Adjusting belt for binding

Abstract

[Problem] To provide an adjusting belt for a binding that can prevent unintended detachment of an adjuster. [Solution] An adjusting belt (10) which is engaged after being passed through an adjuster (42) of a strap (40) for fixing a boot is characterized by comprising: a belt body (12) in which a plurality of engaging portions (18) with which the adjuster (42) is engaged are arranged along a longitudinal direction; a base end portion (14) for fixing the belt body (12) to a base (52) of a binding (50); and a tip portion (16) provided with a barb (16a) for preventing the adjuster (42), through which the belt body (12) is passed, from coming off, wherein the barb (16a) is a flexible tongue provided with a free end on the base end portion (14) side, the free end rising in the thickness direction of the belt body (12).

Description

Adjustable belt for bindings

[0001] The present invention relates to an adjustment belt that is applied to bindings, and more particularly to an adjustment belt that is suitable for achieving both improved safety and ease of assembly.

[0002] A binding tightening belt generally consists of an adjustment belt, a ladder belt, and a strap. The strap is fixed to the adjustment belt and is the element that determines the approximate length of the tightening belt. The tightening position of the entire tightening belt is determined by engaging the ratchet located at the tip of the strap with the saw blade of the ladder belt.

[0003] In a tightening belt having such a configuration, the positioning of the strap relative to the adjustment belt is changed infrequently, and therefore it is generally secured with bolts, as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0004] While this configuration is highly safe, it is inefficient when the fastening positions of the adjustable belt and strap need to be changed frequently, such as in rental items, because the bolts must be tightened each time a change is made. For this reason, there is a demand for an adjuster such as a ratchet to be used for positioning the adjustable belt and strap.

[0005] However, if both ends of the strap are equipped with mechanical adjusters such as ratchets, there is a concern that if a malfunction occurs in the adjustment and locking mechanism, the strap may slip off from both the ladder belt and the adjustment belt and fall off.

[0006] Patent No. 4560508 Utility Model Registration No. 3106036

[0007] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable belt for bindings that can prevent the adjuster from unintentionally falling off, even when the strap is positioned and fixed to the adjustable belt using a mechanical adjuster.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the adjustable belt for bindings of the present invention is an adjustable belt that is inserted and engaged with an adjuster of a strap that holds a boot, and has a belt body with multiple engagement portions that are arranged along the longitudinal direction and into which the adjuster engages, a base end portion for fixing the belt body to the base of the binding, and a tip end portion with a barb that prevents the adjuster, through which the belt body is inserted, from coming off, and is characterized in that the barb is a flexible tongue piece, and the tongue piece has a free end on the base end side, and the free end is raised in the thickness direction of the belt body.

[0009] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the adjustable belt for bindings according to the present invention is an adjustable belt into which an adjuster of a strap that holds a boot is inserted and then engaged, and has a belt body with multiple engagement portions that are arranged along the longitudinal direction and into which the adjuster engages, a base end portion for fixing the belt body to the base of the binding, and a tip end portion with a barb that prevents the adjuster, through which the belt body is inserted, from slipping out, and the barb is a flexible tongue piece, and the tongue piece has a free end on the base end side, and the free end may be raised in the width direction of the belt body.

[0010] In addition, in the adjustable binding belt having the above-mentioned features, the adjuster is a cam buckle with a claw that generates a biasing force toward the opening side through which the belt body is inserted, and the engaging portion can be a recess provided on the main surface of the belt body and having a wall surface that catches with the claw. With such features, the adjuster can be positioned by simply operating the cam buckle.

[0011] Furthermore, in an adjustable binding belt having the above-described features, when the belt body is viewed in plan, it is preferable that the notch for forming the barb overlaps with one of the engagement portions, and that the tongue is configured so that the free end is narrower than the fixed end. With this feature, it is possible to move one of the engagement portions closer to the tip of the adjustable belt, and it is possible to widen the contact area between the wall surface of the engagement portion and the claw, making it easier to maintain the strength of the engagement portion.

[0012] According to the adjustable binding belt having the above-described characteristics, even when the strap is positioned and fixed to the adjustable belt using a mechanical adjuster, it is possible to prevent the adjuster from unintentionally falling off.

