Plug-in fastener

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug-in clasp (1) comprising: - a plug (2) with an insertion section (30), - a socket (6) with a receiving section (70) and with a receptacle (69) for receiving the insertion section (30), - wherein the receiving section (70) has an upper side (73), a lower side (77) opposite the upper side (73), and side walls (72, 74) connecting the upper side (73) to the lower side (77) and delimiting the receptacle (69) in a circumferential direction, - wherein a latching structure (80) is provided on the lower side (77), which latching structure is movable against a restoring force and projects into the receptacle (69), - wherein the insertion section (30) is designed to be substantially rigid or inflexible and has a counter-latching structure (40) corresponding to the latching structure (80) on an underside (37) of the insertion section (30).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a buckle, in particular for garments or everyday objects, such as backpacks, bags or generally for belts or straps of any kind. background

[0002] Belt buckles or snap fasteners are well known in the art. In particular, they enable a particularly simple and intuitive detachable connection of straps or belts, such as those typically found on clothing or everyday objects such as bags or backpacks. For example, DE 198 31669 B4 discloses a belt buckle with a plug comprising a base and a flexible plate, wherein the flexible plate is divided into two segments. Furthermore, a locking cam is provided at the end of the plate, which extends along the free end of the plate and protrudes from the surface on both sides. As a further component, the belt buckle comprises a socket for connection to the plug.

[0003] Such belt buckles often require the plug or plug-in part to be flexible to form a detachable snap-in connection with the socket. The degree of flexibility determines the ease of use and comparatively easy operation of the belt buckle, for example, when connecting and disconnecting the plug and socket.

[0004] However, relatively smooth-running connectors, and especially connectors with a high degree of elasticity or flexibility, sometimes prove disadvantageous in practice, as such flexible components can encourage unintentional disconnection of the connector. Connectors with flexible actuating sections also prove disadvantageous in terms of durability, even in demanding continuous use. Flexibly deformable parts or sections of a connector tend to break off during continuous use of such connectors, rendering the connector unusable or only partially usable.

[0005] Common buckles or belt buckles, in which a plug and socket lock together, often have insufficient resistance to torsional, tensile, and / or shear forces between the plug and socket. Even without activating a flexible section of the plug, it is often possible to release the plug and socket simply by applying a torsional, tensile, or shearing movement between the plug and socket, because the flexible sections or parts of the plug and socket are designed to be relatively flexible and yielding.

[0006] In contrast, the present invention is based on the object of providing an improved plug-in clasp which enables particularly simple, intuitive and smooth operation, for example for opening and / or closing, which provides a particularly strong, in particular torsion-resistant connection between plug and socket, which is particularly secured against unintentional loosening and which can also be produced particularly cost-effectively with low weight and low material usage.

[0007] This object is achieved with a plug-in clasp according to the features of independent patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of dependent patent claims.

[0008] In a first aspect, a plug-in clasp is provided. The plug-in clasp comprises a plug with an insertion portion and a socket with a receiving portion and a receptacle for receiving the insertion portion. The receiving portion has the receptacle for the insertion portion. The receiving portion further comprises a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, and two side walls that connect the top side and the bottom side to one another.

[0009] The top, bottom, and opposite side walls define the receptacle in a circumferential direction. In this respect, the receptacle can define or form an insertion direction for the plug-in section. A locking structure is provided on the underside of the receptacle, which is movable against a restoring force and projects into the receptacle. The plug-in section of the connector is essentially rigid or inflexible.

[0010] A counter-locking structure corresponding to the locking structure is provided or formed on the underside of the plug-in section. Thus, the plug-in section has a counter-locking structure on its underside that corresponds to the locking structure. The rigid and / or inflexible design of the plug or the plug-in section enables a particularly stable and durable formation of a locking connection between the plug and the socket by means of a locking structure and a corresponding or complementary counter-locking structure. Only the locking structure provided on the underside of the socket is flexibly deformable or designed to form and release the locking connection between the plug and the socket.

[0011] Because the plug, and thus the plug-in section, has no flexible or movable parts, it can be designed to be particularly stable or structurally reinforced, enabling a particularly stable and robust connection and long-term durability of the plug. In particular, the plug cannot have any projections or parts protruding from the outer contour of the plug-in section that would be at risk of breakage under severe mechanical stress.

[0012] A rigid and / or inflexible design of the plug-in section makes it possible, in particular, for the plug to have no regions or sections that would be movable relative to the plug-in section as such, provided that the corresponding section of the plug-in part is exposed to corresponding deformation forces.

[0013] Rigid and / or inflexible means in particular that the degree of deformability of the plug-in section as a result of the application of force is so small that any unavoidable material-related deformations are so small that an unintentional disengagement of the locking structure and counter-locking structure is excluded.

[0014] The inherently rigid and inflexible design of the insertion section also enables washing of the plug-in clasp, in particular machine and industrial washing of the plug-in clasp, so that it can remain on the clothing, in particular as part of a garment for a washing process, and in this respect there is no risk of damage even during a washing process.

[0015] The rigid and inflexible design of the insertion section is also advantageous for the long-term functionality of the plug-in clasp. The rigid and inflexible design of the insertion section is particularly prone to contamination, such as dust or lint. Since the insertion section has no moving parts or sections, no foreign particles can become trapped adjacent to such moving or flexible parts or areas, which could impair the functionality of the clasp, and thus the insertion section.

[0016] The cross-sectional contour of the bushing is typically rectangular or trapezoidal. The top and bottom surfaces extend parallel to each other. The side walls can extend essentially parallel to each other. However, they can also be tapered toward the top surface, i.e., the distance between the side walls in the bottom area can be greater than the distance between the side walls in the top area.

[0017] The extension of the side walls in or along a vertical axis is smaller than the transverse extension of the bottom and top. This allows for a particularly flat design of the connector, which can be constructed particularly flat and compact along the vertical axis, i.e., along an axis extending from the bottom to the top.

