Compact Belt Buckle With Dual Strap Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional belt buckles with friction mechanisms are bulky, permanently attach the belt strap, and have a visible free end, lacking in compactness and ease of separation.
Innovation Solution
A belt buckle design featuring a support structure with dual belt strap coupling features that securely engage the belt strap on both sides, minimizing movement and allowing for easy separation, with a low-profile and compact construction that hides the free end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a friction buckle is used to engage the belt strap, then the belt can be secured, but the belt buckle becomes bulky and the free end of the belt is visible
Solution Approach 1:
The belt strap is divided into two separate portions that engage with different coupling features on the buckle. The first portion engages with a first coupling feature that defines an opening, while the second portion engages with a second coupling feature. This segmentation allows the buckle to maintain a compact size while securely holding both ends of the belt strap, preventing the free end from being visible and eliminating the need for a bulky friction mechanism.
2Reliability
If a friction buckle is used, then the belt can be secured, but the belt strap is permanently attached to the buckle
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling features are designed to provide dynamic engagement and disengagement capabilities. The first coupling feature binds the first portion of the belt strap when the belt extends in opposite directions on the front and back sides, while the second coupling feature secures the second portion. This dynamic design allows the belt strap to be easily separated from the buckle when needed, while maintaining secure attachment during use, thus providing both reliability and adaptability.
3Reliability
If the belt strap extends through the buckle, then the belt can be secured, but the free end remains visible from the front
Solution Approach 1:
The belt strap is configured to extend in opposite directions on both the front side and the back side of the buckle. The first portion of the belt strap engages with the first coupling feature on the front side, while the second portion engages with the second coupling feature on the back side. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the free end of the belt to be positioned on the back side of the buckle, hiding it from front view while maintaining secure engagement, thus improving the appearance without compromising securing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt buckle is disclosed and described. The belt buckle can include a support structure defining a front side and a back side of the belt buckle. The belt buckle can also include a first belt strap coupling feature supported by the support structure to couple with a first portion of a belt strap. The first belt strap coupling feature can define a belt strap opening configured to receive the first portion of the belt strap therethrough. In addition, the belt buckle can include a second belt strap coupling feature supported by the support structure to couple with a second portion of the belt strap. The first belt strap coupling feature can be sufficient to bindingly engage the first portion of the belt strap when the belt strap extends in opposite directions on the front side and the back side of the belt buckle to minimize relative movement between the first portion of the belt strap and the first belt strap coupling feature.