[0013] 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of an adjustable binding belt according to a first embodiment; FIG. 2 is a front view showing the configuration of an adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which a strap is engaged with the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which an adjuster is engaged with an arbitrary engagement portion of the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a front view showing a state in which an adjuster is engaged with an arbitrary engagement portion of the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which an adjuster has been moved to a tip end of the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment and is prevented from slipping off by a turnbuckle; FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state in which an adjuster has been moved to a tip end of the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment and is prevented from slipping off by a turnbuckle; FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which an adjuster has been pulled out of the adjustable binding belt according to the first embodiment; FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the configuration of an adjustable binding belt according to a second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of an adjustable binding belt according to a third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a binding to which the adjustable binding belt according to the embodiments can be applied; FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a fixed state of the base end of the adjustable belt of a toe belt. 14 is a view showing a cross section taken along the line A-A in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of an adjustment belt in which a return is provided at the boundary between the base end and the belt body. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the adjustment belt shown in FIG. 14 attached to the base of a binding.

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the adjustable binding belt of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are some of the preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention. Therefore, even if some of the configuration is changed, it can be considered as part of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved.

[0015] [Configuration: First Embodiment] First, referring to FIG. 11 , an example of a binding 50 to which the adjustable binding belt (hereinafter simply referred to as the adjustable belt 10) according to the present invention can be applied will be described. Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 11 , the ladder belts and ratchet buckles for tightening the binding are omitted from both the toe and ankle sides for simplicity of explanation. The binding 50 is basically configured by placing a highback 54, ankle belts 56, and toe belts 58 on a base 52 on which cushions and other components are arranged. Both the ankle belt 56 and toe belt 58 are basically configured by a ladder belt (not shown), an adjustable belt 10, and a strap 40. In this embodiment, the adjustable belt 10 in the toe belt 58 will be described as a representative example, but the basic configuration remains the same even when the adjustable belt 10 is in the ankle belt 56.

[0016] The adjustable belt 10 according to this embodiment is made of a flexible belt-shaped member and is basically composed of a belt main body 12, a base end 14, and a tip end 16. The belt main body 12 is a portion for adjusting the fixed position of the strap 40, which will be described in detail later, and is provided with multiple engagement portions 18 along the longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped member. The engagement portions 18 may be any engagement portions that can engage with the claws 42a of the adjuster 42, which will be described in detail later (see FIG. 3). Therefore, although the detailed configuration is not limited, in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the wall surface that is provided perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt main body 12 is configured as a recess configured so that it is nearly perpendicular to the main surface. By making the wall surface of the recess nearly perpendicular to the main surface, the positioning of the adjuster 42 can be ensured.

[0017] The spacing between the engaging portions is not limited, but is preferably about 10 mm to 15 mm. If the spacing between the engaging portions is large, the tightening width of the ratchet belt (not shown) will increase. In such cases, the contact position of the strap with the boot will be more likely to become uneven. In contrast, if the spacing between the engaging portions is about 10 mm to 15 mm, it will be easier to align the center of contact of the strap with the center of the boot.

[0018] Here, the adjuster 42 that engages with the engagement portion 18 may be, for example, one that includes the following elements: That is, it may be a mechanical type that includes an opening 42b through which the belt main body 12 (adjustable belt 10) is inserted, a pawl 42a equipped with a biasing means (not shown) that generates a biasing force on the opening 42b side, and an operating lever 42c for releasing the biasing force of the pawl 42a. Specifically, it may be something like a cam buckle.

[0019] The base end 14 is an element for fixing the adjustment belt 10 to the base 52 of the binding 50. The adjustment belt 10 according to this embodiment has a through-hole 14a formed along the surface direction (thickness direction) of the belt body 12. The end is treated with an arc 14b formed concentrically with the through-hole 14a.

[0020] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, a rotating shaft 20 is disposed in the through hole 14a, and by engaging this rotating shaft 20 with a portion of the base 52, it is possible to both fix and rotate the adjustable belt 10 in the tensile direction without bolting. A slit 52a, as shown in Figure 11, is provided at the fixing portion of the base 52 to which the adjustable belt 10 is fixed. A groove-shaped engaging portion 52a1, as shown in Figure 12, is provided inside the slit 52a. The belt body 12 is inserted into the slit 52a, and the rotating shaft 20 is engaged with the engaging portion 52a1, thereby fixing the adjustable belt 10. Furthermore, in the adjustable belt 10 according to the embodiment, by providing an end treatment such as the arc 14b on the base end 14, it is possible to prevent the base end 14 of the adjustable belt 10 from getting caught on the bottom surface and interfering with rotation when the adjustable belt 10 is rotated.