[0018] The top and bottom define opposite flat sides of the socket. In the present context, and when using the plug-in fastener on a piece of clothing, for example, the plug-in fastener's use position can, in particular, have the bottom of the socket facing a body part of the wearer of the garment, and the top side facing away from the wearer.

[0019] By providing or forming a locking structure exclusively on the underside of the socket to form a locking connection with the plug, the plug-in clasp can be particularly easily secured against unintentional actuation when used as intended.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, a tongue section is formed on the underside of the receiving section, on the inside of which, facing the receptacle, the locking structure is arranged or formed. The tongue section is designed to be movable relative to the underside, thus relative to the entire socket. It can be designed in one piece with the side wall, thus in one piece with the underside.

[0021] The tongue section can in particular be formed by a U-shaped cutout in the underside. In this respect, the tongue section can be considered an integral part of the underside. The tongue section is designed to be deformable outwards, in particular counter to a restoring force. This enables insertion of the plug-in section into the receiving section. Upon insertion of the plug-in section into the receiving section, the tongue section can perform an outwardly directed evasive movement counter to a restoring force, which enables the locking structure to engage with the counter-locking structure. When the plug-in section reaches its end position within the receiving section, the locking structure engages with the counter-locking structure, with the tongue section assuming approximately its initial position.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the tongue section is integrated flush with the outer side of the underside of the receiving section. In other words, the tongue section does not protrude from the outer side of the underside of the receiving section. Only when the plug-in section is inserted into the receiving section can the tongue section be temporarily deflected outward. However, in the locked position or latched position of the latching structure and counter-latching structure, the tongue section is flush with the underside, in particular with the outer side of the typically flat underside of the receiving section. This enables a particularly compact and flat design of the plug-in clasp.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the tongue section is integrally connected to the underside via a proximal end section. In the region of a distal end section spaced apart from the insertion section in the direction of insertion of the insertion section into the receiving section, the tongue section, in particular the distal end section, is freely movable at least in a direction parallel to a surface normal of the underside due to the elastic deformability of the tongue section.

[0024] In particular, the tongue portion can be designed to be movable in the direction of a vertical axis of the plug-in clasp. A pivot axis of the tongue portion can typically extend parallel to the underside of the receiving portion and substantially perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the plug into the socket.

[0025] By means of the deformability and flexibility of the tongue section, the locking connection between the locking structure and the counter-locking structure can be released as needed in order to remove the plug from the socket and thus open the plug-in clasp.

[0026] The proximal end section or a proximal direction of the plug-in clasp defines a longitudinal end of the socket in the area of ​​or adjacent to an opening edge of the receiving section. A distal end section refers to a region located at the front in the direction of insertion of the plug into the socket. Thus, the distal direction refers to the direction of insertion of the plug into the socket. A proximal direction extends in the opposite direction, i.e., opposite to the direction of insertion of the plug into the socket.

[0027] In other words, the plug is moved distally relative to the socket to insert the plug into the socket. The plug is moved proximally relative to the socket to withdraw it from the socket.

[0028] According to a further embodiment, an actuating portion projecting upward toward the top side is arranged or formed at the distal end portion of the tongue portion. Due to its upwardly projecting shape, the actuating portion can be actuated from the top side of the socket when the plug-in clasp is closed, which enables particularly easy handling and opening of the plug-in clasp. The end user merely needs to press the actuating portion down to push the tongue portion downward against the restoring force, disengaging the locking structure from the counter-locking structure.

[0029] The actuating section can be designed as one piece with the tongue section, allowing actuation or movement of the locking structure on the underside of the receiving section from the top of the socket. The integral design of the actuating section on the tongue section enables particularly direct and durable actuation or movement of the tongue section that can be initiated by a user. This enables, in particular, a one-piece design of the socket, which can be manufactured particularly cost-effectively and in mass production, for example, using a plastic injection molding process.

[0030] The actuating portion can be spaced from the distal end of the insertion portion, particularly when the plug-in clasp is closed, i.e., in a configuration in which the insertion portion is received in the receiving portion. By arranging the actuating portion at the distal end portion of the tongue portion and extending upward from the distal end portion, i.e., toward the top of the receiving portion, particularly simple actuation of the tongue portion is enabled, since the actuating portion is arranged at the greatest possible radial distance from the tongue portion with respect to a rotation or pivot axis.

[0031] The arrangement of the upwardly projecting actuating section at the distal end section of the tongue section is accompanied by a corresponding leverage effect with respect to a pivoting or rotational axis of the tongue section in the region of the proximal end section, so that a force to be applied by an end user to deflect the tongue section into a release position is relatively low.

[0032] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the actuating portion is located in the region of a recess in the upper side of the receiving portion. The actuating portion can be actuated, in particular, from the upper side by pressing downwards toward the underside. The recess in the upper side of the receiving portion allows direct access to the upwardly projecting actuating portion, which can also mark or define the distal end of the receiving portion.

[0033] An inner end of the actuating section, pointing in the proximal direction, can be spaced longitudinally, i.e., with respect to the insertion direction, from a corresponding longitudinal end or distal end of the insertion section. This enables friction-free actuation of the actuating section relative to the insertion section of the plug. In particular, the socket, thus the receiving section, can be designed to be open in the distal direction and be formed solely by the movable actuating section.

[0034] The socket can be designed without a distal end wall, which can effectively prevent the adhesion and contamination of the socket, for example, with foreign particles, dust, or lint. The distal end of the socket can, in particular, be formed by a tongue section with an L-shaped cross section, wherein the width of the tongue section, and thus of the actuating section, is naturally somewhat smaller than the distance between the opposite side walls of the receiving section in the region of the distal end section of the socket or the receiving section.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the width, i.e., the extension of the tongue section in the transverse direction of the receiving section, i.e., in the plane of the base section but perpendicular to the insertion direction, can be greater than 50% of the distance between the opposing side walls of the receiving section in the region of the distal end of the receiving section. The width of the tongue section can also be greater than 60%, greater than 70%, or greater than 80% of the clear width between the opposing side walls.

