Buckle-tongue assembly
The buckle-tongue assembly with a lockable coupling mechanism addresses the safety concern of buckles being easily readjusted or opened by inexperienced users, providing a secure and adjustable connection for climbing harnesses.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023196253
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-12
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing adjustment buckles for climbing harnesses can be easily readjusted or opened by inexperienced users, such as children, increasing the risk of accidents.
A buckle-tongue assembly with a coupling mechanism that includes a lock with a locked and unlocked position, allowing for adjustable length settings that are secure until an unlocking tool is used.
The buckle-tongue assembly provides a secure and adjustable connection for climbing harnesses, ensuring safety for inexperienced users by preventing accidental readjustment or opening without the unlocking tool.
Smart Images
Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness, in particular to a buckle-tongue assembly suitable as an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness.
[0002] Adjustment buckles 1' for closing and tightening a climbing harness are known. For example, it is known to provide leg straps 92 and shoulder straps 92 of a full body harness 90 with adjustment buckles 1' as illustrated in figure 1. The full body harness 90 of the prior art shown in figure 1 further comprises tie-in loops 93 connected to the leg and shoulder straps for attaching a climbing rope (not shown).
[0003] A common type of adjustment buckle for a climbing harness is called speed buckle or automatic double-backing buckle and comprises two plates. The two plates are fixed together and to a non-adjustable strap end at a first end of the plates. The two plates are pivotable about the first ends. Each plate comprises a strap opening at a second end opposite the first end. This type of adjustment buckle is closed by inserting a free end of a strap through the strap openings of both plates and returning the free end of the strap through the strap opening of only one of the two plates. The strap can be quickly tightened by pulling the free end of the strap away from the buckle and quickly loosened by pushing the free end of the strap towards the buckle and separating the two plates. The strap is clamped between the two plates when the strap is tightened. The strap is released by pivoting the plates and separating the plates at the second end of the plates.
[0004] Another common type of adjustment buckle for a climbing harness is called manual double-backing buckle and consists of a single plate with two strap openings. This type of adjustment buckle is closed by inserting the free end of the strap through both strap openings. In this configuration, the length of the strap can be adjusted. After the length of the strap has been correctly set, the free end of the strap is returned through only one of the strap openings, which fixes the length of the strap.
[0005] Both of these types of buckles are considered as being safe for experienced users. However, climbing harnesses are also used by inexperienced users, such as beginners or children. Typical activities, in which climbing harnesses are used by inexperienced users are aerial obstacle courses, aerial adventure courses, adventure parks, via ferrata and other touristic or industrial activities.
[0006] The above-mentioned buckles may be dangerous for inexperienced users, in particular for children because the buckles can be easily readjusted or even opened by the user. The risk of an accident is increased after an inexperienced user has loosened the straps of the climbing harness, in particular, opened one or more buckles or even removed the harness contrary to instructions given to the inexperienced user.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the invention to provide an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness which can be quickly and easily adjusted and is safe for an inexperienced user.
[0008] It is advantageous to provide an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness which is reliable.
[0009] It is advantageous to provide an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness which is economical to produce.
[0010] The adjustment buckle for a climbing harness of the present invention resembles a buckle-tongue assembly for a seat belt of a vehicle, which comprises a tongue insertable into a buckle, wherein the buckle is fixed to the vehicle and the seat belt is attached to the tongue and the tongue is slidable along the seat belt to adjust the position of the tongue along the seat belt. Therefore, the expression "buckle" of a buckle-tongue assembly is defined in this application as a device configured to receive and engage the tongue in the buckle. In analogy to the buckle-tongue assembly for a seat belt, the tongue of the buckle-tongue assembly in this application is configured to attach a strap end portion and the position of the tongue is adjustable along the strap end portion.
[0011] Objects of the invention have been achieved by providing a buckle-tongue assembly according to claim 1.