[0021] The tip 16 is provided with a barb 16a that prevents the adjuster 42 fixed to the strap 40 from slipping off. The adjuster 42 has an opening 42b through which the belt body 12 is inserted to adjust the position of the strap 40 (adjust the belt size). The barb 16a serves to prevent the adjuster 42, through which the belt body 12 is inserted, from unexpectedly slipping off the adjustable belt 10.

[0022] The barb 16a is formed by cutting out a portion of the adjustable belt 10 as a tongue piece. Therefore, the barb 16a has the same flexibility as the belt body 12. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, a V-shaped cut that widens toward the tip is made in the tip portion 16 of the adjustable belt 10 to form a mountain-shaped tongue piece. The barb 16a is raised in the thickness direction so that its tip, i.e., the free end, protrudes from the main surface of the belt body 12 and is configured to maintain this raised position in a steady state.

[0023] With this configuration, when the adjuster 42 is inserted, it passes from the base end side of the barb 16a, i.e., from the fixed end to the free end, so that the barb 16a bends in the direction of arrow a (see FIG. 2) as the adjuster 42 passes, and does not interfere with inserting the adjustable belt 10 through the adjuster 42. On the other hand, when attempting to remove the adjuster 42 from the base end 14 side to the tip end 16 side, the free end of the barb 16a abuts against the adjuster 42, preventing the adjuster 42 from falling off. Here, it is advisable to adjust the thickness and width of the barb 16a so that it has a buckling resistance that does not easily buckle when it comes into contact with the adjuster 42.

[0024] 1, the notch for forming the barb 16a is provided so as to overlap a part of the engaging portion 18 formed on the belt main body 12. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the tip side of the tongue that forms the barb 16a is narrowed, thereby ensuring a large width for the wall surface of the recess that forms the engaging portion 18 and widening the contact surface with the claw 42a of the adjuster 42. With this configuration, sufficient strength is ensured for the engaging portion 18 against a force in the pulling direction of the adjuster 42 (direction from the base end 14 side to the tip end 16).

[0025] [Operations and Effects] The adjustable belt 10 configured as described above has the rotating shaft 20 placed in the through hole 14a provided in the base end 14, and is inserted from the back side of the base 52 into the slit 52a provided in the attachment portion of the base 52 that constitutes the binding 50. The rotating shaft 20 engages with the engaging portion 52a1 provided on the inside of the slit 52a, thereby preventing the adjustable belt 10 from slipping off and securing it to the base 52.

[0026] The strap 40 is engaged with the adjustable belt 10 fixed to the base 52. The strap 40 is engaged by inserting the adjustable belt 10 into the adjuster 42 fixed to the strap 40. The adjustment belt 10 is inserted into the adjuster 42 by passing it through the opening 42b of the adjuster 42. At this time, the barb 16a provided at the tip 16 of the adjustable belt 10 is bent in the direction of arrow a (see Figure 2) by the adjuster 42 so that the rising part is crushed, allowing the adjuster 42 to pass through to the belt main body 12 side.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the adjuster 42 determines the engagement position of the strap 40 by engaging the claw 42a with the engagement portion 18 provided at a desired position. Here, the adjuster 42 can be disengaged from the engagement portion 18 by operating the operating lever 42c in the direction of arrow b (see Figure 5) to lift the claw 42a, thereby disengaging from the engagement portion 18 and moving in the longitudinal direction of the belt body 12. However, when the adjuster 42 reaches the tip end 16 of the adjustable belt 10, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the free end of the barb 16a abuts against the body of the adjuster 42, preventing the adjuster 42 from coming off (falling off).

[0028] On the other hand, in this state, by applying a force to the return 16a in the surface direction of the belt body 12 (the direction of arrow a in Figures 2 and 7) and making the height of the free end of the return 16a coincident with or approximate the height of the main surface of the belt body 12, the adjuster 42 can be moved in the direction of arrow c (see Figure 7) and removed from the adjustable belt 10 (see Figure 8).

[0029] In this way, the adjustable belt 10 according to this embodiment can prevent the adjustable belt 10 from unintentionally falling off, even when the strap 40 is positioned and fixed to the adjustable belt 10 by a mechanical adjuster 42. In addition, the adjuster 42 (strap 40) can be easily removed from the adjustable belt 10 intentionally.