[0036] Such a wide tongue section enables a particularly stable and secure connection between the locking structure and the counter-locking structure. The actuating section can have a width in the transverse direction that corresponds to the width of the tongue section. This enables the formation of a comparatively wide actuating section in the transverse direction of the socket, thus enabling particularly easy actuation of the actuating section for the end user.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, an upper end of the actuating portion is approximately flush with the adjacent outer side of the upper side of the receiving portion. In this respect, the actuating portion does not protrude or protrude from the upper side of the receiving portion. This prevents unintentional actuation of the plug-in clasp, in particular unintentional release of the locking structure and counter-locking structure, for example, by pressing down the actuating portion and the associated pivoting or deflection of the tongue portion.

[0038] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the plug-in section has a shape that tapers in width with respect to an insertion direction into the receptacle. In the region of a distal end section, the plug-in section has a smaller width than in the region of a proximal end section. In other words, the plug-in section can be designed to taper conically in the direction of insertion. Naturally, the socket also has a corresponding or complementary design. This allows for self-centering displacement of the plug in the socket when inserting the plug or the plug-in section into the socket. Furthermore, an approximately conical shape that tapers conically towards the free end of the plug can enable jam-free and particularly easy sliding insertion of the plug-in section into the receptacle section.

[0039] In particular, the distal end of the insertion section can have a smaller extension in terms of width, i.e. perpendicular to the insertion direction and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the socket or the receiving section, than the receiving section in the region of an opening edge. This enables particularly easy insertion of the distal end of the insertion section into the proximal end of the receiving section. During the insertion of the insertion section into the receiving section, the corresponding, approximately conical shape of the side walls of the receiving section and corresponding side cheeks can center the insertion section relative to the receiving section in the transverse direction.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the receptacle also has a shape that tapers in width with respect to the insertion direction of the receptacle. In the region of a distal end section, the receptacle section has a smaller width than in the region of a proximal end section. The side walls of the receptacle section can have a continuously tapered shape, such as a conical shape, and thus form conically tapered sliding surfaces for correspondingly designed conically tapered side walls on the outside of the insertion section.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the insertion section has a flat top and a flat bottom. In particular, the insertion section can be free of any elevations or protrusions. This increases the stability of the insertion section and its robustness against damage.

[0042] A flat upper side and a flat lower side further enable particularly simple insertion of the insertion section into the receiving section, in particular if at least one of the upper side and lower side is designed as a sliding surface, for example as a continuously closed sliding surface.

[0043] According to a further embodiment, the counter-locking structure is recessed or integrated into the underside of the insertion section in the form of a locking recess. The design of a locking recess allows the insertion section to be formed free of any elevations or projections. This enables a particularly robust and durable design of the insertion section. It has no protruding sections or areas that are prone to breakage under severe mechanical stress.

[0044] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the locking recess is defined by two opposing longitudinal webs extending along the insertion direction and by a distal transverse web connecting the longitudinal webs. The distal transverse web can be configured or provided, in particular, at a distal end portion on the underside of the insertion portion. The longitudinal webs can extend approximately continuously from the distal end portion to the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, thus providing structural reinforcement for the insertion portion.

[0045] The longitudinal webs can extend parallel to each other. The distance between the longitudinal webs in the transverse direction can essentially correspond to the transverse extent of the locking structure, so that the locking structure can be positioned between the longitudinal webs when the male section reaches its final position in the female section.

[0046] The distal crosspiece can have a proximal-directed contact surface that engages with a corresponding or complementary contact surface of the locking structure, in particular the locking projection formed by the locking structure. In this way, the counter-locking structure can be secured against being pulled out of the receiving section.

[0047] According to a further embodiment, the longitudinal webs on the underside of the insertion section are further connected to a proximal transverse web, which is spaced apart from the distal transverse web in the longitudinal direction or in the insertion direction. The proximal transverse web is at a greater distance from the distal end of the insertion section than the distal transverse web. The proximal transverse web can be used to further reinforce and stiffen the insertion section, so that it is structurally reinforced, in particular, by the approximately rectangular configuration of the distal transverse web, the proximal transverse web, and the longitudinal webs connected by the distal and proximal transverse webs.

[0048] The longitudinal webs and the transverse webs can have an extension along the vertical axis of the insertion section that approximately corresponds to the total extension of the insertion section along the vertical axis. This means that the longitudinal webs and the transverse webs can protrude downward from the top of the insertion section and lie with their lower ends in a common plane, which simultaneously forms the underside of the insertion section. Such a design is particularly simple to manufacture, for example, by means of plastic injection molding.

[0049] The transverse webs, i.e. the distal transverse web and the proximal transverse web, can extend parallel to one another. Their spacing in the longitudinal direction or insertion direction can be dimensioned such that they accommodate the locking structure of the plug-in section between them. Likewise, the spacing of the longitudinal webs in the transverse direction is dimensioned such that they can completely accommodate the counter-locking structure on the underside of the receiving section. The area enclosed by the distal transverse web, proximal transverse web, and left and right longitudinal webs can be designed to fit approximately exactly to the geometric design and size of the locking structure protruding from the underside into the receptacle, so that the locking structure can be accommodated as precisely as possible in the locking recess delimited by the transverse webs and the longitudinal webs with as little play as possible.A largely play-free reception of the locking projection of the locking structure in the locking recess of the counter-locking structure enables and promotes a particularly stable connection between plug and socket.