[0012] Dependent claims set out various advantageous features of embodiments of the invention. 1. Disclosed herein is a buckle-tongue assembly suitable for connecting a first strap end portion of a climbing harness with a second strap end portion of the climbing harness and for adjusting a length of the first strap end portion. The buckle-tongue assembly comprises a buckle and a tongue. The buckle comprises a housing comprising a tongue insertion opening and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the tongue to the buckle. The tongue comprises a first tongue plate and a second tongue plate. Each of the first and second tongue plates comprises an insertion portion and a strap attachment portion. The insertion portions are insertable into the housing through the tongue insertion opening. The strap attachment portions are configured to attach the first strap end portion. The coupling mechanism comprises an engaging mechanism configured to engage the first and second tongue plates in the buckle: in a first engaged position configured to allow adjustment of a length of the first strap end portion and in a second engaged position configured to clamp the first strap end portion between the first and second tongue plates.
[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling mechanism comprises a lock with a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position when the tongue is engaged in the buckle in the second engaged position.
[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the tongue is disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock is in the unlocked position and the tongue is not disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock is in the locked position.
[0015] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock is configured in the locked position to block movement of the second tongue plate in at least an ejection direction.
[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock is configured in the locked position to block movement of the first tongue plate in at least an insertion direction.
[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock is configured to cooperate with a removable unlocking tool to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the unlocking tool is formed separately from the buckle and the tongue.
[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock comprises a body comprising a soft magnetic material, preferably a soft ferromagnetic material such as soft iron, preferably having intrinsic coercivity less than 1000 A / m, configured to cooperate with a magnet of the unlocking tool to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
[0020] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock comprises a lock tension mechanism configured to move the lock from the unlocked position to the locked position when the tongue is engaged in the buckle in the second engaged position.
[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, each of the first and second tongue plates comprises with a strap opening. The strap attachment portions are configured to attach the first strap end portion such that the first strap end portion enters through the strap openings of both tongue plates and returns through the strap opening of only one of the tongue plates. The first tongue plate is slidable relative to the second tongue plate in an insertion direction to open a gap between an end of the first tongue plate and an end of the strap opening of the second tongue plate such that the first strap end portion is slidable through the gap for adjusting the length of the first strap end portion in the first engaged position. The first and second tongue plates are configured to clamp the first strap end portion between the end of the first tongue plate and the end of the strap opening of the second tongue plate in the second engaged position.
[0022] In an advantageous embodiment, the engaging mechanism comprises at least one trigger for engaging and disengaging the tongue.
[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one trigger comprises two triggers arranged at opposite sides of the tongue insertion opening.
[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one trigger and each of the tongue plates comprise at least one engagement element, wherein the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger is configured to engage with at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates when the tongue plates are engaged in the buckle in the first engaged position and in the second engaged position.
[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one trigger comprises a trigger tension mechanism configured to push the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger towards at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates when the tongue plates are engaged in the buckle in the first engaged position and in the second engaged position.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger is configured to engage at least one of with the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates in the first engaged position such that the tongue plates are not removable from the buckle without actuating the at least one trigger.
[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger is configured to engage with at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates in the second engaged position such that the tongue plates are not moveable from the second engaged position to the first engaged position without actuating the at least one trigger.
[0028] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock is configured in the locked position to block actuation of the at least one trigger.
[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger comprises a catch and the at least one engagement element of the first tongue plate comprise a notch and the at least one engagement element of the second tongue plate comprise a first notch and a second notch on a side of the tongue plates facing the at least one trigger.
[0030] In an advantageous embodiment, the catch of the at least one trigger is configured to engage with the notch of the first tongue plate and with the first notch of the second tongue plate in the first engaged position.
[0031] In an advantageous embodiment, the catch of the at least one trigger is configured to engage with the notch of the first tongue plate and with the second notch of the second tongue plate in the second engaged position.
[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, the first tongue plate is slidable relative to the buckle in a predefined range in the first engaged position.
[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the second tongue plate is not moveable relative to the buckle in the insertion or ejection direction in the first or second engaged position.
[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock comprises a body comprising at least one locking element and the at least one trigger comprises a complementary locking element configured to engage with one of the at least one locking elements of the lock for locking the at least one trigger in the second engaged position.
[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the lock comprises a lock tension mechanism configured to push the at least one locking element of the lock towards the complementary locking element of the at least one trigger in the second engaged position.
[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the first tongue plate comprises a complementary locking element configured to engage with one of the at least one locking elements of the lock for locking the first tongue plate in the second engaged position.
