in the upper face or in the upper face. The various embodiments illustrated show configurations where the separating wall 5 does not extend to the lower face of the body 4.

[0035] The dividing wall 5 may have any section in a longitudinal section plane of the strap 2. The figures 4 , 9 And 14illustrate three different configurations of locking system 1 along a longitudinal sectional plane. In the three illustrated embodiments, the section is substantially triangular. The edges may be broken or rounded to facilitate the sliding of the strap 2. It is advantageous for the separating wall 5 not to extend over the entire thickness of the body 4 so that the two strands of the strap 2 join and form the loop 2c of strap 2 with a radius of curvature which is less than ten times the thickness of the strap.

[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the body 4 is made of polymer material. It is also preferable for the cover 6 to be made of polymer material. In the illustrated embodiments, the separating wall 5 is fixedly mounted on the body 4. However, it is possible for the separating wall 5 to be movably mounted on the body 4 to modulate the section of the first through hole 4a and / or the second through hole 4b.

[0037] Preferably, the spacing distance between the separating wall 5 and the opposite side wall of the body 4 to define a passage channel for a strand 2a of the strap 2 is greater than the thickness of the strap 2. Preferably, the spacing distance is at least 50% greater than the thickness, even more preferably at least twice the thickness. Such a distance makes it easier for the strap 2 to slide during the adjustment phases.

[0038] As indicated above, to facilitate the sliding of the strap 2, it is advantageous for the separating wall 5 to extend only over a part of the thickness of the body 4 between the upper face and the lower face.

[0039] In an advantageous embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 9 , the cover 6 is removably mounted relative to the body 4. By using a removably mounted cover 6, it is possible to improve an adjustment buckle 3 which is already in use. Removing the cover 6 makes it easier to adjust the strap 2 and / or to make it easier to pass the strap 2 through the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b of the body 4.

[0040] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 10 to 14, the cover 6 is mounted irremovably from the body 4. The cover 6 may be a rod. In a particular embodiment, the cover 6 may be formed by several rods. It is advantageous for the body 4 to define one or more through holes to facilitate the installation of the strap along the channel.

[0041] Advantageously, the cover 6 continuously covers the first through hole 4a, the separation wall 5 and the second through hole 4b in the second direction Z. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 9, the cover 6 continuously covers the first through hole 4a, the partition wall 5 and the second through hole 4b so as to prevent access to the strap 2 from the upper face. The cover 6 may be without a hole. It is also possible to have a cover 6 provided with one or more holes. The holes each have a section which is smaller than the section of the strap 2. The strap 2 cannot exit through the upper face of the adjustment buckle 3 through the cover 6.

[0042] In an advantageous embodiment, the cover 6 transforms the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b of the body 4 into blind holes. The cover 6 closes the through holes of the body 4 to make them blind holes.

[0043] Preferably illustrated in the figures 1 to 3, the cover 6 is clipped onto the body 6. The installation of a cover 6 clipped onto the body 4 allows quick and easy assembly and disassembly without modifying the adjustment of the strap 2 and more particularly its sliding inside the adjustment buckle 3 when one strand 2a or the other strand of the strap 2 is pulled. The disassembly of the cover 6 facilitates the adjustment of the strap 2 to the correct size. Once the strap 2 is adjusted, the cover 6 can be installed, which makes it more difficult to unintentionally adjust the strap 2. The cover 6 can be clipped by means of an elastically deformable foot 6b which is inserted into a receptacle of the body 4.

[0044] IlIt is advantageous to provide an embodiment in which the cover 6 is slidably mounted on the body 4. The cover 6 is slidably mounted in the first direction X. The cover 6 has a passage hole 6a for the passage of the strap 2. The passage hole 6a opens opposite the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 5 to 9 , the cover 6 covers the upper face and the lower face. The cover 6 forms a ring, in a view along a section plane perpendicular to the first direction A. Preferably, the cover 6 has a shape substantially complementary to the external shape of the adjustment loop 3.