[0050] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the locking recess has a decreasing depth, starting from the distal transverse web, opposite the insertion or insertion direction and toward the proximal transverse web. The depth of the locking recess can decrease continuously. In this respect, a contact surface of the locking recess, which extends between the transverse webs and the longitudinal webs, can be designed to correspond approximately to a run-up slope of the locking structure or the locking projection of the receiving section. This enables an almost full-surface, mutual contact position of the locking recess and locking projection of the counter-locking structure and the locking structure, so that a particularly firm, durable, and stable mutual fixation of the plug and socket can be achieved.

[0051] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the insertion section has opposing side cheeks that are inclined at a predetermined angle. An alignment of the side cheeks that is inclined approximately toward the top of the insertion section enables further structural reinforcement of the insertion section. The insertion section can therefore have a trapezoidal outer contour in a cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal extent or perpendicular to the insertion direction. The inclined alignment of the side cheeks also ensures self-centering when inserting the insertion section into the receiving section.

[0052] Furthermore, the inclined orientation of the side walls can disrupt the symmetrical configuration of the insertion section with respect to the vertical axis or vertical direction. The insertion section can therefore only be inserted into the receiving section in a single, defined orientation. Due to the design of the locking structure, this is only necessary on the inside of the underside of the receiving section. An asymmetric cross-sectional contour of the insertion section and receiving section with respect to the vertical axis defines a single permissible orientation of the insertion section in the receiving section.

[0053] The inner contour of the receiving section can also be configured to correspond to or match the cross-sectional contour of the insertion section. The opposing side walls of the receiving section can also be inclined relative to one another, with the inclination of the side walls of the receiving section essentially corresponding to the inclination of the side walls of the insertion section.

[0054] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, at least one contact projection for contacting an inner side of the receptacle is formed in the region of an end face and / or in the region of an outer side of the plug-in section. When an end position is reached, i.e. when a locking connection is reached between the locking structure and the counter-locking structure, the at least one contact projection contacts an inner side of the receptacle. In this way, a defined end position or contact position of the plug-in section and the receptacle section in the insertion direction can be achieved. The contact projection enables the formation of gaps to the side of the contact projection, in which gaps any foreign particles, such as lint, dust or similar dirt particles, can collect.

[0055] Such foreign particles in no way impair the formation of the locking connection between the locking structure and the counter-locking structure. Any foreign particles located in the male or female sections cannot impair the functionality of the plug-in clasp. The plug-in clasp can provide or exhibit unchanged functionality for closing and opening the locking structure and counter-locking structure despite a certain degree of contamination or despite any lint or similar foreign particles.

[0056] Instead of or in addition to contact projections, corresponding recesses or grooves can also be designed on the outside of the plug-in section and / or side of the receiving section in order to receive any dirt or foreign particles, so that despite a certain degree of contamination of the plug-in section and / or receiving section, insertion of the plug-in section into the receiving section is possible and closure of the plug-in clasp can be ensured.

[0057] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the locking structure can be brought into engagement with the counter-locking structure while under pre-tension. This means that the unloaded initial position of the locking structure, which the locking structure assumes when a plug is removed from the socket, differs from the shape or position of the locking structure when it is engaged with the counter-locking structure. The clear space inside the receiving section, which is delimited by the locking structure, is somewhat smaller in the unloaded initial state of the socket than in a configuration in which the plug is received in the socket as intended. This means that when the locking structure is engaged with the counter-locking structure, the locking structure is deflected by a predetermined amount compared to its initial position. A locking structure that is under pre-tension in this way is advantageous for maintaining the locking connection, particularly even under mechanical stress.

[0058] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, at least one groove extending longitudinally along the insertion direction of the plug-in section is formed on an inner side of at least one of the side walls of the top or bottom of the receptacle and / or on an outer side of the plug-in section. Such a groove allows for the reception of any interfering, dirt, or foreign particles when inserting the plug-in section into the receptacle section. This enables smooth insertion of the plug-in section into the receptacle section, even if the plug-in section and / or receptacle section are soiled to a certain extent.

[0059] The design of one or more such grooves also enables a particularly precise fit of the outer contour of the male section to the inner contour of the female section. Any gaps between the outer sides of the male section and the inner sides of the female section can be kept particularly small in this way, which promotes the durability and strength of the mutual connection between the male section and the female section.

[0060] According to a further embodiment of the plug-in clasp, the plug-in part has a trapezoidal cross-sectional contour perpendicular to the insertion direction. This enables self-centering and a symmetry break of the plug-in part or plug-in section, so that the plug can only be inserted into the socket, and thus into the receiving section, in a predetermined preferred direction.

[0061] According to a further embodiment, the underside of the insertion section is flat. It can be designed free of protrusions. This shape enables particularly simple and smoothly sliding insertion of the insertion section into the receiving section.

[0062] According to a further embodiment, the side walls of the receiving section, in the region of a distal end section of the receiving section, each have a flange section which projects inward into the receptacle and forms an end stop for inserting the plug-in section into the receptacle. In this way, a defined, reciprocal insertion limit acting in the longitudinal direction or in the insertion direction can be provided for inserting the plug-in section into the receiving section. The design of such an end stop, with the inwardly projecting flange sections on the side walls of the receiving section, enables the receiving section to be designed without an end wall. This means that the receiving section can be designed to be open in the distal direction and, for example, only be provided with the actuating section of the tongue section. This can have an advantageous effect on preventing contamination.

[0063] In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a garment with a first strap section and a second strap section, and with a buckle according to one of the preceding claims. The plug of the buckle is connected or connectable to the first strap section, and the socket is connected or connectable to the second strap section. The first strap section and the second strap section of the garment can be releasably connected to one another by means of the buckle.