[0037] In an advantageous embodiment, each of the at least one locking elements of the lock is formed by a protrusion and each of the complementary locking elements of the first and second tongue plates and triggers is formed by a recess.
[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the first tongue plate comprises a chamfer at an end of the insertion portion configured to push the body of the lock by one of the at least one locking elements from the locked position to the unlocked position against a restoring force of the lock tension mechanism.
[0039] In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling mechanism further comprises displacement limiting elements for limiting the displacement of the tongue plates against the insertion direction to prevent a separation of the tongue plates from the buckle.
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the displacement limiting elements are formed by a displacement limiting pin attached to the housing and pin slots formed in the first and second tongue plates receiving the displacement limiting pin.
[0041] Also disclosed herein is a kit of parts comprising a buckle-tongue assembly and a removable unlocking tool configured to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
[0042] Also disclosed herein is climbing harness comprising at least one buckle-tongue assembly.
[0043] Further advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention and the accompanying illustrations.Brief description of the figures
[0044] Figure 1 is a climbing harness with adjustment buckles of the prior art; Figure 2A is a perspective view of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with the tongue fully inserted into the buckle; Figure 2B is a perspective view of the buckle-tongue assembly of figure 2A with the tongue separated from the buckle; Figure 3A is a perspective view of a tongue of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a strap end portion attached to the tongue; Figure 3B is an exploded view of the tongue with the strap end portion of figure 3A; Figure 3C is a perspective view of a tongue of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a strap end portion attached to the tongue, wherein the tongue plates are positioned relative to each other such that the strap end portion is slidable between the tongue plates; Figure 3D is a bottom view of the tongue plates of figure 3C positioned relative to each other as in figure 3C; Figure 3E is a side view of the tongue plates of figure 3C positioned relative to each other as in figure 3C; Figure 3F is a side view of the strap end portion of figure 3C with the same shape as the strap end portion of figure 3C; Figure 3G is a perspective view of a tongue of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a strap end portion attached to the tongue, wherein the tongue plates are positioned relative to each other such that the strap end portion is clamped between the tongue plates; Figure 3H is a bottom view of the tongue plates of figure 3G positioned relative to each other as in figure 3G; Figure 3I is a side view of the tongue plates of figure 3G positioned relative to each other as in figure 3G; Figure 3J is a side view of the strap end portion of figure 3G with the same shape as the strap end portion of figure 3G; Figure 4A is a bottom view of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention without a displacement limiting pin, without the base of the housing of the buckle, and with the tongue separated from the housing; Figure 4B is a perspective view of the buckle-tongue assembly of figure 4A with the tongue inserted into the housing and engaged in a first engaged position; Figure 4C is a perspective view of the buckle-tongue assembly of figure 4A with the tongue inserted into the housing and engaged in a second engaged position; Figure 5A is a perspective view of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a displacement limiting pin, without the base of the housing, and with the tongue installed in the housing and engaged in a first engaged position; Figure 5B is a perspective view of the buckle-tongue assembly of figure 5A with the tongue installed in the housing and engaged in a second engaged position; Figure 6A-C are perspective views of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention without a displacement limiting pin and with one of the triggers removed illustrating the insertion of the tongue into the housing; in figure 6A, the tongue is separated from the housing; in figure 6B, the tongue enters the housing; in figure 6C, the tongue is inserted into the housing; Figure 7 is a partially exploded view of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention without a displacement limiting pin; Figure 8 is an exploded view of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a displacement limiting pin; Figure 9A is a perspective view of a buckle of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention with a displacement limiting pin and without the base of the housing; Figure 9B is a perspective view of a buckle of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention without a displacement limiting pin and without the base of the housing; Figure 10 is a schematic view of an unlocking tool exerting a force on a body of a lock of a buckle-tongue assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0045] Referring to the figures, a buckle-tongue assembly 1 according to embodiments of the invention comprises a buckle 2 and a tongue 3. The buckle 2 comprises a housing 5 comprising a tongue insertion opening 4 and a coupling mechanism 40 arranged in the housing. The coupling mechanism 40 is configured to couple the tongue 3 to the buckle 2. The tongue 3 comprises a first tongue plate 11a and a second tongue plate 11b. Each of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b comprises an insertion portion 14a, 14b and a strap attachment portion 12a, 12b with a strap opening 13a, 13b. The insertion portions 14a, 14b of the tongue plates 11a, 11b are insertable into the housing 5 through the tongue insertion opening 4.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiments, the housing 5 comprises a base portion 6 and a cover portion 7. Preferably, the base portion 6 and the cover portion 7 are identical parts, which facilitates the manufacturing of these parts. In the illustrated embodiments, screws 8 are used for fastening the base portion 6 and the cover portion 7 to each other. Alternatively, a different type of fastener can be used. For example, the base portion 6 and the cover portion 7 can be glued together. Preferably, the base portion 6 and the cover portion 7 are aligned with respect to each other by alignment elements, such as protrusions 51 and recesses 52 formed on the base and cover portions.