[0045] In the embodiments which are illustrated in figures 1 to 14, the adjustment buckle 3 has a first fastening member configured to removably fasten a second fastening member. The first fastening member and the second fastening member together form a fastening clip. In the illustrated configurations, the adjustment buckle 3 has an elastic tab 7 which is intended to be inserted into a hooking member 8 which defines a cavity. The hooking member 8 defines a slot and the elastic tab 7 deforms to be inserted into the cavity. Once in the cavity, the elastic tab 7 returns to a rest state and it opposes a movement in the direction opposite to its insertion into the cavity 9. Advantageously, the hooking member 8 is fixed to an anchoring point, for example a strap.

[0046] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 15 to 17, the cover 6 is removably mounted relative to the body 4. The cover 6 defines the separating wall 5. The separating wall 5 is removably mounted relative to the body 4. The body 4 defines a through hole and the separating wall makes it possible to define the first through hole 4a and the second through hole 4b when the cover 6 is fixed to the body 4. When the strap 2 is under tension, it prevents the body 4 from separating from the cover 6. The first strand 2a passes through the body and then passes through the cover 6 to bypass the separating wall 5. The second strand 2b leaves the cover 6 by bypassing the separating wall 5 and then passes through the body again in the opposite direction to that of the first strand. As with the other embodiments, the cover 6 forms the obstacle which opposes the enlargement of the loop when the first strand 2a or the second strand 2b is pushed towards the adjustment loop.

[0047] The adjustment buckle has no moving part which blocks the strap against the body 4, the partition wall 5 or the hood 6.

Claims

1. An adjustment system (1) comprising: - a strap (2) having a thickness that is smaller than a width that is itself smaller than a length, the strap (2) being divided into a first strand (2a) and a second strand (2b); - an adjustment buckle (3) configured to perform adjustment of the strap (2), the adjustment buckle (3) defining a channel receiving the strap (2), the strap (2) being able to slide in the channel by pulling on the first strand (2a) or the second strand (2b), the channel having a width at least equal to the width of the strap (2) and a height strictly larger than the thickness of the strap (2); wherein the adjustment buckle (3) has a body (4), a partitioning wall (5) and a cover (6) that define the channel, the strap (2) being inserted in the body (4) via the first strand (2a) and passing round the partitioning wall (5) to define a loop (2c) and exit from the body (4) via the second strand (2b); the cover (6) being facing the strap (2) in a first direction to form an obstacle to enlargement of the loop, wherein the first direction is a direction of measurement of the thickness of the strap (2) between two deformation points of the strap (2), the two deformation points corresponding to two contact points between the strap (2) and the partitioning wall (5) between which the strap (2) makes a U-turn, characterized in that the cover (6) and the partitioning wall (5) define a slot for the strap (2) to pass through and the cover (6) is separated from the partitioning wall (5) by a distance strictly larger than the thickness of the strap (2) and less than three times the thickness of the strap (2), so as not to impede the sliding of the strap.

2. The adjustment system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cover (6) defines a plurality of obstacles.

3. The adjustment system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (6) is fitted removable with respect to the body (4).

4. The adjustment system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one partitioning wall (5) is mounted fixedly on the cover (6).

5. The adjustment system (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one partitioning wall (5) is mounted fixedly on the body (4).

6. The adjustment system (1) according to anyone of claims 3 to 5, wherein the cover (6) continuously covers the partitioning wall (5) and the first strand arranged in the body (4) in the first direction.

7. The adjustment system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the body (4) defines at least one through hole receiving one of the first strand or the second strand of the strap and the cover (6) covers the through hole.

8. The adjustment system (1) according to anyone of claims 3 to 7, wherein the cover is clip-fastened on the body (6).

9. The adjustment system (1) according to anyone of claims 3 to 7, wherein the cover (6) is mounted sliding on the body (6), the cover (6) defining a hole for the strap to pass through in a bottom surface designed to be facing a hole of the body (4) and forming the obstacle in a top surface.

10. The adjustment system (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the partitioning wall (5) only extends over a part of the thickness of the body (4) between the top surface and the bottom surface.