[0064] According to a further aspect, the present invention finally relates to a consumer article, such as a backpack or a bag, which, like the garment, has a first strap section and a second strap section, which can be releasably connected to one another by means of a previously described plug-in clasp. Short description of the characters

[0065] Further objects, features, and advantageous applications of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the plug-in clasp with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1 a plan view of the plug-in clasp, Fig. 2 a longitudinal section through the plug-in clasp, Fig. 3 a plan view of the plug, Fig. 4 a plan view of the socket, Fig. 5 a sectioned perspective view of the plug-in clasp in the assembled or closed position, Fig. 6 an enlarged view of the engaging latching structure and counter-latching structure, Fig. 7 an enlarged view of a section of the plug-in clasp in the closed position or assembled position, Fig. 8 a cross-section through the plug-in clasp in the closed position through the socket and plug, Fig. 9 a perspective view of the plug, Fig. 10 a perspective view of the socket, Fig. 11 another perspective view of the plug viewed from below, Fig. 12 another view of the socket viewed from below, Fig. 13 a perspective view of the socket with the top cut away and Fig.14A schematic representation of a garment provided with a buckle. Detailed description

[0066] The Figures 1 to 13 The plug-in clasp 1 shown in various views and cross sections comprises a plug 2 with an insertion section 30 and a socket 6 with a receiving section 70. The receiving section 70 has a receptacle 69 for receiving the insertion section 30. The plug-in clasp 1 serves in particular to connect two strap sections 3, 4 of a garment 5, as shown schematically in Fig. 14is shown. Here, the plug 2 of the plug-in clasp 1 can be connected, for example, to a belt section 3 and thus to a first belt section. The socket 6 of the plug-in clasp 1 can be connected to a second belt section 4. Plug 2 and socket 6 can be detachably connected to one another. In this way, the belt sections 3, 4 of the garment 5 can be detachably connected to one another. The belt sections 3, 4 can be part of a suspender of a garment 5 designed, for example, as dungarees.

[0067] The strap sections 3, 4 can, for example, form suspenders or a type of belt. For other applications, such as a utility item, it is conceivable that the strap sections 3, 4 are part of a carrying strap, such as a shoulder strap or waist belt. The utility item, which is not explicitly shown here, can be implemented, for example, as a backpack or a carrying bag. In principle, the buckle shown here is suitable and intended for a wide variety of applications. It is primarily used to connect straps or strap sections.

[0068] For attaching the belt sections 3, 4 to the plug 2 and socket 6, the socket 2 has a fastening section 20. In the presently shown embodiment, this is provided with a total of two webs 23, 22, which are separated from one another by several slot-like through-openings 23, 24, 25. The fastening section 20 can be designed as a comparatively flat and level section. It can have a circumferential, optionally closed, frame 28, through which the through-openings 23, 24, 25 pass.

[0069] At least one of the through-openings 25 has a ridge or toothing 26. This serves to secure, for example, a flexible belt section 3, 4 made of a textile or leather material. The individual through-openings 23, 24, 25 serve to thread the flexible belt section 3, 4 in order to attach it, for example, adjustably, to the fastening section 20.

[0070] The bushing 6 is also provided with a fastening section 60 for the belt section 3, 4. The fastening section 60 can also have a circumferentially closed frame 63, which has a slot-like through-opening 61 for the belt section 3, 4. The belt section 3, 4 can be threaded through the single through-opening 61 and connected, for example, by its free end, to a region of the same belt section spaced apart from the free end, such as by sewing or welding.

[0071] In this respect, one of the two belt sections 3, 4 can be connected in a non-detachable manner, ie not non-destructively, to the fastening section 60 and fixed thereto, ie arranged immovably, while the other of the two belt sections 3, 4 can be connected in an adjustable and / or detachable manner to the fastening section 20 of the plug.

[0072] In other embodiments not shown here, the fastening section 20, which has a plurality of struts 21, 22 and a plurality of through-openings 23, 24, 25, can also be provided and / or formed on the socket 6. Likewise, the fastening section 60, which has only a single through-opening 61, can be provided or formed on the plug 2.

[0073] The receiving section 70 has an elongated upper side 73, an elongated lower side 77 extending approximately parallel thereto, and two opposing side walls 72, 74 that connect the upper side 73 and the lower side 77 at their outer edges. The upper side 73, lower side 77, and the side walls 72, 74 are designed as a single piece. They merge seamlessly into one another. The receptacle 69 formed by the side walls 72, 74 and the upper side 73 and lower side 77 extends in a longitudinal direction, namely from an insertion opening 68 in the distal direction to a distal end section 75. The insertion opening 68 thus represents an opposite proximal end section 76.

[0074] The distance between the proximal end section 76 and the distal end section 75 specifies an insertion or insertion direction for the insertion section 30 into the receptacle 69 and thus into the receiving section 70.

[0075] On the underside 77 of the receptacle 69, i.e. on the underside 77 of the receiving section 70, a locking structure 80 is provided or formed which projects into the receptacle 69 and is movable against a restoring force. The locking structure 80 is implemented here as a locking projection 85. The locking projection 85 has a ramp 83 which projects increasingly into the receptacle 69 in the distal direction and which, in the proximal direction, i.e. in the direction of the insertion opening 68, virtually opens into the inside of the underside 77. The locking projection 85 has a ramp which extends inwards in a ramp-like manner and enlarges or increases in the distal direction, protruding into the interior of the receptacle 69, which laterally merges into side cheeks 86, 87 of triangular shape or is delimited by corresponding side cheeks 86, 87.

[0076] Located at the front in the insertion direction, the run-on bevel 83 merges into a contact surface 82 extending approximately vertically, ie approximately parallel to the surface normal of the underside 77, which is designed to correspond to a contact surface 42 of a counter-locking structure 40 on the underside 37 of the insertion section 30. The underside 37 of the counter-locking structure 40 is particularly in Fig. 11 shown. The counter-locking structure 40 has a contact surface 43 designed complementarily to the contact surface 83, which is delimited in the distal direction by a distal transverse web 41 and in the proximal direction by a proximal transverse web 44.