[0047] The housing 5 further comprises a strap attachment opening 9 for attaching a non-adjustable strap end (not shown in figures).
[0048] The buckle-tongue assembly 1 according to embodiments of the invention is intended to be used as an adjustment buckle for a climbing harness. The buckle-tongue assembly 1 is configured for connecting a first strap end portion 21 of a climbing harness with a second strap end portion of the climbing harness and for adjusting a length L of the first strap end portion 21 by adjusting the position at which the tongue 3 is attached to the first strap end portion 21.
[0049] The strap attachment portions 12a, 12b of the tongue plates 11a, 11b are configured to attach the first strap end portion 21 such that the first strap end portion 21 enters through the strap openings 13a, 13b of both tongue plates 11a, 11b and returns through the strap opening 13b of only one of the tongue plates, namely the second tongue plate 11b. The first strap end portion 21 is clamped between the tongue plates by sliding the tongue plates with respect to each other in an insertion direction of the tongue plates. The clamping of the first strap end portion 21 between the tongue plates is released by sliding the tongue plates with respect to each other back in the opposite direction.
[0050] The coupling mechanism 40 comprises an engaging mechanism 60 configured to engage the tongue 3 in the buckle 2 in a first engaged position and in a second engaged position.
[0051] In the first engaged position, the first tongue plate 11a is slidable relative to the second tongue plate 11b in the insertion direction to open a gap G between an end 41 of the first tongue plate 11a and an end 42 of the strap opening 13b of the second tongue plate 11b such that the first strap end portion 21 is slidable through the gap G. Thus, the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b are arrangeable in the first engaged position for adjusting a length L of the first strap end portion 21.
[0052] In the second engaged position, the second tongue plate 11b is further inserted into the buckle 2 such that the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b are configured to clamp the first strap end portion 21 between the end 41 of the first tongue plate 11a and the end 42 of the strap opening 13b of the second tongue plate 11b. The user cannot adjust the length L of the first strap end portion 21, i.e., the position at which the tongue 3 is attached to the first strap end portion 21 by pulling due to the clamping of the first strap end portion 21 in the second engaged position.
[0053] In the illustrated embodiments, the engaging mechanism 60 comprises two triggers 28. The triggers 28 are arranged between the base portion 6 and the cover portion 7 of the housing 5 at opposite sides of the tongue insertion opening 4. Each of the triggers 28 is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the insertion direction. In preferred embodiments, the pivot mount of each trigger is formed by a hole 29 in the trigger 28 and a screw 8 for fastening the base and cover portions 6, 7 of the housing 5 passing through the hole 29.
[0054] In a variant (not shown in the figures), the engaging mechanism 60 only comprises one trigger 28 arranged at a side of the tongue insertion opening 4.
[0055] In the illustrated embodiments, each of the triggers 28 and each of the tongue plates 11a, 11b comprises at least one engagement element. The at least one engagement element of the triggers 28 engages with the at least one engagement element of each of the tongue plates 11a, 11b when the tongue plates 11a, 11b are inserted into the tongue insertion opening 4 in a first engaged position, which prevents that the tongue plates 11a, 11b can be removed from the buckle 2 by pulling the tongue plates 11a, 11b without actuating the triggers 28.
[0056] Each of the triggers 28 comprises a trigger tension mechanism generating an angular momentum to push the at least one engagement element of the trigger 28 towards the tongue insertion opening 4. In the illustrated embodiments, the trigger tension mechanism is a spring 30 arranged between a spring support 31 on the trigger 28 and a spring support 53 on the housing 5.