[0030] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of an adjustable belt for binding will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The basic configuration of the adjustable belt 10A according to this embodiment is similar to that of the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, parts that share the same configuration are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The difference between the adjustable belt 10A according to this embodiment and the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment is the configuration of the barb 16a. The barb 16a of the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the notch for configuring the barb 16a overlaps part of the engaging portion 18 in a plan view. For this reason, the barb 16a, which is made of a tongue, is configured so that the width of the free end is narrower than the fixed end, increasing the contact area between the engaging portion 18 and the claw 42a of the adjuster 42.

[0032] In contrast, the barb 16a according to this embodiment has a straight structure, in other words, the width of the fixed end and the width of the free end are made the same, by separating the notch that forms the barb 16a from the engaging portion 18. Even with this configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effects as the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment.

[0033] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of an adjustable belt for binding will be described with reference to Fig. 10. The basic configuration of the adjustable belt 10B according to this embodiment is similar to that of the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, parts that share the same configuration are designated by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0034] The difference between the adjustable belt 10B according to this embodiment and the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment is the configuration of the barb 16a. The barb 16a of the adjustable belt 10 according to the first embodiment is configured so that the free end is raised in the thickness direction of the belt body 12. In contrast, the barb 16a of the adjustable belt 10B according to this embodiment is raised in the width direction of the belt body 12. Furthermore, while there was only one barb 16a in the first embodiment, there are a pair of barbs 16a in this embodiment. Even with this configuration, the same effects as the adjustable belt according to the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0035] In the adjustable belts 10, 10A, and 10B according to the above embodiments, the barb 16a is described as being located at the tip end to prevent the adjuster 42 from slipping out. However, the barb on the adjustable belt can also be provided for other purposes. For example, as shown in Figure 14, if the barb 22 is located at the boundary between the base end 14 and the belt body 12, it will act as a factor to prevent the adjustable belt 10C itself from slipping out of the binding 50.

[0036] As shown in Figure 15, even if the adjustment belt 10C of the ankle belt 56 does not have a retainer (stopper) on the insertion side, simply inserting the adjustment belt 10C into a slit (not shown) completes the fixation and makes it possible to prevent the belt from falling off due to being pulled back.

[0037] 10, 10A, 10B, 10C...Adjustable belt, 12...Belt body, 14...Base end portion, 14a...Through hole, 14b...Arc, 16...Tip end portion, 16a...Return bar, 18...Engagement portion, 20...Rotation shaft, 22...Return bar, 40...Strap, 42...Adjuster, 42a...Claw, 42b...Opening, 42c...Operating lever, 50...Binding, 52...Base, 52a...Slit, 52a1...Engagement portion, 54...High back, 56...Ankle belt, 58...Toe belt.

Claims

1. An adjustable belt for bindings, which is engaged after an adjuster of a strap that holds a boot is inserted therethrough, comprising: a belt body having multiple engagement portions arranged along the longitudinal direction for the adjuster to engage with; a base end for fixing the belt body to the base of a binding; and a tip end provided with a barb for preventing the adjuster, which has been inserted through the belt body, from slipping out, wherein the barb is a flexible tongue piece, and the tongue piece has a free end on the base end side, the free end being raised in the thickness direction of the belt body.

2. An adjustable belt for bindings, which is engaged after an adjuster of a strap that holds a boot is inserted therethrough, comprising: a belt body having multiple engagement portions arranged along the longitudinal direction for the adjuster to engage with; a base end for fixing the belt body to the base of a binding; and a tip end provided with a barb for preventing the adjuster, through which the belt body is inserted, said barb being a flexible tongue piece, the tongue piece having a free end on the base end side, said free end being raised in the width direction of the belt body.

3. An adjustable belt for binding as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjuster is a cam buckle having a claw that generates a biasing force on the opening side through which the belt body is inserted, and the engagement portion is a recess provided on the main surface of the belt body and having a wall surface that generates a catch between the claw and the engagement portion.

4. An adjustable belt for binding as described in claim 3, characterized in that, when the belt body is viewed in a plane, a notch for forming the turnout overlaps with one of the engagement portions, and the tongue is configured so that the free end is narrower than the fixed end.

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