[0077] The contact surface 43 is part of a locking recess 45, which is integrated or recessed into the underside 37 of the insertion section 30. It is further delimited by lateral and longitudinal webs 38, 39 extending in the longitudinal direction, i.e., along the insertion direction. The longitudinal webs 38, 39 preferably or typically extend over the entire longitudinal extent of the insertion section 30. They protrude downward from the closed upper side 33 of the insertion section 30 as structurally reinforcing webs and have a constant thickness or cross-sectional profile in the longitudinal direction of the insertion section 30.

[0078] The insertion section can be structurally reinforced by means of the longitudinal webs 38, 39. The transverse web 41 extending in the transverse direction and the transverse web 44 between the longitudinal webs 38, 39 also contribute to structural reinforcement. The longitudinal webs 38, 39 and the transverse webs 41, 44, which may even be integrally connected thereto, form a structural stiffener or structural reinforcement of the insertion section 30. Due to this shape, the insertion section can be designed to be particularly torsionally rigid and stable.

[0079] Furthermore, the insertion section is free of any projections intended for locking or connection with the counter-locking structure. The insertion section 30 has, as can be seen in particular from the Figures 9 and 11, a closed, flat upper side 33 which merges laterally, ie in the transverse direction, into obliquely extending side cheeks 32, 34. Lying at the front in the insertion direction, the insertion section has a distal end section 35. The distal end section 35 has a closed end face 31. In the opposite direction, the insertion section 30 has a proximal end section 36 which merges integrally into the fastening section 20.

[0080] The fastening section 20, in particular its frame 28, terminates in the distal direction with a flat end face 27, from which the insertion section 30 extends in the distal direction, ie in the longitudinal direction or along the insertion direction.

[0081] When the plug-in section 30 reaches a final assembly position in the receiving section 70, the end face 27 can come into contact with an opening edge formed by the side wall 72, 74 and / or by the underside 77 and the top side 73, and in this respect can provide an end stop for the insertion of the plug-in section 30 into the receiving section 70. Upon reaching such an end position, the counter-locking structure 40 of the plug-in section 30, which is configured on the underside 37, engages in a locking and thus positively locking manner with the locking structure 80, which is configured correspondingly or complementarily thereto, on the underside 77 of the receiving section 70. The inclined contact surface 43 of the counter-locking structure 40 thereby comes into sliding contact with the run-on bevel 83.The contact surface 82 of the locking projection 85 comes into contact with the complementarily designed contact surface 42 on the inside of the distal crosspiece 41, so that the counter-locking structure 40 and the locking structure 80 are firmly connected to one another.

[0082] To form the locking connection, it is provided that only the locking structure 80 executes an evasive movement approximately perpendicular to the surface normal of the underside 77, while the insertion section 30 is designed to be completely immobile, rigid, and inflexible. For an evasive movement, a tongue section 88 is formed on the underside or in the underside 77 of the receiving section 70, on the inner side 66 of which, facing the receptacle 69, the locking structure 80 is arranged or formed. The tongue section 88 is separated from the underside 77 by elongated slots 89. The tongue section 88 has a proximal end section 84, which merges integrally into the underside 77 of the receiving section.Furthermore, the tongue portion 88 is characterized by an opposite distal end portion 95, which is freely oscillating and movable relative to the underside 77 solely due to the flexibility or deformability of the tongue portion 88. The locking structure 80, in particular the locking projection 85, is arranged between the proximal end portion 94 and the distal end portion 95.

[0083] At the distal end portion 95 of the tongue portion 88, an actuating portion 90 is further provided, which has an actuating projection 91 projecting upwards toward the upper side 73. The actuating projection 91 has, at its upper free end, a somewhat widened actuating surface 92, particularly one that is extended longitudinally, which is supported in a strut-like manner by lateral cheeks 93 on the outside of the upwardly projecting actuating projection.

[0084] The actuating surface 92 can be actuated and pressed downward by an end user, which leads to a deformation or deflection of the distal end portion 95 of the tongue portion 88, as a result of which the locking structure 80 is transferred from its locking position into a release position in which the contact surface 82 comes out of engagement with the contact surface 42 of the counter-locking structure 40.

[0085] As soon as a corresponding release position is reached, ie a disengaged position of contact surface 42 and contact surface 82 is assumed, the plug-in section 30 can be pulled out of the receiving section 70 opposite to the plug-in direction.

[0086] A pivot or bending axis of the tongue portion 88 typically extends in the transverse direction, i.e., perpendicular to the insertion direction and perpendicular to the vertical axis of the receiving portion. The vertical axis of the receiving portion 70 typically extends parallel to a surface normal of the underside 77.

[0087] The upper side 73 of the receiving section 70 has a recess 79 in the region of the distal end section 75. This recess 79 is slightly larger than the corresponding extension or dimension of the actuating surface 92 of the actuating section 90. The actuating surface 92 can, in particular, be flush with or at least slightly recessed from the outer side of the upper side 73. In this respect, it can be ensured that the actuating section 90, to be actuated by the end user, does not protrude with its actuating surface 92 from the upper side 73 of the receiving section 70. Inadvertent actuation of the actuating section to release the connection between plug 2 and socket 6 can thus be effectively counteracted.

[0088] The receptacle 69 of the receiving section 70 can be designed to be substantially open in the distal direction. The receptacle 69 can be formed in particular by means of flange sections 96, 98 projecting inwardly at the distal ends of the side walls 74, 72, as shown in Fig. 13 shown. For example, the end face 31 of the insertion section 30 can come into contact with the inwardly projecting and proximal-directed areas of the flange sections 96, 98. For this purpose, the end face 31 of the insertion section 30 can have separate contact projections 47, as shown in particular in Fig. 9 are shown.