[0057] In preferred embodiments, the at least one engagement element of each trigger 28 comprises a catch 32. The at least one engagement element of the first tongue plate 11a comprise a notch 15a and the at least one engagement element of the second tongue plate 11b comprise a first notch 15b and a second notch 16b on each side of the tongue plates 11a, 11b facing the triggers 28.
[0058] In the first engaged position, the catch 32 of each trigger 28 engages with one of the notches 15a of the first tongue plate 11a and with one of the first notches 15b of the second tongue plate 11b.
[0059] In the illustrated embodiments, the at least one engagement element of each trigger 28 additionally comprises a notch 33 and the second tongue plate 11b additionally comprises a catch 17b between the first notch 15b and the second notch 16b of each side of the second tongue plate 11b to improve the engaging of the triggers 28 with the second tongue plate 11b in the first engaged position. The notch 33 of each trigger 28 engages with one of the catches 17b of the second tongue plate 11b in the first engaged position.
[0060] A shape of the catch 32 of each trigger 28 conforms with a shape of one of the first notches 15b of the second tongue plate 11b to prevent a movement of the second tongue plate 11b relative to the buckle 2 in the ejection direction, i.e., against the insertion direction in the first engaged position. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiments, a shape of the notch 33 of each trigger 28 conforms with a shape of one of the catches 17b of the second tongue plate 11b to prevent a movement of the second tongue plate 11b relative to the buckle 2 in the ejection direction in the first engaged position.
[0061] A shape of each notch 15a of the first tongue plate 11a cooperates with the shape of the catch 32 of one of the triggers 28 such that the first tongue plate 11a is slidable in the insertion or ejection direction within a predefined range and blocked at the limits of said range in the first or second engaged position when the triggers 28 are engaged.
[0062] Each trigger 28 further comprises a release lever 35 for actuating the trigger and thereby releasing engagement of the at least one engagement element of the trigger 28 and the at least one engagement element of the tongue plates 11a, 11b in the first or second engaged position by pivoting the at least one engagement element of the trigger 28 away from the tongue insertion opening 4.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiments, the engagement elements of the triggers 28 and the tongue plates 11a, 11b are shaped such that the tongue plates 11a, 11b can be inserted into the buckle 2 to reach the first engaged position without pushing the release lever 35. During the insertion movement, the triggers 28 can be actuated through the sliding mechanical contact between the engagement elements. The second tongue plate 11b can be moved from the first engaged position to the second engaged position by pushing the second tongue plate 11b in the insertion direction further into the buckle 2. It is not necessary to push the release lever 35 for moving the second tongue plate 11b from the first engaged position to the second engaged position. The triggers 28 are automatically disengaged during this movement. However, it is necessary to push the release lever 35 for disengaging the triggers 28 and moving the second tongue plate 11b from the second engaged position to the first engaged position. It is also is necessary to push the release lever 35 for disengaging the triggers 28 in the first engaged position and removing the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b from the buckle 2.
[0064] In the second engaged position, the second tongue plate 11b is further inserted into the buckle 2 in comparison with the first engaged position. In a preferred embodiment, the second tongue plate 11b is fully inserted into the buckle 2 in the second engaged position, i.e., the second tongue plate 11b is inserted until shoulders 20b of the second tongue plate 11b are in contact with the triggers 28.
[0065] In the second engaged position, the catch 32 of each trigger 28 engages with one of the notches 15a of the first tongue plate 11a and with one of the second notches 16b of the second tongue plate 11b. The shape of the catch 32 of each trigger 28 conforms with a shape of one of the second notches 16b of the second tongue plate 11b to prevent a movement of the second tongue plate 11b relative to the buckle 2 in the insertion direction or ejection direction in the second engaged position.
[0066] In the illustrated embodiments, the coupling mechanism 40 further comprises a lock 50 with a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock 50 is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position when the tongue 3 is engaged in the buckle 2 in the second engaged position. The tongue 3 is disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock 50 is in the unlocked position and the tongue 3 is not disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock 50 is in the locked position.
[0067] The lock 50 comprises a body 25 comprising locking elements 26. The body 25 is arranged in the housing 5 and movable in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction. The first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b each comprises a complementary locking element 18a, 18b, and each of the triggers 28 comprises a complementary locking element 34.