[0089] By means of these contact projections 47, a mutual contact position of the plug-in section 30 and the receiving section 70 can be achieved in that these contact projections 47 come into contact with the proximal sides of the flange sections 96, 98 in a supporting manner, namely when the locking structure 80 locks with the counter-locking structure 40.

[0090] The provision or formation of such contact projections 47 is particularly advantageous in that not the entire end face 31 in the contact position, for example with the flange sections 96, 98, but rather that a distal end section 35 of the plug-in section 30 only comes into contact with a corresponding contact structure at certain points, for example in the region of the flange sections 96, 98. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, foreign particles, such as lint, dust or dirt, are present on the outside of the plug-in section 30 or on the inside of the receiving section 70, which could otherwise prevent or impair the transfer of the plug-in section 30 into a closed position on the receiving section 70.

[0091] Thanks to the inwardly projecting flange portions 96, 98, the distal end portion 75 of the receiving portion 70 can be configured largely as an opening or as a free space, which can prove advantageous for removing foreign particles or contaminants from the receiving portion 70.

[0092] Furthermore, the end wall-free design of the receiving section 70 allows sufficient space to be provided for the actuating section 90, which can be actuated from the upper side 73 of the receiving section 70.

[0093] In particular, it is intended that both the plug 2 and the socket 6 are manufactured as one-piece injection-molded components. They can be manufactured, for example, as plastic injection-molded components. They can be designed as fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded components or as non-fiber-reinforced plastic injection-molded components. For example, the plug 2 and / or the socket 6 can be manufactured as plastic injection-molded components made of polypropylene or polyamide. This enables particularly cost-effective mass production, for example, using the injection molding process.

[0094] In further embodiments, it can be provided that at least one of the plug 2 or the socket 6 is manufactured as a one-piece injection-molded component, for example as a plastic injection-molded component.

[0095] In further embodiments, at least the plug 2 and / or the socket 6 can be manufactured as a three-dimensional printed component from a plastic, a synthetic resin, a ceramic, and / or a metal. The plug 2 and / or the socket 6 can be manufactured using a 3D printing process. This enables the creation of a wide variety of geometries, which can, in particular, also include undercuts that would be very difficult or even impossible to realize using injection molding technology.

[0096] When implementing the plug 2 and / or the socket 6 using the 3D printing process, the plug and / or the socket can be made of a plastic, a synthetic resin, a ceramic or a metal.

[0097] Furthermore, it is fundamentally conceivable for the plug 2 and the socket 6 to be made of different materials. The plug 2 can be made of a first material or a first material mixture, and the socket 6 can be made of a second material or a second material mixture, wherein the first material and the second material, or the first material mixture and the second material mixture, are different.

[0098] As can be seen particularly from the cross-section of Fig. 6 As can be seen, the locking structure 80 can be brought into engagement with the counter-locking structure 40 under prestress. It is particularly conceivable that in the Fig. 6 In the closed position shown, the locking structure 80 cannot assume its initial position under pretension, since this is prevented by the insertion of the plug-in section 30 into the receptacle 69. In the illustration of the Fig. 6the counter-locking structure 80 with its contact surface 82 and its run-on bevel 83 are shown in the basic state.

[0099] For this purpose, the position and location of the corresponding contact surface 42, 43 of the counter-locking structure 40 are also shown. The representation of the locking structure 80 in its initial state, ie with a plug 2 removed from the socket 6, reveals that the Fig. 6 The locking position or closed position shown schematically can only be assumed if the locking structure 80, thus the tongue section 88, is deflected downwards by a certain amount and remains deflected.

[0100] This means that the free space provided for the insertion section 30 in the receptacle 69 between the locking structure 80 and the inside of the upper side 73 is slightly smaller or narrower than the corresponding extension of the insertion section 30 along the vertical axis. With the insertion section 30 inserted into the receptacle section 70 and upon reaching the final assembly configuration in which the locking structure 80 locks with the counter-locking structure 40, the locking structure 80 cannot fully assume its original starting position. It remains under an inwardly directed prestress. Such prestress is particularly advantageous for maintaining the locking connection between the locking structure 80 and the counter-locking structure 40.

[0101] Furthermore, as can be seen in particular from the Figures 3 and 4As can be seen, both the insertion section 30 and the receiving section 70 have a contour that tapers in width or transverse direction in the insertion direction. This means that the insertion section 30 has a shape that tapers in width with respect to the insertion or insertion direction into the receptacle 69. In the region of the distal end section 35, it has a smaller width than in the region of the proximal end section 36. The same applies to the receiving section. This also has a smaller width in the region of the distal end section 75 than in the region of the proximal end section 76. Such a tapered shape enables a type of self-centering of the insertion section 30 when inserted into the receiving section with respect to the transverse direction.

[0102] Furthermore, the upper side 33 of the insertion section 30 merges laterally into the underside 37 of the insertion section 30 via inclined side cheeks 32, 34. This means that in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the insertion section 30, this has a type of trapezoidal cross-sectional contour with a flat underside 37 and / or with a flat upper side 33 but with side cheeks 32, 34 inclined upwards towards one another.

[0103] By means of the inclined side cheeks 32, 34 and the resulting fact that the upper side 33 has a smaller transverse extension than the lower side 37, a breaking of symmetry can be achieved, which requires that the plug 2 with its insertion section 30 can only be inserted into the receptacle 69 of the socket 6 in a single predetermined orientation. In this way, it can be achieved that the counter-locking structure 40 is only formed on the lower side 37, while the upper side 33 of the insertion section 30 can be designed as a homogeneous, closed sliding surface, which enables particularly simple insertion and sliding along a correspondingly or complementarily designed inner side of the upper side 73 of the receiving section 70.