[0068] In the illustrated embodiments, the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 are formed by protrusions and the complementary locking elements 18a, 18b, 34 of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b and triggers 28 are formed by recesses. However, in alternative embodiments, at least a part or all of the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 are formed by recesses and the corresponding complementary locking elements 18a, 18b, 34 of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b and the triggers 28 are formed by protrusions.
[0069] The lock 50 further comprises a lock tension mechanism to push the body 25 of the lock 50 towards the triggers 28 and the first tongue plate 11a. In the illustrated embodiments, the lock tension mechanism comprises a spring plate 22 comprising a cantilever spring 23. The cantilever spring 23 engages with a spring support 27 on the body 25. The locking elements 26 extend through apertures 24 of the spring plate 22.
[0070] The locking elements 26 engage with the complementary locking elements 34 of the triggers 28 and block the pivoting of the triggers 28 when the tongue 3 is engaged in the buckle 2 in the second engaged position and the lock 50 is in the locked position. The triggers 28 cannot be actuated by pushing the release levers 35 in the second engaged position as long as the triggers 28 are locked by the locking elements 26. The locking elements 26 also engage with the complementary locking elements 18a, 18b of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b and directly block the movement of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b in the insertion or ejection direction.
[0071] In a variant, the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 only lock the triggers 28 and the first tongue plate 11a, i.e., the locking elements 26 are not long enough to reach the complementary locking elements 18b of the second tongue plate 11b or the second tongue plate 11b does not have any complementary locking elements 18b. In this configuration, the second tongue plate 11b is still locked by the triggers 28 and cannot be removed from the buckle 2 in the second engaged position. As discussed hereinabove, the engagement elements prevent a movement of the second tongue plate 11b relative to the buckle 2 in the insertion direction or ejection direction in the second engaged position.
[0072] In another variant, the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 only lock the triggers 28, i.e., there are no complementary locking elements 18a, 18b of the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b configured to engage with locking elements 26 of the lock 50 for locking the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b in the second engaged position. In this configuration, the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b are locked in the second engaged position by the engagement of the at least one engagement element of the trigger 28 with the at least one engagement element of the tongue plates 11a, 11b.
[0073] In another variant, the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 only lock the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b, i.e., there are no complementary locking elements 34 of the triggers 28 configured to cooperate with locking elements 26 of the lock 50 for locking the triggers 28 in the second engaged position.
[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the first tongue plate 11a comprises a chamfer 43 at an end of the insertion portion 14a. When the tongue 3 is inserted into the buckle 2, the chamfer 43 pushes the body 25 of the lock 50 against a restoring force of the lock tension mechanism by the central one of the locking elements 26 (see figure 6B). Thus, the tongue 3 can be inserted into the buckle 2 without any tool.
[0075] In another preferred embodiment, the central one of the locking elements 26 also locks the second tongue plate 11b in the second engaged position. In this embodiment, the second tongue plate 11b also comprises a chamfer at an end of the insertion portion 14b to push down the central one of the locking elements 26 (not shown).
[0076] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the complementary locking element 18a of the first tongue plate 11a is formed by a protrusion and comprises a chamfer.
[0077] In order to move the tongue 3 from the second engaged position to the first engaged position, an unlocking tool 37, which is removeable and formed separately from the buckle 2 and the tongue 3 is required to move the body 25 of the lock 50 against the restoring force of the lock tension mechanism and retract the locking elements 26 and thereby unlock the lock 50. Thus, the user cannot readjust the length L of the first strap end portion 21 or even separate the tongue 3 from the buckle 2 in the second engaged position without the separate unlocking tool 37. The triggers 28 can be actuated by the user when the lock 50 is unlocked by the unlocking tool 37. The user can move the tongue 3 from the second engaged position to the first engaged position when the triggers 28 are actuated.
[0078] No unlocking tool is needed in order to move the tongue 3 from the first engaged position to the second engaged position, i.e., the tongue 3 can be pushed into the buckle 2 in the insertion direction without using any tool.
[0079] In a preferred embodiment, the unlocking tool 37 comprises a magnet 38 and the body 25 of the lock 50 comprises or is made of a soft magnetic material, preferably having intrinsic coercivity less than 1000 A / m. The soft magnetic material is preferably a soft ferromagnetic material, such as soft iron, which may comprise at least 99.8 wt.% of iron.
[0080] The magnet 38 of the unlocking tool 37 is preferably a permanent magnet. Alternatively, the magnet 38 of the unlocking tool 37 is an electromagnet. Other parts of the buckle-tongue assembly may be made of stainless steel or aluminium. In this embodiment, the unlocking tool 37 is placed on the cover portion 7 of the housing 5 to attract the body 25 of the lock 50 through a magnetic force F and thereby retract the locking elements 26 from the complementary locking elements 18a, 18b, 34 of the tongue plates and triggers. After the locking elements 26 have been retracted, the tongue plates and triggers are unlocked and the release lever 35 can be actuated to disengage the engagement elements of the triggers 28 and the engagement elements of the tongue plates 11a, 11b.
[0081] In a variant, the unlocking tool 37 may retract the locking elements 26 of the lock 50 from the complementary locking elements 18a, 18b, 34 of the tongue plates and triggers based on a principle other than magnetism. For example, the force for moving the body 25 of the lock 50 against the tensioning force of the lock tension mechanism may be a mechanical force, a Coulomb force or a pneumatic force.
[0082] In the embodiments illustrated in figures 2B, 4A-D, 6A-C, 7, and 9B, the tongue 3 is separable from the buckle 2.
[0083] In the embodiments illustrated in figures 5A-B, 8, and 9A, the coupling mechanism 40 further comprises displacement limiting elements for limiting the displacement of the tongue plates 11a, 11b against the insertion direction to prevent a separation of the tongue plates 11a, 11b from the buckle 2. In these embodiments, the tongue 3 cannot be removed from the buckle 2 even if the release lever 35 is pressed. The displacement limiting elements are formed by a displacement limiting pin 36 attached to the housing 5 and pin slots 19a, 19b formed in the first and second tongue plates 11a, 11b. The displacement limiting pin 36 abuts the ends of the pin slots 19a, 19b at the limits of the displacement ranges of the tongue plates 11a, 11b relative to the buckle 2. The displacement limiting pin 36 may be installed in the buckle during the assembly of the buckle.
[0084] In a variant, the coupling mechanism 40 comprises a removable displacement limiting element for limiting the displacement of the tongue plates 11a, 11b against the insertion direction to prevent a separation of the tongue plates 11a, 11b from the buckle 2. For example, the displacement limiting pin 36 may be replaced by a screw, which penetrates the base portion 6 or the cover portion 7 of the housing 5 and is removable without opening the housing 5.List of references
[0085] buckle-tongue assembly 1 buckle 2 housing 5 base portion 6 cover portion 7 tongue insertion opening 4 fastener (screws) 8 strap attachment opening 9 alignment elements 51, 52 spring support 53 non-adjustable strap end (not shown in figures) coupling mechanism 40 lock 50 body 25 locking elements (protrusions) 26 lock tension mechanism spring plate 22 cantilever spring 23 apertures 24 spring support 27 engaging mechanism 60 trigger 28 pivot mount (hole) 29 trigger tension mechanism spring 30 spring support 31 engagement element catch 32 notch 33 complementary locking element (recess) 34 release lever 35 displacement limiting element (pin) 36 tongue 3 first tongue plate 11a strap attachment portion 12a strap opening 13a insertion portion 14a engagement element (notch) 15a chamfer 43 complementary locking element (recess) 18a displacement limiting element (pin slot) 19a shoulder 20a end 41 second tongue plate 11b strap attachment portion 12b strap opening 13b end 42 insertion portion 14b first engagement element (first notch) 15b second engagement element (second notch) 16b third engagement element (catch) 17b complementary locking element (recess) 18b displacement limiting element (pin slot) 19b shoulder 20b adjustable strap end 21 unlocking tool 37 magnet 38 climbing harness (full body harness) 90 adjustment buckles 1' leg straps 91 shoulder straps 92 tie-in loops 93 F: magnetic force
Claims
2. A buckle-tongue assembly (1) suitable for connecting a first strap end portion (21) of a climbing harness with a second strap end portion of the climbing harness and for adjusting a length (L) of the first strap end portion (21), the buckle-tongue assembly comprising a buckle (2) and a tongue (3), the buckle (2) comprising a housing (5) comprising a tongue insertion opening (4) and a coupling mechanism (40) configured to couple the tongue (3) to the buckle (2), the tongue (3) comprising a first tongue plate (11a) and a second tongue plate (11b), each of the first and second tongue plates (11a, 11b) comprising an insertion portion (14a, 14b) and a strap attachment portion (12a, 12b), the insertion portions (14a, 14b) being insertable into the housing (5) through the tongue insertion opening (4) and the strap attachment portions (12a, 12b) configured to attach the first strap end portion (21), wherein the coupling mechanism (40) comprises an engaging mechanism (60) configured to engage the first and second tongue plates (11a, 11b) in the buckle (2): - in a first engaged position configured to allow adjustment of a length (L) of the first strap end portion (21) and - in a second engaged position configured to clamp the first strap end portion (21) between the first and second tongue plates (11a, 11b).