[0104] Furthermore, as can be seen in particular from the Figures 8 and 10As can be seen, longitudinally extending grooves 67 can be provided in the region of the inclined side walls 72, 74, which are aligned complementarily to the inclinations of the side cheeks 32, 34. These grooves 67 enable the collection of dirt that may, for example, adhere to the receiving section 70 or to the outside of the plug-in section 30. Any foreign particles that inevitably enter the area between the outside of the plug-in section 30 and the inside of the receiving section 70 can thus be displaced into an area that lies outside the correspondingly configured sliding surfaces on the outside of the side cheeks 32, 34 and the inside of the side walls 72, 74.

[0105] Furthermore, one or more elongated abutment projections 48, for example in the form of elongated webs, can be formed on the flat and recess- and projection-free upper side 33 of the insertion section 30. These projections extend minimally from the outer side 46 of the upper side 33 of the insertion section 30. The abutment projections 48, which have a constant cross-sectional profile in the longitudinal direction and can extend, for example, parallel to one another and / or also parallel to the insertion direction, bring about a defined abutment on the inner side of the upper side 73 of the receiving section 70. In this respect, a full-surface, mutual abutment of the upper side 33 on the inner side of the upper side 73 can be avoided, whereby jamming or tilting of the insertion section 30 in the receiving section 70 can be avoided.

[0106] Likewise, and as already described for the grooves 67, by forming the contact projections 78, a certain degree of contamination on the outer side 46 of the insertion section 60 as well as on the inner side or inside of the receptacle 69 can be tolerated without this significantly impairing the ability of the insertion section 30 to be inserted into the receptacle section 70. List of reference symbols

[0107] 1Plug-in buckle 2Plug 3Belt section 4Belt section 5Garment 6Socket 20Fastening section 21Strut 22Strut 23Through opening 24Through opening 25Through opening 26Toothing 27End face 28Frame 30Insertion section 31End face 32Side cheek 33Top 34Side cheek 35Distal end section 36Proximal end section 37Bottom 38Longitudinal web 39Longitudinal web 40Counter-locking structure 41Cross web 42Contact surface 43Contact surface 44Cross web 45Locking recess 46Outer side 47Contact projection 48Contact projection 60Fastening section 61Through opening 62Strut 63Frame 66Inside 67Groove 68Insertion opening 69Receptacle 70Receptacle section 71End stop 72Side wall 73Top 74Side wall 75Distal end section 76Proximal end section 77Bottom 78Outside 79Recess 80Locking structure 82Contact surface 83Bevel 85Locking projection 86Chew 87Chew 88Tone section 89Slot 90Actuating section 91Actuating projection 92Actuating surface 93Chew 94Proximal end section 95DistalEnd section 96Flange section 28Flange section

Claims

1. A plug-in clasp (1) comprising: - a plug (2) with an insertion section (30), - a socket (6) with a receiving section (70) and with a receptacle (69) for receiving the insertion section (30), - wherein the receiving section (70) has an upper side (73), a lower side (77) opposite the upper side (73) and side walls (72, 74) connecting the upper side (73) to the lower side (77) and delimiting the receptacle (69) in a circumferential direction, - wherein a latching structure (80) is provided on the lower side (77) which is movable against a restoring force and projects into the receptacle (69), - wherein the insertion section (30) is designed to be substantially rigid or inflexible and has a counter-latching structure (40) corresponding to the latching structure (80) on an underside (37) of the insertion section (30).

2. Plug-in clasp (1) according to claim 1, wherein a tongue section (88) is formed on the underside (77) of the receiving section (70), on the inner side (66) of which tongue section, facing the receiving section (69), the latching structure (80) is arranged or formed.

3. Plug-in clasp (1) according to claim 2, wherein the tongue portion (88) is integrated flush with an outer side (78) of the underside (77) of the receiving portion (70).

4. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, wherein the tongue section (88) is connected in one piece to the underside (77) via a proximal end section (94) and is freely movable in the region of a distal end section (95) spaced therefrom in the insertion direction of the insertion section (30) as a result of an elastic deformability of the tongue section (88) at least in a direction parallel to a surface normal of the underside (77).

5. Plug-in clasp (1) according to claim 4, wherein an actuating portion (90) projecting upwards in the direction of the upper side (73) is arranged or formed on the distal end portion (95) of the tongue portion (88).

6. Plug-in clasp (1) according to claim 5, wherein the actuating portion (90) comes to lie in the region of a recess (79) of the upper side (33) of the receiving portion (70) and can be actuated from the upper side (37) by pressing it down in the direction of the lower side (37).

7. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insertion section (30) has a shape tapering in width with respect to an insertion direction into the receptacle (69) and has a smaller width in the region of a distal end section (35) than in the region of a proximal end section (36).

8. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving portion (70) has a shape tapering in width with respect to the direction of insertion into the receptacle (69) and has a smaller width in the region of a distal end portion (75) than in the region of a proximal end portion (76).

9. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insertion portion (30) has a flat upper side (33) and a flat lower side (37).

10. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the counter-locking structure (40) is embedded in the underside (37) of the insertion section (30) in the form of a locking recess (45).

11. Plug-in clasp (1) according to claim 10, wherein the locking recess (45) is delimited by two opposite longitudinal webs (38, 39) extending along the insertion direction 12. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the insertion section (30) has opposite side cheeks (32, 34) which are inclined at a predetermined angle.

13. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the region of an end face (31) and / or in the region of an outer side (46) of the insertion section (30) at least one abutment projection (47, 48) is formed for abutment against an inner side (66) of the receptacle (69).

14. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking structure (80) can only be brought into engagement with the counter-locking structure (40) under pretension.

15. Plug-in clasp (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one groove (67) extending longitudinally along an insertion direction of the insertion section (30) is formed on an inner side (66) of at least one of the side walls (72, 74), the upper side (73) or the lower side (77) of the receptacle (69) and / or on an outer side (46) of the insertion section (30).

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