3. The buckle-tongue assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the coupling mechanism (40) comprises a lock (50) with a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock (50) is movable between the locked position and the unlocked position when the tongue (3) is engaged in the buckle (2) in the second engaged position, wherein the tongue (3) is disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock (50) is in the unlocked position and the tongue (3) is not disengageable from the second engaged position when the lock (50) is in the locked position.
4. The buckle-tongue assembly according to the directly preceding claim, wherein the lock (50) is configured in the locked position to block movement of the second tongue plate (11b) in at least an ejection direction.
5. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of the two directly preceding claims, wherein the lock (50) is configured to cooperate with a removable unlocking tool (37) to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
6. The buckle-tongue assembly according to the directly preceding claim, wherein the unlocking tool (37) is formed separately from the buckle (2) and the tongue (3).
7. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of the two directly preceding claims, wherein the lock (50) comprises a body (25) comprising a soft magnetic material, preferably a soft ferromagnetic material such as soft iron, preferably having intrinsic coercivity less than 1000 A / m, configured to cooperate with a magnet (38) of the unlocking tool (37) to move the lock (50) from the locked position to the unlocked position.
8. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of claims 2-6, wherein the lock (50) comprises a lock tension mechanism (22) configured to move the lock (50) from the unlocked position to the locked position when the tongue (3) is engaged in the buckle (2) in the second engaged position.
9. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging mechanism (60) comprises at least one trigger (28) for engaging and disengaging the tongue (3).
10. The buckle-tongue assembly according to the directly preceding claim, wherein the at least one trigger (28) and each of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) comprise at least one engagement element, wherein the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger (28) is configured to engage with at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) when the tongue plates (11a, 11b) are engaged in the buckle (2) in the first engaged position and in the second engaged position.
11. The buckle-tongue assembly according to the directly preceding claim, wherein the at least one trigger (28) comprises a trigger tension mechanism (30) configured to push the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger (28) towards at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) when the tongue plates (11a, 11b) are engaged in the buckle (2) in the first engaged position and in the second engaged position.
12. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of the two directly preceding claims, wherein the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger (28) is configured to engage with at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) in the first engaged position such that the tongue plates (11a, 11b) are not removable from the buckle (2) without actuating the at least one trigger (28).
13. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of the three directly preceding claims, wherein the at least one engagement element of the at least one trigger (28) is configured to engage with at least one of the at least one engagement elements of each of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) in the second engaged position such that the tongue plates (11a, 11b) are not moveable from the second engaged position to the first engaged position without actuating the at least one trigger (28).
14. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of claims 8-12, wherein the lock (50) is configured in the locked position to block actuation of the at least one trigger (28).
15. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any one of claims 8-13, wherein the lock (50) comprises a body (25) comprising at least one locking element (26) and the at least one trigger (28) comprises a complementary locking element (34) configured to engage with one of the at least one locking elements (26) of the lock (50) for locking the at least one trigger (28) in the second engaged position.
16. The buckle-tongue assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling mechanism (40) further comprises displacement limiting elements (36, 19a, 19b) for limiting the displacement of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) against the insertion direction to prevent a separation of the tongue plates (11a, 11b) from the buckle (2).
Citation Information
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